Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Hungarian MEP expects restoration of Armenian-Hungarian relations
after 2014 elections in her country

15:37, 16 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: Hungarian deputy of European
Parliament Zita Gurmai expects restoration of Armenia-Hungarian
relations after Hungarian parliamentary elections in 2014. As reports
Armenpress, this was noted by member of ICES observation mission, MEP
Zita Gurmai during press conference on February 16.

`I agree with Armenian authorities and condemn Hungarian government
for extraditing Safarov. Parliamentary elections are taking place in
our country in 2014, and in case of the victory of democratic party
there will be a power shift in our country,’ Hungarian MEP said,
hoping that in case of positive outcome of parliamentary elections in
Hungary it would be possible to restore Armenian-Hungarian relations.

On February 19, 2004 in Budapest Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov
hacked with an ax Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan when asleep. Two
officers were taking part in English language courses in framework of
NATO program in Budapest. Hungarian court sentenced Ramil Safarov to
life imprisonment, without a right to be pardoned during the first 30
years in jail. On August 31 of 2012 Hungarian authorities made a
decision to extradite Safarov to Azerbaijan where he was immediately
pardoned by the president of Azerbaijan Ramil Safarov. As a result of
this Hungarian-Azerbaijani deal, Armenia suspended diplomatic
relations with Hungary.

Yerevan may reject protocols signed with Turkey – Armenian President

NEWS.AM
February 16, 2013 | 15:00

Yerevan will reject protocols signed with Turkey, if Ankara continues
protracting ratification of the documents, Armenian President said.

Unless Turkey ratifies the protocols, Armenia will be able to withdraw
it signature, Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview with the Voice of
Russia. However, new talks and preconditions are possible in the
future if Ankara expresses willingness to conclude an agreement.

Sargsyan stressed he is supportive of the protocols signed in 2009 and
supposing establishment of diplomatic relations between the states.

The documents have been `frozen’ as a result of Turkey’s
non-constructive position.

Newspaper: After presidential election Prosperous Armenia Party will
be given the post of Yerevan mayor

ARMINFO
Saturday, February 16, 13:02

After the presidential election Prosperous Armenia Party may become
part of the Government, 168 newspaper reports referring to its own
sources.

According to the newspaper, Prosperous Armenia will not join the
ruling coalition but will “win” local elections and will be given the
posts of mayors in Yerevan and some regional centers.

As far as the newspaper knows, they in Prosperous Armenia are actively
discussing this possibility and even see their leader Gagik Tsarukyan
as the next mayor of Yerevan.

World premiere book launch for Armenia’s first Travel Guide on February 21

13:54 16.02.2013

Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian will present their book, Armenia
and Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide, and will be on hand for a
talk and book signing on February 21, at the Consulate General of
Armenia in Los Angeles.

The event is the world premiere launch for the new edition of the
book, which is Armenia’s best-selling travel guide. This third edition
was published this week and contains 320 pages illustrated with 150
color photographs and 30 detailed maps. A never-before published map
of historic Armenia, which was created shortly after the Genocide, is
also featured in the book.

The Stone Garden Travel Guide is the only guidebook for the region
that emphasizes conservation and ecology. The book is also the only
photo-based guide to Armenia.

Karanian and Kurkjian have each spent nearly two decades living and
working in Armenia while researching and writing this and previous
editions of the book. Each of them first traveled to Armenia in 1995
to work as professors at the AmericanUniversity of Armenia. Karanian
is an attorney, and he served as Associate Dean of the law program.
Kurkjian is an environmental scientist, and he was Director of the
university’s Environmental Conservation and ResearchCenter. The book
is illustrated with color maps produced by AUA’s Birds of Armenia
Project.

Their writing and photography about Armenia has also been featured in
magazines and newspapers of wide distribution in the US, Europe, and
Canada, including in CNN Traveller magazine, Geographical, Photo
District News, and Photo Life. Karanian is also a co-author of
`Catching Fire: Containing Forced Migration in a Volatile World,’
published by Lexington Books.

Raffi Hovannisian meets OSCE observers

13:23 16.02.2013

Raffi K. Hovannisian today met with the official delegation of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Observation Mission to Armenia, including
Head of Mission Tonino Picula, Assembly President Prof. Riccardo
Migliori and Deputy Secretary General Tina Schøn, and Andreas Baker,
Senior Advisor to the Head of Mission.

Hovannisian discussed all issues related to the process and substance
of the upcoming presidential elections in Armenia, and stressed the
importance of holding free, fair, and legitimate elections on February
18. Raffi Hovannisian also addressed questions from the observers and
presented the numerous Republican Party violations recorded by his
campaign.

ARMENIE
Le cinéma David de Sassoun sera peut être reconstruit

Le cinéma David de Sassoun, qui a fonctionné près de la station de
chemin de fer d’Erevan au milieu des années 1960 et a été démoli dans
les années 1980 sera peut être reconstitué a annoncé l’architecte en
chef d’Erevan Narek Sargsyan lors d’une conférence de presse.

Selon lui, la municipalité d’Erevan va publier la permission pour la
démolition du btiment non terminé d’un hôtel qui devait être
construit au lieu de l’ancienne maison de cinéma.

« Avec la démolition de la construction on s’attend à ce que la
municipalité achève la discussion d’un projet de reconstituer la
maison du cinéma » a-t-il dit.

La maison du cinéma David de Sassoun a été construite dans le milieu
des années 1960 et a diffusé des films principalement indiens. Elle a
été fermée au début des années 1980 et a été démoli quelques années
plus tard

samedi 16 février 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

SPORTS-LUTTE
La lutte pourrait être évincée des disciplines olympiques en 2020,
Lévon Djoulfalakian réagit

La possibilité annoncée par le Comité International Olympique de
supprimer des épreuves olympiques la lutte dès les Jeux Olympiques de
2020 a crée un choc en Arménie où la lutte est l’une des disciplines
les plus pratiquées. La seule médaille d’or olympique sous les
couleurs de l’Arménie étant par ailleurs remportée en lutte
gréco-romaine par Armen Nazarian (J.O. d’Atlanta en 1996). Aux
derniers Jeux Olympiques de Londres (2012) des trois médailles de
l’Arménie, deux étant en lutte. Lors d’une conférence de presse à
Erévan le 12 février, l’Entraîneur national arménien de lutte, Lévon
Djoulfalakian (champion olympique de lutte -Séoul1988- sous les
couleurs de l’Union soviétique) s’est déclaré préoccupée par cette
possibilité d’abandon de la lutte parmi les disciplines olympiques.
D’autant que la lutte fut l’une des premières épreuves des Jeux
Olympiques de l’Antiquité. « Le Comité Olympique arménien, la
Fédération de lutte et le ministère des Sports d’Arménie doivent
protester contre cette décision du Comité International Olympique »
dit Lévon Djoulfalakian qui a également affirmé son incompréhension de
cette décision car « la lutte compte plus de 200 fédérations
nationales à travers le monde et c’est une discipline sportive en
plein développement ». Cette possibilité d’expulser la lutte des
disciplines olympiques n’est-elle pas la conséquence du peu de
transparence de la Fédération Internationale de Lutte (FILA) et
notamment, les tricheries ou influences dont fit -entre autres-
l’Azerbaïdjan aux derniers J.O. de Londres pour la victoire de ses
titres olympiques ? Man`uvres à grande échelle et à coups de
pétrodollars copieusement arrosées auprès des juges et de la FILA, qui
avaient été révélées par la BBC. Sachant que la compagnie nationale du
pétrole d’Azerbaïdjan étant l’un des sponsors officiels de la FILA…

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 16 février 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Arménie-politique-élection-présidentielle
L’Arménie élit son président dans un scrutin test pour la démocratie

Les Arméniens élisent lundi leur président à un scrutin où le chef de
l’Etat Serge Sarkissian est donné grand favori, un test crucial pour
la démocratie dans cette ex-république soviétique, après la
présidentielle de 2008 marquée par de sanglants affrontements.

Candidat à un deuxième mandat à la présidence de l’Arménie, M.
Sarkissian, 59 ans, qui se retrouve face à six concurrents, a promis
des élections `libres` dans ce pays du Caucase du Sud de 3 millions
d’habitants.

`Nous avons besoin d’élections libres et justes comme de l’oxygène. Et
nous avons aujourd’hui tous les moyens d’organiser les meilleures
élections possibles`, a déclaré ainsi le président.

En 2008, la victoire de M. Sarkissian à la présidentielle, contestée
par l’opposition, avait déclenché des manifestations qui avaient
dégénéré en affrontements après l’intervention de la police, faisant
10 morts.

En 2012, les législatives remportées par le Parti républicain de M.
Sarkissian ont été critiquées pour des manquements à la démocratie par
l’Organisation pour la coopération et la sécurité en Europe (OSCE).

A la différence de l’Azerbaïjdan voisin, riche en hydrocarbures,
`l’Arménie n’a ni gaz, ni pétrole. Et l’image démocratique du pays, sa
conformité aux normes européennes est le seul critère sérieux de ses
relations avec l’Europe`, explique Guevorg Pogossian, président de
l’Association des sociologues arméniens.

De nombreux analystes qualifient cependant ces élections de non
compétitives, estimant qu’après le refus des principales forces
d’opposition d’y participer, aucun candidat ne peut faire une
concurrence réelle au président Sarkissian, crédité de 69% des
intentions de vote selon le dernier sondage de l’institut Gallup.

Son principal rival, un ex-ministre des Affaires étrangères, Raffi
Ovannissian, 54 ans, n’est crédité que de 11% des intentions de vote.

`Si tout se passe bien, le président actuel sera réélu dès le premier
tour`, a affirmé à l’AFP Alexandre Iskandarian, directeur de
l’Institut des médias du Caucase.

Trois principales forces d’opposition qui disposent de 48 sur 131
sièges au parlement – le parti Arménie Prospère, dirigé par Gaguik
Tsaroukian, le mouvement Congrès national arménien de l’ancien
président Levon Ter-Petrossian et la Fédération révolutionnaire
arménienne Dachnaktsoutun (nationaliste) – ont refusé de participer à
ce scrutin.

`L’opposition n’a pas réussi non plus à désigner un candidat unique`,
remarque M. Iskandarian.

La campagne électorale a été dominée par les problèmes économiques de
ce pays qui est confronté à un important chômage, à la corruption et
souffre de la fermeture de ses frontières avec l’Azerbaïdjan et la
Turquie en raison d’un conflit territorial.

L’Azerbaïdjan et l’Arménie se disputent depuis un conflit armé à la
chute de l’URSS le contrôle du Nagorny-Karabakh, une région
sécessionniste azerbaïdjanaise peuplée majoritairement d’Arméniens.

Des échanges de tirs font régulièrement des morts, faisant la reprise
d’affrontements.

Par ailleurs, la Turquie, alliée de l’Azerbaïdjan, pays turcophone, et
l’Arménie sont divisées sur la question du génocide arménien sous
l’empire ottoman (1915-1917).

La fin de la campagne électorale a été assombrie par une attaque
contre un candidat au scrutin, Parouïr Haïrikian, blessé par balles à
l’épaule le 31 janvier.

Cet ancien dissident soviétique de 63 ans, visé par des coups de feu
en plein centre de la capitale Erevan, a demandé le report de la
présidentielle, avant de retirer sa demande au dernier moment.

Cette attaque contre un candidat crédité de 5% des intentions de vote,
`ne va pas affecter la légitimité des résultats de la présidentielle,
mais nous ne pourrons plus dire que l’organisation du scrutin était
irréprochable`, estime M. Pogossian.

Par Mariam HAROUTIOUNIAN

AFP

samedi 16 février 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

The Messenger, Georgia
Feb 15 2013

Saakashvili against reopening Abkhazian railway

By Gvantsa Gabekhadze

Friday, February 15 President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili once
again reiterated that he is against reopening the railway that would
link Armenia and Georgia to Russia via the breakaway region of
Abkhazia. Saakahsvili made the statement during a meeting with the
ministers and dignitaries from Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries,
including Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on February
13th.

Saakashvili emphasized that if the Abkhazian railway is opened it will
create a security threat for Georgia, for the Caucasus and Georgia’s
foreign allies. According to the President if the railway is reopened
it will allow Russia domination of transportation links in the South
Caucasus. Russia de-facto controls Abkhazia and owns Armenian Railways
as well. The President hinted that Russia has a “long term plan” to
take over the South Caucasian railways.

`After taking control of Armenian Railways, Russia illegally grabbed
Abkhazian Railways. I wondered how Russia could use the Armenian and
Abkhazian railways without access to Georgian Railways. I think that
Russia had plans concerning the Georgian elections and now there is
somebody in charge who will work favorably with them. I cannot think
of another explanation for the situation.’ Saakashvili said.

Saakashvili also warned that reopening of the railway via the
breakaway region would further increase Moscow’s grip over Abkhazia.

`It will be an instrument for Russia to carry out expansion in the
Caucasus.’ Saakashvili said.

`Georgia will gain nothing from it; on the contrary it will complicate
the reintegration of Abkhazia and will create other types of military
and political problems for Georgia.’ Saakashvili stated, adding that
the reopening of the railway will be beneficial for Russia only.

Saakashvili stressed that the former UNM government wanted to expand
Georgia’s export and import capacity by building the port of Lazika.
However, according to Saakashvili the plan is suspended currently.

During his visit to Armenia several weeks ago Prime Minister Bidzina
Ivanishvili stated that reopening of the Abkhazian railway is possible
in the future but cautioned that certain preconditions would be
necessary and that the issue will not be resolved in the near future.

`Reopening the railway is possible but we have huge problems in our
relationship with Russia. The problems are huge and unfortunately they
are still unresolved. We hope to restore and mend ties with Russia.
The most problematic issue concerns Georgia’s territorial integrity.’
Ivanishvili said.

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kvirikashvili
stated that the issue is not being discussed currently in the
government. However, the Minister stated that better connecting
residents of Abkhazia to the outside world will be beneficial.

Head of the European Research Centre Kakha Gogolashvili agrees that
the reopening of the Abkhazian railway will be difficult. He thinks
however, that if reopened the railway will provide more positives for
Georgia than negatives.

`Common trade and economic programs will be launched between Georgia
and Abkhazia in such a case, public diplomacy will be restored…time
has revealed that isolation from Abkhazia has negatively affected
reintegration. Having the occupied territories isolated works in
Russia’s interest.’ Gogolashvili said.

CNN World
Feb 15 2013

Which way will Armenia tilt?

By Anna Borshchevskaya, Special to CNN

Editor’s note: Anna Borshchevskaya, assistant director of the Dinu
Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, was an IREX grant
recipient in Armenia. The views expressed are her own.

On February 18, Armenians will cast their ballots for president.
Although eight candidates have registered, victory and a new five-year
term for incumbent Serzh Sargsyan are a foregone conclusion. Still,
this election is not meaningless.

The conduct of this poll is important, as will be Sargsyan’s choices
after the poll. If the international community gives the election a
clean bill of health, it will increase Sargsyan’s legitimacy. He will
have the opportunity to enact much needed reforms in order to move
closer to the West or, perhaps as likely, avoid tough reforms and move
Armenia – already broadly sympathetic to Russia – further into Moscow.

Upon first winning the presidency in February 2008, Sargsyan faced a
legitimacy crisis. Some have claimed that he has used his position and
connections – he was sitting prime minister and had served previously
as secretary of the national security council and defense minister –
to rig the election against Levon Ter-Petrossian, a former president.
At least ten died in the ensuing protests.

This year, Sargsyan faces little resistance, with Sargsyan’s slide
towards authoritarianism and Armenia’s lack of democratic institutions
leaving the opposition fractured and divided. His most formidable
opponents – Ter-Petrossian and wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukyan,
chief of the Prosperous Armenia party – both declined to run.

That Sargsyan effectively gets a free pass does a disservice to
Armenia, which faces formidable obstacles to its development. When
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili inherited a corrupt and
inefficient state in 2004, he stamped out government corruption and
reformed Georgia into a Western-leaning economy. On January 31, 2013,
the World Bank issued a report, `Fighting Corruption in Public
Services: Chronicling Georgia’s Reforms,’ praising Georgia for
tackling corruption and noting that Georgia can serve as an example
for other countries facing similar challenges.

Armenia will find no such praise. Its government remains corrupt and
inefficient. The country was among the worst hit during the 2008-2009
economic crisis, with GDP shrinking by 14 percent in 2009, according
to the IMF. Since then, Armenian GDP has grown slowly – at an average
annual rate of approximately 3.5 percent between 2010-2012. In
contrast, Georgia grew by an average annual 6.6 percent in the same
three years. In 2010, according to official statistics, 35.8 percent
of Armenia’s population was living below the poverty line – an
increase from 27.6 percent in 2008. And, while neighboring Georgia and
Azerbaijan welcome foreign investors, organized crime keeps most
foreign investors out of Armenia. The Armenian Diaspora – who care
deeply about Armenia’s success – have long ago concluded that
investing in their homeland is a thankless task that will pay
dividends neither individually nor for Armenia.

Hundreds of thousands of Armenians now flee the country for better
prospects. Younger, more educated Armenians head to the West, while
their older, blue-collar compatriots head north to Russia. The Russian
government has welcomed these migrants, and has helped place them in
areas of Russia facing population decline. While Russia might use
these Armenians to mitigate its own demographic problem, the same
migration merely exacerbates Armenia’s.

Last April, the European Commission estimated that one-third of
Armenia’s population had emigrated since Armenia’s independence in
1991. Visiting Armenia in December 2012, one young Armenian told me
that if she or her peers had even small hope that the economy would
improve, they would stay. But few see such hope.

Meanwhile, a full sprint into Russia’s embrace may compound Armenia’s
problems. In recent years, Armenia has become Russia’s primary
foothold in the South Caucasus. Russia’s influence in Armenia is vast
not only political and economic, but also military and cultural.
Armenia depends on Russia for gas; Russia owns Armenia’s communication
and railway networks, and has extended a lease for a Military Base in
Gyumri until 2044.

The Kremlin also hopes to bring Armenia into a Russia-led Customs
Union – a precursor to the so-called Eurasian Union, which Russian
president Vladimir Putin hopes will be a counterweight to the European
Union.

With aid, however, the West has leverage.

Since 1992, the United States has provided Armenia with approximately
$2 billion in development and humanitarian assistance, the highest aid
per capita among the former Soviet states. Although the U.S. reduced
funding in 2011, when the Millennium Challenge Corporation penalized
Armenia for failing to enact political reforms, the European Union
compensated with an augmented aid package and is currently negotiating
a free trade accord.

It is now up to Armenia to choose which direction it wishes to go:
Will it join the West and a community of democracies and liberal
economies, or will Sargsyan tilt Armenia more toward a Kremlin-led
community of increasingly autocratic former Soviet states.