YEREVAN TO GET A NUMBER OF SMALL-SCALE FARMERS MARKETS
hetq
16:34, March 5, 2012
Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan today directed his staff to formulate
a plan to organize a number of small farmers markets within Yerevan.
The few that exist today, do not meet the demand for fresh produce
at competitive prices. Last year, a farmer’s market was set up at the
intersection of Khandjyan and Komitas Streets and seems to have been
a success.
LES ANCIENS COMBATTANTS ARMENIENS SOUTIENNENT SERGE SARKISSIAN
Stephane
armenews.com
mardi 6 mars 2012
Une fois de plus la puissante organisation reunissant des milliers
des veterans armeniens de la guerre du Nagorno-Karabakh a promis de
soutenir le President Serge Sarkissian lors des prochaines elections
nationales.
L’Union Yerkrapah a reaffirme son allegeance a Sarkissian pendant un
congrès qui a reelu le General Manvel Grigorian, ancien vice-ministre
de la Defense Nationale, comme president.
” Nous devons activement participer a toutes les prochaines elections ”
a dit Manvel Grigorian. ” Chers frères d’armes laissez-moi accueillir
le president de la republique, Serge Sarkissian, qui est present dans
la salle “.
” Nous croyons et avons confiance en vous et soutenons vos efforts
en vue de faire face aux defis faisant auxquels notre pays fait face
” a-t-il dit.
Le congrès a reitere son engagement dans une declaration unanimement
adoptee par plusieurs centaines de delegues Yerkrapah. Le document a
mentionne le chef d’Etat, un ancien combattant, comme ” notre frère
d’arme “.
Lors de la conference de presse qui a suivi Manvel Grigorian n’a
pas nie que la direction des Yerkrapah aidera le parti Republicain
d’Armenie (HHK) a gagner les elections parlementaires prevues en mai.
” Nous n’avons rien dit du parti Republicain. Mais le president est
un des notres et nous serons a côte de lui ” a-t-il dit.
” N’oubliez pas qu’il etait notre ministre de la Defense Nationale
pendant les lourds combats de 1993-1994 ” a-t-il ajoute. ” Nous avons
execute ses ordres pendant la guerre. Il ne nous a pas abandonne sur
le champ de bataille et nous ne l’avons pas trahi, effectuant tous
ses ordres “.
La position de Grigorian tranche avec celle prise lors de la dernière
election presidentielle qui s’est tenue en fevrier 2008. Beaucoup
de membres du Yerkrapah ont soutenu Ter-Petrosian, le candidat
de l’opposition et ont activement participe a ses demonstrations
post-election.
Certains pensent que Manvel Grigorian avait approuve ces positions.
Ter-Petrosian publiquement appele le general de heros national et a dit
que ce dernier s’assurera que l’armee armenienne ne sera pas employee
pour la suppression des manifestations de rue. Suivant le president
sortant Robert Kocharian plus d’une douzaine d’officiers superieurs
de l’armee avaient mis fin a leur adhesion au mouvement Yerkrapah dans
les jours sui ont suivi accusant Grigorian d’admettre que l’opposition
emploie son organisation pour ” des buts politiques malhonnetes “.
Manvel Grigorian a ete mis a la porte comme vice-ministre de la Defense
Nationale en avril 2008, un mois après que les militaires aient aide
le duo Kocharian-Sarkissian a reprimer les protestations.
Sarkissian l’a publiquement accuse un moment de refuser d’obeir aux
ordres de Kocharian.
Le chef du Yerkrapah ensuite a nie a plusieurs reprises avoir eu le
moindre lien avec l’opposition. En fevrier 2010, il a fait allegeance a
Sarkisian et s’est assure que pratiquement tous les membres favorables
de l’opposition soient exclus du nouveau conseil du Yerkrapah.
Levon Zurabian, soutien de Ter-Petrosian, a pointe la diminution du
rôle du Yerkrapah dans la politique armenienne. ” Le fait que les
autorites essayent de conclure des declarations de forces ayant un
rôle zero en politique montre que les autorites sont très inquietes
” a dit Levon Zurabian au service armenien de RFE/RL (Azatutyun.am).
Levon Zurabian a pretendu que la plupart des anciens combattants
continuent a soutenir le Congrès National Armenien de Ter-Petrosian
(HAK). ” Aujourd’hui tous les individus, les hauts commandants qui
ont participe a la guerre sont avec le mouvement [de l’opposition]
” a-t-il dit.
La position du Yerkrapah a ete aussi critiquee par Armen Martirosian,
chef du parti Zarangutyun (Heritage). Il a dit que c’est ” inacceptable
” qu’une organisation censee etre apolitique parade a côte d’un des
candidats a l’election.
TURKISH MFA DENIES REPORTS THAT SARKOZY WAS NOT INVITED TO ISTANBUL MEETING FOR SYRIA
Hurriyet Daily News
March 5 2012
Turkey
Turkey will host the second gathering of the “Friends of Syria”
group in Istanbul in March to discuss the current cituation in Syria,
with the participation of foreign ministers representing the group’s
member countries. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials denied reports
that French President Nicolas Sarkozy was deliberately not invited
to the Ä°stanbul meeting, pointing out that the gathering will take
place at the level of foreign ministers.
Turkey has not ruled out inviting French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe
to the meeting, despite the political strain between two countries
due to the French administration’s attempt to criminalize the act of
denying the Armenian “genocide”.
“We will still consider inviting Juppe. We won’t rule it out, since
this will not be a bilateral meeting, but a multi-party gathering,”
diplomatic sources told Hurriyet Daily News.
The group’s third meeting is planned to convene in France later,
probably with the participation of heads of state, if the “Friends of
Syria” group decides to do so at Ä°stanbul meeting, the source added.
Ankara has not decided if it will participate in the upcoming meeting,
which will take place in France, he added.
OFFICIAL SAYS VOTER TURN OUT HIGHER THAN PAST IN CENTRAL IRAN’S ESFAHAN
Fars News Agency
March 4 2012
Iran
[translated from Persian]
Head of Esfahan Province Election Headquarters Mohammad Mehdi Esma’ili
said that the province saw 15 per cent rise in voters’ turn out for
the Majlis poll compared to previous election, Fars reported.
Referring to the increase in the voters’ turn out, Esma’ili said:
“It is a strong slap for the enemy.”
According to the report, he further said that the province has 19
seats in the Majlis and one seat for Armenian Christians and added:
“In this election 12 new members have been elected and many old
representatives have given their seats to new members.”
AZERBAIJANI MPS TO DISCUSS NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT AT BELGIAN PARLIAMENT
Vestnik Kavkaza
March 5 2012
Russia
An Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation is on a visit to Brussels
(Belgium) today, APA reports.
The delegation consists of Elkhan Suleimanov (head), Fuad Muradov,
Zakhid Orudzh, Faradzh Guliyev, Gudret Gasanguliyev, Ganira Pashayeva,
Azer Kerimli and Jeykhun Omanly. They will have a meeting at the House
of Representatives of Belgium to discuss the legal and humanitarian
aspects of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The Azerbaijani delegation is to present facts about the region,
humanitarian cooperation. Well-known Belgian politicians and MPs
will attend the talks. Andre Flahaut and diplomats. The visit ends
on March 8.
RAGIP ZARAKOLU FAIT APPEL A LA COUR EUROPEENNE DES DROITS DE L’HOMME
Stephane
armenews.com
lundi 5 mars 2012
Les avocats de l’editeur Ragip Zarakolu ont intente un procès devant
la Cour europeenne des Droits de l’homme pour faire annuler les ordres
du procureur qui ont mene a son arrestation le 1er novembre 2011 en
tant que membre de l’Union des Communautes du Kurdistan
” [L’enquete sur le KCK] est politiquement motive par le gouvernement
AKP et la combinaison des procureurs et le manque d’independance et
l’impartialite des juges rendent difficiles un verdict juste et legal
” a dit l’avocat de Zarakolu Ozcan Kilic au journal Hurriyet.
” Nous allons citer en preambule notre incapacite d’avoir accès aux
documents et aux informations dans le fichieren raison du secret
appose sur ce dossier, la creation de temoignage et les accusations
sur des faits [glissants], le refus de mettre fin a l’arrestation sans
citer lam oindre justification serieuse et raisonnable et le fait
qu’aucune requete n’ait encore ete deposes malgre le delai passe de
plus de trois mois ” a dit Kilic.
ARMY WILL BE DEPLOYED ON MARCH 30
ARMAN GALOYAN
Story from Lragir.am News:
Published: 15:40:02 – 05/03/2012
Interview with Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the coordinator of the central
office of the Armenian National Congress
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s intervention was eventually required to make
the list of the Armenian National Congress? Was the Congress unable
to reach a consensus and make a list?
Certainly, it would be ideal if the parties forming the election
bloc of the Armenian National Congress reach a consensus on the
list. After all, according to the Election Code, the approval of the
full list by the parties forming the election bloc is required. It
was the reason why we initiated the process of reaching a consensus
among the parties. There were rather effective discussions, the
principles and criteria were established to choose people and decide
the correlation of non-partisans and partisans to be included in
the list. Certainly, they must be leaders who will inspire people,
be acceptable for the society. It is also clear that the key leaders
of the parties must have a place on the list. Everyone understands
that once the other conditions are equal, the political prisoners
must have an advantage because they are people who are ready to meet
challenges for the sake of their political views and principles. It was
understood that the people who wish to run under the majority system
must have an advantage if the other conditions are equal, as well as
the presence of young and fresh personalities must be ensured. It was
important to reach a consensus on a specific list of names. In other
words, there must be a list of names. The political board could not
reach a consensus, and then the discussions continued in interparty
meetings on a daily basis. However, the parties were also unable to
reach a consensus. Afterwards, Levon Ter-Petrosyan held a meeting of
the political board and heads of regional structures to discuss the
options of reaching a consensus. Different options were presented,
including the establishment of a body which would make the list on the
basis of consensus which will be accepted by everyone independent from
the result. However, the discussion showed that the majority prefers
the option which Ter-Petrosyan dwelled on during the rally. In other
words, Levon Ter-Petrosyan will be delegated to finalize the list.
When will the list be finalized?
There is a deadline foreseen by the legislation. The application must
be submitted to the CEC from March 12 to 22.
Will Ter-Petrosyan’s list be satisfactory?
There cannot be a satisfactory option because the Armenian
National Congress is a union of political forces, bright political
personalities, and all the leaders have a large caliber and they can
have justified aspirations for high positions. Unfortunately, it is
impossible to ensure adequate places to their merit for all of them.
Hence, I do not think that someone may be satisfied with the
list. But there is another principle. But another principle works –
the political union emerged for the sake of democratization of Armenia,
not for the sake of the list or parliamentary seats. Even if they
dislike something from the point of view of ambitions, assessments,
they are ready to make the final decision for the sake of the cause.
There is another hindrance. Some people may think that the order of
the list defines some hierarchy. It is impossible. The list must
represent the society, the list of people to run in the National
Assembly elections. On the other hand, it must have the effect of
mobilization. The top of the list must be occupied by people who
have first of all considerable human resources, a serious influence,
whose names alone will involve the highest number of citizens in
political activities.
In this context, what is your assessment of the decision of the ruling
coalition parties to run in the elections separately? Will this option
favor the Congress?
If Serzh Sargsyan was able to control the government team fully,
it would be a preferable option for him. If some parties run in the
elections, the government will collect the votes of people who will
not support Serzh Sargsyan’s Republican Party and vote for him.
However, the traditional logic was not observed. Witnessing the growing
independence of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) as a political
factor, Serzh Sargsyan had serious concerns and in the beginning
he rejected the principle of running in the elections separately,
tried to make one list for the coalition. They would lose votes but
control the Prosperous Armenia Party. Serzh Sargsyan failed, the PAP
rejected this option. The decision to run in the elections separately
is the consequence of the rejection of Serzh Sargsyan’s election
plan. Hence, there is reason to think that the PAP is becoming less
and less controlled by Serzh Sargsyan. In reality, both options are
technically favorable for the popular movement. In both cases there
are advantages which will be used immediately. After all, either
the PAP must agree to the number of parliamentary seats assigned to
it or it will be obvious to everyone that the PAP is the Country of
Law Party of this election. Or the PAP must do everything to ensure
a free and fair voting on the election day, and in this case it will
be possible to defeat the Republican Party by way of the elections.
The Armenian National Congress highlights the PAP. In his recent
speeches Levon Ter-Petrosyan often dwelled on it in a positive light.
What is the reason that the Congress’ attitude to the PAP is so
positive?
It is clear that we are ready to cooperate with the Heritage Party
and the ARF-D. The recent developments show that this cooperation is
deepening. However, the PAP is different by its political weight. It
is a more influential factor than the others, both in terms of the
electorate and membership to the coalition, and its independence from
the Republican Party will bring about more far-fetched consequences.
Don’t you fear that the PAP will try to lend a hand to the Congress
and try to appear opposition to win over voters but return to the
pro-government coalition after the elections?
Nobody can rule out the way of the Country of Law. However, our
observations show that the main tendency is headed backward, the
controversies are becoming more obvious, the independence of the PAP is
highlighted. From time to time, these controversies end up in fragile
ceasefires but they do not last long. And if it is obvious that Serzh
Sargsyan, nevertheless, forced the PAP to head along the path of the
Orinats Yerkir Party, we will always be able to draw conclusions. At
the moment, however, it is important to enable the independence of
the PAP.
There is an opinion that the attempts of the PAP to get independence
are determined by their relationship with Robert Kocharyan. On the
other hand, Levon Ter-Petrosyan disagreed with this opinion in his
speech. What are your thoughts?
There is a basic reason why Ter-Petrosyan is right. Robert Kocharyan
does not have any lever of influence on the PAP and Gagik Tsarukyan.
He does not have a lever because he is not in government and cannot
influence the decisions of any government body. He cannot have
financial levers because the PAP has its own financial resources and
does not need Kocharyan’s financial assistance. In terms of shaping
public opinion they do not have any levers. Instead the Congress
has such levers. While Kocharyan does not unfold public activity,
even if he does, it will produce the opposite result because his
reputation has been damaged.
So what is the strategy of the Congress in this situation?
The strategy of the Congress at this moment is the revolution. As
to our vision, we will speak about it in the rally of March 30, as
soon as we resolve a number of issues related to the elections. I
think that on March 30 the political army of the Armenian National
Congress will be deployed, ready for a general attack.
KAREN VARDANIAN: ELECTRONIC TRADE SYSTEM FUNCTION IN ARMENIA IN A YEAR
Noyan Tapan
2012-03-05
cted in shops, but electronic trade infrastructure is already being
set up to create conditions for online trade. The Union of Information
Technology Enterprises (UITE) is doing work in this direction. The
UITE is now implementing a program aimed at promoting electronic
trade in Armenia. “The purpose of the program is to gradually move
physical shops to virtual reality”, said UNITE Executive Director Karen
Vardanyan, adding that for this purpose three important steps should
be taken: creation of a favorable environment and a management body,
and encouraging young people to set up their own businesses.
According to K. Vardanyan, during the sitting of the Council for
Information Technology Development Support held on November 30 of last
year and chaired by the Armenian Prime Minister, the Union presented
customs and tax problems related to the organization of electronic
trade in Armenia, as well as proposals concerning their solution.
Based on these proposals, an attempt is made – through electronic
trade – to solve domestic problems related to sale of products and
services, exports of Armenian goods, and delivery of foreign goods
to Armenia. “As a result of this work, each Armenian citizen will
feel the positive effect of electronic trade in a year,” K. Vardanyan
assured us, noting that Armenia’s electronic trade infrastructure is
still in embryo.
The UITE director said that the Union also provides advisory services,
organizes the IT sector-related events for various age groups, creates
a favorable environment by uniting similar structures, and in general
promotes the development of Armenia’s IT sector. The number of the
UITE member companies is rapidly growing: it reached 58 in early 2012.
Among the Union members are local and foreign organizations that
specialize in software development, Internet technology, electronic
trade, etc.
SURVIVAL STORY OF TWO ARMENIANS DURING GENOCIDE TO BE PRESENTED IN BOSTON THEATRE
news.am
March 04, 2012 | 04:44
Next week the story of two Armenian women surviving the horrific
genocide of Armenians in Turkey will be presented on stage in Boston
due to the efforts and persistence of one particular man who tried
to keep history alive, The Boston Globe reports.
Shrewsbury dentist Martin Deranian, 89, lost his mother when he was
less than 7-years-old and throughout his life he tried to find out
what had happened to his mother and all the other heroic women during
the 1915 Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.
“Deported: a dream play,’~R by Elliot Norton Award-winning Newton
playwright Joyce Van Dyke is based on the story of her grandmother
Elmas Sarajian and Deranian’s mother Varter Nazarian.
The women moved to America after they had lost everything including
their husbands and children during the Armenian Genocide.
When Van Dyke was a child she often asked her grandmother what had
happened to her then, but she would never fully tell her story.
“I only know parts of the story because the family never talked about
the genocide,” Van Dyke says, whose play is to be presented at Boston
Playwrights’ Theatre, beginning Thursday.
EXPERT: RUSSIAN ELECTION NOT TO IMPACT ARMENIA
Tert.am
05.03.12
The Russian presidential polls are unlikely to have a direct impact
on electoral processes in Armenia, according to Alexander Iskandaryan,
a political analyst.
At a news conference on Monday, the expert said that Russia will
keep working with Armenia’s newly elected authorities after the May
parliamentary polls (which also imply a change of cabinet).
Considering Vladimir Putin’s victory a “change of situation”,
he admitted that his forecasts on the incumbent premier’s success
were 10% inaccurate (Iskandaryan had earlier said that Putin had 55%
chances to win in the presidential election).
He said the outcome of the Russian polls will not essentially impact
Armenia unless the country announces a foreign policy change.
Iskandaryan also ruled out the possibility of any impact on Armenia’s
parliamentary election.
As for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the expert
said he does not expect major changes in that process either.
“I am not inclined to think that Medvedev pursued independent policies
on any issue, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. So, I don’t
think there will be essential changes,” he added.