Author: Kalantarian Kevo

LEVON’S AND ROBERT’S “OFFSHORE”

The offshore scandal in Armenia is getting bigger. Apparently, Tigran
Sargsyan didn’t joke when he said that the misappropriations of all
time should be revealed. So his former party fellow Arshak Sadoyan
decided to “catch the big fish” – Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Arshak Sadoyan recalled in a press conference that Ter-Petrosyan
carried out money laundering in offshore with the help of the minister
of energy Sepuh Tashchyan, 1992-93, and minister of communications
Grigor Poghpatyan, 1991-98.

The point is about the ArmenTel deal. Under Ter-Petrosyan’s tenure,
TVT offshore company was opened and which bought almost the half
of ArmenTel assets. Then, press reported about the deal which was
particular because TVT had no investment obligations. TVT received
about 85 million USD from the deal in 1998 and ArmenTel passed to
the Greek OTE Company, which became a monopolist in the telephone
communication sphere.

Later, Armenian authorities accused OTE for being engaged in laundering
of Armenian dirty money. But TVT remained in shadow. By the way,
former Armenian speaker Tigran Torosyan published a number of articles
on this matter then.

But the interesting in this story is that in case it develops,
Robert Kocharyan may also be involved because ArmenTel was sold during
Kocharyan’s tenure. Once, press supporting Levon Ter-Petrosyan used to
answer allegations against him with allegations against Kocharyan. But
now, Kocharyan and Ter-Petrosyan are “allies” otherwise the press
will recall the sale of brandy factory, the construction boom and
other stories.

By the way, Arshak Sadoyan said in the same press conference that
the recent internal political scandals have been caused by Kocharyan.

Life is becoming more interesting. There seems to be nothing new but
the old is becoming relevant. It is hard to say what will follow all
this. One thing is evident – the chain seems to be collapsing.

11:50 27/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ANCA WELCOMES MARKEY SENATE VICTORY

09:30 27.06.2013

The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA-ER)
joined with friends from across the Massachusetts Armenian community
in celebrating Congressman Ed Markey’s victory in Tuesday night’s
special Senate election. Markey (D-MA-5) led at the ballot box against
Republican businessman Gabriel Gomez throughout the day and won by
a 10-point margin.

“We are very excited to see Rep. Ed Markey assume this new role in his
career of public service. The ANCA of Massachusetts joins with Armenian
Americans from across the state and country in welcoming his victory,
and we look forward to his continued leadership on issues of concern
to our community,” said Mikael Garabedian of ANCA-Massachusetts,
who was among the Armenian-American contingent on hand to celebrate
Rep. Markey’s success at his victory party.

Since he was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
in 1976, Rep. Markey has been a strong and consistent advocate on
Armenian issues, receiving multiple “A+” ratings from the ANCA in
its Congressional Report Card.

Rep. Markey has been outspoken in support of U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide, cosponsoring all related legislation
introduced in the U.S. House, including the Armenian Genocide Truth
and Justice Resolution (H.Res.227), introduced in May of this year. In
his annual Armenian Genocide commemorative statement submitted for
the Congressional Record this year, Rep. Markey explained, “Almost
one-hundred years have passed since the Armenian Genocide, yet the
suffering will continue for Armenians and non-Armenians alike as long
as the world allows denial to prevail.”

L’ARMENIE : ENTRE LA RUSSIE ET L’UE

Lors d’un entretien avec son homologue polonais Bronislaw Komorowski,
Sarkissian a mentionne l’adhesion de son pays a l’Organisation du
Traite de securite collective dirigee par la Russie et l’existence
d’une importante communaute armenienne en Russie. ” Nous sommes des
allies de la Russie “, a-t-il declare aux journalistes. ” L’Armenie
souhaite integrer l’Union europeenne mais cela n’entravera pas ses
liens politiques, militaires et economiques avec la Russie “, a-t-il
poursuivi lors d’une visite officielle en Pologne mardi soir.

” L’Armenie est l’un des pays qui a fait le plus de progrès dans
le programme de Partenariat oriental de l’UE. Je ne vois aucune
contradiction dans nos plans. ”

Lors d’une reunion a Varsovie, Serge Sarkissian a indique qu’Erevan
souhaite signer un accord avec l’UE. Selon lui, cet accord de
libre-echange donnera une formidable impulsion aux relations
commerciales entre l’Armenie et les Etats membres de l’UE, y compris
la Pologne. Sarkissian a declare que le succès des reformes en Armenie
pour adherer a cet accord exige une plus grande aide economique de
l’Occident. ” Oui, nous esperons une aide et nous n’avons pas honte de
cela “, a-t-il dit. Le commissaire a l’Elargissement de l’UE, Stefan
Fule, a declare que le gouvernement armenien a fait de nombreux progrès
ces dernières annees et pourrait peut-etre signer cet accord avec l’UE.

jeudi 27 juin 2013, Laetitia ©armenews.com

RUSSIA’S SELLING OF WEAPONS TO AZERBAIJAN IS POLITICAL DEAL – ARMENIAN OPPOSITION MEMBER

June 26, 2013 | 11:54

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Free Democrats Party Vice-Chairwoman
Anush Sedrakyan condemns Russia’s selling of arms to Azerbaijan.

Sedrakyan herself stated the aforesaid during a press conference
on Wednesday.

“It is the ‘big brother,’ it does what it wants. If Israel sells
weapons to Azerbaijan, we have no right to rebel because we have
not signed a CSTO [i.e., Collective Security Treaty Organization]
treaty with it,” she noted.

Sedrakyan also stressed that Russia’s selling of weaponry to Azerbaijan
is not a trade deal, but rather a political deal.

“It would have been a trade deal if they had sold oil, [natural] gas,
or sheep. Now, it is a political deal which runs counter to all our
agreements, good intentions,” Sedrakyan concluded.

In his turn, ruling Republican Party MP Artak Davtyan said weaponry
is a product, too.

“If Russia is supplying weapons, this means Russia will have to provide
Azerbaijan consultations, services in connection with the use, [and]
spare parts of these weapons. [And] Azerbaijan will have commitments,
too. Why are we raising this uproar?” the ruling party MP asked.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

FREE DEMOCRATS PARTY CRITICAL OF RUSSIA’S WEAPONS SALE TO AZERBAIJAN

Members of the Free Democrats party have expressed concerns over
Russia’s weapons sales deal with Azerbaijan.

In a statement issued in that connection, they describe the move as
the country’s retreat from its strategic partnership with Armenia.

“The Free Democrats party expresses its deep concerns over the one
billion Dollar worth ammunition supply to Azerbaijan by the Russian
Federation. This isn’t the first the time that Russia, which is
considered Armenia’s strategic ally, supplies Azerbaijan with military
equipment, thus actually contributing to the country’s bellicose and
belligerent policies.

“The supply of ground weapons designed to provoke attacks is actually
a disregard of the Azerbaijani authorities’ repeated statements on
providing a military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It
increases the likelihood of a military aggression against Armenia, a
founding member of the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization],
at the expense of the military equipment supplied by Russia, another
member of the Organization,” they say.

The Free Democrats further refer to a 1997 friendship, cooperation
and mutual assistance agreement signed between Armenia and Russia,
pointing out to its provision calling for a joint action to eliminate
the existing peace threats.

“The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have repeatedly urged the
Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities to stop the armament and direct
their efforts to a negotiated settlement. But what we see in reality
is that Russia itself contributes to Azerbaijan’s militarization. The
entrance of such a volume of armament into the conflicting region
eventually increases tension, at the same time hampering the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” reads the statement

Criticizing Russia’s move, the party calls upon the Armenian
authorities to revise their approaches to the Armenian-Russian alliance
in the light of the recent developments.

It further calls for the world community, especially the OSCE
Minsk Group, to give proper attention to the problem and make their
responses.

SECOND STAGE OF RESTORATION WORKS OF AKHTAMAR’S ARMENIAN SAINT CROSS CHURCH TO BE LAUNCHED

13:31, 26 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS: The works of the second stage of
the restoration of the Armenian Saint Cross Church on the Akhtamar
Island of Van will be launched. As reported by Armenpress, quoting
the Turkish Haberler.com, the restoration works will include the
chapel of the Church and the parts of the nearby walls.

A group of 50 builders will work in the area of about 5,000 square
meters to complete the restoration works in 6 months. 1 million and
200,000 Turkish Liras will be spent for the restoration works of the
Armenian Saint Cross Church on the Akhtamar Island of Van.

The Armenian Saint Cross Church on the Akhtamar Island was renovated
and opened for the visitors as a museum in 2007. The Armenian
Patriarchate of Constantinople applied to the Turkish Government
to permit holding a liturgy at the Armenian Church once a year. The
Turkish Government announced permission for a liturgy to be said on
September 19, 2010 and the service took place as planned. On September
30 2010 a cross was placed on the top of the Church, anointed by
the leader of the spiritual council of the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople Archimandrite Tatul Anushyan.

SERZH SARGSYAN ATTENDS CLOSING CEREMONY OF ARMENIAN-POLISH BUSINESS FORUM

17:05 26/06/2013 ” POLITICS

As part of his official visit to the Republic of Poland, President
Serzh Sargsyan together with Polish President BronisÅ~Baw Komorowski
in Warsaw attended the closing ceremony of the Armenian-Polish Business
Forum on Tuesday, June 25.

Serzh Sargsyan greeted the organizers and participants of the
Business Forum, spoke about the centuries-long Armenian-Polish
friendship, cooperation of the two countries in different areas, the
Armenian-Polish trade and economic relations and briefly presented
the business environment in modern Armenia, tendencies of economic
development and investment opportunities.

In his welcoming remarks, the President spoke with esteem about
the Polish authorities, in the person of President Komorowski and
the Polish businessmen who, according to President Serzh Sargsyan,
in the difficult conditions of the global economic and financial
crisis have registered great success and through their daily work
have further empowered their country.

“The Armenian-Polish friendship is centuries old and soon we will be
celebrating the thousand year anniversary of the establishment of the
first Armenian settlements in Poland. Becoming stronger with centuries,
the Armenian-Polish relations are encompassing every area.

The Armenians not only fought for independence of Poland but also
made an important contribution to the country’s development. It is no
accident that in order to advance the trade and crafts, the kings and
princes of Poland were inviting Armenians to settle in different parts
of the country, endowing them with numerous privileges and rights.

The high level of our current political relations and achievements
registered in different areas, has its origin in the spiritual and
cultural community, friendship and mutual sympathy formed during
the ages.

Regrettably, today the Armenian-Polish trade and economic ties are
substantially lagging behind the relations established in other areas.

To fill that void, we, the two Presidents have decided on the
necessity to organize a business forum – two years ago in Yerevan,
and now here, in Warsaw. It should be noted that there are already
some results, especially with regard to the presence of the Polish
companies in Armenia and their participation in different Armenian
projects. However, it is still not enough, and I urge you to be much
more active.

Distinguished Entrepreneurs,

I would like to present briefly the business environment in modern
Armenia, tendencies of economic development, as well as the investment
opportunities.

Continuous improvement of the business and investment climate is
a chief prerequisite of our economic development. Toward that end,
in recent years, we have undertaken large-scale economic reforms,
particularly related to the opening a business venture in Armenia,
construction permits, registration of property, acquisition of loans,
protection of investments, filing taxes and some other areas. The
achieved results have been reflected in the international ratings,
particularly, in the Doing Business-2012 annual report published
by the World Bank’s International Financial Corporation. According
to the mentioned report, Armenia compared to the previous year,
improved her position by 18 points, occupying the 32nd position
among 185 countries. Please note that it makes the business climate
in Armenia the best in the CIS region.

Nevertheless, we don’t believe that our efforts aimed at the
liberalization of the investment field and business climate and
improvement of the state governance structure in general stop there.

There is still a long road to go and we are passing that road with
the assistance of our European friends.

In this context, it is warranted to speak about the Association
Agreement to be signed with the European Union and the Deep and
Comprehensive Tree Trade Agreement which constitutes its part. It
will put our cooperation with the EU member states, including Poland,
on a qualitatively new and more comprehensive basis.

Last December, we signed the agreement on visa facilitation with the
European Union which was immediately followed by the cancelation of
visa requirements for the EU citizens visiting Armenia. Considering
also the Polish LOT airlines five times a week flights to Yerevan,
I trust that all obstacles for visiting our country and observing
the created conditions first hand have been removed.

Along with all this, I believe that Polish entrepreneurs would like
to know that Armenia, being a member of the CIS Free Trade Zone
agreement and closely cooperating with the Customs Union, has a
competitive advantage in the CIS region. It definitely creates extra
opportunities to enter the CIS market with more favorable conditions
through the capital invested in Armenia.

Steps are also taken toward the improvment of infrastructure and
full utilization of the existing opportunities which will allow to
decrease the transportation fees.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to highlight a number of areas which, in my opinion, could
possess potential for the further development of the Armenian-Polish
cooperation.

The area of information technologies in Armenia is growing
rapidly. It ensures high profitability and is really attractive for
major foreign investments. It is proved by the presence in Armenia
of 360 companies working in the IT area, 151 of which are branches
of foreign companies. Many of the major international companies are
represented in Armenia, among them Synopsys, National Instruments,
Microsoft, D-Link, Mentor Graphics, and others.

Everything is being done to staff the field with professional cadre
and, of course, to retrain them. The Armenian National Engineering
Laboratories program is being implemented, and retraining programs
have been launched at the Microsoft innovation center and laboratories
of the Mobile Solutions.

The Tumo supermodern center of creative technologies for 12-18 years
old children has been functioning in Yerevan since 2011, and now we
are planning to extend the programs of the center to the regions of
the Republic as well.

Traditional areas which brought the international recognition to
the Armenians are jewelry making and diamond cutting. The Armenian
jewelry is sold in many countries of the world, including Poland. We
have serious programs on making Armenia a regional and why not, also
an international hub for jewelry production through the creation in
Armenia of the free zone for the jewelry production.

Armenia attaches importance to the establishment of free trade zones as
a strong incentive for the attraction of direct foreign investments,
introduction of advanced technologies, implementation of innovative
methods, and creation of new jobs.

In coming years, we are planning to make large investments in
the area of agriculture, through the technical re-equipment and
enhancement of productivity, as well as through the modernization of
processing capabilities. I would like to see the growth of the Polish
investments also in the area of tourism, mining, and health care which
are continually modernized areas with great potential for development
and which the state has declared the priority areas for development.

Distinguished Entrepreneurs,

I am hopeful that today’s Forum will enhance the establishment and
expansion of the long-term and mutually beneficial economic programs
for the prosperity of the Armenian and Polish peoples. I wish you
all success and I hope that soon I will hear of success of the Polish
businessmen in Armenia,” President Serzh Sargsyan told the participants
of the Armenian-Polish Business Forum in his welcoming remarks.

Source: Panorama.am

MKHITARYAN WOULD SUIT LIVERPOOL – ENGLAND FOOTBALL LEGEND

June 26, 2013

Mkhitaryan is a great player, England national football team and
Liverpool FC former striker Robbie Fowler stated.

The Liverpool legend expressed a view on the game of Armenian national
squad and Ukraine’s FC Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Henrikh
Mkhitaryan.

“Yes, he’s a great player. I’ve seen him a few times in the Champions
League. He’s a very attacking, very young forward. We’re linked to
him. I don’t know if he’s going to sign. Mkhitaryan would suit the Reds
[i.e., Liverpool],” Goal.com quotes Fowler as saying.

NEWS.am Sport

TOP RUSSIAN MP SLAMS US THREATS ON MOSCOW, BEIJING AS ‘ILL-CONSIDERED’

Former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden

Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:58AM GMT

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, emphasized on Tuesday
that his country has no extradition agreement with the US, calling
Washington’s rhetoric against Moscow as “ravings and rubbish.”

A senior Russian lawmaker has dismissed threatening US demands on
China and Russia to expel NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, saying
it would only bring Beijing and Moscow closer together.

“The threats from the United States towards Russia and China over the
Snowden case will not give results, but will just strengthen closer
ties between Moscow and Beijing,” said Foreign Affairs Committee
Chairman of the lower parliamentary house Alexei Pushkov, in a tweet
message on Wednesday cited in an AFP report.

Pushkov further described recent American harsh rhetoric against
its rival powers regarding the former spy agency employee as
“ill-considered pressure,” warning that such efforts would only
damage Washington’s relations with Moscow and Beijing at a time the
formerly hostile rivals are seeking common ground on a range of issues,
including the Syrian crisis.

The lawmaker’s statement came following angry reactions by other top
Russian officials to what has widely been regarded as US threats for
arrest and turnover of Snowden.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier complained about
what he described as “threats” by US officials over the case of NSA
whistleblower.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, emphasized on Tuesday
that his country has no extradition agreement with the US, calling
Washington’s rhetoric against Moscow as “ravings and rubbish.”

He also ended speculation over Snowden’s whereabouts by confirming
that he was still in the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport
and free to depart towards any destination he so chooses.

This is while Washington claims that there was a “clear legal basis”
to expel Snowden.

Moreover, White House spokesman Jay Carney has lashed out at Beijing,
stressing that China’s failure to “honor extradition obligations”
had dealt a “serious setback” to what he described as US efforts to
build trust with China’s new President Xi Jinping.

China’s official news agency, meanwhile, has slammed the US government
as the world’s “biggest villain” following the latest revelations
on Washington’s cyber espionage against Chinese companies and
institutions.

“These, along with previous allegations, are clearly troubling signs.

They demonstrate that the United States, which has long been trying
to play innocent as a victim of cyber attacks, has turned out to be
the biggest villain in our age,” said a commentary published in the
Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

Snowden arrived in Moscow from Hong Kong, where authorities said the
US government request to arrest him did not fully comply with the
territory’s legal requirements.

MFB/MFB

OPPOSITION: REPORT OF SUPERVISORY CHAMBER OF ARMENIA ANOTHER SHOW AHEAD OF INEVITABLE PRICE HIKE

ARMINFO
Wednesday, June 26, 16:58

Report of the Supervisory Chamber of Armenia is another show ahead
of the inevitable price hike in the country after July 7, Armen
Martirosyan, Vice Chairman of Heritage Party Board told media,
Wednesday.

He thinks that the authorities would take steps to avoid price hike
if they really cared for the people and wanted changes. If head of
the Supervisory Chamber were an oppositionist, he would expose more
embezzlements.

Martirosyan admits that there maybe internal redistribution of
influence on the resources that have seriously decreased in the
country. Armenia as a country is at a low level and unable to
fight corruption, he said. He is sure that the latest exposures of
embezzlements of the government funds are just the beginning of what
is happening in the domestic policy now. For instance, he recalled
Prosperous Armenia’s ousting from the coalition. He said that in the
government system everyone has compromising information against others
and is ready to use it if necessary.

Commenting on mass media reports regarding possible dismissal of Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Martirosyan said: “In the power structure I
don’t know any other one able to introduce western course of Armenia’s
development competently on the threshold of the Association Agreement
to be signed with the EU in autumn. In addition, Serzh Sargsyan is
satisfied with activity of the prime minister. Therefore, I think,
no changes are expected,” he said.