Author: Kalantarian Kevo

The Daily Star, Lebanon
May 5 2012

The keeper of Hamra’s secrets makes a mean Bloody Mary

May 05, 2012 01:33 AM
By Mirella Hodeib, The Daily Star

BEIRUT: The graceful balding man sleekly moves around the miniscule
space. He pours a golden, almost-viscous liquid into a tumbler and
checks on the halloumi cheese slowly grilling in a skillet on the
bulky vintage stove, while nonchalantly responding to the eager
questions of a journalist.

Between all this, he manages to take rapid glances at the football
game airing on one of the specialized cable channels, and mumble along
as Frank Sinatra tunes softly play in the background.

Dodging a question that touches on the women in his life, he swiftly
asks: `So, did Feltman arrive in Beirut?’ in reference to the U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State and former Beirut envoy.

Harout Awakian is not only a multitasker: a man of many hats, someone
who has led multiple exhilarating lives. The veteran bartender is also
the custodian of Hamra Street’s secrets, and a witness of the
district’s socio-political evolution from the 1960s onwards.

He laments the current political polarization in the country and slams
the unprecedented levels of sectarianism, which he argues were not as
pronounced before the 1975-90 Civil War.

Born and raised in the southern city of Tyre, the football player
turned bartender identifies himself as an `Armenian-Shiite.’

Harout received his education at the southern port city’s Jaafarite
School. `My father was the principal of the school,’ he recalls. `He
forced me to attend all religion classes and prayers too.’

Harout maintains that Shiites `will do anything to save a bartender.’

That’s one of the main reasons why I refer to myself as an
Armenian-Shiite,’ he jokingly adds.

The 72-year-old man entertains a unique relationship with Tyre,
passionately evoking the magnificence of its Roman ruins, its hidden
treasures and of course the city’s Armenian Church, so dear to him.

`The remains of the church are now located in what became to be known
as the Bass Palestinian refugee camp in Tyre,’ he explains, melancholy
filling his face.

Much to Harout’s chagrin, the Awakian family was expelled from their
earthly paradise as a result of a dispute between two clans of Tyre’s
feudal al-Khalil family, in which Harout’s father was involved.

In 1958, Harout’s family settled in Ras Beirut, more specifically the
neighborhood of Caracas, close to Hamra. Soon afterward, Harout would
begin to experience life in the capital, and it was the Beirut night
scene that won over the young man with the small expressive eyes that
he purposely hides behind a thick pair of eye glasses.

Following a career as a football player and later an referee, Harout
decided to switch vocations and landed a job at Chez Andre, the
landmark Hamra pub.

This was back in the 1960s and 1970s, when the bustling west Beirut
quarter emerged as a hotspot for artists, intellectuals and political
activists with its numerous cafes, pubs, cabarets and theater venues.

`All the big names came to Chez Andre,’ says Harout. `Yvette Sursock
and her [theater] troop, Ziad Rahbani and several others too.’

Harout notes that it was Chez Andre’s customers that inspired the
famed characters of Rahbani, the satirical playwright, actor and
musician.

`Ziad Rahbani was a great observer,’ adds Harout, who with his
laid-back attitude and self-deprecating humor, could effortlessly play
a character in one of Rahbani’s classic plays.

But it was in his role as cocktail-maker and confidant to his many
faithful customers that Harout excelled. He is reluctant to share the
secrets of the perfect Bloody Mary, the favored drink of Hamra’s belle
époque.

`It’s all in the angostura and Worcestershire sauce,’ he hesitantly
divulges. `The celery stalk is essential to making the drink taste
more uniform.’

Harout’s talent and infatuation with cocktails put him in a fierce
competition with the brother of Chez Andre’s owner, so the rebellious
young Harout resigned to seek opportunity elsewhere.

Unemployment was never an issue for Harout, who served at or managed
Hamra’s most recognized venues including the Rose and Crown and Uncle
Sam; mingling with the rulers of Lebanon’s nightlife sector.

Harout went international at one point, working in Athens, where he
met his Scottish wife, and later on opened his own business in
Chelsea.

`But England was not made for me,’ he confides. `I came back. It’s better here.’

During the long years of the 1975-90 Civil War, he relied on his
connections with the groups and militias that dominated Ras Beirut at
the time to preserve his business.

Today, Harout relies on customers turned close friends to get by.

In the concealed chophouse on Hamra’s Pavillon Street that he opened
several years ago, he pampers long-term friends and friends of
friends, concocting drinks and serving homemade food.

Local and foreign artists, poets and intellectuals flock to Harout’s
bar on a daily basis. They come to enjoy his company, his witty
remarks and the tranquil, unpretentious vibes he exudes.

Just like the Hamra he adores, Harout is open and tolerant; he gives
full freedom to his customers to come behind the bar and order off the
menu when they don’t like items on offer or when Harout is too lazy to
hit the stoves. `I might be the only one to allow this practice,’ he
sighs, shrugging his shoulders.

Life’s little nuisances and alcohol have taken a toll on Harout, whose
heart has grown weak. With a touch of irony he discloses that he had
finally decided to quit the mixology business and finish out his life
at a retirement home after a recent heart attack.

`But they asked for millions of documents and of course a lot of
money,’ he says.

`So I thought to myself it’s really not worth the effort. I’m going to
spend the remaining time doing what I enjoy the most.’

Turkish journalists meet Armenian politicians in Yerevan

tert.am
19:03 – 05.05.12

Several Turkish reporters, who are now visiting in Yerevan to cover
the parliament elections, reportedly have meetings with
representatives of different political parties.

Their visit, sponsored by the Hrant Dink Foundation, was organized by
the US Agency for International Development as part of the efforts to
normalize the Armenia-Turkey relations.

The representatives of Turkey’s leading media outlets have met with
the leader of the opposition Heritage party, Raffi Hovhannisyan.

According to a press release by the party, Hovhannisyan briefed the
guests on the prospects of the Armenia-Turkey relations, the Armenian
Genocide and the dispossession of Armenians, addressing, among other
things the foreign and domestic challenges facing the country.

The journalists also had meetings with the chief of the ARF-D Brueau,
Kiro Manoyan, to discuss a wide range of issues related to Armenia’s
domestic and foreign policies.

Archbishop Choloyan Offers Senate Opening Prayer

by Armenian Weekly
May 5, 2012

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States,
called on Members of Congress to urge Turkey to return confiscated
Christian churches and end U.S. complicity in Turkey’s genocide
denial, during a full day of Capitol Hill meetings, which began with
the offering of the opening prayer at the U.S. Senate and ended with
an invocation at the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Archbishop Choloyan thanked Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), who, along
with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), has spearheaded the `Return of
Churches’ resolution in the Senate. (L-R) ANCA Legislative Affairs
Director Raffi Karakashian, ANC-RI Chairman Steve Elmasian, Rev. Fr.
Sarkis Aktavoukian, Archibishop Choloyan, Sen. Brown, ANCA Chairman
Ken Hachikian, ANCA Eastern Region Board Member Steve Mesrobian, and
ANCA Capital Gateway Fellow Kyle Movsessian.
The archbishop’s opening prayer at the Senate was held on April 25, at
the request of Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed (D) and at the
invitation of the Senate Chaplain. `We thank you in the name of the
Armenian people for your divine mercy in providing them a safe refuge
in this blessed country, the United States of America, where they were
delivered from the depths of despair of genocide and welcomed with new
life,’ said His Eminence. `Reveal your infinite spirit to the members
of this Senate that they may be inspired toward a greatness of purpose
and ennobled in their quest for good governance.’

To view a video of Archbishop Choloyan’s Senate prayer, visit the ANCA
YouTube page at

Sen. Reed welcomed Archbishop Choloyan in a moving Senate floor
statement, which commemorated the Armenian Genocide and called for
U.S. affirmation of that crime. `This year I once again join my
colleagues in encouraging the United States to officially recognize
the Armenian genocide,’ he said. `Denial of this history is not
consistent with our country’s sensitivity to human rights and our
dedication to the highest and noblest principles that should govern
the world. We must continue to educate our young people against this
type of hatred and oppression so we can seek to prevent such crimes
against humanity in the future. It was indeed an honor to be here to
listen to the wise words of the Archbishop, to hear his prayer, his
reflection, and to go forth knowing that he is a powerful force in our
country for tolerance and decency.’

Later in the day, Sen. Reed tweeted about his meeting with the
archbishop, stating, `Proud to host His Eminence Archbishop Choloyan
today for prayer observing anniversary of Armenian Genocide
#NEVERFORGET.’ To view Sen. Reed’s floor statement, visit

Welcoming remarks were also offered by Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid (D-Nev.), who recounted a visit to a church during his first trip
to Armenia, in the early 1990’s after `that very brutal winter when
the Turks had cut off the oil to Armenia.’ He noted, `I have fond
memories of my visit to Armenia. I understand the resiliency of the
people of Armenia, and I remember visiting that church.’ To view Sen.
Majority Leader Reid’s floor statement, visit

Throughout the day, Archbishop Choloyan met with a bipartisan group of
legislators, including: Senators Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Ben Cardin
(D-Md.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jack Reed
(D-R.I.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), as well as, Representatives
David Cicilline (D-RI), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Albio Sires (D-N.J.),
and Bob Turner (R-N.Y.). Archbishop Choloyan was joined in his
Congressional visits by Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, pastor of the
Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church in Bethesda, Md.; ANCA Chairman
Ken Hachikian; ANCA Eastern Region Board Member Stephen Mesrobian; ANC
Rhode Island Chairman Steve Elmasian; as well as ANCA Legislative
Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian and ANCA Capital Gateway Fellow
Kyle Movsessian.

In the evening, Archbishop Choloyan joined over 300 Armenian Americans
from across the U.S. at the annual Congressional Observance of the
Armenian Genocide, organized by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, in conjunction with Armenian American groups as well as the
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and Office of the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic in the U.S. In his invocation, His Eminence Oshagan Choloyan
noted, `Today, once again we gather in this historic room in our
nation’s capital to honor the memory of our one-and-one-half million
martyrs whose faith and love in you never faltered, even unto death.
The first genocide of the 20th century was a prelude to more genocide.
The tragedy of genocide continued because the Ottoman Turkish
perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide were neither confronted nor
punished.’

Take a pictorial tour of Archbishop Choloyan’s efforts in support of
U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and legislation calling on
Turkey to return confiscated Christian Churches through pictures by
visiting the ANCA Facebook page

ARMENIAN PARTIES MAKE LAVISH JOBS AND PAY PLEDGES
By Naira Melkumyan

Institute for War and Peace Reporting
CAUCASUS REPORTING SERVICE, No. 639
May 4, 2012
UK

Politicians respond to public concerns about low living standards,
but it’s unclear whether pledges will be honoured beyond election day.

Parties campaigning for Armenia’s May 6 parliamentary election are
focusing on social and economic issues rather than foreign policy,
for the first time for many years.

The shift in focus has surprised political observers in the country,
who have got used to parties talking about the Nagorny Karabakh dispute
with Azerbaijan, the Armenian genocide and the troubled relationship
with Turkey.

However, some analysts say the proposals on offer from the various
parties look like populist promises to increase public spending
without a clear plan as to how this could be funded.

“This time, three or four parties have presented voters with programmes
containing concrete measures that I don’t recall seeing in any previous
election,” Tatul Manaseryan, head of the Alternative research centre,
said. “All the programmes bear many similarities. In most if not all
cases, we’re talking mainly about promises to provide jobs. They
forget that we’re having a parliamentary election, and parliament
does not create jobs.”

Eight parties and a coalition of smaller ones are fighting for places
in parliament. Most opinion polls suggest that the pro-government
Republican Party and its coalition partners the Prosperous Armenia and
Rule of Law parties will win seats, as will the opposition Armenian
National Congress, Dashnaktsutyun and Heritage parties.

Opinion surveys such as one conducted by Russian pollster VTsIOM for
Shant television indicate that most Armenians see social problems as
the highest priority. Some 51 per cent of respondents in that poll
said it was unemployment that worried them most, while another 25
per cent named low living standards.

The unemployment rate in the country is officially 6.2 percent,
but that figure conceals the large numbers of people who have gone
abroad in search of work.

Political parties both in government and in opposition have responded
by tailoring their campaigns to meet these public concerns.

“Economic development will be directed towards providing people with
work and a decent salary,” President Serzh Sargsyan, head of the
Republican Party, said in a speech he made in Sisian, a town in the
southern Syunik region.

Now that the institutions of state and national defence had been built
up, Sargsyan said, “we can concentrate on resolving the problems
facing all citizens and on improving their standard of living –
which is no less important”.

Tatev Sargsyan, an analyst with the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan,
said the various parties had made plenty of promises, “but they rarely
give an answer as to how they plan to do it. All the parties focus
on people’s difficult social circumstances and the problems facing
rural areas and small and medium-sized businesses, but only a few
are proposing systemic reforms”.

The Rule of Law party, for example, “is talking about numerous social
reforms, raising pensions and salaries, and creating jobs. There are
a lots of proposals to draft and implement whole programmes, but what
these programmes are and how they will be implemented is not stated,”
Sargsyan said.

Opposition party pledges are in similarly optimistic vein.

The Armenian National Congress wants to double state pensions and
raise average monthly wages to 245,000 drams, around 620 US dollars.

Hrant Bagratyan, a former prime minister, said his party would fund
the increases by curbing Armenia’s oligarchs and ending monopolies.

“We are not promising to create jobs, but to create the conditions
for people to be self-employed,” he said. “Robert Kocharyan and
Serzh Sargsyan [former and current presidents] have talked every year
about creating 50,000 to 100,000 jobs, but in the last 12 years the
number of unemployed people has risen from 80,000 or 90,000 people to
302,000. The ANC says it will create 500,000 entrepreneurs by lifting
the monopolies so that people can take an active part in the economy.”

If elected, the socialist Dashnaktsutyun party would create 220,000 new
jobs, raise wages at least fourfold for police, soldiers and healthcare
workers, and substantially increase child benefits, according to Arsen
Hambardzumyan, a former labour minister. The Heritage Party is making
similar promises – creating more workplaces, and raising average
monthly wages to 200,000 drams and the minimum wage to 80,000 drams.

Experts question whether the wage increases on offer are at all
possible.

“At least half the workforce – 550,000 people – now earn less than
80,000 drams. The opposition knows this, and is just trying to fool
people,” Karlen Khachatryan, a lecturer at Yerevan State University,
said. “A sharp increase in the minimum wage could have negative
consequences – increasing the size of shadow or concealed employment
and spurring inflation. Increasing average wages can only be done
by reducing unemployment and improving labour productivity. But you
can’t achieve that in a month or a year; you need a long-term policy.”

Khachatryan said parties should avoid making populist promises that
would do more harm than good.

“Combating the shadow economy and the monopolies in a short-term way
cannot be effective. Systemic, well-thought-out steps are needed.

Citing figures and making declarations are no more than populism
unless they’re underpinned by serious analysis.”

Now the parties have to convince the average voter that they will
stick by their pledges. Judging by the reactions of people like
Yerevan resident Rita Sargsyan, 56, that will take some doing.

“Both on the right and on the left, everyone is promising mountains of
gold – high wages and pensions. But once they come to power, they’ll
forget all about it,” she said. “I’m fed up even listening to them.

Many of them have been in power before, and others are in power now,
but the situation hasn’t changed much. They should try living on these
[current] wages and pensions.”

Naira Melkumyan is a freelance journalist in Armenia.

ANC-RI COMMEMORATES GENOCIDE

Armenian Weekly
May 4, 2012

Flag Raising in N. Providence

On Fri., April 20, the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Rhode
Island hosted the annual North Providence flag raising. A crowd of
close to 100 gathered to pay respect to our martyrs. North Providence
was the first town in the state of Rhode Island to officially raise the
flag in memory of the martyrs-and has continued to do so for 16 years.

The following elected officials were present: Senator Jack Reed, Cong.

David Cicilline, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, Attorney General
Peter Kilmartin, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Cranston Mayor Allan
Fung, the Honorable Aram Garabedian, State Rep. Raymond Hull, and the
host, Mayor Charles Lombardi. Numerous town council and department
heads from the town were also in attendance.

Richard Shadoian was this year’s honoree. He was chosen by the local
ANC to receive the citation from Lombardi on behalf of the Armenian
community of North Providence. He is a retired 40-year veteran of the
North Providence School Department, serving as a teacher and rising
all the way to the rank of superintendent. He spoke of the loss of
his grandmother during the death march through the Syrian desert,
which brought tears to the crowd’s eyes.

Clergy present were Rev. Hagop Manjelikian of the Armenian Evangelical
Church, who gave the blessing, and Arch Priest Gomidas Baghsarian
of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, who closed with a
final prayer.

A message from the local ANC was given by emcee, Stephen Elmasian.

Refreshments followed in the council chambers.

Annual ARS Blood Drive

On Sun., April 22, over 20 people gave blood at the annual ARS blood
drive done memory of our martyrs. The drive was organized by the
Providence ARS “Ani” and “Arax” Chapters. This tradition has been
going on for years and will continue next year.

Flag Raising in Cranston

On Mon., April 23, Cranston City Hall was the sight of the ANC’s
flag raising ceremony. The first floor lobby was full beyond capacity
as 200 people were hosted by Mayor Allan Fung. The event began with
the singing of the American and Armenian National Anthems by Joanne
Mouradjian and Debra Pjojian, respectively. Elected officials present
and speaking were Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, House Leader Nicholas
Mattiello, State Senator Hanna Gallo, and the Hon. Aram Garabedian.

Der Hayr Shnork Souin of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic
Church gave a moving message and blessing. Badveli Hagop Manjelikian
of the Armenian Evangelical Church shared his comments as well. Arch
Priest Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church
closed with a message and final prayer.

Two youth from the community, Cory Garabedian and Harout Tashian,
also read. Both did admirable jobs representing our future when it
comes to getting the Armenian Genocide its proper recognition.

Mayor Fung shared his thoughts on why we were at city hall, and read
a citation to this year’s honoree, Souren Mouradjian, a World War II
veteran who received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star while serving
his nation. He has served in the choir and as choir director at Sts.

Vartanantz Church for over 60 years. He spoke of his own adversity
during the genocide, where he lost a number of his own family members.

The Homenetmen Scouts escorted Fung and Mouradjian outside to the flag
pole where the Armenian flag was once again raised in honor of our
martyrs while the scouts stood as honor guards at attention singing
“Mer Hairenik.” Refreshments followed.

Events at RI State House

On Tues., April 24, at the Rhode Island State House at the rise
of the House, Arch Priest Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz
Armenian Apostolic Church gave the opening prayer at the start of
the proceedings in the House of Representatives. At the same time,
Debra Pjojian sang both the American and Armenian National Anthems
on the Senate side, where a number of Armenians were present on the
Senate floor and recognized by the elected officials. Also present on
the Senate side was Der Hayr Shnork Souin of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
Armenian Apostolic Church. The Honorable Chief Judge of the Family
Court, Haiganush Bedrosian, shared her comments to both the House
and Senate. Both houses went on to read their annual resolutions
recognizing April 24 as Armenian Genocide Day. A proclamation had
previously been written by Gov. Lincoln Chafee recognizing April 24
as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

The Armenian flag hung from the gallery in both the House and Senate
and flew outside of the building as it does every year.

Sen. Hanna Gallo of Cranston read moving words and was joined by
a number of other members of the Senate, including Sen. Maryellen
Goodwin. A reception followed at the conclusion of the program on
the Senate side. Representatives also rose and spoke regarding the
importance of recognizing what happened to our ancestors and calling
it by its proper name: genocide.

‘Grandma’s Tattoos’

On the evening of April 24, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, a brief memorial
mass for the martyrs was followed by the showing of the documentary
film titled “Grandma’s Tattoos.” The event was hosted by the Providence
ARF and the two Providence ARS Chapters. An overflow crowd was present
to hear messages from Sarkis Tarpinian of the ARF, Pauline Getzoyan
of the ARS, and Sarah Varadian, AYF president, whose moving opening
remarks provided an appropriate transition to the movie. Arch Priest
Der Gomidas Baghsarian gave closing remarks. A reception followed.

Washington

On Wed., April 25, two ANC-RI members, Stephen Elmasian and
Stephen Mesrobian, attended the annual ANCA Capitol Hill Genocide
Commemorations and Observances. They visited the offices of Sen. Jack
Reed, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Cong. Jim Langevin, Cong. David
Cicilline, Cong. Barney Frank, and Sen. Scott Brown.

(L-R) Lisa Tatarian, Stephen Elmasian, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian,
Archbishop Choloyan, Sen. Jack Reed, Rosanne Haroian, and Stephen
Mesrobian “We here in Rhode Island are blessed to have all four of our
federal representatives backing our cause for genocide recognition,”
said Elmasian. They were accompanied throughout the day by several
others, most notably Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, who spoke movingly
on genocide recognition and the return of Christian churches in Turkey.

Archbishop Choloyan gave the opening prayer in the Senate. He was
followed by opening remarks by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and
then Sen. Reed.

Elmasian and Mesrobian were escorted around the nation’s capital
by Providence natives, Rosanne Haroian of Reed’s office and Lisa
Sarkisian Tatarian of Cicilline’s office.

The evening concluded with a reception in the Kennedy Room in the
Senate, where a crowd of 250 gathered to hear words of encouragement
from many of the nation’s lawmakers including Sen. Reed and Cong.

Cicilline, who once again affirmed their commitment to our cause.

Flag sponsorship program

For the past 14 years, every city and town hall in the state of
Rhode Island, along with the Rhode Island State House, have flown the
Armenian flag in memory of our martyrs. The local ANC started a flag
sponsorship program 7 years ago that began with 29 flag sponsors. This
year a new record of 81 community members and organizations sponsored
a flag at a city or town hall of their choice and had the flag flown
in memory of a loved one. Each flag sponsor will be recognized at
the ANC Meet the Candidates Picnic in the fall and presented with a
citation and a 3×5 foot flag.

DAY OF SILENCE IN ARMENIA BEFORE PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS

NEWS.AM
May 05, 2012 | 00:01

YEREVAN. – A Day of Silence is launched in Armenia ahead to the
parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday. Any kind of advocacy
is banned on Saturday.

Central Electoral Commission (CEC) will publish the final number
of the voters, while the voting bulletins will be given to the
precincts on Saturday. The CEC has published 2,579,000 bulletins for
the proportional system and 2,550,000 for the majoritarian.

“MY HUSBAND IS IN RETAIL”

Or How President’s Daughters Ended Up Owning Mega-Million Dollars
Holding Company

The current article is based on the results of a new investigation
presented by the US-based non-profit organization Azerbaijani-Americans
for Democracy (AZAD). It is a logical sequence to the series of recent
reports about an enormous wealth accumulated by Azerbaijan’s ruling
family. Previous investigations by Radio Liberty journalist Khadija
Ismayilova about President’s daughter owning the mobile phone operator
“Azerfon” and commercial bank “Azalbank”, an article in Washington
Post on luxury Dubai villas belonging to President’s 11-years old
son, and the CNBC documentary “Filthy Rich”, vividly portraying the
corrupt fortunes of Aliyev family, – all drew a lot of attention from
worldwide audiences.

For a Russian version of this article, please click here.

Founded in 2003, “ATA-Holding” is one of the largest conglomerates
in today’s Azerbaijan, encompassing a diverse group of companies
in financial, manufacturing, tourist and other industries. Among
its holdings are the banks “ATA Bank” and “VTB Bank (Azerbaijan)”,
insurance company “ATA Insurance”, leasing company “ATA Leasing”,
hotel “Excelsior” and many other enterprises in different sectors
of the country’s economy. The Holding is also the official sponsor
of International Federation of Field Hockey, International Wrestling
Federation, and is a winner of various awards and contests affirming
the achievements of its various companies in Azerbaijan.

According to the information posted on the official website of
ATA Holding, the company’s charter capital (founding capital) in
local currency equivalent amounts to $107 million US dollars. Very
little other financial information is available to the public, and
the information about the holding’s ownership is veiled in a shroud
of mystery.

So, who are the owners of this mega-million, rapidly growing business
venture in Azerbaijan? Although many “informed” individuals within
Azerbaijani public have long considered it an open secret that
the higher-up figure behind the holding group is the Minister of
Finance Fazil Mamedov, with his relatives and associates managing its
affiliated companies, no official documents were ever presented to
confirm these allegations. AZAD’s investigation sheds light on the
real owners of ATA Holding, pointing clearly to…

The God Father

Coming to power in 2003, President Ilham Aliyev set new rules
of business in Azerbaijan. The system founded by his father and
predecessor, Heydar Aliyev, could no longer rely on the unquestionable
reputation and fear of the “god father”. In the hands of Aliyev-junior
it needed more tangible devices for holding command over different
clans plundering the country’s riches.

This resulted in a mass transfer of controlling share of the largest
companies to previously unknown firms registered in faraway offshore
zones, but in reality belonging to the President’s family members.

In other words, his status of “god father” was thus strengthened
by the corporate raiding – forcible seizure of businesses ownership
practiced by the highest official in the state.

Appearently, ATA Holding has also met the same fate.

According to the records from Azerbaijan State Registrar, the 51%
controlling share of ATA Holding belongs to “Hughson Management, Inc.”

registered in Panama, one of the leading offshore business zones (a
photocopy of the document is attached below; we deliberately removed
from the attached below picture references to the document inquiry
codes in order to protect the identity of the sources).

In its turn, records from Panama State Registrar (a photocopy of the
document is attached below) show as the owners of “Hughson Management,
Inc” … Arzu Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva, the daughters of the President
of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

Thus, president’s two daughters possess the controlling share of
ATA Holding, worth minimum $55 million US dollars based on charter
capital alone, with real market value being higher by many-fold.

When it comes to his hidden fortunes, the circle of people whom
Azerbaijani President can trust is very small, indeed. And we can only
hope that he realizes the future he is building for his daughters,
who might have to keep saying “my husband is in retail”, as Leyla
Aliyeva did when she responded to the CNBC reporter’s question about
the sources of her family’s wealth. (AzeriReport)

Excerpts from Azerbaijan State Registrar Records

Excerpts from Panama State Registrar Records

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA, ARFD, ANC TO COOPERATE ON VOTING DAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 4, 2012 – 14:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Representatives of Prosperous Armenia, ARF
Dashnaktsutyun and Armenian National Congress (ANC) involved in
inter-party headquarters will closely cooperate on the voting day,
ANC coordinator said.

Levon Zurabyan noted that these forces plan to form mobile groups
that will report on egregious election violations on election day,
proposing the observers also to join those groups.

He further noted that ANC doesn~Rt forecast the Constitutional Court
to rule the point banning voting lists publication unconstitutional.

~SFor this reason, inter-party members decided to register the voters.

By registering voters on the election day, we will disclose the
state secret,~T

ANC coordinator noted that all the three political forces will join
in alternative counting of voting results.

Parliamentary elections, due in Armenia on May 6, feature 8 political
parties, Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Prosperous Armenia, ARF
Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD), Orinats Yerkir, Heritage, Democratic Party of
Armenia (DPA), Communist Party of Armenia and United Armenian party,
as well as one election bloc represented by opposition Armenian
National Congress (ANC).

URUGUAY THINKS KARABAKH ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED ON THE BASIS OF SELF-DETERMINATION

ARMENPRESS
4 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian constituency of
Nagorno-Karabakh is closely related to Armenia and this is its future.

Armenpress reports that such a declaration made Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Oriental Republic of Uruguay Luis Almagro during the joint
briefing with Armenian foreign affairs minister Edward Nalbandian.

“For Uruguay the suggestions made by OSCE Minsk group are clear
enough to find support from other Latin American countries as well”
said Almagro.

In his words Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh are related to every
stone of that country and did not come from other place.

“Self-determination is a fundamental right and that is the position
of Uruguay” stressed the minister.

Almagro added that Uruguay respects all UN fundamental principles
and thinks that Karabakh issue must be resolved peacefully and in
the basis of self-determination right.

“This issue can not have any military solution about which
international community has also expressed rather simply on behalf
of Minsk group” mentioned Almagro.

THE RUINS OF THE ARMENIAN MEDIEVAL CHURCH IN BULGARIA TO BECOME A HISTORICAL-CULTURAL MONUMENT

19:35 . 03/05

The Ambassador of Armenia in Bulgaria Arsen Shoyan met the mayor of
Veliko Tarnovo Daniel Panov.

According to the information of the foreign ministry, the aim of
the meeting was the issue of the future fate of the Armenian church
constructed in late middle ages and destroyed at the beginning of
the 20th century.

A Bulgarian businessman found the land plot, on which the ruins of
the church are located, in 2008.

According to the agreement reached between the Armenian embassy and
the mayor of Veliko Tranovo, the local authorities and the proprietor
will take measures to turn the ruins of the Armenian church into a
historical-cultural monument of the town.