Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Paper: ARFD member may repeat Oskanian’s fate?

October 5, 2012 – 12:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Hraparak daily, Armenian MPs make
contributions to Syrian-Armenian outreach program by providing their
daily salary to the fund coordinated by ARF Dashnaktsutyun member
Vahan Hovhannisyan.

During his speech on Prosperous Armenia member Vartan Oskanian case,
the ARFD representative voiced concerns over his possible following
the ex-minister’s suit, considering the transactions he makes in the
framework of the program, the paper says.

Hraparak: Robert Kocharyan not to advance his nominee at presidential elections

arminfo
Friday, October 5, 17:47

The second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, will not advance
his nominee at the presidential elections in Feb 2013, “Hraparak”
newspaper says referring to a reliable source.

The source says that the absence of Gagik Tsarukyan from the
parliamentary debates on the Prosecutor General’s petition on
depriving the ex-foreign minister Vartan Oskanian of his deputy
immunity became the last straw that completed the wall of
misunderstanding between Kocharyan and Tsarukyan. “Tsarukyan considers
himself an independent player and has been trying to come out of
Kocharyan’s influence for a long time. The process has begun since
Tsarukyan obtained 450,000 votes during the parliamentary elections.
Experts and imagemakers suggest that with such a capital he can come
out of the influence of both Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, and start
his own game”, the newspaper says.

Syrian-Armenians to face difficult plight – expert

tert.am
17:58 – 05.10.12

The Syrian-Armenians are in a complicated situation and likely to face
a difficult plight, according to a Turkish studies expert.

At a news conference on Friday, Artak Shakaryan, a senior research
fellow at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, said the
Armenians’ neutrality is very right in the present circumstances.

`It is very good that they maintain neutrality. We saw Armenians earn
a great respect, observing neutrality during the Lebanon civil war,’
he said. `Deep in their hearts, however, the Syrian-Armenians take
sides with Assad who was kinder and milder to them. They are confident
that the radical Sunnis will take stricter stance on them once they
come to power.’

Recent clashes on the Turkish-Syrian border claimed the lives of five
Turks in the Akcale town after a mine released by the armed groups
reached the Turkish territory. Syria extended its condolences to the
families of the deceased, promising to launch a probe into the
incident.

The Turkish parliament later approved a legal measure authorizing its
military to invade Syria and launch military operations in the country
in case of a possible threat.

As for developments ensuing from such operations, the Armenian expert
said it is hard to predict an outcome, as Turkish soldiers’ presence
on the Syrian territory would be at least an emotional blow to the
local Armenians whose ancestors survived the Genocide.

According to him, there are analyses suggesting that the Armenians can
find grounds of cooperation with Turkey which will very likely seek
stability in Syria. But he said NATO’s total invasion would make the
community face the same fate as the Iraqi-Armenians.

`The Republic of Armenia is not unfortunately quite ready extend
support to the Syrian-Armenians and help solve their problems. We
didn’t manage to take a definite step or adopt any approach then. Some
say they have to stay as our community there is very essential, while
others call for helping them flee because they are eventually
annihilate,’ the expert added.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN: IN COMING YEARS DEMAND FOR GRAPES WILL EXCEED THE SUPPLY

ARMENPRESS
4 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The demand for grapes will exceed
the supply in the coming years. As reported by Armenpress, the Prime
Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan stated about it at
the 8th Forum held by “Fruitful Armenia” in Yerevan. “The researches
show that we have a great potential for the viticulture development.

It is gladsome that there are new and serious investments in the
field. At the same time the issue of the grapes quality will be
more restricted. And here we have the problem of the organization
of the viticulture by up-to-date methods”, – said the Head of the
Executive Body.

Tigran Sargsyan reminded that the viticulture and winegrowing played a
unique role in our agriculture. In 1990-1995 considerable losses were
recorded in the field. The grapes production volumes were reduced by
about 65% because of non-functioning of the purveyor organizations
and factories.

“Two years ago the President of the Republic of Armenia declared that
agriculture would be one of the priorities for the development of the
country. The Government makes additional efforts and organize events
to modernize the agriculture”, – said the Prime Minister of Armenia
Tigran Sargsyan.

The Head of the Government thanked the Argentinean Armenian businessman
Eduardo Ernekian for making investments in the field and establishing
modern vineyards in Armenia, which is a good example for the peasant
farms.

The 8th Forum held by “Fruitful Armenia” is dedicated to the
development prospects of viticulture and winegrowing in Armenia. The
Forum was attended by international authoritative viticulturists,
winemakers, wine experts and marketologists from France, Argentina,
Australia and other countries.

The key issue of the Forum was the discussion of three components in
creation of the brand of the Armenian wine to be recognizable in the
world – quality grapes development, high-quality wine production and
proper organization of export and sale.

ARMENIAN MICROBIOLOGIST RECEIVES $500,000

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 02:17

Armenian microbiologist Sarkis Mazmanian became recipient of the
prestigious MacArthur grant, which is given every year in the United
States for achievements in a variety of domains.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Professor Sarkis
Mazmanian is one of 23 recipients of the “genius grants,” and he will
be paid $500,000 over five years, which can be used for any purpose,
mercurynews.com reports.

The scientist said he learned of this grant while in Armenia, where
he is providing educational services for a week. Mazmanian does not
have concrete plans for the money, but hopes to provide Armenians
with better opportunities for higher education and improve poor
laboratory conditions.

DISMISS HIM, CAN YOU?
JAMES HAKOBYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:46:38 – 04/10/2012

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan instructed the ministers to be
responsible for the fulfillment of tax obligations by companies
operating in their spheres. The premier said that the tax collection
is not a task of exceptionally the State Revenue Committee, but the
ministers should also be accountable.

The government of Armenia launched demonstrative policy. I mean
everything is done to leave the impression on the audience that the
government has a completely different work style. But the policymakers
don’t see that they break the presumption of rationality of the
spectators.

Otherwise, it would have never been stated publicly that the
ministers should be responsible for the tax obligations of the
companies operating in their spheres and should know whether or not
the companies fulfill their duties. “Everyone should understand that
the tax collection is a responsible function and it is not only up
to the SRC, all the ministers are responsible”, said Tigran Sargsyan.

Interesting, is the State Revenue Committee responsible for the
activities of the ministers? For the reforms in the healthcare or
education spheres? Since the ministers share the SRC tasks, the latter
is assumed to share the burden of the ministries too.

It is absurd. The state management system is divided into structures
for each one to carry out its own functions. Tax issues are up to
the tax structures, while the ministries are in charge of the rules
of the game, favorable conditions for activities and effectiveness
of state management in those spheres.

When the responsibility of a sphere is put on others within the
demonstrative policy, in the result we have only smashed responsibility
but nothing else. This just proves that the state management system,
in this case the SRC, fails.

On the other hand, the instruction of the prime minister may be an
acknowledgment of the idleness of the SRC and the fact that the prime
minister does not trust the SRC work.

The Armenian press has been reporting issues between the prime minister
and the SRC chairman for long. Apparently, having no trust toward
the SRC chairman Gagik Khachatryan, Tigran Sargsyan is trying to
ensure supervision on the tax field through the ministries. So the
ministers will own the whole information and the SRC head will be
unable to deceive the premier or manipulate in the permanent process
of clarification of internal governmental relations.

But here the question occurs whether the ministers are trustworthy
or which of them is and which one may advocate for Gagik Khachatryan.

By and large, the issue has no solution because all the possible
solutions deepen the intrigue atmosphere muddying the water. The state
interest requires clean water; consequently the issues in this field
are solved by cleaning the state system off intrigues. In other words,
dismiss the SRC chairman, if you can, and carry out a staff revolution
to totally change the situation. Moreover, the staff revolution is
urgent not only in the SRC but in the ministries too.

Otherwise, everyone is sick of the show window of the state. No matter
how full it will be, the society is sure, it is all butaforie as long
as revolutionary solutions lack.

SYRIAN-TURKISH BORDER INCIDENT PROVOKED BY MILITANTS – RUSSIAN EXPERT

news.am
October 05, 2012 | 02:44

MOSCOW. – Syrian-Turkish border incident was a provocation, which is
useful only for so-called ‘Free Syrian Army’ and only for the NATO
Armed Forces to interfere the conflict, Russian expert Anatoliy
Tsyganok told Armenian News-NEWS.am. However, the expert believes
that NATO at the moment does not consider it reasonable to launch
military actions in Syria.

Earlier Turkish media reported referring to the government statement
that five people were killed in allegedly Syrian attack in Akcakale
province of Turkey. Later Turkish armed forces attacked the objects
inside Syria.

In a statement Pentagon said it is closely following the situation.

EUROPEANS DOUBT ABOUT AZERBAIJAN’S RIGHT TO BE IN COUNCIL OF EUROPE

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 23:06

STRASBOURG. – The Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE)
held hearings on the case of Azerbaijani killer Ramil Safarov, who had
murdered an Armenian lieutenant with an axe in his sleep in Bucharest,
and later was extradited to Baku, granted a pardon and made a hero,
Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.

During the hearings delegates of all countries except for Turkey
and Azerbaijan stressed the inadmissibility of the action of the
Azerbaijani killer and condemned the murder perpetrated by Safarov. At
the same time Azerbaijani MPs insisted on the fact that granting
a pardon to Safarov, who was sentenced to life in prison by the
Hungarian court is ‘Azerbaijan’s sovereign right.’

“Azerbaijan is an important energetic partner,” Azerbaijani MP Aydin
Abbasov threatened hoping energetic interests will not allow the PACE
MPs openly condemn the Azerbaijani killer and his glorification by
the Azerbaijani community.

The French MP, PACE delegate Rudy Salles put an end to the discussion
by reminding about the gravity of the crime by Azeri killer Safarov,
who had hit for 16 times with an axe the sleeping Armenian officer. He
also turned to the Azerbaijan MPs stating that the PACE has already
heard enough propaganda during the hearings.

The French MP stressed that on hearing Azerbaijani MPs’ debates he
doubts whether Azerbaijan has the right to stay in PACE any more.

OSKANIAN CASE UNLINKED TO EX-FM’S PRO-WESTERN STANCE, EXPERT SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 4, 2012 – 16:27 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Stripping ex-Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
of deputy immunity has nothing to do with the latter’s pro-western
orientation, a political analyst said.

As Richard Giragosian told a news conference in Yerevan, “the Oskanian
case developments are linked to the country’s domestic policy, rather
than relations with the U.S. and Russia.”

“I believe, the case is meant as the current leadership’s message
to Prosperous Armenia party leader Gagik Tsarukyan and ex-president
Robert Kocharian,” the expert said.

“With Oskanian having already acquired the status of a victim in the
eyes of the public, the Prosecutor General has done the ex-minister
a service, promoting him as a possible presidential candidate,”
the expert said.

“The disappointing speech of the Prosecutor General in parliament
proves the latter’s unawareness as to the specific nature of charges
against Oskanian,” the expert said, characterizing Oskanian case
as politicized.

Armenian National Assembly resolved October 2 to strip Prosperous
Armenia member, former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian of deputy
immunity over Civilitas Foundation fund misuse charges.

YEREVAN CITY TRANSPORT TARIFF REMAINS 100 AMD

ARMENPRESS
4 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Yerevan transport tariff is not
scheduled to undergo changes in the near future.Yerevan City Hall staff
transport department head Henrik Navasardyan told in the briefing with
the journalists , the rumors referring to the increase of transport
tariffs became to be circulated after the news on review of Armenian
imported gas price . Navasardyan informed the department has never
envisaged tariff increase. Moreover, the interlocutor noted all buses
and microbuses participated in Yerevan City Hall announced competition
with 100 AMD tariff.The Minister of Transport and Communication Gagik
Beglaryan also came forth with the announcement.

In the words of Minister the tariff revision issue is not being
discussed currently in Armenian Ministry Transport and Communications.