Author: nina hovnanian

Jack Hadjinian Elected Chairman of Alameda Corridor-East Construction
Authority Board

Tuesday, January 27th, 2015

Members of the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority Board,
from left, Industry Mayor Tim Spohn, El Monte Councilwoman Norma
Macias, San Gabriel Councilwoman and ACE Board Vice Chair Juli
Costanzo, Montebello Mayor and ACE Board Chair Jack Hadjinian, Los
Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Pomona Mayor Elliott
Rothman and Alhambra Councilwoman Barbara Messina.

EL MONTE, Calif.–Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian was unanimously
elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alameda
Corridor-East Construction Authority (ACE) at a regular Board meeting
Monday. The seven-member Board oversees the nearly $1.7 billion ACE
program of constructing underpasses, bridges and other safety
improvements at congested and hazardous rail-roadway crossings in
eastern Los Angeles County.

“I appreciate the confidence of my colleagues and I look forward to
leading our efforts as more ACE projects move into construction and
ultimately open to traffic,” said Hadjinian, 37, the first
Armenian-American to serve as mayor of the City of Montebello. “The
ACE rail-roadway grade separations are a transportation priority for
our region and yield important benefits to our communities by
eliminating crossing collisions, silencing train horn noise and
significantly reducing vehicle delays and emissions at crossings.”

First elected to the Montebello City Council in 2011, Hadjinian was
appointed to the ACE Board in 2012.

Unanimously elected to serve as Vice Chair was San Gabriel City
Councilwoman Juli Costanzo, a 12-year member of the San Gabriel City
Council who was appointed to the ACE Board in 2008. “I look forward to
continuing to work closely with ACE as its largest single project, the
San Gabriel Trench, is constructed in the City of San Gabriel,”
Costanzo said.

Elected officials from the cities of El Monte, Industry, Montebello,
San Gabriel, Pomona, the County of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel
Valley Council of Governments serve on the seven-member ACE Board.

Azerbaijan has launched campaign against Polish candies ”Raffaello”
as they had markings in Armenian language on pakages

16:45 29/01/2015 >> SOCIETY

Another wave of protest has risen in Azerbaijan due to the fact that
on the packages of Polish candies “Raffaello” there were markings
written in Armenian, Georgian and Azerbaijani, reads the website of
Karabakh war veterans of Azerbaijan “Gaziler.az”.

The author of the article titled “One should expect anything from
Polish producers who hate us and our language” comes to the conclusion
that the inscription in Armenian and Georgian stand above the
Azerbaijani one, because “they are Christians.”

“This means that the leaders of Polish company, the manufacturers of
Ferrero, that worship Christians and hate Turks, in this way have
showed their hostility to Azerbaijan,” the site writes, wondering: why
they should spend money on enrichment of “pro-Christian Poles for whom
the Armenians have more priority?”

“Why Azerbaijan should sell products with inscriptions in Armenian?
This is outrageous. The import of these anti-Turkish, anti-Islamic
chocolates to Azerbaijan has also other purposes. If the Polish
producers of “Raffaello” show such hatred towards Azerbaijan, it may
sound quite possible that one day they inject radioactive or any toxic
substances in these candies, and send them to Azerbaijan to poison us.
Anything can be expected from Polish producers who hate us and our
language,” the author writes.

The author also accused the businessmen importing these candies to
Azerbaijan. “The whole world knows about the ignorance of some
Azerbaijani businessmen who, do not have a national identity, and for
their stomachs sake are even ready to crawl to Armenians and our other
enemies,” concludes the site.

Source: Panorama.am

5th sitting of the Genocide Centennial Commission kicks off in Yerevan

16:07, 29 Jan 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The 5th sitting of the State Commission coordinating the events
dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide kicked off
in Yerevan today.

President Serzh Sargsyan spoke about the work done by the State
Commission and the future programs. Today and tomorrow the
participants of the sitting will discuss the political context of the
Armenian Genocide and will consider issue of working out a package of
commemoration events and elimination of the consequences of the
Armenian Genocide.

Upon the conclusion of the sitting the participants will adopt a
Pan-Armenian Declaration. An official webpage of the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide will be launched within the framework of the
sitting.

Protest Over Taxes: Small traders demand reply, threaten to go on strike

News | 29.01.15 | 14:11

Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern

Hundreds of representatives of small or medium companies, including
market traders, demanded an ultimate answer to their demands as they
continued their protests in front of the government building on
Thursday.

The traders demanded that planned controversial changes in the sales
tax law be scrapped and threatened to go on strike unless the demand
is met.

The law that actually envisages the reduction of the sales tax for
small enterprises from 3.5 to 1 percent, but implies stricter rules
for the submission of sales-related documentation to tax authorities
originally was to have been enforced still on November 1, 2014.

However, after a series of protests staged by small business owners,
including hundreds of workers of Yerevan fairs, the government decided
to postpone the application of the law until February 1, 2015.

Small traders insist that they want to continue to work according to
the current rules as the new law, which the government insists is
beneficial for small businesses, adds an extra amount of paperwork.

They also claim that the law uses small companies as a tool in the
government’s fight against tax evasions by larger companies – an
unacceptable practice, in their view.

Today the situation in front of the government building was tense
again; some traders came from the provinces to join the protests in
Yerevan. According to the protesters, if their demands are not met,
they will demand Finance Minister Gagik Khachatryan’s resignation.

The demonstrators threatened that if the government does not respond
to them they will stop paying taxes from February 1 and will go on
“nationwide” strike. “If they do not listen to us with their ears,
they will have to listen to us with their pockets,” one of the
protesters said.

“Small and medium-sized businesses should not be pitted against large
companies in an attempt to clamp down on tax evasion by the latter.
Here again the small companies will suffer because the large companies
have more power to pressure them,” economist Vilen Khachatryan told
reporters on Thursday, addressing the issue.

According to the economist, possible compromises of the government
will depend on the government’s disposition and the magnitude of the
protests.

ARMENIE
Les enquêteurs arméniens ont enfin pu interroger le soldat russe

Alors que des milliers de personnes de tous les coins du pays, dont
des membres du Gouvernement, des députés et des hommes politiques, ont
assisté aux obsèques de l’enfant de six mois, le 21 janvier, les
enquêteurs arméniens ont enfin eu accès au meurtrier présumé, Valéry
Permyakov, placé en détention sur le territoire de la base militaire
russe. La partie arménienne l’a inculpé en vertu de l’article 104 du
Code pénal de la RA (meurtre intentionnel d’au moins deux personnes).
Selon le Comité d’enquête de la RA, le suspect a admis les
inculpations à son encontre. Plus tôt, il avait été inculpé en vertu
de deux articles du Code pénal de la Fédération de Russie (meurtre et
désertion) par le tribunal de la cinquième garnison russe basée à
Erevan. Dans un communiqué, le Comité d’enquête de la RA relève qu’un
organisme d’enquête arméno-russe a été formé à la suite de la
signature d’un accord en ce sens entre les Présidents des Comités
d’enquête des deux pays (cf. revue du 21.01). Cette structure ad hoc
comprend 10 enquêteurs arméniens et russes. Le communiqué du Comité
ajoute en outre que lors des négociations avec son homologue arménien
Aghvan Hovsépian, Alexandre Bastrikine, Président du Comité d’enquête
de la Fédération de Russie, a assuré que l’enquête et le procès de
l’affaire auront lieu exceptionnellement sur le territoire de la RA.

Selon Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun, Sergueï Lavrov, Ministre russe des
AE, a également confirmé, lors d’une conférence de presse à Moscou,
que le procès aura lieu sur le territoire de la RA et qu’il sera tout
à fait transparent. Par ailleurs, le chef de la diplomatie russe a
accusé des > d’exploiter cette tragédie à des fins
>. >, a dit M. Lavrov, se disant convaincu que les
relations stratégiques arméno-russes n’en seront pas affectées.

Hayots Achkhar fait état de la visite de quelques députés de la Douma
en Arménie, ce 22 janvier, pour rendre hommage aux victimes.

L’Assemblée nationale devait tenir aujourd’hui des auditions sur cette
affaire au cours desquelles le procureur général Guévorg Kostanian
devait répondre aux questions des élus. Haykakan Jamanak se dit
informé qu’en dépit de promesses publiques aux habitants de Gumri, le
procureur général n’a pas encore envoyé de lettre à son homologue
russe pour demander la remise du suspect aux organes judiciaires
arméniens.

Aravot estime que les déclarations du porte-parole du Président
Poutine à la chaîne Gala ont mis tous les points sur les > : le
procès aura lieu sur le territoire de la RA [mais sur le territoire de
la base russe] et le suspect sera jugé par un tribunal militaire russe
en vertu des lois russes. Le quotidien s’interroge sur les raisons de
cette > de Russie d’épargner son soldat d’une remise à
la partie arménienne :

Armenian scientist ready to sign job creation contact with president

16:07 * 29.01.15

Doctor of Technical Sciences and author of a Heliofication Project
(heliofication refers to the use of solar energy) Vahan Amazaspyan is
ready to sign a contact on industrial development in Armenia’s
earthquake zone with President Serzh Sargsyan.

According to him, 400,000 to 800,000 jobs can be created there now.

“In 2008, the president visited Sarnaghbyur and saw solar energy
generation technologies. He said that Armenia would see great changes
if at least 50% of what I was saying would be put into practice. But
Armenian Parliament members may have their own interests,” Dr
Amazaspyan said.

The Heliofication Council, which unites renowned scientists from
different states, could accomplish a project within two years.

“I have tried to raise the issue several times at the government, but
they will not discuss it. I am ready to make personal investments in
Armenia,” the scientist says.

Mr Amazaspyan is surprised at the solar energy development program
approved in Armenia. Under the program, the country is expected to
borrow $40m and apply US technologies, while identical equipment is
produced in Armenia.

ARMENIE
Sombres perspectives : l’économie arménienne pourrait afficher une
croissance zéro en 2015

L’économie arménienne pourrait avoir beaucoup moins de croissance que
prévu par le gouvernement affirment les structures internationales et
des experts arméniens ; certains pronostiquant une croissance zéro.
Cela aura un impact négatif sur les citoyens ordinaires.

“Le problème est ce que les citoyens ordinaires vont ressentir. La
baisse de l’économie russe sera ressenti par les citoyens qui
reçoivent des envois de fonds en provenance de Russie. En Arménie,
dans tous les domaines où le déclin des revenus est prévu, par
exemple, dans le domaine de l’exploitation minière, les gens qui y
participent vont le ressentir “, a déclaré l’économiste Vilen
Khachatryan expliquant la baisse des prévisions de la Banque pour la
reconstruction et le développement (BERD) pour l’économie arménienne.

Cette semaine la BERD a changé sa prévision précédente pour l’Arménie
faite en Septembre dernier, l’abaissement de 3,5 pour cent à 0, en
l’expliquant par la dévaluation du rouble et le déclin général de
l’économie russe.

“La dévaluation du rouble par rapport au dollar a déjà entraîné la
baisse drastique des volumes de transferts d’argent effectués entre la
Russie et l’Asie centrale et le Caucase ; cela à son tour provoqué la
dévaluation des monnaies locales. Au cas où la crise russe devrait se
développer, la situation dans les pays économiquement rattachée à la
Russie devrait aussi se détériorer >>, a déclaré le rapport de la BERD.

Selon Khachatryan, pour l’Arménie non seulement la situation
économique en Russie, mais aussi dans le monde entier est très
décisive.

“Dans la situation actuelle la croissance économique de l’Arménie
pourrait être de zéro sur le fond actuel du développement économique
mondial. Elle pourrait même y avoir une baisse. Etant dans cette
région et devenant un membre de l’UEE, l’économie de l’Arménie sera
soumise à tous les développements négatifs de la région “.

“Les tendances de l’inflation dont la Banque Centrale parle, sont
apparus parce que les gens ont peur de dépenser de l’argent en pensant
qu’il y aura une crise. S’il y avait une baisse des prix réels, les
taux ne seraient pas élevés >>, a ajouté Khachatryan.

Par Sara Khojoyan

ArmeniaNow

jeudi 29 janvier 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

Sargsyan says Armenia-Iran ties can be ‘good model’ for others
Political Desk

On Line: 28 January 2015 20:58
In Print: Thursday 29 January 2015

TEHRAN – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has said that Armenia is
not willing to take any position against Iran in the international
community.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister
Mohammad Javad Zarif in Yerevan on Tuesday.

He went on to say that relations between the two countries can be a
“good model” for other countries.

The Armenian president also called for increase in interactions
between the two neighbors.

For his part, Zarif said, “We seek to establish good relations between
the Islamic Iran and the Christian Armenia and we are willing to
expand relations with Armenia in various spheres.”

He also thanked Armenia’s support to Iran in the international community.

NA/PA

Croissance
La liberté économique en berne

Le remaniement ministériel initié par le président Serge Sarkissian au
printemps dernier a contribué à une nouvelle détérioration de la
position de l’Arménie dans les classements mondiaux de > établis par deux institutions américaines conservatrices.

“The Wall Street Journal” et la Fondation du patrimoine passent au
crible 178 pays et territoires sur les dix indicateurs de la liberté
économique, y compris l’état de droit, la taille du gouvernement et de
l’ouverture des marchés.

L’Arménie a conservé le statut d’économie > dans
leur Indice de liberté économique 2015 publié hier. Cependant, il est
52e au dernier classement WSJ / patrimoine, en baisse par rapport à
ses 41e et 38e rang respectivement en 2014 et 2013.

L’enquête a attribué cette baisse à une .

“Je ne suis pas surpris par la dégradation de la notation de
l’Arménie”, a déclaré Gevorgian.

L’enquête américaine a noté que l’Arménie “fonctionne relativement
bien dans la plupart des catégories par rapport aux moyennes
mondiales.” Mais il a dit que la liberté économique dans le pays “a
été mise sur une trajectoire descendante depuis cinq ans.”

jeudi 29 janvier 2015,
Claire (c)armenews.com

The Cairo Post, Egypt
Jan 28 2015

Turkish opposition politician faces ECHR in case on Armenian Genocide

Jan. 28, 2015 17:15
By Kate Rankin

STRASBOURG, France: Turkish opposition politician Dogu Perincek said
claims the Ottoman Empire orchestrated genocide in Armenia were an
“imperialist lie” in front of the European Court for Human Rights
(ECHR) Wednesday, in what was the final session in a lengthy legal
battle over freedom of speech versus European laws that criminalize
denial of genocide.

Dogu Perincek, the Chairman of the Turkish Worker’s Party, was placed
under investigation in 2005 for labeling what is known as the Armenian
Genocide an “international lie” at an academic conference in
Switzerland, which Armenia views as akin to incitement, and counter to
the law of the European Union.

Armenia claims that 1.5 million persons were killed as a result of a
direct campaign from the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923; Turkey
has claimed that mass killings, which did take place, were carried out
in the context of war by the empire, and not part of a campaign to
exterminate a people.

European law stipulates that genocide, as defined in 1948, cannot be
denied, and gives protections to third parties who may be offended by
the denial of events.

Although Perincek was sentenced to 90 days in prison and fined 3,000
Swiss francs ($2,500) in 2007 by the Court of Lausanne in Switzerland
for the denial of the genocide, he was acquitted Dec. 17, 2013 by the
ECHR, which found that the decision of the Lausanne court was contrary
to the freedom of expression.

The court also noted in its 2013 ruling that although Perincek
disputed the term of “genocide,” he did not deny that massacres or
killings had taking place.

“Freedom of expression means liberty for different, even deviating
opinions,” said Perincek before the court Wednesday morning in
prepared remarks.

“In Europe, the accusation of the ‘Armenian Genocide’ has been turned
into a taboo and a tool to discriminate Turkish people. Today, Turks
and Muslims are the clack people of Europe. Let also the oppressed
ones defend themselves,” he said.

Outside the court Wednesday dual groups of demonstrators supporting
Armenia and Turkey held signs in support of their cause.

“Denial is not freedom of speech” was written in French on signs of a
small group demonstrating in favor of the charges against Perincek.

A delegation of approximately 250 Turkish Worker’s Party members and
members of the Talaat Pasha Committee, whose namesake Prime Minister
of the empire in 1915 ordered many of the “deportations” of Armenians,
flew from Istanbul to support Perincek in what is the final chapter of
his legal battle at the court, although the full explanation of a
verdict may take further weeks to be publicized, Worker’s Party
members told The Cairo Post.

Lawyer Amal Clooney represented the Armenian side, and said during her
intervention that Perincek’s comments “dishonor the memories” of those
who died in the conflict that began in 1915, and said that the
evidence for the “atrocities is overwhelming.”

“This court is not the forum, and Dogu Perincek is not the defendant”
whose case should decide a historical consensus regarding the issue,
she said, adding “Armenia is not here to fight freedom of expression,
but Turkey is not here to defend it.”

The Armenian Genocide is also referred to as the Armenian Holocaust,
and is recognized as genocide by 23 countries. The United States has
not taken an official national position on the conflict.

Armenians claim that approximately 1.5 million, out of a total
population of 2 million, Armenians were killed between 1915 and 1923
by the Ottoman Empire, with those surviving fleeing in an Armenian
diaspora to a number of countries.

Lawyer Amal Clooney seated next to Lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC at the
European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, representing
the Armenian government – Kate for The Cairopost

Lawyer Mr. Stefan Talmon, who spoke on behalf of the state of Turkey,
concluded his remarks in defense of Mr. Perincek by saying, “the fact
that he called it an ‘international lie’ does not provide evidence of
racism or an attack on Armenians,” adding “at most, it may be related
to any holder of that opinion. Calling something an international lie,
as calling a group of certain persons liars. As such, it has no racial
connotation.”

The court hearing adjourned in mid-day, and the judges withdrew to
deliberate, and announced they would declare the verdict at a later
time.