Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ROTTEN ROUBO
BY GAREN YEGPARIAN

asbarez
Friday, July 13th, 2012

The only thing missing was a single tear running down his cheek… or
more likely a flood of crocodile tears as “Nemetz Roubo” (Rouben
Hayrapetyan) announced his resignation from the Republic of Armenia’s
parliament.

Unless you’ve been living under the rock of Gibraltar (a
regular rock just wouldn’t do in this case), by now you know that
Maj. Dr. Vahe Avetyan, a Defense Ministry employee, was beaten in that
parliamentarian/oligarch/thug’s employees in his restaurant, Harsnakar
(Bridestone), evidently a hangout for notables. Avetyan died two
weeks later of his injuries. Protests have been organized throughout
the Armenian world. These have ranged from quietly laying wreaths and
lighting candles to the most recent nighttime rally in front of the
Harsnakar was rousted by various law-enforcement agencies. In fact,
before you read this, another gathering will have taken place in
front of the Armenia’s Consulate General in Glendale.

Clearly, every decent Armenian human being has had it. The protests are
calls for an end to the lawlessness and impunity enjoyed by Armenia’s
economic elites.

As it is, law enforcement has reported that Hayrapetyan was not in the
restaurant at the time of the incident. I don’t know how believable
that is. The actual beaters are being investigated. Given the history
of such situations (you might remember when a presidential protocol
employee was severely beaten for asking former Yerevan Mayor Gagik
Beglaryan to conform to the seating arrangements required; Beglaryan
is now back in power as Minister of Transport and Communication and in
a leadership position in Armenia’s ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

The cynicism driving Roubo’s actions becomes evident when we consider
his refusal to heed the public calls to step down as President of
Armenia’s Football Federation. Who knows what ill-gotten gains he’s
accruing thanks to that post.

Further insight into this man comes from the obvious sanction he gives
to the continued use of the moniker “nemetz.” I have gotten varied
explanations as to what this word means. But, it’s clear that it is
derogatory, and a way of saying “German” and/or “foreigner,” with a
hint of being a disciplinarian, or even a Nazi. Watch some videos of
this guy, and you’ll see his arrogance and threat-laden interaction.

It’s the same kind of presumptuous, unchecked, and societally
destructive behavior that led Siunik’s regional governor Sooren
Khachatryan to threaten eco-activist Mariam Sookhoodian last December.

Let your indignation show! Participate in the protests. Contact
Armenia’s authorities and give them an earful.

“THERE IS NO HARSNAKAR CASE FOR RPA”: FOUR FACTIONS WISH TO CONVENE A SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

13:54 . 13/07

Four parliamentary factions-ANC, PAP, ARF-D and Heritage Party have
proposed to hold a special parliamentary session. Establishing an
interim parliamentary committee connected with the Harsnakar restaurant
case will be on the agenda of the special session.

According to the NA regulations, 44 MPs’ signatures are needed to
convene a special session. The authors of the initiative to establish
a committee say it is conditioned by the big tension emerged among the
public connected with the incident occurred on June 17 at Harsnakar
restaurant and Vahe Avetyan’s death.

The draft was circulated last evening, and the necessary signatures
must be collected within 24 hours. RPA faction leader Galust Sahakyan
has already expressed his position in the press.

“There is no Harsnakar case for us,” RPA MP has said.

ARF-D faction MP Artsvik Minasyan informed the faction will join the
initiative. PAP’s position is still indefinite. PAP faction Secretary
Naira Zohrabyan noted they, in essence, aren’t against convening
a special session but they fear that taking into consideration the
parliamentary recess, it will be difficult to invite the faction’s
MPs to participate in the signatures collection.

If the necessary signatures are collected, the special session will
be convened on June 17. To note, 17 signatures will be collected from
the MPs of ANC, Heritage Party and PAP and 27 more will be needed. The
authors of the initiative have called upon independent MPs to join
the initiative.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRMEN REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NK CONFLICT

Trend
July 13 2012
Azerbaijan

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Robert Bradtke
of the United States, Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, and
Jacques Faure of France) and Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk (Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office) traveled July 10-13
to Baku, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Yerevan, OSCE told Trend today.

In Baku, the Co-Chairs met with President Aliyev and Foreign Minister
Mammadyarov; in Nagorno-Karabakh they met with de facto authorities; in
Yerevan, they met with President Sargsian, Foreign Minister Nalbandian,
and Defense Minister Ohanyan.

On July 11, the Co-Chairs again crossed the Line of Contact by foot.

On July 12, they traveled from Nagorno-Karabakh to Yerevan via
Kelbajar, their first visit to that region since the October 2010 Field
Assessment Mission. In all their meetings, the Co-Chairs reaffirmed
their countries’ resolute commitment to a peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as the Presidents of the three Co-Chair
countries emphasized in their June 18 joint statement at Los Cabos.

The Co-Chairs continued discussions from their June 18 meeting
in Paris with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The
Co-Chairs expressed their deep concern over recent incidents along the
frontlines, and reiterated that the sides’ political will to achieve
peace is best demonstrated by refraining from maximalist positions,
respecting the 1994 ceasefire agreement, and abstaining from hostile
public rhetoric.

Regarding reports of the planned opening of an airport in
Nagorno-Karabakh, the Co-Chairs received renewed assurances from the
sides that they will reject any threat or use of force against civil
aircraft, pursue the matter through diplomatic steps, and refrain from
politicizing the issue. The Co-Chairs reaffirmed that operation of this
airport cannot be used to support any claim of a change in the status
of Nagorno-Karabakh, and urged the sides to act in accordance with
international law and consistent with current practice for flights
over their territory.

The Co-Chairs plan to meet again separately with the Foreign Ministers
of Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to prepare for a joint meeting of
the Ministers in September.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

Russia Leader Calls Genocide ‘A Crime Against Humanity’

Asbarez
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Valentina Matviyenko at Dzidzernagapert (photo by Armenpress)

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)-The Armenian Genocide was “was a crime
against humanity and civilization,” said the chairwoman of Russian
Federal Council (Senate), during a visit to Dzidzernageprt memorial
monument on Thursday.

Valentina Matviyenko led a delegation to the Armenian Genocide Museum
and Institute and laid a wreath at the memorial.

“No matter how many centuries pass, such crimes can never be forgotten
nor can they be repeated again,” said Matviyenko adding that it
was the right decision by the Armenians to build such a memorial
dedicated to the innocent victims. “As long as the memory lives on,
such things will never happen again.”

The visiting dignitary was given a guided tour of the Museum-Institute,
after which she signed the Book of Records and watered the tree she
had planted on an earlier visit to the “Memory Garden.”

At a press conference later Thursday with Armenia’s Parliament Speaker
Hovig Abrahamian, Matviyenko said the Russian Federal Council was
interested in strengthening cooperation with Armenia’s National
Assembly.

Matviyenko added that since establishment of diplomatic relations,
Armenia and Russia have reached mutually beneficial cooperation in
most different spheres.

“Armenia is an active member of the CSTO and the Armenian-Russian
military-technical cooperation is productively developing within that
framework,” said Matviyenko.

Abrahamian praised Armenian-Russian cooperation adding that the
visit of the delegation will further contribute to the development
of that cooperation.

RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MINSK GROUP: “THE FORMAT OF NEGOTIATIONS ON CONFLICT’S SETTLEMENT MAY BE EXTENDED IF NAGORNO KARABAKH JOINS THIS PROCESS”

APA
July 12 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Victoria Dementieva-APA. OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Igor Popov
(Russia), Robert Bradtke (US) and Jacques Faure (France) met with
the leadership of separatist regime in Azerbaijan’s occupied region.

APA reports quoting “Novosti-Armenia” that after the meeting with
Bako Sahakyan, Russian co-chair Igor Popov said that the format of
negotiations on the conflict’s settlement may be extended if Nagorno
Karabakh joins this process.

“The co-chairs always said that Karabakh must join the negotiations
process talks at certain. I don’t exactly know when this stage will
start, but I opine that if the discussion of details fn peace treaty
starts, the format of negotiations can be extended”.

BEGLARYAN ESCORTED BY POLICE OFFICERS

03:14 pm | Today | Politics

The RA Ministry of Transport and Communication is studying the issue
relating to the bus drivers that declared a workers’ strike in Abovyan
and Charentsavan cities yesterday.

“The ministry is conducting concrete studies to find out the
illegitimacy and will present the details to you later,” said Minister
of Transport and Communication Gagik Beglaryan.

The bus drivers complain that free buses ride on the same route and
don’t let them gain profits.

According to the owners of the five buses belonging to King Deluxe
Company, the law “On Benevolence” has been breached and those free
buses are illegal.

The drivers were supposed to hold a protest in front of the government
building today, but they didn’t come to Yerevan since Gagik Beglaryan
had managed to talk to them. “The most important thing for me is that
they are working and that all the buses are en route.”

Beglaryan persistently tried to avoid answering questions today,
but he agreed to speak after coming out of the government building
and was escorted to the ministry building by police officers.

GEGHAMYAN SPEECH IN OSCE PA DREW AZERI CRAZY

ARMENPRESS
12 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS: The necessity of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict peaceful settlement was touched upon in OSCE PA.

Armenian NA delegation head in OSCE PA Artashes Geghamyan had a
briefing with the journalists on July 12. ” I came forth with rough
and convincing statements, reportedly Azeri brought counter arguments.

I stated , Armenian soldier Levon Tamrazyan was shot by enemy’s bullet
a couple of days ago, yet they argued the news, stating Armenian
soldier had nothing to do in Azerbaijani areas” Geghamayn noted.

In the words of the interlocutor the delegates realized Azerbaijan
was simply trying to disguise its actions on the border, Armenpress
reports.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Armenian delegation head posed questions
to OSCE Secretary- General Lamberto Zannier: he is expected to come
up with new suggestions, so as Azerbaijan unconditionally follow
the negotiations rule, Nagorno Karabakh issue must be resolved in
accordance with international law.

Zannier agreed, Armenia accepts Minsk Group Co-Chairs proposed document
and their main problem is with Azerbaijan. Geghamyan dwelled on the
statement made by Azerbaijani side that OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
come to the region as tourists, OSCE is expired organization.

” My remarks caused a certain liveliness, and Azerbaijani delegation
was in a very ridiculous situation : they could become enemies with
the Mediators. It was in favor of us, and the delegates understood,
what kind of criteria Azerbaijan followed.

OSCE PA annual conference’s 21 st session was launched on July 5-9,
Monaco.

ARMENIA’S FORMER FM TO APPEAL INVESTIGATOR’S DECISION TO LAUNCH CRIMINAL LAWSUIT

news.am
July 12, 2012 | 10:34

YEREVAN. – The Civilitas Foundation’s founder, former FM, and
Prosperous Armenia Party MP Vartan Oskanian’s representative, attorney
Tigran Atanesyan has petitioned to the Court, Armenian News-NEWS.am
learned from Pastinfo.

They are appealing the investigator’s decision to open a criminal
lawsuit by the National Security Service (NSS). And Oskanian is a
witness in this case.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, on May 25 the NSS Department
of Investigation launched a criminal lawsuit on charges of money
laundering with respect to The Civilitas Foundation, and Vartan
Oskanian is mentioned in this connection.

And, in this regard, Oskanian had written the following in his
Facebook account:

“It was apparent from the content of NSS’ statement issued that
I am being questioned as a suspect and not as a witness along the
lines of the criminal lawsuit that is launched. Considering this,
I decided to use my constitutional right and not to testify.”

Also, he had stated this is political persecution.

A NEW BOOK ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WILL BE PRESENTED IN GLENDALE

ARMENPRESS
12 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS: Lately the publication process of books
on Armenian Genocide has been activated. Third or fourth generations of
many survivors of the Genocide try to introduce the history of their
grandparents with the help of the book. Armenpress reports calling
Asbarez that on July 24 in the Glendale city of California State
will take place the presentation of the book “Crows of the desert:
the memories of Levon Yotnakhparian”.

About the book will speak famous photographer and editor of the book
Levon Baryan who will tell about the memories of his grandfather. In
the book is introduced how Levon joins the Ottoman Empire during the
years of the Genocide and it happens so that “stands face to face
to Armenian Genocide”. The book tells about the feelings and actions
of Levon.

“Crows of Desert: the memories of Levon Yotnakhparian” creation is
richened with various images, maps as well as reports of English and
Arabian high commands.

PARTIES NEGOTIATE WITH RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS PRIOR TO PARLIAMENT POLLS

tert.am
11.07.12

The political parties in Armenia conducted talks with the religious
organizations before the parliamentary election, an expert has said.

Alexander Amaryan, the head of the Center for Rehabilitation and
Assistance to Victims of Destructive Cults, told reporters on
Wednesday that all the parties, except the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia (RPA), the Communist Party and Rule of Law, were in active
negotiations.

“All the religious organizations are funded by abroad, which is
illegal. But for some reason, sectarians do not receive any sanctions,”
he said. “I have informed competent bodies of that. They, in turn, sent
a letter to the party’s leader and said they are aware of everything.”

Referring to a report by the US Department of State, Amaryan noted
that 90% of the Armenia’s population are followers of the Armenian
Apostolic church and only 10% – around 360,000 people – are affiliated
with other religions.

Amaryan added that the importers of different make-up products are
members of different religious organizations.

“For instance, well-known brands such as Mary Cay Cosmetics and
Faberlic work thanks to network marketing implemented though church
organizations. Many of their leaders are representatives of different
religious movements,” he added.

The expert stressed the importance of elaborating laws and preparing
specialists to prevent the activities of destructive cults. As for
their organization, he said they do not receive and are not going to
receive any funding from anyone.

“People in our [organization] work for their ideas, seeking to relieve
others from the network of destructive sects by their own will. I
wouldn’t like to be a monopolist in this field. I would wish other
organizations to work and help us in our efforts,” he noted.