Author: Kalantarian Kevo

SLOVAK EXPERTS TO SHARE EXPERIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION, IT SECTORS WITH ARMENIA

April 10, 2013 – 17:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian-Slovak business forum launched Wednesday,
April 10 in Yerevan with the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce
and Industry.

At the event, the Chamber CEO Araik Vardanyan expressed dissatisfaction
over the current $10 million trade turnover between the two countries,
noting the sectors of agriculture, construction, and IT to be a
priority on business cooperation agenda.

As the project manager at Slovak Trade Development Agency Pavel
Chobirka noted, in turn, Slovak companies are ready to offer
construction services as well as share experience in design and
innovations.

As he further added, Armenia~Rs investment environment is favorable
enough, specifically in the sectors of business registration and tax
administration, with Slovak entrepreneurs having expressed interest
in working with the Armenian market.

TWO ARMENIAN TEENAGERS DIE IN PROJECTILE EXPLOSION AT RUSSIAN RANGE

Interfax, Russia
April 8 2013

Prosecutors are checking the compliance of officers of the Russian
Defense Ministry’s 102nd base in Armenia with the rules of range
operation and disposal of dud munitions in the context of the death
of two teenagers at a training range, assistant military prosecutor
of the Southern Military District Natif Gajimetov told Interfax.

“Two Armenian citizens born in 1997 and 2001 died on Sunday from the
negligent handling of a dud grenade while collecting scrap metal on the
Kamkhut training range, 3.5 kilometers from the village of Vagramaberd,
Armenia. The teenagers died instantaneously from shrapnel wounds,”
Gajimetov said.

Military prosecutors of the Southern Military District are probing
the incident, he said.

INAUGURATION DAY FALLOUT: APRIL 9 SHAPES COMPETING OPPOSITION AGENDAS IN ARMENIA

VOTE 2013 | 10.04.13 | 10:37

Photolure

By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

After a day of protests against the inauguration of President Serzh
Sargsyan in what his challenger Raffi Hovannisian said would mark the
‘dawn of a new Armenia’ it has become clear that the opposition leader
will try to take his supporters along the path of a long struggle,
including rallies and other actions.

Enlarge Photo

At least this is what is prompted by some of his statements addressed
to supporters in Liberty Square just before making a failed attempt
to lead a march past the Presidential Palace in Baghramyan Avenue,
where heavy police cordons had been put up.

Whether Hovannisian can quickly reshape the immediate goals of his
movement after failure to stop Sargsyan from taking what the opposition
leader claimed was a “false” oath of presidency before the nation will
now depend on how successful will be his efforts to overcome the sense
of disappointment that a considerable number of opposition supporters
seemed to have last night after a number of controversial events.

Many participants were clearly perplexed at the decision of Hovannisian
to leave them in Baghramyan Avenue amid a continuing standoff with
riot police and lead part of protesters towards the Armenian Genocide
Memorial at Tsitsernakaberd via a different route and in the company
of Chief of Armenian Police Vladimir Gasparyan.

First, when at 6 pm people gathered in Liberty Square it became clear
that Hovannisian did not mean to go to Baghramyan Avenue where,
in his residence at Number 26, Sargsyan was receiving his foreign
guests who had arrived in Armenia on the occasion of his inauguration.

Hovannisian, however, apparently yielded to pressure from hardliners
in the first rows who were shouting: “Now, now, now!”

Interestingly, Tsitsernakaberd did not feature in the plans of the
opposition as a point toward which they could stage a march on April
9. It was also known in advance that Yerevan authorities did not
allow the opposition to include the section of Baghramyan Avenue,
where the Presidential Palace is located, in the route of their march,
explaining that an official event would be held there simultaneously.

Hovannisian, his wife Armine, Heritage Party members Armen Martirosyan,
Stepan Safaryan, Heritage faction lawmakers Tevan Poghosyan, Ruben
Hakobyan and former presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan walked arm
in arm up the avenue. But they and the protesters led by them were met
with several rows of police cordons at the beginning of the boulevard.

A standoff began with some scuffles in which some protesters reportedly
suffered minor injuries. Heritage member Martirosyan also suffered a
broken nose and was reportedly taken to a clinic for medical treatment.

Then after negotiations with Police Chief Gasparyan Hovannisian led a
group of supporters, about 3,000 according to ArmeniaNow’s estimates,
towards the hilltop memorial via a different route that included
Saryan Street and Victory Bridge. ArmeniaNow noticed, however, that
some of the protesters did not go all the way to the memorial as they
separated from the marching crowd. Some were apparently too tired
after doing a lot of walking during the day.

The hardliners, as well as those who apparently were confused and
did not know what was happening, still remained locked in a standoff
with riot police in Baghramyan Avenue. Among those who stayed in
Baghramyan Avenue was also Heritage MP Zaruhi Postanjyan, who was
calling on people to move back to Liberty Square, but would not
listen. And former presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan, who
joined the Hovannisian-led protests after the elections, suggested
starting a sitting strike, but he was taken to a police station from
where he was released later.

Among those who remained in Baghramyan Avenue were also representatives
of the Sardarabad civil movement, Karabakh war veteran Jirair Sefilyan,
film director Tigran Khzmalyan and others. Sefilyan stated: “Raffi
[Hovannisian] went to Tsitsernakaberd without telling them about
it while they did not need to go there.” And Khzmalyan qualified
Hovannisian’s step as ‘political suicide’.

“I could not imagine such a way of neglect. We have long been offering
to Raffi [Hovannisian] an alternative power, alternative elections,
an alternative system. A system is needed to fight another system,
we suggested that way to him, but he did not want it and decided to
go alone, choosing his way. The movements, of course, will continue
but without Raffi,” said the hardliner.

Hovannisian did return to Baghramyan Avenue late on Tuesday where
after negotiations the police agreed to remove the cordons and let a
peaceful march past the Presidential Palace with a subsequent return
to Liberty Square for a “good night”.

“Those who do not believe in victory should go home and watch soap
operas, but those who do want to believe should stay in the fight,”
said Hovannisian.

Many political observers already estimate that the Heritage leader,
who staged protests in Yerevan and provinces for seven weeks after
the February 18 presidential elections, including a three-week hunger
strike, has now found himself in a difficult political situation. On
the one hand, he has managed to avoid deadly clashes similar to the
2008 post-election riots in which 10 people were killed. On the other
hand, some of Hovannisian’s steps and decisions made on the spur of
the moment appear to have disappointed many, prompting assumptions that
the opposition leader has no clear political program or organized team.

Hovannisian called on people to come to the next rally in Liberty
Square on April 12 during which he said he would present his program,
including in regards to the immediate goal of the local elections
in Yerevan in which a bloc of parties supporting his movement is
taking part. Meanwhile, observers say the turnout during Friday’s
gathering will show what impact April 9 has had on Hovannisian’s
‘political future’.

MILITARY PREPARATION IN KARABAKH MAY GIVE A POWERFUL BOOST TO LIBERATION STRUGGLE OF TALYSH PEOPLE. “INDEPENDENT TALYSHISTAN”

12:16, 10 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS: “Independent Talyshistan” public union,
operating in Moscow, has accepted a statement, in which it greeted
the opportunity given to Talysh youth to enter military Academy after
Suvorov and Madatov in Artsakh. As Armenpress was informed from the
press center of the committee implementing the program of “Military
Academy after Suvorov and Madatov in Artsakh”, it is mainly noted in
the statement of “Independent Talyshistan” public union “The historical
land of Talysh people, which is now occupied by Azerbaijan, soon or
later will be independent and military preparation in Karabakh of
Talysh youth living abroad may give a powerful boost to the liberation
struggle of Talysh people”.

Taking into account the displayed interest and applications, issue
on the entrance of Talyish, Lezgian, Avar, Tsakhur and Tatar youth to
the academy has been included in the agenda of committee implementing
the program of “Military Academy after Suvorov and Madatov in Artsakh”.

ARMENIA INTENDS TO BUY NEW AIRCRAFTS AND HELICOPTERS FROM RUSSIA

APA, Azerbaijan
April 9 2013

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. Armenia plans to strengthen its Air
Forces through the purchase of new aircrafts and helicopters.

APA reports quoting Russian media that the two countries have signed
an agreement on purchase of military transport and attack helicopter.

Armenia also intends to buy advanced training aircraft Yak-130 from
Russia. Currently, the negotiations are underway.

In 2012, Armenia also purchased 4 complexes of drones from Russia.

In the recent years, Russia has presented to Armenia weapons and
military property worth more than 1 billion.

U.S. SAYS ‘DEEPLY COMMITTED’ TO AIDING PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
April 9 2013

By Sara Rajabova

The U.S., a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group brokering settlement
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, has said
it remains deeply committed to working with the sides to achieve a
peaceful solution.

“We believe that the use of force will not resolve the conflict,
and we call upon all parties to refrain from the use or threat of
use of force,” US State Department acting deputy spokesman Patrick
Ventrell told journalists Monday while commenting on US Secretary of
State John Kerry’s visit to Turkey.

During his visit to Turkey, Secretary Kerry and Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu discussed the strengthening of the OSCE
Minsk Group’s activity and the liberation of the Armenia-occupied
territories of Azerbaijan.

“The Minsk process should be provided with an ever-increasing momentum
and the invaded territory of Azerbaijan is an issue that we need
certain advancement within,” Davutoglu said after the meeting. He
added that Turkey and the U.S. will continue to touch on those issues
in the future.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made
territorial claims against the neighboring country. Since a lengthy
war between the two South Caucasus countries that displaced over
a million Azerbaijanis and ended with the signing of a precarious
cease-fire in 1994, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent
of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory, including the
Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Peace talks brokered by Minsk Group co-chairs representing the United
States, Russia and France have been largely fruitless so far.

The negotiations are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed
by the Minsk Group co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles, also
known as Basic Principles. The document envisions a return of the
territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control;
determining the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh; a corridor
linking Armenia to the region; and the right of all internally
displaced persons to return home.

OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS CLASH WITH POLICE IN YEREVAN – PHOTO

APA, Azerbaijan
April 9 2013

Baku-APA. Supporters of opposition leader Raffi Hovannisyan, who
claims he won the presidential elections, are trying to storm the
presidential palace in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, APA reports
quoting tert.am website.

After a rally held on Freedom Square, Hovannisyan called on his
supporters to march on the presidential palace.

Near the palace, opposition activists clashed with police forces. The
protesters were chanting “Serzh go away!”, while policemen beat them
with batons.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S SUPPORTERS MOVE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS – PHOTO

APA, Azerbaijan
April 9 2013

Baku-APA. Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian resumed his rally
in Freedom Square in Yerevan, APA reports quoting tert.am website.

Today, along with the inauguration of Armenian President Serzh
Sargsysan, Raffi Hovannisian held a rally and “New Armenia’s
inauguration.”

Mr Hovannisian stated he did not recognize either Serzh Sargsyan or
Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. He recognizes only Armenia’s
people.

The rally participants marched toward the Armenian presidential
residence, but police troops blocked their way at the
Baghramyan-Demirchyan intersection.

Raffi Hovannisian demanded the release of the detained activists and
resignation of not only President Serzh Sargsyan, but also Catholicos
of All Armenians Garegin II.

“This is neither a threat nor an ultimatum. This is your right to
your last concession,” he said.

Hovannisian stated his readiness to go to Moscow next morning to
“meet Mister Putin and bring victory to Armenia.”

Raffi Hovannisian’s supporters are in Baghramyan Avenue and have
clashed with police.

Chief of the Yerevan Police Department Nersik Nazaryan demanded that
the people stop illegal activities. Otherwise, the police troops will
have to take measures.

In response, Raffi Hovannisian said that the demonstrators will
continue their way up Baghramyan Avenue, toward Tsitsernakaberd to
lay flowers at the so called “Armenian Genocide” memorial.

Chief of Armenia’s Police Vladimir Gasparyan has arrived at Baghramyan
Avenue. He is talking with Raffi Hovannisian now.

Ruben Hakobyan, a Heritage parliamentary group member, warned the
demonstrators against responding to provocations. He informed them
of Mr Hovannisian’s talks with the police authorities.

The demonstrators are moving in different directions – some remain
in Baghramyan Avenue and others are moving along Moskovyan Str,
accompanied by police. Chief of Armenia’s Police Vladimir Gasparyan
is there as well.

Hrair Tamrazyan, Director of Azatutyun Radio turned to the activist
Alen Simonyan for detailed information on the incident involving
Armen Martirosyan.

Mr Simonyan explained that Mr Martirosyan was detained after an
incident this morning. A policeman hit Martirosyan’s mother, and he
pushed the policeman away.

Policemen also used force against Heritage party member David
Sanasaryan.

Zaruhi Postanjyan, a Heritage parliamentary group member, called on
the police to allow the people to remain in Baghramyan Avenue and
wait for Raffi Hovannisian to return from Tsitsernakaberd.

She said that the people must return to Freedom Square.

RALLY TO BE HELD NEAR ARMENIAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 9 2013

A rally of supporters of the Revolution of Smiles and Greetings
opposition movement against the ‘lie’ of the authorities and massive
fraud in the elections held in Armenia on February 18 will be held in
front of the Armenian embassy in Russia today, Armenia Today reported
with reference to a statement posted on the official page of Hello,
Russia in the social network.

According to the information, a rally is being held to recognise the
power of the people in Armenia, to hold repeated and fair elections
and to celebrate the alternative inauguration of the elected president.

Protesters plan to urge the Russian president to withdraw his
congratulations towards the illegitimate president.

‘A request was made for protesters to behave properly with law
enforcement officials and not to yield to any possible provocations’,
the rally organisers’ statement said.

The presidential elections were held in Armenia on February 18.

According to the official results, the incumbent President Serzh
Sargsyan won the presidential elections with 58.64 per cent of the
votes. The leader of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian who ranked
second with 36.74 per cent didn’t recognise the results and declared a
‘Revolution of Smiles and Greetings’movement.

Zhamanak: Most of Yerevan residents unaware of upcoming elections?

10:27 09/04/2013 » DAILY PRESS

Zhamanak daily’s surveys on Yerevan elections found out that Yerevan
residents are unaware of the upcoming elections of Yerevan Council of
Elders.

The respondents mentioned Heritage and RPA among political forces
running in Yerevan elections. Most of them, however, did not know, for
instance, who tops the election list of Heritage party.

Source: Panorama.am