Author: Kalantarian Kevo

CAR HITS TRAIN IN WEEK~RS SECOND ACCIDENT IN ARMENIA

/ARKA/
November 1, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, November 1. /ARKA/. On November the 1st, at around 8:10am,
a motor-car ran into an electric passenger train N 7011 operated on
Araks-Yerevan route, at Echmiadzin-Masis section. None is injured, the
press service of the South-Caucasian Railway reported. The accident
was caused by negligence of the driver who neglected all security
measures and crossed the railway jeopardizing passenger safety. It
is the second rail accident in a week, says the report.

On October 30, around 1:00pm a freight train encountered an OPEL at
Arteni-Karakert railway section. The train used emergency braking,
ran into the car and threw it 6-7 meters away. One was killed and
four injured in the accident.

The South Caucasian Railway, once again, reminds that car drivers can
cross a railway crossing only if allowed by the gateman, if it is a
guarded level crossing, or only when they are sure they are safe, in
case with a non-guarded crossing. The company warns drivers against
attempts to make it across before the train comes as it may lead to
grave consequences.

Often drivers ignore the request of the gateman and try to bypass
the gate, the report says.

It their turn, the company are taking all the required measures to
ensure traffic safety. In particular, level crossings are re-equipped
and repaired, measures are taken to establish malfunction and
violations at crossings, and technical training is conducted with
gatemen.

Trains cannot stop immediately: in case of emergency braking, train
braking distance is not less than 800 meters.

South-Caucasian Railway closed joint stock company is fully owned
by the Russian Railway ojsc and is operating Armenian railroads on
concession. The concession agreement was signed on February 13, 2008,
for 30 years, with a provision for extension for another 10 years.

-0–

ELECTIONS OFFER NO ALTERNATIVE – ETHNOGRAPHER

01.11.12

Below is Tert.am’s interview with Hranush Kharatyan, an ethnographer
and a public figure, and a former head of the Armenian Government’s
Department for Ethnic Minorities and Religious Affairs.

Ms Kharatyan, how would you evaluate the configuration, the conduct
and moods of Armenia’s main political forces in the run-up to the
presidential election?

People realize with a sober mind that they either didn’t work or
failed to work properly, reducing their electoral resources to dust.

They now take a sober view of the things. They realize that the
attempts to unite now will be absolutely useless. Suppose the
[Armenian Revolutionary Federation-] Dashnaksutyun, the Armenian
National Congress [ANC] and the Heritage party, which never shared
a unanimous opinion, join their efforts – what then?

Don’t you rule out the possibility that Dashnaksutyun may have its
own a presidential runner?

I think Dashnaksutyun will be sober enough not to have a candidate
of its own.

[ANC leader] Levon Ter-Petrosyan is silent on the issue. Do you think
it will be sober of him not to nominate himself?

I don’t think Levon Ter-Petrosyan will be nominated as he realizes,
along with everything else, that it’s a direct way to compromise him.

I mean, the percentage of his possible votes will totally erase his
name and political image.

But doesn’t Levon Ter-Petrosyan face constraint for other factors, such
as [an obligation] not to quit the movement, the March 1 tragedy, etc?

Levon Ter-Petrosyan declared after the parliamentary election that he
has fulfilled his duty to his home country. I have personally heard
him say that, and the press addressed the topic too. I don’t know who
had imposed such a duty on him but he has really made the statement.

So Levon Ter-Petrosyan thinks he has dotted the i’s and crossed the
t’s as far as his responsibilities are concerned.

You say those forces have never been in collaboration with one
another. But it isn’t as if the controls headquarters, which operated
ahead of the National Assembly elections, had seen three forces
collaborate.

I agree with that. But they didn’t share common views on the
fundamental steps addressing the country’s concerns, except that they
oppose to the ruling party. As for the election monitoring, that’s
a mechanical and technical phenomenon rather that an ideological or
political attitude.

If [political forces] other than Heritage refuse to nominate themselves
considering the situation analysis, won’t that imply that Armenia is
little by little switching over to a biparty system?

Biparty system? Where’s the second party? If you mean the Republican
and the Prosperous Armenia (PAP), they will propose a joint candidate
ahead of the election. But if that isn’t the case, I see no biparty
system here. I do not see any difference between parties’ positions
on the key problems of the country. It [Prosperous Armenia] is very
far from being a party; it’s rather an assemblage of people.”

“Perhaps an alternative, as they define?”

“I don’t find PAP an alternative? Where is that alternative?”

“Voting against the Government’s action plan, for instance.”

“I still ask where the alternative is. Do they take a different
approach to the taxation principles, property principles and the
protection of Armenia’s natural resources? Where is the alternative
that would make vote in their favor?”

“Analysts attach a major importance to the Russian factor.”

“I think it is the characterization of press rather than a pronounced
position given the [PAP leader] Gagik-Tsarukyan-Russian Embassy
relations, which haven’t been quite smooth recently. But the Eurasian
policies do not seem to be clearly pronounced here. And neither does
the Republican’s pro-European stance. We have no clarity.”

“So what choice do such circumstances offer to the voters?”

“I cannot say things on behalf of the people. I can only predict a
new term for President Serzh Sargsyan as result of the [upcoming]
elections. So we will have five more years to live the way we do now,
facing an unjust society, unfair trials and unclarified relations.”

AUDIENCE MEMBER DIES DURING SHOOTING OF ARMENIAN TELEVISION SHOW – NEWSPAPER

news.am
November 01, 2012 | 07:52

YEREVAN. – It became apparent on Wednesday that an audience member,
who was sitting in the pavilion, suddenly died during regular shooting
of a song program being aired on Armenia’s Public Television, Haykakan
Zhamanak daily reports.

“Our reporter asked yesterday [Wednesday] Public Television Executive
Director Gagik Buniatyan as to what happened, why, and how. [But]
Executive Director Buniatyan suggested to call [him] on that matter
today [Thursday],” Haykakan Zhamanak writes.

ARMENIA IS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR EU: TRAIAN HRISTEA

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenia-EU relations are developing.

As Armenpress reports, Artur Baghdasaryan, National Security Council
Secretary came forth in the course of EU Advisory Board eleventh
meeting . “A number of most important events kicked off during last
two months enable us to record there was progress. Armenia-EU visa
facilitation agreement was signed in Brussels which is of important
and public essence. I also attach importance to DCFTA negotiations
process launched in Yerevan” Baghdasaryan stated.

The politician voiced hope progress will be recorded in the course of
scheduled negotiations due to take place in Brussels on December 3-5.

NSC secretary highlighted the role of Armenia- EU Association
Agreement’s 10th plenary session , where considerable progress was
recorded in almost all ten directions. Baghdasaryan noted reforms
scheduled by Armenia- EU Action Plan were rather successive in this
trimester. Human Rights Defense national strategy was affirmed,
document of much importance , a range of other working groups related
to the tax and customs reforms have been created. Besides the issue
on border checkpoints reforms, investment of one stop and one window
principle will be in the agenda of National Security Council session.

Regardless the registered success Baghdasaryan stated there is still
much work to done .

Traian Hristea , head of the EU delegation to Armenia stated Armenia
is of strategic importance for EU. Hristea said it is north worthy
they share the same approaches with Armenian side. “Negotiations on
Association Agreement are moving forward, there are grave reasons to
be optimistic, the same can be referred to DCFTA negotiation process”
Hristea noted. The foreign diplomat expressed his gratitude to
Armenian Government for enabling an opportunity to several European
states citizens to travel to Armenia without an entry visa. In the
words of Hristea the possibilities of cooperation can be enhanced
more. EU Advisory Group will continue to support implementation of
reforms in Armenia.

RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT
Hasmik Dilanyan

“Radiolur”
14:42 02.11.2012

Leader of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovhannisyan will run in the
forthcoming presidential elections. Hovhannisyan made the statement
at a press conference today.

The Heritage leader said he’s doing that as a citizen of the Republic
of Armenia, who shares the responsibility for today’s situation.

Therefore, he wants to participate in the “mending” of that situation.

HEFFERN SPOKE ABOUT HIS EXPECTATIONS FROM THE COMING ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

GYUMRI, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: USA extraordinary and plenipotentiary
Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern spoke about his expectations from
the coming Armenian presidential elections when answering to the
journalists’ questions in Gyumri on November 1.

“It is important to strengthen those positive trends which were
noted during the parliamentary elections in May. OSCE democratic
institutions and the office of human rights were carrying out
observation mission. Some suggestions have been made by OSCE Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the implementation
of which may be very efficient and reasonable for the elections”
underlined Heffern. According to him interdepartmental group, created
by the Armenian government, is observing all the 26 suggestions.

“A few days ago all the Ambassadors to Armenia were provided with
list, which government is planning to do in terms of suggestions. We
highly evaluate the detailed response of the government on each
suggestion, and by the way the majority of the suggestions have been
accepted. There is a need for extra dialogue on some offers, and some
need several changes in the electoral legislation, but taking into
consideration the short period of time left before the beginning of
the elections the suggestions will be implemented after them. We are
waiting for the coming elections and hope that they will be transparent
and fair” noted USA Ambassador John Heffern.

AN ARMENIAN KILLED IN ALEPPO BY SNIPER BULLET

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Voices of missiles are heard in
Aleppo Armenian districts from the very morning. As Berio National
Primacy press secretary Jirayr Reisyan informed Armenpress, there is
no information about the caused damage. An Armenian was killed in the
nearby territories of Aleppo Saint Gevorg church. George Kabanjyan
was hurt by the bullet of the sniper.

In the words of Reisyan, the rebels have kidnapped two people in the
entrance of Aleppo city the letters on their way back from capital
Damascus to Aleppo. One of those found out to be an Armenian. No news
available about the kidnapped people.

According to Reisyan, efforts launched to release people kidnapped in
the bus in Beirut- Aleppo route are underway. Armed opposition gang
had stopped Beirut-Aleppo “Zeytuni Druz” company civil bus in Allepo
nearby Sarakeb city on October 29. Then they made the passengers
to quit the bus and started to check it , after separated Christian
passengers, released women and children yet kidnapped 11 passengers ,
7 of which Armenians, 3 were Christian Arabs. There were Assyrians
and the Kurds among them. There are news the rebels in black have
reduced the men fall in knees, stroke them and take with them to an
indefinite direction. Karo Pampalian, Arsen Aroian, Levon Zeitunian,
Bashar and George Rabat are the names of the kidnapped Armenians. The
clashes are continuing in other Syrian cities. Arabian SANA reports,
the shelling orchestrated in Sayida Zeynab outskirt on October 31
resulted in the death of 11 people, another 25 were wounded. Children
are recorded among the injured.

Clashes in Syria lasting for already 19 months caused the death of more
than 30 thousand people, including more than four dozens Armenians.

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ERDOGAN A BERLIN : DES RELATIONS TURCO-ALLEMANDES GRINEANTES

Publie le : 02-11-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – ” Les relations
turco-allemandes grincent et pas uniquement en ce qui concerne
l’Europe. Que ce soit le conflit syrien, la facon de gerer le parti
interdit des travailleurs du Kurdistan, le PKK, ou l’integration des
trois millions de personnes d’origine turque en Allemagne – il y a
de nombreuses differences d’opinions sur ces sujets, que les lieux
communs diplomatiques ont du mal a cacher. Angela Merkel supporte mal
les machos du genre Erdogan. Ce dernier n’a pas vu les 2 500 personnes
qui manifestaient contre sa politique a 500 mètres de la Chancellerie,
devant la Porte de Brandebourg. Une grande coalition de groupes de
gauche, de Kurdes et autres minorites de Turquie (dont les Armeniens)
a accuse le Premier ministre de pousser le pays vers l’islamisation
et de pietiner les droits de l’homme ” Le Collectif VAN vous propose
la traduction d’un article en allemand paru sur le site Spiegel Online
le 31 octobre 2012.

Spiegel Online

Erdogan et Merkel : sourire distant

De Philipp Wittrock

Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a dit mercredi qu’il
voulait que la Turquie soit membre a part entière de l’UE avant 2023.

La Chancelière Angela Merkel l’a assure que les pourparlers seraient
” honnetes “. Leur rencontre a Berlin a de nouveau montre que les
relations entre la Turquie et l’Allemagne se sont compliquees.

31.10.2012

Berlin – À la fin de la conference de presse, Angela Merkel a fronce
les yeux et serre les lèvres. Mais de quoi parle-t-il, semble-t-elle
demander. À côte d’elle, Recep Tayyip Erdogan parlait du conflit
de Chypre. C’etait une erreur d’avoir integre ” Chypre du Sud ”
a l’Union Europeenne, a declare le Premier ministre turc. Et la
chancelière partage cette opinion, ajoute-t-il.

Ce n’est pas la première fois qu’Erdogan fait cette declaration :
il l’avait dit la veille, a l’occasion de l’ouverture de la nouvelle
ambassade turque a Berlin. Ce qui ne la rend pas plus veridique,
souligne l’entourage de Merkel. Certains pourront dire que ce n’etait
pas vraiment diplomatique de le repeter en sa presence. Mais peut-etre
que le Premier ministre en est convaincu. La chef du CDU est de toute
facon assez avisee pour ne pas contredire Erdogan en public. Elle
prefère le diriger vers la photo obligatoire devant les drapeaux des
deux pays. Une poignee de main, un sourire et ils partent.

Ce petit incident est symbolique : les relations turco-allemandes
grincent et pas uniquement en ce qui concerne l’Europe. Que ce soit le
conflit syrien, la facon de gerer le parti interdit des travailleurs du
Kurdistan, le PKK, ou l’integration des trois millions de personnes
d’origine turque en Allemagne – il y a de nombreuses differences
d’opinions sur ces sujets que les lieux communs diplomatiques ont du
mal a cacher.

Certes, a la Chancellerie mercredi, Merkel et Erdogan ont souligne
leurs liens proches et amicaux. Pourtant, on a vu peu de signes d’une
cordialite particulière. Finie l’epoque ou l’ex-Chancelier Gerhard
Schroder et Erdogan se tapaient sur l’epaule. Peut-etre aussi parce
que Merkel supporte mal les machos du genre Erdogan. L’agenda commun
s’est acheve poliment, mais souvent sans sourire.

Erdogan pose des delais pour l’adhesion a l’UE

La question epineuse de Chypre n’est qu’un des obstacles sur le chemin
de l’adhesion a l’UE. Les reticences ne sont pas de nature fondamentale
pour l’Allemagne uniquement. La Turquie a pose sa candidature en
1987, les negociations ont debute il y a 7 ans, et depuis 2010 elles
n’avancent plus. Le tout dernier rapport de l’UE sur les progrès de
la Turquie etait peu flatteur : il soulignait les violations de la
liberte d’expression et de libre rassemblement et la stagnation des
reformes democratiques. Cependant, mercredi, la Chancelière a assure
son invite que les negociations seraient ” honnetes “.

De son côte, Erdogan a regrette le manque de progrès en general. Alors
que la Chancelière tentait d’expliquer le principe de partenariat
privilegie, que la CDU prefère a un statut de membre pour la Turquie,
mais ne s’oppose pas a ” des resultats ouverts “, il sourit doucement.

Erdogan a clairement dit ce qu’il pensait de l’honnetete de l’UE, lors
d’une conference sur l’Europe qui avait eu lieu la veille a l’Institut
Berggruen : il a accuse l’Europe d’utiliser des tactiques permettant
de repousser l’echeance. À la question, est-ce que la Turquie serait
membre de l’UE en 2023, il a dit : ” Ils ne vont pas nous faire
attendre aussi longtemps, non ? ” Si c’etait le cas, il a ajoute ”
Alors, c’est l’Europe qui perdra, du moins, elle perdra la Turquie. ”

C’etait un avertissement lance aux dirigeants europeens. En Turquie,
l’euphorie liee a l’entree de la Turquie dans l’UE est retombee
depuis longtemps. L’economie continue de croître et Erdogan et son
parti conservateur-islamique AKP se sentent trop forts pour attendre
l’Europe. Le pays se reoriente et essaie systematiquement d’assoir
son influence dans le monde musulman. C’est une double strategie :
la Turquie veut rehausser sa position de puissance regionale et
de ce fait, indiquer a l’Europe combien le pays est important pour
l’Occident, en tant que pont avec le monde arabe islamique.

Merkel promet son soutien dans le conflit syrien

Dans ce contexte, le conflit syrien represente un defi particulier. La
Turquie s’est fermement positionnee du côte des rebelles dans le
pays voisin et elle exige des sanctions internationales plus dures
contre le regime d’Assad. En ce qui concerne la situation en Syrie,
Merkel a parle d’un ” vrai fardeau “pour la Turquie et elle a loue
Ankara pour son niveau de ponderation etant donne les tirs syriens
et elle a promis plus de soutien au partenaire de l’OTAN. Cependant,
Ankara souhaite bien davantage d’aide que jusqu’a present, avant tout
en raison du flux continuel de refugies syriens arrivant dans le pays.

Et pareil dans sa lutte contre le PKK. Peu de temps avant sa visite
a Berlin, Erdogan s’etait plaint que le gouvernement federal ne
s’engageait pas assez contre les activites terroristes du parti
interdit, qui pouvait ” en toute tranquillite ” se procurer de
l’argent pour la lutte armee – un reproche que le gouvernement federal
a fermement rejete. Merkel a assure que l’Allemagne ” aidait dans tous
les domaines “, en ce qui concerne les activites terroristes du PKK.

Erdogan l’a remercie pour son soutien. Pas de mots durs. Une belle
facade pour preserver les apparences.

C’etait aussi très opportun qu’Erdogan n’ait pas vu les 2 500
personnes qui manifestaient contre sa politique a 500 mètres de la
Chancellerie, devant la Porte de Brandebourg. Une grande coalition
de groupes de gauche, de Kurdes et autres minorites de Turquie (NdT
dont les Armeniens) a accuse le Premier ministre de pousser le pays
vers l’islamisation et de pietiner les droits de l’homme. Alors que
la manifestation se dispersait dans le calme en debut d’après-midi,
le cortège d’Erdogan roulait deja en direction de l’aeroport.

En collaboration avec Christoph Sydow.

©Traduction de l’allemand C.Gardon pour le Collectif VAN – 02 novembre
2012 –

Lire aussi :

Manifestation anti-Erdogan a Berlin

Une manifestation anti-Erdogan a Berlin

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Spiegel Online

LA NON RESOLUTION DU CONFLIT DU KARABAGH GENE LA POLITIQUE DE LA TURQUIE DANS LE CAUCASE
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 1er novembre 2012

Les visites du Premier ministre Turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan en
Azerbaïdjan, en Ukraine, en Crimee et en Bosnie semblent annoncer
des changements dans la politique etrangère de la Turquie. Le chef de
la Federation des associations des tartars de Crimee le politologue
Unver Sel a declare au site Gun.az : ” La politique etrangère turque
a echoue dans le monde Arabe. Aujourd’hui la ligne prioritaire de
la politique etrangère de la Turquie doit etre d’assurer la paix et
la tranquillite dans la region. Mais nous devons noter que la non
resolution de la question du Karabagh gene la politique de la Turquie
au Sud Caucase et entraîne quelques problèmes. Après la visite du
Premier ministre a Bakou, une hausse des efforts de la Turquie en
vue de resoudre le conflit sont previsibles “.

LE BLOC DE L’OPPOSITION EXIGE UNE NOUVELLE INVESTIGATION DES TROUBLES DE 2008
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 1er novembre 2012

Le Congrès National Armenien (HAK) a exige une nouvelle enquete
parlementaire sur les violences post-election de mars 2008 a Erevan
qui ont fait dix morts et plus de 100 blesses.

Le HAK a dit que l’Assemblee nationale doit fonder une commission
ad hoc qui examinerait la legalite des actions de la police contre
des milliers de ses partisans qui exigeaient de nouvelles elections
presidentielles. La commission devrait essayer aussi d’identifier
ceux qui ont tue huit protestataires et deux policiers les 1er et 2
mars 2008. Personne n’a ete poursuivi pour ces morts.

Le precedent parlement armenien a deja forme une telle commission
en 2008. La commission, boycottee par les deputes de l’opposition,
a conclu en septembre 2009 que l’utilisation de la force contre les
protestataires, qui se sont barricades dans la ville d’Erevan, etait
” generalement parlant legitime et adequate “. Elle a dit qu’il y
avait seulement des cas isoles d’usage excessif de la force employee
par les forces de securite.

Le HAK a rejete cette conclusion a l’epoque disant qu’elle faisait
partie d’une tentative pour etouffer l’affaire de la part du
gouvernement.

Gagik Jahangirian, un des sept deputes representant le bloc de
Levon Ter-Petrosian, a dit que la nouvelle commission parlementaire
differerait radicalement de la precedente. Particulièrement a-t-il
dit, les six forces politiques representees dans l’Assemblee nationale
actuelle nommeraient chacun un membre de la commission. La commission
serait aussi autorisee a poser des questions au gouvernement et
aux fonctionnaires en charge de la securite aussi bien qu’exiger et
obtenir des documents appropries de la police a-t-il dit.

Les factions parlementaires du parti Republicain d’Armenie (HHK)
et les autres partis n’ont pas fait immediatement de commentaires
sur l’initiative du HAK. Ils ont dit qu’ils formuleront une position
après que le bloc de l’opposition fasse circuler une demande dans
les prochains jours.

” Nous tiendrons des negociations et je pense qu’il y aura d’autres
forces rejoignant cette initiative ” a dit Gagik Jahangirian, qui a ete
mis a la porte comme vice-procureur general avant les troubles de 2008.

vendredi 2 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com