Author: Kalantarian Kevo

CONDAMNATION
Un Britannique condamné pour avoir tenté de vendre des missiles
sol-air à l’Azerbaïdjan

Un Britannique, un marchand d’armes Mikael Ranger a été condamné à 3,5
ans de prison pour avoir tenté de vendre des missiles sol-air
Nord-Coréens à l’Azerbaïdjan. Selon la Justice britannique, M. Ranger
aurait utilisé pour la transaction une société basée à Hong Kong
déclarée sous le nom de son amie afin de faire le commerce des armes
rapporte l’agence Reuters. Par cette société écran le marchand d’armes
aurait tenté ainsi de contourner l’embargo britannique sur les armes à
destination de l’Azerbaïdjan. « Ces transactions entre Ranger et
l’Azerbaïdjan ne sont pas seulement illégales, elles sont également
très dangereuses » a déclaré le tribunal de Justice britannique. Nous
ajouterons que l’armement de l’Azerbaïdjan est dangereux non seulement
pour la reprise de la guerre contre le Haut Karabagh et l’Arménie,
mais surtout pour l’approvisionnement de l’occident en gaz et pétrole
azéri dont British Petrolium est l’un des plus importants partenaires.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 22 juillet 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

POLITIQUE
Patrick Devedjian « l’Arménien » se désolidarise du livre « Le
Monarque, son fils, son fief » selon « Le Nouvel Observateur »

Le livre « Le Monarque, son fils, son fief » de Marie-Célie Guillaume
publié le mois dernier aux Editions du Moment caracole déjà en tête du
hit parade des ventes en France. Ce véritable brûlot dénonçant les
complots de Nicolas Sarkozy (le Monarque) et de son fils Jean (le
Dauphin) contre Patrick Devedjian (l’Arménien) continue de faire des
ravages au sein de l’UMP. Marie-Célie Guillaume étant durant cinq ans
la directrice de cabinet du président des Hauts-de-Seine. On pouvait
légitimement supposer que le livre était une commande de ce dernier.
Mais selon « Le Nouvel Observateur » qui consacre deux pages à
l’affaire (n° 2489 du 19 juillet 2012) Patrick Devedjian aurait
lui-même tenté de dissuader son ex-directrice de ne pas sortir ce
livre qui fait l’effet d’une bombe dans le monde politique français.

Krikor Amirzayan

Le 15 juillet, dans le Parisien, Patrick Devedjian approuvait la
position de François Hollande quant à l’étude d’un nouveau projet de
loi pénalisant la négation du génocide arménien.

Le Parisien : Que pensez-vous de la loi mémorielle que François
Hollande veut faire revenir devant l’Assemblée ?

P. Devedjian : Il a raison, il ne s’agit pas d’une loi mémorielle mais
d’une loi de protection. La France ne peut pas accepter qu’un Etat
étranger vienne faire une propagande négationniste sur son sol au
détriment d’une partie de ses citoyens. C’est un problème d’égalité
républicaine : les Français d’origine arménienne ne doivent pas
continuer à être persécutés par la Turquie aujourd’hui.

dimanche 22 juillet 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

WORLD COMMUNITY’S STANCE ON KARABAKH POLLS NOT ESSENTIAL – ANALYST

tert.am
20.07.12

The world community’s reaction to the July 19 presidential election in
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is not very much important, according
to Stepan Grigoryan, the president of the Analytical Centre on
Globalisation and Regional Cooperation.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the expert referred to the UN and
Council of Europe fundamental conventions, specifying every nation’s
right to form its government.

He said he was more interested in the competition rather than the
outcomes of the polls.

“Karabakh did really see a competitive election. There was a heated
struggle, so the world will have to take that into consideration,
whether wants it or not,” he said

Grigoryan said that opposition candidate Vitaly Balasanyan’s high
percentage of votes (31.4%) is likely to raise the opposition’s role
in the country’s life.

“Our goal is to make the opposition functional in Karabakh. Whenever
a country has a strong opposition. The reason is clear: keeping the
authorities in tension, the opposition makes them work,” he added.

The expert noted in the meantime that the opposition in Karabakh
has to be more cautions given the country’s unsettled land dispute
with Azerbaijan.

“The Line of Contact is there, so clearly the opposition there has
to be more correct and cautious. But the fact that they exist and
criticize the authorities’ mistakes is only positive,” he added.

CHESS NEWS: ARMENIAN CHESS-PLAYERS IN VARIOUS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Armenian GM Giorgi Bagaturov (Georgia) has scored 5,5 points out of 7
and is taking the 2nd place at the open that is being held in Varna,
Bulgaria.

Armenian IM Valentin Panbukchian (Bulgaria) has 5 points. Armchess.am
informs about this.

GM Ivan Cheparinov (Bulgaria) is leading with 6,5 points.

Representatives of Armenia Ashot Parvanyan and Ani Ivanyan (coach-Davit
Hunanyan) became the winners in B12 and G12 groups at the European
Youth Cup 2012 that was held in Kutaisi, Georgia.

Another Armenian GM Yury Dokhoian – the long-time coach of Russian
Women’s National Team was recognized World Best Women Trainer 2011
by FIDE Trainer’s Commission.

TOMORROW AT 2PM: BOHJALIAN TO SPEAK, SIGN BOOKS AT BOSTON KERMESSE

Armenian Weekly
July 20, 2012

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-New York Times best-selling author Chris
Bohjalian’s 22-city book tour promoting The Sandcastle Girlsarrives
in Watertown this weekend, as Bohjalian delivers remarks and signs
books at Boston Kermesse on Saturday, July 21, at 2p.m. The event is
free and open to the public. The Hairenik Bookstore will be selling
copies of the book on site.

Chris Bohjalian The third annual Boston Kermesse Armenian Festival
will be held in Watertown from Fri., July 20 to Sun., July 22 at the
Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) and will showcase
Armenian culture and cuisine-with live music by internationally
renowned musicians, art exhibits from local artists, traditional
Armenian food, and gourmet tastings from local food vendors including
Tutunjian Wines, Eastern Lamejun, Massis Bakery, and Fastachi.

Last year, the open-air festival attracted over 5,000 guests from
the Greater Boston area and beyond, raising proceeds to benefit the
ACEC, a non-profit organization tasked with sustaining and nourishing
Armenian culture and education through the community center.

This year, the event will feature performers Harout Pamboukjian, Arman
Hovhannisyan, the John Berberian Ensemble featuring Onnik Dinkjian,
the Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble, the Karen Kocharyan Quartet featuring
Jerry Bergonzi, and Classic Groove. Festival-goers will be able to
experience authentic Armenian cuisine with cooking demonstrations
from local chefs including Ani Catering & Takeout and Armenian Market
Bakery, and shop the latest collections of bangles and necklaces from
Alex and Ani Jewelry.

Perfect for kids of all ages, the festival will also include a meet
and greet by Wally of the Boston Red Sox, as well as a Gladiator
Joust and Bounce House.

The weekend-long festival is open from 6-11 p.m. on Fri., July
20; 12-11 p.m. on Sat., July 21; and 12-7 p.m. on Sun., July 22,
at the ACEC, 47 Nichols Ave. in Watertown. There’s free admission
to children’s entertainment, exhibits, vendors, and food. Ticketed
admission is for the entertainment portion only: $25 for adults and $10
for children for admission to Harout Pamboukjian performance on Fri.,
July 20; $30 adults, $10 children for admission to Arman Hovanisyan
event on Sat., July 21; and $15 adults, $10 children for admission
to John Berberian Ensemble on Sun., July 22. Two-day ($45 adults,
$15 children) and three-day ($55 adults, $20 children) all-access
passes are available.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit

YEREVAN HOSTS SEMINAR ON EU-ARMENIA FREE TRADE AREA TALKS

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 20, 2012 – 14:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On July 20, EU Advisory Group, in collaboration
with Economy Ministry organized a seminar focusing on challenges and
opportunities in EU-Armenia negotiations on Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area. The seminar aimed at analyzing the opportunities
and challenges on the way to achieving a free trade area with the EU.

As Armenian Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan said, opening the seminar,
“Armenia is ready for a liberal trade regime with all of its trade
partners. Significant progress was reported with CIS states, with a
free trade area agreement signed.”

A ‘zero-round’ preparatory meeting was held in early May followed
by the first stage of EU-Armenia negotiations on Free Trade Area was
held June 19-20 in Brussels, with 2 more planned in Yerevan and the
Belgian capital.

“We believe the talks will be finalized in a short period, enabling
a free trade regime between Armenia and 2 major economy systems-EU
and CIS,” the Minister said.

The Acting Head of the EU Delegation in Armenia Onno Simons, in turn,
added that the agreement finalization depends on the effectiveness
of Armenia-conducted reforms in product safety and phytosanitary,
as well as struggle against corruption.

PASSPORT PROCESS: OFFICIAL SAYS PREVIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SOLVED
By Gohar Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow
20.07.12 | 15:11

At Thursday’s meeting of the Government, Deputy Chief of Armenia’s
Police Arthur Osikyan said that problems that had slowed down the
passport application process have been eliminated, despite a dramatic
increase in the number of requests.

Typically during this time of year, the passport department has
been overwhelmed as people apply for travel documents. One newspaper
reported that the process was being artificially slowed in order to
discourage Armenians from traveling outside the country for holiday.

Police deny any such claim.

According to Osikyan, 171,000 people applied for passport issuance
in the first six months of 2011. This year, the number has reached
201,000.

“Even during non-working days and hours, working shifts have been
organized to serve people. Besides, a new batch of passports has
been received, and therefore this matter can be considered solved,”
Osikyan stated.

Osikyan also reported that, despite expectations, only 800 people have
applied for the new biometric passports. The passports are designed
to include one’s essential identification information, including
fingerprints, and are intended to make foreign travel easier. The
passports have been available since June 1.

THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERT CENTER FOR ELECTORAL SYSTEMS (ICES) OBSERVATION MISSION CONSIDERS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NKR IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF ELECTORAL LAW

arminfo
Friday, July 20, 15:42

The International expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES)
Observation Mission considers presidential election in NKR a
successful democratic act of free expression of the people’s will
meeting international standards of the electoral law. In its report,
ICES Mission registers democratic and competitive fight of candidates,
high turnout and correspondence of the election to the principles
and standards of the international electoral law. All the fundamental
rules ensuring freedom of expression, calculation of votes at polling
stations and summary of the voting result were observed during the
election process. At the same time, the Mission made a point of the
serious commitment of the NKR leadership to democratic and transparent
elections. For that purpose, a big number of international observers
from the U.S., Europe and Asia were invited to the country. Dr. Laszlo
Kemeny Professor of political science (Hungary), a member of ICES
Observation Mission outlined three key moments characterizing
the presidential election in NKR. He thinks that NKR has proved
the world that it is a recognized country as its people recognize
it. Elections showed that the people of Nagorno Karabakh do not need
external assessment and have no intention to defer to the interests
of foreign superpowers that try to protect their own interests in the
region. The second factor is that the NKR people demonstrated high
activity. High turnout means that the people feel high responsibility
for their country and ready to protect it both with lethal force and
through voting for their leader. The third moment is that presidential
contenders will work together irrespective of the voting result. The
members of the Mission highlighted that NKR exists as a country
and NKR people are building their life on the basis of democratic
processes and procedures independently of international recognition.

ARMENIA AND NKR ARE DIFFERENT WORLDS – FORMER PM – NEWSPAPER

news.am
July 20, 2012 | 08:56

YEREVAN. – In an interview with Irates De Facto newspaper, opposition
Armenian National Congress MP and former PM Hrant Bagratyan, who is
in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)-or Artsakh-on an observation
mission for the NKR presidential elections on Thursday, noted that he
visited the polling stations of the four villages of NKR’s Martakert
Region and he did not see any violations.

‘”We spoke with the opposition candidate’s proxies, they did not point
to [any] problems connected with the [voting] lists, election bribe,
[and] pressuring,’ the former PM said, and added that the Artsakh
elections have no common ground for comparison with Armenia’s recent
[parliamentary] elections.

‘They are different worlds. It’s impossible to compare. Here [in the
NKR] no one is complaining about the voting lists, election bribe,’ the
opposition figure said. ‘Perhaps the reason is the military situation,
which unites the people, perhaps it’s the Artsakh people’s character,'”
Irates De Facto quotes Hrant Bagratyan as saying.

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING TIES WITH NKR’S ELECTED AUTHORITIES – ARMENIAN FM

news.am
July 20, 2012 | 12:29

YEREVAN. – Thursday’s free, fair, and competitive presidential
elections in Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh, bespeak the latter’s
authorities’ and people’s allegiance to democracy and the rule of law,
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told Armenpress News
Agency.

“The presence of several dozen international observers-according to
whom the elections were conducted in organized fashion, transparently,
[and] in keeping with international standards-in the elections is
welcoming.

I do not believe any democratic country could dispute the need for and
importance of forming a government by way of democratic elections.

Naturally, the international community should be interested in having
ties with the authorities elected by the people of Nagorno-Karabakh,
especially since this is envisioned by the mandate of holding the OSCE
Minsk Conference.

With these elections, the people of Artsakh yet again proved their
determination to control their destiny through democracy,” Armenia’s
FM stated.