Author: nina hovnanian

Hundreds of Armenians Continue Their Protests against Horizon’s Proposed Closure

16:28, 2 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS: Members of Armenian Community
continue gatherin signatures and organizing new protests in order to
denounce Charter Communications’, the fourth largest cable operator in
the country, decision to stifle Horizon Television, a channel that has
been serving the Armenian-American community for almost 25 years. As
reports Armenpress, referring to Asbarez, the task force is planning a
large demonstration Friday, February 8 at 11 p.m. at Charter’s
regional headquarters.

`Charter is acting in bad faith and violating the principles of a
good corporate citizen by ignoring the needs of the community and
being insensitive to the customers they serve,’ said Zanku Armenian a
spokesperson for the Save Horizon TV Task Force.

In a matter of days there are thousands of responses to the online
petition, which is directed to Charter Communications regional
management and the Federal Communications Commission. The paper
petition, which was circulated at various community events since
Saturday, has also received thousands of signatures.

`As a franchisee in Glendale, Burbank and La Crescenta, Charter
serves at the pleasure of the citizens of these cities and with their
callous actions they are demonstrating they don’t care about their
customers,’ explained Armenian.

Armenian-Americans comprise more than 40 percent of the population in
Glendale and La Crescenta and 35 percent of the total population in
Burbank – the area covered by Charter Communications that carries
Horizon Armenian Television.

Kocharyan about assassination attempt on Paruyr Hayrikyan: “It was a
political crime.”

2013-02-02 15:41:41

An assassination attempt on a presidential candidate in Armenia has
thrown into doubt and could threaten stability in the volatile
Caucasus region, reports Reuters.

An assassination attempt on a presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan
in Armenia has thrown this month’s election into doubt and could
threaten stability in the volatile Caucasus region, writes Reuters,
mentioning that that region carries oil and natural gas to Europe.

Reuters mentiones, that any sign of instability in the Caucasus is a
concern to investors because although Armenia has no pipelines of its
own, pipelines carry oil and gas to Europe via Turkey through
Azerbaijan, which still has fractious relations with Armenia.

Russia has a military base in Armenia, which is a member of a
Moscow-dominated security alliance of ex-Soviet states.

Lurer.com talked about this with political technologist Karen Kocharyan.

“It would be a wrong opinion for me to assess publication of Reuters,
but in any matter, we can say it “can”, but the likelihood of
destabilization in the Caucasus, in my opinion, is low,” Kocharyan
said.

Referring to the assassination attempt on Paruyr Hayrikyan the
political technologist said that it was a political crime.

To note, Paruyr Hayrikyan, an outsider in the February 18 presidential
vote, was shot in the shoulder on January 31 night close to his home
in the capital Yerevan. Doctors removed the bullet on Friday and said
his life was not in danger.

Legal proceedings were instituted under Article 34-305 of the Criminal
Code of Armenia (attempted murder of a statesman, political or public
figure committed for termination of his activities and shall be
punished by imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years, or life
imprisonment).

A joint investigation group consisting of law enforcement officers and
National Security Service employees has been created. The case is
under the jurisdiction of the National Security Service.

According to the Constitution of Armenia, in the event of
insurmountable obstacles for a candidate, the election of the
president is postponed for two weeks.

Immediately after the attack there were talks about a possible
postponement of the presidential election, because now Hayrikyan is
unable to continue the campaign, but the CEC head Tigran Mukuchyan
called these assumptions “misleading”, proposing to wait until the
situation is clarified with the health of the candidate.

The Armenian presidential election will be held on Feb. 18 from 08:00
to 20:00 local time. These will be the sixth elections in Armenia’s
history. The president is elected for a term of five years.

Those running for the presidency are the incumbent president and
ruling Republican Party leader Serzh Sargsyan, former Prime Minister
Grant Bagratyan, chairman of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovhannisyan,
Paruyr Hayrikyan, Arman Melikyan, Andreas Ghukasyan, Vardan Setrakyan
and the leader of the National Accord Party Aram Harutyunyan.

Heifer Armenia implements agricultural aid program

Published: Saturday February 02, 2013

Heifer Armenia staff with CARMAC tractor recipients in Lori province.

Related Articles
COAF-Heifer cooperation aims to fight poverty one cow at a time

Heifer International launches new efforts to help Armenia farmers

YEREVAN – Heifer International’s Armenia program, working in
collaboration with other international institutions, has provided more
than 104 pieces of agricultural equipment to 33 farmer cooperatives
through the Community Agricultural Resource Management and
Competitiveness (CARMAC) project.

Distributions of the agricultural equipment followed pasture
management trainings in several regions of Armenia, and enable the
farmers to make the best use of their land and provide better fodder
for livestock. Smallholder farmers and their families have for years
faced a serious need for modern equipment to replace obsolete devices
that hampered work and development.

“Now everything is easier; we are able to do all the work on
schedule,” said Gevorg Galstyan, president of the Nerqin Tsaghkavan
Community Cooperative. “Before we got the equipment, we might have
harvested only 30 percent of our optimal yield. Now we don’t face such
problems any longer.

“The quality of the grass has also improved,” Galstyan said. “All of
this has truly been a path to salvation for rural Armenians.”

So far, Heifer Armenia has supported 33 smallholder cooperatives in
six marzes (districts) by placing more than $400,000 worth of
equipment. Heifer Armenia will continue its commitment to rural
revitalization in the country by supporting another 22 farmers’ groups
by the end of the CARMAC project.

About CARMAC The objective of the CARMAC project is to reverse
environmental damage caused by unsustainable grazing, increase the
economic viability of small farms through infrastructure improvements
and increase productivity to reach more markets. The $23.3 million
project, run by the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture and funded mainly
by the World Bank, aims to assist 78,000 people in 55 mountainous
communities in six marzes of Armenia. CARMAC has a $10.1 million
agricultural component, with Heifer providing $3.7 million.

Hayrikyan up and walking in hospital

13:09 02/02/2013 » POLITICS

Paruyr Hayrikyan had no pains at night and feels well now, as he told
the people who gathered near the intensive care unit at Surb Grigor
Lusavorich Medical Center. Hayrikyan is up and has walked up to the
door, News.am reported.

He underwent surgery on Friday. Doctors say he will have to stay in
hospital for two weeks but Hayrikyan thinks he will be discharged
earlier.

The presidential hopeful said he is against appointment of new
elections and has not yet applied for postponing the elections.

Also, Hayrikyan did not rule out he will carry a weapon following his
shooting incident.

Armenian presidential candidate, chairman of National
Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan was shot and wounded by
unknown gunmen in Yerevan at 23:30 local time Thursday. A criminal
case was opened in connection with the incident.

Source: Panorama.am

ICES experts shocked by assassination attempt on Armenia presidential candidate

NEWS.AM
February 02, 2013 | 11:41

YEREVAN.- The mission of the International Expert Center for Electoral
Systems (ICES) will start their monitoring of Armenia’s elections from
February 3 regardless of whether elections will be postponed or held
on time.

`ICES experts are shocked by the attack on the presidential candidate
of Armenia, head of the Union for Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan
and wish him a speedy recovery. They urge the investigating
authorities promptly to investigate and identify the forces that are
behind this illegal act,’ the statement reads.

The group includes eight long-term observers. The mission plans to
organize meetings with the presidential candidates, leaders of
parliamentary factions, members of the central and district electoral
commissions, and representatives of the Armenian media.

Unless the vote is postponed to a later date, the major group of
short-term observers will arrive in Armenia on February 14. On the
voting day, all observers will be distributed to the Armenian cities
in order to organize monitoring of maximum number of territorial
precincts.

Thirty-five ICES experts represent ten EU countries, the U.S. and
Israel. The mission is headed by Knesset MP Alexander Tsinker.

State Department condemns violence against Hayrikyan, calls for free
and fair elections

11:50, 2 February, 2013

WASHINGTON, 2 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS: The State Department obviously
condemns violence against Paruyr Hayrikian, spokesperson Victoria
Nuland told at the Daily Press Briefing, February 1.’ We understand
that Paruyr Hairikian is in stable condition now after being shot by
an unknown gunman and that the Armenian police have promised a full
investigation. We understand that there are some reports now that
there may be some postponement of the elections which were scheduled
to take place on February 18th under constitutional provisions if he’s
unable to campaign. We obviously call on Armenians to settle this
constitutionally in a way that ensures that these elections go forward
in a way that is free and fair and protects the rights of all
candidates’, Nuland said,.

Presidential candidate, leader of union for “National
Self-Determination” Paruyr Hayrikyan was shot around 11:30 PM, January
31,Tpagrichner Street, Kentron district of Yerevan. Hayrikyan got a
gunshot wound to shoulders’ area and has already been operated on in
“St. Grigor Lusavorich” medical center.

Criminal case under article 34-305 of Armenian Criminal Code has been
already initiated

EQUIPE D’ARMENIE -21 ANS
L’Arménie est dans le groupe de la France pour les championnats
d’Europe 2015 des -21 ans

PARIS, 31 jan 2013 (AFP) – L’équipe de France, qui a manqué les quatre
dernières phases finales de l’Euro-Espoirs, a hérité jeudi d’un groupe
abordable pour les qualifications à l’édition 2015, avec l’Arménie, le
Belarus, l’Islande et le Kazakhstan (groupe 10). Les vainqueurs des
dix groupes tirés au sort jeudi au siège de l’UEFA à Nyon (Suisse) et
les quatre meilleurs deuxièmes disputeront des barrages pour obtenir
les sept billets pour la phase finale, disputée en juin 2015 en
République Tchèque. Les Bleuets ont raté les quatre dernières phases
finales (2007, 2009 et 2011, 2013), échouant trois fois au stade des
barrages. Ce fut encore le cas l’an dernier face à la Norvège (1-0 et
3-5). L’élimination s’était doublée du scandale de la sortie en boîte
de nuit de cinq joueurs qui avaient quitté le lieu de rassemblement de
la sélection, au Havre, pour aller faire la fête à Paris, entre les
deux matches de barrage. La commission de discipline de la Fédération
française de football a suspendu Yann Mvila de toutes les sélections
jusqu’en juillet 2014, le privant ainsi du Mondial-2014 et les quatre
autres joueurs (Antoine Griezmann, Mbaye Niang, Wissam Ben Yedder et
Chris Mavinga) jusqu’au 31 décembre 2013. Seul le Toulousain Ben
Yedder et Mvila ont fait appel. Ben Yedder a été entendu le 15 janvier
par la commission d’appel. Mvila comparaissait lui ce jeudi midi. La
décision pour les deux était attendue dans l’après-midi. Dans la
foulée de cette affaire, le sélectionneur Erick Mombaerts a quitté son
poste et l’équipe Espoirs a été mise en sommeil, ses matches amicaux
étant disputés par les moins de 20 ans.

Le programme des Bleuets -5 septembre 2013 : France – Kazakhstan -9
septembre 2013 : Belarus – France -10 octobre 2013 : Arménie – France
-14 octobre 2013 : Islande – France -14 novembre 2013 : France –
Arménie -4 mars 2014 : France – Biélorussie -2 septembre 2014 :
Kazakhstan – France -8 septembre 2014 : France – Islande

samedi 2 février 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

HAUT-KARABAGH : COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE DES CO-PRESIDENTS DU GROUPE DE MINSK

Publie le : 01-02-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
invite a lire cette newsletter bimensuelle sur l’actualite politique,
economique et culturelle du Haut-Karabagh mise a notre disposition
par la Representation de la Republique du Haut-Karabagh en France.

Representation du Haut-Karabagh en France

Communique de presse des co-presidents du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE et
des ministres des Affaires etrangères de l’Azerbaïdjan et de l’Armenie

2013-01-29 14:41

Le 28 janvier 2013, les co-presidents du groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE
(les Ambassadeurs Igor Popov pour la Russie, Jacques Faure pour la
France et Ian Kelly pour les Etats-Unis) ont rencontre conjointement le
ministre des Affaires etrangères de l’Azerbaïdjan Elmar Mammadyarov et
le ministre des Affaires etrangères de l’Armenie Edouard Nalbandyan. La
rencontre s’est tenue en presence du representant special du President
en exercice de l’OSCE l’Ambassadeur Andrzej Kasprzyk.

Les co-presidents et les ministres ont continue les discussions sur
la proposition de travail en vue de faire progresser le processus
de paix, telle qu’elle avait ete soumise aux parties en conflit en
octobre 2012. Les parties ont egalement echange leurs points de vue
sur les mesures susceptibles de restaurer la confiance.

Se referant a leurs declarations du 14 avril 2011 et du 13 juillet
2012, les co-presidents ont egalement souleve les questions relatives
aux vols civils vers et en provenance de l’aeroport du Haut-Karabagh.

Les co-presidents et les ministres ont souligne l’importance du Groupe
de Minsk de l’OSCE en tant que cadre de negociations pour le règlement
du conflit du Haut-Karabagh.

Les ministres des Affaires etrangères ont reitere leur soutien a
un règlement pacifique et reaffirme leur determination a poursuivre
les negociations.

Les co-presidents et les ministres ont convenu d’une nouvelle
discussion sur le processus de paix dans les semaines a venir.

* Notons que par les communiques de presse du 14 avril 2011 et du 13
juillet 2012 les co-presidents soulignent l’importance de respecter
et de renforcer le cessez-le-feu de 1994 et exhortent les parties
de s’abstenir des declarations hostiles. Ils y traitent egalement la
question de l’inauguration de l’aeroport du Haut-Karabagh en saluant
l’engagement des parties de renoncer a attaquer les avions civils et
de trouver une solution diplomatique a ce problème (ndlr).

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Representation du Haut-Karabagh en France

“CRIMINAL AND POLITICAL FORCES BACKING HIM WILL BE REVEALED”

Country – Friday, 01 February 2013, 01:54

Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan who has arrived at St. Gregory Lusavorich
Hospital commented on the attempt against Paruir Hairikyan. He thinks
it is an encroachment on the government. ~SThis step is directed
against the authorities, our candidate Serzh Sargsyan. I condemn it
and I am sure the law enforcement bodies will do everything they can
to reveal this case. This crime is also against people. Seeing that at
this crucial moment the campaign passed at high level, in accordance
with the law, I think this step is intended for and directed at
causing failure of the authorities and instability, which will not
succeed.~T He said that everything will be done to reveal the criminal
and the political forces backing the criminal. Commenting on further
conduct of elections, Hovik Abrahamyan said change of date of voting
depends on the state of Hairikyan. If he is unable to continue the
campaign, the election may be postponed by two weeks.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN INTENDS TO PROTECT SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESS

January 31, 2013 | 17:51

The state must compensate deposits not only to the investors, but also
to their heirs, said, Armenian presidential candidate and leader of
the Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian during the campaign for the
Kotayk region this Thursday.

“A president has no right to throw crumbs to the people, Armenian
citizen should be protected by the Constitution, wages, pensions and
jobs. The choice is yours: either you choose the charity, or a decent
job,” Hovhannisian said, the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent
reports.

According to him, when citizens are deprived of work and a decent
life, such problems as foreign policy issues – the Karabakh issue and
the problems of Javakhk or Armenian Genocide recognition cannot be
resolved.

Referring to the problem of unemployment, Hovannisyan said that
180,000 jobs will open in five years’ time in Armenia if investments
from the Diaspora and abroad are attracted. He also assured that, if
he gets elected, he intends to stand up for small and medium business.

“The government should provide preferences for small and medium-sized
business and stop tax oppression. By the end of my presidency, 600,000
people will cross the line of poverty and will become middle class
citizens.”