Author: Kalantarian Kevo

AND-AND VS. EITHER-OR: ARMENIA SAYS EU FREE TRADE AREA, CUSTOMS UNION NOT A DILEMMA YET

ANALYSIS | 28.06.13 | 11:59

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Armenia does not yet aim to join the European Union, the matter
concerns only a Free Trade Area with the EU, said Armenia’s Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Shavarsh Kocharyan on Thursday. He also
added that Armenia does not aspire to become a member of the Customs
Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan either.

The question ‘and-and’ or ‘either-or’ has become central to Armenia,
and Yerevan clearly prefers equidistant cooperation with Russia and
Europe for now. However, more frequently statements are heard from the
West about the need to make a choice along the ‘either-or’ lines. This
was, in particular, said during the visit of Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan to Poland by president of this country Bronislaw Komorowski.

The Polish leader said that “it is impossible to operate simultaneously
on two different economic squares.”

While visiting Armenia at the beginning of this year Georgia’s Prime
Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said in one of media interviews that he
good-naturedly envied the ability of Armenia to follow the path to
the West while also maintaining good relations with Russia. But it
can hardly be regarded as Sargsyan’s political know-how or a sign of
wise caution. Rather, it is a necessitated strategy, a sign of weak
positions and lack of determination.

In December 2011, when plans for signing an agreement on the
establishment of a Free Trade Area between Armenia and the EU were
announced, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, while attending
a minor forum in St. Petersburg, unexpectedly signed an agreement
on Armenia’s joining the CIS free trade zone. It caused a strong
reaction in Armenia. After that, it became clear that Moscow will
do everything possible to torpedo agreements between post-Soviet
countries and the EU.

Azerbaijan and Belarus have already been left out of the EU Eastern
Partnership process. Moldova recently announced that the negotiations
on the Association Agreement with the EU had been completed and it
only remained to sign it. But Russia currently inspires protests in
Moldova over Transdniestria and Gagauzia, where ideas about joining
the Eurasian Union are being voiced more articulately now.

There is also an ambiguous situation in Ukraine, which has nearly
completed preparations for the Association. The Ukrainian opposition
which has ties with Russia has once again blocked the work of the
local parliament, which means that Ukraine may not be able to adopt
the last required documents by the November deadline.

So far only Georgia has expressed an unequivocal position as this
is the only country among the six originally engaged for Eastern
Partnership where a referendum on the choice of the foreign-policy
course was held. The Georgian people spoke in favor of EU and NATO
memberships. And recently this position was also confirmed by Georgia’s
prime minister.

And Armenia in this situation may prove a decisive player that, using
soccer terminology, will manage to score a goal. The question is for
which side Armenia will play. If Russia manages to force Armenia to
abandon its European course, the whole Eastern Partnership may break
down. And conversely, Armenia’s firmness may lead to agreements being
signed in November.

The Gallup International Association’s Armenian affiliate recently
conducted an opinion poll according to which 61 percent of respondents
in Armenia spoke in favor of deeper ties with Russia. The same
organization conducted a similar survey in 2011 showing the level of
support for ties with Russia at 75 percent. And in 2009, according
to surveys, more than 90 percent of respondents in Armenia were
pro-Russian. This means that in Armenia fewer and fewer people see
their future in the revived Soviet Union, which Russian President
Vladimir Putin is trying to make a reality.

“JUDICIAL SYSTEM WAS RAPED AGAIN”

05:31 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

Military doctor Vahe Avetyan was killed in Yerevan a year ago.

On June 17, 2012, Avetyan was brutally beaten at the Harsnakar
restaurant owned by Ruben Hayrapetyan, President of the Armenian
Football Federation, a member of the Republican Party of Armenia, by
Hayrapetyan’s bodyguards. The young doctor and father of two children,
died on June 28 without coming to himself.

“Vahe Avetyan” initiative group today issued a statement announcing
about the establishment of a tribunal of public justice.

Garegin Chookaszian, a member of the initiative group, says by delaying
the trial the ruling regime aimed to divert public attention from
the tragic incident and once again conceal the crime. “In the passed
eight months we became convinced that the fundamental principle of
the judicial system was raped again,” he said.

Armenia’s ex-Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan, another member of the group,
says one of the gravest crimes was committed in June, 2012. “It
was encroachment against an army officer; a military doctor. It
was a heavy social, moral and legal blow. This is unforgivable. I
disagree with the authorities’ statement that we should wait for a
legal assessment,” she said.

The ex-ombudsman says she has the impression that they are attempting
to conceal Avetyan’s murder the way Azerbaijan is concealing the
pogroms in Sumgait.

Armenia established diplomatic relations with Uganda and Mauritius

15:05, 29 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. On June 28 the permanent representatives
of Armenia and Uganda in the UN Karen Nazaryan and Richard Nduhura
signed a joint announcement of establishing diplomatic relations
between the two countries.

The press, information and public relations department of the Foreign
Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” the
ceremony of signing was held in New York – in the diplomatic
representation of Uganda.

A document on establishing bilateral relations between Armenia and
Mauritius was signed in the permanent representation of Armenia in New
York on the same day.

While signing the joint statement on diplomatic relations the RA
Ambassador Karen Nazaryan and the Ambassador of Mauritius Milan
Mitarbhan expressed their willingness to fortify the relations between
the two states.

NKR President visits Stepanakert Memorial Complex on the Day of
Missing in Action

14:31 29.06.2013
Nagorno-Karabakh

On 29 June Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan in connection with
the Day of perished for Motherland and missing in action visited
Stepanakert Memorial Complex and laid a wreath on the monument of
missing in action freedom fighters.

Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, National Assembly speaker Ashot
Ghoulyan, prime-minister Ara Haroutyunyan, and other officials partook
at the event, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR
President reported.

Armenian army officer has triplets

June 29, 2013 | 00:04

YEREVAN. – An Armenian army officer has triplets; two girls (Meri and
Silva) and one boy (Henrikh).

Aviation Institute officer-instructor Armine Karapetyan came with her
babies to take part in Friday’s Aviation Day celebrations.

The happy mom approached Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan to thank him.
Karapetyan had delivered her babies owing to the financial means MOD
had allocated.

`We petitioned to the minister for assistance; he understood and
helped. We cannot find words to express our thanks,’ Karapetyan told
news reporters.

At the end of the celebrations, Ohanyan and the happy family were
photographed together. What is more, Armine Karapetyan placed her baby
son to the minister’s arms and said: `He is a future soldier.’

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Armenian tombstones found in Istanbul’s Taksim Square

11:26, 29 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian graves have been found in
Istanbul’s Taksim Square at the course of the construction
activities. As reports “Armenpress” citing Turkish Demokrathaber.net,
the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey Ã-mer Ã=87elik and
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrikulu
stated this.

Among other things the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey Ã-mer
Ã=87elik noted that 16 tombstones and walls of historic monuments
dating back to the 19th century have been found at the course of the
construction works. Experts from the Archaeology Museum of Turkey
arrived at the square, after the tombstones were found.

From 28 May 2013, protests raised against the plans of replacing
Taksim Gezi Park with a reconstruction of the historic Taksim Military
Barracks (demolished in 1940), with the possibility of housing a
shopping mall. The protests developed into riots when a group
occupying the park was attacked by police. The subjects of the
protests have since broadened beyond the development of Taksim Gezi
Park, developing into wider anti-government demonstrations. The
protests have also spread to other cities in Turkey, and protests have
been seen in other countries with significant Turkish communities. In
31 May 2013, police suppressed the protesters with tear gas, arrested
at least 60 people and injured hundreds. The police action received
wide attention online. Protesters organized and gathered on Ä°stiklal
Avenue, reaching thousands on the night of 31 May. 5 men died in the
clashes between the Police and the protestors, more than 7500 people
were injured and 5 thousand – arrested.

ANNULMENT CASE FOR TAKSIM RENOVATION PLAN UNDERWAY

Hurriyet, Turkey
June 27 2013

A landmark plea to cancel the Gezi Park Master Plan has started in
Istanbul with the attendance of protesters’ representatives. The case
is expected last for a period of time between a week and a month.

Some seven people attended the case, including members of the Taksim
Solidarity Platform who initiated the most widespread unrest in the
country for decades in the “Gezi resistance.”

Lawyer Gonca Yılmaz said legal steps had been disregarded from the
very beginning of the Taksim pedestrianization plan, which started
on Oct. 31, 2012. She said the related law ruled that the Istanbul
Metropolitan Municipality should have held two meetings with locals
and non-governmental organizations but this never happened.

Yılmaz also said some 747 square meters of the park had already been
demolished by the municipality so far.

On the other side of the case, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s
lawyers said every step had been taken in accordance with the laws.

Meanwhile the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) hosted a
workshop yesterday with a focus on the ongoing Gezi protests.

Gezi talks

The workshop aimed at offering a debate on the possible future
strategies to follow. Part of the analysis also included the need to
work further on the younger population.

Deputy chair of AKP, Suleyman Soylu, described the events as the
“most interesting 20 days of Turkey’s democracy,” adding that the
protests soon took a different turn with foreign interventions and
radical groups’ involvement.

A guest list including deputies, academics and experts attended
the workshop. Several of the party’s Central Decision and Executive
Council members, including Nikhet Hotar and Prof. Yasin Aktay, were
among those who attended the workshop.

The editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, Rober
KoptaÅ~_, however, declined the invitation to attend the workshop,
citing the prime minister’s attitude as the cause.

June/27/2013

AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENT: WE CAN CONTINUE ISOLATING ARMENIA FROM ALL INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL PROJECTS

APA, Azerbaijan
June 26 2013

‘I am sure that we will reach our goal in the solution of the conflict’

Baku. Konul Kamilgizi – APA. ‘There is internal stability in
Azerbaijan, which is a key factor for the development. There is a
unity between the people and the authorities in Azerbaijan. All our
initiatives are supported by the people’, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said addressing the parade dedicated to the 95th anniversary
of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, APA reports.

The head of state stressed that significant activities were carried
out towards economic growth in Azerbaijan: ‘The international financial
institutions appreciate our activity in this area. Years of crisis are
continuing in the world. Azerbaijan, our economy is developing during
these years. All sectors of our economy are developing. In 5 months
of this year, non-oil sector increased by 11%, the total economic
output grew by approximately 5%. The problem of unemployment, poverty
is being eliminated in Azerbaijan, major infrastructure projects are
being implemented, as well as all military campuses are restored. I
gave instructions to rebuild all military units, military campuses
and military bases in the next two years.

Appropriate instructions have been given, funds allocated and the
process is successfully going on. That is, we continue our activity
in all directions successfully and with confidence. The welfare of
the people is improving, the country’s reputation is growing, the
economy is in progress, the industry is developing and Azerbaijan
is moving forward very dynamically. With only a little more than 20
years of independence, Azerbaijan has proved that it can survive as
a free country and can protect its independence’.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief said the Azerbaijani authorities have
strong political will, the state has strong economy and strong army.

‘The army is defending the statehood, our independent policy. The
people are protecting and should protect the army. I always say that a
strong state must have a strong army. Azerbaijan has been able to fall
under the group of strong states within a short period of time. Now
we are implementing great projects, making great investments. We have
great influence in the international arena. Of course, today given
its military potential, combat capacity and provision, Azerbaijan’s
army is among the strong armies not only in the region, but also in
the world. I am sure that as Azerbaijan is strengthening, our army
will also strengthen. Our army is ready to fulfill any task. Being
Supreme Commander-in-Chief I will continue supporting military
buildup, development of the army. I am sure that Azerbaijan will
successfully fulfill the tasks lying ahead. Almost no problem, except
Nagorno Karabakh problem remains unsolved. There is development in all
directions, there is concrete policy and splendid results. I am sure
that we will reach our goal in the solution of the conflict. We will
restore historical justice. We will return to our native lands. There
is no other way. The development of history, historical processes,
ongoing processes in the world, strengthening Azerbaijan and weakening,
impoverishing Armenia. All these are realities and we have created
these realities with our policy, will. We can continue isolating
Armenia from all international and regional projects. We will further
strengthen Azerbaijan. Our strong state will have its say in the
resolution of this conflict and the Azerbaijani army will fulfill the
order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Long live Azerbaijani Army,
long live Azerbaijan!’

20 SYRIANS INJURED IN BEIRUT BUS ATTACK

Al-Akhbar English, Lebanon
June 26, 2013 Wednesday

Unknown men attacked a minibus carrying 25 Syrians in eastern Beirut
Wednesday and stabbed the passengers with knives, local media reported.

Twenty of the passengers were injured as a result of the attack,
AFP said.

The young assailants exited from an X5 SUV without covering their
faces, el-Nashra news agency reported, in the neighborhood of Jisr
el-Wati.

The Lebanese National News Agency said eight men in three different
cars were behind the attack.

They attacked the people in the minibus – a group of Muslim, Armenian
and Kurdish Syrians – with knives, witnesses told el-Nashra.

The wounded were moved to the Saint Joseph and Mount Lebanon hospitals,
the agency said.

The Syrians were on their way to Hazmieh from Bourj Hammoud to record
Syrian heritage songs in the studios of an Iranian television station,
the NNA said.

Syrians are frequent targets of racist attacks and discrimination in
Lebanon, as Lebanese authorities turn a blind-eye to these violent
acts.

With Syrian refugees reaching almost 1.5 million, municipalities
around Lebanon have imposed curfew on Syrian nationals. Syrians risk
being attacked in the streets after curfew hours.

(Al-Akhbar)

ARMENIA’S INTERESTS FOR FOREIGN INTEGRATION

The Messenger, Georgia
June 26 2013

Gallup International Association representatives have recently stated
that the Armenian population considers integration with Russia as
a priority for the country rather than with the EU. More than 50%
of those who had been questioned support closer integration with the
Russian Federation. 43% expect further investments from Russia.

Similarly, 70% of the respondents expect military support from
Russia; 90% consider that the highest risk for the country comes from
Azerbaijan and Turkey; 61% support the idea of entering the Customs
Union with other former Soviet Republics headed by Russia.