Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ARMENIA NEEDS 20 YEARS TO BECOME FULLY-FLEDGED CIVIL SOCIETY – POLITICAL ENGINEER

20:46 26.07.13

Armenia’s civil society is in embryo, the political engineer Karen
Kocharyan told Tert.am.

Armenia needs at least 20 years to declare itself a fully-fledged
civil society.

“If course, what happened during the last six days [protests at fare
rise] will prove to be a precedent for further steps toward a society
that will be formed in 20 years provided everything is all right,”
Kocharyan said.

“When the generation that has been in the streets for the last six
days turns thirty-five or forty, they will be decision-makers in the
country and can be considered fully-fledged people,” the expert said.

Kocharyan does not consider the protesters’ triumph tangible.

“They can neither solve the Covered Market problem nor the gas
problem. People will feel this November. This is a small achievement.

If oligarchs settle issues in this country and are route owners,
it is too little,” he said.

In any case, the authorities will draw a lesson and have to take the
public into account. However, it does not mean they will listen to
the public on every occasion.

“Otherwise, there would not be sugar and other monopolies,” Kocharyan
said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

SCOUT GIVEN ST. GREGORY AWARD

Pascack Valley Community Life (Bergen, North Jersey)
July 25, 2013

Thomas John Thomasian, of Park Ridge Boy Scout Troop 80, was recently
awarded the St. Gregory Award at St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair
Lawn. The medal is awarded to Scouts by the Armenian Church for
achievement in religious education. In order to receive the award,
scouts worked with Deacon Benjamin Rith-Najarian to complete various
projects. Thomasian is pictured (far left) with Rith-Najarian and
fellow Scouts Max and Luke Slifer, of West Milford.

ARMENIAN JEWELERS ASSOCIATION AND EDUCATION MINISTRY TO COOPERATE IN TRAINING JEWELERS

YEREVAN, July 26. /ARKA/. Armen Ashotyan, Armenian education and
science minister, and Gagik Gevorgyan, chairman of the Armenian
Jewelers Association, signed a memorandum today to cooperate in
training professional jewelers in the country.

“The aim of the cooperation project is to provide Armenia’s jewelry
industry with young skilled jewelers,” he said. “The signed memorandum
not only lays legal ground for this, but also outlines key directions
for cooperation.”

The minister said that the document also implies provision of young
jewelers with jobs.

Cooperation with appropriate education establishments is implied
as well.

Gevorgyan, on his side, said that the final goal of cooperation with
the ministry is to create a free economic area for jewelry industry
in Armenia.

“We want Armenia to become one of the best world centers of jewelry
business, and this ambition can come true if a free economic
zone is created and investors are attracted, and therefore we need
highly-qualified jewelers,” he said. “Unfortunately, our specialists
don’t meet international standards.”

Gevorgyan said that the Association is now implementing a program
that implies creation of 1,000 to 1,500 jeweler jobs in Armenia by
attracting foreign companies to the country.

Under this cooperation agreement, the sides will provide support to
the training process, advanced technologies will be introduced and
students will be involved in world jewelry exhibitions.

Armenian jewelers’ products make six to eight percent of the world
jewelry.

Armenia’s jewelry output totaled AMD 7.8 billion in Jan-May 2013 –
24.1% growth, compared with the same period a year before. ($1 –
AMD 410.66). —0—-

– See more at:

ONE FOR THE REBELS: TRANSPORT FARE INCREASE SUSPENDED IN WAKE OF UNIFIED PUBLIC REACTION

NEWS | 26.07.13 | 16:27

Photolure

By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

Last night Yerevan was celebrating the victory of “transport-democratic
revolution”. In the central square of the Armenian capital young
activists who had protested against the increase of public transport
fare congratulated one another and marched the streets chanting
“hagh-ta-nak” (victory) . For almost a week they had been encouraging
people to “pay 100 drams” (the former rate), and last night finally
came the happy news.

Enlarge Photo

In his address Yerevan mayor Taron Margaryan instructed to create a
commission of experts and interested individuals who would manage to
develop all those mechanisms in a few months’ time, that would allow
completing the municipal decree “on reconsideration of the intercity
transportation fares in the city of Yerevan”; meanwhile, the mayor
said, the practical application of the decree will be suspended.

The Facebook (FB) Armenian community was jubilating after the mayor’s
announcement.

“This is not the defeat of mayor Taron Margaryan and the authorities,
this is the Armenian citizens’ victory, this is the victory of the
Republic of Armenia, this is the defeat of the slave ideology in us…

Taron, Serzh, and others, are mere names of those holding their
respective posts and those names will keep changing, the price of
their defeat does not matter to me, the only lasting value is the
Armenian citizen’s being a MASTER…” wrote Heritage party member
David Sanasaryan on his FB wall.

The standoff against the 12-cent increase of bus rates effective
of July 20 turned Yerevan into a united capital. Young activists
persistently fought and spread the spirit through the mini-buses
and buses from one end of the city to the other. People protested
by not paying the new price of 150 drams (37 cents), walking rather
than using transport, by carpooling – offering free rides on their
private vehicles.

“All this brought the memories of Yerevan during 1988-89, when people
were kind, united, lending a helping hand to one another. I was shocked
when a young man offered me and few others a free ride from Mashtots
avenue to Erebuni [from center to a suburb],” says Yerevan resident
Hasmik Antonyan.

“People feel somehow related to one another, and when a ‘Jeep-owner
picks up some complete strangers from a bus stop, those passengers do
not think ‘how come he has a Brabus and I don’t?’. Because it is much
more important to stay human than having a Brabus or being popular,”
writes editor-in-chief of Aravot daily in an editorial.

FreeCar.am-Free Transport Guide portal has been created within the
“Free car, we will not pay 150 drams” drive.

One of the co-authors, web developer Grigor Yeghiazaryan told
ArmeniaNow that everything started with a post on Facebeook. It was
an announcement expressing willingness to help transport people. Other
users started posting similar statuses.

“The website has been functioning for two days only and we have had
253 posts, 522 registered users, who might later make their own posts.

The first day we had 12,000 visits, the second day 11,657. The bus
rate remained the same, but the website will continue working, the
Carpool concept has long existed in the world. I believe it will also
work in Armenia, as Armenians are more outgoing, we trust one another,
which is not typical of many other nations,” says Yeghiazaryan.

Mayor Margaryan in his address also reflected on the acts of protest
and drives held by the youth, as well as to their calls and slogans.

“I rejoice over the warmth that can again be observed among Yerevan
residents, in terms of their willingness to help and support one
another. That warmth is a value we have to do our best to keep to
ensure great and lasting achievements,” he said.

Human rights activist Artur Sakunts made a post on his FB page
congratulating the “preliminary victory” of the citizens of Armenia,
but stressing that it is, nonetheless, preliminary, because the
decree was illegal to start with, for not having been publicized,
hence its implementation, too, was illegal.

TENSE SITUATION IN FRONT OF YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY: POLICE SURROUND PROTESTING ACTIVISTS
by Nana Martirosyan

Arminfo
Friday, July 26, 13:47

Despite Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan’s July 25 statement about
suspension of the decision on public transport fare rise, the Let’s
Pay 100 AMD movement participants have organized an action of protest
in front of the Municipality of Yerevan.

They demand that the decision on the public transport fare rise should
be cancelled, not suspended. In addition, they demand resignation of
Head of the Municipality’s Transport Department Henrik Navasardyan and
Head of Yerevantrans Misak Harutyunyan. On July 25 ArmInfo reported
with reference to its own source in the Municipality that the decision
on their resignation, as well as resignation of Artur Gevorgyan, Head
of the Public Relations Department, was made along with the decision
on return to the former transport fare. However, the Municipality is
not going to announce the resignation of these officials at once.

The protesters also demand improving the quality of transport
services and reducing the fare to 50 AMD within the next 7 days so
as to compensate for the Yerevan residents’ expenses over the past
few days, because the fare was raised illegally.

ArmInfo’s correspondent reports from the scene that a tense situation
has arisen in front of the Municipality. Deputy Head of Police Valery
Osipyan states that all the activists disturbing public peace will
be taken to police stations. Activists, in turn, say that it is the
police that provoke unrest. Osipyan urges the activists to hand over
their message to Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan through the
of the Municipality, but the activists demand a personal meeting with
either Margaryan or any other representative of the Municipality. At
the moment the police groups have almost surrounded the activists.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
July 27 2013

The rise and fall of Turkey’s neighborhood policy

AMANDA PAUL

These days it has become increasingly popular to assert that Turkey is
surrounded by enemies, that Foreign Minister Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu’s `zero
problems with neighbors’ policy bombed.

Turkey is located in a volatile and difficult region, its neighbors
are not Switzerland or Finland, but unpredictable states with
significant democratic and socio-economic deficits. Of its eight
direct neighbors, only two (Greece and Bulgaria) are democracies.
While there are still some problems, one can say that Turkey’s north,
western and eastern neighbors are fairly predictable. The biggest risk
is renewed war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The real headache is down south: Iran, Iraq and Syria, and their
explosive neighborhoods where leaderships seem to offer zero, apart
from problems and have a zero-sum approach to solving them.

Over the past few years, Turkey’s neighborhood policy has been on a
roller-coaster ride. In 2009, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an
declared that `we are not a country surrounded by enemies anymore.’
After years of hostile relations with most neighbors, Ankara took
steps to open a new chapter and become a peace-maker rather than an
antagonist. Closed doors were opened: first to business, which
ultimately led to closer political ties. Turkey’s Euro-Atlantic
partners welcomed this change. US President Barak Obama was hardly off
the telephone to ErdoÄ?an, with Turkey becoming a key component in
Obama’s `leading from behind’ foreign policy. Ditto for the EU, with
DavutoÄ?lu becoming a frequent visitor to the office of EU Foreign
Policy Chief Catherine Ashton. While there were problems, the most
serious being the rupture of relations with Israel, Turkey was
promoted as a regional `model.’ Having values that are much more
closely aligned to those of the West than the Arab world, Turkey is
seen as unique.

Buoyed by its dynamic economy, more than a decade of political
stability and its popularity among ordinary Arabs, Turkey tried to
take on the role of regional gladiator. As Vali Nasr cites in his book
`Indispensable Nation,’ Turkey tended to view its self as the `elder
democratic brother who wished to guide the Arab world to greater
stability and prosperity.’ Rather like the Pied Piper of Hamlyn,
Ankara seemed to dream of leading the masses. Today this bubble has
burst. As the Arab Awakening kicked off and regional dynamics began to
shift, Turkey struggled to keep up with the new realities. On Syria,
Turkey’s policy was interpreted as Ankara supporting sectarian
policies, contributing to the increasing Shiite-Sunni battle for power
and bringing increased security threats to the country. Syria remains
a significant threat to Turkey. Ankara’s growing conflict with Syrian
Kurds, with Turkey declaring that it will not tolerate an autonomous
Kurdish entity emerging on its borders making the situation worse. By
taking such a hostile approach, Turkey is shooting itself in the foot
being left with another group it cannot deal with.

With Turkey continuing to have antagonistic relations with Iraq and
unhappy about talking to the coup-induced government in Egypt, rather
paradoxically Turkey closest friend in this region today is its old
foe the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq. Iran, of course,
remains neither friend nor foe, although the new president has
declared an interest to strengthen ties.

While Turkey seems to have become increasingly more of a bystander
than a significant actor, at the same time Ankara’s economic and
political trajectory continues to have importance for its region and
the transatlantic alliance and will, I believe, bounce back. Both
economically and politically, Turkey simply cannot afford to be on bad
terms with a country like Egypt, which is the regional lynchpin.
Perhaps President Abdullah Gül’s message to interim President Adly
Mansour congratulating Egypt’s national day was a sign of toning down
its strong stance against the new administration in Cairo.

No doubt a foreign policy shake-up could be useful. Yet while there
has been chatter about DavutoÄ?lu leaving, it seems unlikely. It would
have an adverse effect on ErdoÄ?an, but given that ErdoÄ?an would remain
a key element in foreign policy-making, I am not sure it would make
such a difference anyway.

Proshian village administration employees intend to quit

Saturday,July 27

All employees of the administration of Proshian village in Kotayk province
of Armenia are going to submit their applications for employment
termination next Monday, Aysor.am has been informed.

The protest of the village administration staff is related to the murder of
village administrator Hrach Muradian and the fact that no progress has been
made in the investigation into Muradian’s murder and those guilty not found
so far.

Besides, village residents and the administration staff are discontented
with the outcome of the early elections of the community head held on July
14.

It should be mentioned that the member of Republican Party of Armenia
Arthur Muradian, who was Hrach Muradian’s rival during the previous
elections, has won the elections. He defeated the former deputy
administrator, ARFD Party candidate Vova Sahakian by a narrow margin.

Let us remind you that the body of village administrator Hrach Muradian was
found outside Proshian village administration around 9:00 am on April 2.
Muradian was shot in the right temple and killed by an unknown person. The
Kotayk regional investigation unit opened a criminal case under Article 104
part 2 point 2 and Article 235 part 1 of the RA Criminal Code.

50-year-old Hrach Muradian headed the community from 2005. He left behind
four children.

Armenians to fight against rise in tuition fees

July 27, 2013 | 13:42

YEREVAN. – Five Armenian universities have raised student tuition
fees, member of Armenia’s Public Council said.

Hripsime Margaryan, chairman of Council’s subcommittee on youth
affairs, noted that tuition fees were increased by AMD 100-150
thousand at Armenian State University of Economics and by 200 thousand
at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. The Yerevan State
University has increased tuition fees by AMD 20-200 thousand, too.

`Meanwhile, Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction
increased tuition fees by 15 percent. This data is in contrast with
the remarks made by Education Minister who claims the rise in price
will make 20-100 thousand,’ Hripsime Margaryan said.

Referring to the means of struggle against the increase of tuition
fees, she noted that it is planned to organize a meeting with the
heads of universities’ student councils.

`The subcommittee on youth affairs will present a package of further
actions in 1-2 weeks,’ she added.

Activist Ruben Alanakyan is confident that Armenia has not registered
improvements in education sector.

`We should not think about raising fees, but about the effective use
of funds,’ he said, adding that student protest movement is an
acceptable way of struggle against rise in tuition fees.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Citizen’s central role in civil campaign makes struggle stronger –
Armenian oppositionist

15:38 – 27.07.13

Zoya Tadevosyan of the opposition Armenian National Congress says she
doesn’t agree to the opinion that Armenia’s emerging civil society is
capable of doing more than does any political force, whether alone or
in cooperation with allies.

`It is always the political struggle that shapes civil consciousness
in a citizen,’ she told Tert.am, noting in the meantime that the
campaign for civil rights becomes more powerful whenever it has
ordinary citizen as its key role player.

`Whenever a citizen sees a certain process, which helps shape an
individual, he or she takes that for granted, seeking to look like him
[the given person],’ she said.

The oppositionist agreed in the meantime that many in the Armenian
society, who are neither members nor supporters of a political force,
have many things to say as ordinary citizens.

`That makes civil society bigger and more powerful. This is the case
in all developed countries where the key role player is the citizen,
not the political force,’ she added.

Tadevosyan noted that the youth activists of the opposition alliance
demonstrated an active behavior in the course of the recent protests
against the public transport fare hike.

`Our young members did not distinguish themselves from the struggling
youth or the citizens. They struggled actively all together,’ said
Tadevosyan, adding that she also participated in the campaign this
week, warning passengers of the public transport against paying the
150 Drams increased fare.

The ANC activist disagreed to the opinion that the Armenian opposition
is inactive. `The opposition works all the time in a daily regime to
reach agreements over internal affairs. If viewed from the angle of
street campaigns, I don’t think that has to be only the opposition’s
opinion,’ she added.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Christians from Syria and Egypt seek refuge in the Caucasus

15:57 27.07.2013

Christian minorities from both Egypt and Syria are starting to look to
the South Caucasus countries of Georgia and Armenia as a refuge from
violence and uncertainly, Nicholas Clayton writes in an article
published by the GlobalPost.

The choice isn’t as random as it may seem. Sandwiched between Turkey,
Iran and Russia’s predominately Muslim North Caucasus regions, both
Georgia and Armenia have ancient Christian traditions dating back to
the 4th century. Their churches are closely related to the Copts and
other Eastern Christian confessions.

Georgia has issued nearly 2,000 visas to Egyptians this year – almost
all to Coptic Christians – after giving out just 222 last year. The
country of 4.5 million now estimates about 2,500 Egyptians live there.

Armenia has gone as far as announcing the creation of `New Aleppo’ – a
housing development outside the capital Yerevan that has reportedly
drawn interest from 600 Syrian Armenian families. Besides, Yerevan
offers passports to Syrians with Armenian heritage at its consulates
in Syria.