Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN AGRICULTURE MINISTRY EXPECTS IN 2012 INCREASE OF THE USED AGRICULTURAL TERRITORIES

/ARKA/
MARCH 15, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, March 15. /ARKA/. Armenian Agriculture Ministry expects
that in 2012 the used agricultural territories will be increased,
said Deputy Agriculture Minister Samvel Galstyan.

He said that of 450 thousand ha agricultural territories in the
country, in average 300 thousand ha have been used, and it is expected
that this year this figure will be 325 thousand and 400 thousand ha –
in future.

Galstyan reminded that for supporting the farms, Armenia imported from
Ukraine nitric fertilizers which are sold by the price of 6 thousand
drams per 50 kg sack.

Galstyan said that of the planned 25 thousand tons of fertilizers, over
2.8 thousand tons have been already provided to the farmers in Ararat
and Armavir regions of Armenia. Another six tons are still in the
port in Poti and will be delivered to Armenia in the nearest future.

He said that the delivery becomes difficult due to unfavorable weather
conditions and added that today other delivery ways are being discussed
which are envisaged for all the regions of Armenia.

The farmers are also provided diesel fuel by low prices (350 drams
per liter) and of the envisaged 12.6 thousand tons 2689 tons has
already been provided. ($1 – 389.67 drams).

ARMENIA DOESN’T NEED DEGRADED ELITE

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:21:45 – 16/03/2012

The leader of the Free Democrats Party Khachatur Kokobelyan announced
in the congress of their party today that sustainable development
is impossible without liberalism. “Yes, a lot of parties committed
to these values during the history of independent Armenia but the
history of twenty years showed that they take other steps proceeding
from the political conjuncture,” he said.

According to Khachatur Kokobelyan, there is demand for a real liberal,
democratic political force. The Free Democrats intend to meet this
demand together with their allies.

The Free Democrats are a new force for new Armenia, said the party
leader. Unfortunately, our political system is dominated by hypocrisy,
weak will, flattery, which results in imitation. It is not in the
interests of the Armenian society and state.

The Free Democrats think the mistakes of the past must be reviewed
to meet the public demand. The society does not have to adjust to
the political system. The political system must be able to meet the
demands of the political system.

The state is facing a deep social and economic, as well as public
administration crisis. It is the obvious and bitter truth. I am
deeply convinced that the reasons are first of all the lack of real
competition and an independent judicial system.

Lack of competition is in all the spheres, resulting in the oligarchic
economy. The coalescence of business and government created an
environment typical of the feudal system where wild rules dominate.

There is no need to invent the bicycle to ensure a competitive
economy. It is necessary to ensure proper enforcement, observe human
rights, create a liberal and competitive environment, Khachatur
Kokobelyan announced. People do not need reforms, people need
improvement of the quality of their life. “We know how to make that
change and we will make it,” he said.

Armenia needs scientific, cultural, economic and political elite,
not degraded elite. Democracy is nothing without freedom of man. Only
free Armenia can ensure the quality of life and security. There is
no freedom without justice. Justice requires equality of rights and
opportunities.

“Everyone speaks about a bright future but we must ensure wellbeing
now. We must take care of daily and dynamic development of Armenia
where a citizen must be the basis of basis. It is time to understand
that we need a human-centered policy, otherwise the country will
never become a state. Only state can resist the challenges facing
the society, stop the horrifying emigration. The government must be
changed, not the home country,” Kokobelyan said.

The Free Democrats consider elections as the best way of change of
government, thus they have a responsible approach to the parliamentary
election and are ready to shape ideological unions. In this context,
Khachatur Kokobelyan touched upon the interaction with the Heritage
Party. He spoke about an equal bloc which the society needs and which
will be free from political ambitions. We must have the political
will and we have that will and courage to lend a hand and shape a
new political culture. We find that the Heritage is an honest force,
it is adequate to the international developments, so we think our
cooperation with the Heritage will be useful to Armenia, help meet
the challenges facing the society, said the party leader.

In the end, Khachatur Kokobelyan told the participants of the congress
that they are determined to win and they will win by way of their
ideas and their mind.

KURDISH MAYOR LEARNS ARMENIAN

Panorama.am
16/03/2012

Armenian language classes have launched in the Municipality of Suri,
province of Diarbekir, Turkey, website Sondakika reported.

According to a statement released by Municipality of Suri the classes
will be held three month. Currently, Mayor of Kurdish origin Abdullah
Demirbash and 40 staff members are taking Armenian language classes.

NEW AGREEMENTS TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GERMANY

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 16, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. High level dialogue exists between
Armenia and Germany, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian
said at a joint news conference with his German counterpart Guido
Westerwelle.

“During the negotiations we referred to the bilateral relations. This
year we are marking the 20th anniversary of establishment of
bilateral relations. During this period we have made important
steps in reinforcing and deepening our cooperation,” Nalbandian
said. Referring to the economic relations, the minister said the
trade turnover between the two countries reaches 400 million USD. “Our
opportunities are greater: with joint efforts we may do more,” he said.

“Nalbandian stressed that there exists quite important legal agreement
field between the two countries, there are about 30 agreements. Today
we are working over new agreements and projects to be signed in the
near future,” the minister said.

He thanked Germany for the assistance displayed to Armenia
since independence. “The countries have established dynamic
inter-parliamentary ties, we have decentralized cooperation as well,”
Nalbandian stressed.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF ZAMANLU’S RAILWAY BRIDGE TO END IN APRIL

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 16, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. The construction of Zamanlu’s railway
bridge to end in April of 2012 according to the schedule.The South
Caucasian railway company started the construction of the new bridge
in 2010. At present the main works have already been done.

The works on the surface structure of the line in the guard area,
communication network, lighting and power systems, communications
engineering, construction, power line construction, as well as the
renovation works are continuing.

Zamanlu Gorge Bridge was built in 1898. It is considered to be the
largest bridge built in the Russian Empire. Bridge length is 256
meters, the height is 26 m. At present the new bridge is being built
parallel to the old one, the lines will be 161 meters in length. The
total cost of the works is 1.7 billion AMD. The old bridge Zamanlu
will be used as a museum.

GERMANY IS FOR BALANCE IN PRINCIPLES OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION

news.am
March 16, 2012 | 11:32

YEREVAN. – Germany supports peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, German FM Guido Westerwelle said at a joint press conference
with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan on Friday.

In response to the question whether the conflict had been discussed
during his visit to Baku, the German Minister said that the Karabakh
issue was discussed in Azerbaijan as well. He said that the German
government is for the balance in the principles of territorial
integrity and the right of nations to self-determination.

“Peaceful resolution is what we all strive to and are working on it
together,” he said.

Westerwelle also stated that the status-quo in the conflict cannot
be longstanding, while peaceful resolution will provide dividends to
everyone in the region, including Armenia.

According to him, the sides must seek for compromise within the
frameworks of the OSCE Minsk Group.

FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA ON AZERBAIJAN’S WEAPONRY PURCHASE

news.am
March 16, 2012 | 14:48

YEREVAN. – French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud commented on
the purchase of weapons by Azerbaijan.

In response to the question by the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent
how France, being OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair dealing with Karabakh
peace process, assesses the fact of weaponry purchase by one of the
conflicting sides – Azerbaijan, the French diplomat said the following:

“As a Co-Chair state in the OSCE MG, France wishes to remind the
statement adopted by the Presidents Sarkozy, Medvedev and Obama during
the G8 summit in Deauville last May. They confirmed, in particular,
that only settlement achieved through talks cab lead to peace as
well as stability and reconciliation and provide opportunity for the
development and cooperation in the region. In the meantime, Presidents
of the conflicting sides are called upon to prepare their population
to peace and not to war.”

In addition, the Ambassador said that France pays attention to the
fact that during the recent meeting in Sochi initiated by Medvedev,
Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents stated that they agree to double
efforts towards the agreement on the Basic Principles, taking into
account the work done so far.

GERMAN FM AVOIDS COMMENTING ON BAKU’S AGGRESSIVE STATEMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 16, 2012 – 13:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – German Foreign Minister commented on Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement, calling for its resolution.

“It is high time Karabakh conflict was settled. We show respect for
both the principles of self-determination of nations and territorial
integrity. A compromise should be reached through mutual concessions,”
Guido Westerwelle said.

Asked about aggressive statements by Baku, German FM refrained from
giving a precise answer, instead calling for exclusively peaceful
resolution of the conflict.

On March 14, prior to visiting Armenia, the German official commented
on possible contribution of Germany to Karabakh conflict settlement
noting, “Conclusion drawn by Council of the European Union, as well
as the mandate issued by the Special EU Special Representation for
the South Caucasus are a solid base for intensified involvement.”

“The participation is aimed at providing support to OSCE Minsk Group,
for instance in the field of confidence building measures. It is high
time this conflict was resolved, a conflict that hampers prosperity
and peaceful development of the region,” he said.

GREEN ACTIVISTS ORGANIZE FLASHMOBS IN MASHTOTS PARK AS REVENGE FOR MARCH 14 INCIDENT WITH POLICE

arminfo
Friday, March 16, 13:35

Green activists that have been protesting against construction in
the Mashtots Park for over a month found an original method to take
revenge on police for application of force on March 14 night.

On March 15 the activists organized a series of flashmobs walking
along several streets and making the police to follow them. Every time
they were returning to the park and dividing into groups confusing
the police.

After the flashmobs that proved so exhausting for police officers,
green activists continued their action of protest in the park. No
clashes with the police were registered overnight.

On March 14 the police surrounded the green activists in Mashtots Park
and knocked down the tent with activist Bayandur Poghosyan sleeping
inside. “One can see on video how the police officers knocked down the
tent hitting by legs. I am surprised to have avoided bodily harms,”
Poghosyan says.

The activists applied to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the
Special Investigation Committee for detention and punishment of the
police officers that applied brutal force with regards to peaceful
protesters.

SERZH SARGSYAN’S INEVITABLE “MERIT”
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:01:32 – 16/03/2012

Spokesman for the Republican Party Eduard Sharmazanov says it is not
bad to nominate businessmen in constituencies.

No one says businessman is bad. Simply the Constitution states that
a businessman is not eligible for parliament. In the meantime, the
Republican Party promotes a candidate who resigned from the position
of Chief of Staff of the president’s administration to run his business
and not to deal with politics anymore.

Karen Karapetyan will run for parliament in Tashir Town and will
become Member of Parliament. Karen Karapetyan did not say anything
about returning to politics.

The presence of businessmen-MPs is not good or bad, it is a violation
of the Constitution, as well as renouncement of political statements
and principles.

Since the lack of respect for the society is at least ridiculous when
Serzh and Tigran Sargsyans are determined not to include businessmen
in the Republican Party list of the RPA but nominate them in the
constituency.

It means they are fooling the society, they think people do not
understand the tactics of the government.

Meanwhile, this tactics is not only clear but also simple. The party
list was made to imitate changes and reserve the constituencies to
build up the trust of the criminal and oligarchic system and not to
let them rebel against the power.

Actually, Serzh Sargsyan failed to solve the issue of removing
oligarchs from government. In fact, he could have solved it during
his first term, especially if he is not entwined with the system at
the roots.

Serzh Sargsyan failed. During his first term he could have established
the internal balance of powers. It seems to be in place. There is an
apparent competition between the wings of the government. It is not
only about the RPA-PAP race but the internal political competition,
in general.

Serzh Sargsyan did not ensure this competition and it did not
occur upon his will. This competition was enabled by the public and
political situation during his tenure. Perhaps, Serzh Sargsyan’s
“merit” is that he did not hinder those trends and perhaps the public
and international developments prevented him.

The result was a clash of interests inside the government in which
the awareness of public interest is acquiring more importance. It
may be a veil of fight for the government and oligarchs but the
government’s frequent references to public interests indicates a
change of the situation.

No doubt the public interest will gradually transform from being a
veil into a necessity. The upcoming parliamentary election will most
probably come to “seal” this situation.

It has no direct relationship to the public and state interest but
when there is not an influential process related to interests, it is
perhaps good that new processes started, new groups appeared inside
the government which refer to the public interest at least in the
framework of the internal fight in the government and prefer public
mechanisms of force and violence as a tool.

It is also up to the society to benefit from it. And it is a positive
fact that crucial processes are happening within the society which
have no purpose to benefit from the internal governmental situation.

This is an independent process based on public awareness, uplifting
of ideas, progress of information technologies but this fact provides
the possibility to use the clash of interests for public and state
interests.

The parliamentary elections will not put an end or finalize this
but will launch a new stage. Though the parliamentary elections are
apparently very sad and hopeless, they will make the trend irreversible
during Serzh Sargsyan’s first term. The next 4 to 5 years will be
spent on the institutionalization of these trends.