ARF Announces Presidential Election Platform

ARF Announces Presidential Election Platform

asbarez
Thursday, November 8th, 2012

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation

YEREVAN (ARF Press Office) – The Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Supreme Council of Armenia issued an announcement, which outlines the
party’s platform regarding the upcoming presidential elections slated
for February.

Below is the translated text of the announcement:

The upcoming presidential elections of February 2013 are a unique
opportunity to reassess the road our statehood has taken so far, to
correctly formulate the problems that the country and society face, to
outline the actions that will provide the population’s welfare, to
counter with dignity the challenges on the foreign affairs front. It
is obvious that only with competitive, free, fair and qualitatively
new elections society’s trust will be restored, the morale will be
improved and the country will have a prospect of normal, secure and
accelerating development.

Hence, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation with this announcement is
bringing to the political agenda issues, the discussion and solution
of which will take us out of this long standing vicious circle.

1. Create an elections system which will guarantee the forming and
changing of a regime based on the population’s free expression of
will; exclude corruption and use of state-administrative esources;
transition to a 100 percent proportional elections system.

2. Until the end of 2015, initiate constitutional changes aimed at
adopting parliamentary form of governance.

3. With the purpose of controlling and counterbalancing the
authorities, provide by law effective levers to the opposition. In
particular, reserve for the opposition the administration of the Civil
Service Council, the State Commission for the Protection of Economic
Competition, the Public Services Regulatory Commission as well as of
the Anti-corruption Agency which is to be created. Establish quota for
the opposition’s participation in the Control Chamber.

4. Clearly separate business from politics, provide full independence
of the judiciary power. Subject the economical policy to a radical
change aiming at the creation of new jobs, decent salaries and
eradication of poverty.

5. Enact the state’s role as organizer-regulator in the task of
forming a society with equal opportunities for creating and justly
distributing wealth. Establish as the basis of social policy the
budget equal to the minimum essential standard of living.

6. In foreign policy, adopt a national-state direction with the
ultimate priority being the Armenian state’s independence, security
and sovereignty.

7. Sign a military and political accord between the Republic of
Armenia and the Republic of Mountainous Karabakh. Promote the notion
that the conflict resolution’s base is the Artsakh population’s free
will which has been already expressed through the referenda. During
negotiations make Mountainous Karabakh Republic’s status and security
a priority.

Withdraw the signature of the RoA from the Armenian-Turkish protocols.
Regulate relations with Turkey based on the national security strategy
without risking the realization of the Armenian nation’s objectives
and the prospect of the restoration of historical justice.

The ARF is convinced that the solution of these problems must be our
priority. After the presidential elections and for the following five
years, the state governing productivity depends on the future
President’s readiness to take over and solve these challenges.

Based on all these, the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia initiates a
series of discussions with political parties, social strata and
professional groups.

The form and extent of the ARF’s participation in the presidential
elections will be defined by the results of those discussions.

Dear compatriots,
We are certain that half of the job is formulating the issues
properly. We anticipate that all players and as well as the society’s
active segment will gather around this political platform.

ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia
08.11.2012

Iran plays key role in meeting Armenia’s energy needs: minister

Iran plays key role in meeting Armenia’s energy needs: minister
Economic Desk

On Line: 09 November 2012 15:20
In Print: Saturday 10 November 2012

TEHRAN – Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisian has said that Iran
plays a key role in meeting energy needs of his country, IRNA reported
on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference in Yerevan on the sidelines of
Iran-Armenia joint economic committee meeting, the official said that
the two sides agreed on new plans to boost bilateral trade.

Armenia and Iran on Thursday began construction on a joint
hydro-electric power plant along their shared border as the two
neighbors sought to boost economic ties.

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan and Iran’s Energy Minister Majid
Namjoo symbolically laid the first stone for the plant located on the
Aras River near the southern Armenian town of Meghri.

The $323-million, 130-megawatt plant is due to be completed in five
years, and will supply energy to Iran for the first 15 years before
being handed over to Armenia.

`This plant will play an important role in ensuring Armenia’s energy
security,’ Movsisian said.

Armenia and Iran last month vowed to increase economic cooperation,
boost bilateral trade and speed up joint projects including the
hydro-electric plant, a third power transmission line between the
countries and a railway link.

http://tehrantimes.com/economy-and-business/103131-iran-plays-key-role-in-meeting-armenias-energy-needs-minister

Exposition des `uvres du « Photographe du siècle » Ara Güler à Eréva

PHOTOGRAPHIES
Exposition des `uvres du « Photographe du siècle » Ara Güler à Erévan

Le 10 novembre fut inaugurée à la salle « Académia » à Erévan
l’exposition des `uvres d’Ara Güler, le célèbre photographe arménien
d’Istanbul consacrée au 100e anniversaire du journal arménien «
Jamanag » d’Istanbul. L’exposition est organisée par le ministère
arménien de la Culture avec le patronage du Catholicos Karékine II et
du Président arménien Serge Sarkissian. Ara Güler ne pouvait
malheureusement pas assister au vernissage de l’exposition consacrée à
ses photographies effectuées en Arménie. La ministre de la Culture
Hasmig Boghossian, le rédacteur en chef de « Jamanag » Ara Kotchounian
ainsi que de nombreuses personnalités du monde culturel assistaient au
vernissage. Ara Güler, appelée également « l’`il d’Istanbul » fut
désigné comme « Le meilleur photographe du siècle » ? Né à Istanbul en
1928, Ara Güler a débuté sa carrière de photographe de presse en 1950
dans le périodique turc Yeni Istanbul. Lors de sa longe carrière, il
reçut de nombreux prix et distinctions. Parmi ses `uvres les plus
connues, des scènes de vie à Istanbul mais également les portraits
d’hommes célèbres tels que Winston Churchill, Picasso ou Salvador
Dali.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 11 novembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

ANKARA: Syria-bound Armenian plane departs after cargo inspection

Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey
November 8, 2012 Thursday

Syria-bound Armenian plane departs after cargo inspection in Turkey

A Syria-bound Armenian plane was allowed Thursday to continue to Syria
after Turkish authorities completed inspection of its cargo. ERZURUM A
Syria-bound Armenian plane was allowed Thursday to continue to Syria
after Turkish authorities completed inspection of its cargo.

The plane made a technical landing earlier in the morning in the
eastern province of Erzurum for the inspection. Turkish diplomatic
sources said an Armenian airlines company applied on Tuesday to the
Turkish civil aviation authority to use Turkish airspace to carry 15
tons of humanitarian aid bound from Yerevan to Aleppo. Sources said
the Armenian airlines company was informed it could use the Turkish
airspace on the condition that it made technical landing in Turkey.

Sources also added that the technical landing was a routine procedure
in line with the 1944 Chicago Civil Aviation Convention.

Last month another Syria-bound Armenian plane made a technical landing
in Turkey for the inspection of its cargo. The plane was allowed to
continue to Syria after the inspection.

Clashes in Damascus as Red Cross says can’t cope with crisis

Agence France Presse
November 8, 2012 Thursday 10:48 AM GMT

Clashes in Damascus as Red Cross says can’t cope with crisis

DAMASCUS, Nov 8 2012

Syrian rebels clashed with troops in Damascus Thursday amid mounting
violence in the capital, as the Red Cross said it was struggling to
cope with the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

The main opposition Syrian National Council (SNC), meanwhile, elected
a new leadership heavily packed with Islamists, as Syria’s neighbour
Turkey said it reserved the right to defend itself amid talks with
NATO on deploying Patriot missiles.

Fresh fighting broke out overnight in Damascus in the disputed
southern neighbourhood of Qadam and in Mazzeh in the west, said the
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of
activists and medics on the ground.

It said 59 civilians, rebels and soldiers were killed in and around
Damascus alone on Wednesday, with 133 dead overall across the country.

Rebel forces have in recent days stepped up their attacks on President
Bashar al-Assad’s power base in the capital and on Wednesday shelled
Mazzeh 86, a district mainly populated by members Assad’s Alawite
minority, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Sectarian divides are a key factor in Syria’s armed rebellion, with
many in the Sunni Muslim majority frustrated at more than 40 years of
Alawite-dominated rule.

Air strikes also pounded the rebel-held town of Saqba just outside the
capital, while helicopters could be seen circling over the East Ghuta
area, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) northeast of Damascus, the
Britain-based Observatory said.

It says more than 37,000 people have died since the uprising against
Assad’s regime erupted in March 2011, first as a protest movement and
then an armed rebellion after the regime cracked down on
demonstrations and opposition activists.

In Geneva, International Committee of the Red Cross President Peter
Maurer told reporters the aid group was finding it difficult to manage
a crisis that has also forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

“The humanitarian situation is getting worse despite the scope of the
operation increasing,” he said. “We can’t cope with the worsening of
the situation.”

The ICRC, which works in collaboration with the Syrian Arab Red
Crescent to deliver aid, has “a lot of blank spots” with regard to the
needs of the people on the ground, he said.

“There is an unknown number of people in Syria who do not get the aid
they need,” Maurer said, adding that the Red Cross had no strategy in
the country beyond taking action when and where it could.

In the Qatari capital Doha, meanwhile, the umbrella opposition SNC
elected a new 40-member all-male general secretariat with Islamists,
including at least five Muslim Brotherhood members, accounting for
about a third.

— Failed to elect woman or Alawite —

————————————

Despite calls from Washington for the SNC to be more representative,
the group’s about 400 members failed to elect a single woman or any
Alawites to the leadership.

SNC officials said four members representing women and minorities,
including a Christian and an Alawite, would now be added to
secretariat, which will on Friday elect 11 members to appoint a
successor to outgoing president Abdel Basset Sayda.

Under pressure from Washington to reshape into a widely representative
body, the opposition is to hold broader talks Thursday on an
initiative by prominent dissident Riad Seif to form a new
government-in-exile.

With the violence in Syria often spilling over the country’s borders,
Turkey confirmed Thursday it was in talks with NATO about the
possibility of deploying Patriot surface-to-air missiles on its soil,
but insisted it was purely for defence.

“Patriots… are being discussed within NATO. It is only natural for
us to take any measure for defence reasons,” President Abdullah Gul
told reporters, adding that it was “out of the question for Turkey to
start a war with Syria”.

Media reports have suggested the missiles could be deployed on the
Turkey-Syria border to create a partial no-fly zone and allow for the
establishment of safe havens inside the country.

Turkey on Thursday also forced an Armenian plane carrying humanitarian
aid for Syria to land for an inspection of its cargo, the Anatolia
news agency reported.

The cargo plane landed at Erzurum airport in eastern Turkey where
teams of police and troops with sniffer dogs began their searches, it
said. It was the second time in a month that the Turkish authorities
have ordered an Armenian plane heading for Syria to land for security
checks.

burs-mm/hc

Turkey stops another Syria-bound plane

IRIB, Iran
Nov 9 2012

Turkey stops another Syria-bound plane

Turkey has forced an Armenian plane heading for Syria to land and
started searching its cargo in the eastern Turkish city of Erzurum.

Turkish Broadcaster NTV said the aircraft which was reportedly
carrying humanitarian aid to Syria was ordered to land on Thursday,
adding that the search was continuing.

It is the second time Turkey has forced an Armenian plane bound for
Syria to land for inspection. In the first such move in mid-October,
the Armenian plane was allowed to continue on its journey after
confirmation that the aircraft was carrying humanitarian aid as
stated.

Some 1.2 million people in Syria are in urgent need of humanitarian
aid, according to the United Nations, as the conflict enters its 20th
month.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN
World Food Program, which both cooperate with the Syrian Red Crescent,
have rejected reports that Syrian government has confiscated aid
destined for the civilians.

Iran uses all capacities to help Armenian energy sector, minister

IRNA, Iran
Nov 9 2012

Iran uses all capacities to help Armenian energy sector, minister

Tehran

Energy Minister of Iran Majid Namjou said Thursday that Iran will use
all its capacities to help Armenia improve its energy sector.

Namjou made the remarks addressing a ceremony on start of operation of
a joint power plant on the Aras river on Iran-Armenia border.

Namjou expressed his satisfaction with the current level of amicable
ties between Tehran and Yerevanoy.

Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisian,
too, appreciated Iran’s close and friendly cooperation with his
country.

Armenia seeks closer energy co-operation with Iran

Global Insight
November 9, 2012

Armenia seeks closer energy co-operation with Iran

by Andrew Neff

Armenia and Iran sealed a number of energy and transport
infrastructure projects during a top-level meeting on 8 November,
which will help Armenia to diversify its energy imports, and Iran, to
push back increasing international isolation.

Energy dimension

Armenia and Iran yesterday (8 November) launched construction on a
joint hydropower plant (HPP) on the Arax River that forms the border
between the two countries. Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan and
Iranian energy minister Majid Namjoo symbolically laid the first stone
for the 130-MW plant in a ceremony in Meghri, on the Armenian side of
the border. The joint HPP, which is estimated to cost USD253 million,
is expected to be completed in five years and will supply energy to
Iran for the first 15 years of its operation before being handed over
to Armenia. The project is part of an agreement reached between the
two governments back in 2007 to construct two new plants on the Arax
River, one on each side of the river, with the Armenian plant to be
built first (seeWorld Markets Energy: Armenia – Iran: 21 March
2007:andArmenia – Iran: 17 September 2010:).

In addition, Armenia and Iran announced their commitment to develop
further joint energy projects including the construction of a rail
link and an oil products pipeline that will deliver gasoline (petrol)
and diesel fuel from Iranian refineries and possibly other Persian
Gulf countries via Tabriz to the Armenian city of Yeraskh, according
to Armenian energy minister Armen Movsisyan reported in RIA Novosti.
Armenia plans to invest USD100 million to finance the construction of
the Iran-Armenia pipeline on its territory. Armenia’s main objective
is to find alternative transportation routes for much-needed petroleum
products and other commodities and open up its potential to access
external markets towards its south given that relations to its eastern
neighbour Azerbaijan and Turkey remain sore. Nevertheless, Movsisyan
made clear that he and his Iranian counterpart are keen to explore
these projects in the near future in the hope of raising the level of
economic co-operation between the two neighbours. Notably, both energy
ministers are co-chairmen of the Armenian-Iranian inter-governmental
commission on economic co-operation. However, given that Armenia and
Iran initially planned to start the construction of the oil products
pipeline in 2011 and finish it in 2014, it remains to be seen whether
this recent pledge will be realised or remain political rhetoric.

Unique dynamics

Armenian – Iranian relations appear to be decoupled from Iran’s wider
international troubles concerning its nuclear programme. Tehran has
come under UN sanctions in 2006 and 2010 which are not very stringent
compared to those unilaterally imposed by the US and the EU, which
came into effect on 28 June and 1 July of this year, respectively. The
US and EU sanctions particularly target Iran’s oil sector (which has
caused a major drop in Iran’s crude exports to under 1 million b/d of
crude or more than half compared to the year before) as well as the
Central Bank of Iran, which makes it difficult for Iran to access US
dollars and trade foreign currencies. From a geopolitical standpoint,
Russia and by extension its main South Caucasian ally Armenia, remain
important partners for Iran. At the same time Armenia has close
relations with the US and is involved in NATO missions in Afghanistan
and Kosovo. Still, it is not wider geopolitical considerations but
more pragmatic national interests that have driven the complementary
relations between Yerevan and Tehran since Armenia gained independence
in 1991. A small but influential Armenian community in Iran has served
as a link for forging close commercial relations.

For the past two decades, Iran has provided a lifeline to Armenia,
which remains under blockade by two of its four neighbours – Turkey
and Azerbaijan – over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia is another
important economic and security partner for Armenia. But unlike Iran
it does not share a common border with Armenia, and the August 2008
war between Georgia and Russia once again proved the need for energy
import diversification for Armenia.

The energy deal follows a rare security pact signed in July this year
between the two countries, which includes fight against organised
crime, drug smuggling and strengthening the common border. The deal
was also an attempt by Iran to send a signal to Azerbaijan that is
remains uneasy about Baku’s USD1.6-billion arms supply deal with
Israel (seeCountry Intelligence: Azerbaijan – Israel: 27 February
2012:) and speculations that Azerbaijan may provide its airfields to
Israel against potential military anti-Iranian strike.

Outlook and implications

Armenia and Iran not only share geography, but also face similar
external pressures on which they continue to find common ground and
co-operate on energy-related matters. Iran continues to be squeezed by
international sanctions over its controversial nuclear programme that
have stifled investment in its oil and gas sectors, while Armenia
remains subject to a long-running blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan
over the frozen Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Against this backdrop,
Armenia and Iran agreed to proceed with the HPPs, which will bolster
the energy supply situation for both countries by providing additional
generation capacity that can also be used to bolster electricity trade
between Armenia and Iran (seeWorld Markets Energy: Armenia – Iran: 7
November 2011:). This is why the two countries are also discussing
joint projects to build a rail link and an oil products pipeline to
strengthen their economic ties and energy co-operation.

Boxing: Martirosyan Vs. Lara: Striving For Victory At Wynn Las Vegas

MARTIROSYAN VS. LARA: STRIVING FOR VICTORY AT WYNN LAS VEGAS FONT SIZE

Boxeo Mundial
Nov 9 2012

Author: ARMANDO ROMO JUNIOR
Date: 11/9/2012

——————————————————————————–

Undefeated hard-hitting Armenian, Vanes Martirosyan takes on highly
skilled Cuban, Erislandy Lara at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas this
weekend live on HBO for the latest installment of Boxing After Dark.

For those casual fans or hardcore followers in need of a boxing fix
this weekend, look no further than this 154-pound WBC Title Eliminator
match to give you something to be thankful for this November.

Erislandy Lara (17-1 w/11 KOs) lurked in the undercard shadows for the
majority of his pro career until finally making a splash at Boardwalk
Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. There he headlined against highly
avoided 154-pound stand out and former welterweight champion, Paul
“The Punisher” Williams for his first major televised broadcast airing
on HBO’s Boxing After Dark series in July of 2011.

Everything but the exact outcome seemed pre-written as the favored
Williams took on the presumably outclassed yet undefeated challenger.

Well, someone forgot to run that by Lara since he masterfully
outthought, outmaneuvered and outgunned his man over the course of 12
rounds. Unfortunately, this is the sport of boxing and regardless of
what thousands of viewers saw along with the commentators that night,
a different result than what was expected once the judges tallied
their cards came to light.

Astonishingly enough, one had the junior middleweight affair a draw
while the other two judges saw the match in favor of Williams in what
was probably one of the worst boxing decisions of 2011. Justice would
later be served when all 3 judges where indefinitely suspended but
the damage was already done to the Cuban southpaw’s unblemished record.

Like a true warrior Lara carried on with his career the following
year stopping Ronald Hearns in April inside of the 1st round before
headlining his second major televised event this past June on Showtime
against Freddy Hernandez. The bout went as planned with Lara scoring a
unanimous decision after he bloodied up his foe in what many presumed
to be his entry into the “Canelo Alvarez Sweepstakes”. Saul Alvarez

needed an opponent for his September date at the MGM Grand Arena and
many felt that Erislandy was merely auditioning for the part. Sadly,
Alvarez moved forward with a different opponent giving way to this
weekend’s match-up but Lara still finds himself in front of a tough,
rugged and unbeaten fighter nevertheless.

Playing the part of unbeaten rugged man is Vanes “Nightmare”
Martirosyan (32-0 w/20 KOs. He is a fighter with a solid amateur
background that includes being an 8-time National Champion as well as
one-time Golden Gloves Champion. After putting in his dues Martirosyan
marched up the rankings with a perfect record before enjoying some
lime light on the main cards of Top Rank PPVs before turning heads
as the co-main event of the Miguel Cotto vs. Yuri Foreman title fight
at Yankee Stadium in June of 2010.

There he displayed his full arsenal earning a unanimous decision
victory over Joe Greene to pick up the NABF Light Middleweight Title
and vacant WBA International Light Middleweight Title. A 2nd round
KO win came the following year inMarch before he went on to collect
another title in June almost exactly a year to the date from his last
belt winning showcase.

This time, Martirosyan did so in style with a 7th round TKO of Saul
Roman at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California to capture the
vacant WBC Silver Light Middleweight Title. Two more wins followed for
the Armenian; one in October of 2011 via unanimous decision before
scoring a 3rd round TKO this past February over Troy Lowry. Now,
primed and eager to make the masses truly take notice, the Freddie
Roach trained fighter gets the opportunity to do so as he headlines
an event for the first time in his career.

Martirosyan carries into the ring one-punch KO power that enables him
to catch his prey coming forward with a straight shot or put them on
the canvas using perfectly placed counter punches. He works behind
angles and implements constant movement from start to finish.

This may or may not work to his advantage against someone like Lara
who is adapt at slipping shots, mixing up his attack to the head and
body while reaming calm in the pocket using his fast hands to light
pponents up. If any place is big enough to hold this high level chess
match it’s definitely the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas as Christmas comes
early when unbeaten Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan takes on Erislandy
Lara live for this Saturdays HBO: Boxing After Dark.

http://www.boxeomundial.net/boxeo.php?category=english&id=31654

Wsj: Armenian President On Tensions With Azerbaijan

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON TENSIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN

Wall Street Journal
Nov 9 2012
NY

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Armenian president
Serzh Sargsyan discussed growing tensions with Azerbaijan about the
disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh.

Watch video of the interview at
!6A0CD60C-3824-498A-A8F9-147156B1F16F

http://live.wsj.com/video/armenian-president-on-tensions-with-azerbaijan/6A0CD60C-3824-498A-A8F9-147156B1F16F.html#