Armenian News... A Topalian... Chncellor Merkel visits Armenia 24-25th August 18
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Armenia
August 17,2018
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will arrive in Armenia on an official visit on August 24-25.
During the visit Armenian-German high-level talks led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Chancellor Angela Merkel will be held. Thereafter, they will sum up the results of talks at a joint press conference.
The German Chancellor will also meet with Armenian President Armen Sarkissian.
Angela Merkel will visit the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.
RFE/RL Report
Pashinian Declares ‘People’s Rule’ In Armenia
August 17, 2018
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian strongly defended his government’s track record on Friday as tens of thousands of people rallied in Yerevan to mark his first 100 days in office.
Pashinian claimed to have practically eradicated corruption in Armenia, ensured continued economic growth and established the kind of “people’s direct rule” that had existed in ancient Greece. He also blasted the country’s former leaders highly critical of the government formed as a result of last spring’s
mass protests.
“One hundred days ago your will prevailed and the international community still does not understand what happened in Armenia, why and how it happened,”
Pashinian told huge crowd that filled the city’s central Republic Square, the main scene of the protests that brought him to power. He referred to himself as a “direct representative of the will of the Armenian people.”
“In Armenia, there is no coalition government. In Armenia, there is no parliamentary majority. In Armenia, supreme 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 in a more than hour-long
speech.
Accordingly, Pashinian went on, crowds gathering in the sprawling square must now be regarded as the “supreme body of the people’s rule.” “This means that from now on this government will be ccountable to this square, will obey this square, and all key decisions must be made here at this square,” he declared.
“In the future, the Republic of Armenia could be cited in the historical context just like ancient Greece is cited now and Yerevan could be cited like ancient Athens,” he added.
Turning to his first 100 days in power, Pashinian said that despite the recent political turmoil Armenia’s economy has not only avoided a downturn but is
continuing to grow robustly thanks to his government’s efforts to improve the business environment. “I want to assure you that we will have serious very successes in the economy,” he said.
Pashinian did not make any growth forecasts. Instead, he touted the government’s crackdown on corruption and tax evasion and said it has already
succeeded in breaking up economic monopolies that had long hampered faster growth. “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.
The 43-year-old premier rejected critics’ claims that the new authorities are scaring away investors with those audits and undermining Armenia’s strategic
relationship with Russia. “I can say for sure that Russian-Armenian relations are not only not bad but … are good and will get even better,” he said.
In a rare diplomatic dispute with Yerevan, Moscow strongly criticized late last month criminal charges brought against several former Armenian officials for
their alleged role in the deadly breakup of 2008 opposition protests in the Armenian capital. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the charges as politically motivated.
The accused individuals include former President Robert Kocharian and Yuri Khachaturov, the secretary general of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Both men strongly deny the accusations. Kocharian has claimed that they are part of a political “vendetta” waged by the new government.
In a clear reference to Kocharian, Pashinian 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 defended the ongoing criminal inquiry into the 2008 unrest conducted by the Special Investigative Service (SIS).
Kocharian was arrested on July 27 on charges of “overthrowing the constitutional order” in the final weeks of his decade-long rule. Armenia’s Court of Appeals freed him from custody more than two weeks later. The SIS condemned the court’s decision as “illegal.”
In his fiery speech, Pashinian again insisted that his administration is not exerting any pressure on courts. Still, he slammed unnamed judges who he said
are still taking “orders from representatives of the former corrupt authorities.” “Come to your senses and don’t mess with the people,” he warned them.
Pashinian was elected prime minister on March 8 by the Armenian parliament then controlled by the Republican Party (HHK) of former President Serzh Sarkisian, who was forced to resign on April 23. His government’s policy program calls for the conduct of snap elections within a year.
Under Armenia’s constitution, such elections can be held only if the prime minister resigns and the National Assembly twice fails to elect his or her
replacement.
Pashinian on Friday for the first time spoke of a possibility of the HHK and other parliamentary forces installing another prime minister and thus preventing snap polls in case of his resignation. He said his political team will therefore come up with constitutional amendments that would allow the
parliament to dissolve itself. He told his supporters to be ready to force lawmakers to enact those amendments.
Pashinian again gave no possible election dates.
19 August 2018
Pashinyan Reports on Government’s First 100 Days
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.
“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.”
PanArmenian, Armenia
Aug 20 2018
Aurora commemorates World Humanitarian Day
August 19 marks the 15th annual World Humanitarian Day, with the important theme of: civilians are #notatarget.
On the 15th anniversary of the death of 22 humanitarian aid workers in a bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, it is necessary to insist that civilians are never again made a target. As AuroraSelection Committee member Lord Ara Darzi writes in Monday, August 20’s Sunday Times, “This could hardly fall at a more opportune time as so many across the world are still targets”. Click here to Nominate a Humanitarian Hero that you know is working to help end human suffering, and read Lord Darzi’s full piece below:
“Many people may not know that 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 targets; in Syria, in Africa and - in the very recent past - in Europe in Ireland and the Balkans.
"It is too easy for us to forget the horrors of previous generations and play politics with the past. Where once we may have been comfortable that the hardest lessons had been learned, 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 continues to shape those who survived. 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 both victims and those who work to protect them, in and out of government, around the world, will make the right choice."
Lord Ara Darzi OM KBE is a Peer of the House of Lords, a Professor of Medicine at Imperial College London, and a member of the Selection Committee for the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the largest individual prize in the world for humanitarianism.”
RFE/RL Report
Sarkisian Allies Hit Back At Pashinian
August 20, 2018
Anush Muradian
Senior representatives of former President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party (HHK) have reacted furiously to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s latest speech, accusing him of stifling dissent, blackmailing the Armenian parliament and seeking to control the judiciary.
Pashinian marked his first 100 days in office on Friday with a massive rally in Yerevan during which he defended his government’s track record and declared the establishment of the kind of “people’s direct rule” that had existed in ancient Greece. He claimed that some Armenian judges are still acting on orders issued by members of Sarkisian’s political team, warning them not to “mess with the
people.”
The premier also announced plans to push through the parliament constitutional amendments that would facilitate the conduct of fresh parliamentary elections. He told his supporters to be ready to press lawmakers to enact those amendments.
Reacting to the speech, the chief HHK spokesman, Eduard Sharmazanov, described Pashinian as a “demagogue” who uses threats and blackmail to consolidate his power. “Pashinian threatened judges and opponents, blatantly violated the presumption of innocence, nullified state institutions and declared the street the only decision-making [state] body,” he said in a weekend statement.
“Don’t you dare threaten state institutions and parliamentarians and other citizens who have different views. Don’t you dare trample the law and the state underfoot,” warned Sharmazanov, who is also a deputy parliament speaker. He said Pashinian again proved that he is unfit to govern Armenia.
“In the past 100 days you have not become a prime minister after all. Not even a mediocre one,” Armen Ashotian, another senior HHK figure, charged, appealing to Pashinian.
In a Facebook post, Ashotian claimed that Pashinian’s fiery speech added a fresh “dose of authoritarianism” to his “unsuccessful” rule. “The prime minister is trying to replace laws, courts, government agencies and the business environment with himself,” he said.
The HHK majority in the Armenian parliament reluctantly agreed to help Pashinian become prime minister on May 8 after weeks of mass protests that
forced Sarkisian to resign. The former ruling party lost that majority in the following weeks due to defections from its ranks. But it still has the largest
faction in the National Assembly.
The HHK is increasingly critical of Pashinian’s government, even though Sarkisian continues to keep a low profile. In particular, it has strongly
condemned the arrest late last month of former President Robert Kocharian on charges stemming from the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan.
A senior member of Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, Lena Nazarian, insisted later on Saturday that the new government is not trying to set up any
unconstitutional bodies in the country. She said it is only seeking to make it easier for Armenians to vote in national and local referendums and elect a new,
more legitimate parliament.
Pashinian declared on Friday that crowds gathering in Yerevan’s central Republic Square must now be regarded as the “supreme body of the people’s
rule.” Armenia, he said, is thus replicating ancient Greece.
Throughout Sarkisian’s decade-long rule, the HHK itself faced opposition allegations that it rigs elections, restricts human and civil rights and
prevents judicial independence.
August 17 2018 15:20:00
Ara Güler Museum in Istanbul opens
The Ara Güler Museum (AGM) hosting the works of legendary photographer Ara Güler, also known as the “eye of Istanbul,” has opened in Istanbul.
Opened in Bomontiada, a brewery-turned entertainment center, the museum currently hosts an exhibition titled “Islık Çalan Adam” (The man who whistles) displaying photos, videos, paintings, objects and books from Güler’s archive.
The museum was opened — in collaboration with Doğuş Group — as the first photography artist museum in Turkey. It aims to carry Güler’s art, identity and life to the next generations.
During the opening event, Güler’s 90th birthday was celebrated too. As a birthday gift, he was given a book published by the museum with the same name of the exhibition.
Speaking at the ceremony, Güler said it took many years to create his own archive and noted the difficulties of making an archive.
He said the museum venue Bomontiada was located in an old factory, likening its restoration to the process of building an archival storage.
Museum and research center free of charge
Hüsnü Akhan, an official of Doğuş Group, said they had begun working with Güler two years ago.
“Two years ago, we established the Ara Güler Doğuş Arts and Culture company. He is the board chair of the company. The company realized the Ara Güler Archive and Research Center [AGAVAM] and Ara Güler Museum,” he said.
Akhan said AGAVAM was opened nearly eight months ago, bringing Güler’s unique archive to light. The museum and the research center are free of charge, he added.
The museum displays the artist’s works and negatives along with his personal belongings, cameras, press cards and collections.
Born in 1928 to an ethnic Armenian family, Güler is Turkey’s most famous photographer. Having produced volumes of black-and-white photographs of Istanbul, he documented his city’s ever-changing face.
Ar
PanArmenian, Armenia
Aug 18 2018
William Saroyan’s unpublished plays set for L.A. world premiere
Never-before-staged scenes from William Saroyan’s unpublished plays will be performed in a world premiere production at the Los Angeles Central Library’s Taper Auditorium on September 15, Asbarez reports.
“William Saroyan: The Unpublished Plays in Performance,” created by award-winning playwright and director Aram Kouyoumdjian, will be staged by Vista Players, “a boundlessly talented” ensemble that “set the standard by which others were judged” (Sacramento News & Review).
Kouyoumdjian was granted special permission by Stanford University, where Saroyan’s unpublished manuscripts are housed, to stage the excerpts. Selections from such works as “The Armenian Play (or Opera),” “Home to Hayastan,” and “Ouzenk Chouzenk Hai Yenk” (Like It or Not, We’re Armenians) will explore a wide array of themes, including immigrant life, the trauma of genocide, and the notion of repatriation.
The performance at the Central Library is being presented as part of the Library’s “L.A. Made” series and is co-sponsored by Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian. Councilmember Krekorian will make a special presentation to the L.A. City Council on August 31 about Saroyan, as well as the commemorative Library event, which he is scheduled to attend.August 31 marks the occasion of William Saroyan’s 110th birthday: the impetus to present the renowned playwright’s unknown works at venerated venues in Southern and Central California. The production is slated for additional performances in Fresno and in Orange County, as well as an encore performance in L.A.
Admission to the L.A. Central Library event is free, but seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the performance will begin at 7 p.m.
Saroyan is the pre-eminent Armenian-American author who rose to prominence in the 1930s and went on to have a prolific career for five decades. A writer of short stories, novels, plays, and memoirs, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his most famous dramatic work, “The Time of Your Life,” and an Academy Award for his screenplay of “The Human Comedy.”
Kouyoumdjian, who wrote his Master’s thesis on Saroyan’s unpublished plays, is the winner of Elly Awards for both playwriting (The Farewells) and directing (Three Hotels). His feature plays and solo pieces have been performed in half a dozen cities, from Los Angeles (Fountain Theatre) to London (Finborough Theatre). His most recent work has included an adaptation of Levon Shant’s Ancient Gods (2014); Happy Armenians (Los Angeles, 2015; Sacramento, 2016); and i Go On, an open-air, site-specific performance piece in conjunction with the iWitness installation of Genocide survivor portraits (DTLA’s Grand Park, 2015; Glendale Central Park, 2017).
JAM News
Aug 21 2018
Separating business from state: A look at Armenia’s economy during Pashinyan’s first 100 days
Much has been achieved, yet much remains to be done
The first 100 days of Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister of Armenia will be remembered for the number of corruption schemes that were uncovered as well as the high-profile arrests that took place.
But these front-page stories and scandalous events were only a part of the new economic programme of the ‘revolutionary’ government of Armenia. The new Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan came to power in Armenia as a result of the ‘velvet revolution’ in April 2018.
His first one hundred days have ended. What economic reforms have been launched, what has been achieved, and what direction is the new government moving in? JAMnews offers a detailed look at the new Armenia through the comments of experts.
Stabilising the economy
Armenia posted 8.9 per cent economic growth in the first six months of 2018. Last year, this indicator was 6.1. The national currency, both during the days of the revolution and after, did not change significantly.
However, some economic indicators did take a tumble. For that reason, the first priority of Pashinyan’s government was to stabilise the economy.
Armenia’s former cabinet of ministers, headed by Karen Karapetyan, forecasted 4.5 per cent growth for 2018. After the first six months, it was clear that this indicator would be significantly higher. Specialists have predicted a minimum growth of 6.5 per cent for Armenia this year.
Hrant Mikaelyan, economist:
“The economy was stressed by the revolution, as usually happens in such situations. However, the impact was not very deep. I’d assess the losses at 2.5 per cent of the overall GDP growth.”
Bagrat Asatryan, economist:
“The velvet revolution gave rise to difficulties on financial markets, and there was an outflow of money. In April 2018, Armenia’s international reserves were depleted by 200 million dollars.
“However, the economic decline has already been corrected.
The year was also a successful one for the agricultural sector. Although the results still have to be calculated, the data as of July shows that fruit and vegetable exports grew some 70 per cent. Significant growth was also recorded in other spheres.”
Hrant Mikhaelyan, economist:
“As of now, there is solid growth in both the service sector and commerce, including construction to some extent. This is connected to the overall positive environment around Armenia. Armenia has integrated into the Eurasian Economic Union, but the GSP and GSP+ policies with the US and the EU are also in force. There is also a trade agreement with Georgia.
The fight against market monopolisation
The new government announced a fight against artificial monopolies on its first day in power. PM Pashinyan stated that every citizen must have the ability to freely import any and all products to Armenia.
It also came out that a number of companies in Armenia had not been paying taxes for years, including Yerevan City, a large supermarket network. All these companies later ‘returned’ their arrears to the state treasury and are now working in accordance with the new laws. Not one company was shut down.
Hrant Mikhaelyan, economist:
“The new government is trying to introduce an acceptable policy, without extremes, even against large monopolies, and so far [these policies] are justifying themselves – all players have remained on the market, but in different [operating] conditions.”
Separating business from the state
The goal of separating business from the state was also announced as one of the government’s main priorities. Nikol Pashinyan has already partially achieved this goal. There is not a single oligarch or high-profile businessman in his new cabinet who would be capable of using their power for their own aims.
Criticism
Despite the generally positive trends in the country and societal support, there has also been a fair bit of criticism of the new government.
The main reason is that there are no numeric predictions in the economic programme, and no long term economic development programme as a whole has been presented.
Bagrat Asatryan, economist:
“The fight against corruption, and the divorce of business from the state are the most important parts of the [new] structural changes. However, this cannot be called an economic policy. Direct changes in the country’s policy are necessary, which would then attract investments not only from abroad but also domestically. The economic model must be such so as to realise long-term projects.”
Summary
Experts assess the economic indicators of the last three months as positive. However, they note that the most important and main steps that need to be taken are still ahead, because the old economic model continues to be in play in Armenia. It is namely the new economic strategy which will show whether or not Pashinyan’s government is capable of providing a real boost in the economy, something which Armenia has long been awaiting.
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