Author: nina hovnanian

ARMENIA’S DIASPORA MINISTER HIT CONVENTIONAL OPPONENT WITHOUT PERSONIFYING IT

15:00, 9 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Diaspora of the
Republic of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan wears the uniform of the Armed
Forces of the Republic of Armenia with great responsibility. She
managed to fulfill her tasks on a high level and hit the targets
of the conventional rival. In a conversation with “Armenpress” the
Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan
emphasized: “This was the first time I took the gun and I was really
afraid. Notwithstanding, for a moment I imagined that I fire at the
enemy’s forehead and I performed a precise shot.” In addition Minister
Hranush Hakobyan underscored that she did not personify her words.

Among other things the Minister of Diaspora stated that she assesses
“Reaction – 2013” strategic commander and staff exercises as
brilliant. They prove that Armenia’s boundaries are protected and
the Armenian soldiers and officers have maximum level of martial
spirit and combat readiness. “I am glad and proud to be a part of this
people. This is the first time I wear the uniform of the Armenian armed
forces and it’s a great responsibility for me,” Hranush Hakobyan noted.

The members of the Government of the Republic of Armenia participated
in “Reaction – 2013” strategic commander and staff exercises held in
“Baghramyan” Military Centre on October 8. They had an opportunity
to check their shooting skills and get acquainted with the defense
technologies and arms introduced at the exercises.

The extraordinary session of the Government of the Republic of Armenia
kicked off on October 8 within the framework of “Reaction – 2013”
strategic commander and staff exercises. The Prime Minister of the
Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan chaired the session. The members
of Government of the Republic of Armenia introduced suggestions to
the Prime Minister regarding the steps aimed at the neutralization
of threats and preparation of the country’s defense.

The Prime Minister introduced projects of the decisions of the
Government stemming from the decrees and orders of the President of
the Republic of Armenia.

Previously, the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Chairman
of the National Security Council of the Republic of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan convoked a session of the National Security Council of
the Republic of Armenia within the framework of “Reaction – 2013”
strategic commander and staff exercises titled “Work of the State’s
Higher Officials in Making Strategic and Political Decisions”,
which are held in accordance with the development plan of the Armed
Forces of the Republic of Armenia. At the course of the session the
participants discussed the conventional military-political situation
around Armenia and the activity of the state’s high ranking officials
in making strategic and political decisions. The Mass Media and Public
Relations Department of the President’s Office informed “Armenpress”
that the members of the National Security Council of the Republic of
Armenia introduced suggestions to the Head of State regarding the
steps aimed at the elimination of threats and preparation of the
country’s defense.

In accordance with the development plan of the Armed Forces of the
Republic of Armenia “Reaction – 2013” strategic commander and staff
exercises titled “Work of the State’s Higher Officials in Making
Strategic and Political Decisions” launched on October 7-9. The
governmental and military bodies of the Republic of Armenia are
engaged in the exercises.

Video by ArmNews TV

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

MASIS MAILYAN: SARGSYAN-ALIYEV MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN AZERBAIJAN

by David Stepanyan
Wednesday, October 9, 11:45

The meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents announced by
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will take place after the presidential
election in Azerbaijan, Masis Mailyan, Head of the NKR Public Council
for Foreign Policy and Security, told ArmInfo.

In late September the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs said they plan to
visit the region in November to meet the Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents to discuss their meeting scheduled for the end of the year.

Presidential election has kicked off in Azerbaijan today, on 9
October. The incumbent president Ilham Aliyev is more than 100%
likely to retain his position.

“After the two-year election circle in Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan,
the authorities will finally switch over to the process of the Karabakh
conflict’s resolution. The upcoming meeting of the two presidents
may give an impetus to the process if the trilateral format of the
negations – Yerevan-Stepanakert-Baku – is restored,” Mailyan said.

As regards Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union, Mailyan does not
think that it will directly affect the Karabakh peace process. Neither
he thinks that Moscow may apply the scenario of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia in Karabakh. The only possible positive developments in the
Karabakh peace process depend on new realistic proposals by the OSCE
MG co-chairs.

“I think it is clear to everyone that achieving peace through the
outdated Madrid Principles of the Karabakh conflict’s resolution is
impossible. Consequently, new trade-off approaches are required and
it is the prerogative of the OSCE MG to make such proposals,” he said.

SHAHE PANOSSIAN ELECTED PRIMATE OF LEBANON

October 09, 2013 | 12:43

Lebanon’s diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church elected a new
primate.

“On Monday 7 October 2013, the Diocesan Council of Lebanon met at St.

Nishan Church in Beirut to elect a new Primate from a short list of
three names. The Council elected Bishop Shahe Panossian who had the
highest number of votes,” says the statement issued by the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia.

The Bishop, who joined the brotherhood in 1971, was ordained as deacon
in 1976 and priest in 1980. From 1982-2006 he served, variously, as
pastor of the Prelacy of Thessaloniki (Greece), and in the prelacies
of Florida, Chicago and New Jersey in the United States of America.

In 2006, Very Reverend Panossian returned to Lebanon as the Dean of
the Seminary until 2011. In 2008 he was ordained Bishop and since 2011,
he has been Pontifical Vicar for Kuwait and the countries of the Gulf.

Former Primate, Archbishop Gegham Khacheryan resigned on October 2.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ROMANIAN ECONOMY MINISTER VARUJAN VOSGANIAN RESIGNS

October 09, 2013 | 14:33

Romanian Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian has resigned after
parliament voted against instituting criminal proceedings against him.

The secret ballot on whether to pursue a criminal case against
Vosganian, who is Armenian by origin, finished with 126 votes against
and 25 for, Romania-Insider reported.

His resignation was accepted by Premier Victor Ponta. However,
Ponta said he was very satisfied “with the activity of all ministers
including Mr.Vosganian”, actmediareported.

Varujan Vosganian himself said it was an honorary resignation.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIAN-MADE ASPIRIN IS EXPORTED TO UZBEKISTAN

October 09, 2013 | 16:27

YEREVAN. – Aspirin production has developed in Armenia.

Pharmacist Vigen Topuzyan, who is Director of the Scientific
Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, stated
the above-said during a press conference on Wednesday.

In Topuzyan’s words, Armenian companies produce Aspirin with the
raw material imported from India and, subsequently, they export this
Aspirin to Uzbekistan.

According to the expert, however, this is not a promising approach.

“The Uzbeks likewise could one day start importing Aspirin raw material
from India. And how will we export [Aspirin] at that time?”

Topuzyan asked.

In the distinguished pharmacist’s view, investments need to be made to
launch pharmaceutical raw material productions in Armenia; especially
since there is no need for a special license for such venture because
medical drug raw material production is practically not regulated
and not controlled in the country.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

YESTERDAY, ARMENIA’S GOVERNMENT CONVENED A CABINET SESSION DEVOTED TO MILITARY ISSUES.

Schizophrenia or Infantilism? Why Did Government Officials Show Up in
Military Fatigues?

Daniel Ioannisyan

15:26, October 9, 2013

The entire matter would have passed under the radar if not for the
fact that the attendees, including the nations Prime Minister and
Deputy Prime Minister, were all wearing camouflage army clothes.

Such a phenomenon warrants greater clarification. I mean, why show
up at a cabinet session in the heart of Yerevan in army fatigues,
especially the camouflage variety? Permit me to elucidate further.

First off, the government should be aware that the ancient Greeks
were the first to come up with the idea of wearing military uniforms
in order to differentiate the warring sides in the midst of battle.

As guns developed (their accuracy and range), so too did military
dress. Naturally, the aim was to have combatants blend in with the
local surroundings (usually a combination of green and brown), and
thus we have the khaki fatigues of today. The camouflage battledress
of today’s soldiers is defensive in nature and is meant to conceal.

Government in the trenches?

Had yesterday’s cabinet session taken place in border trenches or
even in border villages, wearing camouflage would make sense. But the
meeting took place in downtown Yerevan, in the Government Building. I
don’t really think that the officials were in the crosshairs of
enemy sharpshooters.

Thus, I can only assume that our government officials wore camouflage
fatigues merely for demonstrative purposes. But I have a hard time
understanding what they wanted to demonstrate.

Diagnosis

Leaving aside for the moment the question as to what right officials
who have never served in the military were wearing fatigues emblazoned
with the “Armenian Army” insignia, or how they got their hands on
these uniforms, let me now turn to the issue’s medical aspect.

While I am not a psychologist, it is clear to me that if an individual
shows up at a cabinet session wearing attire that has nothing to do
with his office, than that person is slightly off kilter.

I mean, they could have showed up wearing swimsuits, Bengal Lancers
cavalry uniforms, or even Mayan traditional dress.

However, since the government officials preferred to attend the
session wearing defensive military camouflage, we can conclude that
one of the following three factors came into play.

Schizophrenia – The government officials felt a collective urge to
prove that they were indeed “military men”, and thus the need to wear
the fatigues.

Infantilism – The government officials have never matured out of
childhood, and instead of playing with toy guns in the park they now
go out in public wearing military battledress.

Complex of Being Pursued – The government officials are given to
believe that they are being targeted by sharpshooters and thus they
wear camouflage.

This is one of those rare incidents when the government’s actions
were more laughable than a reason to weep.

Listen to me dear ministers who have never done military service –
you could have shown up to the meeting butt naked; doing so wouldn’t
have made a whole lot of difference for the country.

However, you have no right to wear the uniform emblazoned with the
insignia “Armenian Army”.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA: AZERBAIJANIS GO TO POLLS IN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR, APATHY AND NO ALTERNATIVE

15:28 09/10/2013 ” IN THE WORLD

Today the people of Azerbaijan are voting in an election in which the
incumbent President, Ilham Aliyev, is expected to win a third term
in office, the BBC writes in an article and notes that the president
has not even run an election campaign.

“He has stifled dissent and pushed through a constitutional referendum
scrapping presidential term limits. Human rights groups say in the
run-up to the elections the government has launched an unprecedented
crackdown on its critics,” the material says. According to BBC the
pre-election atmosphere has been characterized by a combination of
apathy and fear.

German editorial Deutsche Welle notes that according to the critics
though the elections in Azerbaijan to be held on October 9 will not
be free and fair, the West will largely refrain from criticizing the
Azerbaijani government, as far as the “Brussels and Baku relations are
based on energy.” Regional experts like Uwe Halbach from the German
Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), however,
stated that “in the media, the president predominates and there is
bullying of the opposition and limitations put on freedom of assembly.”

According to voice of America unexpected situations can hardly occur
in Azerbaijan during the presidential elections. “An Aliyev – either
father, Haydar, or son, Ilham – has ruled Azerbaijan for 32 of the
last 44 years,” the article reads.

According to the source, Ilham Aliyev has steadily increased his share
of the vote during his decade as Azerbaijan’s president. “In 2003, he
received 76 percent of votes cast. In 2008, he received 87 percent. In
the last parliamentary election, his supporters took all the seats,”
the Voice of America writes.

Yesterday The Guardian published the article of the Azerbaijani
opposition leader Jamil Hasanli, where the latter states that “since
the incumbent, Ilham Aliyev, inherited power from his late father
10 years ago, Azerbaijan has become mired in rampant corruption,
and the ruling regime has grown ever more authoritarian and ruthless.”

“Aliyev has never won a free and fair election and knows he cannot
win this one. Elections and referendums in Azerbaijan have been marked
by widespread electoral fraud and vote-rigging. Having taken control
of all electoral commissions in the country, the Aliyev regime has
now intensified its ongoing crackdown against independent media, the
opposition and civil society, prompting condemnation and statements
of concern from international human rights organisations and the EU,”
Hasanli says in his article and calls Nagorno Karabakh “a disputed
region.”

The international Civic Solidarity Platform published an article titled
“Five things Aliyev doesn’t want you to know about Azerbaijan’s
presidential election.” The material notes that the human rights
situation in Azerbaijan is worse than ever before. According to
the article there are 142 people locked up for political reasons in
Azerbaijan. Secondly, Aliyev has gotten far greater media coverage
in the country than any of his opponents. Thirdly, the opposition
is challenging Aliyev’s right to run for a third term. Fourthly,
the authors of the article note, that Azerbaijan has not had a fair
and free election since Aliyev came to power. It adds at the end that
Azerbaijan is failing to fulfill its human rights obligations with
all major international bodies.

Source: Panorama.am

ACNIS DIRECTOR: CHANGE IN STATUS QUO OVER KARABAKH MAYBE CAUSED EXCLUSIVELY BY FOREIGN POLICY UPHEAVALS

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, October 9, 12:46

A change in the status quo over Nagorno Karabakh maybe caused
exclusively by foreign upheavals and not domestic impulses, says
Manvel Sargsyan, Director of the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS), in an interview with ArmInfo.

“In this light, neither the ongoing presidential election in Azerbaijan
nor another ‘victory’ of Ilham Aliyev will bring any tangible changes
in the Karabakh process. The domestic political processes in Armenia
will not change anything either. The status quo of 1994 maybe changed
only in the wake of foreign policy upheavals involving super powers
and big players in the region, for instance, Iran,” he says.

In late September the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs said they plan to
visit the region in November to meet the Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents to discuss their meeting scheduled for the end of the year.

Presidential election has kicked off in Azerbaijan today, on 9
October. The incumbent president Ilham Aliyev is more than 100%
likely to retain his position.

Manvel Sargsyan is sure that the unprecedented growth of arms supply
to Azerbaijan by Russia may have a new, special role in the Karabakh
peace process. It is the first factor. The second factor is Russia’s
new role in the relations with the post-Soviet countries and Moscow’s
efforts to reunite these countries under the flag of the Customs Union
and future Eurasian Union. The analyst believes that new relations
of Armenia and Azerbaijan with Russia may determine the quality and
essence of changes around the Karabakh peace process.

“The third factor is the Moscow-Washington-Brussels relations and
their stances on the Iranian nuclear problem,” he said. All this
is happening near the borders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and NKR and
touches our countries and the Karabakh peace process. These factors
may sharply change the status quo over Karabakh and result in either
its recognition or in a new aggression by Azerbaijan, he said.

MORE GOVERNORS EXPECTED TO RESIGN IN ARMENIA

13:38 ~U 09.10.13

The replacement of Ararat Governor Edik Barseghyan will be followed by
the resignations of Aragatsotn, Armavir and Kotayk Governors – Sargis
Sahakyan, Ashot Kagramanyan and Kovalenko Shahgeldyan respectively.

The last-named, however, refuted the reports on his resignation.

Asked about his possible resignation, Aragatsotn Governor Sargis
Sahakyan told Tert.am to send the question in a written form.

As regards the candidate for the post of Ararat governor, the rumor
has it that the ex-minister of agriculture Aramais Grigoryan (the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun – ARF-D) is likely
to the be appointed to the post.

Armenian News – Tert.am

CRANES ET OS EXPOSES DANS UN CHARNIER PRES DE VAN

TURQUIE

Des crânes et des os, peut-etre datant du genocide armenien, depassent
du sol près d’une ecole dans le quartier de Westan a Van, selon un
rapport d ‘un journal. Le journal pro-kurde Ozgur Gundem a indique que
dans le village de Ili dans le district de Westan (nom actuel Gevas),
un charnier devant etre du genocide armenien a ete mis au jour lors
de la construction de l’ecole primaire Daðyore l’annee dernière.

Les os restent la, depassant du sol, jusqu’a ce jour. Les villageois
disent que le charnier est celui probablement des Armeniens qui
vivaient dans le village il y a un siècle. Le village, Ili (nom
actuel Daðyore), dans le sud-ouest de Gevas (nom armenien Vosdan),
avait 21 menages armeniens avant le genocide armenien.

mercredi 9 octobre 2013, Stephane (c)armenews.com