Author: Kanayan Tamar

President Sargsyan visits Shirak marz
07.04.2012 15:42

Anna Martikyan
`Rdaiolur’
Gyumri

President Serzh Sargsyan is paying a working visit to Shirak marz.
First the President visited the village of Akhuryan, where the
Glendale Hills is constructing three multi-story buildings. The
company promises that 104 flats will be ready in the first half of
2013.

Serzh Sargsyan later visited the `Mush’ district of Gyumri, where 1
800 flats are being constructed. The President familiarized with the
construction works of the new school for 180 children and visited the
new medical center, which will open in a few days.

$9 mln will be invested in the new medical center, all services will
correspond to European standards, and residents of the region will not
have to spend extra time and money to reach Yerevan.

Press TV, Iran
April 8 2012

Armenia says it might talk radar with Russia

Sun Apr 8, 2012 8:34PM GMT

Armenia says it is ready to discuss with Russia the construction of a
radar system on its territory if Moscow and Baku fail to agree on the
extension of the lease on a Russian-operated defensive radar system in
Azerbaijan.

`If Russia fails to agree with Azerbaijan on the lease of Gabala,
Armenia is ready to provide a site on its territory for construction
of the radar,’ Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan was quoted by
Russian daily Kommersant as saying on April 4.

The Gabala radar station, which was built by the Soviet Union in 1985,
is operated by Russia and based in the northern Azerbaijan region of
Gabala. It covers a range of up to 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles).

Sargsyan added that the deployment of such a radar system on the
Armenian territory would be more effective, because it `is an upland
country and the [station’s] coverage may be broader.’

Russia has been in talks with Azerbaijan to extend the contract on the
radar station, which was renewed in 2002 and is due to expire in
December.

According to media reports, Azerbaijan has demanded Russia to pay USD
300 million instead of the formerly agreed seven million for the new
lease.

Russia is seeking to extend the contract until 2025.
PG/JR/MAB/HN

ARMENIE
30% de la population arménienne vit dans le dénuement

Les personnes vivant en dessous du seuil de pauvreté constituent 30%
de la population arménienne a affirmé Bagrat Asatryan, ancien
président de la Banque centrale d’Arménie lors d’une conférence de
presse.

Il a dit que l’écart entre les riches et les pauvres est plus large
que dans n’importe quel autre pays post-soviétique et que les tensions
sociales sont plus aiguës. Les choses s’aggravèrent dans les trois
dernières années, après la crise de 2008. Bagrat Asatryan a également
distingué la part des personnes économiquement actives dans la
population du pays parmi les plus grands problèmes de l’Arménie.

`Quelque 1,2 millions de personnes sont économiquement actifs » a-t-il
dit. « Parmi eux, quelque 500.000 sont des personnes travaillant dans
les zones rurales` a ajouté Bagrat Asatryan en se référant aux données
statistiques qui considèrent que si l’on a un poirier dans son jardin,
on est considéré comme une personne employée. Il a dit que ces 500 000
personnes employées dans les fermes de l’Arménie produisent autant que
20000 ou 25000 personnes produisent dans les pays développés, comme
Israël.

Cela veut dire qu’au moins 400.000 personnes en Arménie sont sans
emploi. Selon les dernières données officielles les pauvres
constituaient 34,1% de la population arménienne en 2009 contre 27,6 %
en 2008 Cela signifie que 214000 personnes sont devenus pauvres sur un
an soit une hausse de 23,6%. Environ 1,1 millions de personnes en
Arménie vivaient dans la pauvreté en 2009 .

dimanche 8 avril 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

EREVAN, CAPITALE MONDIALE DU LIVRE
L’exposition ArmBookExpo dédiée à « Erévan, capitale mondiale du
livre-2012 » de l’Unesco du 21 au 23 avril
et au 500e anniversaire de l’imprimerie arménienne

Lors de l’exposition internationale ArmBookExpo qui se déroulera du 21
au 23 avril à Erévan, des livres publiés dans une quarantaine de pays,
concernant l’Arménie et les Arméniens seront présentés. L’exposition
qui se tiendra au Centre Kafesdjian est dans le cadre du 500e
anniversaire de l’imprimerie arménienne et « Erévan, capitale mondiale
du livre-2012 » de l’Unesco. Hasmig Boghossian, ministre de la Culture
déclare « le nombre de livres sur les Arméniens, publiés à l’étranger
est si important que nous n’arrivons pas à les exposer dans leur
totalité ». Après l’exposition, l’ensemble des livres acquis pour
l’occasion seront mis à la disposition de la Bibliothèque nationale
d’Arménie où un espace sera aménagé pour ces ouvrages étrangers liés à
l’Arménie et aux Arméniens.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 8 avril 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

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.