Author: Kanayan Tamar

What happened in French Parliament was previously developed and
remotely controlled Azerbaijani provocation. Armenian Embassy

18:12, 1 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS: Press service of Armenian Embassy in
France has responded to the provocation of two Azerbaijanis during
events dedicated to the memory of victims of Sumgait massacre held by
French Armenian organizations. As reports Armenpress, on the request
of French Armenian Nouvelles d’Arménie daily it is noted in the
respond of press service `Armenian Embassy condemns physical violence
which casted shadow on the memorial evening in National Assembly
titled `25 years after Sumgait massacre; prospects of Nagorno-Karabakh
people’s future’, at the end of which two Azerbaijanis organized
strongly condemnable provocation, which Azerbaijani side tried to use
on propaganda purpose, discrediting French Parliament symbolizing
democracy.

We deeply condemn any attempt of exporting racist policy to France,
especially when the young generation is used as a tool. We deeply
believe that young generation should be prepared not for war but for
peace. In the created situation Embassy considers it to be reasonable
to issue some questions which will shed light on what really happened.
Which is the goal of `student’s’ participation in NA conference while
he doesn’t know French? How did those two persons penetrated onto the
territory of National Assembly without being in the list presented by
organizers? How did the big Azerbaijani diplomatic delegation,
accompanied by Azerbaijani reporters appear on NA territory minutes
after `unexpected’ incident?

While combining those circumstances it becomes clear that we deal with
previously developed and remotely controlled Azerbaijani provocation,
which was aimed to turn French Parliament into a giant propaganda
tool, misinform public opinion and discredit those French deputies who
were declared persona non grata in Baku. Taking the opportunity,
Embassy would like to express gratitude to all French deputies and
senators, who have expressed their support during this period and
condemned the instigation. At the moment we urge to be tolerant and
wish soonest recovery to all injured’.

– See more at:

Russian airborne troops can be send to CSTO countries, including
Armenia: Gen. Shamanov

14:05, 1 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. In case of necessity the Russian
airborne troops as quick response forces, may be sent out of the
territory of the Russian Federation for combat assignments,
particularly to South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and the CSTO countries,
including Armenia. As reports “Armenpress” citing RIA Novosti the
Russian airborne troops Commander Colonel General Vladimir Shamanov
stated this.

The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army
Sergey Shoygu ordered to provision the implementation of the airborne
troops, as quick response forces “in case of growth of operability of
orders regarding the prevention of critical situations.” Sergey Shoygu
stated this during the expanded session of the Russian Defense
Ministry board, which was held on February 27.

– See more at:

Palestinian President hosted Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem

15:21, 1 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
hosted the elected Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Nourhan
Manoogian and a number of priests accompanying him in his residence in
Ramallah on February 28. The “Armenpress” reporter in Jerusalem,
member of St. James Convent Archimandrite Koryun Baghdasaryan stated
this. During the meeting the Ferman on recognition of the Armenian
Patriarch’s election by the Palestinian authorities was officially
recited and solemnly handed over to Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian.
Afterwards the elected Patriarch made a speech, which was followed by
the speech delivered by the Palestinian President.

Among other things Mahmoud Abbas laid a heavy emphasis on the presence
of the Armenian Church and Armenian people in the Holy Land and
expressed conviction that the Armenian community will continue
contributing to the Palestinian society. Also the President
underscored the fraternal relations between the Armenian and
Palestinian peoples. At the end of the meeting the sides exchanged
gifts.

His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian has been elected the
Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem on January 24. The patriarchal throne
remained vacant since the former Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Rev.
Archbishop Torkom Manoukyan passed away after long illness at the age
of 93.

– See more at:

Youth stage silent demonstration at Yerevan State University (PHOTOS)

March 01, 2013 | 15:17

YEREVAN. – A group of youth gathered Friday morning in front of the
main building of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan State University
(YSU).

Unlike the previous days, however, this time the youth held a silent
demonstration, which was devoted to the anniversary of the tragic
events that occurred in Yerevan five years ago on this day.

>From YSU, the demonstrators headed to Liberty Square, from where they
were to walk toward the Myasnikyan statue – the vicinity of these tragic
events – to place flowers and pay respects to the ten victims of this
tragedy.

– See more at:

What Russia’s Airborne Troops Will Do In Armenia?

JAMES HAKOBYAN
16:39 01/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Russian Airborne Troops, if necessary, may be sent out of Russia as
rapid reaction forces, including CSTO countries, said the
Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Airborne Troops Colonel General
Vladimir Shamanov.

Asked where the troops can be sent to help overcome crisis situations,
Shamanov answered that there can be such necessities related to the
fact that Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as well as
CSTO partner countries. I mean Armenia, Tajikistan and Kirgizia, said
Shamanov.

It is symbolic that this statement is made on March 1. Russian
instructors seem to have participated in the famous tragic events
happened 5 years ago today. Anyway, the Armenian press published their
photos.

In this sense, Robert Kocharyan’s statement in one of his interview is
interesting. He said that the victims were killed in the areas which
were not under the control of the authorities and the opposition. The
question occurs: who controlled the situation in those areas.

After five years, on the same day, Russia’s defense department
announces that their Airborne Troops are possible to arrive in Armenia
as rapid reaction forces to help overcome crisis situations. Against
the background of post-electoral events in Armenia, this statement
seems a threat not to the protesters, but to the sovereignty of
Armenia, since it is stated that foreign forces may intervene in
internal affairs of Armenia and establish order.

The Armenian authorities keep stating that there is no crisis in
Armenia. Perhaps, it is necessary to make it clear to the `strategic
partners’ too, for them not to worry. Though, they are possible to
announce that they will decide whether there is crisis in Armenia or
not.

Apparently, Russia is worried with the new political situation in
Armenia and the prospect of possible change in the oppositional field.

Not only official Yerevan, but also the political class of Armenia
should answer this statement.

Raffi Hovannisian lays flowers at Myasnikian Monument (video)

Friday,
March 01

Following an open-air press conference in Liberty Square of Yerevan,
Raffi Hovannisian, accompanied by family members and representatives
of Heritage Party, conducted a silent march to Monument to Alexander
Myasnikian.

The marchers paid homage to the March 1 victims and offered prayers to them.

An event of Armenian National Congress (HAK) is scheduled for 5:00 am
today near Myasnikian Monument.

TODAY, 15:07

Aysor.am

Javakhk NGO head responds to YSU rector’s assistant

16:43 – 28.02.13

No one can order the people of Akhalkalaki, Tachat Vardapetyan,
Co-Chairman of the Union of Georgian Armenians, told Tert.am.

This is his response to the behavior of Gevorg Melkonyan, Assistant to
Rector of Yerevan State University, who was involved in an incident on
Wednesday.

In a video put on Internet, Melkonyan addresses a police officer and
tells him to `draw the troops, Akhalkalaki boys, nearer.’

All the residents of Javakhk (Georgia’s regions densely populated by
Armenians) were indignant. `What does it mean `Akhalkalaki boys come
forward’?’

The people of Javakhk never accept orders. Young people came from
Javakhk to their homeland to get education. `Some of them reject the
idea of student strikes, but few of them will take part in student
strikes,’ he said.

The Georgian Armenians’ NGOs working in Armenia supported Armenia’s
incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan in the Feb. 18 presidential
election.

`The overwhelming majority of Javakhk residents have been supporting
Armenia’s incumbent president. I am just against people’s
`geographical, political and ideological identification’,’ Mr
Vardapetyan said.

Mr Vardapetyan reported that he had held a meeting with Mr Melkonyan.
The latter explained that by `troops’ he meant the police to prevent
any provocations.

EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DEMANDS ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION

TERT.AM
14:45 ~U 28.02.13

Ex-presidential candidate Vardan Sedrakyan does not accept the
presidential election results and demands Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation.

He also calls on opposition MPs to resign.

At his meeting with journalists on Thursday he said that, irrespective
of the number of votes cast for individual candidates, “everything
was nothing but mere drawing.”

“We have forty days before Serzh Sargsyan’s inauguration [on April 9]
to prevent the event and fix a date for a new presidential election,”
he said.

“My demand is Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation. If he wants, let his run in
the new presidential election. If he is sure that people are supporting
him, let his hold fair elections and won,” Mr Sedrakyan said.

According to him, all the political parties have much to do for
democratic movement.

“In protest, the Heritage MPs must resign from parliament. Then
presidential candidate Hrant Bagratyan must resign. The Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) and the Armenian
National Congress (ANC) must follow them. This must be done in protest
at injustice,” he said.

Mr Sedrakyan cannot understand Heritage party Chairman Raffi
Hovannisian’s steps. Although Mr Sedrakyan is not going to Freedom
Square, he is for the national movement.

He also intends to participate in the ANC rally scheduled for March 1.

USAID TAX REFORM PROGRAM IN ARMENIA UNDERWAY

Tax-news.com
Feb 27 2013

By Tatiana Smolenskaya, Tax-News.com, Moscow
27 February 2013

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has begun a
four-year tax reform program in Armenia, with Deloitte providing
advice to the State Revenue Committee on implementing improved
electronic services, record-keeping and analysis, and a new tax
personnel management system.

Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding with USAID,
Committee Head Gagik Khachatryan told reporters that the move forms
part of Armenia’s Tax Administration Modernization Project, which
was adopted in 2012 in partnership with the World Bank.

According to Khachatryan, the result will be an electronic information
management system in line with the best international practices,
as well as an optimal tax authority structure, highly proficient tax
personnel, a modern risk-based tax control system, and a high-quality
service for taxpayers. As well as improvements to the “Taxpayer 3”
electronic system, data-processing stations will be established, and
the electronic reporting and payment systems will be integrated. The
new management structure, Khachatryan explained, will save human
and financial resources, reduce the risk of corruption, and reduce
interaction between tax officers and taxpayers.

Khachatryan drew attention to Armenia’s “consistent and active
collaboration with partner donor organizations,” which he explained
contributes greatly to the implementation of reforms.

USAID has been involved in Armenia since 1992, and is currently
assisting the country with economic, political and social transition.

Current projects include: increasing the country’s economic
competitiveness; promoting civic participation and access to a wide
range of media outlets; expanding access to quality health care and
social services; protecting the country’s most vulnerable citizens
from poverty; implementing people-to-people and business-to-business
ties with Turkey; and supporting Armenia’s efforts to integrate fully
into the regional economy.

RUSSIA MAY LOSE ARMENIAN FUEL MARKET – ENERGY MINISTRY

Interfax, Russia
Feb 26 2013

Iran is squeezing Russia off the fuel market in Armenia, according to
an Energy Ministry report on mutual fuel-and-energy-complex relations
with counties in the Commonwealth of Independent States that Interfax
has read.

Ministry data indicate that LUKOIL (RTS: LKOH) is supplying fuel to
Armenia from refineries in Bulgaria and Romania. But in Armenia is
being discussed the question of building an oil pipeline connecting
Iran and Armenia, with the plan being for Iranian refineries to supply
fuel and refineries in the Persian Gulf. The Armenian government has
approved the rules for construction, which is to end in 2014. However,
the start of construction was pushed back from last year to this.

“The Armenian market for oil products is not a priority for Russian
companies, primarily because of underdeveloped infrastructure for
effecting deliveries. In light of the last in the project for an
Iranian-Armenian pipeline, this niche will mostly be filled with
deliveries from Iran,” the report says.