Category: 2018

                                        Friday, 
France Bids Farewell To Charles Aznavour
France - Pallbearers carry the coffin of French-Armenian singer Charles 
Aznavour into the courtyard at Les Invalides military museum in Paris, 5 
October 2018.
France paid a moving national homage on Friday to Charles Aznavour, the late 
French singer of Armenian descent, in a ceremony in Paris attended by President 
Emmanuel Macron and Armenia’s leaders.
Aznavour died at one of his homes in southeaster France on Monday at the age of 
94. He will be buried on Saturday in a cemetery west of Paris.
Aznavour’s coffin was carried into the courtyard of Les Invalides military 
museum to the sound of haunting music played from a duduk, a traditional 
Armenian flute. An army band then played the national anthems of Armenia and 
France.
"Some heroes become French by spilling their blood. This son of Greek and 
Armenian immigrants, who never went to secondary school, knew instinctively 
that our most sacred sanctuary was the French language," and used it like a 
poet, Macron said at the ceremony
“In France, poets never die,” he added, standing before the coffin draped in 
the French national flag.
FRANCE -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (L) and French President 
Emmanuel Macron attend the national homage to French-Armenian singer-songwriter 
Charles Aznavour at the Invalides in Paris, October 5, 2018
The French president also praised Aznavour’s “loyalty to his roots.” “Armenians 
of all countries, today I am thinking of you,” he said. “He was supposed to be 
one of us next week in Yerevan, his absence will leave a giant void.”
Macron will travel to the Armenian capital for a state visit and a summit of 
Francophonie, a loose grouping of French-speaking nations. He revealed on 
Monday that he had asked Aznavour to join him on the trip.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian also delivered a eulogy at the farewell 
ceremony attended by Aznavour’s family and dozens of dignitaries, including 
former French Presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy and actor 
Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Pashinian hailed the legendary signer as a “great Frenchman” who “breathed a 
new life into Armenian pride.”
Pashinian also spoke of Armenians’ “special respect” for France. “I want to 
express the gratitude of the Armenian people to the French state and the French 
people for giving shelter to Armenian survivors of the genocide [in Ottoman 
Turkey,]” he said.
Armenia - People bring flowers and candles during a gathering in memory of 
singer Charles Aznavour, who died aged 94, in Charles Aznavour Square in 
Yerevan, Armenia October 1, 2018
Aznavour, who sold more than 100 million records in 80 countries, was born 
Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian parents. His global fame made 
him the most renowned member of France’s influential Armenian community.
The crooner was at the forefront of the community’s efforts to help victims of 
a catastrophic earthquake that devastated much of northern Armenia in 1988. He 
regularly visited the country in the following decades. A square in downtown 
Yerevan was named after him in 2001.
In 2004, Aznavour received Armenia’s highest state award, the title of National 
Hero, in recognition of his support for his ancestral homeland. Then President 
Robert Kocharian praised him for “presenting Armenia to the world.”
Kocharian’s successor, Serzh Sarkisian, granted Aznavour Armenian citizenship 
in 2008. A year later Sarkisian appointed him Armenia’s ambassador to 
Switzerland and international organizations headquartered in Geneva. Aznavour 
played a largely symbolic role in that capacity.
The Armenian government has declared Saturday a day of national mourning.
Tsarukian Softens Opposition To Snap Elections In December
        • Astghik Bedevian
Armenia - Opposition leaders Gagik Tsarukian (L) and Nikol Pashinian speak to 
reporters after a meeting in Yerevan, 2 May 2018.
Gagik Tsarukian has indicated that his Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) is ready, 
in principle, to back Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s efforts to force snap 
parliamentary elections in December.
“If the people want the pre-term parliamentary elections to be held in December 
then so do we,” Tsarukian told his Kentron TV channel in an interview aired 
early on Friday.
On Tuesday, the BHK helped former President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party 
(HHK) to push through a bill that could make it harder for Pashinian to ensure 
the dissolution of the current Armenian parliament in the coming weeks.
The premier reacted furiously to the development, accusing the BHK and as well 
another coalition partner, Dashnaktsutyun, of involvement in a 
“counterrevolutionary” conspiracy. He also scrapped his power-sharing 
agreements with the two parties reached in May.
BHK representatives insisted as recently as on Wednesday that the fresh 
elections should be held in May or June, rather than in December, as is 
demanded by Pashinian. Like HHK leaders, they argued that political forces need 
time to amend the Electoral Code and property prepare for the ballot.
With his televised remarks, Tsarukian signaled a softening of the BHK’s 
position on the issue.
A senior BHK figure, Mikael Melkumian, clarified later in the day that 
Tsarukian’s party will not object to the holding of the elections in December 
if “equal conditions” are put in place for all contenders and major amendments 
to the Electoral Code are enacted.
“If all that can be done at the end of October or the beginning of November we 
can hold [elections in December,]” Melkumian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service 
(Azatutyun.am). “What matters to us is substance, not timing,” he said.
Under Armenia’s constitution, early elections can be called only if the prime 
minister steps down and lawmakers fail to elect his or her successor in the 
next two weeks. Pashinian has pledged to tender his resignation this month. He 
has warned lawmakers against replacing him with someone else.
Speaking to Kentron, Tsarukian also insisted that his party is not engaged in 
any “counterrevolutionary” activity. “The prime minister should look for 
counterrevolutionary individuals within his own team,” he said without 
elaborating.
In that context, the tycoon flatly denied any cooperation with Sarkisian or 
another former president, Robert Kocharian.
Armenian President Honored By U.S. Think-Tank
        • Emil Danielyan
U.S. - Armenian President Armen Sarkissian (C) receives the EastWest 
Institute's John Edwin Mroz Global Statesman Award at a ceremony held in New 
York, 3 October 2018.
A U.S. think-tank focusing on conflict resolution has given a prestigious award 
to Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, citing his “statesmanship” and 
“contributions to global development.”
Sarkissian received the John Edwin Mroz Global Statesman Award from the 
EastWest Institute (EWI) at its annual gala held in New York late on Wednesday.
“At a time when Armenia is undergoing a profound period of transition, Dr. 
Sarkissian has been entrusted with bringing about stability and offering a new 
vision for his country’s path towards a more democratic and prosperous future,” 
said the EWI chairman, Ross Perot Jr.
“Capably navigating his country through this spring’s Velvet Revolution, Dr. 
Sarkissian once again demonstrated the true value of statesmanship for the 
greater good,” he added at the event attended by dozens of dignitaries, among 
them Armenia’s, Georgia’s and Russia’s permanent representatives to the United 
Nations.
Sarkissian, who has been the EWI’s vice-chairman emeritus since 2005, lived in 
Britain for nearly three decades before the Armenian parliament elected him 
president of the republic in March this year. Armenia’s ensuing transition to a 
parliamentary system of government meant that unlike the previous heads of 
state, he has largely ceremonial powers.
Armenia - President Armen Sarkissian (L) meets with opposition leader Nikol 
Pashinian in Republic Square in Yerevan, 21 April 2018.
The 65-year-old former scholar was sworn in on April 9 a week before the start 
of dramatic protests against his predecessor Serzh Sarkisian’s attempt to hold 
on to power by becoming prime minister. The new president tried to defuse the 
resulting political crisis in the country.
In particular, he helped to arrange an April 22 meeting between protest leader 
Nikol Pashinian and Serzh Sarkisian, which ended in failure. With the 
nationwide mass protests continuing unabated, Sarkisian resigned the following 
day. Pashinian, 43, was elected prime minister by the parliament two weeks 
later.
Armen Sarkissian expressed delight at what he described as democratic change. 
“We must be proud of today’s Armenia,” he said on May 9.
Sarkissian sounded optimistic about Armenia’s future when he spoke at the EWI 
ceremony in New York. “The 21st century is the century when things will be done 
and ruled by new ideas, by new research conducted by those who are quick, by 
those who are young and energetic regardless of how old they are … And I do 
truly believe that the 21st century is Armenia’s century,” he said.
“We are a small state but a global nation,” the president went on. “There are 
not many nations of that sort. I do believe that small states but global 
nations that have the global connectivity can get together and build their own 
country. “
U.S. - Armenian President Armen Sarkissian addresses the EastWest Institute's 
annual gala in New York, 3 October 2018.
A physicist and mathematician by education, Sarkissian worked at the Cambridge 
University when he was appointed as newly independent Armenia’s first 
ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1991. He served as Armenia’s prime minister 
for four months in 1996-1997 before being again named ambassador in London.
His second ambassadorial stint was cut short in 1999 by then President Robert 
Kocharian. Sarkissian stayed in Britain and made a fortune there in the 
following decade, working as an advisor and middleman for Western corporations 
doing business in the former Soviet Union. He was appointed as Armenian 
ambassador to Britain for a third time in 2013.
Press Review
Lragir.am reacts to Prosperous Armenia (BHK) party leader Gagik Tsarukian’s 
latest comments on the issue of snap parliamentary elections. “He skirted the 
main question,” comments the online publication. “If the BHK does stand for 
pre-term elections why are his parliament deputies opposed to that? Why did the 
BHK initiate and vote, together with the HHK, for the amendments to the 
National Assembly statutes which are aimed at scuttling the pre-term elections 
in December?” It also notes that Tsarukian’s interview with his Kentron TV 
station was aired two hours later than it was supposed to.
“Tsarukian’s interview testifies to the fact that he was dealt a fairly strong 
blow on October 2 and that blow showed,” writes “Zhamanak.” “The BHK leader 
sough to prove, in a state of certain panic and confusion, that he stands with 
the people and that if the people want the elections to be held in December 
they don’t mind that.” The paper too wonders why BHK deputies voted for the 
controversial bill on October 2.
“Zhoghovurd” says Tsarukian’s interview was keenly anticipated. “Tsarukian’s 
emphases were noteworthy, leaving the impression that the velvet revolution 
happened mainly because of him,” comments the paper. “Tsarukian categorically 
denied having ties with former Presidents Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian.”
(Lilit Harutiunian)
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

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
October 4, 2018 Thursday
Aram I concerned about recent events in Armenia
Yerevan October 04
Marianna Mkrtchyan. The Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Aram
I, is concerned about recent events in Armenia. "The Diaspora cannot
be indifferent and passive to these events, as it is an integral part
of Armenia, and it cannot be indifferent to the challenges that the
country faces," said Aram I.
According to him, the interests of the motherland should be above
personal or party benefits. The Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia expressed the conviction that the Motherland should be kept
away from shocks and dangers at all costs and through mutual
compromises.
Aram I also urged to abandon the current policy of intolerance and
mutual distrust, replacing it with mutual love, tolerance and respect,
and abandon the approaches that divide society into different camps.
He urged everyone to move along the path of love and law, on the basis
of mutual respect and understanding, putting the security of the
country above all.

Interfax - Russia & CIS General Newswire
October 4, 2018 Thursday 6:06 PM MSK
Armenian party Dashnaktsutyun accuses PM of attempt to establish
political monopoly
YEREVAN. Oct 4
The Dashnaktsutyun party, which holds seven seats in the National
Assembly, the Armenian parliament, has spoken in support of a bill
amending the parliament's rules of procedure and says the attempts to
disrupt competitive elections and to establish a political monopoly by
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the pretext of "a counterrevolution
threat" are unacceptable, the party said in a statement on Thursday.
"The draft amendments to the law on the National Assembly's rules of
procedure supported by the Dashnaktsutyun faction, which were used to
score points, were not aimed at disrupting the negotiating process
around early elections. On the contrary, they were designed to
guarantee that the parliament will be dissolved only through the law
and in a constitutional way. The need to hold early parliamentary
elections within a year is clearly stipulated in the government's
program and hasn't been disputed," Dashnaktsutyun said.
"It should be taken into consideration that holding early
parliamentary elections has implied from the start that clear steps
and actions would be taken to reform the Electoral Code and the entire
electoral system in order to hold truly free, just, transparent, and
democratic elections," it said.
"It is much more important to ensure the proper quality of elections,
form a proper political and moral-psychological atmosphere, and create
the legal and organizational preconditions for that," Dashnaktsutyun
said.
"The desire to hold elections as soon as possible jeopardizes the
organization of competitive elections and provides favorable
conditions for the ruling political force," it said.
"We see the attempt to disrupt the agenda for holding early elections
based on a common and clear-cut roadmap on the pretext of the threat
of counterrevolution as unacceptable and are firmly convinced that
political processes pursued through coercion and threats cannot lead
the country down the right path," Dashnaktsutyun said.
Violence or threats to use violence against the National Assembly and
its members, which would essentially do away with the immunity
guaranteed by the Constitution, are aimed at disrupting the normal
election process, the party said.
"We are convinced that mendacious accusations about worsening the
situation, violating agreements, and conspiracies are attempts to
divert the people's attention from creating preconditions for free and
competitive elections. We have to acknowledge that we're simply
dealing with a new attempt to establish a political monopoly under the
guise of democracy in Armenia," Dashnaktsutyun said.
"There can be no return to the past; in order to guarantee the present
and the future, past mistakes must not be replayed. We are convinced
that there is still a chance for dialogue, and a consolidation of
political forces can help us find the right way to resolve the
situation," he said.
Prime Minister Pashinyan said at the National Assembly on October 3
that early parliamentary elections should be held in December. The
leaders of the Republican Party's, Prosperous Armenia's, and
Dashnaktsutyun's parliamentary factions had earlier objected to the
prime minister's proposal and said that if elections were scheduled
for May 2019, they would agree not to nominate candidates for the post
of prime minister.
The 105-seat Armenian parliament is currently comprised of four factions.
The Republican Party controls 50 mandates.
The Tsarukyan faction, which is led by a major Armenian businessman,
Gagik Tsarukyan, holds 31 mandates.
The Dashnaktsutyun faction comprises seven lawmakers, and the Yelk
faction nine. The Yelk faction is comprised of three parties,
including Civil Contract, which Pashinyan leads.
Eight other parliamentarians, who left the Republican Party's faction
after the change of government in Armenia, do not belong to any
faction.
Some leading Republican Party members said earlier that they did not
see the holding of early parliamentary elections as an urgent
necessity but were open to discussion.
President Armen Sarkissian said on Wednesday he would initiate
consultations with Prime Minister Pashinyan and parliamentary speaker
Ara Babloyan regarding the bill on the National Assembly's rules of
procedure passed by the parliament to complicate its dissolution and
the calling of early parliamentary elections.
Pashinyan said earlier that he had met with Babloyan and
representatives of the Republican Party, Prosperous Armenia and
Dashnaktsutyun and would resign within the next few days.
Pashinyan said also that it had been agreed at a meeting with the
speaker and members of the parties that they would not nominate
candidates for prime minister, as this could provoke a new crisis.
Republican Party press secretary Eduard Sharmazanov said no final
decision had been made on the dates of early parliamentary elections
and the nomination of a candidate for prime minister.
Speaking at a rally in Yerevan on October 2, Pashinyan said the
Republican Party led by former President Serzh Sargsyan had gone over
to the counterrevolution and called for "eradicating" it from the
Armenian political landscape.
Va mc mk

Interfax - Russia & CIS General Newswire
October 4, 2018 Thursday 11:11 AM MSK
Armenian govt dismisses 6 governors representing parties Prosperous
Armenia, Dashnaktsutyun
YEREVAN. Oct 4
The Armenian government on Thursday decided to dismiss the governors
of six regions from the parties Prosperous Armenia (Tsarukyan bloc)
and Dashnaktsutyun.
The governors Ashot Simonyan of the Aragatsotn region, Grant Margaryan
of the Lori region, Aragats Sagatelyan of the Vayots Dzor region,
Gagik Miridzhanyan of the Armavir region, Ishkhan Sagatelyan of the
Gegharkunik region, and Karen Ambartsumyan of the Syunik region have
been dismissed by the government decree.
Six ministers from the parties Prosperous Armenia and Dashnaktsutyun
were earlier dismissed. Relevant decrees were ordered by Armenian
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a rally in central Yerevan on
Tuesday.
The prime minister also said he would resign after the decree on the
dismissal of the ministers and governors took effect.
The Armenian government is composed mainly of representatives of the
prime minister's party Civil Contract and the bloc Yelk, which unites
the prime minister's party with two others.
The party Dashnaktsutyun held the posts of agriculture minister and
economic development and investment minister.
The party Prosperous Armenia, which is led by Gagik Tsarukyan, one of
the richest people in Armenia, held the posts of sports and youth
affairs minister, emergency situations minister, and energy
infrastructure and natural resources minister.
Av mk