Author: nina hovnanian

U. S. SENATE TO LAUNCH DISCUSSIONS DEDICATED TO JOHN KERRY’S NOMINATION FOR SECRETARY OF STATE

09:48, 24 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee will hold a confirmation hearing to consider the nomination
of Sen. John Kerry to be Secretary of State. As reports “Armenpress”
the Armenian National Committee of America called on the senators
to address John Kerry questions regarding the issues, which are of
a certain importance for the Armenian community of the United States.

The question may refer to the Armenian-American relations, the Genocide
recognition and Nagorno Karabakh issue as well.

President Barrack Obama nominated the long-time senator to be Secretary
of State on December 21, 2012. Kerry is one of the most respected
specialists of foreign policy. He is a well known political figure
and enjoys respect throughout the world. He was the chairman of the
committee at which he is testifying today.

State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland stated that it has
already been several weeks since John Kerry is actively getting ready
to assume the office. The present Secretary of State Hilary Clinton
assists Kerry.

The United States Senator from Massachusetts John Kerry has introduced
numerous initiatives for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
the U. S., strengthening ties with Armenia, and recognition of the
Nagorno Karabakh rights. He also was the 2004 Democratic presidential
nominee.

SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN’S QUEER ANSWER

Story from Lragir.am News:

13:52 24/01/2013

The deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan gave a queer answer to
Lragir.am. When we asked why the Armenian side does not follow up its
pledges and stop the Russian Compatriots Program, Shavarsh Kocharyan
said the program has been discontinued. When we informed the deputy
minister that the program has been successfully resumed, promoting
emigration from Armenia, he repeated, “it does not continue”, and left.

Note that the program provides employment and accommodation to
RA citizens in Russia. Last year the program was enlarged, and the
citizens of Armenia could leave for Russia with their families. Prime
Minister Sargsyan announced then that the program is unacceptable.

Later the issue was discussed during the meeting of the RA-Russia
intergovernmental economic commission, and Shavarsh Kocharyan stated
that Russia cannot implement a program in our country if it is not
approved.

While every day the Russian Federal Migration Service office in Yerevan
accepts applications from Armenians, the Armenian officials pretend
as if they do not notice anything and believe that the program has
been suspended. We advise Shavarsh Kocharyan to visit or call the
Federal Migration Service to make sure that the program continues.

NEWSPAPER: ARMENIAN OLIGARCHS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VISIT USA

arminfo
Thursday, January 24, 12:27

The USA still maintains its entry ban into the country by several
Armenian officials, Zhamanak daily reported.

According to Zhamanak’s information, MP and businessmen Samvel
Aleksanyan and Mher Sedrakyan, as well as oligarchs Ruben Hayrapetyan
and Levon Sargsyan still are banned from entering the USA. Until
recently, Transport and Communication Minister Gagik Beglaryan was
unable to receive a visa to the USA, but his US entry ban was lifted
ahead of the Armenian government’s visit to the USA. It is not ruled
out that after the presidential election in Armenia, Washington and
Brussels could publicize the names of several Armenia’s officials and
oligarchs that will be deprived of the right to be issued a visa to
visit the USA and EU countries.

“ARTAVAZD” AWARD TO BE DEDICATED TO VAHRAM PAPAZYAN’S ANNIVERSARY

10:12, 24 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANAURY 24, ARMENPRESS. This year “Artavazd” theatrical
award-giving ceremony will be held on the International Theater
Day, on March 27, in Yerevan State Musical Comedy Theater after
Hakob Paronyan. The award giving ceremony has been organized by the
Theatrical Figures’ Union of Armenia. This year it will be dedicated
to the 125th anniversary of outstanding Armenian actor Vahram Papazyan.

In a conversation with “Armenpress” the Press Secretary of the
Theatrical Figures’ Union of Armenia Vlad Muradyan stated that the
deadline of submitting applications for participation is March 1. Vlad
Muradyan noted: “‘Artavazd’ annual awards are presented for the most
remarkable theatrical works, which were introduced from March 1 of
the previous year to March 1 of the year of ceremony.”

A number of notable theatrical figures are involved in the jury of
“Artavazd” theatrical award-giving ceremony. Among them are Margarita
Yakhotova, Sergey Arakelyan, Lilit Arzumanyan, Narine Sargsyan, Karine
Khodikyan, Hovhannes Teckgerzyan, Anush Asilbekyan, Mayis Rafaelyan,
Levon Mutafyan, and Ara Khzmalyan.

In every nomination each of the jury members can vote for up to two
participants or works; who gets 5 or more votes will be declared a
winner. The award-winners, besides the crown ornamented with masks
symbolizing the “Artavazd” award-giving ceremony, will also receive
money awards.

“Artavazd” theatrical award-giving ceremony has been founded in 1996,
adding its nominations year by year. At the beginning the award-giving
ceremony was held in a narrow circle of theatrical figures and has
been celebrated grandiosely only from the last year.

RUSSIA TO PLAY A RESTRICTIVE ROLE IN ASSURING STEPANAKERT AIRPORT SECURITY: EXPERTS

11:19, 24 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS: Assuring of Stepanakert airport
security by Russia may have a restrictive role for Azerbaijan. Expert
on Azerbaijan Sargis Asatryan stated in the briefing with Armenpress
he does not see need of interference by the third party. According
to expert Armenian forces can completely control the security of the
Airport. Yet the presence of the Russians may serve as a restraining
factor. In the words of Asatryan as Airport is a strategic object,
political problems may arise in this case and Russians should overcome
obstacles, reportedly to come to Stepanakert and deploy their troops.

According to Turkoloigist Artak Shakarayn Armenian authorities on
behalf of Foreign Affair Minister have repeatedly stated Stepanaket
Airport is ready and is not being operated because of some technical
problems and not due to the threats directed to Stepaankert airport.

“I guess Russian statement to assist Armenia is a response to Gabala
Azerbaijani issue. Russia wants to show Azerbaijan if they will speak
in a position of influence , instead Russian will care no efforts to
further strengthen the alliance with its partner Armenia.

According to Azerbaijani APA agency Azerbaijani Government has
made amendment in “Rule on the use of the airspace of Azerbaijan
Republic”. These rules enable chance to Azerbaijan Republic illegally
destroy the planes entered the territory of the country.Some experts
connect that decision with the operation of Stepankert airport.

L’IRAK DEMANDE AU GEANT PETROLIER EXXONMOBIL DE RESPECTER SA CONSTITUTION
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 24 janvier 2013

Le Premier ministre irakien a appele lundi la major petrolière
americaine ExxonMobil a respecter la Constitution du pays, lors d’un
entretien avec son PDG, en reference a un accord signe par la compagnie
avec le Kurdistan autonome et considere comme illegal par Bagdad.

Le Premier ministre Nouri al-Maliki a refuse une nouvelle fois de
reconnaître la validite de cet accord, lors de sa première rencontre
avec le PDG d’ExxonMobil depuis la signature du contrat en octobre
2011.

Se referant a la Constitution, M. Maliki a rappele que les importantes
reserves petrolières du pays “appartiennent a tous les Irakiens”,
selon un communique de son cabinet.

ExxonMobil a signe en octobre 2011 un accord d’exploration petrolière
avec la region du Kurdistan dans six zones, dont deux sont revendiquees
a la fois par les autorites regionales kurdes et par les autorites
de Bagdad.

Le gouvernement central affirme que tous les contrats petroliers
doivent lui etre soumis et considère comme illegaux ceux qui ne le
sont pas.

“Les Irakiens sont partenaires dans n’importe quelle decouverte
de petrole, partout en Irak. Ils ne peuvent pas etre partenaires a
Bassora mais pas dans d’autres regions”, a affirme lundi M. Maliki.

De son côte, le PDG d’ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson a indique que son
entreprise souhaitait “continuer a travailler et a se developper
en Irak”, ajoutant que “d’importantes decisions dans ce domaine”
seraient prises, sans fournir plus de details.

ExxonMobil et la compagnie anglo-hollandaise Shell ont signe en janvier
2010 un accord pour l’exploitation d’un champ petrolier dans le sud
de l’Irak, mais fin 2012 la compagnie americaine a annonce a Bagdad
vouloir revendre ses parts dans le projet afin de se concentrer sur
le contrat signe avec le Kurdistan.

jeudi 24 janvier 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

ARMENIA NEEDS TO DECIDE THE FORMAT OF INTERACTION WITH EURASIAN UNION PROJECT BEFORE 2015

YEREVAN, January 23, /ARKA/. A Russian historian Alexei Vlasov,
who is also head of North-South think-tank, urged today Armenian
authorities to launch a series of public debates to find out whether
the citizens want their country to be part of the planned Eurasian
Union before 2015 when Russia and several other former Soviet republics
are expected to sign Eurasian Economic Union agreement.

Speaking to journalists in Yerevan he said sooner or later Armenia
will have to decide upon this and public debates are the best way to
find out the best development vector for Armenia.

“It is up to Armenia to make the final decision. Love can not be
compelled, but Armenia needs to formulate its strategic objectives
and to do so it must decide its development vector,’ he said.

He said one of the main obstacles to form a clear-cut position on
integration processes across the Eurasian space is the ideology issue
which is to be used as the basis for prospective Union.

“I think it is the absence of common value guidelines that creates
a tension. We still do not understand fully one another – neither on
civil society level nor on political elites level,’ he said.

Aram Safarian, head of an NGO called Integration and Development,
argued that Armenia’s European and Eurasian integration processes
are not in conflict.

“I am deeply convinced that Armenia can build a European-styled
society being at the same time part of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO), which is part of the Eurasian geopolitical space,”
Safarian said.

He said Armenia is Russia’s ally, and, thus, part of the national
and regional security, led by Russia in the common defense space.

“We may sign a trade treaty with Europe to have our country integrated
into European markets, as well as an agreement for closer Eurasian
integration on the post-Soviet space,” Safarian said.

He said the consensus on these issues can be found as a result
of in-depth public discussions. He recalled that Russian president
Vladimir Putin said in March 2012 that Russia will build the Eurasian
Union and maintain close relations with the EU at the level of
strategic partnership. This position of Russia removes the controversy,
he said.

In this context, he noted that in the case of passivity and the refusal
to accept the challenges of the West and Russia, Armenia may face a
third alternative to become part of the Middle East. -0-

POLITICAL ANALYST: SARGSYAN’S CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO PAINT OPPONENTS AS “LIGHT-WEIGHTS”
Sona Avagyan

13:51, January 23, 2013

An analyst with the Yerevan-based Armenian Center for National
and International Studies told reporters that President Sargsyan’s
re-election campaign is deftly seeking to paint the other presidential
candidates as “light-weights” and unserious contenders.

Edgar Vardanyan said that while Sargsyan’s public relations team
wasn’t employing negative campaign tactics as in 2008, nevertheless,
they were adroitly crafting an “off-putting” public image of the
other candidates.

Vardanyan argued that the government had no business manipulating the
perceptions of the electorate and that the voters themselves should
weigh the merits of each candidate.

While the analyst rated the chances of Sargsyan’s re-election a
foregone conclusion, he said that anything was possible in politics.

“If there is even the slightest groundwork and tiny pockets of
resistance, then there is the possibility that over time, even shortly,
a real threat to the current regime will appear,” Vardanyan noted.

He argued that if Armenian society could organize itself and decides
to back just one or two opposition candidates, then next month’s
presidential election could be forced into a run-off.

Sargsyan cold be defeated, Vardanyan said, if the opposition rallies
around one candidate in the run-off stage.

OPPOSITION CANDIDATES SHOULD UNITE AGAINST REGIME

01:37 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

Serzh Sargsyan has launched his presidential campaign with numerous
unresolved problems, with the ruling regime still suffering from a
legitimacy deficit, political analyst Edgar Vardanyan told journalists
on January 23.

“The regime was undemocratic before the tenure of [incumbent President]
Serzh Sargsyan, the presidential candidate of the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia (HHK), and remains undemocratic during Sargsyan’s
term in office,” he said.

The expert of the Armenian Center for National and International
Studies (ACNIS) notes that Serzh Sargsyan has adopted a more lenient
policy, given the uncertain situation in the opposition field and the
promise of the West to support the regime provided that the upcoming
presidential election qualitatively exceeded the previous ones. At
the same time, he reminded that the delegation of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has already given a harsh
assessment of the non-democratic conduct of the regime.

The political analyst says a new political situation may emerge in
the country irrespective of the election outcome.

“When people are in a dead-end situation, they begin to contemplate
over changes and eventually make these changes in the result
of unrelenting struggle,” said Mr Vardanyan. “If the opposition
candidates want to succeed, they need to promote the formation of a
new opposition movement. They should unite and win the election held
in non-democratic conditions,” he added.

RESIDENTS TO PROTEST AGAINST STONE-CUTTING PLANT CONSTRUCTION

12:19 PM | TODAY | SOCIAL

The residents of 7 Massiv, Nor Nork, Yerevan City, will hold a protest
demonstration against the construction of a stone-cutting plant at
3:00 p.m. January 24, says the statement of residents addressed to
EcoLur. During 25 years they have been beautifying and greening the
territory, where a huge amount of construction garbage was collected
after the site development of dwelling massifs in the Soviet time.

Several houses have been construction on the same territory. The
residents have applied to Yerevan Municipality many times with a
request to permit them to legalize their right to property they have
been cultivating for many years. But the Yerevan Municipality, despite
recognizing their right to first priority for obtaining the territory
as a property, put forward different reasons for refusal. In 2011 this
territory was included into “Agroholding” company, which intends to
construct a stone-cutting plant. The heads of the company stated to
the resident, they obtained the territory in 2003. “The stone-cutting
plant will turn into a real disaster for residents living nearby,
while the parks will be destroyed,” the statement says. The residents
intend to invite the Member of Parliament from their area Samvel
Farmanyan and Head of Nor Nork administrative area Armen Ulikhanyan
to take part in this protest demonstration, EcoLur reports.