Author: Kanayan Tamar

FRENCH MFA CONDEMNS AZERBAIJANI PROVOCATION AT A CONFERENCE DEVOTED TO EVENTS IN SUMGAIT

20:42 28/02/2013 ” SOCIETY

Yesterday, in one of the halls of the National Assembly of France a
conference titled “25 years after the Sumgait events: present situation
and future prospects for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh” was held.

“We regret this incident and condiment that act that took place
on 26 February at the National Assembly. France believes that the
only possible way to long-term settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is through dialogue and once again confirms its obligation
as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group to this end in front of Armenia
and Azerbaijan,” according to “AFP”, said the spokesman for the French
Foreign Minister Philippe Lalliot.

Yesterday, in one of the halls of the National Assembly of France
a conference titled “25 years after the Sumgait events: present
situation and future prospects for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh”
was held. The conference was marred by the Azerbaijani provocation.

At the end, the attendees stood to honor the memory of the victims
killed during Sumgait pogroms and kept a minute’s silence. Two
Azerbaijani provocateurs, a girl and a young man, refused to stand
up and to honor the Armenian victims in Azerbaijan and started to
shout anti-Armenian slogans. On the photos, published in “Nouvelles
d’Armenie”, it is obvious how the Azerbaijani tries to provoke a fight
and attacks the audience. Azeri press disseminated false information
about beating and causing serious injuries, right up to fracturing, to
provocateurs. In the photos, published in the same Azerbaijani media,
it is clearly visible that there is no serious damage caused to both.

Moreover, participants of the provocation give contradicting evidence
about the incident: at first they say the girl was beaten together
with the guy, then they say she managed to leave the room.

French Parliament Member Valerie Boyer made a statement on the incident
that took place on the eve of February 27, the incident that took place
in one of the halls of the National Assembly of the country. The MP
addressed to French President Francois Hollande and call on taking
up relevant diplomatic actions to eradicate any propaganda campaign
on denying on ethnic grounds.

Here is the full statement made by Valerie Boyer:

“Carrying out propaganda of denial and multiplying acts of
anti-Armenian provocations, in particular, supporting criminals accused
of implementing violence against the Armenians (Safarov’s case) Aliev
regime encourages the incidents similar to that recorded during Feb
25 event commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sumgait pogroms of
28-29 February 1988. This was an event during which we paid tribute
to memory of victims, and it became a scene of one more Azerbaijani
provocation, proving once again that Baku’s intentions have nothing
to do with Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.”

A year ago I visited the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in order to
get acquainted with that ancient Armenian land, which for many years
has been the victim of a forgotten ethnic confrontation. The current
Socialist government is completely indifferent to this conflict.

Moreover, in 2012, President Hollande received Aliyev with a broad
smile on his face.

Our country must raise this issue in order to protect the Convention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. On the
eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide that took place
in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 we should put an end to persecution
against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh because of their origin.

I address to French President Francois Hollande with a call to take
relevant diplomatic steps to end any denial of propaganda on French
land. I address to Claude Bartolone with a call to include on National
Assembly’s agenda my bill the purpose of which is to introduce into
the domestic law of the Framework Decision of 28 November 2008 on
combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by
means of criminal law and which criminalizes the denial of the Armenian
Genocide. Oil can not buy neither the memory nor the human rights.”

Source: Panorama.am

SARGSYAN SHOULD TAKE PATH OF OFFICE REJECTION FROM YSU TO BAGHRAMIAN 26

Thursday,
February 28

“He who puts pressure on the student, the citizen should abandon his
position in university,” the Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian
said during the rally in Liberty Square today.

R. Hovannisian noted that the third Armenian President – as a former
president – should abandon his position in Yerevan State University.

“He is not the incumbent president anymore. If he is a suitable
candidate, we will examine together the issue of his serving as
Chairman of YSU Board of Trustees. He should take the path of
rejection of his office from University to Baghramian 26,” Raffi
Hovannisian declared.

“The victory is ours, and they must recognize it,” he said, meaning
external forces.

R. Hovannisian urged people to be active in Liberty Square and not
in front of their computers.

TODAY, 19:53

Aysor.am

OC ARMENIAN COMMUNITY DECLARES ‘UNITY IS OUR STRENGTH’

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

A scene from the community gathering

The ARF “Armen Karo” Gomideh invited all of the executive boards of
all of the Armenian community organizations and institutions in Orange
County, the majority of which attended and only a few were unable
to be present due to scheduling conflicts. Over 50 representatives
participated in this historic gathering.

Reverend Nareg Pehlivanian opened the meeting with a traditional
Armenian prayer after which ARF “Armen Karo” Chairman, Garo R.

Madenlian, welcomed the participants to their second home and explained
that there are no “odars” here, only fellow Armenians and friends,
all from the same community and working for the same cause, each
within its own mission statement but all leading to the same end.

He went on to explain the importance of coordinating efforts and openly
communicating with one another to strengthen the community, work for
“Hai Tahd,” and encourage the youth to get involved, especially in
light of the aggressive propaganda campaign being implemented by the
Azeris in the U.S. and in OC.

Each attendee introduced themselves and the organization they
represent. The meeting then discussed a framework to better communicate
via emails and coordinate events and activities to better support
each other, including the creation of a master calendar for the
community. All agreed to commemorate the Armenian Genocide together
as one community, the task of organizing the event will be entrusted
to the ANCA Orange County chapter again this year, with everyone’s
participation. There were numerous suggestions, including one to start
a committee to plan events in Orange County to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015.

Presentation were made during the event

Nora Injeyan, a member of ANCA OC and AYF “Ashod Yergat” chapter,
introduced a power point presentation identifying the various
Azerbaijani and Turkish organizations actively working in the U.S. and
in Orange County. She highlighted the recent Azerbaijani efforts to
commemorate Khojaly as a massacre of Azeri civilians by Armenians, the
increased lobbying efforts by both Azeri and Turkish organizations
and their respective networks, and the Gulen movement’s charter
school agenda to shape American public opinion. She also informed
the attendees about the Azeri Student Association at UCI and their
upcoming lecture on campus about Khojaly. There were many questions
and answers after the presentation, during which the ARF Chairman
informed the organizations that they are monitoring the situation
and are formulating a plan of action. He went on to emphasize the
importance of presenting a unified front on such national issues,
to which all were in agreement.

ANCA OC and AYF “Ashod Yergat” member, Shant Meguerditchian
introduced the ANCA professional internship program and asked for
everyone’s participation and support to locate and secure Armenian
professionals that would host interns. He went on to explain how
each business or professional hosting an intern will also designate
an Armenian organization for the intern to volunteer with, thus
creating a connection to the community in addition to gaining
valuable professional experience. Dick Hamparsumian explained that
the Orange County Armenian Professional Society had also been working
on establishing such a program. The two will discuss joining forces
in the near future to work together on this important endeavor.

The final agenda item was about the difficulties in encouraging
Armenian youth to remain actively involved in the community and work on
national issues. The discussion revolved around identifying solutions
to keeping the youth connected and engaged. Some of the suggestions
included that in addition to the AYF, Homenetmen should be a vehicle
to keep people connected to the community via athletics and scouts,
especially if they are beyond the AYF age range. The ARF Chairman
explained that the new Homenetmen Sartarabad executive is full of
younger and energetic members, such as new chairwoman Naro Sabunjian,
who are actively working on this issue and expressed his confidence in
them. AYF “Ashod Yergat” chairwoman, Hrache Novruzyan, explained that
AYF had previously tried to hold a youth summit but was unsuccessful
due to scheduling difficulties. She went on to state that in the near
future the AYF will be inviting all the Armenian youth organizations in
Orange County to a similar meeting to discuss these issues, organize
the youth, and collectively implement a plan of action. She asked for
everyone to support the AYF Youth Summit by encouraging participation.

Many attendees commended the ARF for taking such an important first
step to further unify the Orange County Armenian community, to organize
and coordinate efforts, to provide information and a forum to share
ideas, and to encourage everyone to work together. All wanted this
positive atmosphere to continue to develop and requested similar
meetings in the future.

Prior to adjourning the meeting, the representatives unanimously
adopted “Unity is Our Strength” as the motto for 2013 and each vowed
to be guided by this principle during the year. After the meeting
many continued to discuss activities, events, and various partnership
opportunities over coffee and pastries.

Participating organizations: AGBU, ANCA OC, AGM Armenian School
Board and Principle, Armenian Center Management Board, ARF Armen
Karo Gomideh, AYF Ashod Yergat, AYF Advisor, AYF Juniors Advisor,
ARS Karni, ARS Sevan, Hamazkayin Siamanto, Homenetmen Sartarabad,
Fortry Martyrs Church Board, OC Armenian Professional Society.

– See more at:

ARMENIA’S AGRICULTURE MINISTRY NOT DISCUSSING RENT OF SYUNIK PASTURES TO IRAN

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture is not
discussing the issues related to the rent of pastures in Armenia’s
Syunik region to Iran, agriculture minister Sergo Karapetyan said
Thursday at the government briefing.

Earlier Iranian mass media reported that an agreement is expected
to be signed during the visit of head of Syunik region of Armenia
to Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran. Under the alleged document,
Syunik region was to lease pastures for some 5,000 cow head from the
province of Eastern Azerbaijan in exchange for agricultural equipment
produced in the province.

“This issue should be discussed on the government level. Today, there
is no matter like that. If we receive a proposal, we will review it,”
the minister said.

He also noted, in compliance with Armenia’s legislature, a foreign
country can rent territories in Armenia.

Iranian ambassador to Armenia, Mohammad Reisi, denied earlier in
February Armenia and Iran agreed on the pasture renting.

According to Armenian ministry of agriculture, there are 1.118 million
hectares of pasture, but only their 30 percent are used effectively.

-0- – See more at:

ARMENIA’S AMBASSADOR WELCOMES CANADIAN AUTHORITIES’ SUPPORT FOR MINSK GROUP FORMAT

15:47, 28 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Ambassador of the Republic of
Armenia to Canada Armen Yeganyan had a meeting with the leader of
the Government in the House of Commons of Canada Peter Van Loan. The
Department of Press, Information, and Public Relations of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress”
that during the meeting the interlocutors discussed a number of issues
regarding the bilateral parliamentary relations.

Ambassador Yeganyan discussed the Khojaly events, presenting true
facts. Among other things he laid a heavy emphasis on the fact that
Azerbaijan is using the tragedy to carry out false propaganda.

Armenian Ambassador welcomed Canadian authorities’ support for the
settlement of the Artsakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group. At the end of the meeting the Ambassador of the Republic
of Armenia to Canada Armen Yeganyan said that Armenia and the people
of Armenia are grateful to the Canadian Parliament and Government
for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

– See more at:

MORE TURKISH GENERALS DETAINED OVER 1997 COUP

2013-02-28 16:16:04

The former commander of Turkey’s land forces has been jailed pending
trial in a widening investigation of the toppling of Turkey’s first
Islamist-led government in 1997, state media said on Thursday.

General Erdal Ceylanoglu, who is believed to have ordered tanks onto
the streets outside the capital ahead of the military intervention
16 years ago, joined dozens already remanded in custody ahead of the
court case.

The inquiry into the ousting of former prime minister Necmettin
Erbakan is part of a wider extensive judicial investigation into the
once-supreme Turkish military, whose power has been sharply curbed
over the past decade.

The two generals were taken to a maximum security prison in Sincan,
a town outside Ankara where Ceylanoglu is charged with commanding
tanks onto the streets during the upheaval in 1997.

While Erdogan has promoted the trials as part of the process of
ending the generals’ political power, he has more recently called
for the investigations to be wrapped up more quickly and has hit
out at the lengthy pre-trial detentions of hundreds of officers on
conspiracy charges.

More than 300 military officers were sentenced to jail in September
for plotting to overthrow Erdogan in 2003. Nearly 300 other people –
including politicians, academics, journalists and retired army officers
– are on trial on charges of orchestrating political violence.

ARMENIA’S AGRICULTURE SHOWS 9.5% GROWTH LAST YEAR

TERT.AM
14:47 ~U 28.02.13

Armenia’s Statistical Service reports 9.5% growth in the country’s
agricultural sector in 2012 as compared with 2011.

At his meeting with journalist on Thursday, Armenia’s Minister of
Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan said the growth was possible due to
government assistance programs. Under the major programs, Armenia’s
farms were provided with nitrogen fertilizers and diesel fuel.

“The gross agricultural produce totaled AMD 840.5bn. This January we
recorded 2.1% growth as compared with last January. Last year they
were provided with up to 37,000 tons of nitrogen fertilizers and
25,000 tons of diesel fuel,” Mr Karapetyan said.

Armenia’s government plans to provide 31.4 thousand tons of nitrogen
fertilizers to Armenia’s agricultural sector this year.

“This is serious aid to farms. We will continue issuing loans. Banks
grant loans to at an annual interest rate of 14%. But they grant
agricultural loans at an annual interest rate of 10%,” Mr Karapetyan
said.

Moreover, socially vulnerable families can apply for loans at an
annual interest rate of 8%.

“More than 43,000 farms have received loans exceeding AMD 32bn,”
Mr Karapetyan said. An AMD 7.5bn lending program has been approved
for this spring.

Mr Karapetyan also singled out a program of supplying seeds to farms.

YSU WILL DRAW CORRESPONDING CONCLUSIONS

02:43 PM | TODAY | SOCIAL

The doors of the university were not closed for the students wishing
to participate to the student strike.

Today assured YSY staff’s head Alik Gharibian and claimed that those
who are boycotting already 4 days are not the students of YSU.

“I guarantee that the university has never been used for political
purposes “, – said Alik Gharibian.

However, Mr. Gharibian today did not deny that at the central entrance
of YSU has been a quarrel with insulting between the boycotters and
the other part of the students that criticize the strike.

Regarding to the expression of the rector’s assistant Gevorg Melkonyan
“Bring the army, bring the boys from Akhalkalak( who are famous for
their pugnacity)” Alik Gharibian mentioned:

“We will try to draw corresponding conclusions and take actions”,-
added Mr. Gharibian.

RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN CHALLENGES THE INACTION OF CEC

Thu, 02/28/2013 – 14:06
News

Yesterday, the presidential candidate, the president of the “Heritage”
party Raffi Hovhannisyan filed a lawsuit to the RA Administrative Court
against the Central Election Commission, challenging the latter’s
inaction. The case was signed by the Judge of Administrative Court
Judge Karen Avetisyan.

Raffi Hovannisyan requests that CEC be obliged to “include the price
of the 1.600 election headquarters of the presidential candidate Serzh
Sargsyan and the price of the posters spotted on them in the campaign
cost” and announce the registration of the candidate invalid upon
the No. 60-A decision of CEC. Raffi Hovannisyan applied to CEC with
this claim, asking CEC to apply to court for the revocation of Serzh
Sargsyan candidacy. Based on the decision of February 25, CEC rejected
Raffi Hovhannisyan’s application. The CEC noted that those cases of
the Electoral Code when the election committee applies to the court
without warning the candidate about that, concern exclusively those
cases that can have a significant impact on the election results. CEC
also said that the person who presented the application did not present
the legal justification or reasons to substantiate the impact of the
presented facts on the election outcome.

Author: Factinfo – See more at:

Freedom Square March 2, 2003 – Raffi Hovannisian: `I invite Serzh
Sargsyan to show up and give an accounting to the people’
Hrant Gadarigian

19:05, March 2, 2013

Jirayr Sefilyan, Andreas Ghoukasyan and Nikol Pashinyan Address
Thousands Calling for Serzh Sargsyan to Resign

Freedom Square in Yerevan was overflowing with people at today’s rally
in support of Raffi Hovannisian and his ongoing struggle to reject the
official vote results of the February 18 presidential election.

Speakers included Jirayr Sefilyan and Nikol Pashinyan, Andreas
Ghoukasyan and Zarouhie Postanjyan.

Raffi Hovannisian invited Serzh Sargsyan to Freedom Square on March 5
and to face the people who had voted him out of office.

Hovannisian called on Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
and Yerevan Mayor Taron Karapetyan to submit their resignations
publicly for the lies and fraud they have perpetrated during their
terms of office.

He called on them to display their morality and Christian spirit to
give an accounting to the people for the error of their ways.

Hovannisian said he would consult with his lawyers and decide whether
or not to petition the Central Electoral Commission to declare the
February 18 election null and void.

He asked the crowd when the next rally should be held, March 5 or
March 8. The people answered March 8; the day when they demand to see
Serzh Sargsyan at Freedom Square and account for his misdeeds in front
of the people.

Jirayr Sefilyan told the crowd that a real opportunity had arisen to
`build the Armenia of our dreams.’ He warned the crowd that the past
mistakes of the opposition must not be repeated.

Sefilyan, an Artsakh military commander, said that the regime’s ploy
to use `national security’ as a pretext to halt the current unfolding
struggle will no longer be swallowed.

`We cannot wait another five years,’ declared Sefilyan. `In 2008, the
regime succeeded in dividing the people. This time we are united as
one, Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora.’

Sefilyan said that no of the leaders of the past who betrayed the will
of the people would be allowed on the platform at Freedom Square.

Andreas Ghoukasyan, the presidential candidate who went on hunger
strike, gave a fiery speech lambasting the current regime. He called
for unity of purpose as well.

`Today, 10 million Armenians around the world are watching what
happens in Freedom Square to see if the people are ready to take the
struggle for freedom and justice till the end,’ said Ghoukasyan.

He then asked the crowd, `Are you ready?’ To which the crowd
thunderously responded, `Yes’

Ghoukasyan said that the people must demand the resignation of all
ruling Republican Party officials from regional and municipal posts.

He also called for the people to organize and proposed the formation
of citizens’ council to represent the people’s will parallel to
existing government structures.

As Nikol Pashinyan, the firebrand political activist, approached the
microphone he was welcomed with chants of `Nikol, Nikol’

He noted that on March 1, 2008, the Kocharian/Sargsyan clique occupied
Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, with tanks and the army.

Pashinyan said that today, the people have launched a struggle to
build a new Armenia on behalf of those who died five years ago.

He said that the people have united in a sacred cause and that the
regime’s attempt to pit one region against the other is doomed to
failure.

`Our struggle is for the unity of all Armenians, that the rule of law
covers each and every citizen of the country. The hour of unity,
brotherhood and victory is upon us,’ declared Pashinyan.

Pashinyan said the goal of the people and the pan-national struggle
embodied by Raffi Hovannisian, the elected president of the people, is
a simple one -irreversible victory.

`Victory of nothing,’ exclaimed Pashinyan.

He proposed that on April 9, inauguration day, the people fill
Republic Square and conduct a popular inauguration of Raffi
Hovannisian as the next president of Armenia.

Pashinyan said that faced with such an outpouring of the people’s
will, Serzh Sargsyan will be forced to admit defeat and that he isn’t
the choice of the people.