Author: Nalbandian Eduard

THEY VOICE DISTRUST FOR PARTY CHAIRWOMAN

12/14/sdhk
14/12/09

A few branches of the Social Democratic Henchakyan Party have
released a statement today voicing distrust for SDHK Chairwoman
Lyudmila Sargsyan.

"To overcome the unhealthy atmosphere within the party, we convene a
special congress December 16-17 at the request of an absolute majority
of the SDHK branch.

Based on the foregoing, we express distrust for Chairwoman of the
Party Lyudmila Sargsyan, with our participation in the extraordinary
congress," reads the statement.

TURKISH EXPERT: TURKEY-ARMENIA PROTOCOLS NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT’S AGENDA

Today.Az
/58176.html
14 December 2009 [12:09]

Day.Az interview with Nigar Geksel, Turkish expert, senior analyst
at European Stability Initiative.

Day.Az: What are your views concerning Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that Turkey will normalize relations with
Armenia only after resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict marks
a real progress?

Nigar Geksel: At a joint press conference with U.S. President
Barack Obama, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations is linked with the
process on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict carried out by the OSCE Minsk
Group. Turkish MPs and officials have constantly stated the same in
recent months. It seems Turkey will not ratify the protocols signed
with Armenia until a progress in settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

But there are still vague points in this process. For example,
will liberation of seven Armenia-occupied regions of Azerbaijan be
enough for Turkey to ratify the protocols? Furthermore, what Turkey
will do to demonstrate that the process of normalizing relations with
Armenia continues to prevent the U.S. Congress from adopting a bill on
"genocide" in April next year?

Turkey seeks to help achieve progress in resolving the Karabakh
conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group. Some questions will arise unless
there is no result in the conflict settlement. If Turkey is not going
to push the protocols through the parliament, then why it needed to
bring the negotiations with Armenia until this point? Turkey risks
to be deceived by the West and Armenia and lose credibility. But
Turkey may acquire credibility once there is certain progress in the
Karabakh issue. It’s like a gamble – you can win or to say "I wish
I never played."

So, you doubt ratification of the protocols any time soon…

Apparently, as I noted above, the protocols will not be included in
agenda of the Turkish parliament till there is progress in resolving
the Karabakh conflict.

Even in event of pressure on Turkey?

I believe, Turkey is under pressure both from Europe and the United
States. The logic of many Western officials and organizations is as
follows: "Armenian leader’s taking simultaneous steps in normalizing
Turkish-Armenian relations and settlement of the Karabakh conflict
is impossible due to internal politics in Armenia itself and in terms
of violation of public balance in this country."

The solution of the Karabakh problem will continue for long. It would
better to open the Turkish-Armenian border rather than to wait for
the settlement of the conflict which is the only step that will boost
solution of all problems in the region. Thus, it will be possible to
reduce Armenia’s dependence on Russia and Armenia’s claims to Turkey.

This creates a situation where Armenia is granted a kind of
compensation in the Karabakh issue."

I think, this pressure has slightly decreased.

Many experts believe that the Karabakh problem might be solved in
near future. What is your opinion on this?

I think it would be difficult to achieve this as I have been
communicating with people of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Unfortunately,
I am not quite aware of processes taking place between countries at the
highest level. Nevertheless, I hope that the conflict will be resolved.

Do you think that Erdogan’s initiative to establish the Caucasus
Stability and Development Platform is premature given the current
problems in relations between potential members of this association?

The platform, as one of the fundamental reasons for Turkish President
Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia, has proved itself in the Turkish
society. This platform was still on the agenda during President
Demirel’s tenure and included also the European Union and the United
States. But their absence in the current version has arisen a number
of issues. There were suspicions that this platform aims to reduce
Western influence in the region. It is somewhat like scenario which
Georgia has set for itself.

It is widely believed in Turkey that country’s credibility can be
enhanced through the same approach to all countries in the region.

This is a controversial thesis since such an approach might disturb
those countries who consider Turkey their ally.

It is impossible to combine countries in the region in a single bloc
when there is difference between Azerbaijan and Armenia and Russia and
Georgia. Regardless of Turkey’s desire to play role of a unifier, the
reality is that in the region there are countries that have their own
calculations. We should not expect that the platform will significantly
change the situation in the region until this reality changes.

EU STANDS REEDY TO SUPPORT WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS AFTER THEY COME INTO FORCE
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
11.12.2009 16:54

The Ambassadors of Sweden and Lithuania to Armenia today presented
priorities of the EU Swedish Presidency, as well as the achievements
and failures of the past six months. Reference was made to the
EU Eastern Partnership Program, the possible establishment of
Armenian-Turkish relations and human rights issues.

After the Armenian-Turkish relations are established, the European
Union will try to maximally assist with the implementation of the
diplomatic agreement. It will be done only after the protocols come
into force, Lithuania’s Ambassador to Armenia Giedrius Apuokas told
reporters.

Touching upon the issue of human rights in Armenia, Swedish Ambassador
to Armenia Hans Gunnar Aden said the issue has been recently discussed
with the Armenian authorities" and they expect answers to issues they
are interested in.

Final draft budget for 2010 discussed in Armenian Parliament
10.12.2009 16:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Defense spending for 2010 has been increased by AMD
19.4 billion, as compared with the original version and amount to AMD
131 billion, the Armenian Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan said
presenting the draft state budget in Parliament approved by the
Government. In addition, according to finance minister, the financial
assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh has been also increased by AMD 2
billion in the updated draft budget compared with the original
version.

Tigran Davtyan also informed, that a large proportion of EU grant
funds (100 million euro) will be directed to rebuilding of schools in
the regions of Armenia.

According to the updated draft budget for 2010, the total Armenian
state budget revenues will amount to AMD 742 billion instead of
previously projected AMD 676 billion, which will help to increase
total revenue by AMD 65 billion. The expenditure part of the budget
will be increased by AMD 75 billion, and reach AMD 935 billion,
instead of the previously projected AMD 859 billion. The state budget
deficit in 2010 will amount to AMD 193 billion, or 6 per cent of GDP.
1.2 per cent of economic growth is projected for 2010.

"NUBARASHEN" PENITENTIARY DEPUTY WARDEN AND THE CHIEF OF THE LIFE-TERMERS’ DEPARTMENT ARRESTED

armradio.am
10.12.2009 18:13

In the framework of the criminal case on the prison breach of
two lifers from the "Nubarashen" penitentiary investigated by the
Special Investigative Service (SIS), the deputy warden of "Nubarashen"
penitentiary Manouk Mikayelyan who was in charge of providing security
and the chief of the life-termers’ department, lieutenant-colonel of
Justice Serzhik Tamrazyan were charged under Article 315, part 2 of RA
Criminal Code for official negligence which caused grave consequences.

Arrest was chosen as a pretrial measure.

Since December 1, three other policemen of the "Nubarashen"
penitentiary charged of official negligence in the framework of
the same criminal case have been pending trial. The preliminary
investigation is carried on in the SIS.

DO NOT SOIL YOURSELF
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
10/12/09

A couple of days ago, a video appeared in the famous "you tube"
web site which showed the famous sportsman Albert Azaryan and Hrant
Tokhatyan who were making a video supporting Serge Sargsyan within the
frameworks of his presidential electoral campaign. The video showed how
out of the scenario Azaryan insulted Serge Sargsyan and Albert Azaryan
– the former Yerevan Mayor, the Mayor of that period Yervand Zakharyan.

This video is natural to have become an object interesting the
greater part of the society. In addition, not only those who are
so-called members of the internet society, in other words, who have
possibilities to use internet, but also those who do not use it but
know people who do it.

To say that this video caused a shock within the society would be
wrong. It was clear to the greater part of the society that those
intellectuals who used to praise the government, do it proceeding from
their personal interests, expecting governmental favors for them to
have opportunities to earn money and to get awards, medals, gifts,
orders. It is also clear for the greater part of the society that the
same intellectuals praising the authorities, in moments of sincerity,
are ready to insult the government. To this extent, the video did
not bring any news into the public life.

Did it introduce anything new into the life of the government? The news
for the government seems to be the revelation of the real opinions
about them of the intellectuals praising them. Did the government
not know about it? Hardly. The government would hardly be so naïve
to believe that those people who participate in such videos, do it
for their beautiful eyes or effective work. The government knows
everything better and sooner than the society.

If the society knows, the government knows too. If it knows everything,
which the reason why it takes up this way of false praising is. People
ask themselves and others this question very often especially after
the video appeared in internet. Does the government think that if
Azaryan praises it in front of cameras, people, without knowing his
real opinions, will start loving the government more just thanks to
Azaryan? Few will believe that the government believes in this. In this
case, which is the reason why the government makes this step? Perhaps,
the aim of the government is not the praising but showing everyone’s
being corrupt. The government does not surely believe that with
the help of such praising, it will enhance the society’s trust, but
it believes that thanks to it, it will destroy the myth of public
authority. The society will not start loving the government more,
but it is possible to start loving less those people whom it loved
before and who praise the government.

The system needs always fewer preferable subjects for the society,
if possible none. But here, not only the government is to blame but
also those who try to live on account of both the government and
the society.

DECEMBER 10 PIVOTAL FOR ARTSAKH

Panorama.am
14:16 10/12/2009

President of NKR Bako Sahakyan released a Congratulatory Address with
the Day of NKR State Independence Referendum and Constitution. Find
the message below: "Dear compatriots, In the modern history of
Artsakh December 10 twice proved to be pivotal. In 1991 on this day
the Artsakh Armenians expressed their unified will and confirmed the
dedication of creating an independent statehood. On the same day
of 2006 again through the nation-wide referendum the basic law of
our state, the Constitution, was adopted registering another great
victory of our state, which succeeded in defending its independence
and freedom and was firmly staying on the path of democracy. December
10 is also celebrated as International Human Rights Day. This fact is
symbolic for itself as the Artsakh movement, the birth and the very
existence of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic are the integral parts of
human rights, the reflection of the basic universal rights of equality
and self-determination of nations. The people and authorities of
Artsakh are adherent to the principles that the December 10 twin
holiday has entrusted with us. For us the powerful, independent,
sovereign, democratic and legal state is an exclusive value that
has no alternative. I congratulate our entire people on this crucial
holiday and wish peace, robust health and all the best."

AZERBAIJAN MAY PUT EASTERN PARTNERSHIP’S SUCCESS AT STAKE: NALBANDIAN

Tert.am
11:38 ~U 09.12.09

The first meeting of foreign ministers of EU Eastern Partnership took
place yesterday, in which the Armenian delegation led by Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian participated.

In his speech, the Armenian foreign minister stated that Armenia
seeks to strengthen relations with the EU. According to Nalbandian,
the Partnership’s initiative creates additional opportunities for
cooperation with the European Union on political, economic and
humanitarian thematic platforms.

Referring to the EU’s intention to establish legal-contractual
relations of new quality with partner states, Nalbandian stated that
it proves the positive result of the cooperation established over
the past ten years and stated Armenia’s readiness to work toward the
development of Armenia-EU Association Agreement and to create a deep
and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

Emphasizing that all the initiatives proposed by the Partnership
program are important for Armenia and the other partners, Nalbandian
paid special attention to the issue of facilitating visa arrangements,
since it will significantly promote contacts among Armenian and
European Union peoples.

Nalbandian attached great importance to the rational cooperation within
the frames of Eastern Partnership emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s
withdrawal from the cooperation planned by the project can put
the Partnership’s success at stake: "Such behaviour from a partner
state discredits the true idea of cooperation, and the absence of
a response from participating countries even more devaluates it,"
Nalbandian emphasized.

At the meeting it was decided to hold the next meeting in the second
half of 2010, and the next summit of the Eastern Partnership in 2011,
informs the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

AS IF SARGSYAN CAME DOWN FROM MOON
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
09/12/09

The inner-governmental activation, noticed during the latest couple of
weeks when an oligarchic dispute burst up between Gagik Tsarukyan and
Ruben Hayrapetyan, when the spirit of Njdeh aroused within the team of
Njdeh, seems to extinguish the public’s attention towards it. Instead,
the plane of the foreign policy is again in the centre of the public
attention where again the Armenian and Turkish and the Karabakh issues
are discussed which are more expedient topics for the government than
say, the country’s home economic situation, the external debts reaching
GDP 50 percent, or the fight against oligopolies. All these questions
were once and for ever closed at the RP congress when Serge Sargsyan
said that taking debts is quite natural and logic for poor people and
thanked the oligarchs who "often, in contrast with business rules"
helped that the crisis to impact little possible the citizens.

This is all.

The topic is over and the attention is again shifted towards the
Armenian and Turkish and Karabakh issues. Vahan Hovhannisyan does not
demand from Serge Sargsyan more serious fights against corruption,
monopolies, he does not demand to implement steps to prevent the
sharp decline of the economy, not to divide the business from the
government, but he demands to announce for the whole world that
he cannot influence the Armenian parliament like Erdogan is unable
to influence the Turkish parliament. But Serge Sargsyan stated in
public that in case Turks do not ratify the protocols Armenia will
take up relevant steps. Which is the need to state that he does not
have control on the National Assembly after this?

The impression is that Vahan Hovhannisyan wants to show that he is
opposition for Serge Sargsyan, he wants to prove something with the
help of his brave behavior and now it is an opportune moment for it.

While Serge Sargsyan has much to say inside the country, there is
much to demand from him. But no one knows why, the political forces
who are said to be opposition, by choice or by fate, gave up reminding
Serge Sargsyan about his home duties. As to the Dashnaktsutyun itself,
he does not seem to have ever been such one to give it up.

Serge Sargsyan seems to have come down to Armenia from moon and
implements this foreign policy and neither Serge Sargsyan nor his
foreign policy has anything in common with the home situation. The
Armenian National Congress sometimes reminds about it saying that
all this is the result of the February 19 outrageous election and
March 1 crime. But the HAK mentions recall the situation when the
impression is that Congress dwells on it not to forget rather than
to remind about it Serge Sargsyan or the public.

‘ARARAT 7’ CLIMBS MOUNT ARARAT

Asbarez
Dec 7th, 2009

GLENDALE-A group of Homenetmen Ararat members and parents got together
in May and formed a hiking team to climb Mount Ararat. The team was
named "Ararat 7â~@³ for the number of people on the team. It took
four months to make the travel arrangements, hire a guide, and train
physically for the climb. The team flew to Yerevan and drove through
Georgia to get to the City of Dogubeyazit in Turkey near the slope
of Mount Ararat.

"Ararat 7" team members are: Vatchik Zakarian, Baghdig Der Gregorian,
Seroj Khachikian, Vahik Avanessian, Adis Zadourian, Roubik Mardirosian
and Roubik Sarian

On August 30, the "Ararat 7" started the adventure from hotel Isfahan
in the town of Dogubeyazit, Turkey and drove about an hour to the
trail head at 7,130 ft elevation accompanied by a guide and a cook. It
took the team three days to reach the summit. The trail was extremely
steep covered by fresh snow from the earlier storm and lack of oxygen
with low pressure due to the high elevation made the climbing very
difficult. The team made to the summit at the elevation of 16,900 ft
around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1.

This was a great personal achievement and group accomplishment for
the Homenetmen Ararat family to raise the Armenian flag on the summit
of Mount Ararat at the center of our historic homeland.