Author: Kanayan Tamar

Fars News Agency, Iran
May 22 2013

Minister: Armenia Keen to Continue Energy Cooperation with Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen
Movsisian praised Tehran for its assistance and cooperation with his
country in the development of Armenia’s energy sector, and underlined
that Yerevan will continue its cooperation with Tehran in the field.

“Armenia will continue purchasing gas from Iran,” Movsisian said in
the Armenian capital of Yerevan on Tuesday.

The Armenian minister of energy and natural resources said that
purchase of gas from Iran takes place in accordance with a swap deal
with the Islamic Republic in exchange for Armenia’s electricity.

Iran has long taken various diplomatic initiatives to expand its ties
with the neighboring states.

In recent years, Iran and its Northern neighbor Armenia have boosted
cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to
cooperate in technology and research and to enhance ties in commerce
and economy.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Armenian counterpart
pledged in December 2011 to further expand “high-level relations”
between their nations and, in particular, give new impetus to the
implementation of joint energy projects that have fallen behind
schedule.

In early October, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and his
Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian met at the UN Headquarters in
New York to discuss bilateral ties and regional and international
issues.

‘02242988

U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan: Karabakh conflict settlement is not
related to energy projects

17:47 22/05/2013 » REGION

`We are interested in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
but this issue has nothing to do with the implementation of energy
projects. There is no need to exaggerate the role of power economy in
the US foreign policy. Power economy is the most important issue, but
the US considers it necessary to ensure the stability in Azerbaijan,’
US ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar noted.

As the Azerbaijani information agency APA informs, that operation of
`ShahDeniz-2′ will insure the delivery of Azerbaijani gas to Europe.
`Trans-Adriatic pipeline or Nabucco west pipeline will serve for
diversification of energy resources. Azerbaijan will play a vital role
in it,’ Richard Morningstar noted.

The ambassador also touched on the activity of the National Democratic
Institute in Azerbaijan: `Considerable progress has been achieved in
this regard. I believe that this issue will be solved soon.’

Source: Panorama.am

ANCA-Burbank Announces 2013 Banquet Honorees

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

ANCA-Burbank annual banquet

BURBANK – The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank announced
its 2013 honorees. At its 6th Annual Banquet, slated for May 31st,
ANCA – Burbank will recognize John Krikorian, posthumously with the
Lifetime Achievement Award, Marsha Ramos with the Citizen of the Year
Award, Timmy Mardirosian with the Business Civic Leadership Award, and
Woodbury University with the Organization of the Year Award. The
Honorable Jack Hadjinian, Montebello City Councilmember will act as
Master of Ceremonies.

`The four honorees embody our organization’s mission of advancing the
social, economic, cultural, and political rights of our community
members. They have and continue to be a source of inspiration to all
of us. These four are true champions of freedom and democracy and
reminders of what makes this community and country great’ said Armond
Aghakhanian, Chair of the Banquet Committee.

Born in Hartford, CT, on August 24, 1932, John Krikorian had more than
50 years of business and marketing experience. He began his media
career at the `Hartford Courant’ newspaper and later became Vice
President/Advertising Director of the Times (now Tribune) newspaper in
Hartford. John and son Greg established `Business Life’ magazine in
1990, which over the years sponsored and hosted many business events.
In 1997, they began publishing `Senior Living’ magazine to serve the
specialized interests of those over 55. Both publications continue
today.

Krikorian served on numerous boards, including the Los Angeles County
Small Business Commission, County of Los Angeles Human Relations
Corporate Advisory Council, Glendale Adventist Medical Center Advisory
Council, Pasadena Mayor’s Committee for the Employment of People with
Disabilities, Woodbury University President’s Executive Council, and
Pasadena Special Olympics.

At the age of 80, Krikorian passed away from heart failure on
Saturday, April 6th.

Marsha Ramos, former Burbank Mayor, was elected to City Council in
2001 and served two terms, after serving on city boards for many
years. Most recently, in the March 5 special election, she was
instrumental, as Chair of the Friends of Burbank Schools, in the
victory of Measure S, a general obligation bond, which will bring $110
million into the Burbank Unified School District for infrastructure
upgrades, technology upgrades, and security improvements.

Ramos works full time as the managing partner of Geosystems Inc., a
Glendale- based firm that provides geotechnical engineering and
environmental assessment consulting services. She is a founding board
member of the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and is a graduate of
Burbank’s John Burroughs High School and California State University,
Northridge. She served for many years as a member and president of
the Burbank Human Relations Council, addressing injustices as they
arose in the city and striving to develop stronger bonds of community
among all residents. She currently serves the American Lung
Association, Family Promise of the East San Fernando Valley, Burbank
Art Association, and Organizing Committee – Women Achievers – Business
Life Magazine. She has also been involved with local and state
campaigns for candidates and ballot measures.

Timmy Mardirosian is the founder of numerous successful business
enterprises mainly focusing in the area of transportation management.
A truly beautiful story of realization of the American dream,
Mardirosian, an immigrant, has worked hard and smart over the last
four decades to become an exemplary entrepreneur. He has always been
a supporter of numerous worthy causes, projects and organizations
serving the needs of especially youths in the community.

Woodbury University, located in Burbank, has continuously provided
support to the Armenian American community. Last year, Woodbury
University honored four students with the first ANCA – Burbank
Armenian Genocide `Rebirth Humanitarian Scholarship’. Funded by a
generous donation from the Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health
Center, this scholarship recognized students who were able to
demonstrate strong commitment to service activities and/or the
community while maintaining a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Additionally, Woodbury University Center for Leadership and the
Homenetmen Glendale `Ararat’ Chapter in cooperation with the ANCA PN
hosted their inaugural `Elevate 2012′ Leadership Development
Conference Seminar Series in September. The conference’s primary focus
was to identify, motivate, and train future Armenian-American
community leaders with featured speakers including the President of
Woodbury University, Dr. Calingo.

If you have questions or concerns, please email [email protected].
Tickets can be purchased from or email
[email protected].

The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank advances the
social, economic, cultural and political rights of the area’s Armenian
community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots
and public policy levels.

Caspian Research Institute: Azerbaijan and Iran are engaged in
something of a `cold war’

22:38 22/05/2013 » REGION

Azerbaijan and Iran have been engaged in something of a `cold war’ for
some time, although the roots of the tense relationship date back to
the fall of the Soviet Union, the article published in London based
scientific research center Caspian Research Institute site reads.

`Iran is wary of Azerbaijan because of its close ties to Israel and
the West more generally, and for what Iran claims is secessionism
among its ethnic Azeri minority in the northwest,’ the authors write.

Azerbaijan, on the other hand, points to Iran’s support for Armenia
during the Nagorno-Karabakh War, its promotion of hardline Shia Islam
in Azerbaijan, and its covert support of terrorist cells which have
attempted to carry out attacks in Azerbaijan. Iranian attempts to
claim a large share of the Caspian Sea and its oil and gas riches have
also provoked tensions over the past decade, particularly as
exploration works have increased.

`Tensions had decreased in recent months after a fairly fraught 2012.
But they increased recently as both sides began to trade accusations
about history and sovereignty,’ the article says.

The article reads that the dispute started when a small conference was
held in Baku by a little-known group called the `National Liberation
Front of Southern Azerbaijan’. The meeting discussed the perennial,
and fringe, subject of independence for Iranian Azerbaijan.
`Reportedly some of the participants claimed that they were ready to
take over the Azeri-populated provinces of Iran if the government in
Tehran `collapsed’ the article notes.

Accroding to CRI ahead the presidential elections Iranian government
is concerned that political aspirations among the country’s Azeri
minority could become a threat to stability.

`A visit by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Israel
on 21-23 April – the first such trip by an Azerbaijani foreign
minister – is likely to increase Iran’s hostility. Baku, which is also
suspicious about Iran’s intentions and its relationship with Armenia,
is likely to be watching closely for any Iranian reactions.

Source: Panorama.am

Opposition Armenian MP reverts to problem of Yerevan’s covered market – Video

tert.am
19:00 – 22.05.13

Zaruhi Postanjyan, a Heritage parliamentary group member, raised the
issue of Yerevan’s covered market in Armenia’s parliament on
Wednesday.

She is surprised that Armenia’s law-enforcers have not so far
instituted criminal proceedings over `illegal construction.’

`The persons that allowed the construction to be carried out must be
held responsible. So the Yerevan mayor must be prosecuted,’ Postanjyan
said. Yerevan’s covered market is piece of cultural heritage.

`How are you going to implement your program if the police, which is a
government body, cannot resolve this problem,’ she said.
Armenia’s Minister of Urban Development Samvel Tadevosyan confirmed
that the owners of the covered market have been fined twice.

Armenia’s parliament rejects Heritage party’s bill on making
amendments in Election Code

13:45 – 22.05.13

Armenian National Assembly has not adopted the bill designed by the
Heritage party on making amendments in the Armenian Election Code.

With 66 against, 41 for and 1 abstained votes the will was rejected.
The Republican and Rule of law party factions voted against it. Before
the voting, ruling party’s faction head Galust Sahakyan stated that
they are going to vote against it.

Rule of Law party MP Heghine Bisharyan stated before the voting that
there is enough time to work on the Election Code and urged to
postpone the voting.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Armenian human rights activist speaks of life-termers’ problems

14:50 – 22.05.13

Avetik Ishkhanyan, Chairman of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia,
believes that the government is treating life-term prisoners in an in
human way.

`I am appealing to the authorities once again. Life-termers are our
citizens and they must not be treated like this,’ Ishkhanyan said at a
debate on the revision of standards of punishments and pardon for
life-term prisoners on Wednesday.

Life-termers’ conditions are relatively good, but it is thanks to
their relatives, he said.

He addressed a new draft on the agenda of the Standing Committee on
State and Legal Affairs, Parliament of Armenia.

According to the draft, people aged 18 to 21 must not get life
sentences. The committee decided to resume the discussion next year.
Ishkhanyan believes this is a political problem.

`The draft seemed to be unanimously approved of, but one of the
reasons for postponement was that it was submitted by the Prosperous
Armenia Party (PAP) parliamentary group. I think it was a political
issue. But they should have considered the fact that even one day is
of importance for those people,’ Ishkhanyan said.

Armenia’s former military prosecutor Gagik Jhangiryan objected to the
draft. He argued that the approval of the draft will cause an increase
in army crimes.

In response, Ishkhanyan said: `There is no room for a person like
Jhangiryan in a democratic country. The most army murders were
committed when he was in office,’ he said. Ishkhanyan reminded the
participants that 15 servicemen are serving their life sentences in
Armenia now.

As regards pardon and amnesty for life-term prisoners, Ishkhanyan
noted that even the British judicial system, which is considered the
best in the world, admits its errors.

`Verdicts of acquittal do not even constitute one percent in Armenia,
to say nothing of independent courts,’ he said.
Ishkhanyan also pointed out the need for a mechanism of reforming
penitentiary treatment.

Armenian News – Tert.am

We thank Armenia for observing sanctions against Iran – US ambassador

May 22, 2013 | 10:26

YEREVAN. – The United States is grateful to Armenia for observing the
sanctions against Iran, US Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, stated
on Wednesday.

To the query as to whether these sanctions will have an impact on the
agreements between Armenia and Iran with respect to the supply of
Iranian natural gas to Armenia, the American ambassador replied:

`Iran is truly under sanctions in connection with [its] nuclear
program. Foreign countries observe these sanctions. Armenia likewise
observes them, for which we are grateful.’

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents could meet in Austria – newspaper

May 22, 2013 | 07:16

YEREVAN. – Even though Ukraine, which chairs the OSCE, wanted for the
meeting to be held in Ukraine, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents,
Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev, could meet on June 12 in Salzburg,
Austria, Hraparak daily reports.

`Despite the recently increased Russian and Western pressures on the
parties, analysts do not have many expectations from this meeting.
According to analysts, they are just trying to keep the peace process
alive, [and] not allow it to go out of control, considering the
developments taking place in Syria and the forthcoming presidential
elections Iran,’ Hraparak writes.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Russia, Azerbaijan Seek New Oil Transit Deal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

MOSCOW, May 21 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and Azerbaijan are negotiating a
new oil transit agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said
during a news conference on Tuesday after a bilateral meeting with
Azerbaijan’s foreign minister.

`Our respective energy agencies and companies are working on preparing
a new intergovernmental agreement which will reflect current
realities,’ Lavrov said.

Last Tuesday, Russia published a document terminating the 1996 transit
agreement. Lavrov explained that the 1996 agreement had been signed
`on the assumption that the pipeline would be filled 100 percent and
based on that, the tariff was established.’

That condition was not met, Lavrov said, adding the agreement had been
terminated for economic reasons.

Sources in the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) were cited by
local media outlets in Azerbaijan on May 14 as saying they had not
received any advance warning of the termination.

However, later that week, Deputy Head of Azerbaijan’s Presidential
Administration Novruz Mammadov told local media that `the
transportation of oil at the moment is simply not profitable to both
parties in terms of economic and commercial viability.’ Mammadov added
`we accept the decision of the Russian Federation as perfectly
normal.’

Speaking after Tuesday’s meeting, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov confirmed that talks are currently underway between SOCAR
and Russia’s oil pipeline operator Transneft on this issue, and urged
people not to politicize the issue, Trend News Agency reported.

The 1996 agreement to pump oil via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline
envisaged the transit of at least five million metric tons of oil a
year, with a tariff of about $15.70 per metric ton. However, SOCAR
sent about two million metric tons of oil via the pipeline in 2012 and
2011, and planned to further reduce that to 1.6 million metric tons
this year.

Transneft said it had lost about $50 million a year because the
pipeline was operating at half capacity. Azerbaijan has been having
problem filling the pipeline to capacity as its oil exports have been
steadily falling since 2008.

Earlier this year, Moscow announced it would no longer rent the Gabala
early warning radar station in Azerbaijan, after the two sides failed
to agree on new terms. The lease for Gabala, signed in 2002, expired
in December 2012. Russia is replacing Gabala with new systems in
southern Russia.

Last June, Russia said it would double the number of personnel and
deploy Iskander short-range ballistic missiles at its Gyumri military
base in neighboring Armenia.