Author: Kalantarian Kevo

PRE-ELECTORAL DEAL IN TEMPLE
HAKOB BADALYAN

Comments – Monday, 05 November 2012, 17:46

“You may continue to expect to a greater extent the comprehensive
support of the Armenian state. By saying you I mean the Armenian
Apostolic Church with its dioceses and its servants and those seculars
who are beside our church in soul, in heart, organizational effort,
financial support or kind words,” Serzh Sargsyan stated during the
general Diocesan meeting in the Holy See.

Ahead of the presidential election Serzh Sargsyan is actually
refreshing the “contract” between the church and the government
support for support. The government supports the church, grants tax
privileges, land, property, business quotas to clergymen, generous
gifts and demands so-called political support.

This mechanism has operated clearly, almost impeccably, for many
years. Recently, the role of this mechanism has increased, belief
and other similar notions have become part of the consumer basket of
the officious word stock. Moreover, TV may televise a report with
the chief of police where he talks not in his office or somewhere
related to the police but in front of the newly-dedicated Holy See.

One may even say that the government of Armenia is gradually becoming
a diocese. It is a peculiar diocese not just because the diocesans
walk around in suit and tie and enjoy secular delights more openly but
because this Diocese actually rules the church turning its informal
status into one of the reliable tools of eternity.

In other words, addressing the government is the same as addressing
the church. And since it is declared as one of the pillars of the
Armenian nation and the Armenian state, any comment or claim to the
government automatically touches upon the nation and the state.

The church has had a big role in the life of Armenia. However, despite
this bigness, the actor was a challenge to the solution of public and
state problems rather than their solution, historically a challenge
to the Armenian state. The church is used to being government when
there is no state or being the partner of invaders and making deals
with them in different stage of history of Armenia.

With this historical character, in independent Armenia the Armenian
Apostolic Church had to choose between either challenging the state
or obeying the government. Proceeding from objective and subjective
reasons, the church could not challenge the state. However, the issue
of obeying the government is also complicated because thanks to the
Soviet times the church and the system of governance formed after
independence were physically and environmentally part of the USSR KGB.

Hence, the development of the government and the church along the
path of identification was more optimal and realistic.

During the Diocesan meeting Serzh Sargsyan actually proposes further
deepening of identification of the government and the church under
the sign of state. It is a mutually beneficial proposal in the result
of which the Armenian Apostolic Church may get land for building
residences not only at the Center of Yerevan but also at the center
of Paris or Rio de Janeiro. The government will help the church have
this opportunity to enhance efficiency in preserving or boosting the
Armenian identity.

THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THIS CONFLICT: JAMES APPATHURAI

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: If a compromise solution can be
agreed by the authorities on both sides, this would be a tremendous
boost to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the wider region. The
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and
Central Asia James Appathurai spoke about this in the interview with
“Armenpress”. Issues regarding Armenia-NATO reciprocal relations,
the participation of Armenia in peacemaking missions of NATO and the
position of NATO on Safarov’s case have been discussed.

– Mr. Appathurai, Armenia tries to intensify its cooperation with
NATO in the framework of few programs. How would you estimate the
progress of Armenia-NATO bilateral relations in the framework of
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP)?

Armenia and NATO have developed excellent relations over the past
years. Armenia is a steadfast contributor to NATO operations in
Afghanistan and Kosovo. Officers from the Armenian Armed Forces, but
also officials from a range of Armenian Ministries, participate every
year in activities organized under the Partnership for Peace umbrella.

In addition, Armenia is actively engaged in political discussions
amongst NATO Allies and NATO Partners. A good example is this week’s
international seminar on the evolution of NATO partnerships in Yerevan,
which I will attend on Monday.

– Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Does this fact anyhow affect Armenia’s relations with NATO; does it
create any tension in Armenia-NATO relations?

No, I see no tension here. We do not ask our partners to choose
between one or the other.

– Armenia is also involved in NATO peacekeeping missions particularly
in Kosovo and Afghanistan. What is your estimate of Armenia’s
contribution to these missions?

Armenia is a steadfast contributor to these operations. NATO
appreciates the commitment by Armenia to provide these forces to
our operations. The troops have played an outstanding role in both
theatres. The experience gained during deployments abroad also serves
as a catalyst for Armenia’s efforts to reform its armed forces.

– After Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov was extradited from
Hungary and released in Azerbaijan there were many opinions that NATO
should forcefully condemn this fact and suspend the participation
of Azerbaijan in its programs as Armenian officer Gourgen Margaryan
was brutally killed during NATO courses in Budapest. What is your
reaction to these comments? Is NATO ready to undertake any serious
measures against Azerbaijan?

I believe the NATO Secretary General has been clear when visiting both
Yerevan and Baku in early September. He expressed his deep concern
about the Azerbaijan decision to pardon the Azerbaijani army officer
Safarov. The act this officer committed in 2004 was a terrible crime
that should not be glorified. The pardon damages trust and does not
contribute to the peace process.

– After Safarov’s release the tensions in the region and particularly
around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have heated up. How do you see
the prospect of the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after
Azerbaijan’s step that once again torpedoed peace talks?

There is no military solution to this conflict. However, progress on
the diplomatic track is urgently needed and something which the people
who, on both sides, are directly affected by this conflict deserve.

Through the Minsk Group, France, Russia and the US are actively
mediating. However, even these influential countries cannot
be successful if the sides to the conflict do not work towards
a compromise. And a compromise will mean that both sides make
concessions. If a compromise solution can be agreed by the authorities
on both sides, this would be a tremendous boost to Armenia and
Azerbaijan as well as the wider region.

US AMBASSADOR SEES NO CONFLICT BETWEEN CSTO AND NATO
Anna Nazaryan

“Radiolur”
17:09 05.11.2012

Yerevan hosted a seminar on “Enhancing Cooperative Security: The Added
Value of NATO’s New Partnership Policy” as part of the NATO Week in
Armenia. The event brought together high-ranking officials from NATO,
the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense,
political scientists, experts, NGO representatives.

Armenian peacekeepers are carrying out mission in Kosovo and
Afghanistan within the framework of Armenia-NATO cooperation in the
field of security, which proves that Armenia is willing to further
deepen the cooperation with the North-Atlantic Alliance, Armenian
Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimyan said.

NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus
and Central Asia James Appaturai said, in turn, that NATO pays serious
attention to the cooperation with Armenia.

“The two most important areas of Armenia-NATO cooperation include
operations and defense reforms, US Ambassador to Armenia John
Heffern said.

“Armenia has contributed a good number of very skilled troops to NATO
operation in Afghanistan and has resumed its contribution to KFOR,”
the Ambassador added. As for the defense reforms, the Ambassador
said “NATO is encouraging the Armenian military to develop a
professionalized army.”

Ambassador Heffern said there is no competition between the United
States and Russia in the region. “We work very closely with each
other, especially on the Minsk Group process,” he added.According
to John Hefffern, there is no competition between the collective
Security Treaty organization (CSTO) and NATO. “Armenia has a special
relationship with Russia and the CSTO and has an important partnership
with NATO, the Ambassador said, adding that he sees no conflict
between the two at all.

Touching upon the operation of the Stepanakert airport, the Ambassador
said “there cannot be attacks against civilians.”

As for NATO’s role in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, John
Heffern said NATO does not seek a direct role in the Karabakh issue.

“We have a confidence in the OSCE, and the Minsk Group is the best
form for that.

New Europe, EU
Nov 3 2012

Foreign Minister visits Mexico

November 3, 2012 – 10:39am

During an official visit to Mexico, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian met with Francisco Arroyo Vieyra, First Vice President of
the Mexican Chamber of Deputies. At the meeting, Vieyra said the
parliament of Mexico intends to contribute in the development of
Armenian-Mexican ties, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said.

For his part, Nalbandian said he was pleased with official Mexico
City’s assurance to support the OSCE Minsk Group’s proposals for, and
the efforts being exerted toward, in resolving the Karabakh conflict.
He expressed hope that Mexico’s new parliament will take practical
steps to develop ties with Armenia. He mentioned the forging of a
friendship group in Armenia’s National Assembly (NA), with the Mexican
Senate and Chamber of Deputies. In turn, the Chamber of Deputies will
undertake the formation of a friendship group with NA, added Vieyra.
The Armenian minister also had a separate meeting with representatives
from the local Armenian community in Mexico.

No I.D, No Pension: 75 Year-Old Woman Faces Eviction from Trailer Narek
Aleksanyan*

*
19:22, November 2, 2012

By anyone’s standards, 75 year-old Zemfira Aghajanyan has fallen on hard
times.

For the past several years, Mrs. Aghajanyan has been living in a metal
trailer parked on a street in the community of Erebouni.

Neighbors do what they can to help the senior citizen get by. Some claim
that that local agencies treat Mrs. Aghajanyan with contempt.

Since Mrs. Aghajanyan lacks any identification papers, she cannot get any
pensionallowances,
even an old age pension.

Sousanna Ter-Sahakyan resides on the same street as Mrs. Aghajanyan. She
frequently stops by to see how the senior is getting along. Sousanna even
hired an attorneyto
retrieve Mrs. Aghajanyan’s documents from the state archives.

Mrs. Ter-Sahakayn says that when she escorted her neighbour to the passport
division, officials scoffed at the senior and didn’t raise a hand to help.

The district social services division found a copy of Mrs. Aghajanyan’s medical
recordsand
promised to hand them over to the attorney.

Mrs. Ter-Sahakyan notes that because the old woman has taken in a number of
stray cats and dogs, other neighbours might file a nuisance complaint with
the Erebouni Municipality.

`The trailer is really a mess. The town might condemn the place and Mrs.
Aghajanyan might be forced out onto the street to spend her last remaining
days,’ Ter-Sahakyan told me.

Tatul Hakobyan’s Dismissal Has Nothing to Do With Politics, the
Yerevan State University (YSU) Rector Says

November 2, 2012 16:08

The council of the Civilitas Foundation made a statement today, which
read that there was persecution of some workers of the foundation too.
According to the source, Yerevan State University hasn’t signed a
contract with journalist Tatul Hakobyan this year without any
explanation. asked Aram Simonyan, the rector of YSU, for
a comment on specifically Tatul Hakobyan. The rector assessed such
news as slander, adding that he didn’t even know Tatul Hakobyan.

Mr. Simonyan also added, `If the contract with Tatul Hakobyan has not
been extended, it wasn’t extended in August, so starting from
September 1, therefore, all that cannot have anything to do with
politics. If there is such a thing, it is just related to not having
academic hours and in the given case, we prefer YSU professors to the
invited ones.’

Gohar HAKOBYAN

Expert: Madrid Principles are no longer at negotiating table

17:52 03/11/2012 » Interviews

There are three factors which had a significant impact on political
developments in the Karabakh conflict settlement on the threshold of
the meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers
held on October 27, political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan told
reporters in Yerevan.

`The first factor is the extradition and heroization of Azeri axe
murderer Ramil Safarov. It is important that President Sargsyan
stressed that regional security is maintained only thanks to the
military strength and potential of the Armenian side, i.e. under the
circumstances, the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group mediator countries
were pushed to the background.

The second important factor is the recognition of Artsakh by
Australia’s largest state of New South Wales. It means that the
recognition of Artsakh appeared as a political factor.

The third factor is the recognition of South Sudan independence by
Azerbaijan. Through that move, Azerbaijan to some extent accepted the
right of nations to self-determination,’ said the expert.

Referring to the negotiation process, Melik-Shahnazaryan noted that
currently the Co-Chair countries are working at new proposals.

`We should establish that no one, neither the Co-Chairs countries nor
the conflicting sides, speaks about the Madrid Principles any longer,
which allows us to conclude that this document, as such, is no longer
at the negotiating table.’

According to him, Turkey wants to become Co-Chair of the Minsk Group
to be able to increase its influence on political processes in the
Transcaucasus but understands that it is impossible, should the
current format be maintained.

Source: Panorama.am

Representatives of national minorities of Armenia visited Artsakh

On November 2 speaker of the NKR Parliament Ashot Ghulyan hosted a
group of the representatives of the national minorities living in
Armenia. Representatives of Russian, Polish, Jewish, Assyrian,
Georgian, Ukrainian communities were in group. Press service of
Artsakh Parliament informs about this.

Artsakh official welcomed the guests and rated their visit to Artsakh.
`This visit gives an opportunity to you to meet Artsakh directly and
see its sights, historical monuments and wonderful nature. You also
have an opportunity to meet the representatives of NGOs in Artsakh of
your generation and settle cooperation with them’, he said. Chairman
of the `Hayasa’ NGO from Armenia Suren Lazarian noted in his turn
that the guests have not only the opportunity to see Artsakh but also
to assist the youth in Artsakh taking into consideration the guests’
experience in the international sphere.

Then the chairman of the Parliament spoke about the NK issue settlement process.

03.11.12, 12:09

Rector: more students at Armenian universities than demand for experts

November 3, 2012 – 14:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The number of the students graduating from Armenia’s
higher education institutions exceeds the demand for specialists,
Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) rector said.

As Mher Melik-Bakhshyan told a news conference, the state educational
institutions try to attract a large number of students due to the lack
of the state funds.

The rector further deemed 110.000 graduates as the university’s
achievements, noting that the institution is negotiating agreements on
student exchange.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia will visit the
United Arabian Emirates and Iraq

14:02, 3 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Prime Minister of the
Republic of Armenia and the Minister of Territorial Administration of
the Republic of Armenia Armen Gevorgyan will visit the United Arabian
Emirates and Iraq on November 4.

As the Department of Public Relations of the Ministry of Territorial
Administration of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” the
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, who is also the
co-chairman of the Armenian-Iraqi Intergovernmental Joint Committee of
Economical Cooperation, will leave to Iraq from the United Arabian
Emirates, where the first session of the Intergovernmental Joint
Committee will be held on November 7.