Artillery bullet found near Yerevan Brandy Factory
February 2, 2013 – 19:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian policy received a message on Feb 1, 11.40
ma local time suggesting an artillery bullet was found in the
neighborhood of Yerevan Brandy Factory.
The operative group on the site later discovered an artillery bullet.
Investigation is underway, police website reported.
he site later discovered an artillery bullet. Investigation is
underway, police website reported.
March 1 – blow to Armenian state, October 27 – to people, presidential
candidate says
TERT.AM
16:57 – 02.02.13
Armenia’s presidential candidate, epos expert Vardan Sedrakyan said
many have hurried in their comments on assassination attempt against
Paruyr Hayrikyan, noting that it was a blow to the state.
`I do not think so. The biggest blow to the Armenian state came on
March 1, the biggest blow to the people on October 27 when those
really elected by the people were murdered,’ he said, speaking to
reporters on Saturday.
The authorities’ claim that Hayrikyan is the symbol of our state,
Sedrakyan said, is just a formality.
`And how it happened that being such a symbol the person was so
ignored. Was he like a statue? Wasn’t he worthy of an MP mandate if he
had such a significant role in the reinforcement of our independence
and if he is so important state figure. Was he of less significance
than Shushan Petrosyan [singer]?’ the candidate asked.
Armenian monastery in Turkish part of Cyprus will not turn into center
of Turkish studies
15:36, 2 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS: Crisis over renovated Armenian
monastery in Turkish part of Cyprus has been resolved, reports
Armenpress referring to Turkish `Milliyet’ newspaper. Monastery has
been renovated assistance of UN Development Program and Action for
Cooperation and Trust (UNDP-ACT) which allocated USD 5 million for the
program.
It is noted that decision of authorities to turn Armenian monastery
into institute for Turkish studies attached to Middle East University
has been canceled. Official Washington warned Turkish government of
the island that in the document of the renovation it is noted that the
building would exclusively be exploited as cultural institution. USA
threatened to suspend its support to the Turkish part of Cyprus in
case of violation of the agreement.
Assassination attempt against Hayrikyan disturbs Serzh Sargsyan’s,
Andrias Ghukasyan’s plans – epos expert
TERT.AM
14:03 – 02.02.13
The assassination attempt against presidential candidate Paruyr
Hayrkyan disturbed the plans of incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan and
hunger-striking candidate Andrias Ghukasyan, presidential candidate,
epos expert Vardan Sedrakyan told the reporters Saturday.
`In this situation Andrias Ghukasyan’s hunger-strike becomes more than
ridiculous. Now he is to be hungry for additional 14 days, until the
campaign restarts, while if he stops it loses its sense. What will he
do? Go and eat and then again declare a hunger-strike, I don’t know,’
he said.
In case of the president Sedrakyan said he means his slogan `Toward
Secure Armenia’. `While now the president cannot say that he is
building a safe Armenia as it will not sound so convincing any more in
case when he fails to ensure safe campaign,’ he said.
The presidential candidate also stressed that for the other candidates
the rules of the game will somehow change. In particular, Raffi
Hovhannisian cannot freely walk in streets, greeting the people as the
state will probably attach a bodyguard to him which will complicate
his activities. `He will have to push them away every time,’ Sedrakyan
said.
He said though he refused to have a bodyguard too but if he is obliged
to he would not mind. `I do not feel endangered. I have never hid that
I am a fatalist, I believe in fate and I believe this is not the last
thing in my life. Now, if the state insists I will agree, but I will
not apply,’ he said.
Asked whether the assassination attempt increased Hayrikyan’s rating,
Sedrakyan said though the former stated about it in one of his
exclusive interviews, he does not think so.
Sedrakyan said he does not know who was interested in harming
Hayrikyan but is sure that the authorities did not need it.
He considered the foreign trace in the assassination attempt possible
as Armenia `is situated in the center of big political crossroad.’
Armenian Bar Association to President Sargsyan: `Give Armenia’s
citizens free and fair elections’
14:14, February 2, 2013
Garo B. Ghazarian, Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association, sent the
following letter to RA President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, urging them to ensure free and fair presidential
election on February 18.
On February 18, 2013, the Republic of Armenia will hold its fourth
presidential election since its 1991 independence.
Having Armenia’s best interests in mind and holding to a deep belief
in certain universal and inalienable rights, among which is the
people’s right to self-governance through a representative and
legitimate political system, I appeal to you, Mr. President and Mr.
Prime Minister, to deliver to the Armenian citizenry its
constitutional right to free, fair and democratic elections.
We call on you, Mr. President, to see to it that the tragic and
abhorrent shooting incident involving presidential candidate Paruyr
Hayrikyan is fully investigated, the culprits brought to justice, and
that no efforts be spared to secure the safety of all presidential
candidates.
We welcome President Sargsyan’s repeated commitments before the
Armenian people and the international community to hold the `best
elections since 1991.’ We concur with President Sargsyan’s
characterization that free, fair and democratic elections are vital
for Armenia’s national security and its ability to prosper.
Since the beginning of the presidential campaign period, we have
observed — through press reports, videos and records of eyewitness
accounts – apparent improper pressures exerted on members of the public
and private sectors compelling them to fall in line, in the absence of
free will, and to join in artifices of support, if not to submit to
candidate-specific vote-casting directives, in favor of the incumbent
Executive leadership.
As has previously been widely reported and accepted in part, both by
opposition and ruling adherents, these types of flaws have negatively
marked every Armenian election since 1991. While we appreciate the
current administration’s commitments, made and announced before its
people and the international community, to ensure that the campaign
process will be evenhanded and that the election results will be free
from manipulation, the specter of past irregularities continues to
resonate today in the current election climate and landscape.
We respectfully request that you publicly and clearly instruct and
hold accountable all officials and others responsible for organizing,
supporting and conducting the upcoming presidential election in a
fair, free and democratic manner with the requisite checks and
balances. These instructions should unequivocally prohibit
irregularities and illegal acts, and the appearances of them, which
can only serve to bring discredit and illegitimacy to all of Armenia’s
other laudable and positive achievements.
We look forward to working with Armenia’s freely-elected President, as
well as with all those in different places along Armenia’s political,
professional, and socio-economic spectrums, in service to our One
Nation and One People.
Political experts took Azerbaijani hysteria over Bordyuzha’s statement
for granted
12:52, 2 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS: Military cooperation between Armenia
and Russia must be continued, presenting in CSTO programs. Armenpress
reports this has been noted by Gevorg Melkonyan, candidate of
historical sciences, during February 1 meeting with journalists.
According to him Armenian policy is a right chosen one. He took for
granted Azerbaijani hysteria over Yerevan statement of Secretary
General of CSTO Nikolay Bordyuzha on Stepanakert airport. `Even the
most indifferent officials have noted that Bordyuzha is advocating
Armenians just because he supported initiation and evaluated peace in
the region. And that was rather predictable,’ he said.
`His statement made clear that only insane may declare he would strike
civil aircraft. Anyways, we should exclude nothing as we have to deal
with ill regime,’ Melkonyan said. Political expert Levon Shirinyan has
highlighted that cooperation with Russia doesn’t mean to contradict
west. `There is nothing forever. History shows that even friends and
relatives are not forever. One should never present with a unilateral
position,’ he said.
CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha does not take seriously
Azerbaijani statements regarding threats to use its airspace to
destroy civil aircrafts. Nikolay Bordyuzha stated in the briefing with
the journalists launched on January 29 he takes Azerbaijan as a civil
state. ”We do know examples of hitting civil aircraft in the history;
definitely we do know the counter response by international community.
I do not think any state would intend to take such a step, so I do not
take that information for granted,’ Bordyuzha said.
Derailing Democracy: Assassination Attempts and Theories
Friday, February 1st, 2013
BY MARIA TITIZIAN
It is 4 o’clock in the morning and my son is driving back from the
hospital. He has been there all night covering the assassination
attempt against presidential candidate Paryur Hayrikyan for Civilnet.
As he turns on to Abovyan Street he sees a police cruiser swing
around, and he thinks to himself he’s going to get pulled over. Sure
enough the police car stops him. As my son is taking out his license
from his wallet, the police officer walks toward him, salutes and
introduces himself as is the custom here in Armenia. He asks for
Daron’s license and registration and says to him, `Mr. Titizian, do
you know why I pulled you over?’ Daron replies, `No, I really can’t
imagine what I’ve done.’ As the police officer is looking at his
license, he remarks, `So, you are from Canada.’ My son answers in the
affirmative. The police officer says, `Son, one of your headlights
isn’t working. Now, what would the police in Canada fine you for
that?’ My son, after brief reflection, says, `You don’t want to know.’
Now this may sound like a logical answer, but my son was nine years
old when we moved to Armenia, he doesn’t have a Canadian license,
hence he has never driven in Canada and really doesn’t know if having
a burned out headlight warrants a ticket, but he assumes it does.
Curious, the police officer asks him what he’s doing driving on the
abandoned streets of Yerevan in the middle of the night. My son tells
him that he’s returning to his office to drop off equipment after
work. The police officer, even more curious now, asks what kind of
work he does that keeps him out so late. Daron shows him his press
badge, which is still around his neck and says, `I was at Surb Grigor
Lusavorich Hospital, filming the events around the assassination
attempt against Payrur Hayrikyan.’ The police officer’s eyes widen, he
leans in and asks, `My son, how is Mr. Hayrikyan?’ Daron explains that
the bullet has lodged in his shoulder and that he will most likely be
operated on in the morning to remove the bullet, but there’s no
imminent threat to his life. `Thank God, thank God,’ replies the
police officer. He pats my son on the shoulder and says, `Please make
sure to fix your headlight, it’s not only for your safety but for the
safety of others.’ He then proceeds to salute once again and before
sending my son off without giving him a ticket, says, `Next time, just
show your badge and all will be forgiven.’
This might seem like an insignificant exchange between a police
officer and a driver, but it exemplifies how we feel and act when
something violent and completely unexpected takes place in our lives.
We begin to band together, we discuss and debate, we argue and agree
and then disagree. And as we search for answers to an illogical crime,
we unexpectedly and almost organically unite. Not always, but
sometimes…
It’s still too early to know who would want to kill Payrur Hayrikyan,
a well known Soviet dissident and public figure in the country, what
his or their motivations were and what they hoped to accomplish. All I
know is that we are a nation in shock today. Shock, because of who the
target was. Shock, because Hayrikyan didn’t pose a threat to anyone.
Shock, because these kinds of things shouldn’t happen.
Possible scenarios and theories are rapidly making their way across
neighborhoods, towns and cities. Was it a foreign power? Could it be
an Azerbaijani or Turkish plot? Could it be the authorities or perhaps
some local underground power who wants to derail the election process?
Did the shooter intentionally shoot Hayrikyan in such a way as to
ensure that he wouldn’t actually kill him but create enough chaos in
the country to foment further instability?
All the presidential candidates rushed to the hospital when they heard
the news, even Andreas Ghugassyan who has been holding a hunger strike
since the campaign began. The country’s prime minister, speaker of the
parliament, ministers, security personnel and other high-ranking
politicians from most of the political parties made their way to the
hospital to visit Hayrikyan, including the country’s President Serzh
Sarkisian.
No one can digest these perverted turn of events. Some are calling for
the resignation of the chief of police. Others are asking why the
presidential candidates don’t have assigned security detail.
It’s remarkable how quickly things change. Last week we were all
grumbling about the uninspired and lackluster election campaign, today
we are talking about assassination attempts against a presidential
candidate. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, this event
struck yet another blow to Armenia’s security and fledgling democracy.
Armenian circus to meet all international standards after reconstruction
11:22, 2 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS: After rebuilding Armenian circus will
meet all international standards and will be completely different from
the old building. Armenpress was informed from artistic director of
the Cultural Center of `Yerevan Circus’ Sos Petrosyan.
Despite it was initially preplanned to complete renovation of the
building till October 2013, in a result of some project changes it was
fully demolished, thus the deadline was removed.
`New circus building will meet all international standards; there will
be 2000 seat places, 3 changeable arenas, it will be for 6 meters
higher and be provided with latest technology,’ Sos Petrosyan noted.
The budget of the renovation is not yet clarified.
Despite temporarily closure of the circus actors and animals of
`Yerevan Circus’ are touring in different countries of the world.
Yerevan Circus was founded in 1930s, it was completely renovated in
1962 and was finally demolished in September 2012. The new building of
the circus is planned to be opened in 2014.
The original building of the circus was wooden and was built in the
1930s. In 1939 a new building was constructed in its location for 800
spectators designed by Nikoghayos Buniatian. That building was
completely renovated in 1962 by Vagharshak Belubekian’s project.
The repair works were started in August 2011. Later it was decided to
demolish the building and construct a new one, because the old
building was not eligible for renovation.
ARMENIENS DE SLOVAQUIE
La communauté arménienne de Slovaquie dispose de son église à Bratislava
La communauté arménienne de Slovaquie va dispose de sa propre église.
Le Forum des Associations arméniennes d’Europe présidée par Ashot
Grigorian vient d’annoncer après un long travail un accord fut conclu
entre l’Eglise arménienne et l’Eglise catholique de Slovaquie. Le
responsable des catholiques de Slovaquie, Zvolenski a confié à Ashot
Grigorian les clés d’une des églises du centre de Bratislava pour un
prêt d’une durée de 99 ans. Cette très ancienne église catholique
datant du 14e siècle et rénovée au 19e et fin du 20e siècle devant
être transformée en église arménienne dans les prochains mois. Lors de
la signature de la transmission de cette église « Sourp Guiragoss »
(Saint Guiragoss) à la communauté arménienne le 30 janvier, étaient
présentes le père Diran Bedrossian, le père Barsegh Pilavdjian
représentant de l’Eglise arménienne pour la Slovaquie, la Tchéquie et
la Hongrie, l’archevêque catholique de Bratislava Josef Halko, Ashot
Grigorian (président du Forum des Associations arméniennes d’Europe).
Ce dernier financera les frais de fonctionnement et d’aménagement de
l’église.
Krikor Amirzayan
samedi 2 février 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com
RUSSIE
Edouard Hagopian architecte de la région de Vsevoljski tué
Edouard Hagopian, l’architecte en chef officiel de la région de
Vsevoljski (région de Saint Petersbourg) fut assassiné la nuit du 29
janvier. Les assassins ont fait feu sur lui alors qu’il se trouvait
dans le bureau de sa femme. E. Hagopian, touché à la tête devait
succomber à ses blessures lors du transfert vers l’hôpital. Selon des
témoins, ses agresseurs seraient au nombre de plusieurs. Après
l’attaque, ils auraient jeté leurs armes avant de prendre la fuite. La
chaîne 47 News.ru affirme toutefois qu’Edouard Hagopian aurait reçu
une balle dans la nuque par un tireur d’élite qui après avoir tiré une
seule fois, se serait éloigné des lieux du crime. Il n’est pas exclu
que ce crime soit une exécution commandée. Edouard Hagopian était à
son poste d’architecte de la région de Vsevolojski depuis 1987. Il
était une personnalité très connue de la région.
Krikor Amirzayan
samedi 2 février 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com