Author: nina hovnanian

MEMORANDUM DE COMPREHENSION SIGNE ENTRE LA BIBLIOTHEQUE DU SAINT SIEGE ET LA BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE D’ARMENIE

ARMENIE

Le 6 Octobre, avec la benediction de Sa Saintete Karekine II,
Patriarche supreme et Catholicos de tous les Armeniens ; la troisième
conference internationale des bibliothèques armeniennes a eu lieu
au Saint Siège d’Etchmiadzine. Le thème de la conference etait pour les
bibliothèques a la Bibliothèque nationale d’Armenie, les visites de
specialistes, et des expositions communes et des conferences.

Dans le but de mettre en oeuvre ces objectifs, un comite mixte sera
cree, compose de representants de la bibliothèque du Saint Siège
d’Etchmiadzine et la Bibliothèque nationale d’Armenie.

mardi 21 octobre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

UNE LETTRE DE STEPANAKERT

KARABAGH

À Stepanakert, la capitale du Haut-Karabagh, le temps passe, de meme
que les habitants semblent coinces sur place.

Essayez comme ils le peuvent de mener une vie normale, il n’y a pas
moyen d’echapper au conflit avec l’Azerbaïdjan, maintenant dans sa 26e
annee. Les hommes en uniformes militaires sont omnipresents et les
rappels physiques de la guerre sont inevitables. Stepanakert a ete
matraque par les obus de l’Azerbaïdjan au cours de la phase a chaud
du conflit dans les annees 1990, et bien que beaucoup de choses sans
la ville ait ete reconstruit, beaucoup de bâtiments portent encore
les cicatrices de ces bombardements.

Il y a aussi une ambiance morne qui pèse sur la population civile de
Stepanakert. À la nuit tombee lors d’une soiree recente, les habitants
se sont rassembles en petit cercle près des fontaines derrière le
monument Stepan Shahumian, cherchant a se detendre. Certains etaient
assis sur des bancs le regard fixe dans l’espace. À proximite,
une fanfare jouait de vieux airs de marche sovietiques, le chef
d’orchestre agitant les bras comme pour battre le peu d’enthousiasme
parmi la petite foule de badauds. Autour du cercle, les vendeurs de
rue affichaient des jouets simples, y compris des vetements kaki,
un soldat qui rampait sur le ventre, une mitrailleuse.

Un accord de cessez-le feu est en vigueur depuis 20 ans, mais les
forces armeniennes et azerbaïdjanaises continuent d’echanger des coups
de feu sur une base regulière. La dernière victime etait un soldat
armenien, identifie comme David Navasardian, tue lors d’un echange
de tirs le long de la ligne dite de contact, le 1er Octobre. Certains
des combats les plus feroces de l’histoire recente ont eu lieu pendant
l’ete, faisant des dizaines de morts et de blesses.

Pour beaucoup a Stepanakert, la paix est un concept abstrait qu’ils
n’ont jamais connu. Ils espèrent y avoir droit un jour, mais peu se
font d’illusions que cela viendra bientôt. Les habitants veulent que
le Karabagh a l’echelle internationale soit reconnu comme independant
de l’Azerbaïdjan, tandis que les fonctionnaires de la capitale
azerbaïdjanaise de Bakou s’opposent categoriquement un tel statut
pour le territoire. Cet ecart semble infranchissable dans la pensee
et est responsable de l’impasse en cours dans les pourparlers de paix.

Le consensus local est resumee par Susanna Petrossian, qui dirige
une organisation non gouvernementale locale appelee le Centre
de developpement de la jeunesse d’Artsakh ; la reconnaissance
internationale doit etre poursuivie >, dit-elle.

Avec aucun moyen de resoudre la question de l’independance par des
negociations, de nombreux Armeniens du Karabagh a Stepanakert et
d’ailleurs semblent resignes a rester sur le pied de guerre permanent.

Dans un hôtel recemment ouvert, quand il n’est pas occupe avec le
filet de visiteurs, les employes passent du temps en restant assis
dans le hall d’accueil et a la recherche sur les sites Web de medias
sociaux lorsque la connexion Internet sporadique le permet. .

> a ajoute la receptionniste dans une
autre auberge appelee a declare Grigorian, en
parlant de la capture de son fils. . Que pouvez-vous
faire >> soupirait-elle. En tout, 239 soldats du Karabagh restent
officiellement enregistrees comme disparus. L’espoir de Grigorian et
d’autres dans sa situation, c’est que leurs proches sont encore en
vie, et une percee dans les negociations de paix pourraient aboutir
a un echange de prisonniers de guerre.

Il y a des raisons d’esperer pour Grigorian. À la fin Août, l’URAWMS
a lance un appel aux diplomates des Etats-Unis, la France et de la
Russie – les trois copresidents du Groupe de Minsk, qui supervise le
processus de paix – indiquant que l’organisation non gouvernementale
avait obtenu des informations >.

Les Armeniens et Azeris ont des tendances semblables a voir le conflit
du Karabagh en termes de noir et blanc, dans lequel leur côte est
propre de principe et l’autre perfide. Le travail de Grigorian au nom
de l’URAWMS a modifie ses hypothèses sur la nature du conflit. Alors
qu’elle, comme toutes les Karabakhis, aspire a son pays natal a etre
independant, elle n’encadre pas le conflit comme le bien et le mal.

Elle avait entendu des histoires d’atrocites commises par les forces
azerbaïdjanaises, mais ne croit pas que les troupes armeniennes
etaient capables d’un tel comportement. Puis, elle a rencontre une
femme azerie ; qui >, a-t-elle poursuivi.

HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND IRAN FURTHER DEVELOPS – PREMIER

YEREVAN, October 21./ARKA/. Current Armenia-Iran relations are at a
high level, and they continue developing based on mutual trust and
centuries-long friendship, Armenia’s premier Hovik Abrahamyan said
at his meeting with the president of Iran Hassan Rouhani, the press
office of the Armenian government reported.

The agreements reached between the countries are mainly being
implemented, which indicates determination to expand ties, said
Abrahamyan who is in Tehran on an official visit.

The head of the government said his official visit will help revive
economic ties and attract new investments.

Rouhani said his country is ready to support Yerevan’s initiatives
and help implement joint projects.

The sides stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in a number
of fields, energy, agriculture and culture in particular. -0–

FIRST-EVER JOB FAIR HELD IN STEPANAKERT

YEREVAN, October 20. /ARKA/. The first-ever job fair was held in
Stepanakert on Sunday, an ARKA reporter says from the capital of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).

A total of 20 employers showcased over 250 vacancies at the event.

The fair was initiated by NKR’s ministry of labor and social
affairs. -0–

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS TO DO ITS BEST TO FREE SHANT HARUTYUNYAN AND HIS FRIENDS

by Nana Martirosyan

arminfo
Monday, October 20, 12:42

The Armenian National Congress (ANC) will use all possible means to
free Shant Harutyunyan and his friends.

The party regards them as political prisoners and will spare no effort
to free them. “This will be one of the priority tasks of our campaign
for changing the ruling regime,” the ANC says.

On Oct 17 Leader of Tseghakron Party Shant Harutyunyan was sentenced to
6 years in prison and his son Shahen Harutyunyan was given a 4-year
suspended sentence. Vahe Lazarian, one of Shant Harutyunyan’s
teammates, was sentenced for 7 years in jail, Albert Sarkaryan –
6 years, Sevak Mnatsakanyan – 5.5 years, retired Lieutenant Colonel
Vardan Vardanyan, Liparit Petrosyan and Avetis Avetisyan – 5 years,
Hayk Harutyunyan – 4.5 years, Alex Poghosyan and Mkrtich Hovhannisyan
– 4 years. Armen Hovhannisyan, who served in the Armenian army for
20 years, was sentenced to 2 years in jail, and Tigran Petrosyan was
given a 1-year sentence.

Harutyunyan was arrested following the Nov 5 2013 developments in
Liberty Square. The clashes in Liberty Square started at 5:30 PM when
the demonstrators came across a police cordon. The police say that
the demonstration was not sanctioned. As was reported earlier, the
demonstrators were moving to Mashtots Park, when Shant Harutyunyan
tried to cross the street against the traffic lights. The police’s
attempt to stop him ended in a skirmish. Harutyunyan and his son were
detained. Some demonstrators began blowing up bottles with gasoline.

Earlier Shant Harutyunyan organized a picket in Liberty Square. He
stood there with a poster saying “I am Declaring a Revolution!” A
total of 38 people were detained, and many of them were arrested.

PRO-ARMENIAN POLITICIAN RUNS IN TORONTO ELECTIONS

October 20, 2014

After more than 25 years as Member of Parliament representing the
Toronto suburb of Scarborough-Agincourt, Hon. Jim Karygiannis resigned
his position earlier this year to run as councillor in the upcoming
October 27 Toronto municipal elections in Ward 39, which covers the
same area. Because of the significant number of Armenians who live
in Ward 39 and because of his long-time friendship with the Armenian
community, Keghart.com interviewed Mr. Karygiannis on October 4, 2014.

Keghart.com: What are the three most important initiatives you would
like to realize when you become Councillor?

Jim Karygiannis: The three big issues are transportation, hospital
care, and responsible community development.

I will work with my colleagues and federal and provincial partners
to ensure the extension of the Sheppard subway line becomes a reality.

The federal and provincial governments must come to the table to ensure
that the Sheppard subway line is extended to Scarborough Town Centre

Over the years I have witnessed the deterioration of services at the
Scarborough Hospital-Birchmount Campus. I have fought over the last
25 years, and will continue to fight, to make sure that Scarborough
Hospital-Birchmount Campus continues to operate as a full functioning
hospital that meets the needs of the residents of Ward 39.

Responsible community development is another priority.

Keghart.com: Why do you think you are the best qualified to represent
your ward as Councillor?

Jim Karygiannis: As the Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt
for more than twenty five years, I was an effective voice for the
people of Scarborough-Agincourt and have vast political experience
and a proven record of public service.

I have forged good working relationships with my colleagues at the
municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. Together, we
worked on issues of critical importance to the community including:
establishing, with law enforcement agencies and various government
departments, a Task Force to combat marijuana grow houses;
strengthening community safety; helping to ensure the safety of
residents of rooming houses in Scarborough-Agincourt; and, quickly
addressing the issue of salaries, through Employment Insurance, of
people who were affected by and working on the front lines against
SARS.

I will bring political experience to City Hall and a proven track
record of working with residents, other levels of government and
community organizations to meet the needs of Ward 39.

Keghart.com: How much do you know about the Toronto Armenian community
and its concerns?

Jim Karygiannis: For many years, I worked with the Armenian Diaspora
with respect to issues of concern to the community, most notably,
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

In 1999, I introduced a Private Member’s Motion in the Canadian House
of Commons calling the House to recognize the Armenian Genocide. That
Motion did not pass. Over the years, several of my colleagues and I,
together with the Armenian Diaspora in Canada, pressed Parliament to
recognize the Armenian Genocide.

In a landmark vote conducted in the House of Commons on April 21,
2004 on Motion M-380, the House acknowledged “the Armenian genocide of
1915” and condemned “this act as a crime against humanity.” Members
of Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Motion. On April
19, 2006, the Prime Minister affirmed that the Government of Canada
officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.

I was privileged to lead a Canadian delegation to Armenia on the
90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We joined millions of
Armenians from around the world, in laying flowers at the Genocide
Memorial’s Eternal Flame. Armenians, members of the international
Armenian Diaspora and diplomats from around the world sent a powerful
message – the atrocities of 1915 will never be forgotten.

I was the first Canadian Member of Parliament to visit Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic, to observe the 2012 Presidential Elections.

In the fall of 2014, The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, decreed
that I will be awarded the Mkhitar Gosh medal for ‘his substantial
input in international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.’ I am
humbled and honoured by this recognition of my work with the Toronto,
Canadian and International Armenian communities on social justice
and human rights issues.

Keghart.com: The previous council deferred to the upcoming council
the decision to erect an Armenian Genocide memorial in Toronto. Would
you support such an edifice?

Jim Karygiannis: Toronto’s Armenian community wants the City of Toronto
to commemorate the Armenian genocide with a donated monument on public
land marking the 100th anniversary in 2015.

In April 2014, The City of Toronto’s Executive Committee voted to send
the request to staff for consultation with both Armenian and Turkish
groups along with the federal and provincial governments. A report
back isn’t expected until early 2015 – after the municipal election.

I, along with members of the Toronto Armenian community, was very
disappointed that the previous Toronto City Council deferred the
decision to erect this monument.

I support the construction of the memorial. If elected to Toronto
City Council, I will advocate on behalf of the community on this issue.

*****

Click on Hon. Jim Karygiannis to visit his website and on map to view
the boundaries of Ward 39.

TIME OUT: FAILING A CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, LAME-DUCK SARGSYAN LIKELY TO MULL ‘OPERATION SUCCESSOR’

Analysis | 20.10.14 | 10:03

By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Observers do not exclude that the effective delay in the constitutional
reform acknowledged by the government last week may actually mean that
President Serzh Sargsyan is considering other options of ensuring his
continued political future after leaving office in a few years’ time.

‘Operation successor’ may become Plan B for the current head of state,
who will become a lame duck soon as his second and final term in
office is due to expire in 2018.

Even though Sargsyan and his ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
have repeatedly denied tailoring amendments to the Constitution to
their political needs, most opposition groups believe the changes,
in particular, a transition to from the current semi-presidential to
a parliamentary form of government, reveals such designs.

The press secretary of the Armenian president, Arman Saghatelyan,
on Friday said that Sargsyan would express his final opinion on the
proposed constitutional reform only in February-March 2015.

The commission dealing with the reform was formed in September 2013 and
in April of this year Sargsyan heard draft concepts of amendments under
some of which it was suggested that Armenia make a transition from its
current semi-presidential to a parliamentary form of government. During
the summer the draft concepts were discussed in the provinces and on
October 15 the final text of the Concept was published.

Also, the Venice Commission gave its conclusion. On the whole, it
evaluated the proposed concept positively, but suggested that greater
political consolidation on the matter should be achieved. It was with
this motivation, i.e. to conduct a broader political discussion and
ensure a consolidated approach, that spokesman Saghatelyan stated
about the factual postponement of the reform.

Political consolidation, indeed, appears to be non-existent – at
least four of the six parliamentary parties (the Armenian National
Congress, Heritage, the Prosperous Armenia Party and Orinats Yerkir)
are against amending the Constitution at this moment.

The thing is that if the reforms are implemented, it will allow
President Sargsyan to ensure his “reincarnation” as prime minister or
speaker of parliament with broad powers. Some suggest that Sargsyan
could even remain just the leader of the ruling RPA and influence
Armenian politics as head of the majority party.

The statement by the presidential spokesman was taken by members
of the ‘non-governing troika” – the ANC, the PAP and Heritage –
as a sign of the success of their joint anti-government campaign,
a key of which is opposition to changing the Constitution. They said
Sargsyan refused to go ahead with the reforms under pressure from
the October 10 rally and facing the threat of another large rally
that the opposition forces plan for October 24.

Lawyers argue that from a purely legal point of view, the
constitutional reform concept is really positive. In particular, the
matter concerns, granting the parliamentary opposition broader powers,
also in terms of control. Besides, the concept also envisages reforms
of the judiciary.

However, the political class in Armenia has not even discussed
the essence of the constitutional reform and the question has been
formulated bluntly – not to let Sargsyan reproduce his power.

The Armenian press is trying to understand what the president’s
decision to effectively postpone an important event could mean. There
may be a few variants, and the most likely is that he could consider
Plan B – to promote a ‘successor’. If there is a transition to a
parliamentary system, the ruling RPA should already now be preparing
its candidate, and specific names are already being given.

Among the potential candidates could be former prime minister and
now Ambassador to the United States Tigran Sargsyan, current Prime
Minister Hovik Abrahamian, and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, who,
after the August escalation in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict zone,
was recognized by external forces.

The non-governing and opposition forces also are preparing for the
elections – leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan
stated that he was ready to run for president, if society requested
so. And leader of the opposition Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian,
who gained nearly 40 percent of the vote in the 2013 presidential
election, hinted at his desire to see a woman as a presidential
candidate. Some observers do not rule out that Heritage party lawmaker
Zaruhi Postanjyan could become such a candidate in 2018.

WE ARE READY TO REVISE MATERNITY PAYS, SAYS SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER

11:38 * 20.10.14

Armenia’s minister of labor and social affairs says the Government
is ready to revise the proposedamendments to the Law Temporary
Unemployability Benefits to consider the expediency of increasing
unemployed women’s maternity pays at the expense of working mothers.

“I think if there are proposals, discussions are the right way to
[consider them]. As we have planned public debates, any proposal stems
from our objectives interests. Hence it is important to consider
those proposals and adopt decisions based on them,” Artem Asatryan
told Tert.am, adding that he doesn’t see any logic about the reported
plans for a protest.

The minister said the Government is open and ready for discussions,
even though the amounts of salary deductions haven’t been determined
yet.

The bill proposes renaming “temporary unemployability benefits”
“maternity leave pays” to reduce the monthly salary compensations
for working pregnant women. Starting from 2016, the money will also
be given to unemployed mothers.

Under the legislation in effect, the compensation is given only to
employed women on maternity leave (whose number, according to the
Ministry, is 13,000, as opposed to the 30,000 mothers who do not work).

Asked about the unacceptability of such a measure for working mothers,
Asatryan said they first need coordinated activities with Ministry
specialists to understand to what degree the justification behind
the proposal.

“If we pass laws on which we did not have proposals during debates and
hear complaints only after the adoption, it is unacceptable,” he added.

The minister further disagreed to the allegations that the measure is
an attempt to make women decide on maternity well in advance before
falling pregnant.

“With this proposal, we only broaden the framework, so I don’t think
that any definition provided within the frameworks of this law is
targeted against something. I consider this a subjective opinion,”
he added.

According to the Ministry’s estimates, the maternity pay for employed
women has increased by four times to 12 billion Drams ($30,000). In
case of 100% compensation, the amount is likely to increase to 30
million Drams until 2025.

The estimated salary compensations, given to women on maternity leave
is below 100% in other world countries. The amount is 50% in Austria
and 60% in Belgium; in Bulgaria it is 80.

Armenia’s National Assembly is now planning debates future to consider
the acceptability of the measure.

L’ARMENIE A OFFICIELLEMENT REJOINT L’UNION ECONOMIQUE EURASIATIQUE

ARMENIE

Le 10 octobre, le President Sarkissian a signe a Minsk, avec Vladimir
Poutine, Noursoultan Nazarbaïev et Alexandre Loukachenko, l’accord
d’adhesion de l’Armenie a l’Union economique eurasiatique. L’Armenie
deviendra membre de cette Union a partir du 1er janvier 2015, une fois
l’accord d’adhesion ratifie par les Parlements des quatre pays. Les
quotidiens relèvent que, contrairement au sommet d’Astana en mai
dernier, lorsque le President kazakh avait publiquement lu un courrier
d’Ilham Aliev demandant aux membres de l’Union d’integrer l’Armenie
dans ses frontières internationalement reconnues, des > ont cette fois-ci epargne la delegation armenienne.

Dans son discours, le President Nazarbaïev a juste indique que son
pays ne voyait pas d’obstacle a l’adhesion de l’Armenie a cette union,
un compromis ayant pu etre trouve quant a la question de savoir quelles
seront les frontières de l’Armenie au sein de cette union. Le President
Sarkissian a remercie les Presidents des trois pays membres de l’UEE
pour leur soutien politique et a dit se rendre parfaitement compte
de la responsabilite que cette adhesion revetait. Il a reconnu que
la phase des negociations n’avait pas ete facile, mais que . 168 Jam regrette
que l’Armenie ait choisi, consciemment, une union pour laquelle les
organisations internationales prevoient une croissance economique de
zero pour cent dans les deux prochaines annees. Joghovourd s’attend
a ce que les autorites expliquent aux simples citoyens les atouts de
cette adhesion.

Selon le President Sarkissian, l’Armenie a pris la decision de
rejoindre l’UEE afin de donner un nouvel elan a son developpement
economique. Cette adhesion ouvre de nouvelles perspectives en termes de
libre circulation des marchandises, des services, du capital et de la
main d’oeuvre, offrant dans le meme temps des ressources energetiques
a bon marche et des solutions optimales de transport. >.

L’Ambassadeur Traïan Hristea, Chef de la Delegation de l’UE, a declare,
selon Arminfo, que l’UE n’a pas change sa politique par rapport a
l’Armenie du fait de son adhesion a l’UEE et poursuivra son travail
avec elle. Selon lui, ceux qui disent l’inverse, font de la >.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 13 octobre 2014

lundi 20 octobre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

SYRIE : LES KURDES REPOUSSENT UN NOUVEL ASSAUT DE L’EI POUR ISOLER KOBANE

SYRIE

Les forces kurdes ont repousse samedi a Kobane un nouvel assaut du
groupe Etat islamique (EI) visant a couper la ville syrienne de la
frontière turque, alors que l’armee en Irak voisin tentait de gagner
du terrain face aux jihadistes.

La coalition internationale dirigee par les Etats-Unis a mene 25
raids en 48 heures contre ce groupe sunnite responsable d’atrocites
en Syrie et en Irak, visant notamment ses positions près de Kobane
et des infrastructures petrolières sous son contrôle.

Tout en parlant de signes “encourageants” a Kobane, où la progression
des jihadistes a ete freinee, Washington a souligne que les raids
pourraient ne pas empecher sa chute et repete que “la priorite des
Etats-Unis” etait l’Irak où l’armee est toujours a la peine face aux
jihadistes surtout dans l’ouest.

Plusieurs obus de mortier ont vise le poste-frontière syrien tout
près du côte nord de Kobane, unique route d’approvisionnement pour
les combattants kurdes et seule voie de sortie pour les civils,
a indique a l’AFP le responsable kurde, Idris Nassen.

Trois obus ont touche le territoire turc, l’un d’eux a côte d’une
colline où est stationnee l’armee d’Ankara a environ un km du front
de Kobane, selon un correspondant de l’AFP sur place.

Au total, 26 obus tires par l’EI sont tombes sur les quartiers nord
de Kobane et a proximite de la frontière, a precise l’Observatoire
syrien des droits de l’Homme (OSDH).

Malgre ce bombardement, la principale milice kurde syrienne des YPG
(Unites de protection du peuple) a reussi a repousser l’assaut
jihadiste lance depuis l’est pour atteindre le poste-frontière,
a declare M. Nassen. L’EI “veut progresser pour (le) contrôler,
mais les YPG ripostent”.

Devenue le symbole de la resistance face a l’EI, la ville de Kobane,
dans le nord syrien, est assiegee par les jihadistes au sud, a l’est
et a l’ouest.

Infrastructures petrolières visees –

Face a la resistance acharnee des forces kurdes et aux frappes de
la coalition -plus de 100 depuis fin septembre-, l’EI, qui a subi de
lourdes pertes, a envoye des renforts a Kobane “en hommes, munitions
et equipements” depuis les provinces d’Alep et de Raqa (nord), son
bastion en Syrie, selon l’OSDH.

Depuis le 16 septembre, “la bataille de Kobane”, a provoque environ
700 morts selon l’OSDH et pousse a la fuite plus de 300.000 personnes,
dont plus de 200.000 en Turquie et des milliers en Irak.

Les frappes ont en outre vise des infrastructures petrolières
contrôlees par l’EI en Syrie, afin de “deregler ses sources de
financement”, selon l’armee americaine.

La contrebande de petrole est l’une des principales sources de
financement des jihadistes qui, selon des experts, pourraient amasser
entre un a trois millions de dollars par jour grâce a sa revente a
des intermediaires.

L’EI, dont la montee en puissance a ete favorisee par la guerre civile
qui ravage la Syrie depuis mars 2011, combat sur d’autres fronts,
notamment a Deir Ezzor (est) et près d’Alep contre les forces du
regime, ainsi que contre les Kurdes a Hassaka (nord-est).

Gouvernement irakien au complet –

En Irak, où l’EI contrôle de vastes territoires, les frappes ont
vise des positions jihadistes près de Baïji (au nord de Bagdad), où
se trouve la principale raffinerie de petrole et autour du barrage
strategique de Mossoul (nord).

Alors que l’armee peine a repousser les jihadistes, le Parlement
a approuve les nominations du depute sunnite Khaled al-Obaidi
a la Defense, et de Mohammed al-Ghabbane, du bloc chiite Badr,
a l’Interieur.

Ces nominations, qui permettent au pays d’avoir enfin un gouvernement
au complet, ont ete saluees par le secretaire d’Etat americain John
Kerry qui a salue “un pas en avant très positif”.

“Il s’agissait de postes cruciaux a attribuer dans le cadre des
efforts contre l’EI”, a-t-il dit.

Tentant de gagner du terrain, les forces irakiennes ont lance vendredi
plusieurs offensives, dans la region de Tikrit au nord de Bagdad,
et dans trois secteurs de Ramadi, partiellement contrôle par l’EI,
dans la province occidentale d’Al-Anbar.

L’Espagne apportera son soutien en Irak où elle enverra 300 militaires
a la fin de l’annee pour former des troupes irakiennes aux operations
speciales, au deminage et au maniement d’explosif, a annonce samedi
le ministre espagnol de la Defense Pedro Morenes a Washington où il
a rencontre vendredi son homologue americain Chuck Hagel.

Les forces americaines pourront egalement utiliser les bases de Moron
et Rota dans le sud de l’Espagne pour le deploiement de ses operations
dans le Nord de l’Irak.

Accuse de crimes contre l’Humanite, l’EI qui compte des dizaines
de milliers de combattants dont de nombreux etrangers y compris
occidentaux, est responsable de terribles exactions -viols, rapts,
executions, decapitations- dans le “califat” qu’il a proclame sur
les vastes regions sous son contrôle en Irak et en Syrie.

Pour lutter contre ce groupe, qualifie de “cancer” par le president
Barack Obama, les Etats-Unis ont exclu l’envoi de troupes au sol,
mais cherchent a renforcer l’armee et les forces kurdes en Irak,
ainsi que la rebellion et les Kurdes en Syrie.

lundi 20 octobre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com