Author: nina hovnanian

SAFAROV’S EXTRADITION WAS BIG MISTAKE BY HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT: POLITICAL FIGURE

14:41, 19 February, 2014

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: The extradition of the Azerbaijani
assassin Ramil Safarov, who axe-murdered Armenian officer Gurgen
Margaryan during the NATO courses in Budapest, was a big mistake by the
government of Hungary. It was more than a mistake, as it “poisoned”
the Hungary’s relations with Armenia and other countries of the
world. The president of the Hungarian Honorary Consular Corps Gyorgy
Suha told Armenpress about it. “The Armenian-Hungarian relations and
friendship have a historic value. It is very important to restore the
diplomatic relations with Armenia. Armenia is our friendly country
and we have a general history and share common values”, – said the
Hungarian political figure.

According to him, the extradition of Ramil Safarov was a political
decision and did not have any legal background. “We should solve the
diplomatic issues diplomatically and find urgent solutions for the
restoration of the relations”, – said Gyorgy Suha.

An event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of death of Armenian officer
Gurgen Margaryan, who was brutally killed by Azerbaijani criminal
Ramil Safarov, will be held on February 19 in the Armenian Cultural
Centre of Hungary. The representatives of the Armenian community will
place flowers by the cross-stone near the Danube River.

After, the Hungarian public activists, who paid a visit to Armenia
after Safarov’s extradition and apologized to Margaryan’s parents,
will perform speeches at the Armenian Cultural Centre of Hungary.

On February 19 2004 in Budapest Azerbaijani assassin Ramil Safarov,
who axe-murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan while sleeping
with 16 blows, when they were participating in NATO English Language
Courses in the capital of Hungary, was sentenced to life imprisonment
without right to be pardoned for 30 years. On August 31 2012 Safarov
was extradited from Hungary to Azerbaijan and was pardoned by the
President Ilham Aliyev. The murderer was advanced to major, provided
with an apartment and given “national hero” and compensated for the
8 years of the imprisonment in Hungary. Armenia suspended diplomatic
relations with Hungary.

The extradition, pardoning and release of Safarov were condemned by
many countries and authoritative organizations of the world.

TURKISH FM: THE BORDER WITH ARMENIA WILL NOT BE OPENED, UNLESS NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IS SOLVED

by Marianna Lazarian

ARMINFO
Wednesday, February 19, 16:21

“Turkey’s position is clear and this position remains unchanged. The
border with Armenia will not be opened, unless Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is solved,” Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said
when asked to comment on the reports that Turkey is going to normalize
its relations and open its border with Armenia.

According to APA, Davutoglu said this at the press conference after
the meeting of Azerbaijani, Turkish and Georgian foreign ministers
in Ganja.

LE KARABAKH SOUTIENT DES > APRES UN TWEET D’UN CO-PRESIDENT

KARABAGH

Les autorites du Haut-Karabagh sont pretes pour des negociations
directes avec l’Azerbaïdjan pour un règlement. Le ministère des
Affaires etrangères de la Republique du Haut Karabagh a fait cette
reponse suite a un tweet fait par le principal negociateur americain.

Le co-president americain du Groupe de Minsk James Warlick a appele
jeudi a la reprise des negociations sur le Haut-Karabagh.

ABDULLAH GUL VALIDE UNE LOI SUR LE CONTROLE D’INTERNET

TURQUIE – INTERNET

Abdullah Gul, le president turc, a donne mardi soir son feu vert a une
loi controversee du gouvernement qui renforce le contrôle d’Internet.

Consequence : il a perdu 80’000 suiveurs sur son compte Twitter.

Le president turc Abdullah Gul a perdu environ 80’000 suiveurs sur
son compte Twitter. Les internautes entendent ainsi protester contre
son feu vert donne mardi soir a une loi controversee du gouvernement
islamo-conservateur renforcant le contrôle d’Internet.

M. Gul, particulièrement actif sur les reseaux sociaux, a annonce
curieusement sur Twitter qu’il promulguait la loi jugee “liberticide”
par l’opposition et de nombreuses ONG de defense de la liberte
d’expression.

Dès lors qu’il l’a fait, les internautes turcs ont lance une campagne
pour cesser de suivre le chef de l’Etat, qui a annonce avoir pris
cette decision après avoir obtenu l’assurance du gouvernement, dont
il fut membre avant d’etre elu a son poste en 2007, qu’il presenterait
des amendements au texte sur plusieurs points controverses.

Lire la suite, voir lien plus bas

mercredi 19 fevrier 2014, Jean Eckian (c)armenews.com

ONLY COMMISSARIES ARE ON THE BARRICADES

Golos Armenii, Armenia
Feb 13 2014

a translated excerpt from Ruben Margaryan

On the eve of Yerevan’s decision on the accession to the [Russian-led]
Customs Union, an odd dispute unfolded between pro-Westerners and
pro-Eurasians in Armenia. The former maintained that if Armenia joined
the Customs Union it would lose [Nagornyy] Karabakh and the latter
argued no less strongly that Armenia would lose Karabakh in case it
initialled the Association Agreement with the EU. Both sides lied,
of course.

I recalled this because currently, a similar picture can be seen. The
supporters of Armenia’s association with the EU argue that the Customs
Union is rather dead than alive, that it is a bluff, and so forth.

Pro-Eurasians maintain the contrary, saying that the Eastern
Partnership project is dead. It is understandable that in the case
of the debate on Karabakh, these are pure speculations.

The Eastern Partnership exists as it existed, its member states are
included in the programme and the EU is in the process of designing
new directions of cooperation. The same applies to the Customs Union,
which still includes three countries. The Customs Union, however,
plans to intensify and widen cooperation between its members and set
up a Eurasian Economic Union on the basis of the Customs Union in
the future. A tangible example of the presence of the Customs Union
for Armenian citizens is that Russia recently removed restrictions
of residence terms on its territory for working migrants, citizens
of the Customs Union member states.

But all this is not relevant to the “commissaries” of the EU or
Customs Union. They will always find a counter argument to speculate
on noisily.

[Passage omitted: Pro-EU and pro- Eurasian groups are wasting people’s
energy and time by diverting attention from relevant issues]

These “commissaries”, alas, cannot find a better occupation than
attempts at dividing this country into two camps. They are not happy
with the fact that political parties divide people into as many
factions as possible. They now want to add new dividing lines in the
society, as if the Ukrainian experience were not enough.

[Passage omitted: People distrust the media and political analysts]

When we see seemingly reasonable people apparently talking nonsense
[on integration plans], the impression that come to one’s mind is that
tomorrow, they might change their sponsors and convert into diehard
supporters of Eurasia or vice versa. Please, Mr Integrators, keep
quiet, the year ahead will be full of political confrontations. You
will find better rostrums for your ambitions!

[Translated from Russian]

FIRST CARPET MUSEUM TO OPEN IN ARMENIA

10:13, 17 February, 2014

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: The first carpet museum will
open in Yerevan after the completion of the final works in March
2014. Megerian Carpet Company took up the mission to popularize and
present the Armenian carpets in a single museum among the local and
international communities. The Production and Commercial Director of
the Company Leonid Andreasyan told the Armenpress correspondent that
the museum will have an area of 230 square meters. “The museum will
present Armenian ancient carpets having a history of about 200 years,
as well as exclusive samples from the personal collection of the
Megerian Family”, – said Andreasyan. He informed that the exhibition
of the museum will be regularly refreshed, replenished and replaced by
new items. About 50 samples of the exhibited carpets will be brought
to Yerevan from New York.

The Megerian Family has been involved in selling, restoration, and
production of fine oriental rugs for over four generations. Originally
from Armenia, the Megerians established their rug trade business in
the United States in 1917, and quickly developed an expertise in rug
repairing and restoration. Over time, they began to realize the growing
demand for different trends and subtle design changes, and took their
well honed skills to the loom to create their own decorative rugs.

Megerian Oriental Rug family specializes in new and antique Oriental
rug sales and production. The Megerian Brother’s tradition and
integrity in the fine craft of handmade rug making, and restoration
of rugs and tapestries is world renown. The Megerian Oriental Rug
family has been the benchmark producer of New York City’s handmade
rugs and tapestries.

Initially, their enterprise in America focused on selling new and
antique rugs. However, the opportunity to apply their extensive skills
presented itself often, and the Megerians quickly gained a reputation
here in America as artisans accomplished in antique repair. More
and more, the Megerians found themselves applying their thorough
understanding of wool characteristics, natural dyes and Old World
knotting techniques to their customers’ existing antique Persians,
Aubussons, Savonneries and Oriental rugs.

As time passed, the Megerians expanded their business to meet
the growing demand for fine rugs by buying antique rugs in need of
repair and selling them completely restored. Often, though, customers
would express their wishes for subtle design changes. Building on
their tradition of excellence, the Megerians took their knowledge and
well-honed skills to the loom and began creating their own rugs. Very
soon, they were meeting their customers’ needs by delicately modifying
the original, antique designs in their own reproductions of superb
quality.

The Megerians continue to apply their unparalleled skill in the
creation of rugs and tapestries of uncompromising artistry and
workmanship.

Each signed piece represents a rare combination of Old World
craftsmanship and the design aesthetics of today’s most discerning
clientele, and every Megerian design is copyrighted to ensure its
individuality. Each work is a product of the integrity of the Megerian
touch, from the discriminating selection of original materials and
dyes, to the painstaking attention to knotting technique, to the
completely thorough final inspection in the antique making. Of course,
the Megerians also continue to trade in the world’s finest antique
rugs and tapestries, drawing inspiration for their own designs from
the classic beauty of the originals.

YOUNG MAN WHO IMPEDED OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN EARLIER STOLE KARABAKH WAR VETERAN’S POSTER

02.17.2014 21:48 epress.am

The man who on Jan. 18 stole from Karabakh War veteran Susanna
Margaryan a poster of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan with the word
“Criminal” on it is one of the young men who interfered with the
Armenian National Congress (HAK) campaign to inform the public of
its upcoming rally on Mar. 1.

Margaryan informed Epress.am of this fact, saying that she recognized
the young man after photos of the Republican Party of Armenia youth
who impeded the campaign were shared online. Margaryan identified
the young man as Daniel Hayrapetyan, the deputy director of Armenian
National Agrarian University college.

“Since I wasn’t going to go to the police (because of mistrust), I
decided to wait for the young man who stole ‘Serzh’ to one day cross
my path. It turns out that the brat threatening the HAK activists and
picturing himself to be an elephant is a an ordinary coward, poster
thief. It’s terrible that we are going to entrust land and homeland
to these youth that the ruling authorities plan for different types
of use. They have no dignity — they are ready for any lowly act,
only to please the authorities,” she said.

Speaking to the Epress.am correspondent earlier, Margaryan had said
that on Jan. 18 a group of instigators followed her both at the rally
and during the march, but later, when she was preparing to go home,
one of the youth suddenly approached her, snatched the already folded
poster from her hand and ran toward a nearby car.

ARMRUSGASPROM AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT AGREE ON GAS CALORIC VALUE

14:06, 17 February, 2014

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: The public organizations, protecting
the rights of the consumers, express their discontent concerning the
caloric value of the gas and ArmRusgasprom assures that the quality
properties of the gas, imported from the Russian Federation to Armenia,
meet the current interstate standards.

The General Director of ArmRusgasprom Vardan Harutyunyan stated at
the round table held in ArmRusgasprom that during the recent years
the gas, imported to Armenia, has had a higher caloric value than it
used to have by the interstate standard.

“During the last years the figure fluctuated in the limits of 8000-
8400 kcal, though according to the interstate standards the caloric
value for one square meter of gas, supplied to the consumers, should
be higher than 7600 kcal. Besides, the information about the quality
of the gas is published once in every ten days”, – said Harutyunyan,
Armenpress reports. He suggested establishing a commission and making
testing with the participation of all the interested parties, who
have doubts concerning the issue.

ARMENIA CAN AFFORD PRODUCTION OF 80-100,000 OF COOPER CONCENTRATE PER YEAR – PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, February 17. /ARKA/. Some 80-100,000 tons of copper
concentrate can be manufactured in Armenia every year, Armenia’s
president Serzh Sargsyan said in responding questions at the 10th
congress of Erkrapah Union of Volunteers sociopolitical organization
Saturday.

It is possible today as a major long-year mining program has been
completed this year, the president said.

The mentioned volume, he said, is sufficient for launching big copper
smeltery and sulphuric acid plant operations. -0–

– See more at:

IS RUSSIA CHOOSING BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN?

Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments – Monday, 17 February 2014, 17:45

In an interview with the Kommersant, the Iranian ambassador to Russia
Mehdi Sanahi said Iran and Russia have almost agreed selling Iranian
oil to Russia, about half a million barrel a day. Russia has offered
several lines for transportation which are under consideration.

A few days earlier the Iranian ambassador to Armenia Mohammad Reisi
met with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. The official press release
states that energy and transit-related issues were discussed.

The two sides have possibly minimized their transit so far. Iranian
gas is supplied to Armenia in return for which Armenian electricity
is supplied to Iran. In terms of transit, only the Armenian highways
are used to travel from Iran to Georgia via Armenia.

Do the Russian proposals involve a pipeline across Armenian for
the Iranian oil? Recently, according to the Iranian mass media, the
Russian ambassador to Iran has stated that the pipeline may run across
Azerbaijan, connecting the Iranian Astara with the Azerbaijani Astara.

Addressing the congress of Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers on Saturday,
Serzh Sargsyan refrained from foreign political issues. He only
announced that joining the Customs union is economically better for
Armenia for which a market of 200 million people opens up. Sargsyan
said we were able to sell 20% of shares of ARG to Russia for 150
million dollars which, in fact, cost cheaper.

What did those 20% bring to us? Serzh Sargsyan asked, noting that if
we want to control something, we need good legislation for that.

The legislation is certainly good. However, we have committed not to
adopt legislation that will be against Gazprom’s interests for 30
years. And the deal signed with Russia actually prohibits transit
through Armenia. It is interesting whether there is a similar deal
on oil.

– See more at: