Author: Kanayan Tamar

THOSE TIRED NEED TO GO TO JAIL
Igor Muradyan

Comments – Tuesday, 20 November 2012, 13:16

Controversial relations have been formed between Russia and Armenia,
which will anyway lead to more serious conflicts and problems. In
the current situation of mutual suspicion and understatement, it is
impossible to try to build partner relationship.

The Russian-Armenian relations are often called strategic, but we
need to take into account that besides the volume of indicators and
contractual framework, the strategic relations suppose mutual trust.

Not only trust, but also understanding of political priorities of
each other. Hence, is it necessary to deepen the chronically confirmed
situation and make our enemies happy?

Russians and Armenians have relations on all the level of politics
and daily life, but it would be a sign of narrow-minded thinking if we
attached decisive role to this. The best the official and non-official
contact may offer is stupid, not meaningful feast and rave version
of politics, diplomacy, public relations.

We can’t say that people, engaged in the filling of the “daily
stupidity”, are bad. Not at all, they are even friendly people, true,
who are used to comfort. When a catastrophic collapse of relations
happens between Russia and Armenia, no one will remember or find the
rave figures.

It is completely clear that the national interests of Russia and
Armenia, in certain directions, don’t match, but at the same time,
these issues are not discussed at the official level, and there is
no intention to discuss them at all.

As we know, certain lines of relationship are formed between Russia and
Poland, which involve many layers of the society, the church and the
intelligentsia. Despite the four decades of partner relations between
Poland and Russia, during the communistic period, both countries and
nations chose the “free floating” in mutual hatred and anger.

Sure, concrete formats are incompatible, and the Polish-Russian problem
has a European significance, and the Russian-Armenian relationship has
local (regional) significance, but in geopolitics, quite unpleasant
and dangerous trends appear. So, it would be good to follow the unique
Polish-Russian experience and resort to the clarification of issues
between Armenia and Russia exceptionally in the political sense. (For
example, such a dialogue was proposed to the Armenian organizations
by Kurdish political figures).

What is the aim? The main aim is to pass from “brother” relations,
which have become dangerous and disputable, to political relations.

Along with this, the impression is that someone is not interested in
this at all and torpedoes such initiatives. Do we deal with personal
egoistic mercantile interest or with strategic calculation? It would
be good to find this out too. Perhaps, it looks more than a trivial.

As a Moscow political scientist, integrated in the state spheres,
said “we are tired, we want to sleep”. If someone is really tired and
wants to sleep, then, what should we talk about? In such a large and
different country as Russia, there are various people and conditions,
and if someone is “tired”, then they need to either retire or to go
jail, or to allow others, who are not yet tired, occupy their post.

Now, one doesn’t get tired only when competing for greed. Therefore,
the reason for the lack of policy in the Armenian-Russian relations
is the contradictions between individual, group and national interests
of Russia.

THE ARMENIAN TRADITIONAL PARTIES ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF ARTSAKH

10:15, 19 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. The responsibles of Armenian
Traditional Parties call to the supporters with the message of
participating in the “Telethon 2012” and assured about their readiness
to support the Artsakh development programs. It was mentioned by the
responsibles of Armenian Traditional Parties in the frames of the
meeting in Los Angeles with the Speaker of the National Assembly
of NKR Ashot Ghulyan. Press Service of the National Assembly of
NKR informed “Armenpress” that Ashot Ghulyan had a meeting in Los
Angeles on November 17th with the Social-Democratic Party members of
the Administrative Authority of Western America under the authority
of Chairperson Vazgen Khodanian. The next meeting held with the
responsibles of Western Regional Office of Ramkavar Azatakan Party of
America under the authority of the Chairperson Hakob Nazaryan. The
Speaker of the National Assembly of NKR also has a meeting with the
responsibles of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun
the Central Committee of the Western America under the authority of
Vigen Hovsepian.

The current social-economic situation of the Republic of Artsakh,
the recent regional developments and the issues referring to the
Artsakh-Diaspora cooperation prospects were discussed with the
representatives of the Traditional Parties.

In the second part of the day the Speaker of the National Assembly
of NKR had a meeting with the benefactor Ando Baghdasaryan. Metters
regarding to the upcoming Teleton and the economic development of
Artsakh were discussed at the meeting.

LE PREMIER MINISTRE S’ENGAGE A INFORMER LES ARMENIENS AU SUJET DES POURPARLERS SUR LE PRIX DU GAZ
Stephane

armenews.com
lundi 19 novembre 2012

Le Premier ministre armenien Tigran Sarkissian a promis d’informer
le public sur le resultat des negociations avec Gazprom sur le prix
du gaz une fois qu’elles seront termines.

“Actuellement, nous negocions le prix du gaz avec nos collègues russes,
et c’est pourquoi je ne voudrais pas en parler. Lorsque nous aurons
termine les negociations, nous allons informer le public sur l’issue
des negociations” a-t-il declare vendredi lors d’une reunion avec
les membres du Club des Editeurs de la CEI et des pays baltes et
la Georgie.

Selon certaines speculations dans les medias, le prix du gaz naturel
en Armenie s’elève a 280 dollars les 1.000 mètres cubes depuis le
1er Octobre 2012 et de 320 $ pour 1000 mètres cubes a compter du 1er
Janvier 2012. À l’heure actuelle, l’Armenie achète du gaz pour 180
dollars les 1.000 mètres cubes.

lundi 19 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

ANALYST: THE INCUMBENT PARLIAMENT OF ARMENIA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GUIDE THE COUNTRY IN CASE OF TRANSITION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

arminfo
Monday, November 19, 15:28

The incumbent parliament of Armenia will not be able to guide
the country in case of transition to the parliamentary system of
government, Director of Armenian Centre for National and International
Studies, Richard Giragossian, said at today’s press-conference.

“Theoretically, the idea voiced by several political forces of Armenia
about transition to the parliamentary system of government is very
much interesting, but practical fulfillment of this idea is dangerous,
as the current parliament cannot manage the country”, – he said.

THE POLICE ACTIONS ARE NOT AGAINST PEASANTS, BUT THOSE WHO DESTROY THE FOREST OF PEASANTS: VLADIMIR GASPARYAN

14:27, 19 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Head of the Police,
Lieutenant General Vladimir Gasparyan paid a regular visit is to
Gegharkunik region. During a meeting with the Police department of
Gegharkunik region and with the officers of the divisions Vladimir
Gasparyan spoke about the key directions of the police work,
emphasizing the importance of the fight against illegal fishing and
the restoration of Sevan and for the future of the region.

The Department of Information and Public Relations of the Police
informed “Armenpress” that Vladimir Gapsryan, presenting the events
connected to the protection of the forest, also emphasized, that the
police actions are not against peasants, but those who destroy the
forest of peasants

As reports “Armenpress” the among the problems of one can mention
illegal cutting down of forests, in the expense of which those who
get rich send the so-called “bats” to sink in mines or send to the
death without hesitation, especially young people and teenagers.

SERZH SARGSYAN NEEDS FORCEFUL GUARANTEES
Naira Hayrumyan

Comments – Monday, 19 November 2012, 11:55

Armenia has improvement regarding the investment climate by 74 points,
reaching the 25th position from the 98th in the Doing Business report.

It seemed that a wave of investments, a boom of foreign capital should
have followed this report but nothing happened. The reason is that
nothing has changed but on paper. The government does nothing for
investors to feel safe. On the contrary, the authorities demonstrate
readiness to defend officials.

A lawsuit that would punish officials for fraud against investors
could be a good message to foreign investors while nothing similar
seems likely to happen. And the example would be Edmond Khudyan’s
case which publicly calls the names of officials involved in corrupt
fraudulent schemes, and prosecutors again pretend to be deaf.

The Prosecutor’s office shows signs of life only when the president
“wakes it up” and makes it collect data against Vartan Oskanian. The
U.S. ambassador has already called this “selective justice”.

Otherwise, it could be called lack of justice.

The court defends the interests of official harming investors, hence
depriving the country of important investments which could not only
enhance but also develop the culture of the Armenian economy.

Actually, the court is becoming the main criminal hindering the
economic and political development of Armenia.

The court is just something adjunct to the government intended to
defend its interest. It is clear that if the court rules in favor
of an investor once, the entire system will collapse. The system is
based on mutual responsibility: each supports the ones standing next
to them, not letting them fall.

The U.S. ambassador John Heffern has stated more than once that he is
trying to attract investments to Armenia. But the potential investors
ask him three questions about the judicial, tax and customs fees and
competition issues. “I can’t answer these questions yet,” says the
ambassador, urging the authorities to display political will.

Anyway, he understands that any expression of “political” will is
likely to be the end of the current government. Perhaps, Armenia’s
president needs serious guarantees that he won’t be left under the
ruins of the system, which will collapse if the investors win in the
fight investors v. officials. Who will give him guarantees? The fact
that no investment has come to Armenia despite progress in the Doing
Business report means that there will be no guarantees. Investments
will wait for the collapse of the system. Then Serzh Sargsyan will
surely be left under the ruins.

Film about Lebanese-Armenians screened in Montreal (video)

09:05 – 19.11.12

A documentary by Lebanese-Armenian film director Marlene Edoyan was
screened at the Montreal International Film Festival on Sunday.

In the film, entitled Figure d’Armenie, the author describes a visit
to her homeland she has never seen and the nearby countries with
substantial Armenian communities, Montreal Gazette reported.

The movie tells about the Armenian migrants of Lebanon, who never
abandoned their historical heritage.

Life is difficult for many, and unemployment is high. Many people have
bad teeth, presumably because they can’t afford to fix them, says the
Canadian publication.

`We have projects, but it hard to realize them here. The place is
going backwards. Leaving is the only way to get ahead,’ one man was
quoted as saying.

The movie is full of interesting musical preludes, including one where
a man sings with a razor blade held between his lips.

Moscow Armenians to assist compatriots in Syria

NEWS.AM
November 19, 2012 | 10:32

The Armenian community of Moscow will provide assistance to its
compatriots in Syria, as a benefit concert to assist the Syrian
Armenians will be held in the Russian capital on December 2.

The feature of this concert is the fact that Karnig Sarkissian, the
legendary performer of Armenian patriotic songs – and who is born in
Aleppo, Syria – , will take stage in Moscow for the first time.

Sarkissian’s concert is organized by the Armenian youth group, with
support by the Russian-Armenian Cooperation and the Hamshen
Association.

The proceeds from the concert will be forwarded to the `Help Your
Brother’ civic initiative, which provides assistance to the
Syrian-Armenian community, and by way of the Syrian Armenian Relief
Fund.

Eight concerts will be held in frames of the Armenian Composing Art Festival

09:40, 19 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian composing art festival
“Chukhajyan Fest” is dedicated to the founder of the Armenian national
opera, composer Tigran Chukhajyan’s 175th anniversary, as well as to
the 80th anniversary of Union of Composers and Musicologists of
Armenia at 2012. The festival will be held on November 21 with a
concert at Aram Khachaturyan Concert Hall. The director of State Youth
Orchestra of Armenia Anna Ter-Hovakimyan noted while the interview
with “Armenpress” that eight concerts will be held in frames of the
Festival.

State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, the National Opera Symphony
Orchestra and the Choir will give a concert at the Festival.

The Armenian Composing Art Festival is held under the high patronage
the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2012

Azeri spokesman blames Armenia for failure to agree on Karabakh problem

[Translated from Azeri]

14 November: “Azerbaijan is the most interested side in changing the
status quo of Nagornyy Karabakh,” spokesman for the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry, Elman Abdullayev, told journalists in a comment on
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s interview with La Figaro
newspaper, APA reported.

“Azerbaijan has always said that we do not want to drag the
negotiations process out. For its part, Armenia is doing everything
they can in order to spin the negotiation process out and preserve the
status quo. Azerbaijan is initiating precise and pragmatic proposals,
while Armenia does not show political will for the solution of the
problem. Although Armenia is at the negotiations table, it is doing
its best to delay a solution to the conflict,” the spokesman said.