Author: Kalantarian Kevo

KIEV STARTS CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 6 2013

6 November 2013 – 3:15pm

Construction of the basis of the Armenian cathedral in Kiev has
started, Tert.am reports.

Construction of the structure was approved in 2012. Another church
is being constructed in Donetsk. Both the cathedral in Kiev and the
church in Donetsk are the main goals the Armenian community in Ukraine
is working on.

Vilen Sharvoryan, head of the Armenian Union of Ukraine, said that
accomplishment of their construction would allow the community to
open its culture for the people of Ukraine.

ARMENIA: YEREVAN MAYOR HAS FLAMINGO FIXATION

EurasiaNet.org
Nov 7 2013

November 7, 2013 – 2:38pm, by Marianna Grigoryan

The mayor of Toronto, Canada’s largest city, made headlines recently
by admitting to smoking crack cocaine. Taron Margarian, the mayor of
Armenia’s capital Yerevan, is generating controversy in a different
way – by proffering a vision of glowing flamingoes for his city.

Like any aging city, Yerevan, wants to look its best. But many denizens
contend the mayor’s office is wasting public funds by emphasizing
gaudy style over substance. Margarian is going about fulfilling a
pledge to build a “better Yerevan” by procuring flags, benches and
decorative flamingoes, rather than refurbishing the city’s essential
infrastructure, including the crumbling sewage system.

For a city government that earlier this year announced a budget
deficit of roughly 400 million drams ($985,780) the beautification
choices are raising hackles. Helping to compound criticism is the
fact that the cosmetic touch-ups are being paid for out of the
city’s opaque development budget. Thus, contracts are being handed
out without tenders.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the beautification plan is
a proposal to populate the city center with illuminated figures of
antelopes, butterflies and orange flamingoes, situated on artificial
grass. The mayor’s office intends to take the menagerie to other
sections of the city, too. No information is publicly available about
the total cost.

Already, 170 million drams (around $419,453) have been spent on the
repair and decoration of up to 130 building archways with scenes of
Yerevan, depicting nature and Armenian fairy tales. Many archways,
however, were decorated before being repaired. And some residents
criticize the murals as unprofessional. No tender was announced for
the project.

Those in shock from such murals or the flamingoes now can rest on
benches bearing the city’s name – in case anyone forgot it – which
have been placed throughout downtown Yerevan. The city shelled out 99
million drams (around $244,000) — also without issuing a tender —
to purchase 600 of these benches from the local Nikol Duman Foundry.

According to figures released by the mayor’s office, each bench
cost 165,000 drams (about $407) – a price nearly 40 percent higher
than that for similar, non-inscribed benches available online from
Armenian vendors.

And then there are flags – 72 mid-sized banners, purchased, again
without a tender, for 263,900 drams ($650) each.

Another source of outrage is the two-fold increase in the amount
shelled out recently to commemorate Yerevan’s 2,795th anniversary
(200-million drams or nearly $500,000). No justification was provided
for this year’s higher-priced municipal birthday party.

“I feel as if I’ve been fooled by the celebration of my city. Are
they kidding us? There are so many problems in our city and they are
spending millions on this?” asked 36-year-old Nane Avagian.

Opposition activist Hranush Kharatian, a former senior government
official, said precious public funds are desperately needed to maintain
infrastructure. “Multi-story buildings are falling apart; elevators are
shattered, there are leaking roofs, sewage water flows into buildings,
while damaged buildings pose a daily threat to residents,” he said.

Despite the glaring needs, the city doesn’t “have any programs aimed at
solving these problems, while the projects that are being implemented
are designed for something else,” Kharatian added.

Margarian is a member of the governing Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA). His office did not respond to repeated requests by
EurasiaNet.org for an interview. However, city spokesperson Artur
Gevorgian dismissed critics of the beautification projects as “creeps”
and “stinkers” in comments published by the news website news.am.

If anything “stinks” about the projects, it is city officials’ civic
planning skills, critics counter, however. “As long as they do not
reveal the names of the real owners of the business entities that
benefit from these purchases [for the anniversary celebrations],
or that make these purchases [for them], and as long as they do not
explain the grounds for the purchase prices, there will not be any
justification [for the expenditures] that would exclude the risk
of corruption,” charged Artur Sakunts, head of the Vanadzor office
of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, a human-rights non-governmental
organization.

Like many others, activist Kharatian believes that the mayor’s office
“spends money not on certain projects, but on spheres where certain
people have their own interests.”

In July, such beliefs led to a boycott of public transportation in
Yerevan after the mayor announced a minimum 50-percent fare hike. Many
claimed that the increase was going to line the pockets of political
cronies who allegedly own transportation companies. Amid determined
push-back from the general public, the mayor decided to revoke the
price-increase.

RPA Deputy Chair Galust Sahakian denies that city officials are lining
the pockets of their pals. He even suggested the city needed to spend
more on updating its appearance. “We have to think about tourism and
the reception of guests,” he said.

Sakunts said that obtaining useful information on public expenditures
will be possible only if critics mobilize. “If the city council and its
so-called [23] opposition members do not fulfill their commitments,
the situation will not change. There is a lack of initiative and
political responsibility,” he said.

To outside observers, the ballot box might seem one way to hold city
officials accountable. City council elections will not be held until
2017, however, and expectations for a change from the RPA in Yerevan
run slim.

Editor’s note: Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter based in
Yerevan and editor of MediaLab.am.

CONTROL QUESTIONS: RE-APPOINTMENT OF CHAMBER CHAIR RAISES ISSUE OF CORRUPTION

Society | 07.11.13 | 15:09

Photolure

By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter

President Serzh Sargsyan suggested to the parliament that Ishkhan
Zakaryan be re-appointed as the chairman of the Control Chamber of
Armenia, as his first term in that position expired November 5.

Law-makers will discuss Zarkaryan’s candidacy on November 7, and if
approved the appointment would take place during the upcoming four-day
sitting of the parliament.

Zakaryan’s nomination was questioned after the Control Chamber (CC)
submitted to the parliament its report on budget misuses, which was
later criticized by the president.

Introducing the report on state procurement, Zakaryan stated that
the state is paying manifold of the market prices when procuring
products and services, and brought separate examples. In reference
to the state procurement tenders, he claimed they were manipulated
in accordance with certain pre-arrangements.

Zakaryan gave another glaring example of how the agency implementing
judicial and legal programs for compiling the feasibility reports
on organizing a global judicial network signed a contract with a
consortium consisting of an American company and an Armenian firm for
a sum equivalent of 545,000 euros (more than $727,000). But then it
turned out that the bulk of the sum was transferred to the U.S.

company (which the Chamber cannot audit), and the Armenian company,
whose experts were to implement this program, got no money. It is
unclear what the American company spent that money for.

Zakaryan’s revelations that taxpayers’ money is pocketed by
bureaucratic systems surprised, as they said, many of the ruling
Republicans, among them speaker Hovik Abrahamyan. Oppositional Armenian
National Congress MP Nikol Pashinyan demanded explanation from the
CC chairman on where he had gotten money to complete the construction
of his multi-million dollar mansion over the previous nine months.

“Mister Zakaryan’s biography and the fact that he owns a mansion
worth several million dollars, can’t help but evoke thoughts about
corruption risks. I am astonished by the courage with which Mr.

Zakaryan, with a serious posture from the parliament rostrum,
reported about the misappropriations committed by others. They too
are building mansions, just like him, and many more would dream,
or can’t even afford dreaming of having one like his,” said Pashinyan.

Zakaryan’s political career started during the tenure of Armenia’s
second president Robert Kocharyan, when he was appointed as the
chairman of Armenia’s National Olympic Committee. He then joined
(Kocharyan-founded) Prosperous Armenia party and became CC chairman
by his party’s coalitional quota.

The Control Chamber, an independent control body as provided for
by the Constitution, monitors and identifies violations and money
misappropriation at ministries and state departments, under the
leadership of representatives of the political force in power.

So far, only Vazgen Khachikyan, head of social affairs and labor
ministry’s state service of social welfare, has been held criminally
liable for the abuse of power, based on the CC report.

Zakaryan’s six-year term (since 2007) came to an end on November 5. CC
chairman is appointed for six years, the same person is not eligible
to hold the position for more than two consecutive terms.

SHANT HARUTYUNYAN HURRIED A BIT – FORMER MP

16:00 / 07.11.2013

There was everything in the actions of activist Shant Harutyunyan –
scandal, show, revolution, former MP of the Supreme Council Aghasi
Arshakyan told the reporters on Thursday.

He said that after Armenia’s independence for the first time national
liberation movement starts. “Shant [Harutyunyan] has always been
ready for revolution. He just hurried a bit that is why I was not by
his side,” he said.

The former MP said he is convinced Harutyunyan was not guided by
anyone and he is a generator of ideas. The entrance to Customs Union,
the return to Soviet Union made him to do it.

ACTIVISTS STRUGGLE AGAINST IMPUNITY, CALL FOR SUPPORT FOR ‘REVOLUTION’

11.07.2013 23:07 epress.am

The council of military commanders calls on citizens of Armenia
to leave their computers, their warm homes and offices, and go to
Liberty Square – to bring the revolution that began a few days ago
to a glorious finish, said journalist Suren Sargsyan at a rally of
war veterans in Liberty Square in central Yerevan today.

Also invited to speak at the rally, Karabakh Committee member Ashot
Manucharyan, in his speech, said that “day by day, impunity is becoming
the primary quality in Armenia.”

He stressed that days ago, Shant Harutyunyan “on behalf of the people”
made a very important announcement: he said no more and added that
it’s no longer possible to live in this country.

“We don’t have a minute or a second – from now on, we’re going to come
here [like it’s our] job. We are gathering and getting the whole of
Armenia on its feet. No one should be idle; our nation is becoming
united to stand up for the country. Let us understand one thing:
we’ve never been in such a ridiculous situation. When the people
are not the masters of the country, dogs become the master of the
country… We gather with the aim of not leaving; we give each other
strength and show who is the master of the country,” he said.

Manucharyan added that he is a proponent of strategic relations
with Russia, while Shant Harutyunyan is against Russia, but “let
the Russians not be deceived,” as he and Shant are together, and the
struggle in Armenia is against impunity.

EX-FM OSKANIAN, EUROPEAN ENVOYS DISCUSS ARMENIA’S CUSTOMS UNION DEAL

19:03 ~U 07.11.13

Armenia’s decision to join the Eurasian Customs Union was discussed
Thursday at a meeting between former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
and diplomats from EU member states.

Receiving the envoys from Germany France, the United Kingdom, Poland,
Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Romania, Oskanian, now a lawmaker of
the Prosperous Armenia party, briefed them on the process ahead of
the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, addressing potentials of
future cooperation with the Union.

The European diplomats were interested in regional developments
and the Syria crisis. The current stage of the peace talks over
Nagorno-Karabakh and the domestic political situation in Armenia were
also discussed at the meeting.

Armenian News – Tert.am

COMPANIES THREATEN TO HALT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IF FARE IS NOT RAISED

11.07.2013 20:16 epress.am

Heads of transportation companies held a protest today outside Yerevan
City Hall, demanding to accelerate the work of the commission dealing
with transportation issues and increase the public transportation
fare as soon as possible; otherwise, they promise to resort to
“radical” actions.

Company managers said they will wait three days for a clear answer
and then hold discussions, and if their needs are not met, they
are prepared to stop serving public transportation routes. Note, in
Armenia, public transportation routes are served by private companies.

Hayk Yeghiazaryan, chair of the union of transport carriers of Armenia,
in conversation with Epress.am, said their patience has run out, and
they can no longer meet transportation needs under the current rate
(which is 100 AMD, about $0.25).

“Raising the fare is unavoidable, and if things continue as they
are, tomorrow we will walk the walk. Whatever reserves we had are all
exhausted; everyone is mired in debt and cannot buy tires or batteries,
undergo inspection or repair, or pay property tax or compulsory car
insurance. We’ve reached a dead end; there’s nowhere to go anymore,” he
said, promising that after the fare is increased, business plans will
be presented, loans will be drawn, and a new fleet will be acquired.

“Minibuses won’t be overloaded; with a new fleet we will serve our
people in a more civilized fashion. Minibuses will be replaced with
large-capacity buses. Then you won’t ride crowded but standing or
sitting,” said the chair of the union.

According to him, they didn’t hold protests in the past because
they are “working people,” but they learned to hold protests from
activists. “There’s something to learn from everyone, and today we
used this choice of struggle.”

Tigran Hovhannisyan, chair of the bus drivers’ defense league, in turn,
told Epress.am that representatives of several NGOs earlier discussed
the demands put forth by the transportation companies and said that
they’re convinced that such conduct is a mere formality.

“They’re saying this is staged by the municipality: ‘Come and protest
in front of us,’ they say. Halting public transportation service for
even one hour is ruled out, and if that happens then the mayor must
resign,” said Hovhannisyan.

ISRAEL HAS GIVEN SPECIAL ROLE TO AZERBAIJAN IN ITS PLAN OF IRAN’S ISOLATION

16:55 05/11/2013 ” REGION

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has prepared a secret plan to isolate Iran,
and a very special role is given to Azerbaijan in this regard, writes
the Azerbaijani news portal “Haqqin.az” referring to Israeli sources.

According to the information, in exchange for assistance in the process
of isolating Iran, Israel presents real economic and political aid
to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Portal reminds that the Israeli ambassadors to three republics
neighboring Iran – Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – were
summoned to Tbilisi for a meeting with Zeev Elkin the Deputy Minister
of the Foreign Affairs of Israel.

The ambassadors were summoned to Tbilisi for getting instructions in
connection with the situation over the Iranian nuclear program.

Israel’s concern is caused by the positive change of the attitude of
the West towards Iran after the new president of Iran took the office.

As noted in the material, apparently the meeting of the ambassadors in
Tbilisi is directly connected to the Israeli plans of isolating Iran.

According to diplomatic sources, the Israeli side has committed to
share with Azerbaijan and other neighbors of Iran with information
about the activities of various extremist organizations sponsored
by Tehran. Israel has also promised to help in the fight against
the radicals who have returned to these countries from Syria. In
addition, the official Tel Aviv offers these countries a social
assistance program, implying assistance in the development of health,
energy and agriculture. In return, Israel demands only one thing –
isolation of Iran.

The article notes that in this regard Israel has given a special
place to Azerbaijan and Georgia. A proof of this serves the recent
abolition of the visa regime between Israel and Georgia. “We can
tell with confidence that the plan of Iran’s isolation is presented
to the Azerbaijani authorities as well as to other countries. Baku’s
disposition regarding this plan is still unknown,” the article states.

The author draws attention to the special relationship existing
between Baku and Tel Aviv. Azerbaijan buys Israeli contemporary
weapons which cost billions of dollars, and the Western media claims
that Azerbaijan has provided its airfields to Israel for possible air
strikes on Iran. However, the official Baku denies this information.

VIKTOR KHRISTENKO: THERE ARE NEITHER OBSTACLES TO NOR ANY APPROXIMATE DATE OF ARMENIA’S ACCESSION TO CUSTOMS UNION

by Arthur Yernjakyan

Wednesday, November 6, 18:36

There are neither obstacles to nor any approximate date of Armenia’s
accession to the Customs Union, Viktor Khristenko, Head of the Eurasian
Economic Commission Collegium told media in Yerevan, on 5 November,
after signing a Memorandum of Deepening Cooperation between the
Eurasian Economic Commission and Armenia. On the Armenian party,
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan signed the document.

In response to ArmInfo’s question about at least approximate date of
Armenia’s accession to the CU, Khristenko just said that the process
is not easy and needs tangible preparatory measures and adjustment
of the national legislation.

“Therefore, I prefer not to give any date,” he said. Khristenko
said that the working group for Armenia’s accession to the Customs
Union must be set up by 20 November at the meeting of the Council’s
Commission.

He underlined that neither Kazakhstan nor Belarus create obstacles
to accession of Armenia and other CIS countries to the CU.

“I see no obstacles on that way. These are no obstacles, but a desire
to make the process more robust and avoid measures at the expense of
the quality. There are no unresolvable issues for Armenia’s accession
to the CU. Neither there are any political issues torpedoing the
process,” Khristenko said.

He said that 36 countries have already come out for cooperation with
the Customs Union. “India has recently expressed desire to launch
advanced cooperation with the CU. Certain measures are currently
being taken to launch such advanced cooperation with Vietnam, New
Zealand, European Free Trade Association. We will start similar work
with Switzerland,” Khristenko said. He outlined that Turkey is not
among the above 36 countries, despite Kazakh President’s suggestion
to invite Turkey to the CU. “Turkey is not among those countries.

Consequently, the suggestion is not studied,” he said.

To recall, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia adopted a
decision to sign the given Memorandum at the meeting of the Supreme
Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk on 24 October. Earlier on 3
September in Moscow, at the meeting with RF President Vladimir Putin,
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan expressed an intention to join
the CU and take all the necessary practical steps to this end, as well
as participate in formation of the Eurasian Economic Union in future.

‘THE RAGING BULL’: DARCHINYAN BENT ON REVENGE AGAINST ‘OVERRATED’ DONAIRE

Examiner.com
Nov 6 2013

I caught up with three-division world champion Vic “The Raging Bull”
Darchinyan for an exclusive interview just a few days ahead of his
rematch against Nonito Donaire, Jr. to get his thoughts on the rematch
that he has been seeking since dropping his first loss in their first
encounter back in 2007.

The 37-year-old Armenian boxing dynamo is climbing up to the
featherweight division for the first time for a chance to extract
revenge against Donaire. Darchinyan had some choice words for Donaire,
whom he considers as “overrated” and has carefully selected opponents
he can beat on his way to rising atop boxing’s pound-for-pound
rankings.

Donaire, who was named the 2012 boxing writers’ Fighter of the Year,
is coming off a disappointing loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux last April,
and is also seeking his own redemption after being schooled by the
2-time Olympic Gold Medalist from Cuba.

The bout is one of three featured fights this weekend on HBO together
with a super featherweight title bout between Rocky Martinez and
Mikey Garcia, as well as a vacant junior middleweight title fight
between Vanes Martirosyan and Demetrius Andrade.

Check out the transcript of my interview with Darchinyan below:

dSource: “How are you, Vic? How is your camp going?”

Darchinyan: “My preparation has been very good. I’ve been very happy
with my training I am ready to go to war and show the world not only
my power but also my boxing skills . This will be Donaire’s hardest
ever fight and it will be his second loss in a row.”

dSource: “The weight – You are moving up considerably at featherweight
where Donaire seems to be more comfortable at this point of his
career. Are you planning to maintain your usual weight, or try to bulk
up and add power? What, if any, changes have you made in training?”

Darchinyan: “I normally have to come down from about 140 lbs.,
so fighting at 126 is going make me stronger. I had a very good
preparation in Australia where I added a lot of muscle and strength
and it set a good foundation for my training in America.

I have been working more on my skill by preparing much earlier. My
speed is better because strength from not wasting as much as I would
at super bantamweight. It both our first time at featherweight so I
think who handles it better on the night will have the advantage.

It’s good to hear that Nonito had a good preparation and that he will
have no excuses when he is beaten on Saturday.”

dSource: “There is a lot of bad blood in this fight, but it’s been a
while. Is it still personal for you or are you approaching this just
like any other fight?”

Darchinyan: “I approach all my fights the same.

I want to win all my fights, the same as any fighter. Sometimes I think
people expect me to say I would like to lose every fight I go into.

I want to win every fight I’m in and win by knockout this is my job,
this is how I feed my family, I come to win every fight if I wasn’t
thinking that I would be crazy.

Of course there is bad blood. It has happened because this fight
should’ve happened long time ago. I wanted this fight as soon as the
first fight finished. He wants to beat me, I want to beat him and
knock him out. First I will punish him then I will show the world
that he is overrated, that he is a pretender.”

dSource: “Are you trying to go for a KO and what would it mean for
you to avenge that KO loss to Donaire?”

Darchinyan: “A KO would be great but the win comes first. I fight to
win, I fight to knock my opponent out. I have been dreaming of this
fight for the last six years . I know I’m more skilled than Donaire, I
know I’m stronger than Donaire and I know I’m smarter than Donaire. He
will feel what I felt six years ago and he will know exactly what
he’s in for and that is a very long night of being punished by me.”

dSource: “Did you watch his fight vs. Rigondeaux? Did you see anything
in that fight that you can use against Donaire? I know your style
is way different from Rigo, but are you considering switching up the
way you fight, or do you feel you can beat Donaire by just being the
usual Vic Darchinyan?”

Darchinyan: “I saw the fight and I knew that Rigo would outbox him
and beat him. Donaire has been fighting fighters from flyweight and
super flyweight that can’t punch.

Every fighter he beat wouldn’t fight me when I was fighting at a
lower weights. I’ve had over 300 amateur fights. I know how to box,
but in our game if you box you look boring.

We are fighting at weights where everyone wants to see entertainment
and punchers. Look at Rigo, he beat Donaire easily when Nonito was
top 5 pound-for-pound and he couldn’t get a fight anywhere. At least
I know with Nonito, he comes to fight and I come to fight, except
this time he will be getting a lesson in pain.

You will see the normal Vic Darchinyan mixed with some nice skills
that will end with a devastating win. I can’t wait because this is
what boxing is all about. I know a lot of Donaire’s fans think this
will be a easy fight, but I promise all boxing fans make sure you
watch the fight because I am going to show the world this will be his
hardest fight ever. His head will be very sore at the end of the night.

dSource: “Why has it taken so long for this rematch to happen?”

Darchinyan: “Promoters don’t like each other. Promoters don’t like
fighters leaching them. I can honestly say I wanted this fight 6 years
ago. Before the Agbeko fight I signed the contract the first day I
got it, then I waited 2 months to see the fight fall over. Anyway,
it’s happening now which I am very happy about. Thank you to my
promoter Top Rank and my manager Frank Espinoza for making it possible.

dSource: “What have you learned from that loss against Donaire and can
you tell us how that loss changed you as a person and as a fighter?”

Darchinyan: “I’ve learned that I need to box, be patient and everything
will happen. Wait and see the first time I land clean on his chin,
watch the fear in his eyes. He will know that this was the worst fight
ever for him. We are the same height, same weight, except I have more
power and I am going to show the skills I have to destroy him.

dSource: “Also want to get your thoughts on Manny Pacquiao. He got
KOed in his last fight. Do you think he can still bounce back and
beat Rios and be the way he was before the way you were able to bounce
back from that KO loss to Donaire in 2007?”

Darchinyan: “Manny is great fighter. He’s a southpaw with big power
and I think he will come back and show why he is one of best pound for
pound fighters. I have many Filipino fans and they know that I have
chosen Manny in nearly every fight he has had in the last 15 fights.

Manny is going to win by knockout against Rios. Us southpaws have to
stick together.

dSource: “Lastly, any messages to your fans and supporters?”

Darchinyan: “Thank you to my fans in Armenia, Australia, America and
all around the world. Thank you for being by my side all the time.

Make sure your watching on Saturday night because when I beat Donaire
this win is for all of you!”

dSource: “Thank you so much for your time, Vic. I know all your fans
have been waiting for this fight and best of luck to you.”

Darchinyan: “Thank you for the interview.”

– DG –