Author: Kanayan Tamar

Iranian gas not to cost less than $370 per 1,000 c. m to Armenia, minister says

YEREVAN, May 24./ARKA/. Iranian natural gas will cost to Armenia not
less than $370 per 1,000 cubic meters, said Armen Movsisyan, Energy
and Natural Resources Minister.

`At present, Iran sells its natural gas to Turkey at $335 per 1,000
cubic meters, but starting with the next year the price will rise to
$440. As Turkey consumes huge volume of gas, the sides can kick off
talks, and we will be offered the price of not less than $370,’
Movsisyan said Thursday at the parliament debates over the gas price.

The minister noted Iran-Armenia pipeline could completely cover the
domestic gas demand, as its capacity is 2.2 billion cubic meters a
year, while Armenian domestic demand is just 1.7 billion cubic meters.

He also added in case some additional compressor stations were
constructed, the pipeline capacity might increase to 3 billion cubic
meters.

In 2004, the Armenian government initiated construction of
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to expand its gas import network. Armenia
started receiving the Iranian gas through the pipeline on May 15,
2009. The gas delivery was agreed upon `Gas in exchange for
electricity’ principle.

According to the Public Services Regulatory Commission, Armenia
imported over 2.4 billion cubic meters of gas in 2012, of them over
1.9 billion from Russia, and 488.3 million from Iran.

On May 14, Armenia-based ArmRosgazprom CJSC and Transgaz Ltd.
requested Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission to
re-evaluate the current natural gas tariff.

At present, the monthly tariff for consumers is 132 drams (including
VAT) per 1,000 cubic meters for those who consumer up to 10,000 cubic
meters per month.

The request submitted by ArmRosgazprom states that the company, in
accordance with the agreement with Gazprom, has been paying $270 per
1,000 cubic meters at the border since 1 April. The minister, however,
says Armenia is and will be paying $180 until the talks over the
tariffs are finished.

ArmRosgazprom CJSC, established in 1997, enjoys the sole right for
importing and distributing Russian natural gas in Armenia.
Russia conveys its gas to Armenia through Georgia.

The company’s shareholders are Russia’s Gazprom and the Armenian
government. -0-
13:55 24.05.2013

Zhoghovurd: Tension reigns in HHK parliamentary faction

Friday,
May 24

Tension reigns in `Republican Party of Armenia’ (HHK) parliamentary
faction, with many HHK representatives being disaffected with Hovik
Abramian and David Harutyunian, Zhoghovurd writes, citing its sources.
According to the paper, the reason is the Armenian National Congress’s
(HAK) draft law on creation of an interim commission to investigate
the March 1, 2008 events.

`On behalf of the parliamentary majority, H. Abrahamian and D.
Harutyunian gave guarantees that the commission would be set up after
the presidential elections. Yet at the last moment HHK did not keep
its promise and voted against the draft, as a result of which it
appears that HHK is against the disclosure of the March 1 events.

Many HHK members say that they are in an awkward position because of
Abrahamian and Harutyunian. Especially as during the vote on the draft
law in the parliament, the speaker Hovik Abrahamian decided to abstain
at the last moment, while David Harutyunian was absent,’ the paper
writes, adding that David Harutyunian refuted thee rumors.
TODAY, 11:51

Aysor.am

R. Hakobian: Galust Sahakian’s statement was unbecoming to a man

Friday,
May 24

The head of Heritage parliamentary faction Rubik Hakobian said that
yesterday’s statement of `Republican Party of Armenia’ (HHK) faction
head Galust Sahakian regarding Ms. Zaruhi Postanjian was unacceptable.

`Leaving aside Galust Sahakian’s age and his status in the parliament,
his statement was unbecoming to a man. His remarks have exceeded all
statements and insults which were previously voiced in the National
Assembly,’ Hakobian said, adding that Galust Sahakian should apologize
to Z. Postanjian.

Let us remind you that during the sitting of National Assembly
yesterday, Galust Sahakian said, addressing Zaruhi Postanjian: `Only
criminals are displeased with the country’s prosecutor. And this
virtuous woman should know that the National Assembly is not a highway
where people hitch a ride and are offended when drivers don’t stop’.

TODAY, 15:11
Aysor.am

Prince Charles to arrive in Armenia on May 28

May 24, 2013 | 16:03

Charles, Prince of Wales, who is the heir to the British throne, will
pay a private visit to Armenia, from May 28 to 30, as guest of the
Yerevan My Love Charitable Foundation.

Prince Charles will be the first British royal family member to pay a
visit to Armenia.

During his stay, the Prince of Wales will pay visits to Armenia’s most
important historical monuments, and attend a gala concert and dinner
for the benefit of the charity work aimed at preserving the cultural
heritage of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan.

In addition, the heir to the British throne will visit Yerevan’s
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran), and
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Furthermore, Prince Charles, together with Armen Sarkissian – the
Yerevan My Love Charitable Foundation Chairman, Armenia’s former PM,
and First Ambassador to London – , will meet with President Serzh
Sargsyan.

Also, Prince Charles will attend a concert, which will be followed by
a reception and gala dinner in honor of the donors of the Yerevan My
Love Charitable Foundation.

Social riot is brewing in Armenia, says Heritage MP

12:05 24/05/2013 » POLITICS

With the crisis deepening, it is inevitable that there will be a
social riot and a revolution in Armenia, head of Heritage
parliamentary faction Ruben Hakobyan told a parliamentary briefing on
Friday.

`Social riot remains the only alternative and yes, it is brewing. In
various regions, people complain of tough social conditions. In
addition to it, the gas price is increasing,’ Hakobyan said.

Source: Panorama.am

Armen Martirosyan: Russia punishes Armenia by increasing gas price

15:06 24/05/2013 » ECONOMY

If we pay for independence with the increase in gas price, then I
agree to it. But if we pay with the maintenance of the inefficient
government system, then I don’t understand its point, deputy chairman
of Heritage party Armen Martirosyan told today’s press conference.

According to him, Russia probably punishes Armenia by increasing the gas price.

`Under such social conditions, the increase in gas price may cause
social riot,’ Martirosyan said.

Source: Panorama.am

Armenian churches in Turkey turn into ruins

13:08 – 24.05.13

Historic monuments built in Binguli Kig region of Turkey in 1800s are
being eliminated. St. Hovannes church in Eskikavak village (Areg) is
still waiting to be reconstructed, Hay Tert reports citing Turkish
Radikal.

Binguli’s historic establishments are being eliminated one by one.
Hundreds of buildings of the region have remained alone against nature
disasters and robbers.

St. Hovannes church is one of the 45 churches belonging to Armenians
in Kig left to the mercy of fate.

The Armenian church built in 1800s has remained standing till now
despite bad conditions but it needs urgent repair.

In Binguli the historic monuments are vanishing one by one. The
researchers are damaging the ancient sites belonging to Roman, Urartu
and other civilizations

Rep. Chu cosponsors Resolution calling for recognition of Armenian Genocide

14:30 24.05.2013

Congresswoman Judy Chu has cosponsored H. Res. 227 that urges
President Obama to work towards stable and durable Armenian-Turkish
relations based on the Republic of Turkey’s full acknowledgement of
the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and its ongoing consequences. Rep. Chu
released the following statement:

`The Armenian Genocide claimed 1.5 million lives. Able-bodied men were
massacred or forced into labor. Women, children, the elderly and the
sick were sent on death marches that spanned hundreds of miles. Those
who survived were often separated from their loved ones, and left
behind the only homes they had ever known.

`The only way to describe such atrocities is genocide. We owe it to
those who were lost, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors
to push for proper recognition of this event in the international
community.

`I am committed to seeing Congress do just that by passing this
resolution. I am proud to have co-sponsored this legislation every
Congress, and will continue to do so until it receives the vote that
the Armenian people deserve. America’s commitment to human rights is
absolute, and we have a duty to recognize this tragedy, and to remind
the world that mass murder and destruction must not be ignored.’

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE May 17, 2013
Contact: Elen Asatryan
Tel: 818.500.1918
[email protected]

ANCA-WR TO HOST TOWN HALL MEETING IN SEATTLE AREA

Los Angeles, CA – True to its grassroots, the ANCA will continue its
road trip around the Western United States, now with a stop in the
state of Washington. On Sunday, June 2, 2013 at 12:00PM the Armenian
National Committee of American – Western Region (ANCA-WR) will host
its next Town Hall at the Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church
located in Redmond, Washington.

`The town hall meetings play a key role in connecting with the
different communities in the region and learning about their needs and
interests, while also serving as an opportunity to engage them in
initiatives taken on by the ANCA,’ stated ANCA-WR Executive Director
Elen Asatryan. `I look forward to meeting community members in the
great state of Washington and developing a long term working
relationship with them as we continue to plant the seeds of activism
in that area,’ added Asatryan.

The ANCA-WR Town Hall series is an effort to reactivate and engage
Armenian American communities throughout the Western United
States. The meetings are led by ANCA-WR senior staff and Executive
Board members, who provide attendees with an overview of the
organization, its priorities, and recent developments affecting
Armenian-Americans, Armenia and Artsakh. After the presentation,
attendees have an opportunity to ask questions, discuss issues of
concern, and make recommendations.

The June 2nd Town Hall Meeting will be led by ANCA-WR Executive
Director Elen Asatryan and ANCAWR Legislative Affairs Director Haig
Baghdassarian.

`It’s vital that we connect with all our Armenian communities in the
United States, making them aware that there is an organization
fighting for justice of the Genocide and other issues of concern,’
stated Baghdassarian.

The Washington state Town Hall is preceded by those held in Phoenix,
AZ, Las Vegas, NV, Fresno, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Boise, Idaho.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

###

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
May 22 2013

Armenian parliament scraps amendments to Electoral Code

22 May 2013 – 12:32pm

41 Armenian MPs voted for amendments of the Heritage Party to the
Electoral Code, 66 against and one abstained, News Armenia reports.

The amendments stated that polling stations should publish
downloadable lists on the official website of the CEC two days after
polling processes.

David Arutyunyan, head of the parliamentary commission for state legal
affairs, said that such amendments would violate the Constitution and
secrecy of vote.

Prosperous Armenia, Dashnaktsutyun and the Armenian National Congress
voted for the amendments.