Author: Kalantarian Kevo

DHL LAUNCHES GARD PROGRAM IN ARMENIAN AIRPORTS

October 8, 2013 – 15:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Deutsche Post DHL is taking its GARD program (“Get
Airports Ready for Disaster”) to Armenia’s Zvartnots international
airport and Gyumri airport, webwire.com reports.

The training is taking place from October 7-10 and will prepare airport
personnel and infrastructure for the special logistical challenges
that accompany natural disasters. The training demonstrates how
logistics capacities and local expertise can be optimally utilized,
bottlenecks prevented and inbound relief supplies handled quickly
and efficiently after an extreme natural event.

“Again and again, we have experienced that natural disasters pose
special challenges for logistics in particular and require a fast
support,” said Christof Ehrhart, Director of Corporate Communications
und Responsibility at Deutsche Post DHL. “Our GARD initiative is
designed to provide our logistics know-how to local experts in a timely
fashion and thus make the work following a natural disaster easier.”

After conducting successful GARD trainings in Indonesia, Nepal,
Bangladesh, Lebanon, Turkey, El Salvador, the Philippines and Panama,
DHL, the world’s leading transport and logistics company, together with
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), will head to Yerevan and
Gyumri and provide emergency preparedness training to its 22nd airport.

“Lessons from the devastating earthquake in 1988 forced national
authorities to reconsider their response to natural disasters. For
almost a decade, UNDP has been supporting national counterparts
to increase awareness, to promote disaster preparedness and risk
reduction, to establish the concept of national disaster management;
as well as to change institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks.

Substantial progress has been made – a National Disaster Risk Reduction
Strategy and Action Plan have been developed and a National Platform
was officially adopted by the government,” said Claire Medina, UNDP
Deputy Resident Representative in Armenia.

As part of the program, airport staff and representatives of local
agencies and government authorities will assess the local site and
develop customized and detailed emergency response plans. Employees
from different local airports took part in previous training sessions
so that they could apply what they learned at their own facilities.

Participants will include the Zvartnots airport staff as well as
security officials and government agency representatives. This will
ensure that every participant in the logistics operations internalizes
the training.

“GARD is a very praxis-oriented initiative that makes the work at
airports after a disaster more efficient,” said Edward Kaspersky,
Managing Director of DHL Armenia. “The training makes it possible
for us to work hand-in-hand with Armenian airport employees. We are
pleased to be able to make a contribution here.”

The GARD training program was created in 2009 by Deutsche Post DHL
and UNDP. It was developed on the basis of the personal experiences
of DHL Disaster Response Teams and UN personnel made during relief
operations, and aims at the fast and effective processing of relief
goods. The program is conducted by experienced trainers and logistics
experts from Deutsche Post DHL.

ARMENIA EXPECTS CONTINUED ASSISTANCE OF THE EU

Armenia intends to promote cooperation with the European Union in
all the directions, based on the achievements and progress made in
recent years, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated
at the meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

“With the assistance of the European Union, Armenia has followed an
important path of reforms. We are determined to continue reforms
on strengthening democracy, human rights, the rule of law, good
governance, improvement of the court system, and fight against
corruption. In this process, we expect continued assistance of the EU,”
Edward Nalbandian said.

According to the press service of Armenian Foreign Ministry,
Catherine Ashton said for her part that the EU also wants to develop
comprehensive cooperation which will be compatible with Armenia’s
decision to join the Customs Union.

At the meeting, the sides discussed the preparations for the Vilnius
summit of Eastern Partnership.

WORLD’S MEDIA UNANIMOUSLY REPORTS THAT PRE-ELECTION PERIOD IN AZERBAIJAN WAS FAR FROM HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY

19:40 08/10/2013 ” ANALYSIS

Azerbaijan holds its sixth presidential election since independence,
and no election in the 20-year has come close to meeting recognized
standards of fairness, competitiveness or transparency, the British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) writes.

According to the material though opposition has united around one
candidate Camil Hasanli, it will not affect the results of the
elections, and Ilham Aliyev will elected for the third term.

The BBC reports that Azerbaijani authorities erect barriers for two
strong opposition players Rustam Ibragimbekov and Ilgar Mammadov.

President Aliyev enjoyed a massive media advantage, while the
government lacked such an advantage. The opposition says that most
TV stations chose not to air the oppositionists under the pressure
of the government, the publication says.

The Washington Times notes, that though the U.S. is interested in
Azerbaijani elections, yet most Americans probably can’t spell the
country’s name on first chance or pinpoint its location on a map. The
author writes that Ilham Aliyev who is running for the third term
has inherited from his father an oil rich country which is stuck in
the corruption. The “Arab Spring” and the democratic movements in
the Middle East and North Africa, have apparently spooked Aliyev’s
government, the author stresses.

It is noted that the Azerbaijani authorities have arrested many young
activists with a large number of subscribers in social networks.

According to radio “Liberty”, everything indicates to the fact
that the current President of Azerbaijan will be elected to a third
five-year term. “A win will hand the dynastic heir a controversial
but constitutionally approved third term,” the site writes and adds
that Aliyev has unrestrained access to billions of dollars in energy
profits.

The site reminds that such international organizations like the United
Nations, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have all expressed concern over “continued
pressure” on activists, journalists, and opposition politicians in the
run-up to the vote. “Members of the National Council say they believe
a free and fair vote would deliver a victory for their camp. However,
it’s said that is almost impossible to test in a country that routinely
receives low marks for elections,” the article reads.

Huffington Post writes that it was during the reign of President Ilham
Aliyev that the human rights crisis in the country deepened. Human
rights violations in this country are a problem long ago, the author
says. “Criticism of the President and leading government figures is
frequently punished – those who use their right to free speech find
that it can cost them their liberty, their physical safety, or their
privacy,” the article reads.

Thomas de Waal, the British journalist, a senior associate at the
Carnegie Endowment, specializing primarily in the South Caucasus
region commented on the situation. He believes that Ilham Aliyev will
undoubtedly be re-elected. One of the major challenges that Ilham
Aliyev is to face during his third five-year term, is the end of
the oil boom, the expert believes. As for the foreign policy issues,
in particular-Karabakh problem, the situation will remain the same –
neither war nor peace, de Waal says.

The journalist also stresses that “despite the ongoing elections,
Azerbaijan is not a democratic country.” “The opposition acts in hard
conditions. The dissent was strongly suppressed during the last year.

Several activists were arrested. The opposition parties could not
hold meetings,” de Waal adds.

Source: Panorama.am

NALBANDIAN AND CATHERINE ASHTON DISCUSS BILATERAL COOPERATION

YEREVAN, October 8. / ARKA /. Foreign minister Edward Nalbandian said
Armenia wishes to advance cooperation with the European Union in all
possible directions by relying on joint achievements and progress
made in bilateral relations in recent years when meeting in Brussels
with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton, Armenia’s foreign ministry reported.

Nalbandian stressed that while building a relationship with the EU,
including in the framework of the Eastern Partnership initiative,
Armenia seeks closer, deeper and wider cooperation, taking into
account also its national interests stemming from its engagement in
other integration processes.

He said with the support of the EU Armenia has implemented very
serious reforms.

“We are determined to continue the process of reforms aimed at
strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law, good
governance, improvement of the judicial system, the fight against
corruption. In the process, we expect continued assistance from the
EU,” he said.

In turn, Ashton said the meeting was a good opportunity to exchange
views on further joint steps in the development of relations between
Armenia and the EU. According to her, the European Union wants to
continue the development of comprehensive cooperation with Armenia
in all directions, which will be consistent with Armenia’s decision
to join the Customs Union.

Ashton and Nalbandian were said to have discussed also the preparatory
work for the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius. -0-

– See more at:

ARMENIAN GROUP HELPS KOUTOUJIAN’S CONGRESSIONAL RUN

Published: Monday October 07, 2013

Peter Koutoujian. Campaign photo

FRANKLIN, MASS. – The Armenian National Committee of American Eastern
Region (ANCA-ER) organized a phone bank for Congressional hopeful
Peter Koutoujian at Camp Haiastan on October 6.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is running for the vacant
seat in Massachusetts’ 5th Congressional district, which includes
Watertown, Belmont, Waltham, Lexington, Arlington, and many other
towns heavily populated with Armenian Americans. The ANCA Eastern
Massachusetts has been actively working on the campaign, volunteering
at district phone banks and canvassing the district. Local Armenian
youth have joined the local ANC and participated in this effort.

The latest fundraising and polling data published October 4 identify
Koutoujian as one of the two leading candidates in the competitive
race.

The ANCA-ER organized the phone bank at Camp Haiastan during the
Armenian Youth Federation’s annual Senior Seminar, an educational
event that attracted more than 85 Armenian youth from the East Coast,
West Coast and Canada. ANCA-ER Executive Director Michelle Hagopian
and ANCA National Board Member Steve Mesrobian instructed and helped
the youth for an hour on Saturday. The group used the online system
on by doing a virtual phone bank, which
allows individuals to make calls anywhere they have Internet access.

“The ANCA-ER strives to activate Armenian youth on all things important
to the Armenian people. Volunteering with the ANCA-ER to phone bank
for Peter is a privilege and the very least that Armenian youth can
be doing,” said Hagopian.

The Special Primary Election for now Sen. Ed Markey’s old seat will
take place on Tuesday, October 15, in Massachusetts’ 5th district. For
more information on ANCA-endorsed Koutoujian and his campaign, visit

ANC-PAC backs Koutoujian For Congress campaign

Supporters of the Armenian National Committee – Political Action
Committee (ANC-PAC) gathered on August 11 to support the congressional
campaign of Peter Koutoujian.

“Peter Koutoujian is a brilliant example of the American Dream,” said
the ANC-PAC in a statement. “The ANC-PAC believes Peter will bring
integrity and vision to the U.S. Congress. We are supporting Peter
because he will convey his wealth of experience as a policymaker to the
U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC. His current position
as the Sheriff of Middlesex County, his long tenure as a member of
the Massachusetts Legislature and his past post as a prosecutor with
the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office are emblematic of the fact
that Peter’s judgment and character is just what is needed in Congress
these days.”

The ANC-PAC is proud of Peter Koutoujian’s track record on Armenian
American issues and confident that he will apply his support for
human rights when he is elected to join the 113th Congress. From
issues like securing justice with respect to the Armenian Genocide,
to safeguarding the freedom and liberty for the people of Artsakh,
Koutoujian is a strong proponent of issues of concern to human rights
advocates not only in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but also
across the United States.

As a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, Koutoujian crafted
legislation that led to the creation of the Armenian Heritage Park
(AHP) in downtown Boston. The AHP, which is visited by hundreds of
thousands of visitors every year, includes among other elements a
sculpture that is dedicated to lives lost during the Armenian Genocide
and all other crimes against humanity.

NEWSPAPER: FATHER LUKS STEPANYAN – SOLIDER KILLED IN ARMY- REFUSES FROM MONEY PROVIDED BY DEFENSE MINISTRY

by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Tuesday, October 8, 13:01

Father of Luks Stepanyan – a solider killed at Noyemberyan Army Unit –
Ashkharik Stepanyan has refused from 2 million drams provided by the
Defense Ministry of Armenia.

Stepanyan told a local Zhoghovurd newspaper that he urged the Ministry
to provide the above funds to repair the road linking his village to
the cemetery where

his son was buried.

“I cannot take that money. I don’t need it,” he told the newspaper.

He said that the parents of David Khachatryan, the soldier that
killed his son have not met with him yet and, probably, do not know
the details of the tragedy. Stepanyan said that the criminal case on
the incident will be submitted to the court shortly.

To recall, on May 15 at 3:30pm, soldier David Khachatryan fired at Luks
Stepanyan from his automated gun. Stepanyan died of the wound in the
head. Another soldier Hrachya Sargsyan was hospitalized with gunshot
wound in the head. He is currently at the reanimation department of
the Central Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry.

Earlier, father of the killed, resident of Verin Getashen, Gegharkunik
Region, Ashkharik Stepanyan said that he intended to deliver the
body of his son to the government building in Yerevan and demand
explanations from the defense minister. Road Police and officers
of the Defense Ministry of Armenia obstructed entry of a cortege
carrying body of the killed soldier Luks Stepanyan to Yerevan. The
cortege stopped on Sevan-Yerevan highway and the relatives of the
killed soldier squabbled with the police. As a result, the relatives
and the villagers of the killed soldier damaged the police vehicle.

Head of the Military Police Samvel Ghoukassyan, Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan and Police Head Vladimir Gasparyan left to meet with
the relatives of the killed Luks Stepanyan. Minister Ohanyan promised
the relatives of the killed soldier that the tragedy will be thoroughly
inquired into and all those guilty in it will be punished.

The minister promised open investigation.

On the basis of the criminal case initiated over the incident,
charges will be brought against David Khachatryan on Article 104.2
and Article 112.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

L’ARMENIE ET LA RUSSIE SIGNENT UN PROGRAMME DE COOPERATION A LONG TERME JUSQU’EN 2020

ARMENIE

Le ministre russe des Transports Maxim Sokolov et le Premier ministre
Tigran Sarkissian ont signe un programme de cooperation economique
a long terme entre les deux pays pour la periode allant jusqu’a 2020.

” Les relations armeno-russes s’elargissent et s’approfondissent. Le
commerce se developpe avec des exportations armeniennes vers la Russie
ayant augmente de plus de 20 pour cent au cours des deux dernières
annees ” a declare Tigran Sarkissian.

La Russie et l’Armenie ont egalement signe le protocole de la 15e
reunion de leur commission intergouvernementale sur la cooperation
economique. Maxim Sokolov a declare que lors de la reunion tous les
projets communs en cours ont ete examines. En particulier, les deux
parties ont examine un plan d’actions visant a prolonger la duree
de vie de la centrale nucleaire armenienne et ont discute de la
possibilite d’accelerer l’ouverture d’une succursale de l’Universite
d’Etat de Moscou en Armenie.

Tigran Sarkissian a declare que la Russie et l’Armenie partagent une
vision commune de leur avenir commun. Il a ajoute qu’un mecanisme a
ete cree afin de minimiser les coûts decoulant du fait que l’Armenie
n’a pas de frontière commune avec un pays membre de l’Union douanière.

mardi 8 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

VAHRAM KAZHOYAN: AZERBAIJAN’S BEHAVIOR AGAINST ARMENIA IS NOTHING ELSE BUT XENOPHOBIA

by Marianna Lazarian

ARMINFO
Monday, October 7, 21:28

Nothing of what Azerbaijan tells the world on international floors can
be considered to be truth. It is a constant torrent of lie combined
with anti- Armenian rhetoric, Vahram Kazhoyan, Secretary General of
the Armenian National Commission for UNESCO, said during the General
Debate of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly.

Kazhoyan stressed that nothing else can be expected from the country
whose president says in public that Armenians worldwide are the
enemies of Azerbaijan. He added that Azerbaijan’s behavior is nothing
else but xenophobia and it is liable to prosecution, at least in the
civilized world.

Kazhoyan recalled that Azerbaijan is the only country in the world
that boasts of its immense military expenditures. In the meantime,
official Baku is self-contradictory, he said. On the one hand, Baku
advocates a peaceful dialogue and peaceful conflict settlement, on
the other hand, the Azeri president states that he will never let
Armenia join any political, economic, energy or transport project
and that he will continue the policy on isolation of Armenia.

He said that the UN Security Council’s resolution urge the
Azeri authorities to stop military actions against civilians in
Nagorno-Karabakh but despite the cease-fire treaty they signed in
1994, they keep using snipers to kill soldiers and civilians in
Nagorno-Karabakh and keep refusing to withdraw them.

Kazhoyan said that all the Azeri authorities have said so far proves
that Azerbaijan is a racist and xenophobe state. He quoted Azeri
President Ilham Aliyev as saying on Sept 18 that Azerbaijan’s national
flag must be hoisted in Shushi and Stepanakert and that the Azeris must
continue living in their historic lands “Irevan Khanate, Gokce and
Zangezur.” Kazhoyan explained to the Assembly that by Irevan Khanate
Aliyev meant Yerevan, the capital of independent Armenia – a member of
the United Nations. “So, what else is this but aggressive-militarist
xenophobia?” Kazhoyan concluded.

REFORM OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ARMENIA REQUIRES 173 MILLION EUROS – DANISH EXPERT

October 07, 2013 | 16:46

YEREVAN. – Reform of the solid waste management system in Armenia
will require 173 million euros, representative of Danish COWI company.

Andrik Mols, representative of the Danish company, participated in
the third forum of village communities held in Jermuk where waste
management was discussed.

The company offered five schemes with a budget from 136 to 210 million
euros. Each scheme referred to centralization of landfills which
arise spontaneously and are not recorded in almost all rural areas.

The country will be divided in five zones to create a landfill of 20
hectares with a validity of 20 years in each of the areas. The waste
will be brought to one station and then transported to a centralized
landfill. The latter will have to meet all sanitary standards,
including drains, fencing and protection from contact with the soil.

However, waste collection fee will rise considerably to cover
investments. As compared with current rate of 200 drams a month per
person, it will rise to 415 drams in Yerevan.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration of Armenia has already held
the first hearing on the project and plans new debates in the future.

NO STEPS TAKEN IN AZERBAIJAN TOWARD DEMOCRATIZATION – ARMENIAN ANALYST

October 07, 2013 | 14:32

YEREVAN. – Everything possible is done to reelect Azerbaijan’s
incumbent president Ilham Aliyev, analyst Sargis Asatryan stated
during a press conference on Monday.

In his words, the Azerbaijani authorities are seriously concerned,
and therefore they are attempting to remove the respective obstacles
so that no protests would be staged in the country.

“At the end of the day, the West must be shown that the elections
were held with success and the democratic institutions in Azerbaijan
function in normal fashion,” Asatryan noted.

He added, however, that in these elections he does not observe any
steps toward democratization in the country.

To note, the presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be conducted
on Wednesday.