Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Jakarta Post, Indonia
Aug 10 2012

South Caucasus shows big interest in RI

Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post

The South Caucasus, a small geopolitical region located between
Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia, has been showing a lot of interest
in Indonesia, the biggest economy in Southeast Asia, in recent years.

It all began in 2006, when oil-rich Azerbaijan, the biggest country in
the South Caucasus, opened its embassy in Jakarta, the first in
Southeast Asian region.

`Indonesia, as the largest Muslim nation, a leading ASEAN member and
responsible player in global and regional affairs, occupies a
significant place in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. In 2006, we opened
our embassy in Jakarta,’ Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
told The Jakarta Post in Baku sometime back.

Then Georgia, not the US state Georgia, announced in June 2012 that it
would soon open an embassy in Jakarta, the first Georgian Embassy in
Southeast Asia. Why Indonesia?

`Indonesia is one of the biggest democracies in the world, a member of
the G20 and the leader of ASEAN. Friendship with Indonesia would be
very beneficial to Georgia,’ Georgian foreign minister said during his
first ever visit to Indonesia in late June this year.

Now Armenia, the smallest country with the lowest GDP in the South
Caucasus, wants to follow its peers. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday for a two-day visit to boost
bilateral ties and announced that his country would open its embassy
in Jakarta in 2012.

`Next year we will open Armenian Embassy in Jakarta. We don’t want to
just develop economic relations but a wider relationship,’ Nalabandian
said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

While commenting on Armenian and Indonesian relations, Indonesian
Foreign Minister Marty said neither country ever had any problems in
their friendly diplomatic ties for the last 20 years.

`The relationship with Armenia reflecting our global outlook.
Recently, several countries such as Belarus, Georgia and Armenia have
decided to open embassies. It shows our foreign policy is increasingly
appreciated by the world,’ Marty said.

It also perfectly fits into Indonesia’s policy of `zero enemies and a
million friends’. But in terms of economic prospects, it may not be
that promising except in the case of Azerbaijan from whom Indonesia
buys oil in large quantities. In 2011, Indonesia bought US$1.76
billion of crude oil from Azerbaijan. Indonesian primary products –
such as palm oil, tea, coffee, paper, rubber, tires, garments, shoes,
furniture – are attractive to countries in the South Caucasus.

In an effort to deal with the growing slump in exports to the US,
Europe and other traditional markets, Indonesia now wants to find
non-traditional markets for its huge exports. As part of this
campaign, Indonesia has been focusing on former Soviet Union
countries. It is in this perspective that these growing relations with
the South Caucasus must be seen.

The South Caucasus mainly produces oil and gas, manganese ore, tea,
citrus fruits and wine. The three countries – Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Armenia – have a combined population of around 15 million people and a
combined GDP (power purchasing parity) of around $135 billion. The
Muslim majority Azerbaijan itself has a GDP of $93.02 billion.

Mediamax, Armenia
Aug 10 2012

Why is Armenia’s Military Commissar dismissed?

Yerevan/Mediamax/. On August 9, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
signed a decree on dismissing Sergey Chalyan from the post of the
Military Commissar of Armenia.

The relevant report was posted on Armenian President’s official site
in the section `Documents’, Mediamax reports. It’s not in `News’
section and was not sent to media outlets via e-mail.

The reason for the dismissal of Sergey Chalyan is not specified.
According to some publications, he was dismissed because of abuses
revealed during the conscription.

FARS News Agency, Iran
August 9, 2012 Thursday

Participants in Tehran Conference on Syria Issue Final Statement

TEHRAN (FNA)- Delegates of 30 world countries and international bodies
participating in the International Conference on Syria in the Iranian
capital issued a final statement at the end of their meeting Thursday
evening.

The international consultative conference on the developments in Syria
started in Tehran this afternoon and wrapped up work after several
hours of discussions in the evening.

The following is the full text of the statement issued at the end of
the gathering.

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Statement of the Chairman of

Tehran Consultative Meeting on Syria

Tehran – August 9, 2012

Tehran Consultative Meeting on Syria was convened on August 9, 2012,
to strengthen all-out regional and international efforts to help
Syrian people to find a way out of ongoing crisis and prepare a
suitable ground for national dialogue in a peaceful atmosphere. The
meeting which was headed by His Excellency Dr. Salehi, the esteemed
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and
participated by ministers and delegates from Afghanistan, Algeria,
Armenia, Belarus, Benin, China, Cuba, Ecuador, Georgia, India,
Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman,
Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan,
Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and the United Nations, made the following
recommendations:

– Expressing serious concern over the continuation of clashes and
violation of human rights in Syria and the vast losses and damages
which have caused grief and numerous problems for the people of Syria,
and expressing sympathy with the family of the victims of armed
clashes and terrorist acts.

– Emphasizing the necessity of pursuing political solutions based on
national dialogue as the only way to resolve the Syrian crisis with
the main objective of bringing the violence to a total end and
encouraging the two sides to prepare the ground for the national
dialogue.

– Expressing support to the legitimate demands of the Syrian people to
carry out reforms in order to build democracy and promote all-out
political partnership of different parties and opposition groups to
exercise their right to run their own country, in a peaceful manner
and calm atmosphere and without any foreign intervention.

– Expressing welcome and support to all good offices made already in
line with the principles of good intentions and impartiality to settle
the Syrian crisis and appreciating the efforts made by the Secretary
General of the UN and his special envoy Mr. Kofi Annan for his 6-point
plan as well as putting emphasis on continuation of the activities of
the international observers to consolidate sustainable peace and
tranquility in Syria.

– Emphasizing the need to uphold the principles of international law
regarding non-intervention in domestic affairs of other countries and
the respect of their national sovereignty and territorial integrity,
and urging to cease the hostilities by putting an end to any military
assistance to armed groups and warning of the dangerous impacts of
support for armed groups on regional peace and security.

– Emphasizing the necessity to deliver humanitarian assistance to the
people of Syria in order to mitigate the plight of Syrian people in
cooperation with the government of Syria.

– Emphasizing the necessity to examine establishing of a contact group
from among the participating countries aiming to end the violence and
starting the inclusive dialogue between the Syrian government and the
opposition.

– Expressing serious concern over the entry of known terrorist groups
and sects into the Syrian conflict and seriously warning of the spread
of terrorism and its dire consequences on the peace and security of
the region.

– Welcoming the proposal of the Islamic Republic of Iran for calling
upon the conflicting parties to end clashes and violence for three
months on the occasion of the arrival of Eid al- Fitr which is one of
the most important festivity for all Muslims of the world to stop
hostilities in Syria in order to follow up negotiations and adopt
peaceful mechanisms.

At the end, all participants expressed their appreciations to the
government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for holding Tehran
Consultative Meeting and emphasized on the necessity to continue such
consultative meetings in order to mitigate the sufferings of Syrian
people and bringing peace and stability to the region.

Foreign ministers and envoys of a large number of countries, including
Russia, China, Belarus, Mauritania, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia,
Turkmenistan, Benin, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Algeria, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Oman, Venezuela, Tajikistan, India,
Kazakhstan, Armenia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Sudan, Jordan, Tunisia and
Palestine as well as the UN envoy to Tehran are present at the
conference.

BURNING GARBAGE IN MASIS DUMP DAMAGES RESIDENT’S HEALTH (VIDEO)

tert.am
09.08.12

A plot of land in Armenia’s town of Masis, allocated for dump makes
4.9 hectares, while the owner of the dump has occupied 10 hectares
more of the provided territory, a Masis resident told Tert.am.

About 250 residents of the town organized a signature gathering
and wrote a letter to Heritage party’s faction, alarming about the
catastrophic ecological situation in the town.

In the letter the residents note that everyday garbage is being
brought from Yerevan to Masis which is being burnt and the smoke
caused as a result of it damages the residents’ health.

Tert.am visited the dump with the residents. The smoke was really
coming out of the garbage, but the workers there claim they do not
burn the garbage on purpose, “it is being inflamed from heat.”

The owner of the dump Misha Akopyan, who is the brother of former
mayor of Masis, came to the dump. He behaved himself inadequately,
saying that no one is burning garbage, but it is being covered up with
earth. He said garbage is being inflamed as a result of “methane gas.”

The owner of the dump is paying 58,900 drams annually to Armenia’s
state budget for renting the territory.

BOOSTING THE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION AMID FAILING NEGOTIATIONS AROUND GABALA RADAR STATION A VERY TIMELY STEP

arminfo
Thursday, August 9, 17:57

Boosting the Armenian-Russian military-technical cooperation amid
failing negotiations around Gabala radar station is a very timely
step by Yerevan and Moscow, Karen Bekaryan, Head of the European
Integration NGO, told media, Thursday.

The expert thinks that the Russia-Azerbaijan talks are facing a
deadlock as Baku demands an astronomic leasing price from Russia –
up to $300 million annually versus current $7 million. In addition,
there are reports that Azerbaijan is going to build a similar radar
station with the West, which makes cooperation with Yerevan quite
relevant for Moscow.

At the same time, the political expert thinks that enhancement of
Armenia-Russia relations cannot be considered as an obstacle to
Armenia’s European integration.

“Armenia is waging a mature and well-balance policy. We do not need
to choose between the white and the black. We can and must build good
relations with the West simultaneously enhancing strategic partnership
with Moscow,” he said.

To recall, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Moscow, Wednesday. The Armenian
president highlighted the successful military-technical cooperation
of the two countries and its perspectives. “We have extended the
deployment of the Russian military base in Armenia, which is within
our security interests,” he said and added that CSTO exercises will
be held in Armenia in autumn.

30 COUNTRIES INCLUDING ARMENIA ATTEND SYRIA MEETING IN TEHRAN

Panorama.am
17:47 09/08/2012 ” In the world

About 30 countries including Armenia attend the consultation conference
on Syria in Tehran. The participant countries, which are from different
continents, play important roles at regional and international levels,
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein
Amir-Abdollahian told the Mehr News Agency.

Some of the countries attending the meeting are: Pakistan, Algeria,
Oman, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Venezuela, Tajikistan, India, Russia, China,
Kazakhstan, Armenia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Sudan, Jordan, Tunisia, Belarus,
Mauritania, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Benin,
Sri Lanka and Ecuador.

PUTIN’S ANSWER TO EXCITED ARMENIANS
Yeghisheh Metsarents

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:10:54 – 09/08/2012

On August 8, during the press conference that followed the meeting
of Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, an interesting incident which
at first sight seems to have nothing in common with politics revealed
more than political statements did. Presumably, each mass media outlet
had the opportunity of asking only one question.

The first question that was asked to the presidents concerned the
Olympic Games and the presidents’ impressions about their national
teams. The person to ask the question underlined that the first gold
medal of Russia was won by a boxer of Armenian origin.

Although it is not noted in the Russian president’s website who the
question asked, ostensibly it was an Armenian reporter. Since it was
the first question, the guests would most probably be invited to ask
it. Besides, judging by the content, the second question about the
recent Russian-Georgian war and whether he had called Medvedev from
Beijing could hardly be asked by an Armenian.

But Putin was not caught in the trap of the kind question of the
Armenian reporter and poured cold water on the Armenian excitement.

“We congratulate athletes for success in the Olympic Games regardless
of their ethnic origin”, said Putin without saying anything about
the Russian Olympic Champion of Armenian origin.

In other words, Putin didn’t promote the witty Armenian trends of
making Russia feel indebted to Armenia for the Olympic gold medals won
by Armenians. Putin obviously hinted that he does not pay attention
to the nationality of the champions.

Besides, Serzh Sargsyan answered. “Sure, for those people who
appreciate the Armenian-Russian partnership, Galstyan’s victory is
an important symbol. It reiterates that we are stronger together”.

No doubt, Serzh Sargsyan’s answer was prepared before but the Armenian
side when working out this response didn’t think Putin would be so
indifferent towards the “Armenian” victory.

Against the background of Putin’s indifferent answer, Sargsyan’s warm
answer become self-humiliating and the Armenians come out to be trying
to seize nice words from Russia on what happened. Putin ignores the
“Armenian gold”, and Armenia is insisting.

It is interesting whether this circumstance will be a national lesson
to Armenians not to overvalue our weight to make its small size or
absence obvious. Maybe thanks to this lesson, in cases like this, the
situation will be more sober and pragmatic in order to avoid further
humiliation. The point is not only about our relations with Russia,
but with the whole world.

Photo from the official website of the Russian president

HADJINIAN ANNOUNCES COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

ASBAREZ
August 8th, 2012

Newly-appointed Montebello Youth Commission member Poghos Iskajyan
with Councilman Jack Hadjinian

MONTEBELLO-City Councilman Jack Hadjinian appointed Poghos Iskajyan
to the City’s Youth Commission on July 27. Iskajyan will enter the
11 grade this fall at Armenian Mesrobian School and is the fourth
Armenian to be appointed to a City commission by Councilman Hadjinian.

“I decided to appoint Poghos Iskajyan to the Youth Commission because
he has demonstrated good leadership skills at Mesrobian School and
in the AYF. His willingness to work with others makes me believe he
will represent our community well on a City commission”.

Hadjinian announced three other appointments.

Erik Pulatian – Golf Course Commission Erik Pulatian is the owner
and operator of All Service Catering, a mobile food & special
event catering company. Pulatian will bring a new perspective to
the golf course operation since he understands the food concession
business. Pulatian is a member of the Mesrobian School alumni and
serves on the steering committee of the Holy Cross Cathedral’s Annual
Armenian Food Fair & Festival. Erik Pulatian enjoys traveling and
boating in Lake Tahoe with his family & friends.

Ashod Mooradian – Planning Commission Ashod Mooradian currently is
employed with the State Bar of California as a deputy Trial Counsel
and formerly served on the City’s Traffic & Safety commission from
2010-2012. Ashod Mooradian is happily married with 3 children. A
member of the San Gabriel Valley-ANC and a Mesrobian graduate class
of 1987; he went on to attend the University of Southern California,
and Southwestern Law School. Mooradian will bring his legal expertise
to the commission as the only attorney serving alongside other members
who are either civil engineers or businessmen.

Berj Aliksanian – Traffic & Safety Commission Berj
Aliksanian is a geotechnical specialty engineer with the firm
EarthSpectives. Aliksanian is a licensed civil engineer and a
Mesrobian School graduate class of 2004. While in high school Berj
Aliksanian participated in an internship program Hadjinian organized
with then Assemblyman Ron Calderon’s office and the Armenian Mesrobian
School. “It was then as a high school student I realized Berj had an
interest in public service, I remember the Assemblyman’s staff telling
me he was always prompt and ready to help everyone”. Aliksanian is

Hadjinian also appointed George Pacheco Esq. to the City’s Investment
Committee, Joe Lucero to the Civil Service Commission, and Vivian
Romero to Parks & Recreation. Currently, there are two other Armenian
Americans serving on City commissions; Denise Hagopian-Civil Service
Commission, and Murad Minasian-Planning Commission.

Councilman Hadjinian currently serves on the Governing Board of the
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, member of the Board of
Directors of Gateway Cities, and serves on the Board of Directors of
ACE Construction Authority with Supervisor Michael Antonovich. The
ACE Construction Authority has 14 rail-roadway separation projects
and has a total budget of $1.3 billion dollars.

The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the Armenian National Committee of
America is proud of the selection of appointments made by Hadjinian
and looks forward to their professionalism as City Commissioner.

ARMENIA WEBSITES HACKED BY AZERBAIJANIS

News.Az
Tue 07 August 2012 16:36 GMT | 17:36 Local Time

The Azerbaijani hackers of the MetaizM and BOT_25 of the anti-armenia
TEAM have hacked the famous Armenian websites in their ‘anti-terror’
operation.

According to Gun.Az, the hackers have hacked hayastan.com.

The photo of the Azerbaijani national hero Ibad Huseynov who
terminated the Armenian terrorist, as well as the Armenian atrocities.

Please, find below the names of the websites and their mirror
reflection.

EARLY CHRISTIAN TOMBS FOUND IN SHUSHI

ARMENPRESS
9 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS: Many valuable relic samples have
been found during Artsakh’s Tigranakert excavations. In the words of
Artsakh archeological expedition head Hamlet Petrosyan in the course
of the excavations carried out the adjacent northern yard of basilica
church a huge monumental structure was disclosed, reportedly works in
this direction are in the process. ” It is clearly noticed monumental
structure’s floor had been slabbed: the expedition group has already
opened a part of the sallbed floor reportedly works are conducted
for having entire view of the monument “Petrosyan told Armenpress.

The archeologist says residential, a kind of economic type complex
is going to come up as a result of the launched excavations, by the
way made by interesting materials which come to prove Tigranakert
international state in first centuries BC. ” The main goal of
Tigranakert excavations is the expansion of the district attached to
northern stone wall, as up to now it is vague where is the entrance
of the attached district” the interlocutor came forth with.

Tigranakert expedition archeologist Vazgen Safaryan told in the
briefing with Armenpress, Christian tombs are found in Shushi.”

Excavations in Shishi are of high importance for us”.

Tigranakert city excavations started from June 25 are set to last
until August 21-22. Though these are all scheduled for this year,
yet the excavations are expected to continue in Shushi during August.