Author: Kanayan Tamar

COPS DETAIN 10 TRANSPORTATION ACTIVISTS SEEKING ENTRY TO YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY

13:14, September 10, 2013

This morning police prevented a group of activists from entering the
Yerevan Municipality seeking to participate in an open door session
of the Council of Elders.

Lena Nazaryan, told Hetq that cops had formed a barricade before
the entrance and detained seven activists who tried to make their
way inside.

The activists wanted to voice, yet again, their demand that Yerevan
Municipality Transportation Department Chief Henrik Navasardyan
and Yerevan Transport Director Misak Hambardzoumyan be brought to
account for their involvement in recent transit rate hike imbroglio
that caused a wave of civic protests in the Armenian capital.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM EUROPE

The European politicians who are often teased as bureaucrats are
apparently no longer interested in the explanations of the Armenian
government on the latest scandal and are worried about the evaluations
of political analysts who are not well-acquainted with Eastern Europe,
as well as some priorities of the regional policy.

In fact, it is not worth asking on September 9 why this scandal
happened, a discussion is on how to react to these developments. This
bureaucracy must account to the political instances of the European
Union and at the same time propose a policy in the likely future.

Opinions divided to two or three groups though now it is hard to
group these positions. According to our old friends of Europe, there
are “doves” and “hawks”, and the opinions of politicians changed
unexpectedly, and the stance of moderate politicians is not moderate
at all.

Hence, there are opinions that a political game is taking place,
and it is not worthwhile to kick Armenia out of the arena of European
integration and dramatize the situation otherwise it is what Russia
is expecting. It is necessary to come up with compromise, and one
confesses that work with the Armenian political class and society
over cooperation with the EU was not enough.

Politicians posturing as “hawks” are sharpening their knives and
calling to punish Armenia, demonstrate how such U-turns may end
up. It is proposed to review the obliging relations with Armenia and
apply blocking of efforts to present the relations with the European
Union as something significant and call them a process of developing
cooperation.

At the same time, it is proposed to launch a campaign and a political
attack against Russia and avail of this situation to put pressure on
it to the point of application of legal and economic sanctions.

Nevertheless, there are other positions, especially not to launch a
campaign against Russia because there is no reason to spoil relations
with Russia and forget about Armenia altogether as a politically
immature country.

Certain circles on R. Shuman Square who expected criticism first tried
to shift responsibility on the ambassadors of the member states to
Armenia and thereby insure themselves. However, apparently it was
not needed because nobody in the EU administration wished to start
on a witch hunt, understanding that they will thus prove that the
European politics is not viable.

The U.K. and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are more
radical, and they are not interested in Armenia as much as Russia,
i.e. organizing a campaign against it.

The Americans carry themselves with Olympian calm and they explain
it by information on latent intentions of the Armenian government.

However, the United States is too busy in other regions and there is
no need to expect radical decisions on the South Caucasus.

However, all the groups of such politicians in Europe, as well as
Americans think that the Armenian government has run out of political
credit. Although Armenia will be given a chance to check up the price
of U-turns and nonsense of this decision again.

However, it does not mean that Armenia is crossed out of the U.S. and
NATO strategies. Too much political resource has been spent on this
aspect where Armenia performs specific objectives and functions.

Armenia, like other countries of the region, cannot be crossed out
of such plans.

Too many intentions and goals are linked to Armenia. Our old friends
in the West are people with a good education and culture nevertheless
sometimes project major regional events, they may not tell the truth
but what they say is true. What’s the point of lying amid such variety
of opinions and evaluations, as well as interests?

Igor Muradyan 16:54 10/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

VIRTUAL POST OFFICES: GAMES AZERIS PLAY

September 10, 2013 – 19:19 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Azeri propaganda has been far from perfect over
the last 30 years, having gone from poor to ridiculous. Baku has
predictably reduced the “significant steps in a propaganda war against
Armenia” to absurdity. Hardly had the stir risen by Azeri media calmed
over Armenian forward Yura Movsisyan’s promoting Armenian interests at
Spartak FC when Azerpost released the postal codes of Artsakh’s rural
post offices, which Baku calls “occupied territories.” Azeripost chief
Ganbar Beybalaeyv characterized he move as a promotion of Azeri rights.

Baku is creating virtual villages in Artsakh – naturally, renamed ones
– where Azerpost is allegedly opening its offices. Let’s remind these
apologies of propagandists that the Karabakh population has for over
22 years been having no problems with sending letters. So Azerpost
statement is clearly out of place here.

ANSPRESS Azeri agency must bee feeling happy: releasing the news, it
managed to please the leadership while also showing the “true color”
of Armenians, who, as a matter of fact, couldn’t care less about such
sorry moves.

On the other hand, with presidential elections in Azerbaijan looming,
local officials are trying to excel in servility, hoping not to be
forgotten. Usually it’s with the new leadership that you risk to be
forgotten, and that’s the danger Azerbaijan will avoid, with Aliyev
poised to be a lifelong president. Or, until Aliyev’s ambitions stand
in the way of the West, and they’ll dispose of him as easily as they
did of Hosni Mobarak or Muammar Gaddafi.

With such a prospect in view, moves with postal codes look like a
child’s play. Baku seems to be particularly fond of interfering with
Armenia and NKR’s affairs without any right to do so. That would be the
same as Armenia trying to lecture Georgia over its policy on Russia.

As Arstakh’s Deputy Prime Minister Artur Aghabekyan told Radio Liberty
earlier, “UN should make a relevant conclusion over Azerbaijan’s
objection to assisting Syrian Armenians. Other than that, we don’t
give a damn about Baku’s stance.” Rough as the statement is, it’s a
true one, nevertheless.

Karine Ter-Sahakyan

SLEPNEV HOPES ARMENIA TO BECOME COFOUNDER OF EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION

YEREVAN, September 10. /ARKA/. Eurasian Economic Commission Trade
Minister Andrey Slepnev expressed today hope that Armenia will become
a cofounder of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Armenian and Russian presidents, Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin,
made a joint statement one week ago after they met in Moscow. It
has become known from the statement that Armenia has decided to join
the Customs Union and intends to take part in formation of Eurasian
Economic Union in the future.

The announcement came as Armenia was poised to sign the Association
Agreement with the European Union.

European officials find it impossible to combine two models of
integration as Yerevan is expressing its readiness to cooperate
closely with the European Union.

“I would like to say that we have plenty to do the next year to
be cofounders of the Eurasian Economic Union, but this is a very
ambitious goal,” Interfax quoted Slepnev as saying on the sidelines
of the ComAuto 2013 conference held by Vedomosti newspaper in Moscow
on Tuesday.

The minister said that most important is Armenia’s decision,
and solution of technical problems, maybe even complicated, is an
objective of another level.

“A political decision is the main matter,” he stressed.

Speaking about the groundwork to be laid to include Armenia in
the Customs Union, Slepnev said Armenia should bring its laws
in tune with the Customs Union’s norms. —0— – See more at:

PASSAGES OF NONSENSE WHAT IS BAD FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH IS GOOD FOR AZERBAIJAN

Tuesday, 10 September 2013 11:45

There is about a month left before the presidential elections in
Azerbaijan, and although on the eve of this event the Azerbaijani
authorities are doing their best to prove to the world that the
situation of human rights is quite successful in the country, the
criticism by various international structures and politicians, who
accuse official Baku of the suppression of democratic rights and
freedoms, does not stop.

Recently, the well-known international human rights organization
Human Rights Watch has released a critical report on Azerbaijan.

The almost 100-page document notes the ongoing intimidation of
opposition and independent journalists, accusing them of libeling and
committing crimes. It is noted that during the year, in connection with
the arrests of journalists, the situation of the mass media freedom has
deteriorated; there is still the problem of tortures, ordered judgment
and arrests; the pressure on human rights organizations is underway.

These facts, quite eloquently describing the ruling regime of President
Aliyev as definitely authoritarian and totalitarian, have long been
stated in the world. Another thing is that the Azerbaijani authorities,
confident of their permissiveness and impunity, openly ignore the calls
of the competent international structures to improve the situation of
human rights. Moreover, following the well-known principle of “the best
defense is attack”, the representatives of official Baku are attacking
those who have “dared” to criticize the actions of the leadership of
Azerbaijan, which are incompatible with the norms of international law.

The Human Rights Watch hasn’t escaped the fate either. Commenting on
the noted report of the organization, head of the Political Analysis
and Information Department of the Presidential Administration of
Azerbaijan Elnur Aslanov, calling it a libel, said that the document
“is grossly distorting the real facts and misleading the international
community”. He accused the organization of bias and execution of
orders paid by certain groups and individuals, with the aim … of
forming a negative opinion about Azerbaijan.

We do not intend to act as an advocate of the Human Rights Watch,
believing that the organization can defend its honor and dignity.

However, let us give a fact that proves the objectivity and validity
of the conclusions of this respected human rights organization. The
other day, four former Ambassadors of the USA and EU to European
countries have published an article in the New York Times, calling on
the West to speak on behalf of those who are denied freedom in the
South Caucasus, particularly in Azerbaijan. One of the authors of
the article, former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Kozlarich
stressed in an interview to Turan Agency that he was indignant at
the fact that the Azerbaijanis were deprived of human rights. “The
authorities’ behavior is unacceptable, and the West should pay more
attention to this situation. The government’s actions against its
own people have become extremely oppressive”, said Mr. Kozlarich.

However, the authorities of Azerbaijan would have betrayed themselves,
if even in this situation would not have tried to direct the arrow
to the Armenians. As a popular saying goes, whatever the people
say, the nitty always speaks about the bath. So, nitty Azerbaijan,
represented by the above mentioned department head of the presidential
administration, saw the Armenian trace in the “machinations” of the
Human Rights Watch. It turns out that the human rights situation in
the Azerbaijani Sultanate, where, according to him, “all are equal
before the law”, is just great. One of the reasons of the critical
report’s appearance is that … “the Board of Directors of the Human
Rights Watchcomprises Vardan Grigoryan – a person of Armenian origin”.

This circumstance, according to the official, is also crucial for the
fact that “the organization is constantly limited with episodes on
Armeniaand groundlessly takes a biased position against Azerbaijan,
occasionally spreading false and defamatory reports about our country”.

And further, the representative of the presidential administration,
touching upon the Karabakh problem, turned out to be in his own element
– the element of falsehood and forgery. Accusing theHuman Rights
Watch of gross distortion of the real facts, it is he who distorts
the history of the conflict, ascribing to Armenians gross violations
of human rights and freedoms of “more than 1 million refugees and
internally displaced persons”. Let us leave the inflated figures of the
Azerbaijani propaganda upon Aslanov’s conscience (if it is generally
appropriate to speak about this). Let us only note that he is “gently”
silent about the reason of the emergence of refugees and internally
displaced persons – both Armenians and Azerbaijanis. It lies in the
fact that this problem arose as a result of the armed aggression of
Azerbaijan against the NKR, which had declared its independence. Then
comes another passage, which against the background of the rabid
Armenia-hatred in Azerbaijan does not fit into the framework of
common sense. It turns out, according to Aslanov, that the report’s
assertions on the “Armenia-phobia” in Azerbaijan are …the fruit
of sick imagination and full nonsense. While it would be fair to
consider nonsense his regular thesis that the Armenians of Nagorno
Karabakh are citizens ofAzerbaijan and the Azerbaijani society will
resume their joint residence in the post-conflict period.And while
during the Soviet era even the current Azerbaijani president was not
a citizen of Azerbaijanand after the collapse of the Soviet Union
Nagorno Karabakh declared its independence.

In short, Azerbaijan is really a country of nonsense. And this nonsense
will continue until the critical reports and calls by international
structures to respect the norms of the civilized community are followed
by effective measures on forcing Azerbaijan to fulfill its commitments
assumed when joining the Council of Europe. It will also continue as
long as Azerbaijan doesn’t seek for the reasons of its troubles in
itself, instead doing it outside.

Leonid MARTIROSSIAN

Editor-in-Chief of Azat Artsakh newspaper

THE RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVED DANISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

10.09.2013

On September 10 the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan received
Parlaimetary delegation from Danmark led by Eva Hansen, European
Affairs Committee Chair of Danish Parliament.

Welcoming the guests, the NA President has noted that Armenia
is interested to promote political dialogue with Danmark and
expressed confidence that this kind of visits will contribute to the
intensification and deepening of bilateral ties. In this context the
development of interparliamentary relations and intensification of
parliamentary democracy are considered necessary. Hovik Abrahamyan
highlighted Danish parliamenraians’ and journalists’visit to Artsakh.

“I am glad about your visit to Nagorno Karabakh. I am sure that this
visit gave you an opportunity to get acquainted directly with the
essence of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and Artsakh authorities’ point
of views on peaceful resolution perspectives”,- noted the NA president.

In his word, the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
continues to remain one of the most important priorities of the RA
foreign policy, and our country is adhered to its adopted principal
of resolving Nagorno Karabakh conflict absolutely in a peaceful way.

Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the conflict should be resolved within
the format of OSCE Minsk group based on the principals of non use of
force, the right of self-determination and territorial integrity.

European Affairs Committee Chair of Danish Parliament Eva Hansen
thanked for the reception and noted that they had a number of important
meetings and interesting discussions. She also highlighted the
activation of interparliamentary ties, mutual contacts and cooperation
in different formats. By the guests’ request The NA president touched
upon the EU-Armenia cooperation, Armenian-Turkish relations, as well
as Armenia ‘s intention to join the Customs Union.

In Hovik Abrahamyan’s word in its foreign policy Armenia has always
been leaded by the principle of combining interests and Armenia ‘s
decision to join Customs Union doesn’t mean termination or loosening
the political dialogue with the EU.

Other issues of bilateral interest were also discussed during the
meeting.

CHINA TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL $16-MILLION GRANT TO ARMENIA

September 10, 2013 | 14:05

YEREVAN. – The People’s Republic of China will provide an additional
$16-million grant to Armenia.

The respective agreement was reached Tuesday during the talk between
Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan-who is in China on a working
visit-and Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s
Republic of China, in Dalian city.

The Chinese premier thanked Sargsyan for attending the World Economic
Forum in Dalian, informs the Armenian government press service.

In turn Armenia’s PM reflected on bilateral relations.

“The development of relations with China is a priority for us. I would
like to thank China for its balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue. I am also happy that our relations are deepening,” Tigran
Sargsyan stated, in particular.

“I know that you and the Armenian people give great emphasis to Chinese
culture. In this regard, we stand ready to increase the number of
your students at the institutions of higher education of China,
and to expand the activities of the Confucius Center [in Armenia].

“We are prepared to guide our citizens toward visiting Armenia.

Activities will be carried out toward increasing Chinese investments
in Armenia. We are also ready to import a variety of products from
Armenia to the Chinese market.

“We have made a decision to provide an additional 100-million-yuan
[approx. $16 million] free financial aid to the Government of Armenia,
to carry out joint projects.

“China’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is that the parties
should be able to reach a solution with restraint and talks, and
peace should be established in the region,” specifically noted the
Chinese premier.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

GREECE EXPECTS PRIMARY FISCAL SURPLUS IN EARLY 2014: GREEK AMBASSADORS’ INTERVIEW WITH NEWS.AM

September 10, 2013 | 01:19

YEREVAN. – Armenian News-NEWS.aminterviewed Greek Ambassador to
Armenia, Ioannis Taghis.

Ambassador Taghis, how would you assess the current level of relations
between Greece and Armenia?

The Greece-Armenia relations are excellent, and they are based on the
rich historical past of the two countries. Our two peoples have always
had close relations ever since ancient times. In recent years, Greek
President Karolos Papoulias’ visit to Armenia in 2007 and Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan’s return visit to Greece in 2011 have highly
contributed to the development of relations between our countries.

Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian’s official visit to Greece this March
likewise gave new impetus to the development of our relations.

Let us not forget the contribution of the large Armenian community
in Greece and the Greek community in Armenia to the enhancement of
the bilateral relationship.

In the European context it should be noted that Greece stands ready
to contribute to the cooperation between Armenia and European Union.

Armenia has already signed several agreements with EU, which include
the relaxation of the visa requirements with EU member countries
and successfully completed the negotiations for a future association
agreement.

How would you assess the Armenian-Greek economic relations? What
prospects for development do you see in this domain? Which domains
of the economy could they refer to?

I believe the Armenian-Greek economic ties have a big potential
though now are well below the level of political relations between
the two countries. They can improve in domains such as pharmaceutics,
construction, high technology, food trade, etc.

As for Greece, I can say that the economy is stable and all the
conditions are in place for successful investments in Greek economy,
specifically in the domains of tourism, construction, and real estate.

Tourism is very much developed in Greece. Armenia likewise attaches
a great importance to this sector. In your view, to what extent is
tourism development full of prospect in Armenia?

Truly, there is a great potential for tourism development in Armenia
and it is a promising sector in your country. In my view, the
development of tourism can be of importance for the economy as a whole.

Do you agree with the view that tourism obstructs the development of
other domains?

Diversification is important for all economies, but if a country has
especially potential in a specific field why not to benefit of it.

The Greek economy is going through a difficult period. In your view,
what are the ways out of this situation? Some even mention the need
to leave EU and the eurozone. Is there such need?

Greece was among the first European countries affected by the debt
crisis and with the support of the EU and the IMF the Greek Government
implements an ambitious economic adjustment programme in order to
improve the country`s competitiveness and macroeconomic outlook
through fiscal adjustment and structural reforms. These efforts have
already started bearing fruit: total debt has been reduced, Greece is
expecting a primary fiscal surplus in early 2014, the competitiveness
of the economy has increased and the business environment is improving
making the country more attractive for foreign investments.

Nevertheless the continuous austerity measures have adversely affected
unemployment and recession. There must be therefore a balance between
the necessary fiscal solidity and an effort to boost growth and tackle
the unemployment and this is the direction Greek Government is moving.

No one speaks any more about Greece leaving the eurozone let alone
the EU as some people used to predict a year ago and the euro itself
looks stronger.

What impact has the economic crisis had on ordinaryGreek citizens? Do
the regularly-occurringprotests and strikes undermine the addressing
of economic problems, or do they promote finding better solutions?

Criticism and protests commonly happen in all democratic countries
where the citizens freely express their view and to some extent they
can contribute as you say in the adoption of the right policy. In
Greece the austerity measures as I said before have had a direct social
impact. In view of that the Government has made consistent efforts to
protect especially the most vulnerable parts of the society besides
the steps taken to boost growth.

And do the rank-and-file [Greek] citizens already feel the positive
results of the present-day economic policy [in Greece], or is time
still needed for this?

I believe the positive results and changes are already seen and
they will be soon more clearly felt, when new jobs are created. The
fact that the Greek products have again started to compete in the
global market likewise bespeaks the reviving of the economy. All the
indicators show that the competitiveness of the Greek products in
the global market has increased markedly.

In your view, should a diplomat set before himself an objective when
assuming the position of an ambassador in a country?

The work of a diplomat is important and, certainly, the ambassador of
a country should set objectives before himself when being appointed to
his/her post. And these objectives depend on the relations between his
country and the state where he is appointed as ambassador. In my case
I will consider it a personal reward if I`ll be able to substantially
contribute to the consolidation of the excellent relations between
Greece and Armenia.

Do you remember your first impressions upon arrival in Armenia?

I was very positively impressed by the very modern look of Yerevan
airport. I must also mention the fascinating special architectural
color of the old buildings of Yerevan.

You have worked in a variety of countries. Can your mindset change
by visiting new countries? Do you receive anything from a new culture?

Of course. Every diplomat can learn many things when working in
different countries. During his work, a diplomat familiarizes with
new cultures, new conditions, gaining experiences which enrich and
broaden his way of thinking.

They say the Armenians and the Greeks have many things in common. Do
you agree? What are the similarities and the differences between
our peoples?

The two peoples are very close to each other sharing the same social,
moral and political values, with the exception of language.

Is there something you miss a lot bybeing far away from Greece?

I love Greece very much with the special meaning that homeland
always has for everybody and I have always missed [it] wherever I
have worked. But I would say I miss Greece much less here in Yerevan,
since we are very close to Armenians in terms of mentality, life style,
and even cuisine.

And in the end, what would you wish to the Armenian people?

I wish peace, progress, and welfare to the people of Armenia.

By Artur Khemchyan

ZHOGHOVURD: ARMENIANS IN EUROPE MULL REGIME CHANGE PLAN

09:35 10.09.13

The Armenians in Europe are said to be thinking over plans to achieve
a change in regime in Armenia.

Speaking to the paper, Ashot Grigoryan, the president of the Forum
of Armenian Associations of Europe, unveiled plans for launching a
pan-Armenian front tasked with realizing the initiative. According to
him, such a decision was made at the forum’s 15th session on Slovakia.

The meeting, which brought together Armenians from different
countries of Europe, was also attended by Levon Hayrapetyan, the
Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) born Armenian benefactor who now resides
in Moscow, says the paper.

Speaking at the meeting, Hayrapetyan reportedly called for measures
to realize the plan in a matter of minutes. Otherwise, he said, the
planned coup would turn into a revolution, “making our enemies happy”.

Armenian News – Tert.am

UN JEUNE MANIFESTANT TUE LORS DE HEURTS AVEC LA POLICE

manifestation-Turquie-politique

ANKARA, 10 sept 2013 (AFP) – Un manifestant âge de 22 ans a ete tue
lundi soir dans le sud de la Turquie lors d’affrontements avec la
police, ont rapporte mardi les medias.

Le jeune homme, Ahmet Atakan, touche a la tete par une grenade
lacrymogène faisait partie d’un groupe rassemble a Antakya a la memoire
de l’une des victimes de la fronde antigouvernementale de juin dernier,
precise l’agence de presse Dogan.

Les manifestants au nombre d’environ 150 se sont heurtes a la police
anti-emeutes qui a fait usage de gaz lacrymogènes. Blesse par un
projectile contenant du gaz, l’homme est decede a l’hôpital. Antakya,
situee a proximite de la frontière syrienne, est l’une des villes
de Turquie où ont eu lieu des manifestations antigouvernementales
pendant l’ete.

Cinq personnes ont ete tuees et des milliers d’autres blessees lors
de ce mouvement de contestation sans precedent contre le regime
islamo-conservateur au pouvoir depuis 2002. Depuis le debut de
septembre et la rentree universitaire, les manifestations visant le
pouvoir turc ont repris a Istanbul et Ankara notamment, mais avec
une moindre ampleur qu’en juin.

Des affrontements ont oppose lundi a Istanbul la police turque a des
centaines de manifestants rassembles pour soutenir un adolescent de
14 ans plonge dans le coma depuis la fronde.

mardi 10 septembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com