Author: Kanayan Tamar

IBM representatives to visit Armenia and get acquainted with IT sector
operating companies

13:52, 12 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS: Delegation headed by Armenian PM
Tigran Sargsyan visited Silicon Valley based I- B-M (IBM) Company
Headquarter. An agreement was reached upon with (IBM) Company aimed at
creating a joint working group which will study the possibilities of
bilateral cooperation, the potential and prospects.

As Information and Public Relations department informed Armenpress,
the Company’s representatives are set to visit Armenia and get
acquainted with the companies operating in the IT sector, activities
of the institutions engaged in fundamental science. The working group
is set to present the results of the studies by the first trimester of
2013, on the base of which an agreement will be signed between
Armenian Government and IBM Company aimed at realization of future
joint programs. IBM is not only a world leading company in invention
licensing but in various fields of fundamental science.

Justice or Coverup?: Controversial trial of soldiers sees new charges
for previously-resolved case

HUMAN RIGHTS | 12.12.12 | 10:41

Photolure

Zaruhi Postanjyan, Hayk Alumyan
By GAYANE ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

The Armenian judicial system is being tested again as the scandalous
Mataghis Case has entered a new phase after several months of
procrastination, and while oppositional Armenian National Congress MP,
former military prosecutor Gagik Jhangiryan is talking about the
`lamentable state’ of human rights in the country (during a march on
Human Rights Day).

Three young men convicted and tortured during his tenure keep fighting
for justice and blaming the same Jhangiryan for `ruining their lives’.

Razmik Sargsyan, Arayik Zalyan and Musa Serobyan, all age 27, were
charged with murder in 2004, following the discovery of the bodies of
conscripts Hovsep Mkrtumyan and Roman Yeghiazaryan in a water
reservoir in Nagorno Karabakh’s Mataghis village.

The first instance court sentenced them to 15 years, however a court
of appeals increased the punishment to life sentences. Unexpectedly,
the Court of Cassation, in 2006, released the convicts, marking the
first time in independent Armenia’s history that the higher court
annulled an appeals court decision. The case was sent back for further
investigation.

It seemed that the case would never go back to court again, but, as
the defence attorney Hayk Alumyan says, `Unlawfulness in an unlawful
country is taken till the very end.’

Now, the men are being brought up on lesser charges for the same
crime, accused of accidental death by beating, with the maximum
punishment of 7-8 years’ imprisonment. (Armenia’s Criminal Code puts
the crime at up to 10 years. Prosecutors are calling for 7-8 and the
previous three years would count as time served.)

`The authorities don’t want to back down on case that was fabricated
from A-Z,’ the attorney told ArmeniaNow. `If they close the case
they’d have to find the real culprits, whose identities are known, but
the prosecution of that time [2004] fabricated the case, and it is now
continued by the current authorities.’

According to the victims’ legal successors and the defendants’ parents
the chief `script-writer’ of the fabrication is former military
prosecutor Jhangiryan, who has today become a `fighter for justice,
when in fact he was the one who covered up our children’s murderers’
case,’ says Hovsep Mkrtumyan’s father, Movsep Mkrtumyan.

The victim’s legal successor Mkrtumyan is convinced that the accused
soldiers had nothing to do with the murder, but believes the court
will not be fair this time either.

`The real murderers are among the commander staff, hence they are
defended with might and main,’ Mkrtumyan told ArmeniaNow.

In 2005 Zaruhi Postanjyan, now a Heritage faction MP, was the attorney
in the original case and submitted a letter sent from the then NKR
Defence Minster Seyran Ohanyan to Jhangiryan related to Mataghis
battalion commander Ivan Grigoryan. In the letter the minister was
asking to `be lenient with battalion commander Ivan Grigoryan, since
he is a national hero and regrets his deed’.

Despite the letter and other material evidence and testimonies tracing
the murder to commander Grigoryan, who was involved in the case as a
witness, the court was unable to have him present during the trial
even as such [as a witness], with an excuse that Grigoryan’s location
was unknown.

Postanjyan is convinced that the case has been brought to surface
again to help the state avoid a punishment by the European Court of
Human Rights (ECHR).

Razmik Sargsyan’s case was in the process at ECHR, which in 2007 sent
a list of questions to the government of Armenia, in particular
related to forcing testimony through physical abuse and torture; this
year the European Court has sent an inquiry for the second time.

If ECHR regards as a proven fact that the crucial testimony was forced
out of Sargsyan with violence and torture, the case will have to be
suspended, since the other two were accused along with him based
purely on that testimony.

`The case fell apart yet in 2006 at the court of cassation, it was so
obvious during the trial that there simply was no ground for any other
verdict; they had to annul the previous two verdicts; now, however,
everything is done not to let the real wrongdoers be punished,’
Postanjyan told ArmeniaNow.

Postanjyan is convinced that her former clients (the three defendants)
will demand compensation `for terrible torture, three years of prison
and serious damage to health’ and that the `state now is avoiding
either compensation or disclosure of the guilty and the responsibility
to punish the monsters covering up this case.’
Sargsyan’s parents are in despair, but keep fighting.

`Because of the beatings, the hunger strike (carried out by the
defendants in prison), my son’s health has deteriorated beyond cure.
They hit him in the kidneys so much that they are seriously damaged
now, so is his spine,’ says Torgom Sargsayn, father of Razmik. `We
have to see to the punishment of those who have ruined his life. They
have ruined so many others just like our son. How many innocent people
have been sent to prison, in order to cover up the real culprits. I
saved my son from under the ruins (during the 1988 Spitak earthquake]
He survived by miracle, and now I am unable to save him from their
hands.’

The current trial in Gyumri at the Shirak Region Court of Common
Jurisdiction, is in its final stages and expected to conclude December
14. Human rights activists are expected to stage protests leading up
to the court decision. The three defendants have not been detained.

Will Vartan Oskanian Return?

HAKOB BADALYAN
12:38 12/12/2012
Story from Lragir.am News:

Gagik Tsarukyan still keeps silence in reply to the press reports that
he has decided not to run and not to support anyone in the upcoming
election. The feeling is that Tsarukyan has really decided to do so.
At least, no one from the Prosperous Armenia Party has refuted these
reports.

There are no posts on Vartan Oskanian’s Facebook wall either.

Vartan Oskanian’s factor in this case is really interesting. The point
is that the ex-foreign minister is one of the conceptual advocates of
the PAP’s participation in the elections. He stated that the PAP
should nominate its own candidate for president, and if Gagik
Tsarukyan does not want to run, he is ready to be the PAP nominee.

Later, Vartan Oskanian posted on Facebook, after the party’s meeting
in the brandy factory, that Gagik Tsarukyan proposed to nominate him
for president but the party’s territorial offices demand Tsarukyan’s
nomination.

Now that Tsarukyan may not participate at all, Oskanian’s actions
become interesting. Tsarukyan’s decision would not only concern his
own nomination but also the party’s overall actions.

The question occurs whether Vartan Oskanian will go against the
decision of the party and will run for president or whether, despite
Tsarukyan’s decision, Oskanian will try to show an example of the
`parliamentary’ government putting forth the issue for discussion in
the party.

Otherwise, it will be strange if the issue is resolved by Gagik
Tsarukyan’s decision only. The PAP and Vartan Oskanian in particular
support the parliamentary republic so they are against decisions made
by a single person. Consequently, they need to show such an example.

Vartan Oskanian may nominate himself, which will be something like his
`personal opinion’ which he often expresses. Anyway, the PAP leader
has never condemned Oskanian for his tough statements about the
government which were later referred to as his personal opinions.

Consequently, Oskanian may nominate himself independently from PAP.
Moreover, he supports competitive politics.

In other words, Vartan Oskanian’s political `belief’ seems to make him
act as an alternative to Serzh Sargsyan, otherwise all words sound
superfluous and valueless.

The same goes for the PAP in general and in particular Gagik Tsarukyan
if he does not run. But Oskanian’s situation is different. Unlike
Tsarukyan, he is a political figure. Despite his numerous past
political mistakes he still has an effective role in the process of
political modernization and resources for a position and status.

In this sense, it will be even good for the ex-foreign minister if
Tsarukyan does not run and does not nominate Oskanian either. He will
have a chance to return to the civil sphere through self-nomination.
If he fails, the responsibility will mostly fall on the party which
left Oskanian alone against the system.

As to the content, in this situation Oskanian got an exceptional
chance to return to the civil content. In other words, he could return
to the starting point, correct the mistakes which he committed wasting
the valuable resource he had gained by his effective political
activities.

No need to miss the `flight’ until Vartan Oskanian has enough money
for a `ticket’ to the civil sphere.

Representative of Armenian community in Syria: There is no direct
threat to Armenian community from Turkish mercenaries

ARMINFO
Wednesday, December 12, 12:56

The reports saying that Turkish mercenaries threaten the Armenian
community in Syria do not correspond to reality, Zhirayr Reisyan, the
press secretary of
National Prelacy of Aleppo, told ArmInfo. “Actually there are no
Turkish groupings as such. There are Turk mercenaries in the army of
rebels, but they kill everyone they are ordered to, without any
national difference,” he said. Reisyan believes that the situation is
still unstable and fire shots are still heard.

He said that there are food problems in Aleppo and throughout Syria,
but people are not starving, unlike foreign Media reports. He said
that humanitarian aid is equally distributed and people are provided
with additional reserves if necessary. At the same time, Reisyan could
not say how many Armenians have remained in Syria, but their number
has tangibly decreased.

To recall, more and more refugees from Syria are seeking shelter in
Armenia. In 2010 some 422 citizens of Syrian applied for Armenian
citizenship, in 2011 their number exceeded 3000 people, while within
the first three months of 2012 nearly 1,500 people applied for
Armenian citizenship. The number of Armenians in Syria before the
armed conflict was 60-100,000 people by various assessments.

Meeting – Débat sur la situation alarmante de l’Arménie
Vendredi 14 décembre à 20h30 à la JAF Marseille

En partenariat avec Nouvelles d’Arménie Magazine, vendredi 14 décembre
2012 à 20h30 se tiendra un meeting-débat sur la situation alarmante de
l’Arménie, les moyens d’en sortir et le rôle de la diaspora, en
présence d’Alec Yenikomchian au Centre Culturel de la Jeunesse
Arménienne de France, 47 Avenue de Toulon, 13006 Marseille.

Avec la présence exceptionnelle en France d’Alec Yénikomshian*, venu
spécialement d’Arménie, membre du Mouvement Sardarabad, directeur du
Fonds Monté Melkonian, figure de la lutte de libération des années
75-80. Avec la participation de l’Association de soutien aux
mouvements civiques en Arménie.

*Alec Yénikomshian a été celui qui le 3 octobre 1980 a donné pour la
première fois un visage et un nom au renouveau de la lutte de
libération du peuple arménien des années 75. Jusqu’alors, une opacité
complète régnait sur les auteurs de la série d’actions qui avait ciblé
les représentants et les intérêts de l’Etat turc dans le monde. Alec,
intellectuel de la communauté arménienne du Liban a été arrêté à
Genève le 3 octobre 1980, en compagnie de Susy Maseredjian (une
Américaine d’origine arménienne), à la suite de la déflagration
accidentelle du détonateur d’un pain de plastic destiné au consulat de
Turquie. Il avait alors 24 ans. Alec a perdu la vue, sa main gauche et
trois doigts de sa main droite dans cette opération de « propagande
armée ».

Son procès, le premier des combattants arméniens, s’est transformé
grce à sa plaidoirie exceptionnelle, en réquisitoire contre l’Etat
fasciste turc. Devenu aveugle et amputé, Alec a expliqué à ses juges
pourquoi et comment il en était venu à prendre la décision de
s’engager dans cette lutte.

Cet événement politico-judiciaire, qui avait fait la `une` des
journaux suisses, largement reproduite partout en Europe, a été un des
premiers révélateurs publics du génocide arménien. Les jurés suisses
ont condamné Alec à une peine symbolique qui lui a permis d’être
libéré à l’issue de l’audience, après quelques mois de détention. Suzy
a également été relchée au même moment.

Cette double décision de clémence, saluée par l’opinion de l’époque, a
été la première victoire politique institutionnelle du peuple arménien
depuis le procès de Téhlirian, exécuteur à Berlin en 1921 de Talaat
Pacha, ex-premier ministre turc, principal instigateur du génocide.

En 1983 il dénonce la dérive terroriste de l’ASALA et se solidarise de
la scission dans ses rangs proclamée le 15 juillet de la même année
par Monté Melkonian. Alec s’installe en Arménie dans l’année qui a
suivi la mort en héros de Monté, le 13 juin 1993, sur le front du
Karabagh. Il devient alors, entres autres activités, directeur du
fonds Monté Melkonian

Il décide enfin de s’engager dans le mouvement Sardarabad, une
organisation citoyenne et populaire qui lutte pour l’instauration d’un
état de droit en Arménie, la défense des droits des droits de l’homme
et des intérêts nationaux du pays.

Infos JAF Marseille 04 91 802 820

mercredi 12 décembre 2012,
Aurélie Ohanian ©armenews.com

ARMENIAN MAN WOUNDED DAYS AGO IN HASAKE DIED

18:10, 11 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Yusuf Pachora who was
wounded a few days ago in Hasake city bordering with Turkey died.

Armenpress was informed from our compatriots from Hasake. At the
beginning of December news was spread that Armenian man had been killed
and his son wounded by militants in Hasake. The incident took place
during the attempt of the kidnapping. According to the information
the killed man was Abd al-Ahad Pachora.

Spokesperson of Berio Diocese Jirair Reisian informed that there
were no serious changes in Aleppo. The only positive thing was the
electricity which had been switched on for a little bit long period.

Therefore now the city is again in the darkness and shootings and
bombings are heard from time to time. Reisian also informed that it
was getting colder in Aleppo and people had to leave their apartments
because of the bad conditions. Our compatriots from Damascus also
informed that the situation is relatively calm after fueled clashes
on the roads. According to him there is a lack of bread in the capital
because of the flood of the inhabitants to the capital.

About 40 000 people have died in a result of clashes in Syria.

HEAD OF ASSEMBLY OF AZERBAIJANI ARMENIANS: THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC WILL NEVER BE A PART OF AZERBAIJAN

Tuesday, December 11, 15:03

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will never be a part of Azerbaijan,
Head of the Assembly of Azerbaijani Armenians Grigory Ayvazyan said
at today’s press conference in Yerevan.

“Whatever Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says, he realizes best of
all that in case of resumption of military actions against the NKR,
his army will suffer crushing defeat, and he himself will have to
recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic”, said Ayvazyan.

He added that official Baku has made the first step towards suspension
of the Karabakh peace process, trying to shift the responsibility for
its actions to Yerevan and Stepanakert. “Ramil Safarov’s pardoning
demonstrated to the international community that Azerbaijan is a
genocidal country with an “axe policy”, he said.

Ayvazyan does not rule out his participation in the forthcoming
presidential elections in Azerbaijan, as he considers it to be
his civil right. He added that he was going to take part in the
parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan as well, but the Central
Electoral Commission did not allow him, because the CEC was not sure
that it would be able to ensure an Armenian’s security.

CULTURAL THEFT GOES ON: IRANIAN TAR REGISTERED BY UNESCO AS AZERBAIJANI CULTURAL HERITAGE

14:46 11/12/2012 ” CULTURE

The theft of Iran’s cultural heritage goes on, says an article by
Iranian news website Tabnak.ir.

The author of the article condemns the fact that Iranian tar (stringed
musical instrument) was registered by UNESCO as cultural heritage of
the Azerbaijani Republic in the presence of Iranian officials.

“It is very surprising and ridiculous that tar, which has Persian
origin, is registered as ownership of a country that has non-Persian
speaking population. Where were the Iranian delegates commissioned
to UNESCO while the registration was taking place?” writes the author.

Referring to mentions of tar in documents preserved from the period of
Achaemenid king Kyros the Great, Iranian musicologist Behruz Vejdani
said, “Azerbaijan applies for tar’s UNESCO registration, while Iran
had tar prior to the emergence of the Azerbaijani Republic. Moreover,
the current territory of Azerbaijan was part of Iran until the Treaty
of Turkmenchay was signed.”

“Besides, tar was used by regional countries such as Armenia, Georgia,
Iran, Tajikistan as a common musical instrument,” Vejdani concluded.

Source: Panorama.am

THE COUNTRY’S LEADERSHIP AND ART LOVERS SAID THE LAST FAREWELL TO FLORA MARTIROSYAN

14:32, 11 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian art lovers paid the last
tribute to favorite singer on December 11. Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan, First Lady Rita Sargsyan, social, political and cultural
figures and Flora Martirosyan art fans came to bid the farewell.

Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan stated Flora Martirosyan can
serve a good sample of professionalism for our generations. “She had
had an invaluable role in almost all spheres” Minister came up with.

People’s artist Thomas Poghosyan highlighted Flora Martirosyan has
left rich inheritance to Armenian nation. In the words of Tovmasyan
Flora’s songs are saturated with light, complexity of human virtue.

Flora’s husband Hrahat because of his sickness could not come Armenia.

The singer’s civil funeral will take place in Yerevan city Pantheon.

Singer’s burial ceremony was also orchestrated in Los Angeles before
the transportation of the corpse to the Motherland. Primate of Armenian
Apostolic Church of North America Archbishop Hovnan Derderian then
chaired the ceremony. Numerous foreigners, many of his colleagues
with whom Flora Martirosyan still had plans to implement had came to
pay the last tribute to the eminent singer.

MEMORY OF 1988 EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS WAS COMMEMORATED IN VARIOUS CITIES OF THE WORLD

On December 9 victims of tragic earthquake in 1988 were commemorated
in Moscow St. Harutyun church. Press and information department of
Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs about this.

Armenian Ambassador in Russian Oleg Yesayan, Armenian cultural and
social activists attended the event.

On the end of the event the participants put a garland at the
cross-stone devoted to the memory of the earthquake victims.

On December 7 book named “Long winter of Spitak” was presented in
Rome. The book was devoted to the 24th anniversary of Spitak
earthquake and was written by Italian architect Mario Masimo
Simonelli.

11.12.12, 11:34