Author: nina hovnanian

ARMENIA: NO CHANGE IN ELECTION DATE, BUT PLENTY OF SPECULATION ABOUT THE REASON WHY

February 5, 2013 – 2:31pm,
by Marianna Grigoryan

In 1998, Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian ran for
office with the slogan “Let’s not lose an historic moment.” Fifteen
years later, he has a similar one: “The historic moment has come.” But
many Armenian observers believe that, by not requesting an election
delay after suffering from gunshot wounds, 63-year-old Hayrikian has
lost his chance for “an historic moment.”

Hayrikian, who was shot twice and wounded on January 31 by an unknown
gunman in Yerevan, earlier had indicated that he would probably apply
to the Constitutional Court for a two-week postponement in the vote;
his right under Armenia’s constitution.

But, when push came to shove, it was not to be.

“[N]o act of terrorism should hold the power of disrupting the natural
flow of political realities,” he commented, in a surprise appearance
at a February 5 press-conference in Yerevan. “I have come simply to
show my presence,” he said to explain his hospital exit.

The candidate’s statement was echoed by Karo Yeghnukyan, a
representative of his campaign team, who told reporters that if
Hayrikian had “exercised his right,”it might mean that he was “taking
advantage of the situation.”

Now, some Armenians claim that it is the government itself which is doing that.

Incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian
and other high-profile officials visited Hayrikian in the hospital and
condemned the assault, investigated as an assassination attempt, as
intended to “disrupt the elections” and aimed against Armenia itself.

But the memory of Hayrikian’s earlier comments lingers on.

“He suffered a serious injury, and it would be natural if he took
advantage of two weeks’ delay,” argued fellow presidential candidate
Arman Melikian. “If he doesn’t do so, it means he was exposed to
pressure from intruders protecting the interests of the authorities.”

But Hayrikian, who earlier had blamed Russian security services for
the attack, dismissed such claims as blather.

“I’m telling all these candidates to consider their own age and think
about what Hayrikian was doing at their age before saying such foolish
things,” he said, referring to his past as one of the Soviet-era
leaders of the Armenian independence movement.

Some analysts, though, doubt that Hayrikian’s decision to see the
election through will make much difference one way or another for the
eight-candidate vote, largely viewed as a shoe-in for President
Sargsyan.

“It is still as boring as it was before the assassination attempt
against Hayrkikian . . .” commented political analyst Armen Badalian.

“As for the results of the vote, they are already obvious. Nothing
will change.”

FRENCH RETAILER CARREFOUR IS BEING DRIVEN AWAY FROM ARMENIAN MARKET BY EFFORTS OF OLIGARCH IMPORTERS

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 5, 20:51

The entry of the large retail network of Carrefour hypermarkets,
which leaves an impression of an extended intrigue, has apparently
ended in departure of the French retailer from Armenia. According to
the rumors disseminated by some media, the leadership of Dalma Garden
Mall in the person of the well-known Armenian entrepreneur Samvel
Karapetyan has cancelled the contract with the European retail network
Carrefour on the lease of business premises for the hypermarket.

According to some media’s information, the key person “to be blamed
for it” is Samvel Alexanyan, the Armenian oligarch importing essential
goods, the owner of the large network of Yerevan City supermarkets.

Dalma Garden Mall says that is very busy and does not comment on this
information. The Armenian Office of Carrefour also keeps silence. It
is the long and insistent silence of both parties, as well as the new
wave of rumors in the mass media that make it doubtless that due to the
opposition of the oligarch-importers at power and the foreign investor,
one of the largest retail networks in Europe will not be admitted
to Armenia. The case with the French retailer Carrefour once again
demonstrates the strong monopolistic nature of the Armenian market,
which is totally closed for the external world.

To note, according to the reliable sources of the agency, the Carrefour
hypermarket in Yerevan was to work on the basis of a franchise owned
by a large U.A.E. developer Majid Al Futtaim Holding (MAF). “We
are already working in 13 countries of the world. We have recently
included several CIS countries in our portfolio, among them Kazakhstan,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia”, MAF Chief Executive Officer said to
Russkiye Emiraty. The company has already opened its first Carrefour
supermarket in Georgia and is going to open a store in Azerbaijan. To
recall, at present MAF has already 45 supermarkets.

To note, by the number of its stores (over 15 thsd) Carrefour Group
(France) holds the first position in Europe and the second position in
the world. Carrefour hypermarkets’ assortment includes up to 80,000
food and non-food items. The total staff consists of over 400 thsd
people. Nothing has been said about the investments in the opening of
the hypermarket in Yerevan, however, experts estimated the investments
at 6-8 mln USD.

To note, by ArmInfo’s data, Majid Al Futtaim Holding (U.A.E.), the
Carrefour franchise holder, started to consider its possible entry
into Armenian market a couple of years ago. Observers think that the
opening of Carrefour in Armenia could have had a strong impact on
the competitive environment in the sphere of organized retail trade,
which is actually divided into 2 large networks owned by oligarch
parliamentarians.

EURASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SUGGESTS NEW PROGRAM WITH PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIA

20:13, 5 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB)
Centre for Integration Studies has published a report titled The
Customs Union and Neighbouring Countries: Models and Instruments
of Mutually Beneficial Partnership. The authors have analyzed the
models and forms of cooperation between the existing integration
organizations, in particular the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur,
and countries that are not their members and/or do not border them.

As Armenpress was informed from the representative of press office of
EDB Yulia Ostrukhova, report analyses cooperation between the EU and
the Balkan countries which is aimed at achieving their full membership
of the EU and with the countries of Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus
(including the EU’s Eastern Partnership program) and the Mediterranean
which takes form of a system of partnership and cooperation agreements
and the implementation of plans of actions in the framework of the
European Neighborhood Policy.

“The Customs Union could propose to its current and future
partners various models of interaction and additional instruments of
cooperation,” says Vladimir Yasinsky, Managing Director for Research
at EDB. “This is specifically important for the development of foreign
economic ties of the emerging Eurasian Economic Union.”

The research reviews possible schemes of cooperation between the
Customs Union/CES and Armenia, Moldova and Tajikistan. The authors
propose to launch a Eurasian Partnership program to foster deeper
integration and multilateral cooperation. This program could be used
to develop both bilateral and multilateral relationships taking into
account the specifics of each partner. These could be structured
based on agreements and joint plans of action (as in the European
Neighborhood Policy) and on the participation in joint programs.

“A flexible and pragmatic approach should be used to develop
relationships between the CES and the countries of the Eurasian
continent. Our report proposes a wide range of approaches to building
economic integration based on international experience in this area,”
says Evgeny Vinokurov, Director of the Centre for Integration Studies.

Eurasian Development Bank is an international financial institution
founded by Russia and Kazakhstan in January 2006 with the mission to
facilitate the development of market economies, sustainable economic
growth and the expansion of mutual trade and other economic ties in
its member states. EDB’s charter capital exceeds US $1.5 billion. The
member states of the Bank are the Republic of Armenia, the Republic
of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the
Russian Federation, and the Republic of Tajikistan.

AZERBAIJAN RISKS GETTING A LABEL OF AGGRESSOR IF KEEPS THREATENING SECURITY OF STEPANAKERT AIRPORT

19:51, 5 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is in
“frozen” phase and there is no prospect for the resolution in near
future. As reports Armenpress, this was noted by Mark Urnov, Russian
political scientist, in the interview with vesti.az. “Azerbaijan
wants to take NKR under its jurisdiction, while Nagorno-Karabakh and
Armenia will never come up with it,” he underlined.

Referring to the exploitation of Stepanakert airport, he noted
that if Azerbaijan shoots down even a military plane, Azerbaijan
will certainly face punishment. “International community is tired of
local conflicts. It is waiting only for peace from the parties of the
conflict. If Azerbaijan strikes even a single airplane, the reaction
of international community will be not simply negative but extremely
harsh. I do not rule out international sanctions against Azerbaijan.

As a result, Azerbaijan risks to get a label of an aggressor,”Urnov
said.

Touching on possible war of the West against Iran and Azerbaijan’s
participation in it, Urnov said “This is hardly possible. But in
case it starts and Azerbaijan’s supports the West, one can hardly
hope that the West will support Azerbaijan in the matter of the
Karabakh conflict settlement. West doesn’t need the second war with
an obviously negative result,”Urnov noted.

NKR FOREIGN MINISTER CONGRATULATED JOHN KERRY ON HIS APPOINTMENT

19:05, 5 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: Foreign Minister of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Karen Mirzoyan sent a congratulatory message to John
Kerry on the occasion of his appointment as the USA Secretary of State.

As Armenpress was informed form the press service of NKR Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the message, in particular, reads, “On behalf of
the people and Government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic I would
like to congratulate you on your appointment as Secretary of State
of the United States of America.

We highly appreciate the mediation efforts of the United States and
are confident that during your tenure the US, along with the Russian
Federation and France, will further contribute to the peaceful
settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh
based on principles of international law, respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms”.

In his letter, the NKR Foreign Minister also expressed his gratitude
for the assistance the USA rendered to our young statehood and the
people of Artsakh.

“We are looking forward to a continued, close and good cooperation and
believe that your outstanding vision and experience will contribute
to promoting democracy, peace and stability in the region of South
Caucasus”, reads the message of the NKR Foreign Minister.

PM ON RUSSIA RELATIONS: ” . . . NECESSARY TO FIND A FORMULA . . . ”

SOCIETY | 05.02.13 | 14:40

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in an interview to Russian
“Moskovskie Novisti” said a distinctive feature in Armenian-Russian
relations is that “we don’t see any problems in that”.

“It is very important that, historically there were formed relations
between our people which are valued and passed from generation
to generation. Our relationships are very comprehensive. And from
this point of view it is difficult to identify as a priority for a
single or multiple destinations. However, in recent times the issues
of security and our shared responsibility for the future come to the
fore. We see that Russia is interested in strong ally in the Caucasus,
such as Armenia.”

Speaking about the Russian Customs Union and Armenia’s possible
membership, Sargsyan noted that Armenia does not have common borders
with Russia; another specific is that Armenia’s economy differs from
the economic structure of the countries-members of the Union, where
there is a considerable energy recourses and where is implemented a
policy of protecting domestic producers by quite high customs duties.

In general, Sargsyan noted, the level of fees in the Customs Union is
twice higher than in Armenia. Also, Armenia was the first CIS country
which joined the World Trade Organization, and “it also gives some
specifics on our relations with the Customs Union. It is therefore
necessary to find a formula, and the best tools for our interaction
with the Union.”

Sargsyan spoke on Armenian-Georgian relations and in this regard
he said that the railway communication through Georgia (to Russia
through Abkhazia) is of vital importance for Armenia.

“Georgia is interested in establishing ties with Russia. It is
clear there are many issues that must be addressed and those are not
short-term tasks. We were pleased with the position of the Georgian
premier, who showed interest in resolving the problems and establishing
contacts with Russia. We expect that in the nearest future the problem
will be solved and we will apply maximum efforts for that”

TURKISH LEADERS BECOME ‘LAUGHINGSTOCK’ – ISRAELI OFFICIAL

February 5, 2013 – 15:52 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey’s leaders have become the “laughingstock of
the international community with their self-righteous discourse,”
an Israeli official said in response to yet another anti-Israel
tirade by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, according to The
Jerusalem Post.

Turkey’s anti-Israel bashing continued unabated for a third-straight
day on Monday, Feb 4, with Davutoglu thrashing Israel for its
settlements policy and declaring that Israel was now a “pariah state.”

The Turkish FM, addressing a ministerial meeting of the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Cairo, said that “Israel has now
been rendered by the international community a ‘pariah’ status for
its expanding illegal settlements.”

Referring to the recent United Nations Human Rights Council report
calling on Israel to evacuate all settlements, Davutoglu said,
“Time and again Israel has proven that it fails to read the change
happening not only around it, but also in the way its actions are
perceived by the international community.”

NORWAY TO ASSIST ARMENIA’S GEODESY AND MAPPING SPHERE TO MEET EUROPEAN STANDARDS

14:38, 5 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: Yervand Zakharyan, chairman of the
government-affiliated State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre and
Helge Onsrud, director of Norwegian Mapping and Cadastre center for
Property Rights and Development signed a new grant program agreement on
Februaray 5. As Armenpress reports 1,750,000 dollar grant is scheduled
to be provided to Armenia in the frame of the program.

In the words of Yervand Zakharyan Armenia fall behind European
standards as to geodesy and mapping sphere. In his turn Helge Onsrud
expressed his gratitude for cooperating with such a professional team.

The specialist welcomed the fact Armenia posses the most modern IT
system in cadastre sector. The purchase of products and services
will be paid by Norwegian side by the international competitions. The
project will be completed in 2015.

This is the second collaboration between Armenia and Norway. Norway
government has provided 1.5 million US dollar grant to Armenia
in 2009: a series of projects have been carried out within tight
deadlines. 61-62 million page digital archive was fully formed as a
part of the project.

WITH ASSAULTS AGAINST ARMENIANS, TURKISH NATIONALISTS ACHIEVED THEIR OBJECTIVE – TURKOLOGIST

NEWS.AM
February 04, 2013 | 13:03

YEREVAN. – As a result of the recent attacks that were carried out
against elderly Armenian women in Istanbul’s densely-Armenian-populated
Samatya district, certain Turkish nationalist factions have achieved
their objective of creating a climate of fear among Istanbul
Armenians. Turkologist Andranik Ispiryan stated this during a press
conference on Monday.

In his words, these assaults were directed against Armenians.

“Judging by the nature of the attacks, it becomes clear that the
objective of the Turkish nationalist factions, which set up the
assaults, was to create-yet again-a climate of fear and concern within
the Istanbul-Armenian community.

This is evidenced also by the fact that the organizations, which
represent the interests of Istanbul Armenians, avoid making assessments
on the attacks while the Istanbul Armenians do not conceal their deep
concern by the situation and they are afraid to go out alone.

In addition, Turkish NGOs staged protests against the recent assaults
on Armenians,” Ispiryan noted, and said it is very likely that the
attacks against the elderly Armenian women in the aforesaid district
will come to an end.

To note, as a result of the recent attacks against elderly Armenian
women in Istanbul’s densely-Armenian-populated Samatya district since
December 2012, a woman was killed, two others lost one of their eyes,
and an attempt was made to kidnap another.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT NOT COMMENTING ON PREDECESSOR’S STATEMENT

NEWS | 04.02.13 | 12:55

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has refused to comment on his
predecessor’s statement in which the latter criticized his government
over a number of issues, including the electoral process.

In an interview with the Mediamax news agency last month former head
of state Robert Kocharyan said he had decided to stay out of active
politics in the current election season mainly not to get bogged
down in “petty bargaining” that he said would have been a waste of
his “time, knowledge and experience”. He also spoke about “puppet
political competition” formed during the current elections.

In an interview published by the Russian Ogonek magazine today,
President Sargsyan, in particular, said: “Naturally, I will not
comment on various political statements being made these days as they
are done proceeding from the interests of those who make them.”

Speaking to the magazine apparently before last week’s assassination
attempt on one of opposition presidential candidates, Paruyr Hayrikyan,
which resulted in a new situation in the Armenian elections with the
possibility of their being postponed, Sargsyan said: “The situation in
Armenia is just as one would expect it to be in civilized countries
before elections. People closely follow the struggle in which worthy
politicians are taking part. I do not consider anyone of them to be
my enemy. Rather I regard all of them as opponents.”

Seven candidates, including former prime minister Hrant Bagratyan,
former foreign minister Raffi Hovannisian and Soviet-era dissident
Hayrikyan, are challenging Sargyan in the ballot scheduled for
February 18.

Hayrikyan, who was wounded in an apparent assassination attempt late
last week, has until tomorrow to ask the Constitutional Court to
postpone the vote by two weeks in view of “insurmountable obstacles”
to his campaign. His failure to apply today will result in the original
voting date remaining unchanged by default.