Author: nina hovnanian

AZERBAIJANI DIPLOMAT: ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DECEIVES ITS PEOPLE

HETQ
14:56, October 29, 2012

According to the Azeri Press Agency, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry
of Azerbaijan Elman Abdullayev said that the government of Armenia
“was trying to deceive its people on the eve of the presidential
election by giving them false information about the recent New South
Wales resolution on Karabakh.

They attempt to persuade the Armenian people that Australia has
recognized the independence of the occupied territories. Australia has
officially stated several times that it fully supports the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Moreover, the Australian
government has urged its citizens not to visit the Azerbaijani
territories occupied by Armenia”, the diplomat Abdullayev stressed.

MP INQUIRED ABOUT REASONS FOR ARMENIA’S ALLOCATIONS TO NKR

tert.am
30.10.12

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) receives funds under the
Armenian government’s mid-term expenditure program in conformity
with the budgetary positions year by year, which is enhancing the
NKR’s potential.

Responding to a question by Artsvik Minasyan, an MP of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), Armenia’s Minister
of Finance Vache Gabrielyan explained the reasons for the annual
allocation of AMD 39bn to the NKR against AMD 30bn inflow of funds
from the NKR into Armenia.

The minister pointed out difference in calculations and noted that
taxes and duties amount AMD 15 to 20bn in the NKR.

As to what the government means by “macroeconomic stability,” Minister
Gabrielyan said that it is such price rise, economic growth and deficit
that afford the opportunities to ensure steady economic growth and
economic predictability.

EU ESTABLISHES JUSTICE PROBATION SERVICE IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS: Probation service is scheduled to
be established under the auspices of Armenian Ministry of Justice in
the frame of European Union funded and implemented projects. First
draft presentation of Probation Service’s Action Plan kicked off in
October 30.

As Armenpress reports, in accordance to Armenian Republic 2012-2016
legal and judicial strategic plan reforms, Probation Service is
scheduled to be created under the auspices of Ministry of Justice,
agency independent from penitentiary service and criminal justice. Its
primary goal is to elaborate necessary documents for the creation of
Probation Service based on EU best practices.

A seminar was launched dedicated to the presentation of the service
targeted to identify potential legal and practical issues that may
hinder the creation of the Probation Service in Armenia. As a result
of discussions held with relevant stakeholders and the response,
final version of strategy and action plan will be elaborated which
will be presented to the consideration of Armenian Ministry of Justice.

Team Leader Daniel Stoyanov stated the Probation Service will protect
the public and reduce manifestation of double crime. Assistant to
the Minister of Justice Hayk Sargsyan stated the Service is aimed
at reduction of sentences, which in their turn will contribute
to the reduction of costs and the decrease level of criminality,
reintegration of criminals in the society and implementation of the
goals of punishment.

Probasion Service establishment assumes investment of both legislative
and professional changes, as well as courses on professional skills
and abilities.

The application of the Service is scheduled for 2014.

SHABOYAN TO BECOME LFIK SAMO’S BARRISTER?

2012-10-30 10:53:06

The fact, that Samvel Aleksanyan can’t have a competitor, knows
everyone, but this was on non-official level. Due to State Commission
for Protection of Economic Competition Mr Aleksanyan is declared
irreplaceable, the one which doesn’t have competitors and who can’t
tolerate existence of a second one like him, number one oligarch in
Armenia on official level. A powerful institution called CPEC, which
has been fighting against Armenia’s monopolies and leaders and will
probably fight for more 300 years, held a discussion in Tsaghkadzor,
during which when the president of Consumers’ Association tried to
defend interest of his ‘patrons’ asking: “Is it possible that quotes
will be defined for big importers, for example in case of sugar,
there is one importer and the price is rather high?” Artak Shaboyan
gave a crushing reply.

“In market of sugar today it’s possible to confirm competition
only after the second producer appears, but this is impossible, as
possibilities of the existing factory are more, than the demand of
internal market is. To have a second factory here is not realistic.

Studies show that it’s cheaper to have a local production, than
importing.” Samvel Aleksanyan couldn’t have organized a more convincing
defense.

There can’t be spoken of a second, a third importer: there wasn’t
even need to touch upon this issue. Competition can occur (it’s clear,
that this is from the range of utopia), if another one dares to take
that frantic step for the businessman, building a new sugar factory,
that is to say, if an idiot appears, which has the desire to splash
out, and as we know, businessmen, especially those who have money are
foxy: there is one factory, which is hard to say for how many percent
it works, but, of course, it works in its measure. According to NA MP,
the reasoning is the ‘laziness’ of people from Shirak. “What can I do?

Let them cultivate, and I’ll get, they don’t want to work, What can I
do? I’m giving a good price, but they say, it’s not enough. If I raise
the price of beet, you know how expensive sugar can be?” Aleksanyan
said a year ago in NA.

The official explanation of incomplete work of sugar factory in Spitak
is this. And the reality is, that for Aleksanyan, which is the only
importer, is more profitable to present as an importer of important
raw of sugar, the raw which can be provided by local producers,
but they don’t provide, because they’re ‘lazy’, that’s why ‘poor’
Aleksanyan imports raw from other part of the world to organize
‘local production’. What’s really being called raw, is exactly sugar,
of course, under the name of raw. In all this operation sugar factory
is just a ‘super alibi’ to remove all the charges and to make complete
the illusion.

Until now the operation was being organized properly. Later, after
CPEC president decided to be the barrister of oligarchs, operations
of Samvel Aleksanyan, will likely have a smother process.

Lusine Kesoyan

7 ARMENIANS KIDNAPPED FROM BUS EN ROUTE TO ALEPPO

tert.am
30.10.12

Ten people, including seven ethnic Armenians, have been kidnapped
from a bus travelling from Aleppo to Damascus.

The other three people are said to be Arab Christians.

According to Yerkir Media TV, the kidnappers first debused the
passengers and later set them free. But the ten people remained
in captivity.

Witnesses said armed rebels dressed in black forced the people to
kneel down and later carried them away. The reportedly demand the
handover of their detained companions-in-arms. The group has set a
three-day deadline, threatening to kill the 10 people in case the
rebels are not returned in that period.

No identities have been established so far.

AZERBAIJANI DEPUTY SPEAKER: OSCE MINSK GROUP’S LAST STATEMENT ADDRESSED TO ARMENIA

Trend
Oct 29 2012
Azerbaijan

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen’s statement on the inactivity and
the statements, which may worsen the positions of the parties of
the conflict, has been addressed to Armenia, which wants to open the
airport in the occupied territories, Azerbaijani deputy chairman of
the Azerbaijani Parliament Bahar Muradova told media today.

“Armenia’s action is a provocation aimed at aggravating the situation,”
Muradova said.

Muradova said that the commitment to the peace talks has been voiced
by the two parties, but the process shows its course.

“Besides showing an interest in resolving the conflict, OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairmen must exert more efforts to complete the process
positively, influence on Armenia for it to abandon its non-constructive
position,” Muradova said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

ARMENIA AND EU TO FORM THE ASSOCIATION AGENDA

Mediamax
Oct 29 2012
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Armenia and the European Union agreed to work on
the formation of the Association Agenda.

The Association Agenda is a practical instrument replacing the
Armenia-EU Action Plan within the European Neighborhood Policy,
which aims at the realization of provisions of Armenia-EU Association
Agreement.

The regular round of Armenia-EU talks on signing the Association
Agreement was held in Brussels on October 26. The Armenian delegation
was headed by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister, chief negotiator
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.

The parties stated that they had coordinated most of the issues of
the future agreement related to the goals and common principles
as well as to cooperation on political dialogue, foreign policy,
security and justice.

The parties have also discussed and temporarily closed 28 chapters
of the future agreement related to financial and economic cooperation.

The parties highlighted the progress in negotiations on Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement (DCFTA).

The next round of talks is supposed to be held in the second half
of December.

TORONTO POMEGRANATE FILM FESTIVAL WRAPS UP 7TH SEASON WITH RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE

October 29, 2012

TORONTO, Canada-The 7th Annual Pomegranate Film Festival (POM), held
in Toronto, Canada, officially ended its seventh season on Sun., Oct.

21, with a sold-out world premiere. From Oct. 18-21, POM VII celebrated
an extremely successful four-day weekend that featured a variety of
34 films from 12 different countries, including 10 world premieres,
setting a new record for festival attendance.

(From Left) The director of ‘Lost and Found in Armenia’ Gor Kirakosian;
stars Angela Sarafyan and Jamie Kennedy; the executive producer of
the National Film Board of Canada, Silva Basmadjian; and POM chair
Sevag Yeghoyan (Photo by Chris Krikorian) “Once again POM completely
raised the bar this year,” said Jacob Porpossian, the director
of communications and marketing for POM. “Our fantastic selection
of films was very well received and helped us set a new attendance
record for the festival since its inception seven years ago.”

The festival concluded with the sold-out world premiere screening of
the comedy “Lost and found in Armenia,” directed by Gor Kirakosian,
with stars Jamie Kennedy and Angela Sarafyan in attendance. The
2012 POM Awards Ceremony shortly followed with jury members Silva
Basmadjian, the executive producer of the National Film Board of
Canada; Roger Kupelian, a filmmaker and author of the graphic novel
“War Gods”; Hrant Alianak, a playwright and actor; and acclaimed
cinematographer Norayr Kaspar presenting the 2012 awards.

The film “Azad,” directed by Nicolas Tackian, was awarded Best Feature
Film, with Honorable Mention awarded to “Where Do We Go Now?” by
producer Lara Chekerdjian. Best Short Film was awarded to director
Erik Dinkian for his film “Yukiko,” while Honorable Mentions were
awarded to Oksana Mirzoyan for her film “140 Drams,” as well as Luska
Khalapyan for her film “The Seventh.” The Dr. Michael J. Hagopian
Award for Best Documentary was awarded to Gary and Cesar Gananian for
their film “Armenian Rhapsody,” with Honorable Mention awarded to Dr.

Kay Mouradian for her film “My Mother’s Voice.” Along with winning
the Best Feature Film category, the coveted Audience Choice Awards
went to “Where Do We Go Now?” and Gor Kirakosian’s “Lost and Found
in Armenia.” Other featured films, such as Katherine Sarafian’s
“Brave,” Norayr Kaspar’s “Zenne Dancer,” Oscan Alper’s “Future Lasts
Forever,” screenwriter Stephane Kazandjian’s “Monster In Paris,” Vahakn
Grigoryan’s “It’s Me,” and Robert Davidian’s “Armenian Activists Now,”
generated much discussion among film attendees.

“Selecting the right mix of films for a four day festival is never
easy.” said Porpossian. “Our board members spend a lot of time making
sure we have a diverse array of films that ensures the growth of the
festival, while appealing to viewers that are new to film festival
culture, as well as loyal yearly attendees.”

The seventh season allowed POM to push the boundaries by introducing
subject matter that wasn’t previously screened at the Toronto
festival. “Symphony of Sin,” a collection of eight short rated-R
films, including “Yukiko,” allowed POM attendees to explore the dark
side of the creative mind and experience a variety of thrillers and
horror films, while the screening of “Zenne Dancer” highlighted and
introduced LGBTQ and related honor killing issues in Turkey to the
Toronto-Armenian community.

“We love seeing how attendees react to different films when they
exit the theatre,” said Porpossian. “You know you’ve succeeded when
your audience is engaged in discussions about the films after the
screening has concluded.”

Due to the success and popularity of the Festival’s finale film Lost
and Found in Armenia, a second Toronto screening has already been
scheduled for Nov. 18 at the Hamazkayin Theatre.

For more information regarding the Pomegranate Film Festival, visit
or .

About Pomegranate Film Festival

Established in 2006, the Pomegranate Film Festival stems from the
Toronto “Klatsor” Chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational
and Cultural Society. A group of young Armenian professionals, bound
by a passion for film and culture, voluntarily come together every
year to put together a wonderful cultural event that they believe
is fundamental to Armenians living in the Canadian diaspora. Like
its fruity namesake, the pomegranate, this film festival is fresh,
dynamic, and prolific. Rich in variety, it depicts topics relevant
to Armenian culture through the medium of films submitted from around
the world. In doing so, it creates a platform for burgeoning Armenian
talent to showcase their work and grow as artists, while providing
the Armenian community and its supporters a unique film experience.

BAKU NEEDS “CHANGE” IN OSCE MINSK GROUP ACTIVITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 29, 2012 – 21:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The executive secretary of Yeni Azerbaijan party
expressed his appreciation of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs efforts in
Karabakh settlement as well as attempts to approximate positions of
conflicting parties.

However, as Ali Ahmedov noted, commenting on a Paris-hosted meeting
between Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers, “the meeting being
necessary in conflict settlement efforts, the issue goes back 20
years. Seeing as no progress has been achieved during that period,
we believe serious changes are in order.”

“Despite OSCE MG’s optimistic statement for ministerial talks to be
able to promote the conflict settlement, we see no grounds for such
optimism,” APA quoted Ahmedov as saying.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met on Saturday,
October 28 with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Robert Bradtke, Igor
Popov, Jacques Faure and the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk in Paris.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov joined the parties
later.

At the meeting, the co-chairs stressed the necessity to ease tensions
between the conflicting parties, briefing those present on their
views for achieving progress in Karabakh conflict settlement.

The Ministers, in turn, announced their readiness to continue joint
work in reaching a peaceful solution.

In conclusion, the parties agreed to discuss the co-chairs’ suggestions
during the latters’ visit to the region in November.

OCTOBER 29 MARKS 19TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOVSAKAN LIBERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 29, 2012 – 17:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Artsakh defense forces liberated Kovsakan (formerly
known as Zangelan) on October 29, 1993, with the town and the
neighboring settlements fully freed November 1.

Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire agreement
August 31. Baku, however, used the document for boosting the military
capacity namely with Turkish ammunition, about 1500 Afghan mujahideens
(the total number reached 2000), about 1000 mercenaries (the total
number amounting to 2000) and numerous Turkish officers.

Already in fall, Azerbaijan deployed 70000 soldiers, 240 tanks,
650 armored personnel carriers and IFVs, 520 artillery systems, 50
aircrafts and 30 helicopters along the borders with NKR. Meanwhile,
Artsakh defense army consisted of 20000 soldiers (7000 from Armenia
and Diaspora), 150 tanks, 220 units of armored vehicles, 150 artillery
pieces and 10 helicopters.

Confident of its military superiority, Azerbaijani army resumed
hostilities in Hadrut direction October 3, with NKR army succeeding
in seizing strategically important Horadiz area on October 23-24. On
October 27, NKR leadership suspended operations to enable the civilian
population to move to Iran. However, already the next day, Artsakh
defense army resumed actions to counter Azeri advancement towards Boyuk
Bahmanli village. After the liberation of Mindzhivan railway station,
NKR forces entered Kovsakan October 29, and took full control of the
town on November 1 morning.