Author: Kalantarian Kevo

SERZH SARGSYAN’S DESPERATE CALL TO NAZARBAYEV

Lragir.am
Comments – 10 December 2014, 22:11

On December 10 Serzh Sargsyan telephoned the president of Kazakhstan
Nursultan Nazarbayev. A few days earlier he had telephoned
the president of Belarus Lukashenko. The focus of the telephone
conversations was apparently ratification of the agreement on Armenia’s
membership to the Eurasian Union in the parliaments of those countries.

On December 10 the agreement on Armenia’s membership was ratified by
the Russian Duma. Serzh Sargsyan is anxious to have the agreement
on Armenia’s membership ratified by the parliaments of Belarus and
Kazakhstan by January 1.

Otherwise, after January 1 the membership of Armenia will continue
to hang up in the air as it was over the past one year and a half.

The deputy minister of foreign affairs of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan
has confessed on one occasion that Belarus and Kazakhstan are not happy
with the membership of Armenia to the Eurasian Union. In addition,
both Belarus and Kazakhstan have explained their reluctance by the
issue of Artsakh, not wishing to upset Ilham Aliyev.

With their comments for every stage of membership of Armenia Minsk
and Astana actually resolved their problems with Russia. It is not
ruled out that they will try to do the same now, especially that
the economic conjuncture among the three founding members of the
Eurasian Economic Union is too bad, trade relations between Russia,
Belarus and Kazakhstan are tense. Moscow accuses Minsk and Astana
for transit of sanctioned EU products.

Recently the president of Belarus Lukashenko has announced about his
decision to restore BCPs at the border with Russia and to check cargo.

Hence, Minsk and Astana may again trade Armenia’s membership for
their problems with Russia.

Besides, Serzh Sargsyan could have another important reason to
telephone Nursultan Nazarbayev. The point is that besides the
ratification of the membership agreement by the Russian Duma
the Russian foreign minister Lavrov made a dangerous statement on
December 10. He said the issue of joining of EEU members to Russia’s
countersanctions against Russia may occur in the future.

It is possible that Serzh Sargsyan asked Nazabayev’s thoughts on this.

This is very important for Armenia because Armenia lacks the necessary
level of sovereignty and may only rely on Nazarbayev’s and Lukashenko’s
resistance in tackling with Russia’s requirement.

KHADIJA ISMAYILOVA IN PRISON: CHARGES AGAINST ME ARE FRAUD, DIRTY BLACK PR

12:11 10/12/2014 >> SOCIETY

Today arrested journalist Khadija Ismayilova called from the prison
to her colleagues from the Azerbaijani service of “Radio Liberty”.

Speaking of her arrest, she said she knew that the Azerbaijani
authorities will eventually pluck, Azerbaijani news agency “Turan”
reports.

The article notes that Ismayilova expected that one day the authorities
would not stand it anymore. It happened and she got arrested. “The
charges against me are fraud, dirty and black PR.

Despite all this, I am strong. I know that it’s not easy for you
either. But do not be discouraged. Continue to work. It is important
that each of you continued his work. I expect new investigations from
my colleagues and new initiatives from human rights defenders. The
work must continue,” said Ismayilova.

“I am deeply concerned about the arrest of Ismayilova who was
ruthlessly persecuted by the Azerbaijani government for her efforts
to expose corruption in his country and for her work to protect the
rights of political prisoners,” this statement was made by the head
of the Helsinki Commission of the US Congress Benjamin Cardin. A
statement is published on the official website of Benjamin Cardin.

As noted in a statement the current charges against Ismayilova are
strange and seem to have one goal – to shut another critical voice
in Azerbaijan, which are very few.

“Ismayilova was supposed to appear before the Helsinki Commission
on November 19, 2014, but she couldn’t leave the country by the
decision of the authorities. The current charges against Ismayilova
for incitement to suicide are an escalation of persecution, which
it is exposed by the government for several years,” said the head of
the Helsinki Commission.

A well-known human rights organization “Reporters Without Borders”
also demanded an immediate release of the Azerbaijani opposition
journalist in its press release. The head of the German branch of the
organization Christian Peace expressed concern about a new wave of
repression in Azerbaijan. “Apparently, the Azerbaijani authorities
are trying by all means to silence another prominent critic of the
authoritarian regime,” he said.

Johan Beer, the head of the “Reporters Without Borders” of Eastern
Europe and Central Asia made a statement too. “We are outraged by
these false accusations and unjust deprivation of liberty. Arrest of
Khadija Ismayilova, the leader in independent investigative journalism
in Azerbaijan is evidence that the authorities are more determined
than ever, and have taken up the elimination of all the opposition,”
he said.

On December 5, morning, well-known Azerbaijani journalist Khadija
Ismayilova was detained after being questioned at the prosecutor’s
office. Baku Sabail District Court made a decision to detain her for
two months. She was charged with incitement to suicide. If the fault
of the journalist is proven, then she can be punished by a term of
3 to 7 years in prison. Khadija Ismayilova has become the target of
attacks of the government for her journalistic activities. Ismayilova
is an author of a number of journalistic investigations of corruption
in the highest echelons of power in Azerbaijan. In recent years, she is
conducting a talk show in the Azerbaijani Service of “Radio Liberty”.

LAKE SEVAN’S LEVEL DOWN 7 CENTIMETERS

YEREVAN, December 10. / ARKA /. The level of Lake Sevan was seven
centimeters down on December 1 from the year before, said today Karine
Danielyan, the chairwoman of a non-governmental organization called
Association for Sustainable Human Development.

Speaking at a news conference Ms. Danielyan said water level
fluctuations of Lake Sevan pose a serious danger of desertification
not only for Ararat Valley, but also for the entire country, ‘because
all water resources of the country are interconnected.”

According to her, it is necessary to find a balance between economic
development and protection of natural resources.

She said when the level is rising it improves the quality of the
water in the lake which worsens when the level falls. Ms. Danielyan
said the lake’s water can not help resolve the irrigation problems
because when it reaches the irrigation areas about 80% of it is lost.

“It is evident that to lower the lake for the sake of the remaining
20% is wrong. The government and other stakeholders should make an
in-depth study of the problem and find a solution that will not use
Sevan Lake’s water,

GLOBAL MILITARISATION INDEX 2014: ARMENIA RANKED THIRD

15:39, 10 Dec 2014

Armenia is the third most militarized country, according to the Global
Militarisation Index (GMI) issued by the Bonn International Center
for Conversion.

In the 2014 GMI, Israel, Singapore, Armenia, Syria, Russia, Cyprus,
South Korea, Jordan, Greece and Azerbaijan (rank 1 to 10) are amongst
the ten countries with the highest levels of militarization three
of which are situated in the Middle East, two in East Asia and
the remaining five in Western and Eastern Europe. The high levels
of militarization in these countries are mostly the result of
comprehensive arms purchases.

The causes for the generally high levels of militarization in The
Middle East are manifold. They range from the defense of existing
authoritarian regimes against possible internal adversaries to external
conflicts and potential threats from the outside. All in all, one
will have to assume that the level of militarization in the region
will remain high or will even increase.

The neighboring states Armenia (rank 3) and Azerbaijan (rank 10),
both belonging to Europe, show very high levels of militarization
and have initiated major increases in their military expenditures
over the past years. The high levels of militarization in these
two countries must, however, be seen in the overall context. Russia
(rank 5) delivers arms to both South Caucasian republics and has been
pursuing a comprehensive military reform since 2008.

Between 2009 and 2013, expenditures for equipment and procurement
in European NATO states fell by more than US $ 9 billion. Still,
some states show high levels of militarisation (Greece: 9, Estonia:
21, Turkey: 24, Bulgaria: 27, Portugal: 28).

Singapore (rank 2) and South Korea (rank 7) are the two countries
within East Asia that are amongst the ten most militarized countries in
the world. Singapore’s procurement efforts are a reaction to its many
unresolved territorial issues, the importance of strategic waterways in
the region and the Chinese anti-access / area denial strategy. South
Korea’s high level of militarization can be understood in the context
of the ongoing state of war with North Korea, but also with unresolved
territorial issues with Japan and China in the Yellow Sea.

The Global Militarisation Index (GMI) depicts the relative weight and
importance of the military apparatus of one state in relation to its
society as a whole. The update of the GMI 2014 is based on data from
the year 2013 (i. e. the most recent year for which data has been
available) and comprises 152 states. BICC’s GMI is supported by the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The GMI is divided into three overarching categories: expenditure,
personnel and heavy weapons. Military spending in relation to GDP
and health spending are the most important indicators for determining
the level of militarization. Besides military expenditure, the level
of militarization is also represented by the relation of military
personnel to the total population and physicians. As its third
category the GMI takes into consideration the number of an armed
forces’ heavy weapons in relation to the total population.

SWITZERLAND REJECTS ARMENIAN DIASPORA’S PROPOSAL TO ERECT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL IN ARIANA PARK IN GENEVA

by Tatevik Shahunyan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, December 10, 11:57

The Swiss Government has rejected the proposal of the Armenian Diaspora
to erect a monument to the victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman
Turkey in the early XX century in Ariana Park in Geneva.

Dogan news agency reports that the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs
submitted its decision to the Canton of Geneva. The Ministry says
that if the Armenian Diaspora insists, the

Canton of Geneva may decide to erect the monument elsewhere in the
country.

The Armenian Diaspora in Switzerland suggested erecting the monument
in Ariana Park, Geneva.

To note, Switzerland is one of the three European countries, which
has not only recognized the Armenian Genocide, but also criminalized
the Armenian Genocide denial at the legislative level.

NOUVELLE RESISTANCE AU MEMORIAL DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN A GENÈVE

SUISSE

Un courrier du Departement federal des affaires etrangères recommande
au canton de Genève de refuser l’autorisation de construire des
Reverbères de la Memoire a l’Ariana, a appris la RTS mardi.

Nouvel obstacle a la construction d’un memorial pour le genocide
armenien a Genève. Lance en 2008 pour etre realise en Vieille-Ville,
le projet s’etait vu affecter – pour “raison archeologique” – un
nouvel espace dans le parc de l’Ariana, près de la place des Nations.

Mais l’emplacement des Reverbères de la Memoire pourrait etre a
nouveau revu, a appris la RTS mardi. Appel au refus d’autorisation

Suite a la rencontre entre les deux conseillers d’Etat genevois
Francois Longchamp et Antonio Hodgers avec Didier Burkhalter il y a
deux semaines a Berne, un courrier du president de la Confederation
a ete adresse lundi a Genève recommandant “que l’autorite cantonale
competente pour statuer refuse d’octroyer l’autorisation de construire
a l’emplacement envisage”.

Raison invoquee : “Preserver un environnement impartial et
paisible permettant aux Nations unies et aux autres organisations
internationales de s’acquitter de leurs fonctions dans les meilleures
conditions cadre possibles.”

Les Cropettes ou Beaulieu en alternative ?

La Ville maintient l’idee d’un memorial a l’Ariana, a indique
le porte-parole du Departement de la culture et du sport Felicien
Mazzola. “Mais si l’autorisation devait etre refusee, d’autres lieux
seraient envisages.”

Selon la RTS, la Ville de Genève serait deja a la recherche d’un autre
terrain susceptible d’accueillir Les Reverbères de la Memoire. Le parc
Beaulieu ou celui des Cropettes seraient envisages comme alternatives
possibles.

Les etapes du projet en bref En 2008, l’idee d’un monument a la
memoire commune des Genevois et des Armeniens obtient le feu vert de
la Ville de Genève. Un concours est organise, malgre l’incomprehension
de la Turquie.

Le 8 novembre 2010, un jury et des representants de la Ville designent
vainqueur a l’unanimite le projet de l’artiste Melik Ohanian, Les
Reverbères de la Memoire.

Le 29 mars 2011, le projet est rendu public en presence du chanteur
et ambassadeur de l’Armenie auprès de l’ONU Charles Aznavour.

En octobre 2013, le projet initialement prevu Bastion Saint-Antoine,
se voit affecter un nouvel emplacement – dans le parc de l’Ariana –
pour “raison archeologique”.

Decembre 2014, un courrier du Departement federal des affaires
etrangères enjoint le canton de genève de refuser l’autorisation de
construire dans le parc de l’Ariana.

mercredi 10 decembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

GALUST SAHAKYAN RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF CHINA

09.12.2014

On December 9 the RA NA President Galust Sahakyan received Tian Erlong,
the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the People’s Republic of China to Armenia.

The RA NA President congratulated the Ambassador on the occasion of
beginning the diplomatic mission in our country and wished fruitful
activity for the benefit of the Armenian-Chinese friendship. Galust
Sahakyan highlighted the political contacts of high level between
the two countries, the mutual visits and the bilateral meetings.

Highlighting the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in boosting the
political dialogue between the two countries, expressed his readiness
to support the enlivening of the Armenian-Chinese inter-parliamentary
relations. Galust Sahakyan highly assessed the joint programmes
implemented in the scientific-educational, cultural, economic spheres
and welcomed the establishment of the Chinese biased school, which
will promote the deepening of the Armenian-Chinese cooperation in
the scientific-educational and cultural spheres.

Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh problem the NA President has noted
that Armenia adheres to the negotiation principle of the problem
settlement and highly assesses the balanced position of China related
to Artsakh problem. Talking about the Centennial of the Armenian
Genocide and worthy evaluating the crime perpetrated against our
people, the Head of the parliament has expressed hope that the Chinese
side will take part in the events to be organized in April 2015.

Ambassador Erlong has noted that it is a great honour and
responsibility for him to be the Ambassador of China in Armenia and
represent his state in a country with which the historical, cultural,
trade-economic relations and contacts are of centuries old. Mr Erlong
has highly assessed the cooperation of the parliaments of the friendly
countries, the exchange of experience and mutual visits, which are
an important part for the development of friendly relations. In the
Ambassador’s word, China pays great attention to the deepening of
traditional friendly relations with Armenia, and even in Beijing
University Armenian is taught. Tian Erlong has noted that since
the establishment of diplomatic relations the contacts develop
rather dynamic. He has highlighted the cooperation in the cultural,
trade-economic, humanitarian spheres, noting that the volume of the
trade turnover between the two countries has increased. The Ambassador
has expressed hope that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be solved
through peaceful negotiations.

RA NA DEPUTY SPEAKER MEETS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE YAZIDI COMMUNITY

09.12.2014

On December 9 the RA NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov met with
the Chairman of the NGO Yazidi Association Sinjar Boris Tamoyan,
the NGO members Mame Amiran, Hamlet Smoyan and the representative of
the Yazidi community Siaband Bakoyan.

The NA Deputy Speaker has noted that December 9 is a symbolic day,
as in 1948 that day the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment
of Genocide and Crimes was adopted by the General Assembly. To his
conviction, the international structures should fight for condemnation
and denial of genocides.

The NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov has considered inadmissible
the mass violence being perpetrated towards the Yazidi population in
the north-western part of Iraq, noting that the Head of the country
also talked about those inhuman violence from the UN high tribune. The
representatives of the Yazidi community in their turn highly assessed
the RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s speech in the UN General Assembly.

Touching upon the problems Yazidis living in the north of Iraq, as well
as the violence against the Christians in Syria and the explosion of
the Deir Ez-Zor Saint Martyrs’ Armenian Church, the NA Deputy Speaker
has underlined that the genocidal policy continues today.

At the meeting the NA Deputy Speaker has noted that during the numerous
meetings with different national minorities he has received a proposal
to create a council of national minorities to the NA Speaker.

Mr Sharmazanov has expressed readiness to discuss the issue in
the future.

The members of the NGO proposed to organize a photo exhibition on the
violence being perpetrated towards the Yazidis in the north-western
of Iraq in the RA National Assembly in 2015.

At the end of the meeting the NGO representatives thanked the NA
Deputy Speaker for the state care shown by the Armenian authorities
towards the Yazidi community.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT HOSTS URUGUAY SENATE CHIEF

16:46 * 09.12.14

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday received Speaker of the
Uruguayan Senate Danilo Astori.

Greeting the high-ranking guest, the president noted with satisfaction
that the past year was a promising and important period in the
bilateral relations and a good opportunity to deepen mutual ties
between the two countries.

According to a press release by the presidential press office,
the sides highlighted the importance of parliamentary democracy in
the bilateral relations, agreeing mutually that the two countries’
parliamentary friendship groups helped strengthen the partnership
further.

President Sargsyan thanked the Uruguay for the invaluable contribution
to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, noting that the move
marked the beginning of a large-scale international process.

The Armenian leader also highly praised the country’s balanced stance
on the Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement efforts.

EXPERT: THE CRISIS IN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST DID NOT TOUCH ON THE SOUTH CAUCASUS THANKS TO THE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

by Ashot Safaryan

Tuesday, December 9, 14:41

The sharp crisis in the relations between Russia and the West did
not touch on the South Caucasus and did not result in inbalancing
of the situation in this region, Nikolai Silaev, Senior Research
Associate of the Center for Research on the Caucasus at Moscow State
Institute of International Relations, said at today’s presentation of
the report entitled,”Russia-Armenia Integration against the Background
of Global Crisis.”

He said that the relations of Russia with the South Caucasus countries
and, in particular, with its strategic partner Armenia are strong
enough to overcome the crisis in the international relations. “These
relations are growing deeper, and Armenia is joining the Russia-led
Eurasian Economic Union. And it is normal that this process is
accompanied with the stormy domestic political discussions. At the
same time, it is obvious that the developed relations between the
two countries in the security sector also exist today in the economic
sector,” Nikolai Silaev added.

He also emphasized that only deployment of the Russian military
base in Armenia is not enough for the economic integration at the
post-Soviet area. And Georgia’s experience is evidence of that, as
Russian military units were deployed there several years ago. “The
relations of Russia with its partners at the post-Soviet area should
become multilateral and should not be limited only by the military
cooperation”,- the expert said.