Author: Kanayan Tamar

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Aug 15 2012

Armenian opposition activists accused of street crime

Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK

Civil activity doesn’t calm down in Armenia despite the political
“holiday” season. Numerous protests are aimed at the conservation of
the environment, against illegal construction in green areas, against
the promotion of violence on Armenian TV. The central even was
movement for freedom of four young opposition activists of the
Armenian National Congress (ANC) condemned of street crimes for
various terms.

The persuasion began a year ago after the clash between `red burettes’
and seven ANC activists in the center of Yerevan. A criminal case was
initiated. The court freed from the charge three young people.

According to the police, the clash took place after policemen remarked
on disturbance of public peace by one of citizens. At that moment a
group of young people came and interfere with the police work and
insulted the police officers.

The opposition stated that the police activities towards members of
ANC were provocative. ANC accused the police of violence against its
activists and demanded their immediate freedom.

This summer the legal proceeding began. On July 20 the court of
Yerevan communities Center and Nork-Marash sent Tigran Arakelyan to 6
years in prison, Artak Karapetyan to 3 years in prison, David
Kiramijyan and Sarkis Gevorkyan to 2 years in prison for `resistance
to an officer using violence or threats of violence’ and for `street
crime.’

The lawyer of the condemned stated that he would appeal to the Court
of Appeal. The legal procedure was followed by the opposition and
human rights defenders. The verdict caused heavy dissatisfaction of
society.

The member of the executive council of the party Heritage, Stepan
Safaryan, believes that the very strict and inadequate punishment of
ANC activists proves that political background lies on the basement of
the court decision.

The same opinion is shared by the head of Vanadzor office of Helsinki
Civil Assembly, Artur Sakunts: `Regarding the opposition activists,
they are politically persuaded. The police officers who got known that
the participants of the incident were ANC members began to act
aggressively. It confirms political character of the charge.’

According to the head of the Law and Liberty Center, Vardan
Arutyunyan, the young people were sent to prison without proving their
guilty in court. `Such a charge to the opposition members confirms
once again that violence and political persuasion which followed the
presidential election of 2008 have not stopped; and ahead of the next
presidential elections they have gained new forms,’ Arutyunyan
believes.

Representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia deny
political background in this issue. The Minister of Justice of
Armenia, Graijr Tovmasyan, refused to comment the verdict to the ANC
activists: `The judge heads the court, not me. My response can be
considered pressure on the court.’ .

Gyumri’s Mher Lazarian museum director charged with bribery (video)

18:04 – 15.08.12

Director of Mher Lazarian museum of Armenia’s second largest city of
Gyumri Shoghik Melkonyan has been charged with bribery.

On May 6, 2012, the day of parliamentary elections in Armenia,
Melkonyan was distributing bribes amounting to 5,000 drams to the
Gyumri residents for them to vote for the Republican party.

Gyumri GALA TV has fixed the moment and showed it on TV. On the basis
of the collected proofs Melkonyan has been charged under Article 1542,
Part 2 of Armenia’s Criminal code.

The criminal case has been sent to Shirak province’s first instance court.

TBILISI DECLARATION

15-08-2012 11:23:32 | Georgia | Politics

On August 11-12, 2012, the representatives of the European Movements
of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, together with the European
Movement International, met in Tbilisi, Georgia. After having jointly
analysed the situation of the South Caucasus region and the ways in
which the prevalent conflicts, especially Nagorno Karabakh, negatively
affect its populations and states, they have agreed to work together
towards a shared vision of their common future.

The organisations of the European Movement in Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia reaffirm their belief that the peaceful resolution of such
conflicts is the only acceptable path and thus call on the authorities
to put all the necessary efforts into peace building. They recognise
the economic, social and political problems caused by the existing
conflicts on every side of the dividing lines, and the need for all
sides to withdraw from the current rhetoric that leads to hatred; and
are firmly convinced that the peaceful resolution of the conflicts
would contribute in tackling the current democratic shortcomings and
improve the situation of human rights in the entire region.

The European Movement has peace at the core of its founding values and
objectives. Although it recognizes its limitations as a civil society
actor, it is also willing to live up to its responsibilities towards
the development of an ever united Europe, based on the fundamental
principles of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Therefore, because the South Caucasus states are an integral part of
Europe, the European Movements in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia,
with the support of the European Movement International, have agreed
to:

ï – place peace in the region as the main priority for their work in
favour of the European integration of their countries;
ï – develop together a shared vision for the future of the region in the
European context;
ï – work on concrete confidence building measures, involving citizens
and civil society organisations of the region.

More specifically, the organisations of the European Movement have
agreed to continue this dialogue with a follow up meeting in Baku,
Azerbaijan, this upcoming November. They have also agreed to jointly
promote people-to-people exchange, thus contributing to a better
mutual understanding. Last but not least, the European Movement
organisations of the South Caucasus have decided to jointly develop
projects aimed at promoting friendship and peace in the region, such
as an internet-based video channel called `Peace TV,’ a joint
electronic newsletter and visually impacting actions which cross the
border lines.

The European Movement understands the complexity and sensitivity of
the existing conflicts, and is aware of the difficulties and obstacles
that it will face in the journey that it will now initiate. At the
same time, the European Movement’s organisations in Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia believe that standing and working together is
the best way to face these obstacles and the approach most likely to
be successful; they invite all interested EMI Members to support their
efforts, and to exert pressure over the EU institutions to show deeper
commitment and engage more decisively in the peaceful resolution of
the conflicts.

Tbilisi, 12 August 2012

– Politics
News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan

Paper: Armenian Urban Development Minister unable to sack employees

August 15, 2012 – 14:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Hraparak paper, Minister of Urban
Development Samvel Tadevosyan has been instructed by Armenian
President to prevent corruption risks.

Corruption is mainly a crucial problem in the ministry’s Urban
Development Inspectorate, headed by Sevada Hayrapetyan, the latter
backed by President Sargsyan himself.

This time, too, Mr. Hayrapetyan managed to avoid possible dismissal,
with less than a year left until his retirement, the paper said.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES FORMER LEBANESE PRESIDENT AMIN GEMAYEL

On Tuesday morning 14 October 2012, former President of Lebanon and leader
of Phalange Party met with His Holiness Aram I.

During the two-hour meeting they discussed the situation in the Middle East,
its challenges to Christians in the region, and issues of concern in
Lebanon.
##

APA, Azerbaijan
Aug 14 2012

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry researches reports about Ukraine’s
secret arms sale to Armenia

[ 14 Aug 2012 13:37 ]
Baku – APA. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry researches the reports about
Ukraine’s secret arms sale to Armenia, Spokesman for the Defense
Ministry, Colonel Eldar Sabiroglu told APA.

Sabiroglu said that the Defense Ministy received such information:
`Corresponding researches are carried out in this direction’.

The report says that the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of
the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Major-General Sergei Gmyza sent a
letter to President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych explaining the ways
of arms supplies to Armenia under a contract between Ukrspetsexport
and DG Arms Corporation (the mediator of Armenian Defense Ministry).

The letter offers to use front companies registered in EU and CIS for
supplies. According to the letter, Main Intelligence Directorate of
the Ukrainian Defense Ministry received information about the contract
between the Ukrspetsexport and DG Arms Corporation (the mediator of
Armenian Defense Ministry) to supply 12 units of Smerch multiple
rocket launching systems and their components, 50 Igla MANPADS, as
well as the fact that Armenia has already paid 50 percent of contract
value.

Gmyza said that not wanting to jeopardize the military-technical and
energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine, Ukrspetsexport is
invited to “publicly renounce the fact of an agreement with the
Armenian side.” At the same time the Armenian company is offered to
simulate the appeal to arbitration, “the spread among its environment
of sharply negative attitude to the leadership of Ukrspetsexport and
the Ukrainian side, as an unreliable supplier.”

At the same time head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the
Ukrainian Defense Ministry proposed to carry out the delivery of
Smerch sets in a conspiracy from the territory of Moldova, “using
front companies registered in the EU or the CIS.”

Marking on the products this should be changed, and in the case of
disclosure of fraud to conceal origin of Igla MANPADS by warehouses in
Libya, looted by rebels of the liberation movement.

Deputy Director of the Press and Public Relations Department of the
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Valery Korol refused to comment the issue
to APA.

Ukrainian embassy in Azerbaijan has already issued statement on
reports about this country’s secret arms sale to Armenia in 2011.

The statement says that the copy of letter from Ukrainian Defense
Ministry to Ukrainian president that was placed on August 8, 2012 on a
Ukrainian website is false.

The embassy considers that this provocation aims to damage
Ukraine-Azerbaijan friendly relations. `The strategic character of
these relations is unchangeable and a priority for Ukraine’.

PRESS RELEASE
August 14, 2012

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 7th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gaiane Khachatrian
E-mail: [email protected]

American University of Armenia (AUA) announces search for two open
positions: Director of Communications and Assistant to Vice President of
Institutional Affairs

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is a privately endowed
independent American institution of higher education in the Republic of
Armenia, and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges
and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Through teaching, research and public service, AUA serves Armenia and the
region by supplying high quality education in seven different major fields,
encouraging civic engagement, and promoting democratic governance.

AUA invites applications and nominations for Director of Communications and
Assistant to Vice President of Institutional Affairs. Both positions will
require the incumbent to reside in Armenia.

To learn more about these unique opportunities please visit the following
site

Right of Armenian Syrians to Education Pending

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:46:15 – 14/08/2012

YEREVAN, 14 August

Pastinfo

The Armenian community of Syria as well as the Armenian churches and
schools are now safe, they are not in danger. We simply worry about
the new school year, said Maral Eleijian-Manjikian, head of Gulbenkian
School of Aleppo in a press conference today.

It has been stated that classes will begin on September 16 but there
are worries. Over 15 children of this school have moved to Armenia to
go to school. Others moved in other directions. They will not be able
to come back unless the roads are safe.

As to the decision of the Armenian government to organize the
education of Armenian Syrian children in Armenia, Maral
Eleijian-Manjikyan says if the issue persists, the children will have
to study in Armenia.

Tigran Jinpashian, the head of Melankton & Haig Arslanian College of
Beirut appreciates the efforts of the Armenian government but worries
about the difference of curriculums. Since teaching is mostly in
Arabic, while studying in Armenia the children will encounter a lot of
difficulties. Training of Armenian teachers will come forth which is
not something to deal with in a short-term period.

Tigran Jinpashian offers his solution – move Armenian Syrian children
to schools of Beirut because the schools there have similar
curriculums.

Both say the Armenian Syrians want to continue to live in Syria.

Hidden price increase blow on Armenian consumers

tert.am
21:35 – 14.08.12

A hidden price increase is accompanying the increase in bread prices
in Armenia, Armen Poghosyan, Chairman of Armenia’s Union of Consumers,
told Tert.am.

Various technologies are applied. `I have raised the problem hundreds
of times. We must study the problem, compare the real weight with what
is indicated in the invoice,’ Poghosyan said.

As a rule, the difference is 180 to 190 grams. Four years ago
Poghosyan presented results of a survey that showed a 30% loss on
bread weight. `I do not think the situation has changed since,’ he
added.

Armenia’s State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition
reported an increase if flour price in Armenia this July as compared
with June. An AMD 10-20 rise in bread prices was reported as well.

The manager of one of the flour-importing companies told mass media
about a 16% increase in flour price in the international market. This
is the reason why an increase in flour price should be expected in
Armenia this September.

Armenian Defense Ministry implements professional component expansion
steps in the armed forces

18:58, 14 August, 2012

Yerevan, August 14, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian armed forces recruitment
mixed principle continues to be the main. As `Armenpress’ reports the
Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan noted about this during
the meeting with the hawk participants on August 14.

To his word although all the states are rapidly moving towards the
formation of professional armies, `however, because of our
geographical conditions, we still take steps to expand the
professional component and try to gradually increase the contractual
service’.

`Officers, warrant officers, as well as professional sergeants and
contract divisions are accounted in the professional staff’, the
minister noted.

Touching upon the information about closing the Chambarak military
unit, Seyran Ohanyan stressed that no unit is going to be closed. `We
are just switching from the principle of mandatory term service into a
principle of contractual recruitment services. It is particularly used
in the border areas also solving social problems’, the minister
briefed adding that such a system stopped a great number of people to
leave their areas. `People have started to not only protect the
border, their village, but also started to get engaged in
agriculture’, Ohanyan mentioned.

As the Minister of Defense informed other structural changes are also
being implemented in the system.