Author: Kanayan Tamar

TURKISH COURT RELEASES BROTHERS JAILED OVER SEX BLACKMAIL AND PUSHING ARMENIAN WOMAN TO SUICIDE

Panorama.am
29/08/2012

Turkish court has ordered to release the Turkish brothers, Orhan
Okumus and Baris Okumus, who are suspected of pushing an Armenian
woman to suicide, Ermenihaber.am news website reported.

Narine Lazarian, 24, Armenian citizen, moved to Turkey 4 years ago
for work. She was subjected to sexual blackmail by Orhan and Baris
and committed suicide.

A hearing on Narine Lazarian’s suicide case has been held at Istanbul
Court of First Instance lately.

Narine’s mother, Nune Lazarian, also attended the hearing. She told
the court that Narine had told her on the phone that the Turkish
brothers took nude photos of her and were blackmailing her. Narine’s
co-workers confirmed that she had been blackmailed and had told them
she was going to commit suicide.

According to the source, at the end of the hearing the judge ruled
that the suspects should be released.

Narine lived in Istanbul’s Kumapi district together with a brother
and a stepfather. She fell in love with Orhan, her neighbor, who
promised to marry her and took nude photos of her. Orhan’s brother
later threatened the woman with showing the photos to her brother if
she disagreed to cohabit with him. As the family resided in Turkey
illegally, Narine could not turn to the police. She committed suicide
on February 28 by drinking poison.

WHY SARGSYAN DIDN’T LEAVE FOR TEHRAN
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:08:14 – 29/08/2012

Why did Armenia decide to attend the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in
Tehran at the level of the foreign minister and not the president?

On July 10, 2012, the Iranian Fars news agency released information
that the president of Armenia had accepted the invitation of the
Iranian president to attend the Non-Aligned Movement Summit. The
invitation was handed to Serzh Sargsyan by the foreign minister of
Iran during his visit in Armenia.

The official Yerevan has never rejected this information by the
Iranian agency.

On August 29, we learn that not Serzh Sargsyan but Edward Nalbandyan
is leaving for Tehran. Has Armenia changed its mind? Had it not
decided who would leave for Iran so it decided to ignore the Iranian
information on Serzh Sargsyan’s attendance in order to be able to
decide at the very last moment given the uncertainty whether or not
the summit would take place?

In the meantime interesting things happened including some relating to
Armenia. In general, the interaction between Armenian delegations with
the Russian and Iranian delegations has recently been quite often. A
number of Iranian high-ranking officials arrived in Armenia and the
Armenian foreign minister left for Tehran.

Yerevan was the place of visit of Russian officials. Speakers of two
parliamentary chambers of Russia, the minister of internal affairs
and the representative of the president of Russia visited Armenia.

The peak of all these visits was perhaps Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to
Moscow on August 8 and his meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Later, Reuter published an article saying that Iran uses the Armenian
banks for financial operations to fund its nuclear program.

Actually, Armenia was accused to supporting the Iranian Nuclear
Program despite international sanctions.

The official Yerevan rejected Reuter’s article at the level of the
Central Bank but the authoritative media didn’t react to the CB
statement and didn’t reject the information it has reported. And the
Armenian power didn’t wish to follow up with it. While, the reaction
by Armenia should be at least in the form of a demand to publish a
rejection since the prestigious media put Armenia on a very dangerous
plain in terms of its relations with the developed world.

Apparently, the official Yerevan preferred not to generate the issue
with unnecessary demands, but to make the right conclusion and to
“miss” the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran. Moreover, it would
be very strange if the president participated in the abovementioned
summit, since he had missed the two NATO summits.

For the official Yerevan the priority of which is to develop relations
with the West, it would be an excessive deflection which could end
in a break with irreparable consequences.

In other words, here the issue is not the Armenian-Iranian relations,
but Armenia’s role and position in the world and its mission in the
region. Here the point is not that Armenia should try not to make
angry the powerful ones, but to understand its own role and mission
and show responsibility for it.

As to the Armenian-Iranian relations, the situation is very delicate
here and the Western warnings and hints are directed to a more global
circumstance.

It is clear for the West that Armenia’s relations with Iran of any
scale can’t ensure breakthrough of the international sanctions for
Iran or tangible change of the economic situation.

But the situation would be different if Russia-Iran relations were
built under the name of Armenia-Iran relations, and if Armenia was
just a facilitator, but not a mediator circle but a mediator platform.

The best proof to this is the Armenia-Iran gas pipe which before being
built and exploited was handed to Russia and it is still unclear what
the interest of Armenia from this strategic project.

So, the West has no problem with the Armenian-Iranian relations, but
the Russia-Iran relations under the veil of relations between Armenia
and Iran. Otherwise, the Armenian-Iranian relation, containing no
dangerous resource given its scales, could be even commendable for
the West if it allowed Armenia diversify its economic, resource and
infrastructure unilateral dependence on Russia.

ARMENIA TO HOST FOURTH PAN-ARMENIAN BARBECUE FESTIVAL

news.am
August 29, 2012 | 13:06

YEREVAN.- The fourth pan-Armenian barbecue festival will be held in
Armenia’s Lori Region on September 8.

One of the organizers is Development and Maintenance of Armenian
Culinary Traditions NGO.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday, NGO head Sedrak Mamulyan said
one of the festival’s objectives is to present the Armenian national
dishes. The festival is usually covered by international media which
contributes to tourism development. The representatives of thirteen
restaurants will participate, he added.

The festival is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, municipality
and Lori governor’s office.

FRENCH PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO INCLUSION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CHAPTERS IN TEXTBOOKS

news.am
August 29, 2012 | 13:24

French President Francois Hollande answered Turkish reporter’s
question on inclusion of the Armenian Genocide materials in the
French textbooks.

Talking to Hurriyet on the margins of the 20th Annual Ambassador’s
Conference in Paris, Hollande said “it was absolutely out of his
knowledge.”

“Changes in the books are prepared by commissions … The desicion
does not come from me, but I will ask and learn where it comes from.

Then I will inform you,” Hurriyet Daily News quotes Hollande.

French Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili also said the French
Education Ministry was dealing with the issue adding it did not come
as a surprise.

“Haykakan Zhamanak”: Vardan Ghukasyan’s son not to submit criminal liability?

2012-08-29 07:31:57

Everything shows, that Gyumri mayor Vardan Ghukasyan’s son – Spartak
Ghukasyan this time again won’t submit criminal liability and will
come out unscathed from recent shots noisy story.

According to the newspaper, the problem is, on the one hand the
Police searched Vardan Ghukasyan’s apartment to find his son, on the
other hand the same Police announces that Spartak Ghukasyan is out
of RA borders.

It means search is realized only to make an impression that the
mayor’s son is being searched. If they know that he left the country,
it’s not difficult to find out from border control whether he left
the country or not. And in general there is an impression that law
enforcement officials stretch time to get clear command of finding
or not finding Spartak Ghukasyan.

FORGOTTEN GEORGIA
Igor Muradyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:18:02 – 29/08/2012

The modern Georgian state is built on demonstrative logic and
configuration which renders it vulnerable, and if interpreted in
terms of its transit and service-based nature which was consciously
created by the Georgian policy makers, it predetermined the foreign
political priorities.

Certain dropping interest of the United States and NATO in the South
Caucasus helps to some extent achievement of some goals, for example
in Armenia though in strategic terms it is not in its interests. For
Azerbaijan, the dropping level of Western presence in the region may
lead to its loss of certain understanding of the perspective. Abkhazia
and South Ossetia are in the stage of flourishing of their statehood.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is acquiring the nature of a regional
subject.

For Georgia the indifference of the United States towards the region
or significant loss of interest will lead to a political catastrophe.

These categories may appear false or irrational but in fact this is
the basic condition for the existence of states of the states of the
South Caucasus.

The impression is that the Georgian political class has understood the
situation their country has appeared in and the Georgian leaders are
either trying to return interest in their country or to adjust to the
new situation. Most probably it should be understood that Georgia has
not lost its importance for the western community. The current level
of its importance is stagnant, the role of Georgia in the strategy
of the United States and NATO has been identified. Apparently, there
is not a higher level of interest but it means lack of perspectives
for the country and its political elite.

There are, certainly, advantages in this with relative stability
and importance in the sphere of transportation and services, Georgia
could achieve progress at economic and social levels as well on the
condition of limiting political ambitions and generation of elements
of the policy of neutrality. But most probably Georgia’s western
partners are not interested in Georgia’s position. The United States
is interested in a decorative model of Georgia with its medium-level
interest and limited responsibility of its partners for its welfare,
security and success.

For any other country of many other regions that compare to Georgia
with their area and population this model would be ideal but for
Georgia this status means gradually shrinking “cover” and parasitical
behavior. The Georgian society understands the danger and risk of
such a situation of the country, its policies and priorities, and
the current oppositional efforts might be attempts to understand the
current situation and propose something more viable and dynamic in
social terms.

However, the Georgian society is too engaged in the invented concept,
and hardly any Georgian politician will reject the current model
of existence of their country and elite. Now Georgia needs to keep
up its image of a progressive, positively developing country and a
lot of resource is spent for this. There might be a meaning in this,
especially that the Georgians tend to assess political and economic
perspectives more rationally and unfortunately the younger generation
may have reconciled with the decorative style. In fact, it is the
only basic way of earning their living.

Zviad Gamzakhurdia, the legitimate ex-president elected by the entire
nation, said, “Georgians cannot expect a lot from the world and from
themselves.” It should be noted that U.S. Republican politicians,
more than Democrats, are attached to the key agencies, the Pentagon
and the CIA, which will explain the framework of the U.S. policy for
the next one or two decades though style may differ.

HOLLANDE SAYS UNAWARE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CHAPTER IN FRENCH TEXTBOOKS

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 29, 2012 – 12:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A recent decision to include a chapter on the
Armenian Genocide in French history textbooks was made out of the
knowledge of French President Francois Hollande, according to Hurriyet
Daily News.

As Hollande reportedly said during the 20th Annual Ambassador’s
Conference in Paris, he did not give any instruction for the new
regulation.

“I do not know about this effort. It’s absolutely out of my knowledge,”
Hollande said. “Changes in the books are prepared by commissions
… The desicion does not come from me, but I will ask and learn
where it comes from.”

VIDEO GAMES HIT TOO CLOSE TO HOME IN ARMENIA, BOSNIA

Transitions Online

Aug 29 2012
Czech Repulic

For many video-game players, the European wars of the 1990s may seem
like ancient history. One new game, however, is aimed at players
well aware that fighting continues in real life, and others are set
in ethnically riven Bosnia, in what may be the latest trend in the
gaming industry.

EurasiaNet.org reports on a new first-person shooter game developed
by 19-year-old Farid Hagverdiev and his classmates at the State Oil
Academy in Baku. In Isgal Altında: Susa (Under Occupation: Shusha),
the goal is to recapture the city of Shusha from the Armenian forces
that have occupied Nagorno-Karabakh since the two countries warred
over the Azerbaijani territory 20 years ago.

Azerbaijani and Armenian-backed forces continue to engage each other
on the front lines of a conflict that Baku insists can end only
when Armenia and the international community recognize Azerbaijan’s
sovereign right to the territory. Indicating official sanction for
the game, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports organized its
launch party earlier this summer at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Baku,
EurasiaNet.org writes.

Under Occupation: Shusha is a fairly low-tech affair, but two
big-budget games are promising the latest in realistic combat effects
in their upcoming editions, each of which features a segment set
in Sarajevo during the three-year siege of the city by Serb forces,
in which an estimated 10,000 civilians died.

One of the games, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 from the Polish company
City Interactive, “rewrites history” and paints a false picture of
the siege, says an artist based in Sarajevo, Adela Jusic.

“The main character is an American who saves the city. This is a
complete paradox, because while we waited to be rescued in Sarajevo,
the Americans were silent. Now, all of a sudden, they are depicted
as saviors, and children that play this game will have an entirely
false image of this time,” Jusic told Balkan Insight.

As part of the international peacekeeping mission to Bosnia, the
first U.S. troops arrived in Sarajevo shortly after the Dayton peace
accords were signed in November 1995.

The game’s release has been delayed several times and is now set
for 2013.

A similar plot line runs through another popular game set for release
in October. The American hero of Medal of Honor Warfighter battles
villains in the Philippines and Somalia, as well as Sarajevo.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA URGES TO HELP SYRIAN ARMENIANS

ARMENPRESS
28 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS: Issues pertain to our compatriot
Syrian Armenians still remain in the center of attention of His
Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia and National Central department.

As Armenpress reports citing Asbarez daily, Catholicos continues to
keep in touch to the responsible of Syrian Armenian spiritual bodies
and community. On the occasion of St. Astvatsatsin Assumption Day
Aram I called on to support Syrian Armenians adding “Syrian Armenian
community is of high importance to both of Armenia and Diaspora.

Consequently the task is of pan Armenian essence for us”. Then in the
letters directed to Dioceses Catholicos urged to immediately respond
to Syrian Armenian assistance issue. Syrian Armenian state issue was
envisaged in the course of National Central department session as
well. “We should be alert and cautious keeping in mind Turkish factor
in this context” Aram I also noted no matter where Armenians live
they always prompt for peace, freedom, justice as well as religion,
culture and people’s peaceful existence.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION ALLOCATES NEW FUNDING FOR JUDICIAL REFORM AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IN ARMENIA

ARMRADIO.AM
28.08.2012 17:11

The European Commission adopted the Annual Action Programme 2012 for
Armenia in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, accelerating
justice reform and preparing the ground for increased bilateral
relations, political association and economic integration with the EU.

The new assistance will include: new training opportunities for key
national institutions, providing expert advice and best practice,
setting up of schools for lawyers, judges and prosecutors. The overall
goal is an independent, transparent and effective judiciary to serve
the Armenian people, and builds on the EU’s previous support to
judicial reform in Armenia.

The funding will also support those Armenian institutions involved in
the preparation and future implementation of new EU-Armenia agreements
currently being negotiated, and in particular the Association Agreement
(including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area), and the Visa
Facilitation and Re-admission Agreement.

In total, the Annual Action Programme 2012 provides ~@60 million of
bilateral allocation to Armenia. The assistance comes through the
European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).

The Programme is composed of three parts:

~U Support for justice reform in Armenia – Phase II, to contribute
to the development of a more independent, transparent, accountable,
accessible and efficient judicial system, in line with the national
strategies of justice reforms. It follows and builds on the results
of the current EU support programmes in the sector.

~U Support for the EU-Armenia Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
(DCFTA) to ensure that Armenia takes all the necessary measures to
maximise the benefits of substantial new trade opportunities under
the DCFTA, and that these benefits are enjoyed by citizens.

~U Support for EU-Armenia Agreements to enhance the overall technical
and coordination capacity of a number of core institutions that are
important in preparing and later on implementing the Association
Agreement, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area and Visa
Facilitation/Readmission Agreement.

The Association Agreement is a new framework for stronger and deeper
bilateral relations between the European Union and Ukraine. It is
currently the closest contractual tie that can exist between the EU
and a third country. It also helps to liberalise trade (through the
deep and comprehensive free trade area -DCFTA), as well as engaging
in dialogues on visa-free regimes (Visa Liberalisation Action Plan
– VLAP).