Category: News

On 30 September, President Serzh Sargsyan took part in a reception held by the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation at the United States Congress in honor of the RA president. Apart from foundation representatives, the reception was attended about two dozen congressmen, e.g. Ed Royce, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressmen Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Jackie Speier, Robert Dold, Jim Costain-Dave Trott, David Valadao, Judy Chu, and by some influential representatives of the Armenian community. During the congressional reception, the RA president made an address at the end of which the foundation members handed over the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation Medal to Morgenthau’s grandson Robert Morgenthau. The congressmen and the other guests welcomed the RA president and stressed that as friends of Armenia and the Armenian people, they will thenceforth continue to stand beside Armenia to help deal with its vital problems and contribute to the development, strengthening and well-being of Armenia.

Remarks by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
at the Congressional Luncheon

Eminencies,
Honorable Chairman Royce,
Distinguished Members of the Congress,
Distinguished Messrs. Eurnekian and Tenenbaum,

It is a great honor for me to be here today. This gathering is paying tribute not only to the victims, survivors, and their descendants, but also to the entire Armenian people. This is equally an expression of respect for all nations that have ever gone through the ordeal which is genocide.

This provides yet another opportunity to state that tolerance, alongside pluralism and equality in rights, is the source of ultimate values, though it may also be nefarious when the object of tolerance is vice, when the deplorable is tolerated. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel prize winner, said: “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe.”

In this respect the initiative to posthumously award the International Raoul Wallenberg Medal to Henry Morgenthau, Sr., is momentous and possesses a particular significance. I am delighted that his grandson, Mr. Robert Morgenthau, is here with us today.

Mr. Morgenthau,

Your grandfather was the first American to tell the world of the mass atrocities by the Young Turks against the Armenian people, qualifying them as a “campaign of race extermination”. Holding the office of the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and having witnessed the nightmare first hand, he was to subsequently write in his Ambassador Morgenthau’s Story:“I am confident that the whole history of the human race contains no such horrible episode as this. The great massacres and persecutions of the past seem almost insignificant when compared with the sufferings of the Armenian race in 1915. … For all I know this represents a new crime pursuing wholesale extermination.” Subsequently this new crime that Morgenthau detailed was to be qualified as Genocide by Raphael Lemkin.

They say that as long as memory stays alive, so does the truth. Quite a number of facts associated with the Armenian Genocide have passed to us through Henry Morgenthau’s memoir. To this day his account is one of the most important original sources documenting the premeditated nature of the savage and inhuman crimes by the Young Turks. It is appropriate to recall how one of the organizers of the Armenian Genocide, interior minister of the Ottoman Empire Talaat had reproved Ambassador Morgenthau: “Why are you so interested in the Armenians anyway? You are a Jew; these people are Christians… Why can’t you let us do with these Christians as we please?”

It was the same Morgenthau who conceptualized and advocated for the American Committee for Relief in the Near East. Hundreds of its workers in various countries, including Armenia, undertook to provide care for orphans, saving tens of thousands of parentless Armenian children from imminent death. Upon completion of diplomatic service, he continued humanitarian endeavors, providing assistance to Armenian, Assyrian and Greek exiles who had survived the mass slaughter and had been purged from their homeland. This remains one of the highlights of American humanism.

Henry Morgenthau’s name is indelible for every Armenian: as a champion putting truth above silence, who preferred the selfless and sometimes unsafe task of helping those who were in peril. It is not incidental that the memorial wall next to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, among other intellectuals and prominent figures who had raised their voice against the Armenian Genocide, contains an urn with soil from Morgenthau’s grave. In April this year the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute held a tribute, with the participation of his family, launching the publication of Morgenthau’s Story in the Armenian language. Moreover, the Armenian Postal service issued a stamp in his memory, and I too attended its official First Day cancellation ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Several months ago I visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is a most compelling and articulate testimonial to the crime of genocide. Museums on crimes perpetrated against humanity convey a clear message to current and future generations: never to forget the grim chapters of history. Still, we should not rely solely on museums and memorials. Remaining faithful to the dictum “We Remember,” we must do everything possible, and the impossible, to secure a safe future for those who come after us. Hence, propagating the mission of Henry Morgenthau and his successors acquires great importance for us not only with a view of preserving memory for the future generations of Armenians and Americans, but also in the context of humanitarian education on a global scale. We should converge our efforts to keep alive the memory of the victims of the crime of genocide, to build a world free of violence. The prevention of the crime of genocide and fighting its denial is an important pivot in this pursuit.

I reiterate my words of gratitude addressed to the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation for their efforts to safeguard universal memory. Eternalizing the memory of the Mets Yeghern, Shoah and other crimes of genocide, persistently presenting these horrendous episodes of human history, and sending through them important messages to the generations to come shall have a conclusive significance in keeping the world free of that crime.

I address words of gratitude to the U.S. Congress and to all Congressmen and Congresswomen present, who have spared no efforts over years towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Your role in the recognition and condemnation of our national tragedy is undeniable. I am certain that the work you have done shall culminate in its logical conclusion.

While being here, at the Capitol Hill, I would like to extend our words of gratitude to the people of the United States, and the U.S. Congress for the humanitarian assistance allocated to Nagorno Karabakh over the years. That assistance has been significant for the people of Artsakh both from the humanitarian and, first and foremost, moral perspective. It comes to testify, time and again, that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has not been forgotten in its efforts to build independent and democratic state while countering the persistent provocations of Azerbaijan, which has chosen the path to perfect the tyranny. It is unambiguous that the Nagorno Karabakh people’s path toward freedom, toward determination to master its fate on its own, and toward building a democratic society i
s irrevocable. In this context, your continued support is indeed crucial.

Dear attendees,

Allow me to conclude in an optimistic key: if there is agony and genocide in this world, there also exist Wallenberg and Morgenthau, who have long become common name for us. Common name, since they stand for all humanitarians of this world, whether Christian or Muslim, female or male, kin or alien, jeopardizing their existence, saving Armenians and Assyrians, Greeks and Jews, Darfurians and others from the claws of death. Henry Morgenthau and Raoul Wallenberg, and those who carry their torch today can bring about change, help life triumph over death.

Thank you.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$21 million loan for theThird Public Sector Modernization Project (PSMP III) for Armenia. This project will further assist the Government of Armenia in its on-going efforts to improve quality of the public financial reporting and to improve access to selected enhanced e-government services.

PSMP III supports three main components: (i) Public Financial Management Information Systems; (ii) e-Governance Solutions for Improved Service Delivery; and (iii) Capacity Building and Small Capacity Building Interventions.

The first component will assist the Government to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and comprehensiveness of its financial management and accounting through the development of a Government Financial Management Information System (GFMIS). The proposed GFMIS modules will include improvement, among others, in budget planning, budget execution, public procurement, debt management, accounting, budget reporting, and the general ledger.

“Strengthening governance through improved public service delivery is among the priorities for Bank support,” said Laura E. Bailey, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia. “I will particularly highlight the proposed Citizen-Government Interface for Accountability under the second project component. This will support the establishment of feedback mechanisms to facilitate citizen and business access to government services, address grievances, and monitor client satisfaction.”

The second component will support the implementation of select priorities as identified in Armenia’s e-Governance Strategy. Key elements will include: development of the enabling environment by strengthening policy, regulatory frameworks and building institutions and capacity within the government to undertake introduction of e-governance platforms, and introduction of foundational platforms and infrastructure necessary for government-wide e-services.

Other sub-components are focused on developing:e-Transport modules to improve efficiency and the quality of transportation services in Yerevan; additional modules to the current e-Consular system, including a consular registration process for travelers and issuing e-visas; and upgrading the current e-Licensing system through automation of the simplified procedure of licenses issued on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, management of electronic license registry, and streamlined reports and notifications.

The third component seeks to strengthen the capacity of the Civil Service Council and Armenian Academy of Public Administration to modernize the training system for public servants and raise the quality of trainings.

PSMP III continues the reforms supported under PSMP I and PSMP II (on-going).  PSMP-I, implemented between 2004 and 2011, supported institutional reforms in the areas of policy formulation, local government and civil service, together with Public Financial Management interventions in the areas of public procurement and external and internal audit.

The World Bank will provide a US$21 million IBRD fixed spread loan with a 14.5-year grace period and a total repayment term of 25 years.

Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, the commitments to Armenia total approximately US$2,179.730 million.

On September 30, President Serzh Sargsyan had meetings in Washington with the executives of the Armenian Assembly of America and with the leadership of the Armenian National Committee of America and the ARF representatives of the U.S.A. East Coast. Armenia’s president welcomed and attached importance to the activities of the American-Armenian organizations which have always been engaged in dealing with issues of Pan-Armenian importance, discussed the current activities of the aforementioned organizations and also issues pertaining to their prospects, taking into account the new realities and challenges emerging in the rapidly changing world that require fresh, adequate approaches and actions.

Serzh Sargsyan presented the meetings he had had during his working visit to the U.S. and the main points of his address at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, touched upon the tensions at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and at the contact line with Nagorno-Karabakh caused especially by recent ceasefire violations of Azerbaijan, and also responded to questions from the participants.

During the aforementioned meetings, the parties reflected upon the situation in the Middle East. The representatives of the Armenian organizations thanked the Armenian president for showing a caring attitude towards the issues to support Syrian-Armenians, giving shelter to our compatriots in Armenia and also for trying his best to support Armenians in Syria.

On the evening of September 30, President Serzh Sargsyan will also meet with representatives of the American-Armenian community at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the U.S.A.

More than 50 warplanes and helicopters are part of an air group of Russia’s Aerospace Forces conducting airstrikes on the positions of the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria, Russia’s Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov has said, TASS reports.

“The air group was deployed in the shortest time. We managed to do that as the main materiel supplies and ammunition were in the material-technical facility in Tartus. We only had to relocate aviation and bring some equipment,” Konashenkov said.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces launched the operation against the Islamic State gunmen in Syria on Wednesday.

As Gen. Igor Konashenkov told the journalists, modernized Su-24M and Su-25 fighter jets are deployed in the aviation unit of Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces formed in Syria.

“More than 20 sorties were made targeting eight facilities of ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – former name of Islamic State terrorist organization] terrorist groups. Modernized Su-24M and Su-25 jets with modern aiming systems were among the aircraft that made sorties,” Konashenkov said.

Last night, the Russian Aerospace Forces attacked four Islamic State facilities in Syria.

“Strikes were made during the night on 4 facilities of Islamic State. The Sukhoi Su-24M frontline bombers and Su-25 attack aircraft made eight sorties,” he said.

“A stronghold of terrorist groups and ammunition depot near the city of Idlib were destroyed, as well as a three-level command post of militants near the settlement of Hama,” Konashenkov said.

“An explosives and ammunition production plant was completely destroyed after being directly hit by a bomb to the north of the city of Homs,” he noted adding that “precisely at this location, cars were stuffed with explosives and then used for terrorist attacks, including by suicide bombers.”

The Council of Europe and European Union will carry out four projects in Armenia under the Programmatic Cooperation Framework in 2015-2017.

The projects will focus on improving electoral processes in the country, combatting ill-treatment and impunity, strengthening healthcare and human rights protection in Armenian prisons, as well as fighting corruption in higher education in Armenia.

The projects are funded by the EU and the Council of Europe, and are implemented by the Council of Europe. The total budget of these projects is 2.2mn euro. In addition to these country-specific projects, Armenia also participates in 14 regional initiatives covering several countries.

The Spanish city of Silla officially recognized the Armenian Genocide on September 29, Press Service of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Ministers reports.

The bill was tabled by Spokesman for the Left Union Valentin Matteo. Speaking at the City Council, he presented the motives behind the first genocide of the 20th century and its consequences, and stressed the need to recognize and condemn it.

The six parties represented in the City Council unanimously voted to adopt the resolution labeling the crime committed by Ottoman Turkey as genocide.

 

Tashir Group and Inter RAO have signed an agreement of sale and purchase of electric energy assets in Armenia. The deal was already approved by the Armenian Government and will be closed after the decision of Public Service Regulatory Commission. The parties have agreed that Electric Networks of Armenia and Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant will continue to meet all the liabilities.

Tashir Group takes full responsibility for the management of CJSC “Electric Networks of Armenia”, said the President of Tashir Group, Samvel Karapetyan. “Future development plans include an anti-crisis program to optimize the Company’s financial activities and control its commercial operations, as well as gradual modernization of its distribution network facilities. On a parity basis with the Government of Armenia, the Company will cover part of the electricity costs of the general public and small businesses for the whole of 2015, compensating the difference between tariffs before and after indexation on 1st August 2015. This decision has been taken to support the people of Armenia.

”While the assets were in our ownership, Inter RAO Group implemented international best business practices, invested in the development of the Armenian utilities sector, and ran an optimization and cost control programme, resulting in improved operational efficiency of the assets”, announced Boris Kovalchuk, Chairman of the Management Board of Inter RAO.  ”We agreed with Tashir Group to close the deal on terms that reflect the fair value of the assets. This approach will enable both parties to secure maximum economic benefit”.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, French President Francois Hollande called on the parties to the Karabakh conflict to ensure that there are no incidents at the border.

“France has a role here, because we are a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which seeks to find a solution to this conflict,” Holland told reporters.

“It conflict led to many victims during the war and after the war. So, we call upon all the parties, all the states to ensure that there are no further incidents on the border,” the French President said, commenting on the recent aggression at the Armenian border.

“We continue our mediating efforts. I went to Armenia and Azerbaijani recently to make the same proposals and to call for a lasting solution,” Frsncois Hollande said.

Deloitte and Touche international audit firm has said the power price hike in Armenia was justified.

The company has presented the report on the first stage of consulting services to the Public Services Regulatory Commission.

“We analyzed the situation in Armenia, where the sole energy supplier stands at the verge of default, which is mainly connected with the inconsistency between the predictions of the system’s operator and the load capacity,” Deloitte and Touche said in the report.

“Power generating companies had already felt the influence of the scarcity of financial means of the company [Electric Networks of Armenia], which would threaten the whole energy system of the country in the short-term perspective,” the report reads.

“Under these conditions we consider that the decision of the regulatory body to stabilize the situation in the sphere and ensure reliable energy supply to consumers is justified.”

 

 

 

There is no need in deploying peacekeepers in the Karabakh conflict zone, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov said at the opening of the “Enduring Brotherhood 2015” exercises in Armenia.

“We are able to deter Azeri provocations ourselves,” Khachaturov said. According to him, the Azerbaijani side has used thousands of missiles and mines over the past 15 days, which have exploded in Armenian civilian settlements 10 km away from the frontline.

“We have given a worthy response. They have serious losses,” Khachaturov said, adding that “unlike Azerbaijan, the Armenian side refrains from shelling the villages.”

He noted that representatives of the Ministry of Defense visit the frontline, meet the villagers and inform about the measures taken.

“However, it’s impossible to fully exclude the incidents, as the rival uses mortars and howitzers,” Yuri Khachaturov said.

The Chief of General Staff underlined that on many occasions the Armenian side has offered Azerbaijan to pull back the snipers, investigate every case of killing of civilians, but Baku turns down all suggestions.

As for the lack of appropriate response from the CSTO command, the Colonel General said it would be welcome. “We are part of the same security system. We do not ask for help, but human support would be welcome,” Khachaturov said.