Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIA’S POLICE DETAINS THE MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER AND BODY DISMEMBERING

YEREVAN, January 11. /ARKA/.Armenia’s Police said Friday it had
detained previously convicted Sergo Yeremyan, born in 1960, charged
with dismembering a man’s body.

On January 4, Police was signaled that Ara Unanyan, born in 1965,
left his house and never returned on January 3. His dismembered body
was found on the territory of “Dalma Gardens” horticultural farm on
January 8.

“Sergo Yeremyan, charged with the murder, was detained on January 10
at 12:45 on Kurginyan street of Malatia-Sebastia community. Earlier
Yeremyan was convicted for a murder and released in 1996,” according
to the source.

During the interrogation Yeremyan confessed attacking Ara Unanyan with
different objects in the quarrel on January 3. As a result of multiple
injuries, Unanyan died in the outbuilding owned by Yeremyan. Yeremyan
later dismembered the man’s body and hid it behind the outbuilding.

The investigation is underway. A criminal case is open. -0-

PROBLEMS OF RUSSIA-AZERBAIJAN RELATIONS
Simon Kiladze

11/01/2013 15:59

Conclusion

Additional motivation was that for prolongation of the agreement Moscow
offered Baku far less for rent than it paid before. According to some
Russian military experts, the Gabala Radar Station lost its former
strategic importance, and over time, its efficiency was reducing,
devices were wearing out and breaking down, and it was very costly to
replace them that it would have been better to transfer the functions
of Gabala radar to a new station in the North Caucasus (Armavir)
construction of which has practically already been completed.

Apparently, the Russian government has taken into account both
“wavering” position of Azerbaijan, and the opinion of Russian military
experts, and stoped using the radar. The Russian Federation sent
a corresponding note to the Azerbaijan side, according to which
on December 10th, 2012 operation of the station was stopped and
respectively, the agreement signed ten years ago was declared expired.

We cannot say that Russia was not interested in Gabala. It was Moscow’s
interest that led to a visit to Azerbaijan of the Vice Premier of the
Russian Government (curator of the defense sector) Dmitry Rogozin that
took place on August 15-16th, 2012, when he met with President Ilham
Aliyev. Although, the meeting was confidential, according to leaked
information the parties could not agree on the price of the lease.

Azerbaijani political analysts believe that the delay in deciding the
fate of the Gabala Radar Station was due to bargaining between Putin
and Aliyev, but the role of money in this matter was only formal. The
main thing is that both parties have used this military facility to
resolve foreign policy issues. Ilham Aliyev’s interest was to force
Russia to make a positive step in resolving the Karabakh conflict,
and Vladimir Putin sought to use the Gabala Radar Station as a trump
card in case Azerbaijan was to really threaten Russia’s ally Armenia
with a war.

What will happen next? Will the Gabala factor worsen the
Azerbaijan-Russia relations? Expert opinions vary. Some believe that
this will not worsen the relations, while others, on the contrary,
claim that the events surrounding the Gabala radar indicate problems
between the two countries, that in the future are likely to multiply.

Azerbaijan is leaning more and more toward the West and its cooperation
with NATO is deepening. Symptoms of “cooling” of relations between
Baku and Moscow are already visible – instead of President Ilham
Aliyev the CIS summit in Ashgabat, held on December 5 was attended
by Prime Minister Artur Rasi-zade.

The Gabala Radar Station is a complex military facility, operation of
which requires a lot of experience and expertise. It is a fact that
Baku can not use that facility. They will have to find a new tenant
for the station, naturally, among countries – members of NATO. So
who will it be – the United States or Turkey?

In 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his U.S. counterpart
George W. Bush to jointly use the Gabala station instead of deploying
the U.S. radar in the Czech Republic. The U.S. almost agreed to use
the radar together with Russia, but later declined. The same fate
befell the initiative of Moscow that was put forward by Russia at
the Lisbon Summit in 2010 to make the Gabala station a part of the
joint missile defence system.

Turkey is not interested in using the Gabala station as the outdated
and also expensive facility would be an unnecessary burden on its
economy. This assumption is confirmed by the results of the meeting
of President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, held September 11, 2012 in the town of Gabala, near the
military facility. Apparently, during the negotiations Turkey refused
the Azerbaijan offer to operate the radar. Obviously, even if foreign
tenants are found they cannot, for obvious reasons, fully operate the
Russian-made radar and neither will they be able to use it against
Russia, as a remote control of anti-missile system is in Moscow.

In the end, it seems, after some time, when Russia takes out special
equipment of the station, a question of using this object in the
non-military, peaceful purposes will be definitely put on the agenda.

In favour of this version speaks the fact that development of
tourism and agricultural infrastructure is planned in the Gabala
region. There is already a project for cultivation of 52 hectares of
the area which is now occupied by the station. As for the building
itself, it can accommodate a research institution, or it may become
a tourist attraction.

Problem Four: Supply of Russian weapons to Armenia

Another problem in the Azerbaijan-Russia relations is supply of
Russian arms to Armenia. By assumption of Azerbaijani experts, at the
meeting of Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Rogozin the issue of the purchase
of the Russian arms and supply of Ukrainian arms to Armenia was also
discussed. Interestingly, the visit of Russian Deputy Prime Minister
was preceded by a scandal regarding military relations between Kiev
and Yerevan: as it turns out, Ukraine, that assures Azerbaijan of its
friendship (because of future import of Caspian oil and gas) secretly
from Baku supplied the BUK missile system to Armenia. But this is
nothing compared to the fact that Russia also supplies weapons to
Armenia both to equip the Armenian army, and for the 102nd military
base in Gyumri. (At present, the Russian base is equipped with Russian
anti-aircraft system “S-300” and fighters “MIG-29.” Number of personnel
of the military base is 5000 soldiers).

The Gyumri military base confirms the presence of Russia in the South
Caucasus, which is a dangerous factor for Azerbaijan. Therefore,
sensitivity of Baku to the issue of arms supply to its neighbour
is quite obvious: Armenia is its enemy and military adversary, and
at the same time – the strategic partner of Russia. Let us suppose
that Azerbaijan declared war to Armenia. In this case, presumably,
the personnel of the 102nd base and weapons will be used against
Azerbaijan. All the more that Armenia and Russia are members of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Charter of which
states that in case of declaration of war by a third country to one of
its members (take for example Azerbaijan – Armenia) all others (and
first of all Russia ) must come to the aid of the victim (Armenia)
(against Azerbaijan).

Interesting is the question of equipping of the Gyumri military base.

At present, according to Azerbaijani sources, Russia carries out
provision of the said military facility with manpower, weapons and
other ammunition through the territory of Asia and Iran – due to
blockage of the Transcaucasian transport communications passing
through the territory of Georgia (the Abkhazian section of the
Georgian railway). That is very expensive for Russia. In addition,
the transit of military cargo through the territory of foreign
countries increases the risk factor. That is why Russia would benefit
from restoration of the railway movement on the Abkhazian section,
which was discussed by official Tbilisi as one of the key factors in
improving the Georgian-Russian relations and the settlement of the
Georgian-Abkhazian conflict.

Problem five: Azerbaijan in the context of Russia-Iran relations

If we look at the map of the Caucasus and the Caspian region,
we note that Azerbaijan is “wedged” between Russia and Iran. The
fact is that in spite of the “cooling” of the recent relations
between Moscow and Tehran, the relationship still remains close. On
the international arena Russia permanently defends Iranian nuclear
projects, Russia is a member of the transport corridor “North-South”
in which Iran also is actively involved, positions of Russia and
Iran also coincide in the matter of definition of the status of the
Caspian Sea. While Azerbaijan has its problems with Iran, namely,
the issue of Azeri-language provinces of Iran. In addition, the
position of Baku is different from those of Moscow and Iran on the
Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan clearly does not like military manoeuvres of
the West against Iran in the Caspian Sea. As Baku is concerned that
in case of beginning of military actions by the West against Iran
Russia will try to use its land and sea territory.

Of course, we should not think that there are just problems in the
Russian-Azerbaijani relations solution of which are not expected
in the short term. On the contrary, in recent years, after some
attempts and bilateral efforts, a number of inter-state disputes were
successfully resolved. For example, the question of delimitation and
demarcation of the state border, the problem of the legal status
of inhabitants of the Russian enclaves in Azerbaijan – Khrakhuba
and Uryanuba decision on which had been delayed for years. Also, it
should be noted that against the backdrop of the above issues, trade
and economic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan are developing
very rapidly. In 2011 trade turnover between the countries amounted
to almost three billion dollars, which is a significant increase
compared to the previous period.

On the basis of the above, we can make a brief summary and some
conclusions:

So far Russia’s foreign policy toward Azerbaijan has encountered
some problems, Moscow has no conceptual understanding of relations
with this country, which is a significant barrier in the relations
of the two neighbouring countries. Clearly, these challenges have a
permanent character;

The most difficult problem is the Karabakh conflict, during the
process of settlement of which Moscow resorts to a double standard.

Accordingly, if Russia does not change its policy towards Armenia, does
not reduce its solidarity with this country, distrust of Azerbaijan
towards Moscow will not be neutralized;

It is possible that Russia could use “Iranian lever” against Azerbaijan
– to turn a blind eye to “mistakes” made by Tehran in the sphere of
protection of the rights of Azerbaijan, and in the discussion of the
problems of the Caspian Sea, to counterbalance the position of Baku
act in tandem with Iran;

In turn, Azerbaijan has the potential to successfully use the
confrontation between Russia and the West, and on this background
implement its interests. It is a fact that there is a very strong
Armenian lobby in the U.S., at the same time, the West needs
Azerbaijan’s energy resources, and if Baku once again reaches out to
Moscow, thus Aliyev will show the West alternative. But if Russia
will continue strategic cooperation with Armenia, Azerbaijan may
refuse mediation of Russia and move fully to the West.

FACT OF PREPARATION OF ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HEYDAR ALIYEV REVEALED

News.Az
Fri 11 January 2013 12:07 GMT | 12:07 Local Time

Turkish intelligence reveals fact of preparation of attempted murder
of Heydar Aliyev.

The national intelligence service of Turkey has revealed the fact of
planning Heydar Aliyev’s murder.

According to Turkish media, this is reflected in the documents
presented by the national intelligence service on investigation
of coups.

The documents reflected information related to forces attempting
to create chaos inside the state. In addition, the facts related to
intention to commit or commitment of a diversion by a special group
of 650 people were also revealed.

The major moment among them was the planned attempt to murder President
Heydar Aliyev.

The attempt failed after Heydar Aliyev was warned by the Turkish
securities bodies. The information says that the saboteurs had their
people in Turkey.

The documents were submitted by the Turkish National Intelligence
service to the parliament.

NSC PLAYS SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ARMENIA: ARTUR BAGHDASARYAN

15:14, 11 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. 2012 was a year of intense activity
for the National Security Council of the Republic of Armenia. As
reports “Armenpress” the Secretary of the National Security Council
of the Republic of Armenia thus characterized the previous year during
the press conference held on January 11. Summing up the previous year
he stated that they have entirely realized their main functions.

Among other things Artur Baghdasaryan stated that the National
Security Council plays an important role in overcoming, discovery
and assessment of the inner and foreign challenges, the Republic of
Armenia has to face with. Artur Baghdasaryan highlighted: “The most
significant of the present challenges is fortifying peace in the
country, as well as provision of continuous improvement of combat
readiness of the Armenian Armed Forces.” In addition the Secretary of
the National Security Council of the Republic of Armenia underscored
that the main infrastructures of the national security must undergo
perpetual modernization and development.

FORMER CARETAKER OF MADRAS ARMENIAN CHURCH COMPLAINS IT’S BEING NEGLECTED

23:24, January 10, 2013

Dear Friends,

It was indeed a happy moment for me to be at our church for Christmas
on Jan 6.

We said a prayer and lit some candles and I also rang the bells. A
special prayer was also said for the Armenians in Syria, in the hope
that peace returns. I also placed some flowers on the grave of the
father of Armenian journalism, Rev Haruthiun Shmavonian grave.

The maintenance of the church is still poor despite church members’
instructions to the caretaker on December 12 to better the upkeep. I
decided that I would clean some of the pictures myself. I pray that
the present caretaker takes more interest to keep our church clean and
neat. He also informed me that the church roof leaks severely when it
rains and also discovered that rodents have started burrowing their
way into the property and many hairline cracks are visible in the
pillars. Let’s hope that all this will be rectified at the earliest.

The Armenian church in Madras is of historical importance for Armenians
throughout the world.

then went to the cemetery which is four kilometers from our church to
put flowers on the grave of the former caretaker Mr. George Gregory and
his wife Joan. I was shocked to see the condition of the cemetery. The
quarters where the Gardner family lives has caved in due to the heavy
rains last November. They are now somehow managing with a small tent
on the property. This needs immediate attention and I hope something
will be done soon. The garden needs to be maintained properly. The
main gate has fallen off and needs to be fixed.

It pains me that when I was caretaker for the church from 1994-2004 we
put our hearts and soul to maintain our beautiful church and cemetery,
and too see them now being neglected is heart breaking. For a brief
period in 2008, they were maintained very well. But now they are
neglected once again. Though the Kolkata church was kind enough
to carry out extensive repairs a few years ago, this work needs to
be reviewed periodically. God bless the Indian Armenians and Mayr
Hayastan..

I also urge our respectful pastor in India Rev. Fr.Khoren Hovanissian
to intervene in this matter along with the honorable committee members.

Michael Stephen

Bangalore, India.

Former Caretaker -Armenian Church of Madras, India

WELCOMING SPEECH BY THE NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN DURING THE CREATION CEREMONY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION-ARMENIA FRIENDSHIP GROUP

10.01.2013

On January 9 in Brussels the delegation led by the NA President
Hovik Abrahamyan took part in the creation ceremony of the European
Union-Armenia Friendship Group.

The Head of the European Union-Armenia Friendship Group Mrs Eleni
Theocharous highlighted the establishment of the Group, expressing
conviction that it would become a beginning of the EU-RA new
cooperation, mutually beneficial economic, political and cultural
active relations would be formed and the inter-parliamentary relations
would develop. To her assessment, Armenia with its past and present
is in the European value system, and Europe, as well as Armenia has
a lot to give to each other.

During the creation ceremony of the European Union-Armenia Friendship
Group the NA President had a welcoming speech.

In connection with the creation of the European Union-Armenia
Friendship Group a Memorandum was signed. The deputies of the European
Parliament and the RA National Assembly had opportunity to have warm
and informal talk for their further activities and programmes.

AZERBAIJANI ‘CORRECT’ LOSSES IN ARMED FORCES – EXPERT

NEWS.AM
December 04, 2012 | 23:16

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan ‘corrects’ its losses in the Armed Forces,
military expert Arkadi Grigoryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am commenting
on another statement by the Azerbaijani media outlets that an officer
exploded on the mine. To note, this is the fourth incident in the
recent three weeks.

According to the expert, “explosion on the mine” is one of the
‘successful’ means to register a loss. At the end of the year, the
Azerbaijani side ‘corrects’ data on human losses in the Armed Forces.

“There are losses and they need to be explained somehow. Besides,
majority of incidents is due to the mine explosion, and it comes to
testify about failed diversion acts and violations of the discipline,”
he said.

APPEAL TO CANDIDATES: GET OUT OF SHADOW

13:55 11/01/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

The presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan has urged the other
presidential candidates to withdraw from the race. Paruir Hairikyan’s
answer followed who said, “It is not clear to me that he reserves the
moral right to urge something without meeting with the candidates
or discussing anything.” We asked Stepan Danielyan, head of the
Collaboration for Democracy Centre NGO, to comment on this answer.

“This is a brief but interesting answer which condenses in itself the
political, cultural, mentality peculiarities of Armenia. And perhaps
this answer would not be worth a discussion were it not typical of
other politicians.”

“In Armenia the political processes take place secretly from the
public, backstage deals are made. Considering Mr. Hairikyan’s political
experience, it is difficult to change his behavior and thinking but we
need a new thinking, and the main focus must be on the transparency
of political processes. Andrias Ghukasyan has made a public appeal
to the candidates and is waiting for an answer. I repeat the key to
new thinking must be transparency of decision making.

The second typical thing is the phrase “moral right”. A person who
urges to go to “free Armenia” must understand that in free countries
people have equal rights and people are equal, including in moral
terms, unless one’s immorality is proved. Here Mr. Hairikyan and the
other political and public men must understand that the main problem
of Armenia is the principle of “inequality”.

I reserve the moral right to call all the candidates to be polite and
specific in their speeches and ready that all the political processes
will be public.”

PSYCHOLOGICAL COMPLEX OF AZERBAIJAN OR THE PROJECT OF “AZERI”

2013-01-11 13:29:10

Without a deep look at the historical study we will turn to the
current psychological and ideological problem of Azerbaijan and
Azerbaijanis. It is not a secret that the so-called The Republic of
Azerbaijan, in the broadest sense, was a Turkish project, carried
out in 1918.

In 1913, by decree of the Military Minister Enver Young Turk government
during the War Department “Special Organization” (Te?

Kilat-? Mahsusa) was created, which function is to
reconnaissance-subversive activities, as well as the dissemination
of pan-Turkic ideas.

Immediately after the organization has concentrated its full potential
for the implementation of programs in the Balkans, Turkey, thus
contributing to the occupation of the Bulgarian and Greek territory.

In particular, the mediation of the same organization in 1913 in Thrace
proclaimed the first unit of the state-autonomous Ottoman Turkish
Republic of Western Thrace, which, however, lasted only a few months.

With the same purpose in January 1919, the Turks created southwestern
Caucasus Republic (Kars Shura). It was planned to build on one of
the territories of Kars, Batimi and Akhaltskha separate state, but
this project failed.

According to the principle of the state and the satellite program
by the Young Turk government destruction of Armenians in 1918 was
realized another major project, the creation of pan-Turkic artificial
state of Azerbaijan.

On the establishment of pan-Turkic project objective an ancient
forgery objective was also contributed. With foresight to acquire
new territories in governing Russia Azerbaijan and Iranian Azerbaijan
toponyms also embarked into scientific.

That is, the falsification became profitable for the two powerful
forces, which meant that the program was undoubtedly moving forward.

Today, the scientific community says that the name is associated
with Atropatena, which, however, can not have any connection with
the present government, especially with the Tatar living there or
Iranian tribes.

For short term “independent Azerbaijan” of course became Soviet,
because that way it got the status of legitimacy of the state.

After the Sovietization of Azerbaijan, the Turkish influence certainly
declined, but communities were still not enough. Azeris are of mixed
ethnic origin, the oldest element is the local population of the
eastern Transcaucasia and possibly Iranian speaking Medes, who lived
in northern Persia. According to the latest version of the accepted
scientific Azerbaijanis were called Caucasian Tatars.

According to 1926 census, 63.3% of the population of the Azerbaijan
Soviet Republic were Turks,12.4%- Armenians, about 10% Russians and
more than a dozen national minorities. According to the 2009 census,
which was carried out.

but recently Aliyev clan carried a census, according to which 91.60%
of the population were Azerbaijanis. Of the rest, of course, and
there is no word. That’s the proof of this fraudulent program. This
fact suggests two important key rigging project “Azerbaijan and Azeri”

The first question concerns the ethnic names: where were those
Azerbaijanis in 1926 who miraculously became predominant in 2009. In
fact, these are the same Turks. The second was to minority artificially
reduced populations of nations, which were the oldest in the region
and had more rights and great heritage.

In the early 1990s, ethnic cleansing of the century was renewed, once
and for all to prove the existence of a right to an artificial state.

Often the Genocide of Armenians and other Christian nations held
hands of other Muslim nations and tribes.

Here it is necessary to recall the statement of the well-known
journalist, political analyst and journalist Mikhail Leontiev:
“The process of birth of the state of Azerbaijan was held by the
extermination of the Armenians.” Add from our side, in that path
first passed Turkey, and then Azerbaijan.

The same logic held and Ramil Safarov’s glorification, since in both
cases the same handwriting can be traced, and there is no difference
between of Hrant Dink’s glorification. And yet, so the problem of
identity of “Azeri” is not solved completely.

“After all, who is Azeri, and what is Azerbaijan?” These questions
are asked by all those who live in this artificial state.

Artsrun Hovannisyan

Military expert

hayzinvor.am

JULIO IGLESIAS MAY PERFORM ARMENIAN SONG DURING YEREVAN CONCERT

09:37, 11 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Prominent Spanish singer Julio
Iglesias may perform an Armenian song during his concert, which will be
held in Yerevan on March 18. Presently the organizers of the concert
are negotiation about this issue. The outstanding singer is fond of
performing songs of the country, where he is giving concerts.

In a conversation with “Armenpress” the producer of the upcoming
concert Arman Tsaturyan stated that the Armenian side has already
turned to the singer for performing an Armenian-Language song and
now they are looking forward to the singers reply. The matter is
that the Armenian language is rather difficult. The producer of the
upcoming concert Arman Tsaturyan stated: “I would be very glad if
Julio Iglesias performs an Armenian-language song. This possibility
is not excluded. Notwithstanding, the Armenian audience is fond of
such performances. This creates a unique contact between the singer
and audience.”

Julio Iglesias will pay a two-day visit to Armenia on March 17 by his
own aircraft. He will be accompanied with a large “suite” of 30-35
artists including musicians, back-vocal singers, and dancers.