Category: 2017

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 7, 2017 Monday
Analyst: Israeli minister's visit to Armenia is a clarification of
positions and invitation to dialogue on economic and security issues
Yerevan August 7
David Stepanyan. Visit of the Minister of Regional Cooperation of
Israel Tsakhi Anegbi to Armenia - clarification of positions, perhaps
an invitation to a systemic dialogue on economic and security issues.
This opinion was voiced by the Russian analyst, expert in the South
Caucasus Sergey Markedonov.
On July 25-27, the Minister of Regional Cooperation of Israel Tsakhi
Anegbi visited Yerevan at the invitation of Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian. Anegbi met with Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan,
Speaker of Parliament Ara Babloyan, a number of ministers.
Negotiations with Nalbandyan resulted in Anegbi's statement "about a
new breakthrough in the relations between Israel and Armenia," the
practical direction of work to make friendship mutually beneficial.
However, Markedonov believes that agreeing with Anegbi's thesis about
a breakthrough in Israel's relations with Armenia is rather difficult,
assessing the visit with restraint and without overstating
expectations. Especially considering the sensitive issue for Yerevan
of arms supplies to Baku, which Anegbi went around tactfully,
referring to Israel's readiness to sell weapons to everyone, including
Armenia.
The analyst is convinced that even the most pragmatic reasons at the
heart of the Armenian-Iranian partnership is not preferable for
Israel, like the military-technical cooperation between Yerevan and
Tel Aviv for Baku. However, in any case, the Caucasian and Middle
Eastern countries are striving to build a nuanced policy. Both sides
try to eliminate problematic centers, trying to refrain from tight
binding to a partner, creating a positive reserve for growth.
"All this applies not only to the rest between Iran and Israel, on
which Armenia stands. We should note Armenia's participation in NATO
exercises "Noble partner-2017 ", the preparation of a framework
agreement with the EU. The aspiration of Armenia to insure itself, to
lay eggs in different baskets, is caused by instability , the
volatility of the outside world, which clearly does not show a trend
towards greater security, and today, not only small countries like
Armenia demonstrate this line," the analyst concluded.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 7, 2017 Monday
Armenian MES: new antihail missile launchers will be launched from October 2017
Yerevan August 07
Naira Badalyan. Antihail Russian company, in addition to the
previously stipulated 2 anti-hail missile installations, will provide
Armenia with another one, out of 2 will be installed in the Aragatsotn
district of Armenia, 1 in Armavir.
According to Armenian MES press service, the head of the department
visited the radar station of the Artashavan community in Aragatsotn,
got acquainted with the progress of its modernization in the framework
of Government's program for the introduction of a new anti-hail
missile defense system. The radar will serve these installations. At
this stage, the station in 1973 is equipped with new digital equipment
with the help of specialists from Russia.
"New antihail missile launchers will be delivered to Armenia next
month, and launched in October this will ensure reliable protection
against the hail of 45 thousand hectares of agricultural land," the
ministry reports.
To note, in September in Armavir and Aragatsotn districts a new system
of anti-hail missile defense will be tested in the pilot version.
Earlier, under the order of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the
company Antihail carried out research on the basis of which it
presented mechanisms and possibilities for the modernization of the
Armenian anti-hail systems. Speech, first of all, is about the
possibility of automatic application of missile technologies in order
to reduce the damage to agricultural crops. According to preliminary
estimates, every year the country's agriculture is losing about 5-6
percent of the crop from hail loss. Meanwhile, the use of advanced
missile technology will allow 80-90% to reduce this damage.
Modernization is subject to radar stations, the presence of which will
effectively use anti-hail facilities and aircraft. Research company
Antihail was conducted on an area of 1.134 million hectares, compiled
a map of the most suitable sites for station location. Their
installation will minimize the human factor, it will be managed from a
single center. In addition, missiles do not pose a threat of
explosion, they are safe for aircraft, because of the maximum height
of 5-6 km. The application of the new system will be effective not
only for agriculture, but also for the smooth operation of civil
aviation. The presented system is accessible and effective, capable of
being used for 15-20 years. According to official data, as of the end
of October 2016, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of
Armenia, there are 496 anti-hail stations in the republic, but 5000
stations are needed to protect farms from hail.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 7, 2017 Monday
Turkish authorities make another encroachment on the Armenian Church
Yerevan August 07
Tatevik Shahunyan. From the stones of Armenian church of Varaghavank
in the Turkish province of Van (the territory of Western Armenia) a
new mosque, houses and other structures are being built. This was
reported to the local media by the head of the Union for the
Protection of Cultural Monuments of Van Ali Kalchek.
Currently, Armenian church is studying the Qur'an for local children,
the Turkish edition of Yeniozgurpolitika reports. The Armenian church
of Varagavank was built in the 7th-8th centuries AD. The temple was
badly damaged during the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Later the efforts of
the Turkish Armenians restored the church.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 7, 2017 Monday
Iran intends to register 450 Armenian churches in its territory
Yerevan August 07
Tatevik Shahunyan. As part of the tourism development program, Iran
has allocated $ 370,000 for the restoration of churches registered in
UNESCO World Heritage List. This was stated by the deputy head of the
Organization of Cultural Heritage, Crafts and Tourism Mohammad-Hassan
Talebian during his visit to the Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus.
According to Iran Today, in UNESCO World Heritage List at the
territory of Iran, there are three churches - Armenian temples of St.
Thaddeus, St. Stephen and Chapel Dzorzor. "It is necessary to preserve
the image of the historical churches of the country, therefore the
Organization of Cultural Heritage is trying to draw public attention
to them, organizing religious ceremonies and implementing restoration
projects," Talebian said.
The organization also plans to register 450 Armenian and 150 Assyrian
churches. In 2008, the monastery of St. Thaddeus, together with the
monastery of St. Stephen (Stepanos) and Chapel Dzorzor, was inscribed
on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the general title Armenian
Monasteries in Iran. According to UNESCO representatives, these
facilities underscore the power and grandeur of Armenian architectural
traditions.
 

                                        Tuesday, August 8, 2017
European Investors Renew Interest In Armenian Chemical Giant
 . Ruzanna Gishian
Armenia - The Nairit chemical plant in Yerevan.
Representatives of a Slovakian-based investment company announced on
Tuesday that they have held fresh negotiations with the Armenian
government on their proposals to revive Armenia's largest chemical
plant that was declared bankrupt late last year.
They said the company called the EU-Asia Business Finance Center still
stands ready to invest $100 million in the troubled Nairit plant
located on the southern outskirts of Yerevan.
The chemical giant manufacturing synthetic rubber employed several
thousand people in Soviet times. It has struggled to remain afloat
since the early 1990s, repeatedly changing foreign owners and
operators in murky deals overseen by successive Armenian governments.
Nairit has had only 250 or so employees since the government, which
now controls the debt-ridden plant, laid off 1,700 of its remaining
workers in January 2016. In November, a Yerevan court declared the
company bankrupt because of its failure to pay electricity bills
totaling $2.6 million.
The court ruling came shortly after EU-Asia Business Finance Center
executives led by Ashot Grigorian, the company's Armenian-born
chairman, presented Prime Minister Karen Karapetian with a plan to
reactivate the moribund factory. Karapetian effectively rejected the
plan, saying that it is not convincing enough.
Armenia - Representatives of the EU-Asia Business Finance Center
company hold a news conference in Yerevan, 8Aug2017.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Karen Israelian, Nairit's former
executive director, and two senior executives of the company
registered in the Slovak capital Bratislava revealed that they have
held more talks on the matter with Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister
Vache Gabrielian. Israelian seemed satisfied with the talks. "I
quickly understood one thing: the government wants Nairit to operate
but has no solutions," he said.
Israelian also said the European investors could relaunch
large-production operations at Nairit and create at least 1,500 jobs
there if the government grants it tax breaks and assumes the plant's
debts totaling around $100 million. They also need to audit the
company's books before making a final decision, he added.
Gary Neville, another EU-Asia Business Finance Center representative,
cautioned that Nairit's reactivation would be a "long and difficult
process." "But I hope that we will sign this week an agreement [with
the government] that will be the first step in that long process," he
said.
The government has so far made no public statements on the renewed
negotiations with the investors interested in Nairit. The latter
relies heavily on natural gas in its production operations. Karapetian
managed Armenia's gas distribution network from 2001-2010.
The World Bank argued against attempts to revive Nairit as a result of
an audit conducted last year.
Armenian Village Chief Resigns After Protests Against Gold Mining
 . Karine Simonian
Armenia - Samvel Kirakosian, the mayor of Ardvi village.
The mayor of a village in Armenia's northern Lori province has stepped
down after the local council and residents rejected an obscure
company's plans to mine gold near their community.
Many in the village of Ardvi believe that open-pit mining operations
would wreak havoc on the local ecosystem by contaminating water
sources, forests and pastures. Dozens of them blocked the entrance to
Ardvi on July 26 to disrupt a supposedly public discussion on the
controversial project mandated by Armenian law. Most members of the
village council sided with the protesters.
The little-known company called Miram has so far divulged few details
of its plans to develop a gold deposit located in the mountainous
area. It was registered in Armenia just three months ago.
Miram's shareholders included at least until this month a man linked
to Vahram Baghdasarian, the parliamentary leader of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). This fact has fueled media
speculation that Baghdasarian is involved in the controversial
project. The influential politician, who is a native of Lori, has not
commented on the issue yet.
Armenia - Residents of Ardvi village protest against a gold mining
project, 26 July, 2017.
Members of the Ardvi council said on Tuesday that the village mayor,
Samvel Kirakosian, tendered his resignation on the same day that the
local government body rejected his proposal to allow Miriam to conduct
a geological survey on 150 hectares of community land. They told
RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) that the resignation was not
accepted by the council.
"He was probably upset with something," said Suren Veranian, one of
the council members. "We told him that we are not accepting his
resignation and the guy agreed with us, saying that he will withdraw
the resignation."
Another councilor, Vaghinak Varosian, said the village chief was "very
offended" by some locals' accusations that he is ready to "sell out
and ruin the village." He described Kirakosian as a man who "really
cares about the village."
Kirakosian, who has run Ardvi for the last seven years, refused to
comment when RFE/RL's Armenian contacted him by phone. His office was
closed on Tuesday.
The villagers insisted, meanwhile, that they will continue to strongly
oppose any gold mining in or around Ardvi.
Jailed Opposition Gunmen On Hunger Strike
 . Naira Bulghadarian
Armenia -- The Nubarashen prison in Yerevan.
Two of the arrested members of an armed opposition group that seized a
police station in Yerevan last year have been on a hunger strike for
more than two weeks.
One of them, Vartan Geravetian, started refusing food on July 21 to
demand that the Armenian authorities recognize him, his comrades as
well as their jailed sympathizers as political prisoners. He is also
demanding that he and the other gunmen kept in Yerevan's Nubarashen
prison be separated from other inmates for security reasons.
Geravetian claims that the authorities are deliberately causing
tension between the two groups of prisoners to intimidate the radical
oppositionists. The other arrested man, Tigran Manukian, joined the
hunger strike on July 24 in a show of solidarity with Geravetian.
Geravetian's lawyer, Davit Gyurjian, said on Tuesday that both men are
determined to continue the hunger strike. "I have no idea when this
hunger strike will end," he told RFE/RL's Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am).
Gyurjian expressed concern about his client's health condition, saying
that the latter has been seriously weakened by the 18-day protest.
The Armenian Justice Ministry's prison management made clear that it
will not meet any of those demands, calling them "illegal." A
department official also said that both men are now kept in special
prisons cells for hunger strikers and regularly inspected by doctors.
Gyurjian insisted that the oppositionists must at least be moved to
separate cells. "This is a very legitimate demand and it must be
fulfilled by the state," the lawyer said. "These people are citing the
kind of danger which the state is obliged to neutralize."
The gunmen seized the police base in Yerevan's Erebuni district in
July 2016 to demand that President Serzh Sarkisian free the jailed
leader of their Founding Parliament movement, Zhirayr Sefilian, and
step down. They laid down their arms after a two-week standoff with
security forces, which left three police officers dead.
A total of 32 persons went on two separate trials earlier this summer
on charges stemming from the deadly standoff.
Opposition Bloc Said To Keep Fighting For `Regime Change'
 . Hovannes Movsisian
Armenia - Former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian (C) and former
Foreign Ministers Vartan Oskanian (L) and Raffi Hovannisian set up an
opposition alliance in Yerevan, 13Feb2017.
An aide to opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian said on Tuesday that
he, former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian and former Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian will continue to jointly challenge the government
despite their alliance's poor showing in Armenia's recent
parliamentary elections.
"I will say this because I'm more or less informed. I know that both
Seyran Ohanian and Vartan Oskanian stand with Raffi Hovannisian," said
Susanna Muradian, a senior member of Hovannisian's Zharangutyun
(Heritage) party.
The three men teamed up in the run-up to the April 2 elections won by
President Serzh Sarkisian's Republican Party of Armenia
(HHK). According to the official election results, their ORO alliance
polled only 2 percent of the vote, falling well short of a 7 percent
threshold for having seats in the new National Assembly. ORO rejected
the official vote results as fraudulent but refrained from urging
supporters to take to the streets.
Ohanian stated in early June that he will not quit politics and will
remain in opposition to the Sarkisian administration. He hinted at
anti-government protests that could be organized by ORO and other
opposition groups.
Muradian said that Hovannisian and other Zharangutyun figures have
been negotiating with other opposition forces for the purpose of
holding such street protests to ensure that Sarkisian does not stay in
power after completing his final presidential term in April 2018. She
declined to give details of those negotiations.
The opposition Yelk alliance, which won 9 seats in the 105-member
parliament, has also threatened to hold rallies if Sarkisian decides
to become prime minister next year. Still, its leaders have so far
been cool towards Hovannisian's calls for an anti-government "velvet
revolution."
With the end of Sarkisian's presidency, Armenia will complete its
transition to a parliamentary system of government, meaning that its
next president will have largely ceremonial powers. Sarkisian has
still not clarified what he plans to do after April 2018.
Press Review
"Aravot" comments on President Serzh Sarkisian's weekend talks in
Tehran with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani. The two men discussed,
among other things, the creation of transport corridors that would
connect the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea via Georgia and Armenia. The
paper says that Iranian leaders have repeatedly voiced support for
this idea. "Official Tehran thereby regards Armenia as one of the
crucial elements of that corridor," it says, adding that Rouhani
reaffirmed this stance at the meeting with Sarkisian.
As "Zhoghovurd" points out, Rouhani also called for a "solely
political" resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and said
regional security and stability is essential for Iran. "A spokesman
for the Iranian Foreign Ministry made a statement on this subject
later on Sunday, saying that they are closely monitoring developments
in the region and will not allow the Karabakh conflict to affect the
security of the population of Iran's border regions [close to the
conflict zone,]" writes the paper. It criticizes pro-government
pundits in Yerevan for drawing "far-reaching conclusions" from those
statements and describing them as a stern warning to Azerbaijan.
"Zhoghovurd" cautions that Iranian leaders have repeatedly made such
statements before."So nothing extraordinary was said at the meeting
with Serzh Sarkisian," it says. "Iran is trying to display a balanced
and neutral position towards the two neighboring states in line with
its national interests and diplomatic etiquette and this euphoria is
not comprehensible."
Lragir.am reacts to the opposition Yelk alliance's plans to organize
public discussions on the wisdom of Armenia's membership in the
Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). The pro-Western publication
says that economic arguments against that membership, made by some
Yelk leaders, are totally meaningless because "being or not being part
of the EEU is a military-political issue for Armenia." It is therefore
highly skeptical about the Yelk initiative.
(Tigran Avetisian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
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