Author: nina hovnanian

DASHNAKTSUTIUN: ARMENIA’S NATIONAL SECURITY JEOPARDIZED BY GROWING MIGRATION

YEREVAN, September 17. /ARKA/. Migration has loomed large and
diluted Armenia creating threat to the country’s national security,
Armen Rustamyan, the head of Armenian Revolutionary Federation /
Dashnaktsutiun party’s faction in the National Assembly, said Tuesday
at a meeting with journalists held for presenting the party’s social
program called We will Live in Our Country.

He also pointed out the shortage of conscripts in the Armenian army.

“There are gaps also in other areas,” he said.

The program consists of 11 sections targeting various areas, including
economy, politics and education.

In its program, Dashnaktsutiun party proposes to separate business and
politics, to pursue a just human resources policy, to make officials’
activities more transparent and accountable, to provide young people
with room for putting their ambitions into reality, to create new jobs,
to make tax and customs policy more predictable, to spur investments,
to carry out a transition from social to industrial agriculture and
to increase quality and availability of education.

Rustamyan said the Armenian Revolutionary Federation / Dashnaktsutiun
embarked on this program a few months ago.

“We have held a series of substantial discussions on various
professional platforms, and we need to start a new stage now,” he
said adding that discussions will be continue on other platforms and
stressing that this document is not an ordinary project of the party –
it claims the status of the national program.

The head of the faction also said that the party is willing to
cooperate with different, not only opposition parties in implementing
this program.

“The authorities should understand that continuation of this situation
means self-destruction, and we hope there are people understanding
this also among officials,” he said.

Armenia’s population has contracted by 15,000 people since the
beginning of this year. Armenian citizens crossed the country’s
borders 702, 525 times, of which 298,146 times for arriving in it
and 404,397 times for departing it.

It means 106,233 remained abroad in Jan-June 2013 against 73,451 in
Jan-June 2012.

According to June 2013 reports there were 3,011,900 citizens in the
country then, of which 1,904,400 lived in cities and 1,107,500 in
rural areas. —0—-

6 AZERBAIJANI TERRORISTS LIQUIDATED IN SYRIA IN PAST FEW DAYS

18:08 17/09/2013 ” SOCIETY

More than 30 terrorists from foreign countries were liquidated in
Syria during combats against government forces in past few days.

Eliminated terrorists fought with “Al Nusra Front.” There were 6
citizens from Azerbaijan, 4 from Turkey, 5 from Jordan, 9 from Saudi
Arabia, as well as citizens of Afghanistan and Pakistan, reports
“APA” Azerbaijani news agency referring to “Mujahideen websites.”

It is stated in the material that an Azerbaijani citizen nicknamed
“Abu Yahya” was eliminated during the battles in Syrian city of
Hama on September 13. He led an Azerbaijani-composed unit, which
was included in the “Muhajir and Ansar” group. It is reported that
another 4 Azerbaijanis were liquidated in the same battle.

“APA” notes that according to the information received in the
beginning of August of the current year, more than 60 Azerbaijanis
participated in battles against Syrian government forces as members
of various groups.

“Faktxeber” Azerbaijani portal writes that “Abu Yahya,” who was
recently eliminated in Syria, used to live in Sumgait (Azerbaijan).

His name is Nijat, while Yahya is his son’s name.

“Abu Yahya al-Azeri” was a representative of a religious group called
“Sumgait Jamaat,” writes the portal with a link to “Yeni Musavat”
newspaper. He used to live in Sumgait around 3-4 years ago. Yahya
is the name of his son. Before being liquidated, “Abu-Yahya” led
a group of Azerbaijani terrorists included in the brigade called
“troops of Muhajir and Ansar,” the head of which was commander Omar
Shishani. The majority of Azerbaijani terrorists, who fought in Syria,
are members of the given brigade.

The statement notes that the illegal brigade was torn into three
parts because of internal conflicts; one of the groups assembled
around a Chechen commander with a nickname “Saifullah,” another one
gathered around an Avar commander with a nickname “Abu Banat.” They
say a few days ago “Abu Yahya” was seriously injured and lost both
feet in a battle around Hama. It is reported that Shishani brigade
mainly fought around Aleppo. Another two brigades fought against
Assad in Hama, Homs, and Idlib.

In the last period of time the media reported about a number of deaths
of Azerbaijani terrorists in Syria. In early April, the Turkish sites
have reported that about 30 terrorists from Azerbaijan have already
been killed in Syria. According to the Azerbaijani conflict scientist
Arif Yunus more than 300 Islamists from Azerbaijan are fighting in
Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, according to Arif Yunus and
the “Facthaber” portal, over 100 Azerbaijani terrorists are fighting
in Syria. Azerbaijani terrorists had even placed an online video-record
calling for “jihad.”

Recall that the relationship between international terrorist groups and
Azerbaijan originated in the early 1990s. That time, the Azerbaijani
army, having failed in the aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR), retreated with losses. Trying to save the situation,
the Azerbaijani leadership, headed by Heydar Aliyev attracted to the
war against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh international terrorists
and members of radical groups from Afghanistan (groupings of Gulbuddin
Hekmatyar), Turkey (“Grey Wolves”, etc.), Chechnya (groupings Basayev
and Raduyev etc.) and some other regions.

Despite the involvement in of thousands of foreign mercenaries and
terrorists in the Azerbaijani army during the war, the Azerbaijani
aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh Republic failed, and the Baku
authorities were forced to sign an armistice with the NKR and Armenia.

However, international terrorists found ties in Azerbaijan, and used
them in the future. Recruitment was conducted among Azerbaijanis,
who then were sent to Afghanistan and the North Caucasus, where
participated in the battles against the forces of the international
coalition and Russian organizations.

In recent years, the citizens of Azerbaijan are actively involved in
terrorist and extremist activities in Russia, Afghanistan and Syria.

In Azerbaijan the citizens are brought to criminal liability for
participating in “illegal armed groups” in Afghanistan, sentenced to
minor terms of imprisonment.

Source: Panorama.am

KARABAKH PRESIDENT ATTENDS CEREMONY OF OPENING A NEWLY-BUILT CATHEDRAL IN MOSCOW

16:02, 17 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. On 17 September Artsakh Republic
President Bako Sahakyan together with President Serzh Sargsyan of
Armenia took part in a solemn ceremony of opening a newly-built
St. Transfiguration cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church
in Moscow.

The Central Information Department of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
President’s Office informed “Armenpress” that Bako Sahakyan considered
important the existence of such a religious complex in the capital
of Russia for spiritual up-bringing, maintaining national identity,
and providing national education, adding that it also symbolized the
unity of our people and unshakable ties with the historical homeland.

Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Garegin II, Patriarch Kirill
of Moscow and All Russia, officials from Armenian, Artsakh and Russia,
hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church and numerous representatives
of the Russian-Armenian community took part in the event.

The magnificent Diocesan Cathedral Complex of the Armenian Diocese
of New Nakhijevan and Russia is situated at the crossroads of Olympic
and Trifonova streets, and covers 1.32 acres of space and includes the
Diocesan Cathedral, the Holy Cross Church; the Diocesan headquarters
building, and additional educational-cultural and administrative
buildings. It also houses a treasury house and events auditorium.

The building project of the Diocesan Cathedral and complex, which
stands at a height of 50 meters, started in 2004 and the construction
process began in 2006 through the sponsorship of faithful Armenians
in Russia. The architect of the building is Artak Ghulyan and the
chief builder is Hovhannes Meyroyan.

Engraved on the tetra- altared dome of the Cathedral are crosses
devoted to the remembrance of the 72 Disciples of Christ. The Cathedral
and the whole church complex give the visitors an idea of Armenian
architecture with its angles, various ornaments and crosses, and the
bas-reliefs adorning the Cathedral presenting different instances
of the history of the Armenian people such as the invention of
the alphabet, adoption of Christianity, the struggle for the faith
and Homeland, etc. The upper portion of the Cathedral entrance is
adorned with a relief sculpture of Jesus Christ, on the left and right
sides the major sanctities of the Armenian Church are illustrated:
the Holy Lance; and the symbol of the Pontifical throne, the Right
of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The interior of the Cathedral is
embellished with unique frescoes depicting the saints of the Bible
and the Armenian Church.

Inside the two open altar alcoves of the Holy Cross Church are the
inscribed memorials devoted to Armenian writing and faith. Within
the grounds of the complex there is also a plaque commemorating the
friendly relations between the Armenian and Russian people.

CU AND KARABAKH: ARMENIA’S INTEGRATION WITH RUSSIA-LED BLOC SIGNIFIES NEW STAGE IN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

KARABAKH | 17.09.13 | 09:59

Photo:

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

The subject of Nagorno-Karabakh has become more topical in the light
of the consent of the president of Armenia to join the Russia-led
Customs Union (CU). The decision announced on September 3 gave
rise to assertions that a new stage will come in the settlement and
that competition between the West and Russia around this issue will
become stiffer.

The new U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick,
who visited the region last week, said that a new ‘realistic
path’ should be found to solve the conflict. He suggests advancing
confidence-building measures and contacts that, apparently, will not so
much help resolve as ‘freeze’ the conflict and preserve the status quo.

Neither Armenian nor Russian officials have said a word about how
Karabakh will be related to the Customs Union. Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian only noted that Karabakh will not suffer.

Many officials, however, argue that there are no clear agreements on
this point.

But at the expert level, there are opinions that depending on the
wishes of Armenia and Azerbaijan to integrate into the Eurasian
community, Russia may take active steps on Karabakh. This may be even
the recognition of Karabakh as revenge on Azerbaijan, or a ‘little war’
with the division of Karabakh – if Armenia behaves badly.

Azerbaijani expert Rauf Mirkadyrov generally believes that Russia
could simply recognize Karabakh as its integral part. Moreover,
in a few weeks the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Gulistan will
be marked and under that treaty the Karabakh part of Armenia from
Persian control passed to Russian one.

But Europe is likely to have decided to establish closer ties and
direct relationship with Karabakh. In the past several days Stepanakert
was visited by members of the Danish and German parliaments, as well
as representatives of well-known European brands, who announced plans
for establishing garment factories in Karabakh.

In addition, in the light of Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union
European officials said that it is time Europe strengthened its role
in the negotiations on the Karabakh settlement.

On October 2, when Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is to speak at
the PACE session in Strasbourg in connection with the completion of
Armenia’s chairmanship of the Council of Europe, issues connected
with the Karabakh settlement are likely to be in the focus as well.

In Karabakh itself officials seem to be a little indifferent to these
processes. Press secretary of Karabakh’s president David Babayan,
for example, ‘diplomatically’ said that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh
should have good relations with all countries where there is Armenian
Diaspora.

And Karabakh Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan, talking to media, said
that Karabakh should not be mixed in the Armenian-Russian relations.

He warned: if we talk a lot about Karabakh, we could spoil what we
have there by default.

What could Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union give to Karabakh?

In an interview with Deutsche Welle political scientist and former
adviser to the U.S. president on national security affairs Zbigniew
Brzezinski, answering the question about how much politics there is
hidden behind the creation of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus
and Kazakhstan, said that in fact there is even nothing hidden there.

According to him, it is quite obvious that the essence of the union
is to try to subdue one independent post-Soviet country after another.

FRENCH TV COMPANY DEDICATES REPORTAGE TO HENRIKH MKHITARYAN

14:59, 17 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. A French TV company made a program
dedicated to the midfielder of the Armenian National Football Team
and Borussia Dortmund Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

As reports “Armenpress” the aforesaid reportage was broadcasted
by Canal+ TV Company within the framework of L’equipe du dimanche
project. In the reportage the Head Coach of Borussia Dortmund Jurgen
Klopp, Pier Aubameyang, and other “Borussia” football players express
their opinion about the Armenian footballer.

This is not the first program the French TV companies dedicate to
Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was born 21 January 1989. He is an Armenian football
player who currently plays as a midfielder for German Bundesliga club
Borussia Dortmund and theArmenian national team.

Mkhitaryan has participated in 39 international matches and scored
11 goals for the Armenian national team since his debut on 14 January
2007. His previous clubs include Pyunik Yerevan, where he came through
the youth system, Metalurh Donetsk, and Shakhtar Donetsk. Mkhitaryan
was chosenArmenian Footballer of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2012. In
2012 he was voted as the best Shakhtar player of 2011-12 season by
the fans, and Ukraine Premier League MVP.

In 2012, Mkhitaryan was named in UEFA’s Top 100 players by UEFA
European Football Yearbook 2012-13. Mkhitaryan was voted the CIS
Footballer of the Year for 2012, making him the first Armenian
footballer to be named the best player from post-Soviet countries.

On 8 July, Borussia Dortmund announced that it was set to sign a
four-year deal with Mkhitaryan for ~@25 (£21.5) million. Shakhtar
and Borussia officially “resolved all the necessary formalities”
and agreed on [email protected] (£23.6) million, making him the most expensive
purchase in the club’s history.

On his debut in a pre-season friendly against FC Basel on 10 July 2013,
Mkhitaryan set up a goal for Marco Reus in the 11th minute and scored
his first goal for the club 16 minutes later, helping his side to a
3-1 victory away at St. Jakob-Park. Mkhitaryan couldn’t take part at
the 2013 DFL-Supercup which his club won due to an injury he received
on a friendly game before that.

PURSUANT TO EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT, ARMENIA HAD TO FOREGO USING “COGNAC” WORD WITHIN 10 YEARS

September 17, 2013 | 12:26

YEREVAN. – Pursuant to the draft of the EU Association Agreement,
Armenia was obligated not to sell drinks under the name “cognac”
in the domestic market, ten years later.

Armenian Wine Makers’ Union President Avag Harutyunyan stated the
aforementioned during a press conference on Tuesday.

As for the use of the word “cognac” in Russia, according to
Harutyunyan, this depends on Russian-French relations.

“If we [i.e., Armenia] are not in the Customs Union, no one will need
our cognac [i.e., brandy]. But one day they, too, might prohibit the
use of the word ‘cognac,'” he added.

But unlike Armenian cognac, whose 90 percent is consumed in the
Customs Union, the Armenian wine has other problems. One-third of
the Armenian wine is exported to Europe, whereas solely one million
bottles are sent to Russia.

“If we raise the quality of the wine, we can export three to four
million bottles to Europe,” Avag Harutyunyan maintained.

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in Moscow
between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir
Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs
Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

DECISION TO JOIN CUSTOMS UNION “THREATENS ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM” – OPPOSITION LEADER

September 17, 2013 | 12:42

YEREVAN. – A sole decision on joining the Customs Union without
clarifying Karabakh’s future is unacceptable, Armenian opposition
leader said.

Raffi Hovannisian, who was the main rival of Serzh Sargsyan during the
presidential race, said the Armenian authorities usurped power which
affects internal policy and will lead to disastrous consequences in
foreign policy.

Talking during the press conference on Tuesday, Hovannisian assured
reporters that most Armenians share his position.

“This summer I visited two regions where I held meetings with local
residents who offered to expel the current authorities, while some
people even offered to exterminate them,” he told reporters.

Hovannisian believes Armenia’s “independence and freedom is
threatened”, therefore it is necessary to find the way out of this
situation.

The decision to join Customs Union was announced by Armenian president
on September 3.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

COMPENSATION FOR BANK DEPOSITS: FREEDOM-FIGHTERS IN THE HIGHLIGHT

13:13 17.09.13

Hovhannes Margaryan, a Rule of Law parliamentary group member, told
journalists on Tuesday that, with respect to compensations for deposits
at the USSR Savings Bank, the group has focused on freedom-fighters
or veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh war of liberation.

“We are going to ensure compensation for Nagorno-Karabakh war veterans
just as we did in the case of veterans of the Great Patriotic War,”
Margaryan said. He reported that more than 60,000 people have received
compensations for their deposits.

“We will do our best to resolve this social problem as soon as
possible. We are now identifying the freedom-fighters that had deposits
in the USSR Savings Bank,” Margaryan said.

He also reported an intention to draft a package of measures to
resolve freedom-fighters’ social problems.

Armenian News – Tert.am

CITRUSES IMPORTED TO ARMENIA MAINLY FROM GREECE AND EGYPT

09:48, 17 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: The volumes of the fresh or dried
citruses imported to the Republic of Armenia during the first six
months of 2013 have increased by about 53% in comparison with the same
period of the previous year and made 7 thousand 123,9 tons. According
to the data provided by the State Revenue Committee of the Government
of the Republic of Armenia, during the first six months of 2012 4
thousand 661 tons of fresh or dried citruses were imported to our
Republic.

The citruses imported to Armenia during the first six months of 2013
are mainly from Greece (4 thousand 404,5 tons, that is about 62%
of the total volume). The average customs value of one kilogram of
the citrus fruits imported from Greece made $1,21.

As reported by Armenpress, during the first six months of 2013 citrus
fruits were imported to Armenia also from Egypt (1234,4 tons), Iran
(562,3 tons), Georgia (436,7 tons), Pakistan (320,1 tons), South Africa
(76,4 tons), Israel (66 tons) and China (23,1 tons).

Hakob Vardanyan

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

GRAPE PROCUREMENT SEASON BEGINS IN ARMENIA

12:32 17.09.13

Photo by ArmeniaNow.com

Today marks the official start of the grape procurement season
in Armenia.

Though Companies are ready to receive an unlimited quantity of harvest
this year, villagers still complain about the terms of the contracts
which they earlier signed with procurers.

Speaking to Tert.am, a gardener from the village Kaghtsrashen (Ararat
region), Aram Khachatryan, said the contracts with some of them were
never renewed despite having expired about two or three years ago. “I
had a contract with the Yerevan Brandy Company, but the factory
refused to sign a new contract this year, arguing that there is a
shortage of the necessary variety of grape this year,” he said.

The Proshyan Brandy Factory confirmed the earlier report that companies
are willing to receive grape in unlimited quantity. A source at the
company said they started the procurement weeks ago, adding that they
will receive the harvest starting from Tuesday.

The prices will be determined depending on the quantity of grapes. The
minimal prices will be within the range of 140-150 Drams ($0.34 –
$0.36) per kilogram.

Areni Wine Factory’s Director Rafik Simonyan told our correspondent
that they are expected to start the procurement in October.

“The total quantity of the harvest will be more compared to last year.

The procurement price will be the same – 200-220 Drams ($0.48-$0.53),”
he said, adding that the areni grape, which the company purchases,
is a relatively expensive variety.