Author: nina hovnanian

ZARUI POSTANJAN: RADICALISM AS GOAL IN ITSELF IN POLITICS

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Oct 17 2014

17 October 2014 – 11:35am

By Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

The meeting attended by thousands of supporters of the four main
opposition parties of Armenia in Yerevan on October 10 demonstrated
the unity of opposition and the common goal of Prosperous Armenia
(PAP), the Armenian National Congress (ANC), Heritage and the People’s
Party of Armenia (PPA). Their commitment to change the government in
early elections has become a highlight among political, public and
expert circles.

The government has generally reacted moderately, pointing out the lack
of a common agenda of the opposition and expressing doubts that PAP
really wants a different government. Vagram Bagdasaryan, the head of
the parliamentary faction of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA),
said that the leaders of non-coalition forces had no common path.

Gagik Melikyan, another member of the ruling RPA, said that there
was no common opinion expressed at the meeting, that people were
disappointed and bewildered by the lack of common demands.

Experts have different evaluations. Some analysts say that the
opposition has consolidated society, formed common political goals
and refrained from a revolutionary path. Others have criticized the
opposition, calling it artificial, they say it has no common agenda.

According to Ruben Megrabyan, an expert of the Center for Political and
International Research, the oppositionist quarter had no path at all:
“Even the term “non-ruling forces” itself is antipolitical and only
shows the staginess of the meeting on October 10.”

Armen Badalyan, an expert in political and electoral technologies,
believes that the opposition relies on the potential of societies,
which is insufficient for a switch of power, unlike in 2007-2008.

Zaruya Postanjan, a member of the Heritage faction in the parliament,
said that the faction consisted of only 4 MPs. Two of them from the
Heritage Party itself and two from the Free Democrats, a party much
less familiar to Armenian voters.

At a press conference on October 15, Zarui Postanjan, who had earlier
refrained from taking part in protests due to their insufficiently
radical agenda, presented her version of the opposition platform. The
lawmaker proposed a parliamentary opposition represented by PAP,
ANC and Heritage to initiate impeachment of President Serzh Sargsyan
and prosecution of Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan, regain illegally
privatized or acquired state property, dismiss and punish judges
involved in political persecutions, punish police, security and
military officials involved in political murders and persecutions,
form a temporary interim government and hold early parliamentary and
presidential elections.

At the same time, considering the size of the faction, the demands
of Postanjan have no chance of being heard by society or politicians.

Moreover, the order of steps proposed by the lawmaker is unrealistic
for many reasons, which Vestnik Kavkaza will describe in the next
article.

To be continued

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF MINISTER FOR TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Oct 17 2014

17 October 2014 – 12:21pm

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has signed the resignation note of
Armen Gevorkyan, a vice prime minister and the minister for territorial
administration. The resignation was announced on October 16, due to the
switch of Gevorkyan to the private sector, Aykakan Zhamanak reports.

Minister for Transportation and Communications Gagik Beglaryan is the
most likely replacement for Gevorkyan. Minister for Finances Gagik
Khachatryan is another likely candidate but Prime Minister Ovik
Abramyan considers the Ministry for Finances a very large system
itself and promoting Khachatryan to vice prime minister would make
him as authoritative as the prime minister.

Abramyan’s candidate is David Arutyunyan, the head of the governmental
office.

ARMENIAN AND SYRIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCHS ASK CHRISTIANS TO REMEMBER THE 1915 GENOCIDE AS CENTENNIAL NEARS

Christian Post
Oct 15 2014

By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter

Activists hold pictures of Armenian victims during a demonstration to
commemorate the 1915 mass killing of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire,
in Istanbul April 24, 2014.

The primates of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Syrian Orthodox
Church have urged Christians around the world to remember and reflect
on the 1915 genocide of Armenians and Syriac Christians in Turkey,
where up to 2 million people were killed or disappeared without
a trace.

“We invite the entire Christian world to unite in prayer at the
Armenian Genocide and the Syriac Sayfo centennial commemorative
events in 2015. We call upon the civilized world to recognize and
condemn the crimes committed against the Armenian and Syriac peoples
as well as other Christian communities,” read the joint statement by
the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, Karekin II,
and the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius Aphrem II,
as reported by Fides News Agency on Wednesday.

The 1915 genocide during World War I in the territory of Ottoman
Turkey is also known as the Armenian genocide, since Armenians made
up close to 1.5 million of the victims. The attacks on Christians
eliminated almost the entire Christian population in present day
Turkey, leaving almost an entirely Muslim nation.

The Armenian and Syrian primates are asking the international
community to recognize and condemn the atrocities committed at the
time, as the centennial commemoration approaches. The two Christian
leaders met earlier this week at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
the spiritual center of all Armenians, to sign a declaration affirming
the unity of faith between the two sister churches.

Assyrian International News Agency reported in September that a
documentary film is being prepared on the 1915 genocide, scheduled
to premiere in 2015 as part of the commemoration.

Produced by the Assyrian Federation of Sweden and the Assyrian Youth
Federation of Sweden, the documentary explains the circumstances
and details behind the genocide to a wider audience. Directed by
Aziz Said from Berlin, the film crew spent close to three weeks in
southeast Turkey shooting footage for the film.

The documentary will also seek to expose the denial of the genocide as
maintained by the Turkish state, and showcase the effect the massacre
still has on Assyrians today.

The Genocide1915 website provides a comprehensive history of the
conflict. It notes that April 24 is designated as the commemoration
day of the genocide, as the first phase of the genocide was implemented
on that night in 1915, when close to 250 Armenians, including doctors,
lawyers and politicians, were rounded up and executed within 72 hours.

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
For Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
Bruxelles, 1000
Belgique

Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 26 / 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web:

(photos:
)

Brussels, 16 October, 2014: Nagorno Karabakh Republic – Artsakh National
Assembly Speaker, Mr. Ashot Ghulyan paid a visit the European Armenian
Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) offices today, and held a
meeting with representatives from ARF – Dashnaktsutyun (Belgium), Armenian
National Committee of Belgium, Hamazkayin Cultural Association, Homenetmen
Athletics Union, Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Relief Society and
EAFJD. Present were Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Central Board Chairwoman
Vicky Marachelian, and Board Member Liza Avakian, as well as Anna
Astvatsaturain Turcotte, author of “Nowhere, A Story of Exile”. Mr. Ghulian
was accompanied by diplomats Armine Aleksanyan and Vardan Barseghian.

In the meeting which lasted around two hours, Mr Ghulian explained in
detail the current challenges facing the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, as
well as the achievements and progress made in the last 20 years in
state-building, democracy and economy.

The representatives of Armenian organisations in Belgium reaffirmed their
commitment of always being on the forefronts in helping Armenia and
Artsakh, to ensure the security and progress of both Republics, while
Mr. Ghulian
stressed the unbreakable ties of Armenia – Artsakh – Diaspora.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Ghulian honored EAFJD President Mr. Karampetian
with the medal of 25 years of the Karabakh movement, for his efforts in
independent Artsakh’s international recognition.

Note, that the President of the National Assembly of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic – Artsakh is in Brussels to partake in some events organised
durign the “Artsakh month”, which include the presentation of “Nowhere, A
Story of Exile” in the European Parliament, and the celebration in the
European Parliament, for the first time, of the independence of Artskah.
Later in the month, the internationally acclaimed movie “Tevanik” will be
screened in Europe, in the presence of director Jivan Avetisyan.

#####

PALLONE EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR WHITE HOUSE’S AGREEMENT TO DISPLAY ARMENIAN ORPHAN RUG

States News Service
October 15, 2014 Wednesday

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the office of New Jersey
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.:

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Co-Chair of the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, released the following statement upon the
White House’s announcement that the Ghazir rug will be on display
November 18th-23rd in the White House Visitor Center:

“The White House has taken an important step in recognizing historical
accuracy by displaying the Armenian orphan rug. The rug was presented
to President Coolidge on behalf of the Armenian people to honor the
U.S. assistance provided during the Armenian genocide. As a result,
this cultural treasure has become a symbol of the strong and historic
ties between the United States and Armenia.”

“I sent a letter to President Obama urging him to allow this unique
gift to go on display in a place where all Americans could view
it. I believe that past attempts to keep this rug behind closed
doors were fueled by the Turkish government’s desire to prevent any
further dialogue about the Armenian Genocide. It is my hope that the
rug’s exhibition will facilitate academic discourse and allow the
American people to reflect on our positive role during a dark period
of history.”

MARKEY COMMENDS WHITE HOUSE DECISION TO DISPLAY ARMENIAN ORPHAN RUG

States News Service
October 15, 2014 Wednesday

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by Massachusetts Senator Edward
J. Markey:

Senator Previously Urged White House to Hold Historic Exhibition
BOSTON (October 15, 2014) – Today, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)
applauded the Obama Administration’s announcement that the “Armenian
Orphan Rug” will be displayed later this year and praised President
Obama and the White House for acting to display this important symbol.

The Armenian Orphan Rug was made by survivors of the Armenian Genocide
and presented to then-President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 in appreciation
of American assistance to the survivors of the genocide.

It took Armenian girls in the Ghazir Orphanage of the Near East Relief
Society ten months to weave. “The Armenian Orphan Rug is an important
piece of our history. Its display serves not just as a reminder of
the horrors of the Armenian Genocide but also of the longstanding
friendship between the Armenian and American people,” said Senator
Markey. “I commend President Obama and the White House for working
with me and my Congressional colleagues to ensure that this rug can
be given the public exhibition that it deserves.” “The Armenian Orphan
Rug, given to President Coolidge as a symbolic thank you for America’s
humanitarian relief effort in helping to save the survivors of the
Armenian Genocide, is a treasured piece of American history,” stated
Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “As
such we welcome today’s announcement by the White House and look
forward to the permanent display of this historic rug,” Ardouny
continued. Senator Markey wrote to President Obama last December to
urge him to make the rug available for display, consistent with the
need to protect and preserve this precious reminder of a dark chapter
in the history of Armenia and the world. # # #

HAYK DEMOYAN SENDS FIRST COPY OF HIS BOOK TO TURKISH PRESIDENT

15:48 17/10/2014 >> SOCIETY

The presentation of Hayk Demoyan’s new book titled “Armenian Genocide:
Frontpage Coverage in the World Press” took place at the Armenian
Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) on Friday.

“This book is a passport of the Ottoman Turkey,” Demoyan stated.

“The President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkey are the
first addressees of this book, as well as of other similar books,”
he said.

“We know how to deliver these books to the addressees. They had better
allot a space in their libraries for the books of the Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute,” he added.

The book has been published in Armenian and English. The book presents
unique materials from the world press of the 19-20th centuries. It
presents publications in English, Russian, French and American press.

OVER 40 STUDENTS RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS IN ARMENIA’S IT

YEREVAN, October 17./ARKA/. Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan handed
president’s education awards in IT to high and higher school students
on Wednesday.

A total of 42 students received presidential awards in IT this year,
according to the report.

The awards reveals and promotes best technical students to direct them
to IT entrepreneurship, head of Synopsys Armenia Hovik Musaelyan said
at the ceremony.

The jury had a unique opportunity to see the trends available in
Armenia’s IT education, Musaelyan said.

Musaelyan pointed to the excellent results by high school students
in particular. He appreciated the fact than most of the students who
want to study overseas plan to come back home afterwards.

“More and more young people pick IT sector as a future profession,
which is very important to us”, Musaleyan said.

The tenth annual competition for presidential awards was held in June
this year.

In April 2005, Synopsys Armenia and Hayastan All-Armenian Foundation
signed an agreement about annual education awards of Armenia’s
president to best IT students. Some 322 high and higher school students
were awarded over the last nine years. The awards funding is provided
by Synopsys Armenia.

Each educational institutional proposes 10 applicants for each of the
nominations – the main award, best Post-graduate (I and II class),
best master (I and II class), best bachelor (I and II class), best
student from the Diaspora, best female student and best pupil (high
school student).

A special committee interviews the first stage leaders in June and
determines the finalists. The winners receive a diploma, a money award
(up to $1,200) and a statuette symbolizing IT.

Synopsys Inc came to the Armenian market in October 2004 after the
signing of a merger agreement between Leda Design and Monterey Arset
and the establishing of a new Synopsys Armenia open joint stock
company. Several hundred of highly skilled engineers are currently
employed by Synopsys Armenia, one of the biggest employers in the
country. -0–

DON’T YOU TAKE SERZH SARGSYAN’S WORDS FOR GRANTED?

15:24 | October 17,2014 | Politics

During today’s court hearing in the case of political activist Shant
Harutyunyan and his friends, the court heard the defendants’ defense
speeches. Attorney Inessa Petrosyan petitioned the court to invite
Serzh Sargsyan to court as a witness in the case. “Don’t you take the
president’s words for granted?” said defendant Vardan Vardanyan. His
words were welcomed by a round of applause.

Attorney Hovhannes Kocharyan, who represents the interests of
defendants Vahe Lazarian, Albert Margaryan and Misak Arakelyan,
to reread Article 258 of the Criminal Code and bring in a fair verdict.

Shant Harutyunyan, Chairman of the radical opposition Tseghakron
party, and a dozen of his supporters clashed with riot police in
Yerevan last November. Harutyunyan led a demonstration in Yerevan on
November 5, 2013. During the protest he and scores of his supporters
were confronted by riot police that blocked the street leading to the
presidential administration, which the group was going ‘to blow up’
with petrol bombs. The Harutyunyan accused of “plotting a revolution”
was arrested and charged with using violence against representatives
of law-enforcement agencies. He was immediately charged under
Article 316.2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (violence against
a representative of the authorities that is dangerous for life or
health). However, in April 2014, the charges against political activist
were replaced with Article 258 Section 4 (hooliganism committed with
a weapon or another item used as a weapon).

Harutyunyan faces up to 7 years in prison under new charges.

According to official reports, 16 people were injured in the November
5 street clashes, including eight policemen. A total of 14 citizens,
including Harutyunyan’s underage son Shahen, were charged in connection
with the violence. Some human rights groups and representatives of the
opposition also describe the people in the dock as political prisoners.

The prosecutor also demanded sentences of various lengths for
Harutyunyan’s friends and sought a five-year jail sentence for his
son Shahen.

BREAD AND CIRCUSES: SYUNIK’S CONTROVERSIAL GOVERNOR ORDERS DISCOUNT PRICES ON SOME STAPLE GOODS AFTER RETURNING TO OFFICE

SOCIETY | 17.10.14 | 14:36

NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow

By SARA KHOJOYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

For the second week already people in Armenia’s southernmost Syunik
province can purchase less expensive and, at the same time, heavier
loaves of bread upon the order of the newly re-appointed governor,
Surik Khachatryan. And while the province’s folks are content,
representatives of political forces and political analysts see this
move as a publicity stunt and violation of free market laws.

Taking into consideration the instructions received at the
consultation with Surik Khachatryan on October 7 – by preserving
economic calculations providing the people with affordable bread and
medicine – starting from October 8 in all towns and villages of the
region of Syunik a loaf of bread weighs 600 grams instead of 500, and
in Goris the price went down from 240 to 200 AMD (from $0.6 to $0.5).

At the same time all pharmacies provide emergency medicines with a
10-percent discount, as the website of the Syunik governor’s office
says.

In June 2013, Khachatryan, a member of the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia, quit his gubernatorial position after a deadly incident
near his house in Goris. A man was killed and two others were wounded
in the shooting in which Khachatryan’s son and his bodyguard were
also involved.

Heritage Party spokesman David Sanasaryan believes that if proper
policies are carried out bread and medicines prices can be lowered
across the country, however, according to the politician, what
Khachatryan does after his controversial re-appointment can be viewed
as a way of bribing people.

“After his scandalous appointment this is a mere publicity stunt
by which he tries to soothe the situation and show that he is
trustworthy. Of course, he can lower the price of bread on the
account of the financial means he stole, but by this he challenges
the government members, because the latter must be able to explain
how it is possible to make goods less expensive in Syunik and not
countrywide,” Sanasaryan told ArmeniaNow.

“As they answered, he has no scientific degree; they will give the
same answer here,” the Heritage representative added, referring to
the information in the media about Khachatryan’s having been awarded
the title of Doctor of Philosophy for his dissertation entitled
“State Administration Issues in Syunik Province from Ancient Times
Till Present”.

It is noteworthy that this information is published on the official
site of the governor’s office, where it is clarified that Khachatryan’s
title of state administration philosophy doctor is awarded by the
Canadian International Information Academy.

Lawmaker Tevan Poghosyan knows what price-formation mechanisms by means
of administrative-command methods are from the past experience only.

“I know it from the Soviet times which must have collapsed because
of incompleteness of such mechanisms. I refrain from saying what
happened in Syunik, prices go down normally because of competition,
other options are not because we suddenly have free market relations
either,” he told ArmeniaNow.

Political analyst Armen Grigoryan added that in Armenia the government
has no authority on price regulation.

“Of course, it is good to know that bread is less expensive, but if
the bread is cheaper as a result of the governor’s pressure, then
those businesses will be facing crises in the long term and later
there might not be any bread production at all,” Grigoryan said.

The political analyst views this policy as dangerous and underlines
that if businesses close down, ‘the Syunik folks definitely will
not gain’.

“It is clear that if after committing murder Surik Khachatryan returned
to the post of a governor with the help of [President] Serzh Sargsyan,
then the former has the support of the state system, and in such cases
people of Syunik cannot have a different opinion [but being content]”.

Investigators did not find any incriminating evidence against Surik
Khachatryan. They also found that Khachatryan’s son, Tigran, and their
bodyguard acted in self-defense protecting their house from intrusion.