Author: Kalantarian Kevo

FORMER US AMBASSADOR ON SARGSYAN’S AND KOCHARIAN’S POLITICAL/ECONOMIC PYRAMIDS

epress.am
09.08.2011 00:32

“Armenian politics is winner-take-all, and this very much applies not
only to the political spoils, but very often to the leading business
and economic spoils as well. This is one reason that Armenian politics
have become so implacable,” begins comments by former US Ambassador
to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch in a confidential diplomatic cable
dated Nov. 17, 2009 recently released by WikiLeaks.

“Moreover, one outcome of the 2008 presidential election was the
break-down of a tacit ‘live and let live’ pact that had previously
allowed some business figures who supported former President Levon
Ter-Petrossian (LTP) – most notably oligarch Khachatur “Grzo”
Sukiasyan, who controlled the SIL Group of businesses – to continue
to hold lucrative interests after Ter-Petrossian’s 1998 ouster. When
LTP fell in what amounted to a non-violent palace coup, one of the
unspoken deals was that so long as LTP and his business allies kept out
of politics and made no trouble for the new regime, they would be left
alone. With Grzo’s open support of LTP’s 2008 presidential campaign,
all bets were off. The SIL Group has been substantially disassembled,
and its most lucrative assets seized and effectively transferred
(by rigged court actions) into the hands of loyalists of President
Serzh Sargsyan,” Yovanovitch writes.

The US diplomat notes that one “well-connected” businessman agreed to
speak “candidly and confidentially” about the major economic interests
of leading political figures:

“It was clear that this information is very sensitive. During the
conversation, our interlocutor spoke freely and confidently about the
latest insider political party intrigues and confidential political
dealings to which he was privy. When the conversation turned to
oligarchs, monopolies, and business ownership, his body language
changed completely: he leaned forward and lowered his voice, and there
were certain questions he deferred until a presumed later meeting
‘outside Yerevan,’ a conversation which did not ultimately transpire.”

Yovanovitch notes that with the information provided by the
businessman, as well as the embassy’s own sources, it became clear
almost all of the most lucrative sectors and enterprises in Armenia are
divided into one of two major political/economic pyramids: one headed
by Serzh Sargsyan; the other, by former president Robert Kocharian.

In the Sargsyan camp are Mika company (which includes the Armenian
national airline Armavia) owner Mikhail Baghdasarov, fuel import
company Flash and Ararat bank owner Barsegh Beglaryan (who Yovanovitch
calls “Nikolai Barsegh”), notorious businessman and MP Samvel
Aleksanyan (“Lfik Samo”), Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan, Serzh
Sargsyan’s son-in-law Misha Minasyan, businessman Harutyun Pambukyan,
the president’s brother Alexander “Sashik” Sargsyan, businessman
and Football Federation of Armenia chair Ruben Hayrapetyan (“Nemets
Rubo”), and businessman Hrant Vardanyan, who Yovanvotich is told is
the wealthiest man in Armenia.

In the Kocharian camp, Yovanovitch names Prosperous Party leader,
prominent businessman and MP Gagik Tsarukyan (“Dodi Gago”),
Kocharian’s son Sedrak Kocharian, and former minister of transport
and communications, businessman Andranik Manukyan.

Yovanovitch notes that National Assembly chair Hovik Abrahamyan
controls his own business empire which, though formerly part of the
Kocharian pyramid, is now increasingly autonomous.

The US diplomat concludes with a caution that all of the material
in the cable is from a single source who has a more oppositional
outlook, but is nevertheless well-connected to both government and
opposition figures.

“That said, all of what we have presented here more or less fits with
the prevailing understanding of the intersection between politics and
business. We will continue to seek additional sources to corroborate
this information for the benefit of Washington analysts,” Yovanovitch
concludes.

‘ARMY DRESSED IN BLACK’ ORGANIZES MARCH TO PROTEST NON-COMBAT ARMY DEATHS

epress.am
09.06.2011 11:56

A group calling themselves the “Army Dressed in Black,” established
by relatives of young men killed in non-combat while serving in the
Armenian army and their supporters, will march from Yerevan’s Republic
Square at 10:30 am on Sept. 8 in protest of the situation in Armenia’s
armed forces.

“Every mother who has a son today fears sending him to the army. The
violence and iniquities in the so-called army that [is supposed to]
ensure the security of the country and the people debase the idea
of serving your country. By being silent, we unwittingly give our
approval to the loss of an entire generation of youth. We urge you
to raise your voice and fight against the disastrous situation in
the army. join the Army Dressed in Black’s silent march,” reads the
statement by organizers.

Note, in Armenia, young men are required to serve in the army for 2
years once they turn 18.

TURKISH AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS TO DISCUSS NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Today
Sept 7 2011
Azerbaijan

Presidents Abdullah Gul of Turkey and Dmitry Medvedev of Russia will
discuss the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as part of
the Turkish President`s trip to Russia.

The goal of the Turkish leader`s visit is to attend the Yaroslavl
Global Policy Forum slated for September 7-8.

During the meeting, the two presidents will also discuss Iran`s
nuclear programme and situation in Afghanistan.

VOLUME OF TRANSFERS TO ARMENIA GOING UP

news.am
Sept 7 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN.- In Jan.-July 2011 noncommercial bank transfers to Armenia
amounted to $772 million, reads publication issued by the Central
Bank of Armenia.

As compared to the same period last year, the volume of transfers
increased approximately by 25%. The major increases in transfers
accounted for Russia. Thus, volume of transfers from Russia over
seven months of 2010 is estimated at $494 million against $632 million
in 2011.

A small increase in transfers from other countries was registered as
well. The volume of transfers from Turkey went up three times totaling
$1.4 million.

AMENOPHOBIA IN GEORGIAN MEDIA – REPORT

news.am
Sept 7 2011
Armenia

Georgian media helps to strengthen existing stereotypes and identifies
its own citizens with the neighboring country due to their different
ethnic and religious origins, rather than with their own state,
says the report by Georgia-based Media Development Foundation.

“The law adopted for the citizens of Georgia – representatives of
various confessions – is discussed by media as a deliberate step
towards other countries mainly benefiting Armenia, and journalists
focus on Armenian interests against the Georgian interest (for example,
“Interests of the Armenian Church are clear, but what interest should
Georgian State have?”),” reads the report available on foundation’s
website ().

Moreover, the report mentions that minorities are represented as
secondary citizens. “who can not claim equality, as well as the right
to demand property regardless whether or not the religious building
belongs to their confession”.

The report also covers the problem of Armenophobic expressions
in media.

“As for discriminative, Armenophobic and hatred inciting expressions,
authors of such expressions in some cases are journalists themselves.

Sometime media publishes opinions of respondents without informing them
on how such expressions might be perceived by minorities. It should
be mentioned that greater share of Amenophobia comes to print media,
and most stereotypes are mainly related to Armenians,” the report says.

LITTLE ANUSH NEEDS HELP

19:24:57 – 07/09/2011

Five-year-old Anush Hayrapetyan is suffering from acute mieloblastic
leucosis. The multiphase chemotherapy conducted in Yerevan yielded
reassuring results, for which she left the clinic in February 2011,
though remaining under the supervision of doctors. Unfortunately,
after six months the illness had a relapse and the only treatment
now remains immediate bone marrow transplantation, which requires
enormous financial means. Anush’s family is unable to provide the
finances alone. Fortunately there is a positive compatibility with
the donor. We resort to financial assistance of everyone.

The following bank accounts are available at Ameriabank

for transfers in AMD: 1570012711940100

for transfers in US $: 1570012711940101

for transfers in Euro: 1570012711940146.

Personalized transfers are also available at bank accounts of Ognem
foundation ().

We express our deep gratitude to all compassionate people in advance.

Lilith Gyozalyan, Sergey Hayrapetyan, parents of Anush Hayrapetyan.

GRIGORY GABRIELYANTS – CONSULTANT TO THE NKR PRESIDENT

ARMENPRESS
17:02, 7 September, 2011

President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan signed decree
appointing Grigory Gabrielyants consultant to the NKR president,
Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic
President reported.

RUBEN HAKHVERDYAN: THE PRESIDENT WHICH READS TEXTS CANNOT FIGHT IGNORANCE IN ARMENIA

arminfo
Monday, September 5, 15:57

The president, not elected by the people and reads texts, written
by others, cannot fight ignorance in Armenia, the known Armenian
singer-songwriter, Ruben Hakhverdyan, told journalists today.

“The present president can only pretend to be legitimate and elected
by the people, and read the texts written by others, whereas overall
ignorance has been more and more surrounding us day by day. In this
context, we, the nation, the core and the national security of which
are based on the national identity, have to do everything possible
to preserve this national identity”, – he said.

Meanwhile, as Hakhverdyan said, the authorities of the republic seem
not to understand it. For this reason, we have cheap Turkish and
Azerbaijani music at Armenian TV channels.

He also added that the growing up generation should learn literate
Armenian language, including through the television, which today has
nothing to offer to the youth.

“The national identity is a pledge for preserving Armenian people.

Just for this reason, some people have been striving to smear it,
introducing religious sects in Armenia as well as spreading false
and cheap music”, – Hakhverdyan concluded.

DEAD SOLDIER’S PARENTS DON’T KNOW THEIR SON DIED

epress.am
09.07.2011 17:07

Amberd Mayor Manvel Babayan only told the parents and family members of
Hayk Lazarian, the 19 year-old soldier who died earlier today at his
outpost in Nagorno-Karabakh, that the boy had been seriously wounded,
reports Hetq Online.

Only Hayk’s brother Ruben knows that the boy will not be returning
home. His mother still clings to the hope that her son will recover
and be united with them in the Armenian village of Amberd.

The boy’s father, Vasil, who has been working in Russia for the past
year, only knows that his son was severely wounded. He plans to fly
back to Armenia tonight.

Neighbours, who know the truth of the matter, told Hetq that they just
cannot bring themselves to tell the mother and sisters what actually
has happened.

No one from the Etchmiadzin army commissariat, where Hayk was
conscripted, has seen fit to make the trip to Amberd and break the
news to the soldier’s family.

One Amberd resident said it was a shame the way the army has failed
to take responsibility for the soldier’s death and is calling on local
residents to protest in front of the Government Building in Yerevan.

Local residents as well don’t want to break the news to Hayk’s mother
Yeranuhi.

We spoke to Ruben at a neighbour’s house, so that Yeranuhi and other
family members would not overhear the truth.

Ruben kept his emotions in check, hitting the door with his clenched
fist.

The brother told us that no one had yet paid the family a visit from
either the army commissariat of the Ministry of Defense.

Colonel Hakob Azatyan, from the Etchmiadzin Commissariat, told us
that he had personally informed family members about Hayk’s death.

“The relatives know that their boy is dead. I told them personally.

As to whom I told specifically, let’s not discuss such details on
the telephone,” Colonel Azatyan said.

Local residents told us that earlier today one of the relatives called
up the commissariat to verify that an accident had taken place. This
was the extent of Colonel Azatyan’s “message”.

Ruben told us that he had gone to Nagorno-Karabakh to see his brother
on Aug. 14 and that Hayk had told him that everything was fine.

Hayk was supposed to have been drafted in Nov. 2010. The first medical
examination uncovered a head scar and doctors suspected that the boy
might suffer from psychological problems.

Hayk was examined a second time and eventually drafted a month later.

Ruben told us his brother wanted to serve in the army and would go
to plead his case personally to the commissariat if he was rejected.

“Hayk decided to go to Russia after being discharged from service.

He wanted to work and save enough to buy a car, Ruben said.

Rumours are spreading in Amberd that Hayk was killed by another
conscript by Gyumri.

Given that no official information has been forthcoming from the
defense ministry such hearsay is bound to spread even further.

Photo: Hetq Online

DEAD SOLDIER’S MOTHER HASN’T BEEN TOLD THE TRUTH
Grisha Balasanyan

14:46, September 7, 2011

It turns out that Amberd Mayor Manvel Babayan only told the parents
and family members of Hayk Lazarian, the 19 year-old soldier who
died earlier today at his outpost in Artsakh, that the boy had been
seriously wounded.

Only Hayk’s brother Ruben knows that the boy will not be returning
home. His mother still clings to the hope that her son will recover and
be united with them in Amberd, their village in Armenia’s Amberd Marz.

The boy’s father, Vasil, who has been working in Russia for the past
year, only knows that his son has been severely wounded. He plans to
fly back to Armenia tonight.

Neighbours, who know the truth of the matter, told Hetq that they
just cannot bring themselves to telling the mother and sisters what
actually has happened.

No one from the Etchmiadzin army commissariat, where Hayk was
conscripted, has seen fit to make the trip to Amberd and break the
news to the soldier’s family.

One Amberd resident said it was a shame the way the army has failed
to take responsibility for the soldier’s death and is calling on local
residents to protest in front of the Government Building in Yerevan.

[Haykenc_tan_mot.jpg] Local residents as well don’t want to break
the news to Hayk’s mother Yeranouhie.

We spoke to Ruben at a neighbour’s house, so that Yeranouhie and
other family members would not overhear the truth.

Ruben kept his emotions in check, hitting the door with his clenched
fist.

The brother told us that no one had yet paid the family a visit from
either the army commissariat of the Ministry of Defense.

Colonel Hakob Azatyan, from the Etchmiadzin Commissariat, told us
that he had personally informed family members about Hayk’s death

“The relatives know that their boy is dead. I told them personally.

As to whom I told specifically, let’s not discuss such details on
the telephone,” Colonel Azatyan said.

Local residents told us that earlier today one of the relatives called
up the commissariat to verify that an accident had taken place. This
was the extent of Colonel Azatyan’s “message”.

Ruben told us that he had gone to Artsakh to see his brother on August
14 and that Hayk had told him that everything was fine.

Hayk was supposed to have been drafted in November of 2010. The first
medical examination uncovered a head scar and doctors suspected that
the boy might suffer from psychological problems.

Hayk was examined a second time and eventually drafted a month later.

Ruben told us his brother wanted to serve in the army and would go
to plead his case personally to the commissariat if he was rejected.

“Hayk decided to go to Russia after being discharged from service.

He wanted to work and save enough to buy a car, Ruben said.

Rumours are spreading in Amberd that Hayk was killed by another
conscript by Gyumri.

Given that no official information has been forthcoming from the
Defense Ministry such hearsay is bound to spread even further.