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Author: Talar Tumanian
Charles Aznavour values introduction of investigative mechanisms on Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line
Panorama, Armenia
UN Special, a magazine issued by the Geneva Office of the United Nations, has published an extended interview with renowned French-Armenian singer and songwriter Charles Aznavour, who is also Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva and to Switzerland.
The interview titled “An extraordinary evening at Victoria Hall” is dedicated to the grand concert organized by the Armenian Embassy in Switzerland on 24 November 2017, marking the 25th anniversary of Armenia becoming a UN member and establishing diplomatic relations with Switzerland.
Below is Charles Aznavour’s full interview with the magazine
Thank you for agreeing to give us this interview, Ambassador. You are a recognised global celebrity, but not many people know about you also being the Ambassador of Armenia to the United Nations in Geneva and to Switzerland. How did that come about?
I was born in Paris, but both my parents were survivors of the genocide. My father, Misha, was an Armenian from Georgia; my mother, Knar, from a family of Armenian traders from Turkey. France quickly became my country. At home we spoke both Armenian and French, and we felt both 100% French and 100% Armenian. Many Armenians in France believe that I played a certain role in the term “Armenian” being included in the French national narrative, and then, after the song “They Fell,” which I wrote in 1975, they regarded me as someone who, finally, represented them.
However, my commitment to Armenia is relatively recent. Before its independence, I went there once, in 1964, just for a concert. It was the devastating earthquake of 1988 that alerted my consciousness. In twenty-four hours, I decided to launch an association: “Aznavour for Armenia”, which for many Armenians in Armenia in those difficult times, embodied hope for the future.
The newly independent Republic of Armenia trusted me with a function that would strengthen and formalise my commitment. First, I was appointed as Armenia’s Ambassador to UNESCO, and then, in 2009, President Sargsyan, who granted me the Armenian nationality, proposed that I represent Armenia in Switzerland and the United Nations in Geneva. At first I hesitated, thinking it would not be easy. Then I thought what is important for Armenia must be important for all of us.
Armenia is a country with ancient history and culture, but its independence is recent. What has the contribution of Armenia to the United Nations family been since its independence?
For Armenians, with a history of millennia, the last quarter of the century was particularly critical. Last year, Armenia celebrated the 25th anniversary of its membership of the United Nations. Over the past years, despite a number of challenges, Armenia has become a fully-fledged and responsible member of the international community. On becoming a member of the United Nations, Armenia committed to making its own contribution to the efforts of the international community aimed at building a peaceful future based on universal values, including respect for the principles of equal rights and the self-determination of peoples.
It is important to emphasize the participation of Armenia in a number of United Nations peacekeeping missions: from Afghanistan to Iraq, from Kosovo to Lebanon and Mali, through which Armenia contributes to the establishment of international peace and security.
Armenia is committed to contributing to the joint efforts of the international community aimed at combating terrorism and responding to the refugee crisis. Armenia is the third country in Europe in terms of hosting the largest number of refugees per capita. Twenty-two thousand refugees from Syria have found shelter in Armenia.
Since it became a member of the United Nations, Armenia has been actively engaged in the activities of the Organization and its bodies in various areas. This, in particular, relates to our commitment to the United Nations prevention agenda. In this regard, the efforts of Armenia directed towards the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide are essential. As a nation which has survived the horror of a genocide, we feel moral responsibility to voice the importance of the prevention of genocide and crimes against humanity and to take action in this domain.
An international day of commemoration and dignity for the victims of the crime of genocide and the prevention of this crime has been officially and unanimously established by the United Nations General Assembly. At the origin of this initiative was the Human Rights Council in Geneva, through a resolution presented by Armenia. As a descendant of genocide survivors, and, moreover, as a public figure, I have a particular responsibility. I carry the weight of their infinite suffering. It is our task to stand for their respect and dignity, and to make sure that oblivion and denial do not kill them a second time. Those who were annihilated in 1915, 1941 and 1994, were the Armenians, the Jews, the Tutsis… not for what they had done, but for who they were. It was me, but it was you too. Because at Der Zor, Auschwitz, and Kigali their target was humanity. The barbarism that has not been eradicated resurfaces under another mask. It can be observed in the fate of the minorities in the Middle East nowadays. Impunity has set the wrong pattern.
The year 2017 also marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Switzerland. How would you assess Armenian-Swiss relations and what have been the main achievements during these 25 years?
Armenian-Swiss diplomatic relations were established only a quarter of a century ago, however, the friendship between the two peoples is not new.
The political dialogue between the two countries intensified after the opening of diplomatic missions in Switzerland and Armenia, with many reciprocal high-level visits, as well as due to the close collaboration in the framework of such international organizations as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the International Organization of Francophonie.
I am also very happy that Switzerland hosted two recent summits of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the framework of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. I believe that settlement of this issue will contribute greatly to the overall security and stability in the region. Since 1990s the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been mediated by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (France, Russia, USA), the only internationally mandated body to mediate in the settlement of this conflict. The mediation hinges upon a package of proposals, which are based on such principles of international law as the nonuse of force, self-determination and territorial integrity.
The trilateral (Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenia) cease-fire agreements signed in 1994 and consolidated in 1995 shall be fully respected. In this regard, it’s important to have in place the investigative mechanism on the Nagorno-Karabakh contact line with Azerbaijan, which has repeatedly been called for by the Co-Chair countries. I hope the neighboring country will agree and will not hinder this mechanism. This will save the lives of 18-year-old boys and civilians. The co-chairs have also been calling for the authorities to prepare their people for peace, not war. I hope their voices will be heard. Thirty years after Sumgait, the international community, including the United Nations, should be more vigilant and attentive in pushing for peaceful resolution, to which there is no alternative, for the sake of the people living in the region.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes, I was glad to know that this year, in October, the heads of states of La Francophonie decided to hold its summit in Yerevan. This will be the largest event not only in the history of independent Armenia, but also of the Organization in the region. As a member of La Francophonie, Armenia shares its values of peace, solidarity, dialogue, the equality of peoples, human rights and cultural diversity, and will prioritize them during its presidency. The summit slogan – “Living together” reflects these humanitarian values, which, I am sure, can strengthen the cohesion of our societies and bring peace and prosperity to the francophone space.
Thank you very much. I also want to particularly thank your son, Nicolas, for taking our picture and saving us from the unexpected malfunction of my camera!
Newly appointed Malaysia Ambassador hands credentials
Today, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to the Republic of Armenia Datuk Mat Dris bin Haji Yaacob (residence in Moscow) presented his credentials to Serzh Sargsyan.
Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the Ambassador on appointment and wished him every success in his activities. Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Malaysia, Mr Sargsyan underscored that the deeply rooted historical affinities between our two peoples, which date as far back as to the 17th century, provide a solid basis for upgrading these warm ties of friendship to high-level interstate relations and effective cooperation in different spheres. Serzh Sargsyan made a point of establishing and expanding the legal framework between the two countries that will add momentum to the ongoing cooperation.
The interlocutors hailed the effective cooperation between Armenia and Malaysia in international organizations. On behalf of the Republic of Armenia, Mr Sargsyan expressed readiness to step up interactions in that direction.
Ambassador Datuk Mat Dris bin Haji Yaacob assured that he would spare no effort to build on the Armenian-Malaysian ties, promote close contacts and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Ambassador presented his views concerning the possibilities of developing cooperation in a number of spheres. Welcoming his ideas, the President of Armenia stressed that the Ambassador’s practical stance inspires optimism that the bilateral relations will be activated in the near future.
Turkish Press: New era dawning in Turkish-Austrian relations
Anadolu Agency (AA) Turkey
March 7, 2018 Wednesday
New era dawning in Turkish-Austrian relations
Time of tensions expected to be replaced by normalized relations and stronger economic, cultural ties
By Askin Kiyagan
VIENNA
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s meeting with his Austrian counterpart in Vienna this Thursday is expected to leave crises between Turkey and Austria behind and turn a new page in relations.
Cavusoglu’s official visit follows two years of tensions between the two countries. During his visit, he will also attend the opening ceremony of the Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) offices in Vienna and meet representatives of the local Turkish community, said a Foreign Ministry statement
Cavusoglu and Austria’s Karin Kneissl are expected to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.
In a previous meeting in Ankara on Jan. 25, the two top diplomats pointed to “a new era” beginning in bilateral relations.
The two sides also agreed to normalize relations, hold more talks at the level of diplomats and officials, and boost economic and cultural ties.
They also vowed to revive the long-dormant Joint Economic Commission mechanism between the two countries.
Overcoming tensions
Cavusoglu last met in May 2016 with his Austrian counterpart, then-Foreign Minister and current Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, in Vienna, at a meeting of the International Syrian Support Group co-chaired by the U.S. and Russia.
The Austrian parliament’s 2015 declaration that the events of 1915 were a so-called “genocide” and a 2016 demonstration in Vienna in favor of the terrorist PKK — a group which has taken some 40,00 lives in Turkey — served as breaking points in bilateral relations.
Turkey argues that the events of 1915 took place amid World War I, when some Armenians chose to side with invading Russians, and that there were casualties on both sides.
In the wake of the parliament’s decision, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Vienna back to Ankara for consultations.
Ties between the two countries also soured in late 2016, due to Austrian restrictions on Turkish politicians who wanted to campaign in the country ahead of a key referendum in Turkey. The campaigns were directed at Turkish nationals living in Austria.
Ankara has also sharply criticized the Austrian government for illiberal integration policies, populistic rhetoric, and failure to take a strong stance against growing racism and Islamophobia.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan destroys another Armenian UAV (PHOTO)
3 March 2018 16:43 (UTC+04:00)
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 3
Trend:
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces destroyed another X-55 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Armenian Armed Forces, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a message.
The UAV attempted to fly over the Azerbaijani army positions in the direction of Azerbaijan’s Aghdam district March 3.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
House, wood, there is electricity currency of 10,000 volts – resident of house about water penetrating homes (video)
Residents of Shirakatsi street in Gyumri complain about a huge waterfall near the houses.
Water also penetrates the homes of the residents. Employees of the Electric Networks of Armenia have found out that there is electricity under the house, which is dangerous.
Chess: 33 Armenian chess players to participate at the European Individual Championship in Batumi
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 13 2018
The European Individual Chess Championship for 2018 will take place in Batumi, Georgia on March 16-29. The championship will be played in 11 rounds according to Swiss system in accordance with ECU and FIDE Tournament Rules and Rules of Chess, with time control 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from the move one.
As the National Olympic Committee reported, Armenia will be represented at the tournament by 33 chess players, including members of the national team Gabriel Sargsyan, Hrant Melkumyan, Hayk Martirosyan, GMs Sergey Movsesyan, Robert Hovhannisyan, Arman Pashinyan, Manuel Petrosyan and others.
The leader of the Armenian women’s team Elina Danielyan and Anna Sargsyan are set to participate in the tournament as well.
To note, the championship is a qualification event for the next World Cup.
Sports: Arsenal boss says not surprised by Mkhitaryan’s professionalism
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 8 2018
Sport 18:10 08/02/2018 Armenia
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has praised the way that the club’s newcomer, Armenian national team captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan has settled in at the Emirates ahead of his first ever North London derby.
Wenger seems delighted with the way his new signing has begun, Mirror reported.
“He has a very professional attitude in training and matches,” said Wenger at his press conference before Saturday’s meeting with Totenham at Wembley.
“I’m not surprised by that – to me, it’s completely normal.”
“Once the game has started, these guys have top-level experience,” Wenger said of Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“They know what’s important and that’s to focus on their performance.
“These guys are top quality players. Why should they not repeat the performance? [vs. Everton].”
Istanbul Governor Rejects Patriarchate Locum-Tenens in Favor of Ateshian
Archbishop Aram Ateshian (left) has been creating obstacles for Istanbul Patriarchate Lcoum Tenens Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian (right)
ISTANBUL—The Istanbul Governor, after months of delays, finally announced its official rejection of Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian, who was elected the Patriarchal Locum Tenens during a March 2017 religious council meeting, further exacerbating the process of electing a patriarch, which has been marred by interference by Archbishop Aram Ateshian, who refused to step down as the Vicar-General following the Locum Tenens elections.
The letter from the Istanbul Governor’s office also asserted that the Turkish authorities did not recognize Bekdjian but saw Ateshian as the legitimate Vicar-General of the Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate.
Furthermore, the Istanbul Governor’s office has notified the Patriarchate that the only criteria for a patriarchal election are the death of the sitting patriarch, resignation or the vacancy of the position for other reasons. The governor’s office also stated that the Patriarch Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, who has been incapacitated for years due to dementia, is the recognized leader of the Istanbul Patriarchate and his illness does not meet the state criteria for electing a new patriarch.
Thus, the governor’s office stated that it cannot accept any appeal or letter sent by Archbishop Bekdjian, since it does not recognize him as the legitimate leader of the institution, despite the fact that he was elected by the religious council currently in place at the Patriarchate.
Last March, the governor’s office sent a letter to the Patriarchate saying that the election of locum tenens and the entire process of preparing for the election of a patriarch were not recognized by the Istanbul Governor. This initial rejection was presented by Ateshian at the meeting, which elected Bekdjian, after Ateshian did not receive the necessary votes to remain in the leadership of the Patriarchate.
The government’s intervention in the patriarchal election process has been at the center of controversy for the Istanbul Armenian community and has prompted Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament to call for an investigation by the legislature into the government overreach into the Armenian community’s issues.
RFE/RL Armenian Report – 02/02/2018
Friday, February 2, 2017 Armenia Defends French President Against Turkish Criticism FRANCE -- French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian before a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, January 23, 2018 Armenia on Friday denounced Turkey's angry reaction to French President Emmanuel Macron's latest statement on the 1915 Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire. Addressing prominent members of the influential Armenian community in France earlier this week, Macron pledged to assign an official day of commemoration for some 1.5 million Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War. France formally recognized the massacres as genocide with a special law passed in 2001. Macron also signaled support for another French law that would criminalize public denials of the genocide. The French-Armenian community has been actively campaigning for such a measure. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, described Macron's remarks as "populist." "Genocide is a legal, not political term # If France is committed to the law it must not bring up such issues," he said. Ankara has always denied a premeditated government effort to exterminate Ottoman Turkey's Armenian population. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian rejected the Turkish criticism of Macron in written comments to RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). "Instead of labelling those who recognize the Armenian Genocide as populists Ankara needs to abandon the dangerous populism of its denialist policy and have the courage to face its own past," he said. France - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) meets with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Paris, 22Dec2017. Nalbandian argued than among the two dozen nations that have officially recognized the genocide are Germany and Austria, the Ottoman Empire's allies during the 1914-1918 war. He also cited the position on the subject of the International Association of Genocide Scholars. "The historical record on the Armenian Genocide is unambiguous and documented by overwhelming evidence," the association said in 2007. Macron made his comments just days after meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian in Paris. "France will always be alongside Armenia," the French leader said after the talks, citing "profound links" between the two nations. Media Groups Concerned Over Government Transparency . Sargis Harutyunyan Armenia - Prime Minister Karen Karapetian chairs a cabinet meeting in Yerevan, 25May2017. Armenian media associations expressed concern on Friday about government plans to reduce the transparency of weekly cabinet meetings in Yerevan after Armenia becomes a parliamentary republic in April. Under a new bill on the Armenian government's structure and powers approved by ministers on Thursday, journalists will no longer be able to watch those meetings live. The prime minister could only make "a part of a meeting" open to the press, it says. The bill also bars government members from publicizing details of any issue discussed by the government without the premier's permission. The chairman of the Yerevan Press Club, Boris Navasardian, described the proposed legislation as "yet another step" towards withholding more information about the government's activities from the media. "I don't exclude that it is connected with the transformation of the government system because obviously when the prime minister's powers increase and essentially equal the current president's authority more serious issues will be discussed and solved at government meetings," said Navasardian. "In that regard, they find the presence of journalists unnecessary." "I wouldn't say that this is an extraordinary development," he added. "It's just a continuation of a general trend, inertia." "In essence, not much is going to change," Satik Seyranian, the head of the Armenian Journalists Union, said for her part. Seyranian, who is also the editor of the "168 Zham" newspaper, argued that many cabinet meetings watched live by reporters have often been mere "formalities" that rubber-stamped government decisions made prior to them. "I am more concerned about the fact that government members will not be allowed to release any information without the prime minister's permission," she told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). "It means that there will be censorship within the government and the work of journalists will get harder." Justice Minister Davit Harutiunian defended the planned restrictions on Thursday. He said he does not know of any other country where cabinet meetings are open to the media. This openness has discouraged Armenian ministers from voicing critical opinions about decisions or policies proposed by their colleagues, claimed Harutiunian. Armenian Mining Giant Announces Mass Layoffs Armenia - A newly constructed ore-processing plant at the Teghut copper mine, 20Dec2014. Three weeks after suspending production operations at a massive copper mine in Armenia's northern Lori province, an Armenian mining company said on Friday that it has decided to lay off hundreds of workers. The company, Vallex Group, sent many of its 1,215 employees working at the Teghut deposit on indefinite leave on January 12. It attributed the move to "planned prophylactic repairs" of the mine's waste disposal facilities. In its latest statement to the press, Vallex said it will fire most of the workers due to what it expects to be a "prolonged stoppage" of mining and ore processing at Teghut. The company claimed that the stoppage is necessary for the realization of its plans to significantly increase its output. It said it needs to hire Armenian and foreign consultants for "scientific research" to be conducted for that purpose. That will take some time, the statement added without elaborating. The Armenian government did not immediately react to the announcement. Nor had government officials in Yerevan commented on the recent suspension of mining at Teghut. The Teghut mine is one of the largest employers in the unemployment-stricken region. The mass layoffs will therefore deal a major socioeconomic blow to the local population. Vallex said almost all employees of the mine will receive notices about the impending termination of their contracts. It promised to provide some of those workers with jobs at other enterprises owned by the mining giant. They include a copper smelter in the nearby town of Alaverdi and metal mines in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Liechtenstein-registered company resorted to the layoffs despite reporting a 32 percent surge in its combined operating revenue, which totaled $358 million last year thanks to increased international prices of copper and other non-ferrous metals. The Teghut mine generated over 42 percent of that revenue. The Teghut operator already announced in August plans to increase copper ore extraction at Teghut. These plans met with strong resistance from some residents of two villages close to the mining site. They said that higher pollution levels have had negative effects on their fruit orchards. In recent months, environment protection groups have repeatedly reported toxic leaks from Teghut's waste disposal dump contaminating a nearby river. The company has denied those reports. Saakashvili Book Presentations Cancelled In Yerevan . Marine Khachatrian UKRAINE -- Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili gives a press conference before the appeal hearing regarding the Kiev district court that ruled to release him from custody at a courthouse in Kiev on January 19, 2018. A bookstore in Yerevan has cancelled a planned presentation of the Armenian translation of a memoir written by Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia's former president who is now an outspoken opposition figure in Ukraine. The book recounting Saakashvili's political activities in Georgia and Ukraine was due to be officially released in Armenia on February 7 with the event planned at the Noyan Tapan bookstore. The shop manager, Luiza Berberian, said on Friday that she called off the presentation because she does not want to see any "political material" on sale at Noyan Tapan in principle. "Anyone can come here and offer books to our employees," said Berberian. "[One of the shop assistants] didn't realize what he is doing. A copy of the book accidentally ended up on my desk and I thought it's interesting material. But when I flipped through it I thought `sorry but this is not for our bookstore.'" "Nobody put pressure on me," she added. The book presentation was originally planned at the state-run literary Museum of Yeghishe Charents. The museum director also cancelled it, citing "technical reasons." She denied receiving any orders from the Armenian Culture Ministry. The book's Armenian translator, Mikael Nahapetian, believes, however, that the Armenian authorities are behind the cancellations. "It's evident that there was pressure," he told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). An Armenian human rights activist, Vartan Harutiunian, also saw political motives, saying that the authorities in Yerevan do not to displease the Russian government which has long been extremely hostile to Saakashvili. Saakashvili, who governed Georgia from 2004-2013, likewise alleged "Moscow's intervention" when he reacted to the event cancellations on Facebook. "Interestingly, in Georgia Russian agents spread rumors that I am an ethnic Armenian while in Armenia they say that I am anti-Armenian," he wrote. Saakashvili t is also at loggerheads with the current governments of both Georgia and Ukraine. On January 5, a court in Tbilisi found him guilty of abuse of power in connection with a 2006 murder case and sentenced him in absentia to three years in prison. The ex-president rejects the charges as politically motivated. In Ukraine, prosecutors have accused Saakashvili of abetting an alleged "criminal group" led by Ukraine's pro-Russia former President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia after his ouster in February 2014. Ukrainian authorities also claim that protests led by Saakashvili in Ukraine are part of a Russian plot against the government in Kyiv. Saakashvili on January 3 accused Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) of being involved in the fabrication evidence presented against him by Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv's ongoing criminal trial against him. Press Review "Haykakan Zhamanak" reacts to reported cancellations by public and private institutions in Yerevan of an official presentation of a book written by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and translated to Armenian. "Is Russia's intervention the reason for that, given the high degree of Russian influence on various segments of Armenia's population?" asks the paper. It goes on to suggest that Moscow was not behind the cancellation. "Saakashvili's image is deeply unbearable for our government elite," it claims. "Having become Georgia's president only 12-13 years ago, Saakashvili managed to radically transform Georgia # And that was happening in front of our eyes. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of Armenians visiting Georgia could see that a whole country can be reformed in a very short period of time." "Chorrord Ishkhanutyun" brands President Serzh Sarkisian a political "juggler" who skillfully manipulates Armenia's government institutions and political system to extend his rule. The paper claims that he is making sure that Armenia's police and National Security Service are "removed from parliament control and directly subordinated to the prime minister." It also argues that despite Armenia's transformation into a parliamentary republic the parliament speaker will no longer sit on the national Security Council. "This is a real magic," it says scornfully. The pro-opposition daily also blasts a government bill that will prevent journalists from watching cabinet meetings live. "Meetings of the next government to be formed in April will be held behind the closed doors," writes"Zhoghovurd." The paper ridicules the official rationale for this measure which was given by Justice Minister Davit Harutiunian on Thursday. "In this country journalists are to blame for everything," it says tartly. (Tigran Avetisian) Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org