Author: nina hovnanian

GOVERNORS, MAYORS AND VILLAGE HEADS MUST STEP DOWN – RAFFI HOVANNISIAN

February 28, 2013 | 19:10

YEREVAN. – Former presidential candidate and leader of the opposition
Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian, addressing his supporters in
the Liberty Square in Yerevan, has once again threatened the
governors, mayors and village heads with dismissals, accuing them
of ballot-rigging.

“Visiting the regions from South to North, we declare that all
ballot-riggers should apologize to the people and step down. The path
of retirements is open for everyone – from heads of the villages to
26 Baghramyan (residence of the President-Ed.),” Hovannisian said.

Speaking about the incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, Raffi
Hovannisian said that “on April 9 he will not be the incumbent
president anymore.”

“However, I am ready to discuss with him and offer him the post of
chairman of the board of trustees of the Yerevan State University. But
now Serzh Sargsyan should leave YSU,” Hovannisian said (Serzh Sargsyan
is the president of YSU council -Ed.).

– See more at:

RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN TO MAKE DECISION ON WHETHER TO APPLY TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OR NOT TILL MARCH 2

19:38, 28 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: Former presidential candidate
of Armenia Raffi Hovhannisyan on February 28 held another rally at
Independence Square of Yerevan. As reports Armenpress, members of
“Heritage’ party, supporters, actor Vardan Petrosyan, singer Ruben
Hakhverdyan and others have delivered speeches during the rally.

Leader of “Heritage” party posed questions to his supporters gathered
at the square. As reports Armenpress one of the questions was related
to the issue of applying to Constitutional Court. “We have to decide
whether it is worth applying to Constitutional Court or not till March
2,” Hovhannisyan said, adding that decision would be declared during
March 2 rally at Independence Square.

Hovhannisyan expressed gratitude for the activeness of people in
social networks and urged them to come to the rally.

Former presidential candidate also informed about open air press
conference on March 1 at Independence Square.

In accordance with the preliminary results Serzh Sargsyan was
re-elected. He has received 861 160 votes, 58.64 percent of the valid
votes. “Heritage” party leader Raffi Hovhannisyan has received 539
672 votes (36,75 percent). Though Raffi Hovhannisyan considers him
to be the elected President.

– See more at:

RUBEN HAKHVERDYAN DOES NOT BELIEVE

06:35 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

Composer Ruben Hakhverdyan said he does not believe that Serzh Sargsyan
has read “Ranchparneri kanch( The voice of villagers)”.

In his words that book is like “Gospel” if a person has not read such
a book, then he does not have the right to govern.

Will he lead the army against the people?

“We do not exclude that at some point you will be given an order to
disperse this square” , -one of the speakers of the rally who was
represented as an investigator addressed to Õ¿Õ°Õ¥ Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan but he also called on Mr. Ohanian not to obey the order.

“We want to believe that you will stay away from illegal actions of
involving the army into the politics”.

FREEDOM SQUARE – RAFFI HOVANNISIAN CALLS FOR UNITY OF PURPOSE; VARDAN PETROSYAN: “THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN”
Hrant Gadarigian

;-vardan-petrosyan-%E2%80%9Cthe-people-have-spoken%E2%80%9D.html
18:51, February 28, 2013

Thousands turned out under a cloudy Yerevan sky to hear what Raffi
Hovannisian had to say about the future of the movement to remove
Serzh Sargsyan from the Presidential Palace.

A representative from Armenia’s student movement noted that students
would no longer tolerate undemocratic practices in colleges and
universities. She said that while the school boycott had ended,
students would engage in other civic actions in the near future.

The next speaker was singer/songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan who confessed
that while he didn’t know what the next steps were but that it was
clear that Sargsyan had to go.

Speakers then referred to the letter sent to Serzh Sargsyan by Serj
Tankian.

There were calls made for the people to unite and no longer accept
fraudulent elections and the lies of successive regimes.

Calls were made to show those international leaders who have
congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his “re-election” who the real
president of Armenia is; namely Raffi Hovannisian.

One speaker proposed the formation of a “public council” that would
serve as the basis for a new parliament.

One speaker, an analyst affiliated with the Heritage Party, even
claimed that the exodus from Armenia had decreased due to Raffi’s
Barevolution.

Raffi Hovannisian finally took the stage and took a few minutes to
speak about the Sumgait and Baku pogroms and asked for one minute of
silence. He said that the perpetrators would pay for their actions.

The politician said that everyone in Freedom Square realizes that
they are victorious and united.

He then introduced the comedian/performance artist Vardan Petrosyan
who had specifically travelled from France to address the crowd.

To a thunderous ovation, Petrosyan said he wasn’t a politician or an
analyst, nevertheless as an an Armenian he was proud of the movement
that has begun.

Petrosyan said he always held out hope that Armenians would shake
off their indifference and stand up for their rights despite the
intimidation and atmosphere of fear and voted for the candidate of
their choice.

He noted that this victory was first a victory that took place in
the mind, in the heart, in one’s very soul.

He said it was no coincidence that this new awakening has taken place
25 years after the start of the Artsakh movement. The first victories
of that movement startled not only Armenians around the world but
the international community.

Petrosyan said that those who voted for change had ushered in a
serious opportunity for radical transformation in Armenia.

He said that the current regime doesn’t allow families to live a
normal life in a normal country.

“The person who has truly won is the person who has succeeded in
changing his mindset,” said Petrosyan.

He called on people to direct their subsequent actions according to
the highest moral and mental standards that are dear to the Armenian
people and to remain steadfast.

Raffi Hovannisian congratulated the youth of Armenia who are leading
the struggle with their actions and warned those servants of the
regime in schools and colleges to refrain from intimidating and
pressuring students.

Hovannisian then called on Serzh Sargsyan and his minions, from local
mayors to regional governors, to resign from power and apologize to
the people.

He said that no international power, west or east, could deprive the
Armenian people of their victory.

Turning to organizational issues, Hovannisian said he was ready to
listen to the people despite any anticipated disagreements.

He asked the crowd if they agreed that it was necessary to file a
petition with the Central Electoral Commission by March 2 disputing
the February 18 presidential election results.

He referred to a proposal made by Nikol Pashinyan that the movement
should disclose the make-up of a future Armenian government. This
too passed.

Hovannisian promised the crowd that together, in Freedom Square,
they would draft an agenda for the coming movement.

He announced a press conference for tomorrow at 12pm at Freedom Square,
followed by a march to Myasnikian Square to commemorate those who
died on March 1, 2008.

Hovannisian thanked other political parties who agreed to unite

He announced that another victory rally would take place on Saturday
March 2, featuring artists, civic activists and other public speakers.

Hovannisian then asked if the people were ready to continue the
struggle till power was returned to the people.

The crowd responded in the affirmative.

EKREM EYLISLI AUTHOR OF SCANDALOUS NOVEL ABOUT ARMENIAN MASSACRE TITLED “STONE DREAMS” DECIDED TO LEAVE AZERBAIJAN

17:21 28/02/2013 ” SOCIETY

Scandalously famous Azerbaijani author Ekrem Eylisli, who became
known for his publication of novel titled “Stone Dreams”, expressed
his desire to leave for Turkey for permanent residence.

Ekrem Eylisli told about his desire to Turkish media, as the
Azerbaijani information agency “Haqqin.az” reports. “Many things
happened in Azerbaijan: my works are not printed, my plays are not
performed. My future life here becomes impossible. I made the decision
to leave my fatherland and to live in fraternal Turkey. I think,
I can feel myself comfortable only there. However, for this I will
need the invitation of the Turkish side,” said Azerbaijani writer
who had undergone a persecution.

Ekrem Eylisli is national writer (since 1998) and Honored Artist
of Azerbaijan, holder of the highest order of Azerbaijan “Istiglal”
(2002) and the order of “Shokhrat” for his outstanding merits in the
literature of Azerbaijan. Recently, on the website of Russian magazine
“Friendship of Nations” was published his novel titled “Stone Dreams”
in which the author describes the massacres of Armenians in Baku
in 1990 and in Nakhichevan in 1919. The author in his novel speaks
positively about the Armenian people and their culture. The novel
“Stone Dreams” also contains criticism over the former Azerbaijani
President Heydar Aliyev and the tyranny of the system created by him.

After publication of the novel, Eylisli was exposed to severe pressures
in Azerbaijan; the pro-governmental youth held rally in front of
his house, his issue was discussed in the parliament of Azerbaijan,
MPs suggested to burn his books and to deprive him of citizenship and
deport from Azerbaijan. Many people “blamed” Eylisli in his Armenian
origin, etc. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev deprived him of
personal pension and the title of National Writer, and accused him of
“purposefully distorting the history of Azerbaijan” and “in distorting
realities about history of Azerbaijan in an inappropriate way.”

The leader of the pro-governmental party “Modern Musavat” Hafis Hajiyev
announced that he would pay about 10 Euros to the one who will cut
the ear of the writer. Only after the intervention of the media,
the politician was “warned” by the Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan
about the illegality of such appeals.

The U.S. Department of State and the OSCE Office in Baku condemned
persecution of Eylisli in Azerbaijan and called on the authorities
to fulfill their obligations.

Source: Panorama.am

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S RALLY KICKS OFF FOLLOWING HIS PROVINCIAL TOUR (UPDATED, LIVE)

17:22 ~U 28.02.13

Rally of Armenia’s Heritage party’s leader Raffi Hovannisian kicked
off in Yerevan Liberty Square. The rally in the capital follows
Hovannisian’s provincial tour during the past three days during which
he met with the residents of towns of Armenia’s provinces.

On February 24 Raffi Hovannisian was in Aragatsotn, Lori and Shirak
provinces, on February 26 in Ararat, Armavir and Vayots Dzor.

Yesterday he was in Syunik and today in Kotayk.

Raffi Hovannisian is in the square.

The speeches continue in the Liberty square. Deputy leader of
the Heritage party Armen Martirosyan welcomed the gathered. The
representative of the youth wing of Armenia’s People’s party
Narek Varazdatyan delivered a speech saying that this fight is an
ideological, “we have united over our united idea.”

Varazdatyan said the emigration statistics shows that the young people
are emigrating not tying their future with Armenia. The student said
that the time has come for “Come Home” program to turn into “Stay at
home” program.

He informed that students have begun strikes in Gyumri and Vanadzor.

ARMENIA HAS A GREAT TRADITION OF FILMMAKING – UK AMBASSADOR

February 28, 2013 | 16:42

YEREVAN.- Every year the British Film Festival gets better and this
year it is a particular one, UK Ambassador Jonathan James Aves said
on Thursday at a press conference dedicated to the Festival.

“I like the festival program as it covers all sort of the films in
different areas of British filmmaking. I wanted to underline other two
aspects of the film festival. First of all is connection with the UN
Year of Water. Water is one of the natural resources that we take for
granted. But there are countries now where the water can be a source of
conflict as well. If this festival can draw attention to the importance
of water both for the health and development of human around the world,
and if it can draw attention to the importance of thinking how water
is allocated in a just way, that will be a good thing,” he said.

As to the second aspect, Ambassador underlined competition element in
the festival because Armenia has a great tradition of filmmaking. It
would give a good opportunity for collaboration of Armenian and
British filmmakers, he added.

The annual 11th British Film Festival will be held on March 2-11 and
will be dedicated to the International Year of Water Cooperation.

– See more at:

NATO EVALUATION GROUP IN ARMENIA

17:06 28/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Within the frameworks of Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action
Plan and Planning and Review Process, NATO evaluation delegation will
be in Armenia on February 25 – March 1.

On February 25, they visited the RA Defense Ministry Peace
Keeping Brigade. On February 26-27, the evaluation group met with
representatives of the Defense Ministry and Armed Forces of Armenia
and discussed Armenia’s commitments.

On February 28, the head of the NATO delegation met with the Minister
of Defense and reported the results of their mission in Armenia. The
results were summed up at the meeting with deputy minister of defense
David Tonoyan, as well as the further ways of cooperation with NATO
were outlined, press service of Ministry of Defense reports.

FORMER ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ADVISES OPPOSITION MPS TO GIVE UP PARLIAMENTARY SEATS

February 28, 2013 | 13:41

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s ex-presidential contender, non-party affiliate
and epic poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan, calls upon the National
Assembly (NA) opposition MPs to renounce their parliamentary mandates,
and to form a council of politicians that are represented in the NA.

Sedrakyan himself said this during a press conference on Thursday.

In his words, this call of his is addressed first and foremost to the
opposition Heritage Faction MPs and, subsequently, to fellow former
presidential candidate, opposition Freedom Party Chairman and former
PM, Hrant Bagratyan.

“Then a council will be formed, which will be led by the national
awakening,” Sedrakyan stated, and added that, or else, the movement
will meet an impasse.

To the query as to whether he could support the movement of Heritage
Party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian-who is declared runner-up to the
winner, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of the
presidential election on February 18, but who claims to be the real
winner in the vote-, Sedrakyan responded that Hovannisian’s mode of
operation is incomprehensible for him and, before ever supporting
Hovannisian, it is first necessary to understand what steps he is
preparing to take. Besides, as per Sedrakyan, Hovannisian did not offer
the other former presidential hopefuls to join him in his movement.

“And he still demands that Serzh Sargsyan speak before [Saturday,]
March 2, and he again wants a meeting [with Sargsyan],” Vardan
Sedrakyan said, and noted that the success of this movement depends
on the consolidation of the opposition forces, and not on the people.

– See more at:

FOLLOWING TRADITIONS OR SERZH SARGSYAN?

2013-02-28 15:16:43

The regular meeting of NA… This time, as always, the passions were
heated, and this time NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan appeared in all his
charm, strengthening to continue the previous day’s process of
“stubborn”.

Despite the fact that it is very often spoken that Hovik Abrahamyan
will lead the resignations, nevertheless NA Speaker not losing any
given opportunity, uses it for the benefit of his future vision.

According to the Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, the opposition leader Raffi
Hovannisian should consider to create a model of the coalition
government, he must make reasonable recommendations to the
authorities. To blame at first glance the primitive behavior makes no
sense, because Hovik Abrahamyan in his practice met repeatedly such
cases, therefore, following the tradition, behaves in such a way, but,
of course, in this case the opposition is quite a different colibri.

Taking into account the achievements of the past through the prism of
the coalition government, Hovik Abrahamyan, this time is trying his
luck as an option but, in fact, he has no more option. It turns out
that every time, in every case, Hovik Abrahamyan is a reconciliation,
or more precisely, a loop of coalition chain who in every difficult
situation offers positions.

Of course, considering yesterday’s meeting of SC at Baghramyan 26,
Hovik Abrahamyan should be in a hurry, because time of the changes is
very close, and these changes to appear in high positions are result
of hard work. And surely there will be changes, the session at
Baghramyan 26 pursued this goal, not speaking about its formal side.

Yes, the changes can become, at least short-term, but, nevertheless,
the solution, but the current problems associated with the
disturbance, is the only way to show people that there are going to be
major changes in the management system, and Serzh Sargsyan will not
accept the other option-power, otherwise it will be both his and the
authority’s assasination attempt. Yes, change is the only option, and
from which consciously tries to benefit NA Speaker, and for Hovik
Abrahamyan the key to use the sweet fruit is Raffi Hovannisian.

Gevorg Avetisyan