Author: Kanayan Tamar

FRANCE
Un livre raconte les coulisses de la bataille entre Devedjian et Sarkozy

Sous des apparences de fable politique, un livre à paraître jeudi
raconte les coulisses de la guerre à droite entre le président (UMP)
du conseil général des Hauts-de-Seine Patrick Devedjian et Nicolas
Sarkozy, au cours du dernier quinquennat.

Dans cet ouvrage, `Le Monarque, son fils, son fief` (éd. du Moment),
écrit par Marie-Célie Guillaume, directrice de cabinet de Patrick
Devedjian, les protagonistes prennent les traits de `l’Arménien` et du
`Monarque`, également appelé `Rocky`.

L’histoire se déroule dans le département de la Sarkozie rebaptisé `La
Principauté`. Elle débute peu après l’élection de Rocky à la tête du
`Vieux Pays`. Déçu de ne pas avoir obtenu le poste qu’il convoitait au
gouvernement, l’Arménien va s’atteler `au nettoyage des écuries` de la
Principauté, ce qui lui vaudra de s’attirer les foudres du Monarque.

Son `ami de plus de trente ans` fera alors tout pour l’éliminer
politiquement. Mais l’Arménien aura sa revanche en conservant les
rènes de ce territoire `riche et prospère`.

Pour expliquer sa démarche, Marie-Célie Guillaume parle `d’un travail
de distanciation` par rapport à `des évènements vécus et subis
douloureusement pendant quatre ans`.

Dans ce brûlot dressant un portrait au vitriol de Nicolas Sarkozy,
elle passe en revue les évènements qui ont marqué le 92. Les élections
municipales mouvementées de `Rockyville` font écho à celles de
Neuilly-sur-Seine en 2008.

La candidature du `Dauphin`, autre personnage central de l’ouvrage, à
la présidence de `Little Manhattan` rappelle celle, controversée, de
Jean Sarkozy à la présidence de l’Epad. Sans oublier, le `complot`
pour empêcher l’Arménien de garder la main sur la présidence de la
fédération du parti.

Autour des héros de cette satire gravitent d’autres personnages tels
`Préfet Tigellin` (Claude Guéant) dont les journées commencent `par la
lecture des relevés d’écoute téléphonique et des rapports de
surveillance de la police` ou encore le couple Thénardier (les
Balkany), `couple indissociable à la réputation sulfureuse` et
`meilleurs amis du Monarque`.

`Ce livre a aussi pour but de dénoncer une certaine façon de faire de
la politique`, explique Marie-Célie Guillaume qui dit avoir été
menacée de représailles à l’annonce de sa sortie.

dimanche 24 juin 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Electricity exchange at 1,808 MW

Jun 24 2012

.Google PlusFacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail A FriendPrint This PageSave
as PDF Add to Reading List .Iran exchanged some 1,808 megawatts of
electricity with neighboring countries on Friday.

According to the report released by the Energy Ministry, some 303
megawatts (MW) of electricity were imported from Armenia while 1, 137
MW were exported to Iraq, IRNA reported on Saturday.

The total amount of electricity exported to Afghanistan, Republic of
Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan and Turkey hit 1,306 MW.

Some 502 MW of electricity were imported from Armenia and Turkmenistan.

Iran has electricity exchange with Armenia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan,
Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to a report released by the Energy Ministry in April, Iran
exported some 398.9 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity since the
beginning of the current Iranian year (started March 19).

The report said the figure shows a 43-percent rise compared to that of
the same period of the preceding year which was 279.1 GWh.

It added that implementation of Subsidy Reform Plan helped reduce
electricity consumption which created a proper condition for
increasing power exports.

The implementation of the Subsidy Reform Plan, which began late in
2010, has enabled the government to gradually reduce energy subsidies
over five years, with low-income families compensated with direct cash
handouts.

Iran exports electricity to Armenia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey,
Azerbaijan, Nakhichevan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

PRADA COLLABORATION
Ella Alexander

Vogue.com

June 22 2012

PRADA has teamed up with graphic designer and artist Vahram Muratyan
to make a one-off T-shirt collection for men and women, inspired by
creations from the spring/summer 2012 collection – from heels with
flame detailing to statement sunglasses. It will land in stores
in mid-July.

The Italian label first recruited the Armenian-born illustrator earlier
this year to make a virtual lookbook named Prada Parallel Universes,
which reflected his bold, playful style. Muratyan is best known for
his book Paris vs New York, which explores the graphic signs of both
cities and serves as a starting point for Prada’s latest offering.

Each T-shirt is priced at ~@150 (£120, although the British price is
yet to be confirmed).

ARMENIA’S JUSTICE MINISTER REFUSES TO TAKE UP THE POST OF CHAIRMAN OF THE CASSATION COURT

arminfo
Friday, June 22, 20:19

Armenia’s Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan told journalists on Friday
that he does not wish to be Chairman of the Cassation Court.

Recently there have been media reports saying that the Government is
not satisfied with the work of the acting Chairman of the Cassation
Court Arman Mkrtumyan.

Mkrtumyan is reported to be at odds with Chairman of the Constitutional
Court Gagik Harutyunyan, who wants him to be replaced by Tovmasyan.

NATO REPRESENTATIVES HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF ARMENIA AS ACTIVE PARTNER

ARMENPRESS
22 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: NATO+Armenia meeting took place at NATO
Headquarters to discuss the 2011 report on Armenia-NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).

Foreign Affairs Ministry press service told Armenpress that the
Armenian delegation was led by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot
Hovakimyan and Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan.

NATO+Armenia meeting was chaired by James Appathurai, Special
Representatives of NATO Secretary General to Caucasus and Central Asia.

In his speech Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimyan
referred to successful fulfillment of Armenia-NATO IPAP, to May 6
parliamentarian elections in Armenia, to positive evaluations of the
international observers. The speaker also dwelled on the democratic and
institutional reforms implemented in Armenia, Armenia-EU cooperation,
Nagorno-Karabakh issue settlement, underlining the tensions on
Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Azerbaijani provocations and
violations of the ceasefire regime. Ashot Hovakimyan also presented
the recent regional developments.

Deputy Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan presented the reforms
implemented in Armenia in the spheres of defense and security as
defined by Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan . NATO
peacekeeping actions were also under consideration.

Afterward the Armenian officials answered the questions of the
representatives of NATO member states.

In their speeches NATO officials highlighted the role of Armenia as
an active partner and thanked for the Armenian peacekeeping actions
in Kosovo. They also positively assessed the reforms in Armenia in the
spheres of defense and politics, as well as the May 6 parliamentarian
elections.

Delegations of OSCE Mink Group Co-Chairing Countries, the US and
France, confirmed once again the commitment of their states to 3
principles of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement — non-use of force,
self-determination of peoples, and territorial integrity.

ARMENIA TO MAKE RADICAL CHANGES IN INDUSTRIAL POLICY. PM

ARMENPRESS
22 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: We must establish a competitive economy
resulted by Government-private sector partnership. Armenian Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan came forth with the speech at the course
of the business forum entitled “Armenia, opportunities for growth
and international experience organized by the junctions of Black Sea
Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB).

The head of the executive body declared that radical change in
industrial policy is ahead.” We are concerned that Black Sea bank make
investment in Government implemented projects. Armenia high estimates
the projects launched by Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB),
worth 75 million US dollar” Sargsyan noted, Armenpress reports.

Armenian PM assured that they are creating new conditions for business
start-ups, which is the number one problem in Armenia.Prime Minister
did not deny the obstacles hindering to launch business in Armenia
and promised to foster law enforcement and judicial bodies to avoid it.

In the words of BSTDB chairman Andrey Kondakov Black Sea states ensured
sustainable growth against the background of international economic
development. “Armenia is the best example of it” Kondakov concluded,
informing Black Sea bank will provide 50 million euros to Armenia
for the financial support by 2014.

Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international
financial institution founded by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Bank
authorized capital makes3.3 billion euros.

LETTER FROM NUBARASHEN PRISON CELL 33 – ARMAN DAVTYAN WANTS JUSTICE

10:22, June 21, 2012

Arman Davtyan, now serving time in the Nubarashen Criminal Penitentary,
has written to Hetq, asking that we publish a letter of his asking
for help. What follows is an abridged translation of his letter.

I write to you and request that you publish my letter since I can no
longer continue my struggle for justice through official channels or
according to the laws of the country.

I have petitioned a number of Armenian officials, including the
president, general prosecutor, president of the parliament, the chief
of police, and the UN office in Armenia, but have yet received any
positive response.

Early on the morning of June 14, 2012, police in civilian clothes
broke into my apartment without showing any identity papers or the
reason for their untimely visit.

They collected our telephones and didn’t allow me to call my parents.

They forcibly removed me and took me to the Mashtots office of Internal
Affairs. There I was beaten and the fingers of my left hand were broken
in an attempt to force me to confess to a theft that I didn’t commit.

I was presented with a confession supposedly written by my wife and
friend Artur and told that this was basis enough for me to be sent
to court on criminal charges. I said I didn’t believe that the letter
was written by my wife.

The fact that my wife was being tortured in the other room, and
that I could hear her cries, forced me to tell the police officer in
charge that I would sign any confession, just so long as they stopped
persecuting my wife.

He told me to write that I and my friend Garik had committed a number
of thefts. I did as he said even though I have no friend named Garik.

They held me and my wife and Artur at the police station for one
whole day.

On June 15, the same police official had us brought into his office and
told us that he would release my wife and my friend Artur on condition
that I agree to nine thefts committed by myself and Arman Sargsyan,
another friend of mine who was arrested.

In the end, the number of alleged thefts increased to 16 without any
physical evidence.

In fact, the police official instructed my friend Artur to plant
loudspeakers in my apartment so that cops could find them during
their search.

On June 15, the police released the others as promised and told me
that I would receive a three year sentence but would be released from
the court after being sentenced due to a general amnesty.

I was taken to prison where I remain till today. After coming here
I began a hunger strike and sent the entire story to the general
prosecutor.

Officials at the Mashtots Internal Affairs office have continuously
tried to convince me to withdraw all my petitions and complaints.

I can only thank God that Judge V. Rshtouni is hearing my case for I
have heard that he is an honourable man who believes in legal justice.

I have been found guilty on four occasions in the past and have paid
for those crimes by spending the best years of my youth in jail.

My ailing mother waits for my release and I don’t want to be deprived
the chance of seeing her for a crime that I have not committed.

I have irrefutable proof of my innocence and am ready to present it
during my court case.

PLAN FOR FUTURE?: GOVERNMENT’S FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT DESPITE HARSH CRITICISM FROM OPPOSITION
By Naira Hayrumyan

ArmeniaNow
22.06.12

Photo:

At a special meeting on Thursday the Armenian parliament approved a
five-year program of the government by a vote of 75 to 47, with one
abstention. The “for” votes came from lawmakers representing the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and its junior coalition
partner, Orinats Yerkir. All the other factions, including ARF
Dashnaktsutyun, Heritage, the Armenian National Congress (ANC) as
well as the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) which refused to form a
coalition with the RPA following the May 6 parliamentary elections.

The voting in the National Assembly revealed several important
vectors, and first of all the fact that an opposition camp capable of
consolidating efforts and pressurizing the government is emerging in
Armenia. Despite the fact that the government’s program was adopted
by the two coalition parties that have an absolute majority in the
parliament, some very strong criticism was heard during the debate
and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, overall, could not answer the
main points of this criticism.

Though, he said, he was satisfied with the discussions of the program,
he also said that some opposition MPs voiced “artificial” arguments
against him. The head of the government stressed that almost all
concerns voiced during the debate are reflected in the program, which
also indicates ways of overcoming these problems. At the same time,
Sargsyan admitted that the government led by him failed in late 2008
to predict the economic crisis that had a significant negative impact
on the economy of Armenia.

Armenia’s former foreign minister, PPA faction member Vartan Oskanian,
however, noted that the prime minister who, before being appointed to
his current post in April 2008, headed the Central Bank, was unable
to move beyond his “monetarist thinking”, which is also reflected in
the program of the government. He reminded Sargsyan that in 2008 he
returned from the United States, where the financial crisis had already
begun and then presented a draft budget for 2009 with a projected
economic growth of 9.5 percent, while the country eventually got a
14.5-percent GDP fall.

The opposition accused the government of lacking specific estimates and
proposed steps in the program. Member of the Heritage faction Alexander
Arzumanyan called the program “a collection of toasts and good wishes”,
saying that would be difficult to implement. Some oppositionists also
said that by making general statements, the government reserves for
itself the way for a retreat so that it would not later be accused
of reneging on specific items.

Meanwhile, presenting the achievements of the past four years in the
National Assembly, the head of the Armenian government also spoke
about some concrete plans. In particular, Sargsyan said that a venture
capital fund will be set up to encourage innovative business. For
the first time the government intends to provide financial and
technical assistance to small businesses for which it is going to
simplify taxation procedures. Sargsyan intends to introduce a system
of medical insurance, a contributory pension scheme, make education
free for socially vulnerable categories, provide young families with
subsidized mortgages, issue 1 million drams (about $2,500) for the
birth of third and fourth child and 1.5 million (about $3,700 ) for
the birth of the fifth and subsequent children. The government intends
to ensure an annual economic growth of 5-7 percent, increase exports,
to double the current minimum wage, which is 32,500 drams (about $80)
a month, to reduce the official poverty rate by 8-10 percentage points,
and to create more than 100,000 jobs.

But speaking in the Parliament, PAP faction secretary Naira Zohrabyan
said that the government promised to reduce poverty three years ago,
but instead it has increased to the level of 35.8 percent. Emigration
has also reached unprecedented levels, as the population of an average
village daily leaves the country. She said that the policy of the
government, in fact, has not changed, even though the previous program
failed, and the composition of the government has seen little change,
too. Zohrabyan stressed that someone must be made to answer for the
14.5-percent economic decline in 2009.

However, it is not excluded that, as MP Arzumanyan said, “the program
is of a temporary nature” and that considerable changes will take
place in it after the presidential election of 2013. “What has been
submitted by the Government aims for the next 6-7 months, to somehow
survive the winter,” he said.

ODNOKLASSNIKI SOCIAL NETWORK AVAILABLE ON ARMENIAN LANGUAGE

news.am
June 22, 2012 | 14:05

Russian Odnoklassniki (Classmates) social network is available on
the Armenian language.

The mobile version has been translated, while the Armenian version
of the website will be available in a month.

The number of Armenian internet users is actively growing. According
to InternetWorldStats, the number has reached $1.4 million.

The daily website audience reaches 787,000 and the number of users
is growing. Meanwhile, 35% of users prefer the mobile version.

“Odnoklassniki is one of the most popular websites in Armenia together
with Mail.ru, Youtube.com, Yandex.ru, Google.com,” said Alexander
Izryadnov, representative of Mail.Ru Group, owner of Odnoklassniki.

MINISTER NALBANDIAN HAD BILATERAL MEETINGS ON THE SIDELINES OF THE RIO+20 SUMMIT

armradio.am
22.06.2012 11:11

On June 21 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had bilateral meetings
on the sidelines of the Rio+20 Summit, Press and Information Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

During the meeting with Raymond Tshibanda, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo, an agreement was reached
to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries. The
Foreign Ministers discussed the possibilities to cooperate in the
frames of international organizations, as well as preparatory works
of the Summit of the International Organization of the Francophonie
to be held in October in Kinshasa.

The next meeting of Edward Nalbandian was with Gamini Lakshman Peiris,
the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. In the course of the meeting,
the sides touched upon the boosting of political dialogue, ways of
expanding legal framework, economic cooperation and the steps to be
undertaken towards the development of cultural ties. The Foreign
Minister of Sri Lanka presented the steps undertaken towards the
interstate solidarity in his country, as well as implementing reforms.

The Ministers agreed to hold consultations between the MFAs of the two
countries. Foreign Minister Peiris invited his Armenian counterpart
to visit Sri Lanka.

In the frames of the Summit, Edward Nalbandian attended the meeting of
the heads of the Francophonie member-countries’ delegations, as well,
which was dedicated to the agenda issues of the Organization.