Author: nina hovnanian

AVERAGE NOMINAL MONTHLY SALARY IN ARMENIA GROWS 28.8% TO AMD 153,756 IN DECEMBER 2012

YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. Average nominal monthly salary in Armenia
was AMD 153,756 ($379) in December 2012 – 28.8% higher than it was in
the previous month, and in November’s average salary was AMD 119,422
– 0.2% lower than October’s, the National Statistical Service of
Armenia reports.

According to the latest statistical data, the highest average nominal
salary in November was in Syunik province – over AMD 145,100, and
the lowest in Aragatsotn – about AMD 131,300.

In Yerevan, it exceeded AMD 131,300.

Finance and insurance sectors’ employees enjoyed the highest average
monthly salary, about AMD 303,800 in November 2012.

The average salary in the mining industry was 249,900, in construction
sector over AMD 156,200, in electricity, natural gas and steam
distributing segment about AMD 155,100 and in state administration
more than AMD 132,000.

The lowest-paid employees were in culture and rest sectors. Their
average salary was slightly higher than AMD 65,500. Salaries of the
services segment’s employees averaged over AMD 76,000, and education
sector’s employees had their average salary slightly higher than AMD
79,100 drams. Average salary in public catering was AMD 81,100. ($1 –
AMD 406.03). -0-

16:41 07.02.2013

TURKEY-US TENSION TAKES ENVOY TO FOREIGN MINISTRY

U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Francis Ricciardone. AA photo
Serkan DemirtaÅ[email protected]

Already split on many key foreign policy issues, Turkey and the United
States have found themselves embroiled in new tension after the U.S.

envoy received a dressing down from Turkish officials yesterday in
the wake of critical comments from the ambassador.

The criticisms directed toward Ambassador Francis Ricciardone came in
the wake of senior American officials’ reactions to Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements on Israel, as well as their
criticisms on the undemocratic nature of the Turkish judicial system.

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu expressed Ankara’s
discomfort with the recent events in an unprecedentedly long meeting
with Ricciardone that lasted for two hours and 15 minutes.

Although the meeting took place upon the request of the U.S. embassy
to thank Turkish officials over their efforts in the aftermath of last
week’s suicide bombing at the embassy, Ricciardone’s recent statements
and other top issues regarding cooperation against terrorism were
brought to the agenda, according to sources.

“We have conveyed our unease with his statements. This is unacceptable,
we told him. And we also expressed that this should not happen again,”
a diplomatic source said after the meeting.

The two men discussed issues raised in Ricciardone’s meeting with
journalists on Feb. 6, a U.S. Embassy official told the Hurriyet Daily
News. “The undersecretary made clear his government’s disappointment
at what he saw as interference in Turkey’s domestic affairs. The
ambassador respectfully pointed out the importance to Turkey’s friends
and allies of Turkey’s steady progress in strengthening the rule of
law and protections of human rights, and urged a careful reading of
the full text of the Feb. 5 conversation, which is available on the
U.S. Embassy website.”

In the meantime, there were reports that Ricciardone sent a letter
to Huseyin Celik, number two of the Justice and Development Party
(AKP), expressing an apology of what he said. But the U.S. embassy
official denied this report, saying, “The ambassador did not provide
an apology letter.”

During a recent meeting with Ankara media bureau chiefs, Ricciardone
had criticized the arrests of military officers, non-violent protesters
and professors on unclear charges. “You have your military leaders,
who were entrusted with the protection of this country, behind bars as
if they were terrorists,” he said, referring to hundreds of military
officers behind bars as part of the ongoing “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer)
and other court cases.

“When a legal system produces such results and confuses people like
that for terrorists, it makes it hard for American and European courts
to match up. We are working to reconcile our legal processes in both
countries,” he said.

The strongest public reactions came from Deputy Prime Minister Bekir
Bozdag, who advised Ricciardone to cease interfering in Turkey’s
domestic issues. “It would be better and useful for his country if
Ricciardone minded his own business. Those are statements that do
not bode well for his assignment in Turkey,” Bozdag said.

Deputy Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Huseyin Celik
also slammed Ricciardone yesterday and the day before, hinting that
a warning would be issued to the American envoy at his meeting in
the Foreign Ministry. “We are inviting Ricciardone to remain within
his boundaries and limits. We are not pleased with [his remarks];
we condemn and denounce them. He should know his place,” said Celik
in televised comments on the private broadcaster Kanal A late Feb. 6.

Celik: Turkey and US don’t agree on Israel

Meanwhile, Celik also noted the remarks of U.S. State Department
Spokesperson Victoria Nuland, who said earlier this week that the
“inflammatory comments” by Turkey’s premier and Foreign Minister
Davutoglu concerning an Israeli airstrike against Syria were “very
troubling” to the U.S. It is known that Turkey and U.S. do not fully
agree when the issue is Israel, Celik said. He, however, noted that
the U.S. was a friendly country and that the two allies did not have
to agree on every issue. Those disagreements do not cast a shadow
over the spirit of alliance either, he said.

According to the U.S. Embassy official, Ricciardone and Sinirlioglu
discussed the full range of issues of mutual interest since their last
meeting on the day of the terrorist attack on Feb. 1. “The principal
question was how to step up bilateral and multilateral cooperation
against all terrorist enemies of our two countries, not only DHKP-C but
also PKK and al-Qaeda. They discussed prospective high-level visits,
Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel,” the official said.

February/07/2013

“WE HAVE TO MAKE MEDIATING COUNTRIES BE MORE PRINCIPLED,” D. JAMALYAN SAYS ABOUT THE ARTSAKH CONFLICT

February 6 2013

Talking about the role of the Russian Federation in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement in the interview given to Viktor
Loshak, the editor-in-chief of Ogoniok, a Russian magazine, which
was published by Kommersant and Ogoniok, S. Sargsyan, the President
of the Republic of Armenia, stated: “All those who deal with this
conflict in Moscow, Washington, and Paris – these are the capitals
of the Minks Group co-chair countries – know quite well who is to
blame for not finding a solution so far.”

Davit Jamalyan, a military expert, said about this statement during
a conversation with that the president put forward the
objective reality and went into detail: “Really, the Artsakh conflict
is not settled, since the Azeri position is extreme, aggressive. This
is a fact. It is also a fact that the mediating country’s geostrategic
leadership understands this quite well. The president just called
things by their proper names. Perhaps, one needs more convincing
leverage over the Azeri side, in order that they respect elementary
agreements, which have been reached. For example, withdrawing the
snipers from the front line etc.”

According to Mr. Jamalyan, the question is why that leverage is not
employed. According to the expert, the question is clear. “How can we
make it respect the obligations undertaken by itself? If the Azeri
side doesn’t withdraw the snipers from the front line voluntarily,
they should be neutralized and pulled back. Or who will make the
Azeri side follow the agreement? The Artsakh conflict can have only
one outcome; eventually, Artsakh will become either a state or a part
of the Republic of Armenia. Sooner or later the Azeri side, I should
say the Transcaucasian Turks, will have to reconcile themselves to
that fact.”

According to D. Jamalyan, S. Sargsyan’s statement has diplomatic
overtones. The expert explains: “Yes, everyone knows who is to blame.

Yes, the conflict is not being settled, since the Azeri side doesn’t
want to reconcile itself to the existing situation; it lives with
nostalgia for the 86km² Azeri state. Therefore, taking a principled
attitude, we should make our mediating countries, our partners be
more principled.”

D. Jamalyan sees progress in this field and notes: “We have prevented
war, strengthened the army and the foundations of the Artsakh
statehood. We should consider the fact that we live in peace as one
of the primary achievements of our president.”

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

EXACT DATE AND PARAMETERS FOR THE REMOVAL OF RUSSIAN PROPERTY FROM GABALA RADAR STATION BEING DISCUSSED

20:25, 7 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS: The exact date and parameters for
the removal of Russian property from Gabala Radar Station are being
determined via negotiations between the Russian and Azerbaijani defense
ministries, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander
Lukashevich said at a news briefing today, reports Armenpress referring
to APA agency.

“Negotiations are underway through the Defence Ministries of the
two countries to determine concrete parameters for removing Russian
property,” he said.

Lukashevich has recalled that Russia does not intend to resume talks
on renewing its contract at the Gabala Radar Station. The agreement
on the status, principles and operating conditions of the Gabala
radar station between the governments of Azerbaijan and the Russian
Federation expired on December 9, 2012, and the Russian side sent
a note halting the operation of the radar station on December 10
last year.

The Gabala radar station located in north-west Azerbaijan was built
during the Soviet period as one of the most important elements of the
USSR’s missile defence system. After Azerbaijan gained independence
the radar station became the country’s property and Russia continued
to use it.

SELIM PASS IS CLOSED

16:25, 7 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. Because of strong snowstorm and
poor visibility the Selim Pass has been bilaterally closed by 15.00,
February 7. The Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic
of Armenia informed “Armenpress” that they will render additional
information in case of any change of the situation.

The Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Armenia
advises the drivers to use solely winter tyres.

ARIANESPACE ORBITS AZERBAIJANI, SPANISH SATELLITES

AFP 2013/ S Martin
07:35 08/02/2013
Tags: Arianespace

MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti) – Arianespace has successfully
launched two telecommunications satellites from French Guiana, the
French space transportation company has reported.

The Ariane 5 launch orbited the Amazonas 3 and Azerspace/Africasat-1a
telecommunications platforms, delivering a total calculated mass of
10,317 kilograms into geostationary transfer orbit, according to
Arianespace.

The mass included 9,503 kg for the two spacecraft, along with the
dispenser system and integration hardware in Ariane 5’s dual payload
“stack.”

Amazonas 3 was orbited for Spanish operator Hispasat, and
Azerspace/Africasat-1a for Azerbaijani operator Azercosmos and the
Azerbaijani Communications Ministry.

The Spanish satellite was produced by Space Systems/Loral in Palo
Alto, California, and is to operate from a 61 deg. West longitude
orbital slot. It is equipped with 33 Ku-band and 19 C-band
transponders, along with nine Ka-band spot beams.

Amazonas 3 is expected to provide telecommunications relay services,
including direct-to-home television (DTH), corporate fixed and mobile
telephone networks, and broadband capacity with coverage across the
Americas, Europe, and North Africa, Arianespace said.

Azerspace/Africasat-1a was Azerbaijan’s first national satellite
launched by Arianespace. The comsat has 24 C-band transponders and 12
Ku-band transponders for communications coverage over Azerbaijan,
Central Asia, Europe and Africa from an orbital location of 46 deg.

East longitude.

Spanish-Satellites——–.html

MESURES DISCIPLINAIRES CONTRE DES FONCTIONNAIRES TROP ZELES

Le ministre armenien de l’education Armen Ashotian a annonce mercredi
6 fevrier qu’il allait prendre des sanctions disciplinaires contre
deux autres directeurs d’ecole qui avaient decide d’annuler des cours
dans leurs etablissements afin de permettre aux elèves d’assister aux
meetings electoraux du president Serge Sarkissian, grand favori du
scrutin presidentiel du 18 fevrier.

Un geste qui vise a montrer la bonne foi du gouvernement quand il
s’engage a organiser les ” elections les plus democratiques de
l’histoire de l’Armenie “, une promesse mise en doute par l’opposition
qui craint la repetition d’irregularites et denonce un climat
electoral malsain, en mettant en avant notamment les pressions
exercees par le pouvoir sur les fonctionnaires, dont les directeurs
d’ecoles et enseignants.

M. Ashotian avait deja ordonne de telles mesures quelques jours avant
contre le directeur d’une ecole secondaire dans la ville d’Agarak, au
sud-est de l’Armenie, où M.Sarkissian s’etait rendu en janvier dans le
cadre d’une tournee dans la region. Un grand nombre d’enseignants et
d’elèves de cette ecole avaient assiste au meeting de M. Sarkissian
dans cette ville, et avaient acclame avec un enthousiasme manifeste le
president sortant.

M.Ashotian a precise que le gouverneur de la province meeridionale du
Syunik, Surik Khachatrian, l’avait informe que le directeur de l’ecole
d’Agarak avait ete “sevèrement sanctionne” pour “interruption des
cours”. Le ministre a annonce qu’il envisageait des sanctions
similaires pour les directeurs de l’ecole secondaire et du collège
agricole de Masis, petite localite situee au sud de Erevan. Les elèves
de ces etablissements scolaires avaient ete vus a un meeting du
candidat Sarkissian organise dans cette ville quelques jours
auparavant.

“Il est imperatif pour notre ministère que les processus politiques ne
s’expriment pas aux depens de l’education”, a declare M.Ashotian. Le
ministre, qui est aussi vice-president du Parti Republicain (HHK) au
pouvoir, a souligne que les proviseurs de ces etablissements seraient
sanctionnes pour avoir annule des cours, plutôt que pour avoir envoye
leurs elèves a ces reunions politiques. Il a fait valoir que la
presence d’elèves a de telles reunions n’etait pas en soi illegale.

“Si certains sont mecontents de voir qu’il y a plus de parents
accompagnes de leurs enfants aux meetings de Serge Sarkissian qu’a
ceux organises par exemple, par [le candidat de l’opposition] Raffi
Hovannisian, ceci est leur problème”, a ajoute le ministre. M.Ashotian
a bien sûr recuse les allegations de l’opposition selon lesquelles les
gouverneurs des regions eux-memes auraient vivement encourage les
directeurs d’ecoles a faire en sorte que le corps enseignant comme les
elèves de leurs etablissements assistent massivement aux meetings de
M.Sarkissian.

Les enseignants et les elèves des ecoles avaient participe en nombre
dans tout le pays aux meetings organises par M.Sarkissian et son
parti, le HHK, lors de la campagne pour les elections legislatives de
mai 2012. Les medias avaient fourni des preuves a l’epoque qui
montraient que cette presence n’etait pas toujours volontaire et que
nombre des enseignants concernes avaient ete plus ou moins contraints
de s’y rendre.

vendredi 8 fevrier 2013,
Gari ©armenews.com

A NUMBER OF NA DEPUTIES ARE HANDED OVER AN HONOUR BADGE AND DIPLOMAS OF “RUSCOOPERATION”

07.02.2013

On February 7 a number of deputies of the National Assembly were
handed over an Honour Badge and diplomas of the Federal Agency of
“RusCooperation” (Rossotrudnichestvo). For effective work in spreading
the Russian language in Armenia and for active participation “In the
5th Days of Russian Word in Armenia” the Chairman of the NA Standing
Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Youth and Sport Artak
Davtyan was awarded an Honour Badge of “Friendship and Cooperation,”
diplomas were given to the deputies Karine Atchemyan, Rubik Hakobyan,
Artur Gevorgyan, Aram Manukyan, Ruzanna Muradyan and Karine Poghosyan.

Welcoming the participants of the ceremony the NA Vice President
Hermine Naghdalyan noted that the work done was the vivid evidence of
caring and concerned approach towards the Russian language in Armenia.

In her word, the Russian language has not played a big role in
strengthening of the friendship between the peoples, but also has
promoted the Armenian people’s communication with the Russian and
world culture, as well as the spreading of the Armenian culture’s
treasures in Russia and outside its borders. As the Co-Chair of the
Armenian-Russian Inter-Parliamentary Committee, Hermine Naghdalyan
highly appreciated the role of the “RusCooperation” in Armenia in
deepening of the relations between the two countries, preserving
and spreading of the Russian language in Armenia. Congratulating
the parliamentarians on the occasion of enjoying high appraisal,
the NA Vice President expressed hope that they would later on
actively participate in the initiatives inclined to the development
of bilateral ties.

The Deputy Head of the Federal Agency of “RusCooperation” Alexander
Chesnokov handed over an Honour Badge and diplomas to the deputies. He
highly appreciated the contribution of the Armenian parliamentarians
and specialists in spreading of the Russian language and emphasized
the activities of the “RusCooperation” representation, which had been
developed in the most different directions: economic, scientific,
educational, cultural and humanitarian. In his turn the Head of
the Armenian representation Viktor Krivopuskov expressed confidence
that the tradition formed by cooperation with the parliament would
effectively develop for the sake of expansion of friendly relations
of the two countries and peoples.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN HOSTED EU ADVISORY GROUP DELEGATION

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a EU Advisory Group
delegation, led by Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian
Hristea. Press service of Armenian Government informs about this.

The Group members briefed the Premier on the developments relevant
to the EU-Armenia deep and comprehensive free trade zone arrangement.

Pointing to the progress made in this area, Traian Hristea advised
that the 4th round of talks is currently being held at Brussels. He
stressed that after the signing of the Association Agreement,
Armenia will enjoy a status of associate member that will open up
new opportunities before our country to be followed by an updated
cooperation agenda. The parties went on to discuss joint action in
the field of justice, human rights, food security etc.

~TI would like to thank you for the work done so far, which is very
important to us. Should you see any bottlenecks on the way to reforms,
please do not hesitate to contact me so that we would not miss the
opportunity to benefit from your advice,~T the Prime Minister said.

Traian Hristea once again pointed out that the EU is ready to continue
assisting Armenia in different areas of the reform process.

HEYDAR HADRAT

Igor Muradyan
Wednesday, 06 February 2013, 11:17

Heydar Aliyev is said to be canonized in Azerbaijan. Eventually, in
the course of time the Aliyev family will be declared “holy
family”. I remember a meeting with a prominent member of the
Azerbaijani opposition Rasul Guliyev, ex-speaker of Azerbaijan,
political emigrant, legitimate millionaire and sponsor of many
political parties in Azerbaijan. The meeting was in Washington, at
Johns Hopkins University, and was organized by Charles Fairbanks,
then-Director of Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at Johns Hopkins
University. Rasul Guliyev was known to be looking for contacts with
Armenian organizations in the U.S., and at that time he came from New
York to meet with an Armenian organization in Washington. He asked
me, “You used to live in Baku. What do you think about Heydar
Aliyev? It is interesting to know the opinion of an Armenian expert
who knows the truth about Azerbaijan at different stages of H.

Aliyev’s activities.” I answered, “Whatever Heydar Aliyev has ever
done was complete trickery. He tried to mislead his leadership at KGB
about “outstanding” achievements with regards to Iran and Iraqi
Kurdistan. He created a fake economy during Brezhnev’s tenure. He
set up a false social-cultural model in Azerbaijan. Actually, he
misled the Azerbaijani people by promises of military success in the
Karabakh war. He presented international oil projects as a means of
resolving the Karabakh issue and achieving prosperity.” R. Guliev
was very excited and begged not to use these opinions in
publications, as he himself would like to use those thoughts.

According to him, he had just heard what he had always felt but could
not utter it in such a laconic way.” I never learned whether Guliyev
used these “theses”. But Heydar Aliyev has always used the method
of misleading everyone all through his tenure. The peak of this
family business called trickery will be the “combat readiness” of
the armed forces of Azerbaijan. All that is left for Azeri people is
to believe that pilgrimage to Heydar- Hadrat tomb will cure illnesses
and will bring them prosperity.