Author: Kanayan Tamar

TURKEY NOT TO TAKE STEPS CONTRARY TO AZERBAIJANI INTERESTS

News.Az
Mon 14 May 2012 16:10 GMT | 17:10 Local Time

Armenian former Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said he is confident
that Turkey will never take steps contrary to Azerbaijani interests.

According to amerikaliturk.com, Oskanyan said this in a statement to
Turkish journalists in Yerevan.

The former minister said that any progress in Turkish-Armenian
relations won’t be possible unless the Karabakh conflict is settled.

“I have no idea of the way the Karabakh conflict will be settled.

However, I know that the improvement of relations between the two
countries depends on Karabakh conflict settlement. As I see and as
far as I know, the Turkish-Armenian border won’t open unless the
conflict is solved”.

“MARRIOTT” IS LIKELY TO EXPAND ITS ACTIVITY IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
14 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: “Marriott” international hotel complex
does not rule out opening of a new hotel in Armenia.

In an interview with Armenpress Steve Horvath, Area Director
Revenue Management Eastern Europe said that they do not exclude that
possibility, but it must make a sense.

“We should study the market, to understand the demand, and only then
adopt such a decision. Marriott, being an international complex,
is always ready to expand its activity in a country like Armenia,”
Horwath assured, stressing that they must first find partners and
then make distinct decisions.

Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan is the only internationally managed
hotel brand located right on Republic Square, business and cultural
center of city.

The Yerevan Hotel features 226 spacious guest rooms, including 11
suites; 2 executive floors & lounge with superior service and the
city center views.

FRICTIONS AU SEIN DU CONGRES NATIONAL ARMENIEN
Gari

armenews.com
mardi 15 mai 2012

A peine entre au Parlement armenien, a la faveur des elections
megislatives du 6 mai, le Congrès national armenien (HAK), bloc de
partis d’opposition conduits par Levon Ter Petrossian, est-il menace
d’eclatement ? La question se pose depuis qu’Aram Sarkisian, grande
figure de l’opposition, a annonce vendredi 11 mai qu’il renoncait a
son siège de l’Assemblee, en precisant que sa formation, Hanrapetutyun
(Republique) pourrait quitter le HAK en raison de desaccords avec la
direction du mouvement.

A.Sarkisian figurait en troisième place sur la liste des candidats
du HAK aux elections du 6 mai, qui ont permis a l’alliance conduite
par L. Ter Petrossian de faire son entree a l’Assemblee nationale,
avec 7 sièges sur les 131 que compte la Chambre. “A tous ceux qui
entrent honnetement a l’Assemblee nationale dans l’espoir de changer
les choses, je leur souhaite du succes, et je ne voudrai pas les
freiner par mes positions realistes et pragmatiques, ainsi que par
ma presence”, a declare A. Sarkisian lors d’une conference de presse
a Erevan. A. Sarkisian, dont le parti est une composante majeure du
HAK, a confirme certaines informations parues dans la presse selon
lesquelles il etait en desaccord croissant avec Ter Petrossian et
l’entourage de l’ancien president.

Les differends auraient surgi au cours du printemps 2011 et se seraient
aggraves depuis, tant sur la politique interieure qu’etrangère. Il
a ainsi precise que son parti, Hanrapetutyun, etait favorable a
des actions plus radicales visant a ” changer le regime ” avant
les dernières elections. Ce parti, qui affiche des positions plus
dures contre le pouvoir en place, s’est aussi montre oppose a la
cooperation avec le parti Armenie prospère (BHK), de l’homme d’affaire
Gagik Tsarukian, esquissee par le HAK. Dans un contexte international
marque par le ” printemps arabe “, le HAK avait lance une campagne
massive de manifestations contre le pouvoir en fevrier 2011. Mais
Ter-Petrossian avait nuance ses positions après que le gouvernement eut
fait plusieurs concessions. Le HAK avait meme engage le dialogue avec
le pouvoir durant l’ete avant de l’interrompre sur un constat d’echec.

Les premiers signes d’une rupture entre Hanrapetutyun et Ter-Petrossian
ont apparu en fevrier dernier quand la direction du HAK a prepare ses
listes de candidats. Les militants du parti n’ont guère apprecie que
A. Sarkisian soit le seul representant de la formation a figurer en
bonne position sur cette liste. A.Sarkisian, qui fut premier ministre
en 1999-2000, a refuse lors de sa conference de presse d’exclure
l’eventualite d’un retrait de son parti du HAK. Il a precise qu’il
rendrait ” bientôt ” ses positions publiques après avoir clarifie la
situation avec ses collaborateurs.

Selon A. Sarkisian, son parti est reste au sein du HAK car il
ne voulait pas faire perdre de voix a l’alliance conduite par
Ter-Petrosian le 6 mai. “Maintenant que le scrutin est passe, nous
sommes libres d’exprimer nos positions”, a-t-il fait savoir. La
direction du HAK a refuse de commenter l’information, Levon Zourabian,
son porte-parole, preferant ne pas speculer sur l’eventualite d’une
ruprure avec ce parti. Il a pourtant fait allusion a certaines des
critiques enoncees par A. Sarkissian, en rappelant que tous au HAK,
etaient favorables a un changement de regime si possible avant le
scrutin, et que parmi la dizaine de partis d’opposition regroupes
dans le HAK, aucun ne s’etait officiellement oppose a une cooperation
avec le BHK quant a une action commune visant a assurer la regularite
du scrutin.

La question de la cooperation avec le BHK reste d’ailleurs au c~ur
des preoccupations de l’opposition. Venu en 2e position derrière le
Parti republicain (HHK) du president Serge Sarkissian lors du scrutin
du 6 mai, le BHK a joint sa voix a deux partis de l’opposition, le HAK
et la FRA Dachnaktsoutioun, pour denoncer les fraudes et irregularites.

Mais dans le meme temps, il pourrait renouveler sa cooperation avec
le HHK au sein d’une coalition gouvernement ale.

Le 14 mai pourtant, les deux grands partis ont tenu a faire savoir
qu’ils n’avaient pas encore engage de negociations officielles en ce
sens. Le premier ministre sortant Tigrane Sarkissian avait laisse
entendre quelques jours avant que des tractations etaient en cours
mais Edouard Chakhnazarov, le porte parole du HHK, qui dispose d’une
confortable majorite a l’Assemblee nationale, a indique que son parti
ne savait pas encore s’il allait partager le pouvoir.

Par ailleurs, au sein du BHK, des voix se sont elevees contre une
nouvelle coalition, comme Vartan Oskanian ou Hmayak Hovannessian, qui
a par exemple conditionne la participation du BHK a une nouvelle
coalition a une declaration officielle du Parti republicain
reconnaissant que ” les elections du 6 mai ne refletaient pas la
reelle volonte des electeurs “.

GREAT POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-KOREAN RELATIONS – OFFICIAL

news.am
May 14, 2012 | 21:21

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Parliament Speaker Samvel Nikoyan received on
Monday the Korean delegation headed by the South Korea Parliament
Vice Speaker Hong Jae-Hyong.

Nikoyan believes that the MPs’ visit will be a new impetus for the
development between the two states and parliaments, parliamentary
press service informs.

Korean legislative stated in his turn that bilateral relations have
developed actively in the recent 20 years, which inspires optimism
for further cooperation.

In addition, Nikoyan believes that there is great potential to develop
and strengthen the relations between Armenia and Korea, including
trade-economic, scientific-technical, educational and cultural fields.

Armenia’s disposition in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process also
was presented.

AKHTAMAR ISLAND TO BE ILLUMINATED

tert.am
14.05.12

Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Affairs Ministry has decided to continue
the renovation of Akhtamar Island of Van. The ministry is going to
illuminate the island.

The renovation program intends greening the territory of the island
and building an illumination system which will give an opportunity
to visit the island at night too. The program will be implemented in
the summer months. During this period though, the church will be open
for visitors.

Zaman daily reminds that Akhtamar St. Cross Church was reconstructed
in 2007 to show Ankara’s endeavor to improve relations with Armenia.

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH TO COMMENT ON SITUATION AROUND ST NSHAN

news.am
May 14, 2012 | 15:46

ETCHMIADZIN. – The Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic
Church (AAC) will convene a session on Tuesday to discuss the issue
of St Nshan church wall collapse in Tbilisi, spokesperson for the
Holy See priest Vahram Melkonyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am adding
the church has not been transferred to the Georgian diocese so far.

According to him, the AAC is concerned about the condition of the
Armenian churches in Georgia and in particular about the fate of St
Nshan, which is in tragic and miserable condition in Tbilisi.

To note, St Nshan was partially damaged on May 13 due to heavy
precipitations. Previously the church was damaged twice earlier this
year due to fires. As a result, a group of experts from the Armenian
Ministry of Culture left for Tbilisi to reach an arrangement with
the Georgian authorities to restore the church.

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES VISIT AZERBAIJANI SERVICEMAN HELD IN ARMENIAN CAPTIVITY

APA
May 14 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva – APA. On May 7, representatives of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation to Armenia
visited the Azerbaijani serviceman held in Armenian captivity.

Spokesperson for ICRC Delegation to Azerbaijan Shahla Gahramanova
told APA that two Red Cross letters were given to the captive and
one Red Cross letter was taken from him.

Corporal of Azerbaijani Army Akhundzadeh Mammadbaghuir Talib, born
1990, was captured by the Armenians near Yukhari Chayli village of
Azerbaijan’s Terter region on line of contact between the Armenian
and Azerbaijani troops. Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan confirmed the
fact of captivity.

“THE PARLIAMENTARIANS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOLUTION OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT”

APA
May 14 2012
Azerbaijan

Interview with the chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Committee on
CIS Affairs, member of the Liberal Democratic Party Leonid Sulutski

– How do you value the Azerbaijan-Russia relations?

– I think the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are at a high
level. We marked the anniversary of founder of the modern Azerbaijani
statehood Heydar Aliyev on May 10. I am proud of our friendly relations
with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. I consider that Ilham
Aliyev is very serious and wise leader. I can not forget the words
said by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in the Antalya
summit several years ago. Nazarbayev said that Ilham Aliyev sent
back the waves of colored revolutions coming from the West. Ilham
Aliyev is a great leader. I have known him since his leadership in the
Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe. Today, as the President of Azerbaijan, he is doing great work.

I must note that he healthy maturated as a national leader and
Azerbaijan was changed significantly under his leadership. Very
successful steps were taken in the prevention of poverty. Azerbaijan
has independent energy policy. This is a real revolution in the
Azerbaijani economy.

I consider that there were some tensions in the Russia-Azerbaijan
relations, but we have already forgotten these problems. Today we
have very high and constructive relations, but there are still some
disputed issues.

– On May 15, the CIS leaders will hold informal summit in Moscow. What
issues will be discussed in the summit?

– The CIS leaders will discuss the issues related to the Eurasian
Economic Community and Free Trade Zone, as well as the Eurasian
integration issues. I think the issue of Free Trade Zone will be
discussed both in bilateral, multilateral formats.

– Azerbaijan didn’t express willingness to join this organization. How
could you comment it?

– If Azerbaijan hasn’t expressed his desire yet, it means that
Azerbaijan is not ready for it. Azerbaijan is an independent state.

The educated people work in this state and the government as well. If
Azerbaijan didn’t express consent to this or another issue, it means
that it continues to analyze the advisability of this situation, and
joining this or another agreement, including the Free Trade Zone. I
consider it advisable if Azerbaijan joins this agreement and Free
Trade Zone in the near future. But, of course, Azerbaijan should
pass this decision itself. In my opinion, our close relations with
Azerbaijan, including our counterparts in the Azerbaijani Parliament
will offer an opportunity to solve the problems jointly and through
the mutual understanding.

– Is Vladimir Putin expected to take active part in the settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict as his predecessor Dmitry Medvedev?

– This is very delicate issue. I would give a parliamentary format to
the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The parliamentarians
can contribute to the solution of the problem. But this is a very
complex issue because we speak about the first assigned task and the
first result, which must be achieved, is the return of the occupied
seven regions. It is the point of issue. It seems to me that a new
impetus must be given to the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.

I want to express gratitude to Russian and Azerbaijani foreign
ministers. I consider that they work successfully toward the settlement
of the conflict.

– Can we expect anything in the settlement of the conflict this year?

– This is such a delicate topic that it is quite difficult to forecast
something. One needs to do work at first and then to speak.

ARTO TUNCBOYACIYAN AND ARMENIAN NAVY BAND
Anna Sulimina

The Moscow News
May 14 2012
Russia

May 19, 7 pm, Moscow International House of Music (MMDM), 52
Kosmodamianskaya Nab., bldg 8, m. Paveletskaya,

Folk singer Arto Tuncboyaciyan and his Armenian Navy Band are giving
a concert on Saturday at the Moscow International House of Music.

Born in Turkey of Armenian descent, the multi-instrumentalist
Tuncboyaciyan emigrated to the United States about 30 years ago
and set up one of the best folk and ethnojazz bands of its time. A
genuine mix of percussion, saxophone, trumpet and Armenian national
instruments produces a deep, ecological sound, reminiscent of the
pristine nature of the Armenian highlands.

Armenian Navy Band was named Best European Band at the BBC Audience
World Music Awards 2006. In 2010, Tuncboyaciyan joined Paul Winter
in recording “Miho: Journey to the Mountain,” which won a Grammy in
the Best New Age Album category for that year.

In their Moscow concert, Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Armenian Navy Band are
to improvise with Russian saxophonist Igor Butman, jam with legendary
rocker Boris Grebenshchikov, and even play together with musician and
Comedy Club resident Pavel Volya, with whom Tuncboyaciyan created an
unforgettable soundtrack to the film “Platon.”

La Stampa, Italia
11 maggio 2012

Armenia: elezioni politiche zeppe di irregolarità

TRADOTTO DA E. INTRA E S. GLIEDMAN

Nell’ultimo anno, il presidente armeno Serzh Sarkisian aveva
ripetutamente affermato l’intenzione di garantire che le elezioni
politiche, tenutesi il 6 maggio scorso, fossero le più democratiche di
tutta la storia post-sovietica del Paese.

I partner stranieri ne avevano appoggiato l’intenzione, tanto che
l’ambasciatore USA John Heffern lo scorso autunno aveva riferito che
Washington stava lavorando con Yerevan per fare in modo che il voto
parlamentare del 2012 e la tornata presidenziale nel 2013 fossero “le
migliori elezioni di sempre, svolte pienamente in linea con gli
standard internazionali”.

Lo scrutinio parlamentare della scorsa domenica tuttavia non è
riuscito a tenere fede alle aspettative.
In una dichiarazione rilasciata il 7 maggio, l’OSCE afferma che
nonostante le libertà di aggregazione e di espressione siano state
rispettate durante la campagna elettorale, il voto è stato invece
caratterizzato da una `generale mancanza di fiducia nell’integrità del
processo elettorale da parte dei partiti politici e degli elettori’.

E’ stata sancita la vittoria del Partito Repubblicano del presidente
Serzh Sarkisian, che ha conquistato il 44,5% dei voti e la stragrande
maggioranza dei seggi in parlamento. Questa vittoria pone Sarkisian in
netto vantaggio rispetto agli avversari anche per le presidenziali del
prossimo anno.

L’ultima aggiunta alla coalizione attualmente al governo – Armenia
Prospera – è seconda con il 31%, mentre il maggior partito di
opposizione, il Congresso Nazionale guidato dall’ex-Presidente Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, è riuscito a ottenere sette seggi in parlamento.
Nonostante ciò, quest’ultimo ha affermato che il voto dovrebbe essere
annullato per via dei moltissimi episodi di corruzione e altre
violazioni di ogni genere.

Queste alcune reazioni su Twitter:

Onnik Kirkorian: `I partiti al potere tendono a restare al potere’.
Ani Wandaryan: `Presenza [in Parlamento] assicurata a tutti i partiti
che restano, però ininfluenti visto che il Partito Repubblicano
conquista la stragrande maggioranza’.

Anche la Missione internazionale di osservazione elettorale (MIOE) fa
notare in un comunicato stampa che la pressione sugli elettori da
parte dei funzionari locali del Partito repubblicano di Sarkisian
(HHK), insieme al rifiuto delle commissioni elettorali di prendere in
considerazione i numerosi appelli e denunce, “hanno creato un campo di
gioco impari”.

Tra le irregolarità, sono state riportate numerose segnalazioni di
compravendita dei voti da parte dell’HHK, inclusa la distribuzione
apparentemente benefica di 500 trattori nelle zone rurali portata
avanti da Armenia Prospera.

Nel corso della giornata sono stati anche riportati problemi di
sovraffollamento ai seggi elettorali nonché tentativi da parte di
osservatori nazionali o di persone delegate dai vari partiti
dell’opposizione di assumere funzioni che sono prerogative del
personale della commissione.

In un seggio elettorale nella provincia di Kotayk, un funzionario del
distretto ha invalidato delle schede compilate da persone che
sospettava di aver votato per un partito diverso dall’HHK inserendole
nelle urne sbagliate.

Samvel Martirosyan, del progetto itord.org, pubblica su Twitter la
foto `Gemelli al voto’. Questo invece un “voto di gruppo” filmato
dalle telecamere (a cura di CivilNet):

Il trucco più pubblicizzato, nonché potenzialmente più dannoso, è
stato l’inchiostro usato per marcare il passaporto di chi aveva già
votato, che avrebbe dovuto durare almeno 12 ore (per evitare che la
gente ripetesse il voto) e che invece svaniva molto prima. La
spiegazione del presidente della Commissione elettorale centrale
Tigran Mukuchian, secondo cui l’inchiostro sbiadiva solo perché la
bottiglia non era stata scossa vigorosamente prima di essere
utilizzata, è risultata mediatamente falsa.

La promessa di `elezioni pienamente in linea con gli standard
internazionali” non è stata quindi mantenuta. ILa sensazione che si
percepisce dai vari social media armeni è, più che di scontento e
amarezza per le aspettative deluse, di profonda sfiducia nel futuro.
Una certa curiosità sembra essersi riaccesa nelle ultime ore, attorno
alla notizia, riportata da untweet di Levon Sevunts, che rilancia in
inglese quello originale di Armenia Liberty, secondo cui il presidente
avrebbe avanzato l’ipotesi di una “coalizione di governo pur se i
Repubblicani hanno la maggioranza”.