Author: Kanayan Tamar

TURQUIE-ARMENIENS
Le figurant qui tenait le rôle du soldat Arménien grièvement blessé
lors de la comédie
les balles du tireur étaient réelles…

Le journaliste Engin Artec dans un éditorial paru dans le journal turc
« Sabah » condamne ouvertement les mises en scènes de « la libération
des terres du main des ennemis », des représentations publiques qui
nourrissent la haine envers les Arméniens. E. Artec prend l’exemple de
la France qui n’a jamais procédé à ces mises en scènes pour
représenter la libération du territoire de l’occupant Allemand. Le
journaliste revient sur les faits qui se déroulèrent récemment dans la
ville d’Ardjech près de Van. Lors de la représentation, un « comédien
» censé représenter « l’occupant Arménien » reçut des tirs d’armes à
balles réelles, alors d’une arme factice devait simuler la scène de
guerre.

« Les nôtres sont très avancés, ils ont fait feu sur « l’Arménien »
avec des balles réelles. A Ardjech on fait feu avec un fusil de chasse
sur le comédien qui tient le rôle du soldat arménien. Maintenant ce
dernier est soigné à l’hôpital de Van car les « libérateurs »
d’Ardjéch n’ont pas eu le temps lors de ces 90 dernières années de
btir un hôpital. Le blessé grave est Mourat Alpaslan, un employé
municipal. Personne ne voulant réaliser ce rôle du soldat arménien et
on l’avait obligé à accepter ce rôle » ironise le journaliste de «
Sabah ». Il ajoute qu’au lieu de réparer les traces du séisme du 23
octobre dernier, la municipalité d’Ardjéch « gaspille son temps sur
des mises en scènes anti-arméniennes ». Les autorités d’Ardjéch
désirant célébrer le 94e anniversaire de la « libération de la ville
de l’occupant arménien » avait mise en place cette représentation
vouée à la gloire du soldat turc, le « héros ». Scènes ordinaires
d’une Turquie qui se voit européenne…

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 8 avril 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

THREE SOLDIERS BADLY HURT IN MINE BLAST, PAPER SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Ne
April 7, 2012 – 11:17 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Zhoghovud paper quotes its sources as saying that
three soldiers were badly injured on March 31 in an anti-personnel
mine blast in Chinari village in Tavush province.

The militaries climbed on the mine for unknown reasons. The mine
blast left Khoren Saribekyan, Hovhannes Vardanyan and Marat Grigoryan
heavily injured; the three were moved to hospital.

The information was confirmed by Armenia’s Defense Ministry’s
investigative service spokesperson Mery Sargsyan. She said a criminal
case is filed on violation of the active duty regulations according
to Article 365, part 1.

“DISHONORABLE ERROR” (“ANBADVAPE’R VRIBOOM”) CONCERNING VOROGAIT PARATZ (SNARES OF GLORY), THE ARMENIAN CONSTITUTION OF 1773

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

While visiting the Kingdom of Belgium in early March of this year,
President Sarkisian of the Republic in Eastern Armenia, conveyed a
false message that Western Armenia, including Istanbul, had ratified
Vorogait Paratz in the 1860s of the Ottoman era. This action had
allegedly upset the Sultan at that time, and subsequently led to
the genocides of the christians, and the progressive minorities
in Turkey. That is not the case at all- the 1860s’ constitutional
efforts had nothing to do with Vorogait Paratz of the Enlightenment
era. Rafael Hampatsoomian, the historian from the Armenian National
Academy in Yerevan, describes this gaffe to be a “dishonorable error”
of the President (quoted in armenian below).

In reality, after publication in 1773, Vorogait Paratz was initially
banned, at that time by the Armenian church of Etchmiadzin to start
with, and remained so even after subsequent printing and widespread
distribution during the 1780s. This was primarily because of the
continuing pogroms and persecution of the minorities in Ottoman
Turkey. The persecutions culminated in the Genocide of the Armenians
by the Ottomans beginning on the night of April 24, 1915. The 1773
Constitution resurfaced only recently when brought to light through
the global efforts of the Madras Group Parliamentary Assembly. The
following commentary is by Ms. Kohar Hampartsoomian.

Commentary about the continuing relevance of the 1773 Constitution: In
1773, in Madras, India, Hakob Shahamirian (1745-74) completed with the
assistance of his father a Constitution in classic Armenian (grabar)
entitled “Vorogait Paratz” – a trap for those striving for glory. The
Constitution was firstly applied for the Armenian community in Madras,
at least since 1783. The greatest part of the 521 Articles comprising
the first Armenian Constitution is up-to-date. Some of them amaze
with their actuality and modernity.

Hakob Shahamirian touches upon concepts like freedom of man and
nations, the power of the law, substantiation of democratic
decentralized form of government, etc. Pursuant to “Vorogait
Paratz”, Armenia is a republic ruled by the parliament; all citizens
irrespective of origin, status, gender and creed are equal before the
law (Article 3). The power of law alone shall rule the country. The
Court is independent and stable, and the institution of the jury
shall be operational (Articles 504 – 507). The three branches of
power shall not be separated but be equal in power. All higher
officials and Judges shall be elected. The state shall allocate
benefits for the disabled, musicians and scientists. Freedom of creed
(Article 5), “speech, thought and activity” shall be ensured (Article
500). Aliens shall be entitled the right to political asylum (Articles
326-327). Shahamirian’s Constitution grants the freedom and the right
to freely cross the border of the country (Article 347). Everybody
has the right “to commit good or evil” (Article 394). The prisoners’
rights are guaranteed (Article 148), the traffic rules are stated;
streets shall have names and numbers. All the ministries provided by
the Armenian Constitution exist currently in most states of the world:
(ministries of justice, economy, defense, national security, social
security, and tax inspection). . .

a. Modern concepts of constitutional rights begins with “Vorogait
Paratz” whose author, Yakob Shahamirian, was one of the peaks of the
18th century world social and political thought. “Vorogait Paratz”
was created 14 years prior to the declaration of the US Constitution
which is regarded to be the first one in the world. It was partially
enacted in the Armenian community of Madras in 1773.

b. “Vorogait Parats” encompasses the democratic structure of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, established by St. Gregory the Illuminator,
Catholicos of All Armenians (302-325 A. D.).

c. Shows through references to historical sources that this document
originates from the millennia-of Armenian common law, is based on the
legal monuments of the 5-18th centuries, and is enriched by the latest
achievements of the world law (particularly English) of the time.

Conclusion: Vorogait Paratz is the original Constitution of Armenia,
which cannot be ignored or misplaced! Shame be on the President of
the Republic of Armenia for failing to properly recognize and respect
this sacred monument dedicated to the cause of liberty in the name
of all peoples of the world.

Vatche’ Kaloustian

VIKRAMADITYA CARRIER TO START SEA TRIALS IN MAY
Sergei Mamontov

Aircraft carrier Vikramaditya

RIA Novosti
06/04/2012

Sea trials of the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya are scheduled to
start on May 25, Russia’s Sevmash shipyard said.

The vessel, which was originally intended for the Soviet Navy, but
then refitted for India, will be taken to the White Sea and then to
the Barents Sea where it will stay for three to four months.

“After sea trials are complete, we plan to transfer the carrier to
India by December 4,” Sevmash said.

At present, the Vikramaditya’s main power generators are being tested
and the sleeping and living quartes are being fininshed. Crew training
was completed in late March, Sevmash said.

The Vikramaditya, previously known as the Admiral Gorshkov, is a
Soviet-made Project 1143.4 class aircraft carrier. It was sold to
India in 2004 but will be delivered only in 2012, after a refit that
lasted eight years and was the subject of an on-going dispute between
the two sides over cost.

ARMENIAN RULING PARTY WOOS KEY ELECTION RIVALS
Sargis Harutyunyan

06.04.2012

Armenia – President Serzh Sarkisian addresses a pre-election congress
of his Republican Party, 10 Mar 2012.

The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has proposed alternative
cooperation frameworks to the country’s other major political forces
after they pledged to jointly strive to prevent serious fraud in next
month’s parliamentary elections.

Parliament speaker Samvel Nikoyan, a senior HHK figure, met on Friday
with representatives of all but one of those groups to discuss his
idea of setting up a multi-partisan “working group” that would monitor
the conduct of the May 6 polls. The group would specifically assess
the enforcement of Armenia’s Electoral Code.

A statement by Nikoyan’s office said the non-Republican participants
promised to report to their respective parties before officially
responding to the speaker’s initiative.

Another senior HHK lawmaker, Davit Harutiunian, made a related proposal
on behalf of his party late on Thursday. Harutiunian proposed a code
of conduct which he said would ensure “civilized competition” among
the eight parties and one alliance running for the parliament.

“We are proposing that all participants of the electoral process
voluntarily adopt rules for civilized competition,” Harutiunian told
RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). “That means they should also
take on political responsibility and ensure that the common rules
will be respected not only by their members, officials or proxies
but also their sympathizers.”

Armenia – Davit Harutiunian, chairman of the parliament committee on
legal affairs, at a news conference.xArmenia – Davit Harutiunian,
chairman of the parliament committee on legal affairs, at a news
conference.

According to the draft rules circulated by Harutiunian in a separate
statement, the election contenders would pledge to not impede each
other’s election campaigns, to avoid “provocative and slanderous”
rhetoric, to respect freedom of speech and to refrain from illicitly
exploiting “administrative resources.” Also, each political force
would have to recognize official election results if other participants
abide by the proposed code of conduct.

The HHK initiatives came after the party’s main partner in the
governing coalition, the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), and the
country’s three main opposition groups agreed to set up a joint task
force that would seek to detect, expose or prevent vote rigging. Their
senior representatives signed a declaration on the creation of the
Inter-Party Center for Public Oversight of the Elections on Wednesday.

The Armenian National Congress (HAK), the largest and most radical
opposition group, was quick to reject the HHK overtures. “The main
organizer and perpetrator of vote falsifications in Armenia is Serzh
Sarkisian’s regime embodied by the Republican Party, and naturally
such initiatives by that force are unacceptable,” HAK coordinator
Levon Zurabian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) on Friday.

“The authorities are very worried about the creation by the four
political forces of a joint coordinating center to fight against
fraud,” Zurabian said. “Now they will come up with one initiative
after another.”

Accordingly, HAK representatives boycotted the meeting chaired
by Nikoyan.

The other political heavyweights reserved judgment on Harutiunian’s
proposal. Naira Zohrabian, a BHK leader, said her party is looking
into it and will respond “later on.”

“We don’t reject anything out of hand,” said Ruben Hakobian, deputy
chairman of the opposition Zharangutyun (Heritage) party. “But we
want proposed documents to have real mechanisms that would really
ensure the holding of fair elections.”

Artush Shahbazian, a senior member of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) implied that the code of conduct favored
by the HHK should only be part of the broader cooperation framework
agreed by the four forces. Speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am), Shahbazian suggested that Harutiunian present his
ideas at their next meeting scheduled for April 11.

The HHK, which is headed by President Sarkisian, was also invited to
join the Inter-Party Center for Public Oversight of the Elections
but turned down the offer. The HHK’s Harutiunian said the idea of
creating the unprecedented multi-partisan structure was “good in
itself” but not “properly prepared.”

AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY TO CONDUCT JOINT MILITARY-TECHNICAL STUDIES

News.Az
Fri 06 April 2012

Azerbaijan and Turkey will conduct joint military-technical studies,
Turkey’s Machinery and Chemical Industry Organization (MKEK) said.

MKEK will carry out joint work with the Scientific-Research Institute
of the Ministry of Defence Industry on the production of weapon systems
under the cooperation agreement which was signed between the countries
last year, APA reports.

Several projects on small and artillery arms, as well as explosive
substances, focused by the sides, have been already determined and
it was decided to develop the work.

Joint work on the large-caliber mortar, light gun and small-caliber
arms were also included in the projects.

Besides, MKEK is working on the project on modernization of 12,7-mm
‘Istiglal’ sniper rifle with the participation of Azerbaijani experts.

TURKISH MPS TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN

News.Az
Fri 06 April 2012 14:30 GMT

A group of Turkish MPs representing Mersin province and members of
the Tarsus municipality of the province will visit Azerbaijan later
in April, AzerTAc said citing Turkish mass media.

The decision on the Azerbaijan visit was made during the meeting
attended by chairman and members of the Tarsus municipality.

During the trip the Turkish delegation will hold meetings with
representatives of Khatai municipality and region`s local authorities
to discuss cooperation.

A bridge named after Azerbaijan`s nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev`s
was opened last year in Tarsus city.

MASHTOTS PARK ACTIVISTS ANNOUNCE THE AGREEMENT OF THE CIVILIAN DEFIANCE

Activists of Mashtots Park continue their struggle in the Park. The
civilian initiative delivered the next announcement and called on
people to join their “civilian defiance”. The announcement especially
says:

“Armenian citizens,

We are the members of the brigade who will remove the kiosks from
the Mashtots Park and we are struggling for the strength of law in
our country. Everyone who believes in our joint efforts and in our
success may join us.

Everyone who wants to become a member of the civilian defiance must
join the Agreement about the civilian defiance.

Agreement of the defiance for the citizens:

1.Ignorance of the Armenian authorities towards the struggle in
Mashtots Park caused our civilian defiance.

2.Our civilian defiance aims to overthrow authorities’ confidence
about its right to abuse its warrants and ignore its responsibilities.

3.Civilian defiance is our measure to free Mashtots Park from the
illegal constructions without using force.

4.Mashtots Park problem is not small. The authorities are afraid
if they make compromise here they will have to make compromises
elsewhere too.

5.Each of us joins the civilian defiance voluntary. Each of us realizes
the dangers which wthis step can cause for our life, health, freedom
and well-being.

6.Each of us gains the necessary measures for the civilian defiance.

7.Each of us is ready to bear all difficulties which civilian defiance
will cause”.

THE OPENING SPEECH AND THE ANSWERS OF THE QUESTIONS OF EDWARD NALBANDIAN DURING THE JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH FINISH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ERKKI TUOMIOJA

04.04.2012

Hello,

I would like to welcome everyone attending this press conference
which these days became daily.

I am pleased to welcome my counterpart, the Foreign Minister of
Finland, who is in Armenia on an official visit. Here is another
country with which we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations.

We attach great importance to the development of our relations with
Finland and today we took the opportunity to discuss the ways of
developing bilateral relations, and regional and international issues,
as well as Armenia-European Union interaction.

We expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in the development
of Armenia-European Union relations. We presented each other the
developments unrolling in Armenia and Finland.

We will have an opportunity to continue the negotiations in the second
half of the day, as well.

Once again I am pleased to welcome Finish Minister of Foreign
Affairs Erkki Tuomioja in Armenia and I am passing the floor with
great pleasure.

Question: The Azerbaijani authorities are trying to extort statements
from politicians visiting Baku on the Karabakh issue, by stressing
the principle of territorial integrity. How do you think what are
the purpose of those attempts?

Edward Nalbandian: Unfortunately, it is truly so. Baku is always
trying to blackmail the delegations visiting Baku in order to extort
one-sided formulations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

It is clear that such an approach and playing into the hands of those
Azeri attempts would not be useful for the peaceful settlement of
Karabakh issue.

But one thing is obvious that the right to self-determination, the
self-determination principle is not only a principle of international
law but also, as defined in the UN Charter, is one of the most
important purposes of the international community.

This principle is the basis for the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
issue, presented by the Co-Chairs together with other principles.

Those principles find their reflection in the decisions and statements,
which were adopted in the frames of the OSCE. Let me recall them –
the statements adopted in the frames of the OSCE Ministerial meetings
in Helsinki in December of 2008, in Athens in December of 2009, in
Almaty in July of 2010, as well as during the OSCE summit in Astana in
December of 2010 and in the framework of the OSCE Ministerial meeting
in Vilnius held last year. The right to self-determination is clearly
stressed in all those statements and the Co-Chairs repeatedly stated,
at the highest level, as well, that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh
should determine its fate, its future status.

Those attempts of Azerbaijan are not aimed at contributing to the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, but misleading his society.

It definitely is not useful for the process of the settlement.

But we hope that the negotiations will be continued by the support of
the international community and the Co-Chairs and the solution will be
found based on the principles which were presented by the Co-Chairs –
non-use of force or threat of force, the right to self-determination
and territorial integrity.

Thank you.

RUSSIAN TOURISTS ARE POURING INTO GREECE. INVESTORS MAY FOLLOW

An orthodox friendship

Apr 7th 2012 | ATHENS | from the print edition

WITH anti-German feelings among Greeks running at a post-war high,
fewer German tourists are likely to visit the Aegean islands this
summer. Many local hoteliers would almost certainly go bust were it
not for the increasing number of Russians who are coming to Greece,
thanks to more relaxed visa regulations. About 1m Russian holidaymakers
are expected to visit Greece this year, double the number in 2010.

Many Russians are spending lavishly and buying second homes in the
Halkidiki district in northern Greece, a favourite beach destination.
Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president-elect, is a familiar visitor to
Mount Athos, a nearby enclave of Orthodox monks. He may even attend
Orthodox Easter festivities there on April 15th. Abbot Ephraim of the
Vatopedi monastery enjoyed a warm official reception in Moscow last
year despite facing investigation at home for alleged involvement
in a land-swap scandal. Romfea, a Greek website specialising in
ecclesiastical news, receives Russian funding, say grateful acolytes.

Where tourists and politicians lead, money may follow. Greece’s
cash-strapped government is rushing to privatise various public
utilities, including DEPA, the state gas group. Gazprom, Russia’s
state-backed giant, has expressed an interest in adding DEPA to its
growing portfolio of international interests. DEPA already buys much
of its gas from Gazprom, and one of its subsidiaries has signed up
to join South Stream, a Russian project to pipe gas to central Europe
via the Black Sea. There is also talk about stationing Russian naval
vessels in Piraeus, Athens’s main port. Russia is worried about losing
access to Syrian naval bases if mounting violence brings down Bashar
Assad, the president.

Still, Antonis Samaras, Greece’s probable next prime minister, shows
few signs of being tempted by either deal. His centre-right New
Democracy (ND) party is forecast to win a general election expected
in early May, although it is likely to fall short of an overall
majority. Mr Samaras has made a pre-election trip to Moscow, but
enthusiasm failed to ignite on either side. His advisers say their
Harvard-educated boss would prefer to improve ties with America and
to sell the gas utility to an investor from the European Union.

But as Greek politics becomes more unstable-as many as nine parties
could win seats in the next parliament, not all of them with savoury
views-there is still plenty of room for Russian influence-mongering.
Panos Kammenos, a former ND deputy who opposes austerity and admires
Mr Putin, says Greece should turn to Russia if, as expected, it needs
yet another bail-out. (Russia has already lent Cyprus [email protected] billion,
or $3.3 billion, to avert the island’s default.) Mr Kammenos’s new
party, Independent Greeks, is predicted to sweep into parliament
with around 10% of the vote. He is hoping to replace Abbot Ephraim
as Russia’s best friend in Greece.