Author: nina hovnanian

GOR VARDANYAN: “I’M WAITING AND I BELIEVE IN ROBERT KOCHARYAN’S RETURN.”

2013-03-11 17:15:46

Action hero, director and producer Gor Vardanyan posted a record on
his Facebook page, in which he expresses the faith and hope for the
return of the second president Robert Kocharian.

“When a politician of this magnitude, having on his shoulders the
heavy responsibility of formation of the state, is always involved in
sports and encourages a healthy lifestyle, I can only welcome this,
because the leader creates taste and life.

It’s not by accident, that he headed Artsakh war, and as a result of
hismanifested unwavering will, perseverance and military knowledge we
won. I do not want to discount the contribution of our many characters,
but when I was shooting the movie “Fate” and was talking with ordinary
people, every time I discovered new traits of Robert Kocharian. Believe
me, in fact it is very important to have a cold, a strong leader,
a patriot in a military situation.

I’m sure that Robert Kocharyan is the Armenian, the politician
who today can play a big role in the withdrawal of our state of the
situation. Unfortunately, every day I see and hear about the migration
of a new Armenian family. Let’s not forget that during the reign of
Robert Kocharyan high level of economic development was registered
in RA.

I am not an economist, but I can not see the work done in Yerevan, in
Armenia and in general a huge construction work, public organizations
and factories. For me the measure of human evaluation is his family,
a thse family is the foundation of the state. I know Robert Kocharyan’s
family very well and proud that in this family Armenian traditions
prevail. I call to be vigilant and not to yield under the influence
of various deceptions. I am sure that the people who disagree with me,
just do not have full information. ”

JORDAN QUEEN VISITS ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY IN AMMAN

Jordan Queen visits Armenian Relief Society in Amman March 11, 2013 –
17:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net- Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah paid a visit to
one of the oldest societies in Jordan, the Armenian Relief Society,
in Jebel Al Ashrafieh in Amman, Petra news agency reported.

Established in 1946, the society aims at preserving the cultural
identity of Jordan’s Armenians, improving the educational, social,
health and welfare of the community as well as encouraging citizens
to be more involved in public service and other local organizations
that support local communities.

The society also provides humanitarian aid to families in need
and scholarships to students regardless of their ethnic origin or
religious affiliation.

Upon her arrival, Her Majesty met with the society’s board members
including Vice Chairman Arsineh Jambazian who briefed the Queen on
the different services the society provides to empower the Jordanian
community and women in specific.

Queen Rania then met members of the society’s general assembly and
congratulated the women on the occasion of International Women’s Day,
which was marked last Friday, March 8. She also added that Jordan is
rich because of its diversity and the people who live in it, and the
Armenians are part and parcel of the broader Jordanian family.

Her Majesty added that this society is very unique, and is well known
for its high level of commitment and professionalism.

Board member Aline Banayan gave a presentation about the history of
the Armenian community in Jordan.

Other women shared their own stories and explained how they started
their social work.

Her Majesty also watched a performance by ARAZ, a junior and youth
Armenian folklore dance group which was established in 2007 as a way
to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenians in Jordan. The
group today consists of about 47 members.

Before ending her visit, the Queen checked on some products and
handicrafts as well as some traditional dishes and desserts made by
members of the Armenian Relief Society.

WHAT WILL PUTIN DO IF SARGSYAN SAYS NO?
Naira Hayrumyan

16:12 11/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Moscow is expected to be a u-turn in the
Armenian-Russian relations, as well as the definition of the place
of Armenia in the world.

Ostensibly, tomorrow Vladimir Putin will propose a format of
cooperation in the Customs Union (the Eurasian Union is silenced for
the time being), as well as deployment of CSTO rapid reaction forces
to defend “civil flights from the airport of Stepanakert”.

In the negotiations with Victor Yanukovich Putin referred to the gas
topic, proposing to lower the prices set during Timoshenko’s tenure
in exchange for post-soviet integration. After the meeting Yanukovich
announced about some new formats of cooperation with the Customs
Union, as if persuading his people to cede something to Russia to
satisfy its ambitions.

In the case of Armenia Putin cannot use the gas whip similarly. First,
the price of gas has been raised to the social maximum, and if raised a
little more, consumption will decline. Second, in the current domestic
situation it may result in a violent removal of the regime.

Therefore, in the conversation with Armenia Putin will most probably
use other methods. Now the integration of Armenia with the Customs
Union is not so important to Russia, which seems less possible than
in the case of Ukraine. It is important for Russia to take up the
settlement of the Karabakh issue, deploy troops in Karabakh and keep
under control the border of Karabakh with Iran.

In this context, the main topic of the negotiations will be deployment
of CSTO troops in Karabakh as a guarantee of flights from the airport
of Stepanakert. Putin may suggest that Serzh Sargsyan recognize
Karabakh in exchange for the pro-European bias.

Analysts are comparing the pluses and minuses of this step. Karabakh
wants recognition but is it desirable to join Abkhazia and South
Ossetia which were barely recognized by Russia and a couple of Latin
American states? Moreover, neither Abkhazia, nor South Ossetia is
satisfied with the Russian protectorate, especially economically. The
same will await Karabakh.

On the other hand, what will Russia undertake if Serzh Sargsyan
disagrees with the proposal to deploy airborne landing at the airport
of Stepanakert and to join the Customs Union? There are levers of
influence but as the Russians say the Satan is not as scary as they
say. Moreover, Serzh Sargsyan will speak on behalf of his nation. It
is not going to be a private conversation.

An open conversation with people on Putin’s persistent proposals may
be a good argument in Sargsyan’s conversation with the head of Russia.

Although, one can go there and agree and even sign some documents and
make people face the fact. It is true that later it is possible to
end up like Timoshenko who is now tried for signing illegal agreements
behind people’s back.

Spiegel: “Americans Are Training Syria Rebels In Jordan.”

2013-03-11 14:46:30

Americans are training Syrian anti-government fighters in Jordan,
the German weekly Der Spiegel said on Sunday, quoting what it said
were participants and organisers.

Spiegel said it was not clear whether the Americans worked for private
firms or were from the army but said some wore uniforms. The training
focused on use of anti-tank weaponry.

Some 200 men have already received such training over the past three
months and there are plans in the future to provide training for a
total 1,200 members of the “Free Syrian Army” in two camps in the
south and the east of the country.

Britain’s Guardian newspaper also reported that U.S. trainers were
assisting Syrian rebels in Jordan. British and French instructors
were also participating in the U.S.-led effort, the Guardian said on
Saturday, citing Jordanian security sources.

The United States has said it would provide medical supplies and food
directly to opposition fighters but has ruled out sending arms for
fear they may find their way to Islamist hardliners who might then
use them against Western targets.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are widely believed to be providing weapons
to the rebels, and Arab League ministers decided on Wednesday to let
member nations arm them.

THE TREE-FELLING PROGRAMME RAISED A WAVE OF DISCONTENT IN MIJNAVAN

Monday, 11 March 2013 12:39

There are a lot of problems and troubles in Mijnavan, Qashatagh region,
but these days the subject matter of the citizens is the maple park
which stretches along the central street of the city. The inhabitants
have been protesting against the proposal of cutting down the maples
for several months. The responsible bodies specify that the idea of
not cutting but of trimming the trees is of vital importance.

One of the most painful issues of the community is that of electric
lines. Sometimes they stay without electricity for days and months,
but even if the electricity is on it is so weak that if people are
used to electric bulb flickering the household appliances cannot be
switched on.

It seems Mijnavan inhabitants should have liked the idea of laying on
a new line of electric supply but the tree-felling programme arouse
discontent in the community.

Mayor of the town Manuk Lazarian explains that no other place in
the town is suited for the installation of new electric lines as
the rest of the town is inhabited, the maple trees are too high to
lay the electric cables over them and the underground installation
requires too high expenses.

The inhabitants of Mijnavan also raised the question during their
meeting with Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan in February. As an
immediate response to the demands of the inhabitants and in order not
to leave the community without electricity for 20 days as it happened
in January the Prime Minister assigned to create an operative group of
specialists equipped with the corresponding facilities and to settle
it in Mijnavan or in one of the neighbouring communities.

But the problem of maple trees remained unsolved. The community
administration explains the trimming necessity not only by the
installation of new lines but also by security measures. Water drives
away the land leaving open the roots of the trees, sometimes trees
fall down on the ground, fortunately there have been no victims yet.

The opponents resist; today the electric lines are laid through the
trees, trees rarely become reasons for accidents and it will not be
professional trimming which will preserve the beauty of the trees
but as most people think under the pretext of sanitary trimming the
maple trees will be cut down as well.

~SWithout maples Mijnavan will lose its charm. First of all our
visitors are fascinated with these trees when they decide to stay
here,~T 18-year-old Serob Petrosyan says.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: I HAVE NO MORE TO SAY TO SARGSYAN, I WILL ONLY LISTEN

Monday,
March 11

“The presidential administration should not spread false information
that I allegedly turned down the proposal to meet,” the former
presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian told reporters in Liberty
Square today. He has gone on hunger strike.

“I have no more to say to Serzh Sargsyan. I will only listen to him,
and I am prepared to listen… He may come here if he wants. We can
meet prior to his visit to Moscow,” Raffi Hovanniian stated.

Speaking about the statement of the Armenian president’s spokesman,
Raffi Hovannisian said he did not reject the proposal to meet. “I
didn’t decline the invitation. It is not an ultimatum or a threat.

They should recognize the people’s victory – otherwise they will face
a different situation”.

TODAY, 14:21

Aysor.am

THIS HUNGER STRIKE DIFFERS FROM PREVIOUS – RAFFI HOVANNISIAN (PHOTOS)

March 11, 2013 | 12:00

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party Chairman, former FM
Raffi Hovannisian-who is declared runner-up to the winner, incumbent
President Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of the presidential election
that was conducted on February 18, but who claims to be the real
winner in the vote-is continuing his hunger strike at capital city
Yerevan’s Liberty Square (PHOTOS).

On Sunday evening, four people joined Hovannisian’s hunger strike
and 25 others commenced a sit-in.

Commenting on his four supporters’ decision to join his hunger strike,
Hovannisian told Armenian News-NEWS.am, on Monday morning, that they
should not have resorted to such measure and that he will urge them
to stop their hunger strike.

Hovannisian’s respective request was adhered to by three of the
people on hunger strike, whereas the fourth, civic activist Bayandur
Poghosyan, told Armenian News-NEWS.am that he does not plan on quitting
his hunger strike because he does not wish to clap Hovannisian’s
self-sacrifice from the sidelines.

The former presidential candidate told news reporters that this
hunger strike of his differs from his previous one, since his earlier
hunger strike was against a political party state, whereas this one
is against a general fear in Armenia.

To note, Raffi Hovannisian declared a hunger strike on Sunday at
Liberty Square. “As long as Mr. Sargsyan has not stepped down, I will
stay at Liberty Square and will not eat food,” he noted.

The next rally of Hovannisian’s supporters will be held on March 15
at 5pm.

“On that day we will discuss the future courses of action, the
Constitutional Court’s ruling [on whether or not the presidential
should be declared null and void], and together we will start the
matter of [taking] actions, [making] decisions, and consolidate the
triumph,” Raffi Hovannisian had said.

DOLPHINS CAN LIVE IN SEA WATER WHICH ARMENIA LACKS, NGO CHAIRWAMAN SAYS

TERT.AM
13:41 ~U 11.03.13

The only dolphinarium in Yerevan is being demounted as there are no
conditions in Armenia for keeping dolphins, Silva Adamyan, head of
Bird-lovers center NGO, told a news conference Monday.

In 2012 the dolphinarium~Rs work was suspended not because they were
on tour performance but because the dolphins were unable to continue
the performances. ~SThe dolphins need sea water to live while in
Armenia the pools were filled with common drinking water with sea
salt being added,~T she said.

~SWe have found out from US scholars that it is not enough for dolphins
and they need sea water,~T she said, adding that when the dolphinarium
was just being built in Yerevan, the US scholars warned that in such
conditions the dolphins will survive for maximum two years.

Adamyan said the demounting of the dolphinarium after two years proved
the opinion of scholars right.

She said Armenia~Rs Nemo dolphinarium has never gone for tour
performances. ~SOur Ukrainian partners told us that the dolphins were
taken back to Ukraine and new ones were brought but they could not
take it long. Now they are in Qatar for rehabilitation,~T she said.

YOUNG MAN STABBED NEAR YEREVAN KIYEVYAN BRIDGE

TERT.AM
10:51 ~U 11.03.13

A 25-year-old Gurgen D. was stabbed by an unknown man yesterday at
about 9 pm near a shop on Kiyevyan street and was transported to
a hospital.

The police received the alarm at about 9.45 pm.

The police later identified the attacker as Harutyun S., 30, and now
is searching for him.

Investigation is under way.

LEVON ZURABYAN TO BE ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS PARTY – NEWSPAPER

ARMINFO
Tuesday, March 12, 12:51

The board fully under control of coordinator of ANC, Levon Zurabyan,
will be elected on 29 March at the founding congress of Armenian
National Congress party, and Zurabyan himself will be elected chairman
of the board of ANC, “168 zham” newspaper says.

The former chairman of Armenian Pan-National Movement, Aram Manukyan,
will become secretary of ANC party. He will have three deputies – the
head of Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s office, Avetis
Avakyan, the former military prosecutor, Gagik Jangiryan and the former
deputy chairman of Armenian Pan-National Movement, Samvel Abrahamyan.