Author: nina hovnanian

DIASPORA MINISTER: THERE’S NO COUNTRY THAT DOUBTS FACT OF GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 4, 2012 – 21:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On October 4, Yerevan State University hosted the
opening of 6th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists titled “Ahead of
Armenian Genocide 100th anniversary”.

“There is no country in the world that doubts the fact of Armenian
Genocide. We aim to prove that it was a crime against of all of
humanity,” Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan said in her speech.

As Minister Hakobyan noted, the facts about Genocide are so vivid that
intellectuals, scientists and politicians share the same standpoint,
stressing the need to tell the truth.

“Armenia must constantly focus on the activity of those people. Turkey
hopes that time will wash away everything, however we must unite. The
third and the fourth generation of genocide survivors must hold a
firmer stance,” she said.

KAMIKAZES TO BE TRAINED IN AZERBAIJANI UNIVERSITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 4, 2012 – 19:43 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Military training courses will probably resume in
all Azerbaijani universities staring the next academic year, Azeri MP,
Baku State University rector Abel Maharramov said.

Military expert Uzeir Jafarov, in turn, characterized the closure of
military departments as an incorrect decision, Vesti.az reported.

“The departments enriched the potential of law enforcement agencies,”
the expert said, stressing the need for benefiting from the expertise
of CIS universities.

A member of Azerbaijani parliamentary committee on security and defense
Zahid Oruj further underscored the necessity of resuming activity at
university military departments.

“The student must be ready for service, especially on the frontline. A
war in Nagorno Karabakh is inevitable, so are bloodshed and deaths.

The country must be ready for all this. Similar issue was seriously
discussed in Russia several years ago, with the lack of patriotism
in most Russian families resulting in army problems,” the MP said.

Thus, Azerbaijan needs “cannon fodder” trained at sniper schools. Now
the students, too, will receive kamikaze training. It’s hard to believe
Baku doesn’t acknowledge that young generation of inefficient soldiers
will be targeted in the face of a new war.

Just on the contrary, fully aware of the fact, Azerbaijan won’t
hesitate to send the young soldiers to their deaths, thus trying to
replace the quality by a quantity.

CITY BUSES TO REPLACE MINIBUSES IN ARMENIA’S CAPITAL

tert.am
04.10.12

The Yerevan Municipality continues replacing minibuses with city
buses, Henrik Navasardyan, Head of the Transport Department, Yerevan
Municipality told journalists on Thursday.

However, he is surprised at the fact that the department received
350 complaints from citizens who demand “minibuses back.”

In response to journalists explanations that buses arrive “too late,”
Navasardyan said that buses will arrive every 10 to 12 minutes after
the new route network has been approved.

“We have a problem with drivers, which also accounts for late
arrivals,” the official said.

He also pointed out the problem of importing buses, which is, in turn,
the cause of crowded buses.

With respect to contests for fixed-run taxis held since May 31,
Navasardyan said that 21 contests have been held, and taxis serving
62 of 76 of routes will go on serving passengers for the next three
to four years.

Also, 35 of the planned 68 bus routes are being served now, with
three new routes to be opened.

“We have held contests for 18 routes, and 12 of them have won. We
also plan to hold contests for others from October 1 to November,”
Navasardyan said.

ARMAVIA’S OWNER SAYS COMPANY’S POTENTIAL BUYERS ARE FROM ABROAD

tert.am
04.10.12

Owner of Armavia airline Mikhail Baghdasarov speaking to Panorama.am
refuted the media claims as if Armavia’s buyer is Michael Minasyan,
son-in-law of Armenia’s president.

“I want this information stop circulating. Why is it all being done?

Have I stated that he is the buyer? You are saying so. I have not
said such thing. You ask us, we do not answer and you begin making
up things,” he said.

Asked whether negotiations are being held with Minasyan or not,
Baghdasarov said the buyers are absolutely other people, they are from
Australia, Italy, Russia. Baghdasarov said there are 3-4 variants but
said he does not want to reveal the potential buyers saying it is a
commercial secret. “As far as they have not bought it yet, I cannot
tell you who they are,” he said.

Baghdasarov stated that there is no such level businessman in Armenia
who can seek to buy Armavia.

He said he cannot revive Armavia as great sums are necessary for it.

“It was a crisis and we had to hand all the planes and buy the new
ones. It is not so easy,” Armavia’s owner said.

PLACE OF WORSHIP FOR YEZIDIS TO OPEN IN ARMAVIR REGION

tert.am
03.10.12

A delegation headed by the spiritual leader of theYezidis, Mire –
Mira Tahsin Beg, has come to Armenia to attend the opening of a Yezidi
temple in the Armavir region.

According to a press release by the Yerevan City Hall, Mayor Taron
Margaryan received the guests on Wednesday to congratulate them on
the remarkable occasion.

“I am sure the place of warship will become meeting venues for the
Armenia-based Yezidis. The Yezidi community has a special role in
Yerevan’s life. The Yerevan City Hall attaches importance to the
ethnic minorities’ role and significance in a big community and is
ready to assist them within its competences,” he said. “The Yezidi
community, like all the other ethnic minorities residing in Yerevan,
has an opportunity to conduct events in different cultural centers;
nonetheless we proposed the Yezidi community recently to have a
cultural center in Yerevan.”

Thanking the mayor for the reception, the Yezidi spiritual leader
referred to the historically developed relations between their
community and the Armenians. He said Armenia’s warm hospitality
inspires hopes for a closer friendship in the future.

The Yezidi community members later briefed the guests on their living
standards in Yerevan, praising the City Hall for its assistance and
permanent attention.

GERMAN AMBASSADOR HAILS ARMENIA’S INTENTION TO UNILATERALLY LIFT VISAS WITH SCHENGEN AREA

NEWS.AM
October 03, 2012 | 16:38

YEREVAN. – Removal of the visa requirements by Armenia for the Schengen
countries will give a positive result, German Ambassador to Armenia
Reiner Morell said at a press conference on Wednesday.

According to him, realizing this intention will promote development
of tourism. The diplomat also touched upon realization of the
Eastern Partnership program, claiming that the talks are progressing
successfully.

As it was earlier informed, the citizens of 27 EU-member countries
and four non-member but Schengen Acquis countries (Iceland,
Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) can arrive in Armenia without
visa requirements. Armenia is currently negotiating with EU and with
respect to the visa relaxation agreement, so as to completely lift
visa requirements in the future. And by unilaterally lifting the
visa requirements, Armenia expects to accelerate the signing of the
aforesaid agreement.

NATURAL GAS PRICE NEGOTIATIONS NOT YET OVER – ARMENIAN PREMIER

NEWS.AM
October 03, 2012 | 17:16

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry is
continuing its talks with the Russian side, in connection with the
price of natural gas being supplied to Armenia, PM Tigran Sargsyan
announced at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

He informed that the price for natural gas being supplied to other
countries is determined pursuant to the rules specified by the Russian
Federation and the discussions and negotiations are conducted every
year. And this means the price of natural gas could drop or rise,
depending on the changes in the market.

“The price is not at all related to the [forthcoming] presidential
elections [in Armenia],” Tigran Sargsyan said, and promised to inform
the public on the results, once the negotiations are over.

BUNDESTAG VICE PRESIDENT: IT IS NECESSARY THAT TURKEY RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ARMENPRESS
3 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Germany has been developing relations
with Armenia for about 20 years. The relations are normal and
non-problematic, which might be activated in all the platforms. More
serious contribution by the Governments, Parliaments, more serious
contribution in the field of economy and civilized society should be
made. This is what we need to achieve the abovementioned goals.

It was stated at the exclusive interview given to Armenpress by the
Vice President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Thierse.

What impressions do you have completing your visit to Armenia?

This is my first visit to Armenia. It is a very beautiful and
interesting country. We have had different meetings with the President
of the Republic of Armenia, the Parliament and the Government
officials, as well as the deputies of different political parties.

This was a very informative visit. It is quite important that the
political visits of the Armenian side to Germany become more active.

Thus, the key issues and the situation of the country will become
more comprehensible for us.

Mr. Thierse, does Germany intend to criminalize the denial of the
Armenian Genocide, as France is trying to do?

The position of Germany is quite clear. We condemn all similar
crimes. In case of Armenia we have adopted a special resolution to be
presented. Condemnation of such crimes by Germany plays a significant
role in our country. We implement the necessary actions to remember
all the crimes of the 20th century. And these crimes begin with the
massacres towards the Armenians.

Do not you think that Turkey should follow the action of Germany,
recognizing the Holocaust and recognize its own guilt in implementation
of the Genocide?

Certainly, I think that Turkey should do that, but we cannot control
and order from abroad. This is a process demanding serious efforts.

The self-critical knowledge should reach the Turkish society.

Germany has already recognized the independence of the South Sudan
and Kosovo. Is there any similar intention concerning the Nagorno
Karabakh independence?

No, there is not any intention in that direction, as the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation issue between Armenia
and Azerbaijan cannot be achieved in the far Berlin. Implementation
of such actions by us would not be so smart. If we do such thing, we
would have overestimated our power. Europe tries to settle the issue
with the assistance of the OSCE Minsk Group. Maybe Germany could
assist the efforts but I do not think that we play a considerable
role in the process in that case.

The entire world, including different European structures, condemn
the actions of Azerbaijan releasing and giving a national hero to
the assassin Ramil Safarov. Do not you think that it is necessary to
pass from condemnation to concrete punishment, for example, deprive
Azerbaijan of the opportunity to participate in the negotiations
around the European Union Association Agreement?

I do not think that Armenia is interested in worsening of the relations
with Azerbaijan. I think, on the contrary, Armenia aims at establishing
peace. The attitude towards Ramil Safarov is scandalous.

Everybody is unanimous in that issue. We should take into account
that it is the demonstration of weakness and not the strength of the
Azerbaijani regime. And Armenia as well should understand that.

But do not you think that by implementing sanctions it will be possible
to prevent the further similar actions by Azerbaijan?

I do not think that by adoption of this or that resolution we can
prevent anybody from doing something if he wants it.

After the numerous visits in Armenia have you outlined any new programs
of economic cooperation with Armenia?

In 2012 German-Armenian economic discussions will be held in
Frankfurt. In their framework it will be clarified what possible
investments should be made and what conditions should be created to
make investments in Armenia, so that there would be a large inflow
of German funds.

We should discuss which fields of the Armenian economy are more
attractive for the further investments. But there is a big problem
here; it is the small volumes of the Armenian market and the closed
borders. The largest prerequisite in Armenia is the favorable climate
for the investments.

The Vice President of the German Bundestag, who are in Armenia for the
first time, visited the Museum Institute of the Armenian Genocide,
got acquainted with the documents and documentaries proving the
Armenian Genocide and made an inscription in the memorial book of the
“Honorary guests”, stating “We condemn the Genocide and demand to
establish peace and protect human rights”.

NAGORNO KARABAKH AIRPORT REOPENS, BUT FLIGHTS DELAYED

Business New Europe

Oct 2 2012

The international airport in Stepanakert, capital of the separatist
Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR), officially reopened on October 1.
However, flights are yet to take off.

Flights connecting Stepanakert with Yerevan are expected to start in
the near future, officials from Nagorno Karabakh claim, according to
reports in the Armenian press. However, permission from Azerbaijan ~V
which officially controls the republic – is needed for that to happen,
and given the recent rise in tension between Baku and Yerevan, that
looks unlikely for the meantime.

The airport has been out of use since the war between separatist
Nagorno Karabakhi forces, backed by Armenia, and the Azeri army
broke out in 1998. However, the de facto independent Nagorno Karabakh
authorities have funded its re-construction, with the aim of initially
launching three flights a week to connect Stepanakert with Yerevan.

The head of the NKR Civil Aviation Department, Valeri Adbashyan,
said in an interview with News.am that the airport had received
certification confirming its compliance with international standards
and giving it the right to receive and dispatch flights.

However, as Nagorno Karabakh’s independence is not internationally
recognised, the republic officially remains part of Azerbaijan. That
means permission from the Azeri authorities is needed if flights are
to be launched, but Baku has consistently said it will not give the
go ahead. In fact, the Azeri~Rs have threatened to shoot down any
planes violating Azerbaijani airspace by flying over Nagorno Karabakh.

In July 2012, the Azerbaijani State Civil Aviation Administration
said in a statement that planned flights between Stepanakert and
Yerevan would represent an invasion of Azeri airspace and “taking
corresponding measures in connection with that is inevitable.”

Another issue blocking the Stepanakert runway is the financial
situation at Armenian flag carrier Armavia. The airline’s flights from
Yerevan’s Zvartnots international airport were suspended on September
20 after it failed to pay its service charges. Armavia is now due to
be sold off to avoid bankruptcy.

ARMENIAN PREMIER HOLDS MEETING WITH YAZIDI SPIRITUAL LEADER

Vestnik Kavkaza
Oct 2 2012
Russia

The prime minister of Armenia, Tigran Sarkisyan, welcomed the
delegation headed by the Spiritual Leader of Yazidi of the whole world,
Mir Takhsin Beg, Armenian Today reports.

“The Armenian government pays a lot of attention to the Yazidi
community in our country. We stand for the ethnic rights of Yazidi,
give them an opportunity to publish Yazidi newspapers in Armenia and
teach their language in schools. We are ready to discuss various
issues with you: how the government can contribute to comfortable
life of Yazidi community in Armenia,” Sarkisyan noted.

The Spiritual Leader of Yazidi said that Armenian and Yazidi peoples
have always had friendly relations.