Author: Kalantarian Kevo

… AND THIS PROCESS IS GAINING A PROGRESSIVE CHARACTER

Monday, 15 April 2013 17:13

The press has already reported that on April 10, the House of
Representatives and the Senate of the U.S. state of Maine passed
a joint resolution recognizing the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The
resolution calls on the U.S. President and Congress to support
the self-determination and democratic independence of the NKR,
to facilitate its constructive involvement in the efforts of the
international community for achieving a just and lasting solution
to the security issues in the strategically significant region. It
should be noted that for less than a year, a few political acts have
already taken place at the level of foreign parliaments, directly
or indirectly recognizing the right of the NKR to self-determination
and establishment of its own independent state.

Let’s remember that in 2012, the Houses of Representatives of the U.S.
states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the Legislative Council
of the Australian state of New South Wales have also adopted similar
resolutions. These initiatives include the visit to the NKR in last
November of the Uruguay parliamentary delegation led by the chairman
of the House of Representatives, the establishment in this March of the
Inter-parliamentary Group of Friendship between the Lithuania Republic
and the NKR at the Lithuanian Seimas, and in France – the Circle of
Friendship with the Republic of Artsakh, with the participation of
political figures, MPs, and Senators.

There is no doubt that the international community and, in particular,
the parliamentarians of the above mentioned countries have noticed and
appreciated the commitment of the NKR people and authorities to their
chosen way of democratic development of the Karabakh society. This
is confirmed by the fact that actually in all the above mentioned
resolutions the necessity of supporting the DEMOCRATIC independence
of the NKR is noted, and the statements on the establishment of
the Friendship Groups do not conceal the sympathy for the people
of Artsakh, which is building its independent statehood on the
democratic principles. “We are not alone in this noble enterprise,
and our view is getting greater response”, wrote member of the Circle
of Friendship, prominent politician Francois Rochebloine in the French
edition of Le Huffington Post. “The freedom of speech of the citizens
of Nagorno-Karabakh is just the latest example of the movement for
independence, which led to the emergence of more than a dozen new
countries over the past quarter of a century”, he noted.

We would like to note another aspect of the pro-Karabakh actions
of foreign countries’ parliamentarians. It can be firmly stated that
there is a growing understanding in the world of the incompatibility of
the ways of development of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. There are
more than enough reasons for this conclusion in the legal, political,
historical, and moral spheres. And if generalized, the whole policy
of Azerbaijan towards Nagorno-Karabakh, based on the rabid hatred
of Armenians and mankind, leaves no doubt that the NKR should go its
own way, which its people chose over twenty years ago.

By the way, it fits well in the interests of international democratic
institutions using efforts to promote integration and democratic
processes in the South Caucasus in order to ensure the stability of
the entire region. They cannot but notice the striking difference
between the democratic development of the NKR and the atmosphere
of medieval dictatorship established in Azerbaijan. Several human
rights organizations, in particular, the well-known Freedom House,
called Azerbaijan a non-democratic country. The Baku regime actually
defies the international community, ignoring its calls for peace and
cooperation. A bright example of this is the recent statement of the
Azerbaijani President that “we use every opportunity to keep Armenia
in its current state of isolation”. Given that the EU program Eastern
Partnership is aimed specifically at the development of cooperation
between the countries of the South Caucasus.

Yes, the blockade of Armenia and the NKR, their isolation from the
processes taking place in the world, the hindering of the development
of the two Armenian states continue to be the cornerstones in the
foreign policy of Azerbaijan. By the way, Francois Rochebloine did
not hide that “we want to break the isolation, which the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh have experienced for 22 years, and to make the latter
part of regional development projects, along with the other nations
of the South Caucasus”. Hence is the extremely nervous reaction of
official Baku to the actions of the parliamentarians of the USA,
Uruguay, Lithuania, and France. Because it understands that the
general awareness of the international community of the real events
in the NKR, its goals and achievements in the socio-economic sphere,
in the field of democracy and human rights, first of all, underlines
the contrast between dictatorial Azerbaijan and democratic Artsakh.

Secondly, it nullifies all its efforts on presenting Nagorno-Karabakh
to the world as a political outcast ignoring international laws.

Official Baku was quick to respond also to the resolution of the House
of Representatives and the Senate of the state of Maine. Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, noting that the adoption of the
resolution was backed by the Armenian Diaspora, said that such actions
hindered the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. These
words are not just cynicism, because it is Azerbaijan that with
its counterproductive steps persistently impedes the efforts of the
international mediators on the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

But, first of all, it is its unwillingness to see the objective
truth, which explains its craven desire to ascribe the adoption of
the resolution exclusively to the Armenian Diaspora. And the truth
is that an objective process of recognition of NKR people’s right to
self-determination of their political future is taking place in the
world. And this process is apparently gaining a progressive character.

Leonid MARTIROSSIAN

THE LAST 3 WEEKS

April 16 2013 As far as I can remember, before every election,
oppositionists state that one should unity, that negotiations are under
way right now etc. They are right in the sense that only by uniting
and joining forces can one effectively oppose the state machine,
which, as we know, is completely in the government’s hands.

Those kind wishes usually remain just talk; ambitions and the
internal struggle in the opposition camp eventually become more
powerful factors, than the desire to win. As far as the parliament
or, even more so, the presidency is concerned, the fact that, say,
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and the Armenian National
Congress (ANC) have different opinions on the Armenia-Turkey relations,
or that the Heritage Party wants to recognize the independence of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and the others don’t is very important.

Now, the issue is efficient government of the capital, in which case,
it doesn’t matter whether you are a social liberal or a nationalist.

By the way, when Vahagn Khachatryan who was not a member of the
Pan-Armenian National Movement (PANM) was elected chairman of the
Yerevan City Council in 1992, it was only beneficial for the capital.

However, the current favorable situation doesn’t seem to be used.

Firstly the ANC proposal to participate with a common list was
basically rejected; then the negotiations between the ARF, the
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and the Heritage Party didn’t yield
results. Although the parties participating in the city council
election promise not to bad-mouth each other, but they actually do
bad-mouth each other and make the government, against which they
ostensibly struggle, happy. In this regard, it is probably worth
reminding the estimable party members that there are less than 3
weeks left until the Yerevan City Council election, and, at least,
the mechanism of supervising the election should be created now, not
on the election day. It seems that the idea that one cannot “win” the
election with post-election processes – rallies, protests – that it is
like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted gradually
becomes dominant on the political stage these days. One should
win a victory with records of polling places. And only coordinated
work of the 4 parties can make it possible. Ter-Petrossian’s latest
“messages” to Tsarukyan should be considered in that (and not moral and
didactic) light. If they are not “heard,” as it had happened before
the presidential election, then there was no point in them. If they
are “heard,” those reverent gestures are absolutely justified. ARAM
ABRAHAMYAN

Read more at:

© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

AGHVAN VARDANYAN’S RESPONSE TO ASHOT MANUCHARYAN

April 16 2013

He assures that a large part of the people will follow the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Ashot Manucharyan, a member of the
Karabakh Committee, said that there were three large forces in our
country these days – the Armenian National Congress (ANC), Raffi
Hovhannisyan, and Sardarapat. According to him, the people followed
those three forces, and when journalists asked why he hadn’t mentioned
the ARF, whether no one followed the ARF, he said: “I have pointed
out the 3 forces, which a large or a small part of the people follows.”

Today Aghvan Vardanyan, an alternate representative of the ARF
Supreme body in Armenia, responded to Ashot Manucharyan during a
conversation with In his words, “There are lots and
lots of people who speak on behalf of the people. There are many
people who speak on behalf of the people everywhere. I have never
taken the liberty of speaking on behalf of the people, because the
people are multilayered and multifold. A part of our people follows
the ARF, and I am sure that a much larger part will follow it soon,
because the ARF, as opposed to Ashot Manucharyan’s perceptions, is
a self-sufficient, independent, and principled political force that
pursues a clear policy.” Hripsime JEBEJYAN

Read more at:

© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

RUSSIA-BASED ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN SELLS HIS SHARES IN AVTOVAZ COMPANY

09:55 ~U 17.04.13

Russia-based Armenian businessman, co-head of Sberbank CIB Ruben
Vardanyan has sold 20.53% of his shares in AvtoVAZ company to Rostec
state corporation and Renault-Nissan joint venture, Russian Vedomosti
reports.

The cost of the deal may make $600 million.

“Troika Dialog Investments Ltd” sold all the 20.53% shares to Dutch
Alliance Rostec Auto B.V. joint venture,” the paper writes.

Rostec representatives have not revealed the details of the deal
reminding only that the deal was reached in December 2012 when the main
shareholders signed the contract. According to it, by midst of 2014
Alliance Rostec will gain the control over the big Russian car-maker.

By 2012 Troika Dialog had 20.5% of shares but last year the company
has acquired Sebrbank.

Armenian News – Tert.am

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S DILEMMA

On the eve of the election of the Council of Elders Raffi Hovannisian
is in a stalemate. Having rejected an active pre-election campaign,
Raffi Hovannisian has left the field to the RPA and PAP. In addition,
the ANC and the ARF have joined the PAP.

In Yerevan Raffi Hovannisian will receive votes. After April 9 lots
of people thought he had lost his voters’ confidence but after a wave
of disappointment lots of people asked themselves what would have
happened if Raffi had refused to go to the genocide memorial with the
chief of police. They would never storm 26 Baghramyan Avenue because
the revolution was not ready but people would suffer again.

The second wave of soberness has most probably returned Raffi’s votes
but the question is how he will use them. If Raffi Hovannisian joins
non-governmental parties, he will help Vartan Oskanian be mayor of
Yerevan. If he decides not to help, he may not get 50% together with
them and Taron Margaryan will be reelected.

There is a difficult choice between Taron Margaryan and Vartan
Oskanian. Most probably, there is no difference between them for
Raffi Hovannisian and many others. There is a difference between
Levon Ter-Petrosyan and the ARF, they think it is possible to end
Serzh Sargsyan’s monopoly. But does it make a difference?

Non-governmental parties are likely to cooperate after the election.

If the RPA does not get 41%, and the PAP, ANC and ARF do not get 50%
together, the votes that Heritage will get will be crucial. By the way,
those votes may be many. And Raffi Hovannisian will have a chance to
overcome the stalemate, turning round the chessboard.

Naira Hayrumyan 13:50 16/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

NO ARMENIANS AMONG VICTIMS IN BOSTON MARATHON EXPLOSION – ARMENIA’S MFA

13:30 ~U 16.04.13

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry reports that there are no Armenians among
the victims and injured at Boston Marathon explosions.

The MFA wrote in its Facebook page that the Armenian embassy in
Washington is in permanent touch with Massachusetts state and Boston
local authorities.

Armenian News – Tert.am

“IRON LADY” SAID THAT RECEPTION IN LENINAKAN WAS ONE OF THE BESTS IN HER LIFE

11:08, 16 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS. The former Prime Minister of the Great
Britain Margaret Thatcher has always been hold in high esteems in
Armenia. The visit of “Iron Lady” to Leninakan (Gyumri) on June in
1990 caused a lot of enthusiasm among the people, who had faced the
whole bitterness of the devastative earthquake. “Armenpress” had a
conversation with the former First Secretary of the Central Commission
of Armenia’s Communist Party Vladimir Movsisyan about the details,
impressions, and character traits of the “Iron Lady”.

– Mr. Movsisyan, why did the Prime Minister of Great Britain Margaret
Thatcher pay visit to Armenia almost two years after the earthquake
hit Spitak?

– Margaret Thatcher was a world known figure. During her stay in
office Great Britain recorded a big progress. Moreover, I still remain
a communist and cannot put up with the idea that Reagan, Thatcher,
Gorbachev, and Yakovlev managed to destruct that powerful state,
instead of restoring it. But let’s leave it aside. Let’s talk about
her visit to Armenia. During the discussions regarding her visit,
it was decided that the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the
Republic of Armenia Vladimir Margaryants will host her. And when
one day was left before the launch of her visit, Yakovlev called me
and asked to participate in all of that, because not paying a visit
to the earthquake area would be interpreted in quiet other way. I
and Margaryants welcomed her in the Leninakan airport. Her visit’s
objective was to participate in the opening ceremony of an English
centre of school.

– How did she communicate with the people?

– She was approaching and talking with everyone. Thatcher herself
was engaged in the organization of the visit. She had meetings with
everyone she wanted to meet with. She had conversations with a number
of citizens. She spent a lot of time with children. She even invited
the constructor to the stage and presented him her picture.

It was a free and easy visit. Because of the excitement she had
forgotten that she “was made of iron” and turned into a common man,
who can be compassionate and excited, who can cry, laugh, and become
proud. We are grateful to everyone, even for a small support and
stretching a helpful hand in that difficult situation.

– Listening to Your narrative, one may think that Thatcher was not
“that much iron”.

– In this case I saw that there was nothing made of iron and steel.

She was a common man, who can be excited, who can laugh, talk,
embrace children, and speak to common people. Notwithstanding in
politics she was really an “iron lady”. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE
INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Hakob Vardanyan

LE TURKMENISTAN ATTAQUE L’AZERBAÏDJAN EN MER CASPIENNE, ALIYEV DEMANDE L’AIDE DE LA RUSSIE

L’Azerbaïdjan aurait demande a la Russie de delocaliser une partie de
sa flotte de la mer Caspienne a Bakou après que les forces navales
du Turkmenistan aint tire sur certaines installations de forage
petrolier de l’Azerbaïdjan en mer. C’est le site russe ostkraft qui
est a l’origine de cette information.

Selon le site le president azeri Ilham Aliyev aurait lance un appel
aux dirigeants de la Russie afin de transferer une partie de leur
flotte de la mer Caspienne a partir d’Astrakhan et Makhachkala a Bakou.

L’objectif de l’assistance militaire serait la defense en mer caspienne
des installations de forage petrolier dans les eaux territoriales
de l’Azerbaïdjan. La cause immediate de l’appel du gouvernement
d’Azerbaïdjan a Moscou, selon ostkraft, serait les dommages subis
par l’Azerbaïdjan sur ces infrastructures de raffinage du petrole au
large des côtes par des tirs des forces navales du Turkmenistan en
mer Caspienne. La reponse russe n’est pas connue.

Compte tenu de l’imprecision des informations il est preferable
de traiter ces donnees avec un haut degre de scepticisme. Et il
semble peu probable qu’Aliyev ferait une telle demande dramatique
a la Russie – a long terme, il est plus preoccupe par la Russie
que par le Turkmenistan. Et inviter les Russes a se baser a Bakou,
il serait très difficile par la suite de les faire sortir. Pourtant,
les forces navales naissantes du Turkmenistan et de l’Azerbaïdjan se
sont affrontes dans le passe et nous avons entendu parler des faits
longtemps après leur venue.

Bakou a montre qu’il ne prefère ne pas publier de nouvelles sur sa
propre faiblesse dans la mer Caspienne. Nous allons devoir attendre
pour plus d’informations.

mardi 16 avril 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

RUSSIA WILL NOT GRANT ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LEADER BENEFITS

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
April 15 2013

Leader of the Heritage Party of Armenia Raffi Ovannisyan, the candidate
coming second at the presidential election, visited Moscow on April
12. He said after returning back to Armenia that he had been invited
to Moscow.

The Kremlin denied rumours about Ovannisyan’s meeting with Vladimir
Chernov, head of the Presidential Office for Interregional and
Cultural Ties.

Alexey Vlasov, Editor-in-Chief of Vestnik Kavkaza, said that Russia
was not planning to grant any political benefits to figures like
Ovannisyan. The government and opposition in Armenia are trying to
understand Kremlin’s attitude towards the political developments
in Armenia.

Vlasov noted that Ovannisyan was of pro-Western vector. The expert
believes that Russia is more interested in supporting Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan. Ovannisyan did not speak for Eurasian
integration during his campaign and was critical about the strategic
ally of Armenia.

Alexander Skakov, coordinator of a working group of the Institute for
Central Asia and Caucasus of the Institute for oriental Studies of the
RAS, supposes that Raffi Ovannisyan is trying to convince Moscow that
he is not an anti-Russian project. Russia needs to know the details
of interior political life in Armenia.

Skakov believes that Ovannisyan wants to change Moscow’s image of
opposition. He confirmed that many people in Moscow considered the
Armenian opposition leader a pro-Western figure..

HEAD OF POLICE OF YEREVAN IS FIRED

The chief of police Vladimir Gasparyan has dismissed the head of
police of Yerevan Nersik Nazaryan. Nersik Nazaryan told Lragir.am he
was not informed about his dismissal yet.

The relations of Nersik Nazaryan and the chief of police were not
friendly. It was linked to his aspirations to the post of chief of
police. His relations with the ex-chief of police Alik Sargsyan were
also tense.

It is hard to tell whether his dismissal is due to the police actions
on April 9 when the policemen behaved inadequately on Baghramyan
Street. According to the press, Vladimir Gasparyan was angry with
Nersik Nazaryan because he did not keep the situation under control.

21:02 15/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News: