Category: 2018

Nine citizens of Armenia injured in road accident in Georgia

Jane Topchian
ARKA, Armenia
Aug 20 2018

YEREVAN, August 20. /ARKA/. Nine citizens of Armenia, including a child, received injuries in a road accident in the early hours of Monday in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia, the accident occurred at 05:14 when a Mercedes minivan collided with another Mercedes car, steered by Oleg Omarov, a citizen of Georgia.

The Armenian citizens were taken to various hospitals in Tbilisi. The condition of two of them is said to be serious. -0-


Pashinyan’s idea of inclusive economic growth is good, but difficult to implement, economist says

Ani Basmajian
ARKA, Armenia
Aug 20 2018

YEREVAN, August  20. /ARKA/. The idea of inclusive economic growth, announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at an August 17 rally,  is good, but difficult to implement, Hrant Mikaelyan, an economic researcher at the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute, said today.

Speaking to tens of thousands of Armenians, who gathered to mark the first 100 days of his government, Pashinyan promised to replace the current ineffective economic model with an inclusive one, saying that  all citizens will receive equal opportunities to run businesses and all will be equal before the law and the tax authorities.

According to Mikaelyan, the idea is difficult to implement, since the number of wealthy people is limited. The situation can be corrected by equitable distribution of income, which should be done  in a way as to not go against the market laws.

In his words, for  inclusive economic growth to succeed, the growth of incomes should outstrip economic growth indices for several years and that should go in parallel with elimination of monopolies and reducing unemployment rate.

On the results of the first 100 days of the government, Mikaelyan pointed out a set of good macroeconomic indicators, recalling that the first 30 days of the government were spent on personnel reshuffling.

According to the National Statistical Committee, Armenia’s economic activity grew by 9.3% in the first half of 2018 when opposed to the same time span of 2017, according to the numbers, released today by the National Statistical Committee (NSC).

The economic activity in July increased by 11.1% from the year earlier, while in June it grew by 9.6% from 2017 June. Armenia’s foreign trade turnover in the first 7 months of this year amounted to about $4.089.8 billion, having increased by 26.8% from the same period of 2017. The government’s projection of GDP growth for this year is 4.5% 

The positive aspect of the new government’s work, according to Mikaelyan is that  bringing large businesses to the net and subsequent fines did not lead to the closure of businesses.  “This is very important for economic stability,” he said. -0-


Armenians Overwhelmingly Reject Existing Parties, Want to See New Ones Emerge

Garnik Zakarian
Eurasia Review
Aug 19 2018


Armenians Overwhelmingly Reject Existing Parties, Want to See New Ones Emerge – OpEd

 

By Paul Goble



A new poll shows that Armenians overwhelmingly view the existing parliamentary parties negatively and consider that new parties need to emerge that will more adequately reflect their views, positions that suggest the revolution in Armenia is not slowing down but will have a major impact on the results of the upcoming parliamentary vote.

The Voice of the People Club interviewed 1200 Armenians over the age of 18 in Yerevan and rural Armenia between July 10 and August 10. Sixty-three percent of those sampled rated the existing parliamentary parties in a negative way; only 15 percent had a positive view of them (kavkazoved.info/news/2018/08/18/socopros-grazhdane-armenii-ozhidaut-uchastie-novyh-partij.html).

Respondents were most positive about the Elk bloc and the Tsarukyan bloc, with 64 percent saying they had a positive view of the former and 47 percent of the latter. Only eight percent had a positive view of the Dashnaktsutyun, and only three percent were positive about the long-dominant Republican Party of Armenia.

Perhaps more important, 82 percent of the sample said that participation by new political parties in the upcoming poll is “a necessity.” Six percent said there were enough parties already, with 12 percent saying that they found it difficult to answer that question.

If the elections were held tomorrow, 74 percent said they would vote for Elk if it allied itself with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Many fewer said they would vote for other parties.

Washington once again brings up issue of recognizing "Armenian genocide"

Hambardsumian Paul
Vestnik Kavkaza
Aug 20 2018
20 Aug in 18:05 Mikhail Simonov, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

What could’ve happened has already happened. Or what should have happened. The popular host of the American television channel Fox News, Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, called on U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. As is known, the U.S. media is independent. As is also known, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, freedom of _expression_ are sacred there. But at the same time, which is also known, there is a gradation in the U.S. media in the level of convergence of views with the government.

Fox News is among the leaders here. Up to the point that being a free TV channel, usually its reports on acute topics are beneficial to the authorities, up to the camouflaged retransmission of messages from the U.S. administration. But, yes, no one will dispute that the private opinion of the leading TV channels only coincides with the line of authorities, and is not the fulfillment of a task or an order from above.

Liza Kennedy, commenting on the U.S.-Turkish relations, decided that Ankara can no longer be considered a strategic partner of Washington, since there is a “corrupt, murderous regime” on coast of Bosporus and Turkey should be kicked out of NATO for violating human rights. According to Kennedy, Donald Trump must once and for all formally recognize the “Armenian genocide”, which in reality was “a cold-blooded slaughter of 1.5 million people whose memory will not be erased,” and which can not be interpreted “as a series of unfortunate events,” like Turkey offers to describe it.

First of all, Turkey offers nothing on this issue. During the short-lived thaw in its relations with Yerevan, Ankara continued to insist on establishing a joint commission to study the tragic events of the first quarter of the 20th century during the so-called “football diplomacy” of the Armenian and Turkish presidents, which led to the signing of the Zurich protocols. This is the maximum that Ankara is willing to do. More precisely, it was ready, because the improvement of the Armenian-Turkish relations has not taken place, and neighboring states continue to coexist with a locked border without diplomatic relations.

For Yerevan, this issue is clear with the opposite sign, and you better not be doubting the answer. Its reaction will be no less severe than that of Ankara, when it is accused of purposefully killing its own subjects of non-titular nationality. And, on the contrary, any recognition of those tragic events as a genocide even by the impoverished territorial administrative unit of a certain state or by the municipality of a distant city, which cannot be found on the map at the first attempt, caused great enthusiasm in this South Caucasian state. However, there were always sober heads in Armenia that did not succumb to euphoria and said that the situation with the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire on a planetary scale would change dramatically only if Washington officially recognizes it, which may not happen, even if it is recognized by all US states.

The recommendation of the Fox News host was, of course, noticed by Armenia. It was on the news, but “without applause”, which would accompany such news in past years. Apparently, they have gotten used to the fact that the West start to exploit the topic, which is extremely sensitive for both Armenians and Turks, when they need to. Usually it happens during election campaigns of different levels, up to presidential ones. When candidates need to enlist the support of the Armenian diaspora in the United States.

The issue of genocide was used by Reagan, by both Bush presidents, and especially Obama. The latter firmly promised that if he wins, he will recognize “the Armenian genocide” in the first place. He won, but dismissed reminders of this promise, and when it was impossible to remain silent, he publicly stammered out the Armenian name of the events of that time. By doing this, the American president decided he had kept his word.

Donald Trump is more stingy with such promises. It seems that he said nothing at all, not even mentioning promises. Having a general idea of his knowledge, one can probably assume that he has no idea about one of the deepest Turkish-Armenian contradictions. Or knows it for hearsay. But there is a situation when Washington, following the political and economic pressure on Ankara, is ready to rely on historical and civilizational levers. As it was done, for example, by Germany, when Bundestag recognized the Armenian Genocide during Berlin’s recent clinch with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While turning a blind eye to the fact that Germany was Turkey’s closest ally in those years, and, according to neutral sources, some punitive operations were led by German military advisers.

Now the question is how bad does Armenia need such a U.S. recognition? After all, Washington’s actions will be caused not by its desire to restore historical justice or something like that, but solely from its intentions to punish Erdogan and Turkey. Fine, let’s also add Washington’s desire to encourage Yerevan for its attempt to at least slightly counterbalance Moscow’s incredibly strong influence, by strengthening its ties with the West. Although, it is more likely that the “recommendation” of Fox News was just a product of aggravated US-Turkish relations.

But the recognition of the “Armenian genocide” is likely to remain a topic that is not mandatory for execution. Just like the topic of excluding Turkey from NATO – it is impossible by the charter of the alliance.

Washington will not use this trump card. It will not deprive itself of the opportunity to tug Ankara for such a sensitive thread, when it has not even used a half of the opportunities of economic pressure, as experts say. After all, the recognition of any fact – the same “Armenian genocide” – is a one-time act, which will undoubtedly aggravate the current state of U.S.-Turkish relations. But it’s not the end, the crisis between Washington and Ankara will not be eternal or the only one. That is why this recognition, or more precisely the warning to the Turkish side – to recognize the Armenian Genocide, may be needed more than once. But you can warn many times.

Neruzh to help diasporan entrepreneurs open startups in Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Banks.am, Armenia
Aug 19 2018
20.08.2018

Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia in close cooperation with the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) launches Neruzh programme for young entrepreneurs of Armenian descent who wish to bring their startup ideas and projects to Armenia.


People eligible to apply are Armenians aged 18-35 residing in Armenia for a period of 6 months maximum before submitting application. At least one (co)founder should be of Armenian descent. The target sectors of the programme will be agriculture, tourism, innovative technologies.

The details are available here. The application deadline is September 13.

It is noted that the screening committee will choose up to 100 best applications according to the eligibility requirements and selection criteria listed on the programme website. The participants will be introduced to Armenia and its business environment.

2 members from each selected startup/team will be invited to participate in the startup programme, which will take place on December 16-21 2018 at UWC, Dilijan. At the end of the startup programme a pitching event will be held, where up to 10 best teams will receive Innovation Grants and Ecosystem Awards once they settle in Armenia or Artsakh.

Each winning team will receive a grant of up to AMD 15 million, as well as legal and taxation consulting, membership in FAST Startup Studio for 4 months with full coaching programme and co-working space, 8-month Fellowship programme at Impact Hub Yerevan.

Letter to the Editor of The Sunday Times, UK by Lord Darzi

Antranik Varosian
The Sunday Times (London)
Sunday
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
 
The legacy of violence
Many people may not know today is World Humanitarian Day, with its theme of “Civilians are #NotATarget”. This could hardly fall at a more opportune time as so many across the world still are; in Syria and in Africa, and in the very recent past in the Balkans.
 
It is too easy for us to forget the horrors of previous generations and play politics with the past. Growing division at home and abroad reminds us that we must never be complacent about the need for greater unity.
 
As an immigrant to Britain, born to Armenian parents displaced by the genocide of 1915, I am only too keenly aware of the devastating effect that period had on the people who survived and their descendants.
 
The legacy of conflict continues to shape those who survive it. But we all have two choices in the aftermath of violence: either remain a victim or, once surviving and thriving, to continue the cycle of gratitude and giving.
 
On today of all days, I am hopeful victims and those who work to protect them, in and out of government, around the world, will make the right choice.
 
Professor Lord Darzi, Imperial College London and member of the selection committee for the Aurora prize for Awakening Humanity, the largest individual prize in the world for humanitarianism

Asbarez: ATP Releases Animated PSA to Raise Awareness about Forest Fire Prevention

Dabaghian Diana
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August 17, 2018

The Tchalo forest fire prevention poster

YEREVAN–Last summer, after a major fire broke out in Khosrov Forest, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) jumped into action to educate and inform the public about their role in the survival of Armenia’s delicate forests. Similar to California and Europe, Armenia has been affected by drought and more extreme weather events caused by climate change.

Understanding the human role in the creation and the prevention of forest fires and knowing the importance of education, ATP created a poster campaign about the role people play in starting fires. Posters were handed out to students throughout Armenia to hang in schools and community areas, as well as to partner schools in the diaspora.

Tchalo, the gampr dog created by Alik Arzoumanian for ATP’s Building Bridges education campaign, speaks on behalf of the trees. The Tchalo character has been teaching about forest fire prevention including the impact of parking in dry and high grass, appropriate cigarette disposal procedures, and proper fire and campfire protocols.

This summer, in partnership with the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, ATP also released a public service announcement (PSA) created by Tumo students featuring Tchalo. The short animated video is available on ATP’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.

“We’re all about partnerships and when we decided to create an educational clip about forest fires, we thought Tumo would be an excellent partner,” explained ATP Executive Director Jeanmarie Papelian.

Tumo was hosting a two week animation workshop led by Russian animator and illustrator Max Litvinov, and ATP sponsored the workshop in exchange for the PSA. The project was funded as part of the Building Bridges environmental education program sponsored by the Thomas Kooyumjian Family Foundation.

During the workshop, Max taught animation skills to a group of 16 students, ages 14 to 17, who were participating in Tumo’s free educational programs. Under Max’s guidance, the teenagers created the ATP PSA featuring the Tchalo animation.

“Education is high on our list of priorities,” said Papelian, “so we hope this PSA is seen by young people and adults all over Armenia and the diaspora since people are facing the threat of forest fires more and more. We plan to show the video on television, at eco clubs, at film festivals. Anywhere we can help to spread the message about how to prevent fires and protect the trees we are planting today. In fact, if people have ideas about where we can show the video, I encourage you to contact us in Armenia or in the US so we can help to solve this problem.”

Asbarez: Pashinyan Reports on Government’s First 100 Days

Lilit Nahapetian
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August 17, 2018

Hundreds of thousands gathered at Republic Square on Friday for a rally to mark Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s first 100 days in office

Hundreds of thousands of people crowded Yereven’s Republic Square and the adjacent streets on Friday to hear Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s assessment of his government’s first 100 days in office. In a fiery speech that lasted more than an hour, Pashinyan defended his and his government track record and delivering an all-encompassing speech that covered Armenia’s economy, Artsakh and the Karabakh conflict resolution, fight against corruption and relations with Russia.

In opening his remarks, he, once again declared a “people’s rule,” crediting the people of Armenia for the successes of his government and the country.

“One hundred days ago, your will prevailed and the international community still cannot understand what happened in Armenia, why and how it happened,” said Pashinyan calling himself a “direct representative of the will of the Armenian people.”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addresses a rally on Friday

“In Armenia, there is no coalition government. In Armenia, there is no parliamentary majority. In Armenia, the ultimate power directly belongs to the people and the people carry out direct rule. This is the key meaning of the revolution that took place in Armenia,” he declared pointing to the crowd and saying that they should view themselves as “supreme body of the people’s rule.”

“This means that from now on this government will be accountable to this square, will obey this square, and all key decisions must be made here at this square,” said Pashinyan to thunderous applause.

Artsakh
Specifically focusing on his role in the Karabakh conflict negotiation process and in an attempt to debunk criticism, especially from former president Robert Kocharian, Pashinyan emphasized that he is ready to negotiate, on behalf of Armenia, for the resolution of the conflict. However, he reiterated his long-running position that the Artsakh Republic must be represented at the negotiating table.

“I am ready to fully negotiate on behalf of the Republic of Armenia on Karabakh issue, but the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh must negotiate on behalf of Artsakh,” Pashinyan emphasized.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan surrounded by some cabinet members and his fellow party members on Friday

The prime minister was clear in declaring that Armenia does not want war and would like to resolve the conflict peacefully. He said, however, that if Azerbaijan continues its attacks, the soldiers of the armed forces are ready to deliver a powerful counter blow to their advances.

“If in the negotiation process there is an option that I will think is a good one and I support, I will never sign any document without your consent. I will present whatever proposal there is to you in detail and you will decide if we will accept that resolution option not,” added Pashinyan.

Russia
The prime minister specifically discussed Armenia’s relations with Russia, as this topic has been used by Kocharian and others in attempts to discredit his administration.

In an interview with Yerkir Media on Thursday, Kocharian point blank said that Pashinyan does not have the experience to deal with Russia, as well as the complex geopolitical challenges facing Armenia.

Pointing out that since taking office he has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin twice and has discussed issues related to Russia-Armenia relations with him over the phone three times (the most recent of which was Thursday), Pashinyan said that his administration’s goal is to improve and strengthen relations with Russia and raise them to a new level.

In fact, he said, in the near future, a new “humanitarian” project with Russia will be unveiled, “the likes of which has not been seen in Armenia” since its independence.

WATCH THE ENTIRE SPEECH FROM AZATUTYUN.AM

“There will be no foreign policy shifts and one of our goals is the deepening of Armenian-Russian relations and raising these relations to a new level. After formal proceedings conclude you will get to know about a joint Armenian-Russian humanitarian project which is unprecedented in our history since independence,” explained Pashinyan.

Pashinyan said that his predecessors were adept at blaming their shortcomings on Russia, rationalizing their mistakes by citing Russian pressures.

He also noted that Armenia’s foreign policy has no geopolitical orientation. “The Republic of Armenia is not going anywhere. It is firmly standing on its feet with its proud citizens. Our key ideology in foreign relations is the protection of our national interests. We will improve our relations also with the European Union,” added Pashinyan.

Corruption/Rule of Law
Pashinyan said that his pledges to eradicate corruption have already seen some progress with the Armenia’s National Security Service actively investigation cases of looted property and funds not only from the state but also the military.

“Money stolen from the people will be recovered fully,” he said, citing recent audits of some companies that have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue.

People turned out in droves on Friday to hear Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

He also discussed the ongoing investigation into the incidents of March 1, 2008 when opposition forces clashed with police during a post-election protest resulting in the deaths of eight civilians and two police officers.

Former president Kocharian is charged with breaching Armenia’s constitutional order in relation to those events and after being released from pre-trial custody on Monday he has criticized the Prosecutor General’s office of building a case on lies.

In a clear reference to Kocharian, Pashinyan said: “I want to make clear that no one will avoid responsibility for killing 10 people and staging a coup d’etat in Armenia on March 1 [2008] … All murderers will go to prison.”

He illustrated the difference between his administration and the previous regimes by pointing out that he is not exerting any pressure on the judiciary. However, he criticized certain judges whom he believes are still taking “orders from representatives of the former corrupt authorities.”

“Come to your senses,” he warned them. “And don’t mess with the people.”

168: There will be no political prisoners in new Armenia – Nikol Pashinyan

Chmshkian Vicken
| 18:33 | August 17 2018
Category
Politics

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan assures that there will be no political prisoners in new Armenia, Pashinyan told the reporters on the way to the Republican Square. Responding the remark of one of the reporters, according to which Robert Kocharyan has announced that he may become the 1st political prisoner of new Armenia, Pashinyan said that there will be no political prisoners in new Armenia.

The PM also noted that he will rule out violence during his tenure. “There will be no act of violence for solving domestic issues. I guarantee this. Anyone who will try to breach this rule will be strictly punished by the law of the Republic of Armenia”, he said.

Pashinyan, together with thousands of supports is marching to the Republican Square, where dozens of thousands citizens are already waiting for him. He will sum up the first 100 days of his tenure.

168: PM Pashinyan highlights strengthening institute of referendum, compares Armenian model of democracy with Athenian democracy

Emil Lazarian
| 20:09 | August 17 2018
Category
Politics

The Government established in the Republican Square is accountable in front of that square, PM Pashinyan announced about this during the rally dedicated to the first 100 days of his tenure at the Republican Square.

“Roughly 100 days ago your united will triumphed when I was elected Armenia’s PM and I came here and told you that you won and your victory is not that I was elected Prime Minister, but that you decided who will be at that position and thereafter only you are to decide who will be Armenia Prime Minister”, Pashinyan said.

According to him 100 days ago the will of the people won and the international community till now cannot understand what happened in Armenia and how it happened. “No analytic center in the world had predicted that such a popular awakening could happen in the Republic of Armenia. Everybody had the presumption that Armenia has surrendered to disappointment and it is also for this reason that our revolution is exceptional”, Pashinyan said.

According to him, the velvet revolution is exceptional not only in its shape but also content, because some might not noticed that the Prime Minister is not a representative of a parliamentary party, but he is the direct representative of the will of the Armenian people. “This is the reason why we call this a revolution, because a de-facto change of the governance model has happened in Armenia and a governance model, which is called a direct democracy, is established in Armenia”, Pashinyan said, adding that there is no coalition or parliamentary majority in Armenia. “There are people in Armenia, and the highest power belongs directly to the people, and the people carry out the direct governance. This is the logic of the revolution. In fact it means that the revolutionary Republican Square is declared the top body of people’s power. This means that as the Government was established in this square, it will be accountable in front of this square. When making Armenia’s most important political or economic decisions, we must gather in this square and you will authorize or prohibit the Government to take this or that action”, the PM emphasized.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, it’s necessary to strengthen institute of referendum. “The Government and the people must make joint decisions over key issues through referendums – this is the second phase of our revolution. In this context, what happened in this square can have a historical significance I the future, like the establishment of democracy in Old Athens. The Republican Square can become the Agora of the 21st century”, Pashinyan underlined.