Author: nina hovnanian

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY WILLING TO COOPERATE WITH OPPOSITION IN CAMPAIGN TO STEM ELECTORAL FRAUD
Mаry Mamyan

hetq
17:34, February 24, 2012

The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) today declared that it would be
willing to cooperate with the political opposition in Armenia to ensure
that the upcoming parliamentary elections are free of electoral fraud.

The proposal for a united campaign against voter fraud was made by
Armenian National Congress representative Samvel Abrahamyan at a
press conference earlier today.

The BHK was represented by Vahe Enfiadjyan, president of the party’s
youth wing.

Enfiadjyan also stated that former RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian
would appear on teh party’s ballot but that it was still too early
to say at what spot.

Also on hand was Anoush Sedrakyan from the recently formed Free
Democrats Party. She said it was high time that the country move away
from personality-based politics to issue-based elections.

RUSSIAN CIVIL AIRCRAFT COMPANY PLANS TO SIGN CONTRACT WITH ARMENIAN AIRLINE CARRIER

news.am
February 24, 2012 | 16:01

MOSCOW. – In 2012, Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company could
sign a stable contract, with Armenia’s Armavia Airline Company, for
the delivery of 5-6 Sukhoi Superjet 100, Sukhoi President Vladimir
Prisyazhnyuk told reporters.

“5-6 [planes] will be delivered this year, [and] the term for the
deliveries is 2013-2014,” he said. Prisyazhnyuk also noted that Armavia
will receive the second aircraft in the end of the first quarter of
2012, AEX.ru informs.

And United Aircraft Corporation President Mikhail Pogosyan informed
that Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company will deliver 20 Sukhoi Superjet
100 in the second quarter of the current year.

FRENCH-ARMENIAN DESIGNER DIDIER PARAKIAN TO SHOWCASE COLLECTION IN INDIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2012 – 15:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Didier Parakian, a famous fashion designer of
Armenian descent from Marseille, France, will showcase his high profile
collection of formal, semi-formal, evening and casual wear at the
India Fashion Forum 2012 to be held in Mumbai from March 13 to 15 and
establish his brands in the Indian market, fibre2fashion.com reported.

Parakian has dressed generations of women in his practical and elegant
style which is both feminine and modern. He has a growing following
of fashion-conscious women who enjoy the freedom to create their own
look. Didier Parakian apparels have a universal appeal and hence have a
large customer base in over fifty countries spanning from East to West.

Parakian has also launched three complimentary brands: Anathea by
Parakian, Carlopik and DP Jeans. Anathea by Parakian offers trendy
and fashionable plus size women’s clothing with a large choice of
stylish plus size dresses. The Brand Carlopik was launched in 1995
to give expression to a more urban look and offers a colorful and
sensual line for everyday wear. The launch of DP Jeans in 2000 was
an overwhelming success. Highlighting its modern spirit, the DP Jeans
style is younger and more directional.

ACTIVISTS CONTINUE THEIR PROTEST AT DOWNTOWN YEREVAN PARK

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 11:07

YEREVAN. – Armenian environmentalists, who oppose the construction
of kiosks at Mashtots Park in downtown Yerevan, are continuing their
demonstration for nearly two weeks.

And along the lines of this protest, the environmentalists on Saturday
will hold a bicycle march, a gathering with political analyst Edgar
Vardanyan, and a photo exhibition entitled “A Chronicle of Yerevan
Parks.”

PRESIDENT OF KYRGYZSTAN READY TO GET RID OF RUSSIAN AND AMERICAN MILITARY BASES

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 12:58

The President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev spoke to different
media outlets about the Russian and American military bases in the
country during his visit to Russia. He made it clear, that he was
ready to get rid of both of them simultaneously.

In an interview with Ekho Moskvy, Atambayev stressed that should go
on the other way. If the Russian base even does not pay the rent for
the territory, should they keep the Russian base in Kant, he wonders.

In an interview with the Voice of Russia he once again noted that
Kyrgyzstan should exclude the possibility of using Manas military
base for US in case of a conflict with Iran.

US DOES NOT WANT TO INTERFERE IN SYRIA’S INTERNAL AFFAIRS – ARMENIAN ANALYST

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 05:44

YEREVAN. – The secret plan-by Washington, London, Paris, Rome, and
Ankara-to invade Syria is a part of the information war against Syria,
Arab Studies specialist Yervand Minasyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his words, such information leak is beneficial for Israel and
US alike, since an information war is more convenient than military
operations.

“Military interference in Syria’s internal affairs is untimely for US.

[And] An information war in favor of Syria’s opposition would result
in a greater resistance. Syria’s strength will weaken, [and] at that
time the military intervention would follow,” the analyst argued.

According to Yervand Minasyan, a discourse between the Syrian
opposition and the authorities is ruled out. “There is virtually no
chance for commencing a dialogue,” he maintained.

And in response to the query as to whether the Syrian leader
Bashar al-Assad could consent to the opposition’s demand to open a
humanitarian corridor, Minasyan said: “If Assad agrees, that would
be the country’s death sentence. There are no guarantees that weapons
would not be supplied to the opposition through that corridor.”

FRENCH PRESIDENT INCLUDED AZNAVOUR’S SONG ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN HIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 00:31

PARIS. – The incumbent French President, presidential candidate Nikolas
Sarkozy and another presidential candidate Francois Hollande presented
their beloved songs, Le Figaro reports.

The playlists consist of mainly French pop-music reflecting the
candidate’s personality and intentions. Despite music tastes differ
radically of the two candidates, there are however, touching points.

Sarkozy’s playlist includes French famous singer of Armenian descent
Charles Aznavour’s Ils sont tombes (They have fallen) song. It reminds
on genocide, the denial of which was criminalized by law and caused
criticism recently.

Besides, Sarkozy included his wife Carla Bruni’s song L’Amoureuse
(In love with) in the playlist.

SOME MEMBERS OF ARMENIAN RULING PARTY’S EXECUTIVE BODY WILL LEAVE – NEWSPAPER

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 09:03

YEREVAN. – Aside from its proportional election list for the upcoming
parliamentary elections, the ruling coalition’s Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) is also discussing these days the changes to be made
in its Executive Body (EB), 168 Zham daily writes.

“RPA approves the makeup of its EB during its congress, which is
convened once every two years. [And] It will do the same during its
congress on March 10. This time some RPA EB members will leave [EB],
[and] they will be replaced by new ones. According to our information,
[National Assembly] NA MP Harutyun Pambukyan, who is not in the
country, will not be EB member this time. In all probability, the
Medical University Rector Derenik Dumanyan likewise will leave the EB.

They will probably be replaced by NA Speaker Samvel Nikoyan and
[capital] Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan. The fates of Diaspora
Minister Hranush Hakobyan and former Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan
are still unclear. They, too, could leave the EB and be replaced
by NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov and Education and Science
Minister Armen Ashotyan. [But] RPA deputy chairmen Razmik Zohrabyan
and Galust Sahakyan, as well as former NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
will probably remain EB members,” 168 Zham daily writes.

NKR ARMY FORMER COMMANDER STAYS AT DELUXE SUITE OF RADISSON ROYAL MOSCOW HOTEL – NEWSPAPER

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 09:27

YEREVAN. – Well-informed sources have learned that Samvel Babayan,
former commander of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army, is in
Moscow these days, Zhoghovurd daily writes.

“What is more, according to the same sources, Babayan currently lives
at the deluxe suite of Radisson Royal Moscow Hotel. Zhoghovurd
telephoned Babayan’s wife, but to no avail. She responded to
our questions with just: ‘I don’t know.’ To note, putting up as
collateral in Armenia’s banks the houses belonging to several former
and incumbent officials [and] to many of his former friends, Samvel
Babayan has disappeared. And no one can find him for a long time,”
Zhoghovurd writes.

REP. SCHIFF MYSTIFIED BY COURT DECISION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INSURANCE LAW

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 24, 2012 – 10:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) released the following
statement after the 9th Circuit ruled in the Movsesian v. Versicherung
case, effectively barring Armenian-Americans from seeking the return
of stolen Armenian Genocide-era insurance assets through U.S. courts,
under California law:

“I am deeply disappointed and mystified by this decision and cannot
see how the 9th Circuit could have reached such a flawed legal
conclusion. I will be studying the decision in the coming days and
will be working with my friends in the Armenian-American community
to determine next steps.

“I was proud to submit an amicus brief on behalf of genocide victims
and their families, and I am more than willing to do so again with
the United States Supreme Court.”