Author: Kalantarian Kevo

IT IS NOW OUR TIME TO MAKE INVITATION – ARMENIAN ACTIVIST

12:17 ~U 12.05.13

The Pre-parliament group is planning to meet in Yerevan’s Liberty
Square on May 17 for a demonstration to discuss new state building
measures. Before the meeting in the capital, the party rallied in the
second largest city of Gyumri but the public gathering attracted a
small crowd of people. The fact is thought to have pushed the group to
the idea of holding an awareness campaign in Yerevan’s central streets
on Saturday. Zhirayr Sefilyan, an active member of the group and a
commander of a special battalion in Shushi, has talked to Tert.am,
to elaborate on Preparliament’s future plans.

“Mr. Sefilyan, are there any responses to your call for launching a
new liberation movement and recruiting vanguards?”

“That isn’t a result that waited for us just several days; that’s
an everyday process, and I am sure our ranks will be replenished day
by day.”

“Pre-parliament rallied a scanty crowd of people in Gyumri despite
the great expectations. Why did you decide to choose the rally style,
and are the results of the Gyumri rally noticeable?”

“Our rally-style activities had several reasons behind, the
chief cause being the people’s disappointment after the April 9
[presidential inauguration] and the dim political arena which
exists simultaneously. That gives rise only to disillusionment. We
decided that it is necessary to speed up the program and make public
appearances to inform our people that there is such a group. This step
of ours will enable us to give people hope that not everything is lost
yet. The meeting in Gyumri was fruitful. Realizing that this is the
beginning of a very big initiative, we will not be discouraged by the
difficulties in the initial period. We will persistently move forward.

“You are planning the next rally in Yerevan on May 17. So, are there
any plans for meetings in the regions?”

“[There will be meetings] across Armenia, as well as Artsakh
(Nagorno-Karabakh) and the Diaspora. Our problem is an organizational
one, and that organization is aimed at the birth of an Armenian state.”

“Doesn’t that look like [Heritage party leader] Raffi Hovhannisyan’s
regional visits’ scenario? Haven’t you learned lessons from his
regional tours?”

“I think if you closely follow the program we have unveiled, and
keep track of our steps, you will see that it has nothing to do
with Raffi’s steps. Our whole objective is to conduct the struggle
and do that beyond the ruling regime. That’s what we have talked of
continuously for two years, and because our calls haven’t reached the
political forces, it is now our time to do that, because our people
– with the unprecedented activeness and boldness in the February 18
[presidential election] – have given a signal that we have no more
time. That’s one of the reasons we’re taking to the streets today.”

“You are simultaneously proposing an alternative government thesis.

So, how are you planning to exercise the alternative power in
practice?”

“We will have a new system along with the governing hierarchy, because
we are not going to stay under rubble, because staying under rubble
would imply the loss of the statehood.”

“But the authorities do not seem to be showing signs of collapse. They
are working in an organized manner, and are stronger with their
leverages and financial resources.”

“No, they are very weak. They are facing a self-collapse but the
problem for us is not to banish them, but to create something new. Our
problem is what to replace with what.”

“Do you support the horizontal government model that sees a group not
an individual making a decision? To make this model work, you have
to be confident that those surrounding you are trustworthy people. Do
you have that trust? ”

“Nothing of the kind is possible, naturally, but the nucleus that
has to be keep playing the role of an axis has to be dominated by
honesty and pureness throughout this period.”

“Are there any real steps, invitations for debates around a table?”

“We do not, of course, going to repel or criticize anyone, as you
see periodically see on the political arena. What we are going to
do is try to find common grounds for collaborating with sober-minded
individuals. ”

“You are probably aware that Raffi Hovhannisian is inviting political
forces to Ani [Plaza] Hotel for debates …”

“It is now our time for making invitations.”

“And are you making them?”

“Yes, we are inviting all to get together over a clearly defined plan,
every day and every hour.”

“Is it possible for Pre-parliament to reorganize itself into a
political party sometime in future?”

“This [political] force will be reorganized to become the future
state.”

Armenian News – Tert.am

“Evidence” For Ministry of Culture

Member of Parliament Samvel Alexanyan has resumed reconstruction of
the Covered Market on Mashtots Avenue. One of the few historical
buildings of Yerevan had already been half-destroyed by the
businessman when he stopped construction following protests of
citizens. However, on the next day of the mayoral election he resumed
works.

The minister of culture Hasmik Poghosyan does not know anything about
the ongoing construction on the roof of the covered market. In an
interview with lragir.am the minister said it is a zero level
construction project. When we told her about ongoing works on the roof
of the building, photos of which were published in Lragir.am, Hasmik
Poghosyan said those are old pictures.

I took those pictures two days ago, Ms. Poghosyan.

Ongoing works, on the roof, the roof of the main building. No, those
must have been taken in December.

I say two days ago I went to the Market, took pictures of ongoing works.

Please send me those pictures.

We have published the pictures and the article, we’ll publish again.
And you, don’t you want to send a specialist to study the site.

Yes, you are right, my staff has reported me that zero-mark works are
carried out. I suggest that you contact the staff member of our
agency, please provide us with latest photos if available.

About 20 workers are working there on the roof of the building.

Let’s wait until the holidays pass, send me those photos, I will ask
our staff to explain, I will draw the attention of our staff to it.

How about you, do you want to go to the site to see what is happening
there because your staff members apparently did not provide correct
information to you.

You think so? I hope not but I will take your advice.

P.S. Photos were made on May 7.

10:25 10/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Price rise inevitable – expert

13:59 – 10.05.13

Armen Poghosyan, Chairman of the National Association of Consumers,
told journalists on Friday that a rise in food prices is expected in
Armenia, which is a direct result of the latest elections in Armenia.

Specially, the bread, sugar and milk product prices are expected to rise.

`A price rise is evitable. But prices are more often raised in a
criminal way – an identical price is set for products of lesser
weight,’ Poghosyan said.

A month ago the Association addressed a letter to the Armenian
president for ordering an inspection, particularly to check the weight
and quality of bread and sugar.

`We addressed the letter on April 11, but have not so far received an
answer. I learnt that the letter had been forwarded to the Food Safety
Inspection. But we would have addressed the letter there if we had
wanted to,’ he said.

Poghosyan forecasts a rise in the gas, water and electric power prices as well.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Iran Unveils New Domestically-Built UAV

`This aircraft with its stealth quality can avoid detection by the
enemy,’ Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said.

MOSCOW, May 10 (RIA Novosti) – Iran has unveiled a radar-evading
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying out both
surveillance and attack missions, the Press TV channel reported on
Thursday.

`This drone has been built by defense industry experts and is
simultaneously capable of surveillance, reconnaissance and missile and
rocket attacks,’ said Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad
Vahidi, who attended a ceremony to unveil the aircraft.

`This aircraft with its stealth quality can avoid detection by the
enemy,’ he said.

Press TV gave no exact technical parameters of the aircraft, but said
the two distinguishing features of the new UAV, dubbed Hamaseh, are
`high altitude and long flight range.’

Azerbaijani expert refuted intelligence officer’s statement about 40
thousand Armenians living in Baku

A senior intelligence officer of Azerbaijan who preferred to remain
anonymous told the website `Gunxeber.com’ that around 40,000 Armenians
supposedly live in Baku. “They are not registered, they do not have
documents. They do not work, do not get a pension, but live well. And
this is a serious threat to Azerbaijan, and in particular for its
capital, especially in such a sensitive period, before the
presidential election. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies
should undertake serious steps concerning this issue,” said the
anonymous source.

As the site notes, it was 10 years ago when the government of
Azerbaijan officially stated that 30,000 Armenians reside in Baku. It
turns out that the number of Armenians in the city increased by 10,000
during 10 years. Commenting on this information in an interview with
the website, the head of Migrant Centre Aliovsat Aliyev noted that
currently 20,000 Armenians are registered in Baku. According to him
this figure could only go down due to deaths and migration out of the
country.

“There are Armenians who have problems and live without documents.
They live here giving themselves either as Azerbaijanis, or by other
names, or take the surnames of Azerbaijani fathers. A number of
problems arise in this regard. Now there are a number of cases in the
courts related to the Armenians”, the expert says, noting that it is
impossible to have incensement in the number of Armenians in Baku as
most of them live alone, without family.

The head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of
Azerbaijan Orhan Mansurzade refused to disclose the number of
Armenians “living” in Baku. He advised to refer to the State
Statistics Committee for this information. As the site says, the
census in 1999 showed that only 400 people identified themselves as
Armenians, and 100 people in 2009. “It is interesting, what kind of
documents do the rest of Armenians use in Baku? How do they live in
Baku endangering their lives? ” inquire the site.

Pilots of Russian military base in Armenia conducted about 500 flights in winter

May 11, 2013 | 15:06

The pilots of the Russian Federation (RF) aviation base in Armenia
continue to carry out their military turn of duty within the CIS
united air defense system.

The pilots of the aviation unit conducted about 500 flights during the
winter training period, press service of the Southern Military Okrug
(District) of the RF Armed Forces informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The MiG-29 jet fighter aircraft pilots conducted over 300 training
maneuver dogfights, and more than 150 such dogfights were conducted
under limited visibility.

To note, based on an intergovernmental agreement, the aforesaid
aviation unit carries out military turn of duty in the CIS united air
defense system ever since 1994.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Deadly blasts hit Turkey border town of Reyhanli

16:43 – 11.05.13

Four people have been killed and another 18 wounded in explosions in a
Turkish town close to the Syrian border, officials say.

The blasts were reported in the town of Reyhanli in Hatay province,
The interior minister told Turkish media they were caused by car
bombs, BBC reports.

Thousands of refugees have fled Syria across the Reyhanli border.

Five people were killed last October when a mortar round hit the
Turkish border town of Akcakale.

As many has four explosions were reported at around 13:45 local time
(10:45 GMT), causing panic in the town, Turkish media said.

Reyhanli mayor Huseyin Sanverdi said a municipal building and a post
office were hit. The municipal offices were badly damaged, reports
said.

Interior Minister Muammer Guler promised a government investigation.

The border area of Reyhanli has itself been attacked in recent months.
In February, 13 people were killed and more than 20 others wounded
when a mortar round landed close to a border gate.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Rule Of The Mob

Armen Yeritsyan, candidate for mayor of the Rule of Law Party could
not help calling heads of communities of Yerevan and their people
deployed on the election day as `whelps’. The member of the government
told the truth in an outburst of frankness.

The mob is the `third’ column of the government of Armenia. The first
is the oligarchy, the second is the so-called political parties and
statesmen and the third is the mob. During previous elections, this
hierarchy was preserved with the help of conveying some `seriousness’
to the processes, but at Yerevan Mayoral elections, the mob was pushed
to the first plane. The power did it in order to decide the latter’s
role in the future processes.

The series of `absolute victories’ has marginalized the Republicans
and the bigger the invented number of votes received at elections, the
more people turn their back to the ruling party. The Republican Party
and the oligarchy are losing their supporters even within the
government. Besides, in the result of `absolute victory’, the
governmental oligarchy and RPA have also lost an important thing which
used to be the political veil for processes -the political parties.
These used to be signboard to eliminate the rights and lawful claims
of the society. Even the RPA has stopped being a signboard. Galust
Sahakyan of the RPA said that RPA will rule as long as the country is
at war.

Due to historical circumstances, Armenia has always been and will be
at war. Actually, Galust Sahakyan applied for an eternal term. For
this purpose they need resources and support.

Resources are available and in order to keep them the government will
resort to all kinds of things. It will boost taxes, establish
monopolies etc. As to supporters, the mob and the whelps have been
tried out to replace political parties and other legitimate layers,
through which the regime keeps its power.

Armenia has never had a government as such. Elites that replace each
other are unable to come up with effective solutions to challenges to
state building and to regulate public affairs. Instead, the issue of
occupying power and controlling public wealth has been solved somehow.
The role of state and political institutions has been reduced to
serving the interests of small governmental groups.

As a result, a pseudo-state has been formed where democratic
mechanisms, mechanism of forming government and constitutional basis
of government have been eliminated. Parallel to this, the qualities of
government degraded.

The first government of intellectuals educated in the empire failed to
resist the ambitions of the internal military-feudalistic circles and
the `fascination of initial accumulation of capital’.

The `second column’ of the empire eliminated the rule of
military-feudalistic groups and formed the `kleptocracy’, the rule of
criminal oligarchy with a clearly defined hierarchy and quotas which
managed to take the system down to the ordinary citizen involving
everyone in the philosophy of `contract’.

The `third column’ is coming to replace the kleptocracy, the mob,
which enhances the status it had in under the kleptocracy.

Unlike the first and second columns of the empire, the third one does
not preserve the external veil of propriety. Even those who were
called to maintain the veil are unable to do it. Degradation is so
visible and deep that it is impossible to impart the processes with
`seriousness’.

Relying on the mob can’t last long.

Haik Aramyan
13:33 11/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

SCPEC to submit air transportation model preferable for Armenia

Saturday,
May 11

The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition will
soon release the results of a study in the air transportation market,
Aysor.am was informed by SCPEC spokeswoman Gayane Sahakian.

She said SCPEC has been examining the sphere of air transportation
since Arrmavia airline stopped operating flights and air ticket prices
started to change.

`Detailed examination of price changes and the air transportation
market is underway. Possible competition-related problems are
discussed,’ she noted.

Besides, SCPEC will submit an air transportation model preferable for
Armenia to the head of the government.

The commission has held discussions with representatives of foreign
airlines in Armenia who expressed their opinions about the current
problems in the sector. Discussions will continue.
TODAY, 15:29

Aysor.am

Armenian architect building bridges between religions

14:44 11.05.2013

Kevork Ã-zkaragöz, an Armenian architect who has designed many
religious monuments for different religions, refers to the opinions of
the religious communities when developing his projects.

A member of an Armenian family renowned for their stonemasonry,
Ã-zkaragöz moved from Malatya to Istanbul with his family when he was 6
years old.

The structures built by Ã-zkaragöz in recent years include Mahmut
Å?evket PaÅ?a Hacı BektaÅ? Cemevi (an Alevi house of worship) in
Istanbul’s Okmeydanı district, Plevne Mosque in Balıkesir’s Gönen
district and the final prayer chapel in his hometown, Malatya, the
Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Last year, the final prayer chapel ` in a historical Armenian cemetery
in Malatya ` was demolished by municipal teams, which stirred a lot of
debate in society. Due to the objections, the chapel was rebuilt on
the grounds that the teams had `misunderstood the order.’

`While designing the Cemevi, I obtained the opinions of elderly
persons in the Alevi community. I obtained data on Alevi culture and
beliefs from studies published on the subject. And when designing the
mosque, I tried to get to know the functions of a mosque by chatting
with imams. I especially observed Istanbul’s mosques from the
perspective of a designer. I refreshed my knowledge of mosques by
examining mosques’ stages of development in art history books. I also
examined Vedat Dalokay Islamabad Mosque and Behruz Çinici TCMM mosque,
which were built in the Republican period,’ he said.

`Existence, oneness and love of God form the basis of religions, while
they center upon human beings. I believe each faith has a different
form of worship and different needs. I can develop my designs by
taking all these [differences] into account with the aid of my
cultural background. I am very pleased when a religious structure
comes into being and people can worship in them,’ Ã-zkaragöz said.