Author: Kanayan Tamar

LYDIAN SEEKING TO ATTRACT INVESTMENTS INTO AMULSAR PROJECT BEARING HIGH INVESTMENT RISKS

16:00 March 17, 2015

EcoLur

Lydian International Company is seeking to attract shareholders into
the development of Amulsar gold mine Armenia. Lydian International
Company presented Amulsar project at PDAC-2015 in Canada. The CEO of
Lydian International Company Howard Stevenson stated that investments
will be attracted and the construction will be launched in 2015,
while gold mining will start in 2016. Nevertheless, the company
didn’t mention anything about pre-conditioned positive opinion
of environmental expertise for Amulsar project and the mandatory
requirements of project safety posed by Nature Protection Ministry and
naturally not a word about serious risks and threats for strategic
water resources, unique biodiversity revealed by public monitoring,
as well as nothing about public opposition to Amulsar project.

Below we publish environmental lawyer and ‘Save Teghout’ initiative
member Arthur Grigoryan’s article

‘Amulsar Mining Is Illegal and Impermissible

PART ONE

I have joined the group, which opposes to Amulsar mining project
considering it, first of all, contradictory to the legislation of
the Republic of Armenia, economically harmful and disproportionally
risky in viewpoint of ecology and culture.

It should be mentioned that company to be developing Amulsar has
presented a quite high-quality EIA, which is not inherent to mining
projects implemented in Armenia so far. Nevertheless, nice packaging
contains a very vulnerable project in conent and an irresponsible
project, the implementation of which is merely illegal.

Amulsar mining can’t be classified as ‘responsible mining’ concept,
as it doesn’t comply with ‘performance standards’ it declared
and the requirements of the national legislation it prescribes,
mentioned by units advocating the mining project – IFC, WB, EBRD, US
and UK diplomatc representations etc, thus bearing huge individual
responsibility, including for the processes started before the
projects…

Another legal issue is that the positive opinion of the environmental
expertise of EIA is not an expert document in compliance with the law,
but a short summary of the EIA, in my evaluation, which is subject
to appellation as an administrative act in all legal ways, including
in court.

The heap leach facility is located in the area of Gndevaz community
in a distance of 1 km from residential area. The permissibility of
the construction of an ore dressing plant and a heap leach facility in
such proximity to residential area is also subject to legal assessment,
as well as determination of the project affected zone.

– In territorial viewpoint, the most acute legal issue is determining
the mining affected zone: taking into consideration that Amulsar
is located in the drainage basin of Lake Sevan, while ‘Vorotan-Arpa’
hydrotechnical complex is also an immediate impact zone of Lake Sevan –
all the communities located in the drainage basin of Lake Sevan shall
also be recognized as Amulsar mining affected communities.

– Spandaryan reservoir is located in a distance of 6 km from mining
area (including infrastrucutres), which can store up to 260 million
cum water. On the other side, Kechout reservoir is located in a
distance of around 4.5 km, from where the accumulated water flows to
Lake Sevan through Arpa-Sevan tunnel. Water flows form in the area
of Amulsar mine, which supply water to Vorotan, Arpa and Darb rivers,
which will be used for different purposes in the area laid down in the
EIA, as well as beyond this territory for the irrigation of vineyards
for the production of brandy and wine.

– Approximately 22-kilometer-long Spandaryan-Kechout tunnel is
located between the mine and the plant, which was constructed to
transfer annually around 160 million cum water from Vorotan water
accumulated in Spandaryan reservoir to Kechout reservoir, then to
Lake Sevan. Some parts of mining affected zones are also Lake Sevan
immediate impact zones.

Jermuk resort town is located in a distance of 10 km from Amulsar.

Depreciation of Jermuk international fame, probable negative impacts
on the vineyards irrigated with the project affected rivers, risks
for decrease in wine and brandy production and their quality decrease
are subject to alternative economic assessment.

Though the recently passed resolution of the Armenian Government allows
to transfer rare and extincting plant species from the mining area,
this resolution is subject to appellation in court, as it contradict
with RA Code on Subsoil, as well as laws on flora and fauna.

Valuable cultural finds have been detected in Amulsar.

In addition to legal, economic, social, cultural and other
contradictory points, Amulsar mining also has a very serous problem,
which makes the declared priority of social responsibility impossible:
it has already caused a tense intercommunity and intracommunity
conflict, which will get deeper and deeper.

EURONEST PA CO-CHAIR SAYS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION IMPORTANT

YEREVAN, March 18. / ARKA /. Euronest Parliamentary Assembly co-chair
Heidi Hautala described a resolution adopted yesterday by the Euronest
Parliamentary Assembly on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide as
a very important decision, when speaking to reporters in Yerevan
today on the sidelines of the Euronest PA session. The resolution
was endorsed by 33 votes, 4 votes were against.

“Personally, I attach great importance to this resolution. Before
the start of the plenary session of the Euronest PA, we visited the
Genocide Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd, and adopted this important
decision,’ said Hautala.

Prior to the vote a German MP Kurt Fleckenstein said that “it is
impossible to build a good future, without recognizing the fact
of genocide.”

One of those who voted against was an MP from Ukraine Sergey Alekseev,
who said their position in this matter does not coincide with the
Armenian, as Armenia does not support their position on Russian
aggression against Ukraine and refuses to recognize the Holodomor.

Hautala said the fourth ordinary session of the Euronest PA
was successful, having adopted a number of important resolutions
concerning the expansion of cooperation with the countries embraced
by EU’s Eastern Partnership program.

Euronest PA session was held in Yerevan on 17-18 March. The agenda
included four main reports by the standing committees of the National
Assembly of Armenia on cooperation issues in 2014-2020 under the
European Neighborhood and Eastern Partnership programs.-0-

RUSSIAN JOURNALIST: THE SOONER TURKEY CONFRONTS ITS HISTORY THE SOONER IT WILL GET RID OF BURDEN OF PAST

15:04 18/03/2015 >> SOCIETY

Acknowledgement of the historical truth is one of the guarantees of
development, Russian historian, journalist, TV presenter and writer
Leonid Mlechin told Panorama.am on the on the sidelines of the “At the
Foot of Mount Ararat” media forum in Yerevan, commenting on Turkey’s
policy of Armenian Genocide denial.

Mr Mlechin noted that Turkey’s propaganda does not have any serious
significance in serious professional and public circles, adding that
it is beyond any doubt that what happened in 1915 is genocide.

Commenting about Turkey’s decision to mark the 100th anniversary of
the Battle of Gallipoli on April 24, 2015, the Russian historian said
that the sooner Turkey confronts its history the sooner it will get
rid of the burden of the past.

First of all, the state that perpetrated the tragic events needs the
acknowledgment of these events, he concluded.

SERZH SARGSYAN CLOSES REPUBLICAN PARTY

Hakob Badalyan, Political Commentator
Comments – 18 March 2015, 14:24

The leader of the Republican parliamentary group Vahram Baghdasaryan
announced that the discussions on the amendments to the Constitution
focus on reducing the number of parliamentary seats. He said so in
answer to the question of the Haykakan Zhamanak Newspaper whether it
is true that the new parliament will have 121 seats instead of the
present 131.

“Why not 75 seats?” Vahram Baghdasaryan said. He said he personally
thinks that it is more correct to have a professional parliament with
75 members.

Let us leave aside the meaning of the phrase “professional
parliament”. It is more interesting that the head of the Republican
parliamentary group is expressing his “personal opinion” and is
uttering the number 75. Can the Republicans express such “responsible”
personal opinions on such matters, even in a joke? After all, such
an opinion could cause concerns and panic in both the so-called
opposition field and the Republican Party.

Because the number of seats is reduced, and competition becomes
tougher, so the probability of being one of the winners becomes lower.

Vahram Baghdasaryan is an experienced participant of the Armenian
administration not to realize the responsibility of such “personal
opinion”. He knows very well what reaction his personal opinion may
cause. Hence, it is not ruled out that he is not expressing just a
“personal opinion” but an approach under consideration which is
considered necessary to be published.

Currently, there is one pole in the political field of Armenia and
such considerations will target the government pole. Obviously,
the suggestion on 75 seats may be meant to intensify passions, and
passions must be somehow dealt with. Serzh Sargsyan would hardly take
a step that would stir the opposition. There is no need for extra
efforts in this direction. All that Sargsyan wanted to get from this
opposition at this stage he got through meetings at the president’s
office and open letters written earlier.

The issue of the government pole is different. Sargsyan’s upcoming
activities are based here because disassembly of the opposite pole is
not enough unless he uses this circumstance for necessary reshuffle in
the Republican Party or the administration needed for gaining maximum
flexibility and autonomy for a reshuffle in the upcoming electoral
stage. It means that Serzh Sargsyan must cause some processes to
mature in this pole, empowering himself with some legitimacy to act.

And when it is announced that the seats in the parliament may be
reduced from 131 to 75, this statement causes more concerns in
the Republican Party rather than the opposition. It is clear that
Sargsyan cannot give all the 75 seats to the Republican Party, which
means that the Republican seats will be reduced, some people will be
deprived of mandates. In other words, the competition will intensify,
hence the aspirants will set to fight for it.

In other words, Serzh Sargsyan actually spurs an early fight for
mandates within the RPA through Vahram Baghdasaryan’s statement,
which may be equal to stimulating a miscarriage.

However, it means that Sargsyan needs to take care of his security
in this game. Of course, Gagik Tsarukyan’s demonstrative punishment
intended to fight off thoughts of a riot but since more people will
lose this game, resistance will be much stronger.

Perhaps, therefore, Sargsyan has recently announced in his speech
on the Constitution that he has concerns about change of the model
of governance, namely in regard to risks relating to internal and
foreign security and stability. He called to develop a change of the
model of governance, as well as options of improvement of the model.

Interestingly, Serzh Sargsyan is eliminating political hindrances
to his initiative to amend the Constitution, Afterwards, however, he
does not push forward the idea of change of the model of governance
without hindrances but actually puts forward the idea of leaving the
existing model and merely improving it. In addition, the stress is
on the security issue, which is related to administrative powers on
the security agencies.

The improvement of the existing model with such focus means increase
of the role of the security agencies rather than the parliament. It is
going to be the counterweight with the help of which Serzh Sargsyan
will be trying to charge and discharge the RPA, bridling the RPA
after the opposition.

By eliminating PAP Serzh Sargsyan has actually deprived the RPA of
blackmail against it, getting a bigger chance to align the RPA to
his own political plans. So far this party was a governmental stock
exchange where experienced brokers succeeded in administration.

Sargsyan who is facing the issue of leaving as a de jure active player
pursues the strategic goal of closing this exchange to deprive other
players of an opportunity to play after him.

DES COMPAGNIES AERIENNES DU QATAR ET DE LA GRECE VONT LANCER DES VOLS VERS L’ARMENIE EN 2015

ARMENIE

Des representants de Qatar Airways (Qatar) et Aegean Airlines
(Grèce) ont exprime leur intention de commencer l’exploitation de
vols vers l’Armenie en 2015 a annonce le ministre de l’economie
Karen Chshmarityan.

AZERBAIJAN’S HARDLINE POLICY HINDERS PROGRESS ON KARABAKH TALKS – DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

YEREVAN, March 17. /ARKA/. Azerbaijan’s uncompromising policy is
hindering progress on the Karabakh peace process, Armenia’s deputy
foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said on Sputnik-Armenia radio
on Monday.

“The Azerbaijani side agrees to no compromise. They want everything
or nothing, hence, it is not realistic to expect progress in these
conditions,” Kocharyan said.

Madrid principles proposed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group is
not something the Armenian side dreamed of; it is just a compromising
document serving as basis for the talks and trying to bring the
mutually exclusive positions closer, the deputy minister said.

Madrid principles contain some compromising proposals where the
territorial issues are addressed, Kocharyan said.

The deputy foreign minister stressed that some of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic territories, part of Martuni and Martakert regions and
Shahumyan region in particular, are still under the control of
Azerbaijan.

Kocharyan also said that it is not Armenia, but Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic, that should decide on all territorial issues.

The deputy minister said it would be desirable if Azerbaijan
recognized NKR’s independence, which would rule out any use-of-force
settlement. After that, the two sides should negotiate and settle
all the border issues, Kocharyan said.

The Karabakh conflict started in 1988 when prevailingly Armenian
population of Nagorno-Karabakh declared withdrawal from Azerbaijan. On
December 10, 1991, a referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh where
99.89% voted for independence from Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan responded by large-scale military operations that led
to loss of control not only over Nagorno-Karabakh itself, but also
over seven adjoining areas. About 25-30 thousand people were killed
and about a million had to leave their homes during the military
operations. A trilateral cease-fire agreement was signed on May 12,
2004, and has been followed since then.

The ongoing Karabakh peace process started in 1992 under auspices of
OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France. -0–

CHARLES AZNAVOUR TO MEET POPE FRANCIS AHEAD OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL

16:41, 17 Mar 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Charles Aznavour will be at St. Peter’s Square Wednesday for the
General Audience of Pope Francis.

Adnkronos.com reports, citing its sources in Vatican, that the
French-Armenian artist will meet the Pope at the end of the Audience.

A meeting between the Pope and the world’s most popular Armenian takes
even greater significance given that 2015 marks the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide.

On this occasion, Aznavour will propose Pope Francis to hold a concert
in the Vatican to commemorate the centenary of the genocide.

Remind that Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass at Basilica of San
Pietro in April 12 to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. The Catholcios
of All Armenians is expected to attend the Mass.

REFORM CONTROVERSY: ANC REAFFIRMS OPPOSITION TO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

NEWS | 17.03.15 | 10:49

The Armenian National Congress (ANC) will seek to scuttle the
constitutional reform initiated by the current administration or turn
a corresponding referendum into a “vote of no confidence” in President
Serzh Sargsyan and his government, the opposition party said on Monday.

In a statement the ANC said that the initiative has only one goal:
“To remove the constitutional barrier to extending [Sargsyan’s]
personal rule.”

The opposition party claimed that Sargsyan ordered a government
crackdown against the opposition last month “in order to reach
this goal”.

Last week the president held a series of meetings with representatives
of several political parties, including the Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP), which had to change its leader earlier this month under apparent
strong pressure from Sargsyan and his ruling Republican Party of
Armenia, that described the PAP’s then leader Gagik Tsarukyan as
“evil”.

Since the change of leadership on March 5, the PAP has been less
categorical in its opposition to the constitutional reform that is
expected to turn Armenia into a parliamentary republic.

The ANC believes, however, that by making the National Assembly a
more dominant branch of power Sargsyan attempts to extend his own
rule beyond 2018 when, under the current Constitution, he will be
barred from seeking a third presidential term in a row.

Sargsyan, who formally endorsed the reform concept over the weekend,
earlier had pledged not to seek a top government post if the
constitutional amendments were made.

“The goal of this imitational show of “broad consolidation” of
political forces is to create an illusion of public approval around
the idea of changing the Constitution,” the ANC said.

“The ANC state that in the created situation it will do everything
to protect the Constitution from tyrannical encroachments, to return
the power to the people, to restore the disturbed constitutional order
and urges the public, all layers of society to consolidate and oppose
the unconcealed attempt to establish dictatorship in the country by
turning the referendum on constitutional amendments into a vote of
no confidence in Serzh Sargsyan and a nationwide process of removing
the current regime from power,” the opposition party said.

ARMENIA HAS A LOT TO OFFER TO EUROPE: CEM OZDEMIR

11:58, 17 March, 2015

YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPESS. Germany has good relations with Armenia,
but we would like to see democratic, independent and more European
Armenia. The Co-chairman of the “Alliance 90/The Greens” party of
the Federal Republic of Germany Cem Ozdemir told “Armenpress”, while
evaluating current relations between Armenia and Germany.

“Armenia obviously belongs to Europe, if you look at the map, but
we would like to see Armenia closer to Europe and therefore I’m sad
that the Association Agreement unfortunately failed. I think it’s a
missed opportunity. I understand that Armenia has strong relations
with Russia, and there is nothing wrong about that. Energy and
export relationship are one of the reasons. I do not see that as a
contradiction to, at the same time, the Association Agreement with
the European Union. Therefore I would love to see this put on the
table again and then hopefully with a different result this time,”
the member of German Bundestag concluded.

Among other things, Cem Ozdemir noted: “Armenia has a lot to offer. I
just had a chance to test Armenian wine, unfortunately very briefly,
because we had to meet with the President. On the other side I think
we can help with renewable energy. Germany has extensive experience
in that. In particular my party started it and the new government
continues that with a more sustainable economy. At the same time the
European Union is very experienced in the rule of law, strengthening
democratic institutions with free media and strong parliamentarian
system. There are many areas where we can collaborate.”

SPANISH CITY OF BETERA RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

13:07, 17 Mar 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Plenary council of the City Hall of Betera, Spain, has recognized
the Armenian Genocide.

It is mentioned in the decision that massacres and deportation took
place in 1915-1921 on the territory of modern Turkey, particularly,
under the Young Turks rule, during which 1.5 million Armenian were
killed, and another 2 million were forced to leave places of their
residence and find refuge all over the world, thus forming Armenian
Diaspora.

City Hall of Betera officially recognizes the Armenian Genocide and
condemns the crimes against humanities perpetrated during that period.