Author: Kanayan Tamar

BAKU ACCUSES YEREVAN OF BRINGING SYRIAN ARMENIANS TO “OCCUPIED LANDS”

Interfax, Russia
April 1 2015

BAKU. Apr 1

Azerbaijan is distressed by the resettlement of Syrian Armenians to
the “occupied lands.”

“The resettlement of Armenian refugees from Syria to the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan conducted by the Armenian government in
violation of international legal norms and principles is one of our
concerns,” Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee
on Refugees and Displaced Persons and the Republican Commission on
International Humanitarian Aid Ali Hasanov said.

According to the official media, Hasanov made the statement at
the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria
in Kuwait.

“We think that donations raised at the conference should be used
exclusively to meet important humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees
and to restore normal living conditions rather than serve the purpose
of their illegal accommodation,” he said.

In the words of the vice-premier, Azerbaijan caries on humanitarian
projects in over 30 states of Latin America, Africa and Asia and
in a number of European and other countries despite global economic
problems.

“In continuation of its noble mission, Azerbaijan, which is a peace
loving country which supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty
and independence of Syria, is updating the total of material aid
it will render to Syrian refugees for the improvement of their
humanitarian position. Hopefully, the Syrian conflict will soon be
peacefully resolved, and the refugees and displaced persons will
return to their homes,” he said.

The Syrian conflict has lead to a major humanitarian catastrophe,
the official continued. Millions of people, among them refugees
and displaced persons whose rights are still violated, have found
themselves in a difficult situation, he said.

The conflict also has implications for the countries which have taken
in Syrian refugees, Hasanov said.

Azerbaijan has experienced a similar problem and it understands well
the hardships of the Syrian people, he said.

Te

AZERBAIJAN GROSSLY VIOLATES THE NORMS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: KARABAKH MFA

16:35, 02 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Arsakh Foreign Ministry says the dissemination of the video message
of NKR Defense Army serviceman Andranik Grigoryan, who is in the
Azerbaijani captivity, is a violation of international humanitarian
law.

“By disseminating the video messages of Andranik Grigoryan, the first
of which was made public the next day after he was taken prisoner,
Azerbaijan grossly violates the norms of the international humanitarian
law, in particular, Article 13 of the Geneva Convention relative
to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, adopted on 12 August 1949,
protecting the prisoners of war from public curiosity,” the Ministry
said in comments toNews.am.

“Participating States of the Geneva conventions undertake to
respect and to ensure respect for the provisions of the Convention
in all circumstances. In the case of Azerbaijan, this provision is
particularly relevant, given the fact that violation of international
humanitarian law by the Azerbaijani side has already become
systematic,” the Ministry said.

“Outright disregard of the norms of international humanitarian law
by the Azerbaijani side is a challenge for the entire international
community, as abiding to them is the responsibility of the
international community as a whole,” it stated.

ARMENIA’S BRANDY PRODUCTION SLASHES BY 31.3% IN TWO MONTHS TO ABOUT 1.6 MILLION LITERS – NSS

YEREVAN, April 2. / ARKA /. Armenia’s brandy production slashed by
31.3% in the first two months of 2015 from the year before to about 1.6
million liters, according to the National Statistical Service (NSS).

According to official numbers, wine production increased by 31.2%
to 890,700 liters; vodka production increased by 12% to 1.6 million
liters, while production of champagne fell to 27,300 liters form
50,600 liters in January-February 2014.

Production of beer in the first two months of this year was said to
have fallen by 15 percent to about 1.5 million liters. Production of
non-alcoholic beverages grew by 25.4% to 8.4 million liters. -0-

ARMENIA WELCOMES CYPRUS LAW CRIMINALIZING THE DENIAL OF GENOCIDE

14:53, 02 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Armenia has welcomed the criminalization of the Armenian Genocide
denial by Cyprus.

“Armenia welcomes the unanimous adoption of a bill criminalizing
the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Cyprus Parliament. This
is a symbolic event on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said
in a statement.

“By adopting this law, Cyprus made an important contribution to the
high mission of prevention of genocides and crimes against humanity,”
Minister Nalbandian stated.

IRAN DEVELOPMENTS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE FOR ARMENIA – ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN

15:21 * 01.04.15

The negotiations over the Iran nuclear program that were launched about
two years ago and continue in Lausanne are of paramount importance
for Armenia, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan told Tert.am.

“Iran is holding great expectations about the negotiations. Reuters
has reported that all the major issues have been settled, and only
technical ones have to be settled. I made sure it is not so, but some
progress has been made given [Russian FM] Sergey Lavrov’s statement,”
Mr Iskandaryan said.

Tremendous work is expected to be done.

“This is of high importance for us because lifting sanctions will be
of benefit to Armenia, which is thirsty for available markets. Only
Iran’s energy sector is open,” the expert said.

The developments in Yemen are of importance for Armenia as well.

“This is also taking place even in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. This is
a talk about influence in the Middle East,” Mr Iskandatyan said.

The Ukraine developments are affecting Armenia because the country
is dependent on Russia-West relations.

WEST TRIES TO USE EXTREMISM FOR COLOR REVOLUTIONS IN RUSSIA — FEDERATION COUNCIL SPEAKER

Russia
April 01, 13:33 UTC+3
Extremism is used as a geopolitical instrument, for reshaping the
spheres of influence, overthrowing undesireble regimes by the means
of organizing ‘color revolutions’, Federation Council Speaker says

Valentina Matviyenko

(c) Iliya Pitalev/TASS

US hoped to cause mass protests in Russia by sanctions — senior
security official

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The West uses political, ethnic and religious
extremism as a geopolitical instrument, including for trying to
organize “color revolutions” in Russia, Federation Council Speaker
Valentina Matviyenko said on Wednesday.

“Extremism is used as a geopolitical instrument, for reshaping
the spheres of influence, overthrowing regimes undesirable for
some countries by the means of organizing ‘color revolutions’,”
Matviyenko said. “The West makes attempts to organize them [‘color
revolutions’] in Russia as well,” she added. These efforts are directed
at “discrediting the authorities and destabilizing the situation in
Russia, and using both extremist elements and opposition for that,”
the speaker noted.

“The Russian government does not plan to embark on a course of
‘tightening screws’ and suppressing ‘dissent’,” Matviyenko stressed.

“The authorities are ready for dialogue with the opposition, they will
continue to develop partnership with the civil society. Such dialogue
and such partnership are important,” she said. However, “it is useless
to start discussions with those who works on orders from abroad, in the
interests of a foreign country or foreign countries,” Matviyenko added.

The policies of the Russian leadership enjoys “support of the
majority,” she said. In this sense, a “color revolution” is not a
threat to Russia, she added. “We once again saw on the example of
Ukraine how important it is for the state to be the state, and not
the power instrument for oligarchic clans, certain social groups,”
Matviyenko concluded.

LA CAMPAGNE ELECTORALE A OFFICIELLEMENT COMMENCE

Karabagh

La campagne pour les elections legislatives a commence officiellement
au Haut-Karabagh hier. Ces elections promettent d’etre plus contestee
que celles qui ont eu lieu par le passe.

Environ 220 candidats representant essentiellement sept partis
politiques seront en lice pour les 33 sièges du Parlement, actuellement
contrôle par une coalition de trois partis allies a Bako Sahakian.

Vingt-deux des sièges du Parlement sont en jeu dans le cadre du
système de representation proportionnelle. Les 11 sièges restants
seront distribues le 3 mai dans des circonscriptions uninominales.

Les trois partis majoritaire tenteront de conserver leur solide
majorite au Parlement. Le plus grand d’entre eux, la Patrie libre,
est dirige par Arayik Harutiunian, Premier ministre du Karabagh. Les
deux autres membres de sa coalition sont le Parti democratique de
l’Artsakh, dirige par le president du Parlement Ashot Ghulian, et la
branche locale de la Federation revolutionnaire armenienne (FRA).

Le camp du gouvernement est contestee par quatre autres partis. Un
concurrent d’opposition majeur, le Parti de la renaissance nationale,
est un nouveau venu sur la scène politique du Karabagh. Le parti
fonde en 2013 est dirige par Hayk Khanumian, militant de 30 ans très
critique vis-a-vis de la direction armenienne actuelle du Karabagh.

Khanumian avait soutenu la candidature presidentielle de Balasanian
en 2012.

La semaine dernière, Sahakian, dont le second et dernier mandat
presidentiel expire l’annee prochaine, a exhorte les candidats de
s’assurer de faire une campagne >. “La demagogie et
l’hysterie politique sont etrangères a notre peuple”, a declare le
leader. “Cette specificite a grandement contribue a la stabilite
politique interne et une saine concurrence dans la Republique du
Haut-Karabagh.”

mercredi 1er avril 2015, Claire (c)armenews.com

GOODS MUST TRAVEL FROM ARMENIA TO OTHER MEMBERS OF EEU QUICKLY AND EASILY- KARINE MINASYAN

YEREVAN, April 1. / ARKA /. Karine Minasyan, a member of the Eurasian
Economic Union’s Moscow-based executive Eurasian Economic Commission,
said when speaking at a workshop on the prospects of the Eurasian
integration that one of the main challenges facing the Eurasian
Economic Commission and state bodies in Armenia is to make Armenian
business community not feel the absence of a common border with the
union’s member states.

“Goods must travel from Armenia to other members of the union quickly
and easily to contribute to the trade turnover growth. This goal has
not been achieved yet but we should not forget that the adjustment
period is not over yet. The existing flaws will be eliminated step
by step,’ she said.

She said Armenia’s exports have been affected strongly by the
devaluation of the Russian ruble and the weakening of the Russian
economy, but added that Armenia would feel the spillover effect in
any case.

‘But now we have the opportunity to discuss the problems with partners
in the EEU and look for a way out. At that Armenia may exploit the
opportunities provided by its membership in the union,’ he said.

In particular, according to Minasyan, Armenia may join cooperative
programs being implemented by other members of the union.

The seminar was organized by the Armenian State University of Economics
and the Moscow-based Institute of CIS countries.

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) is a permanent regulatory
body of the Eurasian Economic Union. Its main objective is to ensure
functioning and development of the EEU and to prepare proposals for
its further integration.-0-

PRESENTARAN UN LIBRO CON RELATOS DE LA GUERRA DE NAGORNO KARABAJ

30.3.15

El proximo miercoles 1° de abril se presentara en el Fondo Nacional de
las Artes el libro “El alambre no se percibía entre la hierba. Relatos
sobre la guerra de Karabagh”, escrito por Levon Khechoyan y Hovhannes
Yeranyan y traducido por Ana Arzoumanian y Alice Ter-Ghevondian.

“El libro consta de relatos sobre la guerra de Karabaj escritos por
Levon Khechoyan, escritor y ex soldado de la guerra, muerto en el año
2014, y Hovhannes Yeranyan, escritor y cronista de la guerra”, indico
Arzoumanian al ser consultada por la agencia Prensa Armenia. “Es una
traduccion hecha a cuatro manos, desde Armenia por Alice Ter Gehvondian
y desde aquí por mí. Yo he escrito un posfacio donde explico para un
lector no armenio algo de la ubicacion socio-política de la region”,
agrego.

La presentacion, organizada por la editorial Hecho Atomico, se
realizara en la Casa de la Cultura del Fondo Nacional de las Artes,
Rufino de Elizalde 2831, CABA, a las 19hs. Allí hablaran el embajador
de Armenia en Argentina, Alexan Haroutunian, el editor Emmanuel Taub
y la traductora Ana Arzoumanian, junto a los escritores y periodistas
Omar Genovese y Lala Toutonian.

En el posfacio, Arzoumanian apunta que los autores “escriben sobre
la guerra de Karabagh, del despedazamiento que acecha a los sujetos,
de las operaciones emocionales que el poder efectúa, del despliegue
de la maquinaria belica sobre los varones y las mujeres”.

“La destruccion del enemigo no se limita al aspecto físico, sino que
comprende las fuerzas morales. De tal manera que un autor de ficcion
es parte del engranaje de la guerra, tanto en su lugar de constructor
de una narrativa del odio apoyando así las bases militares y de
destruccion, como albergando el desastre en su escritura, dando al
texto su fecundidad etica”, dice Arzoumanian. “¿Como escribir desde
un campo minado? Si la representacion es la puesta en presencia de
una realidad, como representar en palabras, con palabras que traigan
a la realidad eso que puede estallar”.

Nagorno Karabaj o Karabagh es una region historicamente poblada por
armenios, pero que fue entregada a Azerbaiyan por la Union Sovietica en
1921. En 1988 la poblacion de Karabaj pidio separarse de Azerbaiyan,
lo que desemboco en masacres y persecuciones a armenios y luego en
una guerra que se extendio hasta 1994, cuando el ejercito de Nagorno
Karabaj apoyado por Armenia vencio al ejercito azerí. En 1994 se
acordo un regimen de alto el fuego firmado por representantes de las
Repúblicas de Armenia, Nagorno Karabaj y Azerbaiyan, acuerdo que es
permanentemente violado por este último.

BISHOP AND GENERAL’S SON SHARE A RIVER

Kristine Aghalaryan

11:42, April 1, 2015

Big Officials, Mini Hydro-Plants

Davit Ohanyan, son of General-at-Large Hovik Ohanyan (appointed to
the special post in 2013), wants to increase the wattage capacity of
a hydro power he’s built in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Province.

The Ministry of Nature Protection says that a public hearing will
be held on April 3 in the community of Hermon regarding the possible
environmental impact that will result from modifications to the Naneh
mini hydro-plant construction project. (Hermon is a small village of
250 residents some 16 kilometers from Yeghegnadzor)

The company Arates Energy now wants to raise the plant’s power by
1,250 kilowatts via the placement of additional aggregate material.

Last summer, the Public Services Regulatory Commission granted Arates
Energy a license to produce electricity. With permission in hand,
the company built a 2,130 kilowatt mini hydro-plant on the Aysas
tributary of the Karakaya River in Hermon.

Arates Energy was registered in 2007 at General Ohanyan’s home address
in the town of Yeghegnadzor. It’s the same residential address for
his son Davit. The general owns 100% of the company’s shares and
serves as its director.

Aysas flows for 12 kilometers and 2.7 will be diverted through pipes
to the hydro-plant.

Another hydro-plant has already been built on the same river. Elegis
Ltd, owned by Bishop Abraham Lazarian, Primate of the Vayots
Dzor Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, operates the Hermon
hydro-plant. This plant diverts 3.2 kilometers of the river.

If we add the lengths of the two diversionary tracts, exactly one
half of the Aysas flows through pipes.