Great Discussions, I'm sure...

Hovik Abrahaman, Speaker of the NA, is going to meet with Ahmadinejad, and has already met with his Iranian counterpart. Among issues being discussed are regional security. I can just imagine how the conversation is going to go...

Iran:"Wow, you're really pulling it off. I'm impressed..."
Muk:"Yeah, it was unfortunate that any of the March 1 events were captured on video, especially some of the more graphic footage - the shootings, the jaw, the beatings... you know how it goes... kind of like that girl they caught on video in Tehran.... what was her name?"
Iran:"N-something, I think. After seeing what happened with your elections, we knew videos and technology would cause a problem - we tried to block internet and all of that early on, but some of them got around it. B**tards. You work so hard to try to cut off all communication, but they find a way."
Muk:"Agreed. Quite annoying. Sometimes I look out of my car and just dream that all those little people out there would just shut up, or disappear - it would make my life so much easier..."
{chuckling together}
Iran:"We saw how little it mattered that there were international observers, and our relationship with the west is a little different to begin with... but we just kept them out anyway. From what I hear, observers were good for the restaurant business in Yerevan, right? They didn't set you back much at all- those organizations can't do anything anyway."...
Muk:"Imagine what we could do if we put our heads together!"
{more chuckling}


On another note - the Public council, which seems to be headed by Vazgen Manukyan, has approved the protocols. I'm not exactly sure where in the process this council fits, but why am I not surprised. What I'm really not sure of is WHICH public they are the council of...

SS has to go...along with his own Schutzstaffel

I am very concerned about this guy, for a number of reasons. From his uniform, I think he's a Yerevan police officer. But he acts more like an SS office from Nazi Germany - not surprising given he works for SS. So that's concern number one - that this kind of behavior (see below) is tolerated and it seems rewarded in the present Banditocracy. Which dovetails onto my second concern- this guy seems to be a real sadist, maybe just a sociopath. Why do I say that? Watch his expression in the video, or the stills below, while he punches, then knees one of the youth - it doesnt change, he doesn't blink - and he does it so quickly you might miss it in the video. He shows no guilt, no remorse, no empathy, and no hesitation- no conscience. And maybe he even seems to enjoy it a bit.

So the yert was on 25 September - the videos have been posted elsewhere so I won't reproduce them. But, as mentioned above, this sadist, along with the rest of his colleagues, pushes and punches and kicks the youth involved. Here are the stills of the Red Berets harassing Vahagn Gevorgyan (recently released on Amnesty, politically active son of Haykakan Zhamanak editor Haik Gevorgyan), then Vahagn "encounter" with the sociopath-

Just in case the knee-ing isn't too visible, i've outlined the angles.

Photographic Documentaries

As I posted a while back, the new ANC social network is a welcome medium for conversation and discussion, and a number of people have posted photos and videos I had never seen before. It was through the ANC network that I found out that both a book and a calendar of incredible photographs from the past almost two years have been published by German Avakyan. They are published online, which means that you can browse some or all of the material online, and if you chose to buy, you order it and it is then printed and sent to you.

The 2010 calendar is entitled For Our Freedom and Yours - here is the front cover:

The compilation of photos is called, very appropriately, Armenia:Stolen Voices.
Links to more about german Avakyan and other products of his can be found at his site: HermanAvakian.com

Announcement Regarding Tigran Arakelyan

Statement

Youth movement activist Tigran Arakelyan has been in detention for about two and a half months on charges of resisting police officers. On July 1, 2009 Tigran Arakelyan was distributing leaflets on Abovyan Street advertising upcoming rally for the Armenian National Congress with fellow activists when police officers in civilian clothing attacked and severely beat the young men publicizing the event. During the attack, Tigran Arakelyan sustained a serious head injury when an officer struck him with the handle of his revolver. As a result of the assault, Tigran Arakelyan was taken to the hospital by ambulance. On July 5, 2009 Tigran Arakelyan was summoned to Yerevan’s Kentron administrative district police department, ostensibly as the victim of the attack, but after several hours of interrogation and confrontation with the officers involved in the fight, he instead stood accused, charged with “offering resistance to a representative of authorities” under Article 258, section 3, subsection 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Tigran Arakelyan was subsequently taken to “Nubarashen” penitentiary, but on July 16, the 12th day of his detention, having suffered nervous shock, he was moved to the “Hospital for Convicts” penal institution. Currently, Tigran Arakelyan remains in the “Hospital for Convicts” because his health has deteriorated, suffering from worsening eyesight, dizziness and weakness. However, since his illness has not been diagnosed, Arakelyan has not yet received the necessary treatment to recover from his affliction. In order to receive a proper medical examination he must be taken to a civic hospital. Tigran Arakelyan’s case requires swift intervention to ensure fair pre-trial and change of the measure of restraint to prevent the further deterioration of his health. September 18, 2009 Armenia “Transparency International Anti-corruption Center” NGO “Helsinki Committee of Armenia” NGO “Civil Society Institute” NGO “Huys” NGO “People are the Masters of Our Country” Organization “Lawyers for Human Rights” NGO “Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor Office” NGO ““Asparez” Journalists’ Club” NGO “We Plus” NGO “Arena of Education” NGO

On Choo-Choo Trains, Psychic abilities and Long-Shots..

On September 15, Today's Zaman posted an article about Armenia's Ambassador signing an agreement to buy railway trains from Poland, reportedly for use on the railway between Turkey and Armenia.
The Railway between Turkey and Armenia? What railway? And why can an Ambassador from Armenia sign for a Russian Company? Who invests in the potential of a railway that may or may not come to be? Someone who knows or can assure that it will come to be, that's who.
Who controls the railway? Well, let's see:

South Caucasus Railways (SCR) has officially started business operations under a concession agreement to manage Armenian Railways.

In this connection, by 1 June 2008, SCR, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Russian Railways, received property owned by Armenian Railways consisting of 2,000 freight cars, 58 passenger coaches, 85 locomotives and 30 electric trains... The Company plans to promote cooperation with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine and other countries.

That's from a Russian Railways website, and it cites another article which announces that the agreement between Russia and Armenia was signed on February 13th, 2008 [that's right, 6 days before the presidential election], and specifies further

The preliminary investment plan provides for Russian Railways to commit about USD400 million over the 30 years to the development of Armenia’s rail infrastructure. It is also planned to invest some USD170 million to upgrade rolling stock. Russian Railways is guaranteeing the investment.

The concessionaire is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2008.

That's A LOT of money, especially pre-election... in February 2008... that's quite a guarantee, too.. It must have been SUUUCH a gamble...

In fact, by June 4th, 2009:

The Armenian railway is quite ready for the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, said Shevket Shaydulin, Director General of the South Caucasus Railways CJSC, which has assumed the concession management of the Armenian railway. He told a press conference today that the works to modernize the infrastructures in that direction were under way.

“We are ready to resume the rail communication between Armenia and Turkey. Today there is a distinct program of activities, a business project is being worked out. We are taking corresponding steps to modernize the Akhuryan station at the border,” he said.

Shevket Shaydulin assured that there would be no problems with railway transportation in case the border was opened. The Company intends to make an investment of $900 million in that direction.

I envy that confidence. Or is it prescience?

But maybe its just that in this time of international economic crisis, Russia is overflowing with money. They just loaned $500 million to Armenia, right (see Eurasianet article)?

To Inspire the Youth...

"Let us all unite with the people, who have raised the flag of freedom. He who does not follow and turns away from the people is an enemy of the people. And in particular you, the youth, defenders of ideology always and everywhere, may you unite with your people."

What a great quote, a great ideology. It is a direct quote from the Manifesto of the ARF. Here's another good one:

"Strengthening Armenia's statehood, institutionalization of democracy and the rule of law, securing the people's economic well being, and establishment of social justice."

This is one of the clearly stated goals of the ARF, as stated in their Official Program.

When I think of the principles of statehood, democracy, and social justice... when I think of the people, youth and unity, that is when I start to wonder if the ARF and I even speak the same language. The people are those who were and still are in the streets, democracy and social justice mean human rights with freedom of speech and press. But this is apparently not who or what the ARF has in mind.

In the past 6 months, the use of violence and intimidation by the Banditocracy against the youth have become more obvious than ever. The names of certain youth activists, persecuted and imprisoned for their political beliefs and actions, are now well known. Tigran Arakelyan is on an indefinite hunger strike, having recently had his pre-trial detention extended for another 2 months, for no apparent reason. Vahagn Gevorgyan, 18 yo, was just found guilty, sentenced to a one year imprisonment and fined, and then pardoned (of note, he is the son of Hayk Gevorgyan, journalist at Haykakan Zhamanak, which is still being persecuted).

In one of his recent pieces, Pashinyan highlighted the enormously important role of the youth in today's political sphere, and the incredible evolution the political and social identity of the young generation has already undergone. In fact, the piece was only outdone by the flurry of comments it received, with commenter after commenter showing support, adding "+1". One even points out:

NIKOL JAN QO NSHA& ERITASARDUTYUN@ HENC QO ORINAK@ UNENALOV E AYSOR AYSPISIN DARCEL! DU ES MEZ SOVORECNEL LINEL QAGHAQACI EV VER KANGNEL GEGHCHKAKAN AMBILIANERIC! ES 2007 IN CHEM EGHEL IMPICHMENTI SHARQERUM BAYC HIMA ASUM EM 1+1+1…

Which, loosely translated tells Nikol that it is through his example that the youth has come to where they are today. You have taught us to be citizens and to stand up for ourselves. In 2007, I was not among those demanding impeachment, but now I say +1, +1, +1...

So, to be honest, I don't want to hear about how the ARF is not at the point where they would call for Sargsyan's resignation, that they still are just demanding Nalbandyan's resignation. Let them have their hunger strike, which they're starting on the 15th, because they are upset with Sargsyan's steps toward Armenian Turkish relations. I have yet to see them stand true to the principles of the original ARF, I have yet to see them inspire... When they do that, only then will they step out from the shadows of their coalition connections, step into the light of their founding fathers, and start to become true opposition.

And these people are...???

I like this approach. Take the evidence, make it public, then "ask" Nikoyan about it, and "ask" him to have it explained in the next report.

This photo was made public, along with this letter (tranlation from Lragir):

The members of the fact-finding group addressed a letter to the head of the NA temporary commission to study March Samvel Nikoyan which runs:

“We are sending you a video and one photo which show armed people in military uniforms on March 1, 2008 at about 16:00-17:00 on the Melik Adamyan street. Before the release of the final report of the commission we expect the commission to find out:

-whether the people in the camion are soldiers. If yes, from what structure and what department.

- whether the masked people in the second ground of the photo are soldiers or police officials, if yes, from what department.
We inform you that the documents the fact-finding group sent you in this connection contain valuable information

The letter is signed by A. Kocharyan and S. Safaryan, Members of the Former Fact-Finding Group

Here are the close-ups:

Died from a Heart Attack?

Grigori ("Grisha") Sargsyan died this morning of an apparent heart attack.
Why, you may ask yourself, is the name familiar?

At the very moment when Levon Ter Pertrossyan was addressing people and the troops in the square with appeal of soberness, he was blocked by police troops headed by Grisha Sargsyan, the head of guards of the acting president Kocharyan

(a1plus, march 1, 2008)

Grisha Sargsyan the head of Kocharyan’s guards himself violently pushed Levon Ter-Petrosyan into the car and took him to his house

(HCA France, March 3, 2008)

There is much to be said, it seems.

But, let us distance ourselves from those who hate, disrespect, and destroy.
May he rest in peace.

UPDATE: RFE/RL Article in English

Some brief thoughts on news items...

The biggest news is about the development of agreements between Turkey and Armenia for progress forward. Nazaryan says it best in his post:

That's what you get when you try to come to an agreement from a position of weakness at the negotiating table.

He has a number of documents posted, here are a few more of interest:
The protocol for Turkey and Armenia,
Here is the official version (I found the link thanks to a new blog called pomegranate express)
Sargsyan's public clarification, and
HAK's statement on the issue in English

The Hunchak party as well as the ARF have issued statements about the issue. I couldn't find a Ramkavar official statement - this was the closest I could find.
This is interesting to me not because of an illusion of informed broad scale diasporan involvement in Armenia, but because only the Hunchak statement says anything about the acceptance/recognition of the principle of territorial integrity, which was included in the Turkey-Armenia protocol, and the implications of which have been of concern to a good number of people.

Actually dealing with fundamental, real-time issues (that might result in the loss of power) would be too much of a big step for the ARF, anyway - they're still reeling and dizzy from announcing out loud that they might start to consider to think that maybe Sargsyan should potentially resign if he signs the existing principles for the NK issue.

And why didn't police need shields at the ARF meeting:

a high-ranking policeman said: "What is the point in carrying shields if we know what Dashnaks are going to talk about?"

Right. How about because, as Arzumanyan has pointed out, they're not really opposition.


On another note, Sukiasyan presented himself to the authorities and is now imprisoned.

Would you rather be the guy in red, or in blue?

Say you're a foreign/international organization. Something like the PACE, or UN, or the government of the US or other country. And you're trying to get peace in the region (let's imagine this is their goal), and for a multitude of possible reasons, you overlook the way in which SS came to power.

And now you're pushing Armenia to come to terms with Turkey, with NK, with Azerbaijan. So you start negotiating, pressuring, making deals and writing agreements.

Now someone PLEASE explain to me WHY ON EARTH anyone in their right mind thinks that a government that can claim that this guy (red) can beat up this guy (blue) is truthworthy or can be held accountable AT ALL???



Forget the fact that they're dealing with an oppressive violent government. Forget the fact that the actions of said, unnamed, powers would be acting unethically - its just a bad decision, for their own interests...

Or maybe they just figure, if Sargsyan tries to get out of any agreements due to public pressure, he'll just do what he did before - just turn the army on the people again.

[Photo is taken from rfe/rl, accompanied by this article]

Much Needed New Online Network for the ANC

Հայ Ազգային Կոնգրեսի Ցանց

A new online network has been started, an Armenian National Congress Network. Yes, there are blogs and webpages, in Armenian, English and Russian, that are pro-Opposition. There are news sources, and even facebook groups and even circles within YouTube that are pro-Opposition.
But this is the first, that I know of at least, ANC based interactive website. I think its a great idea, and has great potential (yet another reason I wish there were more widespread internet access and usage in Armenia).
Visit the page, look around, join.
There are groups within the Network, resources, other information and even a live chat with other members.

Do these names sound familiar???

A number of articles have come out regarding guilty parties in the March 1 events of 2008. There has been some focus on identifying the sniper, as well as the charging of four police. While there's not denying that identifying individuals responsible for violence is a good thing, that's not where it should end. But it would be just like these authorities to find a way to make a mockery of such issues - whether its the false amnesty of January 2009 to buy a PACE reprieve, the tongue in cheek amnesty of June 2009, or the continued beatings, repressions, fraudulent trials, or imprisonments. Finding a bunch of individuals who followed orders and committed violence may look good, but it doesn't address the fundamental question of WHO gave those orders...

Which brings us to the most exciting news so far - a document has been published listing, one by one, the individuals who received uniforms prior to the march 1 events. These are the guys, who days in advance of March 1, 2008, organized and planned, and distributed appropriate uniforms for use. Some of these names may be familiar:

1. Vatche Ghazaryan ("Vacho," Head of Serge's bodyguards)
2. Gagik Tsarukyan ("Dodi Gago," MP, Prosperous Armenia)
3. Surik Khatchatryan ("Liska," Head of a Marz/Region Syunik, Republican Party)
4. Levon Sargsyan ("Alraghatsi Lyovik," MP, Republican Party)
5. Gagik Beglaryan ("Chorni Gago," Mayor of Yerevan, at that time he was head of the Central Yerevan District)
6. Hovik Abrahamyan ("Muk," President of Parliament, at that time was Vice Prime Minister, and Minister of Regional Administration, Republican Party)
7. Arakel Movsisyan ("Shmays," MP, whose brother had been imprisoned for his pivotal role in the organization of "October 27," Republican Party)
8. Mher Sedrakyan ("Tokhmakhi Mher," was head of the Erebouni District during March 1, 2008)
9. Samvel Aleksanyan ("Lfik Samo," MP, Republican Party)

The first column next to the names is the number of winter uniforms given to each individual, followed by the number of cotton uniforms, then the number of hats given to each individual.

So far, there is only one summary article in English about all of this (click here). A1plus has it in Armenian, as does Lragir. I can't imagine the English won't be available soon.

Since Justice requires Luck...

Thursday, August 27th will be the first hearing of Nikol Pashinyan's "Criminal" Case.

In my head, I found myself say, "Good Luck."

But what is luck?

According to Merriam Webster, it is:

1 a : a force that brings good fortune or adversity b : the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual

2 : favoring chance; also : success luck growing orchids>

And Dictionary.com adds:

2.	good fortune; advantage or success, considered as the result of chance: He had no luck finding work.

3.	a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person: She's had nothing but bad luck all year.

That one caught my eye more, because Pashinyan not only needs good fortune, against adversity, but he needs a coincidence of events, a chance combination of events.

He needs the actual processes of Justice and Law in Armenia to be fair and independent.

And that is a rare, unlikely event, a coincidence even, in Armenia these days, and it will take a lot of luck.

So, in that broad sense, I wish him luck.

Click HERE to see the recent letter regarding Pashinyan's situation, or see below:

REQUEST to Call on Arm Authorities_final

Is the Warden secretly reading Pashinyan's work?

Analogous to the series Pashinyan wrote while in hiding, he is writing a series, for those who do not already know, from prison. Part 27, which came out on August 19th, has a commentary on some of the conditions in the prison, prison life, as well as some characteristics of the guards and even the warden himself.

Apparently, soon after Part 27 was published, the prison administration no longer allowed Pashinyan to receive newspapers (which is his legal right), which has led to the speculation that perhaps the warden or prison administration is punishing him for his writings.

What I would like to know is, does the warden, or the rest of the authorities for that matter, read Pashinyan?

I imagine they read his writing with simultaneous hatred, and childlike joy... impatient for the next part to be published, sneaking off to read the newest piece...

Likely not.

But it sure would make a funny cartoon... the warden and Sargsyan the biggest secret fans of Pashinyan's writing.

In the meantime, give the man back his newspapers. That's just ridiculous.

In defense of Mariam Sukhudyan

YouTube videos from protest in support of Mariam Sukhudyan on August 19: Video1, 2, 3.

The letter below (in English, Armenian and Russian) is being distributed - please feel free to redistribute even further...
------

STATEMENT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS OF ARMENIA

The authorities of Armenia relying on law enforcement bodies and judicial system freely carry out any order and continue the policy of intimidation and violence towards the disagreeable citizens.

Arrests, beatings and judicial punishment of journalists and human rights defenders, disgraceful trials related to the events of March 1, 2008 over oppositional leaders of Armenia, arrests and beatings of youth movement members struggling for their rights are sanctioned by provost regime of Armenia.
The commencement of a criminal case instituted against Mariam Sukhudyan, one of the leaders of ecological movement is another vivid manifestation of policy of impatience towards the dissidence.

We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations of Armenia which are members of South Caucasian Network of Human Rights Defenders

--demand the competent bodies to stop the criminal case instituted against Mariam Sukhudyan,
--demand the competent bodies to punish the ones who instituted the criminal case
--address the international organizations with a request to support our demands and exert pressure on the authorities of Armenia.

Helsinki Association
Socioscop
Helsinki Citizen Assembly
Journalist Club “Asparez”
Women Resource Center
Vernatun- Wives of Political Prisoners
PINK Armenia
Democracy Today
Helsinki Citizen Assembly of Vanadzor

ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՍԱՐԱԿԱԿԱՆ ԿԱԶՄԱԿԵՐՊՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐԻ ՀԱՅՏԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ

Հայաստանի իշխանությունները իրենց բնորոշ մեթոդներով` հիմնվելով իրավապահ մարմինների և դատական իշխանության վրա, որոնք աներկբա կատարելով վերևից եկող յուրաքանչյուր հրաման, շարունակում են վախեցնելու և հաշվեհարդար տեսնելու քաղաքականությունը իրենց համար ոչ ձեռնտու քաղաքացիների նկատմամբ:

Լրագրողների և իրավապաշտպանների ձերբակալություններ, ծեծ և դատական հաշվեհարդար, 2008թ. մարտի 1-ի դեպքերով ընդդիմադիր գործիչների խայտառակ դատաստանը, իրենց իրավունքների համար պայքարող երիտասարդական շարժման մասնակիցների ձերբակալությունները և ծեծի ենթարկվելը. այս ամենը թելադրվում է Հայաստանում հաստատված ռազմաոստիկանական ռեժիմի կողմից:

Բնապահպանական շարժման ակտիվիստներից մեկի` Մարիամ Սուխուդյանի նկատմամբ քրեական հետապնդման հանգամանքը անհանդուրժողականության քաղաքականության ևս մեկ վառ դրսևորում է այլակարծության նկատմամբ:

Մենք, ներքոստորագրյալ հասարակական կազմակերպություններս` Հարավկովկասյան Իրավապաշտպանների ցանցի Հայաստանի անդամներս

-պահանջում ենք անհապաղ դադարեցնել քրեական գործը Մարիամ Սուխուդյանի նկատմամբ

-կոչ ենք անում իրավասու մարմիններին անհապաղ պատժել Մարիամ Սուխուդյանի նկատմամբ քրեական գործ հարուցած մեղավորներին

-դիմում ենք միջազգային կազմակերպություններին խնդրանքով աջակցություն ցուցաբերել մեր պահանջներին և ճնշում գործադրել Հայաստանի իշխանությունների նկատմամբ:
Հելսինկյան Ասոցիացիա

Սոցիոսկոպ
“Ասպարեզ” լրագրողական ակումբ
Հելսինկյան Քաղաքացիական Ասամբլեա
Կանանց Ռեսուրսային Կենտրոն
Վերնատուն-քաղբանտարկյալների կանայք
Հանրային իրազեկման և գիտելիք կենտրոն
Ժողովրդավարությունն Այսօր
Վանաձորի Հելսինկյան Քաղաքացիական Ասամբլեա

ЗАЯВЛЕНИЕ НЕПРАВИТЕЛЬСТВЕННЫХ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЙ АРМЕНИИ

Власти Армении, свойственными для себя методами, опираясь, на правоохранительные органы и судебную власть, котроые беспрекословно выполняют любой приказ сверху, продолжают политику запугивания и расправ с неугодными для себя гражданами.

Аресты, избиения и судебные расправы журналистов и правозащитников. Позорное судилище оппозиционеров по событиям 1-го марта 2008г. Аресты и избиения участников молодежного движения за свои права. Все это санкционирует военно-полицейский режим установившийся в Армении.

Начало уголовного преследования одного из лидеров экологического движения Мариам Сухудян еще одно яркое проявление политики нетерпения по отношению к инакомыслию.
Мы, нижеподписавшиеся неправительственные организации члены Южно-Кавказской Сети Правозащитников от Армении:

- требуем незамедлительного прекращения уголовного дела против Мариам Сухудян;

- призываем компетентные органы, незамедлительно наказать виновных возбудивших уголовное дело против Мариам Сухудян;

- обращаемся к международным организациям с просьбой поддержать наши требования и оказать давления на власти Армении.


Хельсинкская Ассоциация
Социоскоп
Хельсинкская Гражданская Ассамблея
Журналистский клуб «Аспарез»
Женский Ресурсный Центр
Вернатун – Жены Политзаключенных
Центр Общественной Информированности и Знаний
Демократия Сегодня
Хельсинкская Гражданская Ассамблея Ванадзора
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[photo is from facebook group "Hands off eco-activist Mariam Sukhudyan"]

Moving Toward Democracy, Step by Step

I've sent out the email below to a number of people - please help, either directly, or by distributing...
------------------------------

Dear Friend,
At this very crucial time in Armenia, there is very limited information coming out of Armenia that is in English, and increasing this will allow us to further encourage international media, organizations, and individuals to follow the continued oppressions in Armenia. In an effort to increase awareness, disseminate information to media, and help the move toward democracy in Armenia, several of us have put our heads together to see what can be done in this regard.

To this end, as our first project, we are working towards having Haykakan Zhamanak made available in English. We are also working on raising funds for this project, and increasing awareness through emails and word of mouth.

If you are interested in contributing to this, please email aramazdg@gmail.com. Any amount will help make a difference.
Please email myself or Aramazd with any question.

Please forward this email to all who may be interested.

Thank you,
Tzitzernak

Wow - something we agree on...

It's not the first time, nor will it be the last I'm sure, but recently, it is so infrequent, that its worth mentioning:
I actually (generally speaking) agree with the ARF's Giro Manoyan on something:
Dashnak Leader Sees Increased Pressure On Armenia on RFE/RL

Bryza, on the other hand, seems to think that no one sees this pressure (from Lragir):
"Bryza stated that he is surprised that the Armenian and Azerbaijani press accuse the Minsk group co-chairs of forcing compromises to the sides. In reality, they do not make any repression but only mediate."

Right... these countries have no interests, no motives, other than pure pure humanitarianism and justice. Got it... Next thing you know he'll be sending us on a Snipe Hunt...

Oskanyan's interviews, past and present, and the new Eclipse

Despite not having an actual debate with Shahnazaryan, as I had hoped, Oskanyan did give an interview to Azatutyun earlier today. It is in three parts (part 1, 2, 3). Below is part 3, because it has my favorite bit.

The interviewer, Anna Israelyan, asks a very pointed question at 3:27 minutes, about March 1. She asks Oskanyan if he might not now be trying to cast his original viewpoints in a different light? Not only that, but she even points at that she watched his videos on YouTube closely, and she did not see tears in his eyes. His response (paraphrased):
Absolutely not (regarding the changing of viewpoints). That day I had nothing to gain or lose. That day I took upon myself a greater responsibility, than is expected of a Foreign Minister, because I felt the danger, it was with that sense of responsibility that I gave that press conference... It would have been very easy to refuse to give the press conference, but that would not have been responsible. And its too bad that the other political figures-- especially those who were the core players that day, from both sides-- did not take upon themselves the responsibility that I took upon myself. I am convinced that if they had all done everything they could have, done their part, then one of the blackest days in our people's history would have been avoided. But that wasn't done, and that is truly a pity. But my conscience is clear, in that I, at least, did my part... It didn't work. But, I feel comfortable that I stood in front of our people, and called for both the authorities and the opposition to sit and talk and try to solve things through negotation. [Israelyan interrupts and says something unclear] You know, my press conference was around 6pm, the first shot was at 9pm, maybe there was still the possibility, but no one listened... But I will repeat again, but if everyone among us had taken responsibility as I did, and done everything they could have, it would have been possible to avoid... And whether you saw tears in my eyes or not is not important, because I have expressed what I felt, I was barely holding back my tears, because it was an emotional day, there was a real feeling of responsibility... and it is very sad that the call wasn't heard, and that which has already turned into one of our blackest days in history occurred...

So somehow, though it was more responsibility than a usual Foreign Minister takes on, Oskanyan was chosen to do the Press Conference - that could imply that he was somehow more involved, no? And he could have refused to give the conference when Kocharyan asked him to do it, it would have been easy, apparently. My guess is, its hard to say no in that situation. Regardless of whether he had to do it or not, as he has pointed out, individuals and regimes are responsible for their statements and actions...
I just wish he weren't so self-effacive...

But, let's take a look at that main press conference Oskanyan gave back on that day in March, 2008. Oskanyan spoke in place of Kocharyan. When I say in place of, I mean, he actually said, at the beginning of the Press Conference video, "I know you were expecting the President of the Republic [Kocharyan], he is very busy in meetings, and he asked that I would give this press conference..." Watch the videos of his press conference here [Part 1, 2, 3]. In these videos, he warns against a possible State of Emergency, justifies a possible State of Emergency, denies the existence of the de facto house arrest of LTP, and states that what has happened to LTP was for his own safety.
For those who don't understand Armenian, he also gave a brief interview to RussiaToday, in English, where he specifically states that the State of Emergency was "necessary," and the "developments were unexpected." There are more videos on YouTube, especially under MFAArmenia.

He's not trying to shed a new light on old comments, he's trying to create a whole eclipse...

This game, again? The other kids are bigger...

Armenian President Uses Soccer Match In Political Bargain - is the title of the article on RFE/RL. I thought (hoped) that maybe the folks over at RFE had been working too hard, gotten really tired and accidentally republished an old article. But, alas, no! It is current...

This whole thing, I'm inviting you to my party, now you're inviting me but I'm not coming - it reminds of little silly games kids play.

It's as though Sargsyan is a small child in a playground, and he has a ball, and he offers to allow some of the other kids to play with it, just for a bit. But he doesn't realize that these kids are bigger than him, way, way bigger. And at some point, they can just TAKE the ball from him, with or without beating him up. Or they can just beat him up, not take the ball, and go do something else. Or they could just ignore him completely. If this is the best strategy he can come up with, if this is what he calls diplomacy...

Is Sargsyan hoping his Big Brother will come to his rescue when the time comes?

Waiting to see Shahnazaryan vs Oskanyan

This was the last line of a recent a1plus article - David Shahnazaryan said: "I am inviting Oskanyan to a debate so that I can prove that all that he said was not true and that he and Kocharyan are the ones most responsible for all this."

I mildly surprised myself in being excited at hearing this. Oskanyan has been making statements recently, and though they are numerous, and sound well put together, they all leave me with more questions about what it is he actually said (and didn't say, of course), and what it is he thinks he's saying and doing.
He's one of the few who was high ranking in the LTP administration, and moved up and stayed through the RK administration. And now, he's the head of a very posh think tank that promotes Civilitas (The Civilitas Foundation). Yet he has yet to really critize in any way the past and present factors in Armenia that jeopardize the foundations of a true Civil Society. While I appreciate discussions on Vulgarity, and involvement in the Golden Apricot Film Festival are wonderful, I don't see how these are making any waves. Though they do make him more visible.
In fact, he was quite visible at the ARF's recent Pan-Armenian forum in NK, where he gave a speech. I'm not quite sure what he said, but not for lack of trying (partial speech). I had similar troubles with his interview to 168 Zham. What I did see was him cleaning up the road behind up, and paving a way ahead...
In the interview to a1plus, it was the same issue yet again. When asked specifics, for example, regarding the reasoning behind the ARF's call for Nalbandyan's resignation as a way of punishing Sargsyan, he does not want to answer (around 16:00m).
Maybe he just got tired, he has taken on a lot.

In the context of the present NK situation, the actions of team Kocharyan-Oskanyan have started to come up more, as have those of the LTP administration. There seems to be a wave of hypotheses, trying to find some basis (and in some cases blame) for the current situation in the actions of the past.

Back to my original point. I'm looking forward to the Shahnazaryan vs Oskanyan debate.

There is no denialism here, and Nikoyan is an anatomist!

We're not just talking about one incident, one death, one killing. We are talking about the calculated, organized removal of those who stood in the way.
No, I'm not talking about Genocide. I'm talking about March 1.
And yet, despite what is obvious, that there was a decision made, from the top down, that violence was an acceptable means to remove peaceful protesters - despite this - all attempts are being made to minimize, deny, and distill down to minutiae.
Does the exact instruction manual for the Cheryomukha exist? Was it a Cheryomukha-4 or a Cheryomukha-7? Who knew the exact handling technique? When was the expiration date?
These are very important questions. They are one corner of the foundations upon which a true investigation is started. An investigation that was first delayed, then dragged on, then dissolved.
And by focusing on details, and details alone, they derail and distract even further. Once you blame the guy who pulled the trigger, then the murderer has been found, they can say. There was an error in the chain of command, there was an error in training, or this one individual or few individuals made mistakes. So sorry. And even then, those charged with pulling the trigger, if found guilty, could be amnestied. Some of the families of the victims know it, too - the true guilt is much higher up.
Nikoyan, (former) head of the fact finding commission that somehow magically dissolved, is helping with this perseveration on details. Follow this guy around and you'll end up right back where you started. But along the way, you'll learn some incredible things. He is apparently a specialist in anatomy. Just by looking at the video of the jaw found in the pool of blood on March 1-2, he knows that it can't be human, apparently because of the lack of muscle and soft tissue connections (see my original post). And since there's no one walking around Armenia without a lower jaw, and none of the victims are jaw-less (he claims), then obviously its not human.
But, not to worry, the Special Investigative Service is really really looking into the matter. They want to know what happened. And to that end, they've put out a request to the people to come forward with any information they have that may be helpful in regards to a video where police are seen using violence against people. And confidentiality is assured.
I'm sure their phones are ringing off the hook.

Sargsyan's Screw and the AAA

Two things caught my eye these past few days - they're not major, but at least one of them was amusing...

Alik Arzumanyan has given get another press conference that is extremely well spoken, and to the point. Among other things he says, he refers to Nalbandyan as just one small part of a larger mechanism, basically saying that calling for Nalbandyan's resignation does not get to the source, and it is Sargsyan's resignation that is necessary.
He refers to an idiomatic expression/analogy that was often used in Soviet times, with use of the term Vintik in Russian, meaning a small screw, as in, a screw in a larger machine or mechanism. However, the english equivalent of this is more like "a cog in the wheel." The literal translation is "screw," which, in English, has other connotations.
The title of the A1+ english article is: Nalbandyan is Serzh Sargsyan’s screw
Watch the video here.
(By the way, this is in no way a comment on the A1+ translators, whom I think do an excellent and very important job.)

The second observation comes from the Armenian Assembly of America's statement regarding NK. The entire statement is in line with their usual stance (read the whole thing here), and I won't go into it, but note that the first six paragraphs are only about NK.
Here is the last paragraph:

The Assembly stands united with all Armenians to protect the freedom and security of the Nagorno Karabakh people in the face of these most serious external threats. The suffering endured and the sacrifices made by Armenians since the Armenian Genocide deserves nothing less.

How did Genocide get mixed into this? Why did Genocide get mixed into this?
Presenting the Genocide as an afterthought cheapens Genocide, and weakens the statement which is supposed to be about NK. Not to mention - what about the lives lost in the 1890's - weren't they important?
Is this just an obsession with the Genocide that infiltrates into everything?
Or do they think bringing up Genocide as an afterthought reminds the audience of some
thing which will then help in the NK issue? I'm not sure what that would be, but there are those who feel that Obama went back on a promise of Genocide recognition (that's a whole separate discussion), so maybe they feel the US 'owes them one.'

I don't know what they were thinking. All I know is I was captivated enough to read through it the first time, but got to the last statement and just got annoyed.

I'm honestly open to hearing about why that last sentence was appropriate. Someone, please tell me why.

On Selling Out, and Treason

I saw this photo while on Facebook. For those who cannot read Armenian and/or see the picture well, the top half is a number of images from Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia, with writing that says something like: "Armenians vacationing in Antalya are arming/strengthening the Turkish Army." The poster is by the ARF.
The bottom half of this photo is a banner/poster of the ARF with their logo in the top left. The bottom half of it is covered up - it seems to have been an "X" and a check mark in boxes, emulating ballots probably for this past election. It is covered up by another poster that says "For Sale - Rush."

This photo caught my eye. In fact, I just keep going back to look at it over and over again. Let's take a look at it with a slightly analytical eye. I'll try to keep it brief.

The collection of photos in the top half is mostly, from what I can see: the Turkish Army and flags, Ararat and historical monuments on historically Armenian soil, for which the ARF makes demands (the latter two). They make demands for the soil, though they couldn't even properly support those who fought in the NK war of the 1990's, or those who tried to settle the lands after the war. Not to mention that as a political Diasporan Party, the ARF was less than excited when Armenia declared independence in 1991.

I think one of the lower pictures in that top half is Hrant Dink (not completely sure), who is only one of many people whom the ARF has lambasted over the years for suggesting open discussion and some degree of relations with Turkey, or at least, not hating Turks just for being born Turks. Given that party history, they basically had no choice but to carefully leave the ruling coalition after it made some flea-sized steps in the general direction of Turkey- Sure, it left the coalition, but no one really thinks they are opposition (see below).

Let's not forget that while Armenia was in a war, and going through what so many call the "Dark and Cold" years, the vast majority of the ARF was more than happy to be critical rather than constructive, and destructive rather than supportive - case in point evidence given by Serge Sargsyan himself of the involvement of ARF and Dro in violent and illegal international activities.

There's more, but let's move on to the bottom half. It's pretty self explanatory - ARF for sale, especially when it comes to elections. They'll make a poster trying to discourage Armenians from vacationing in Eastern Turkey, implying it is pro-Turk, anti-Armenian, and almost treasonous. But, they obviously had no problem joining the coalition government that shot and killed 10 of its own civilians, and continues to this day to keep political prisoners - some of whom are known veterans of the NK war- as well as maintaining a policy of oppression of basic human rights.

So, speaking of treason, the ARF, and NK, let's see what one person who has actually been consistent in all of this over the past 20 years, Jirair Sefilyan, has to say about this (loosely transcribed and translated from an RFE/RL recording):

"This is not a personal issue, we are thinking about our future, about our children's future, about our country's future... That's why changing the government of this country is a necessity, like air and water..."
The narrating reporter stated that Sefilyan critized the ARF, calling their demand for Nalbandyan's resignation comical, and considers the ARF to be working under the orders of Serge Sargsyan.

The narrating reporter also states that Sefilyan believes that it is too late in the game for Sahakyan to suddenly announce that Armenia cannot negotiate on behalf of Nagorno-Kharabagh. "At this point, if Bako Sahakyan can do anything, there is only one thing he can do: In the coming days, he has to announce that the politics being conducted by Yerevan are anti-Armenian politics, and Serge Sargsyan is involved in treasonous acts, and he needs to call on the Armenian people to quickly rid themselves of this regime. If he doesn't do this, then he, too, is an accessory in these treasonous acts."

Why focus on the immediate health, safety, and stability of Armenia and its people, when you can just continue imposing your own Diasporan priorities based on your own Diasporan identity?



[Photo courtesy of Arsen Torosyan]

Some good news, and some lingering questions...

Remember this young man, Arthur Avagyan? He was the young man shot in the face during the March 1 events. As per YouTube, you should not watch the video if you are under 18 years old, so I've posted a link to it instead. I wondered what happened to him, along with so many others in the videos from March 1.
It turns out he had surgery in Los Angeles, as reported by Massis and GlendaleNewsPress, as well as RFE/RL (armenian), and seems to be doing well, thankfully. A number of individuals and organizations, it seems mostly if not all Armenian, in the area got together and made sure this young guy got the treatment he needed.
I read those articles in succession with another article on Lragir, entitled "Requiem Ceremony." My condolences to all who lost loved ones in this horrific crash. I am sure the ceremony at Etchmiadzin by Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, will be beautiful.

But where was the Catholicos of All Armenians on the 40th day of mourning, of the victims of March 1? He was blessing Serge Sargsyan's Presidency.

Why, Your Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of ALL Armenians, didn't the victims of March 1 deserve a requiem ceremony?

May they ALL rest in peace.

[photo from Massis Weekly]

Go for the source... ARF calls only for Underling Resignation

The ARF is just finishing up a big meeting in NKR, and one of the things to come out of it is their demand for the resignation of... Nalbandyan. Because they don't like what's coming down the line for Kharabakh, and Nalbandyan is foreign minister, and Sargsyan's policy is failing... This doesn't make sense on multiple levels (RFE article).

“If anyone is to change the foreign minister, it must be the president. If he does so, it will mean he is changing his policy,” said Manoyan

So, somehow, if you don't like Sargsyan's policy, then you get rid of the guy implementing it ( As Unzipped has already pointed out, no one really believes that Nalbandyan is making policy.) ... And bringing in a new guy somehow means a new policy. But Sargsyan will still be there. Apparently the outward signs of new policy are not new policy statements or decisions or actions or outcomes, but a new minister. Which means either the ARF believes that the old minister represents other powers who are forcing Sargsyan to do things he doesn't really want to do, or a new minister would be able to change Sargsyan's mind, or would represent a force that would change his mind. Or maybe they just want their own guy in there.

And why not just ask for the resignation of Sargsyan himself?

“Our problem is that if a leadership change implies the coming of several figures of the [Armenian National] Congress to power, then we have no guarantee that these forces will not conduct an even more conciliatory policy than the current ones,”

If they were willing to look closely, without blinders, at the past and the present, maybe things would be clearer. Maybe they have, and they really, truly don't like the policies of the 1990's. But its hard for me to see how having a president supported by the people, who is able to focus on the problem at hand for what it is, could be worse than having the current president, not supported by the people, pressured by international powers due to questions of legitimacy and human rights, struggling to keep his position and willing to make concessions to keep it, with a track record of making false starts to look good.

Maybe they don't think its Sargsyan's policy, but someone else's, so getting rid of Sargsyan wouldn't do anything. Maybe they just never truly cut their ties with the authorities, and don't want to go that far, maybe that would really start making them look like Opposition.

Arzumanyan: "The page has not even been opened"

Video from a1plus, with good summary on RFE/RL



Here are some excerpts from the article (read in full here):

“During the past year and a half the authorities of Armenia have had only one issue on their foreign policy agenda – to avoid international sanctions,” Arzumanian said at a press conference on Thursday. “All other major issues have been discussed in this context.”

“There is a lot of talk that the government has made an attempt to close the March 1 page by declaring the so-called amnesty. The March 1 page, in fact, has not even been opened. A massacre took place and the efforts of the authorities in the past year and a half have been aimed at providing a cover-up and placing responsibility on certain people,” said Arzumanian, underlining that the decision to declare amnesty was the result of pressure from international structures rather than the authorities’ ‘goodwill’.

There are multiple topics he discusses which are not in the summary. One of them is the issue of the Youth. :

"We should be happy that there are youth who are taking steps for their political rights. What are they doing? They are organizing meetings and picketing. That is Richness, that is about the health of the country. And we today, cynically, with such cruel articles, with arrests, are trying to scare them. We are leaving, these authorities are leaving, we are too. It is this generation that is going to live on...[]... And Tigran Arakelyan is one more political prisoner...[]... Let them think, anyone who does these [things]... They are arresting bright youths like Tigran Arakelyan because he is struggling for his political rights. As a parent, I am ashamed. As an Armenian citizen, I am ashamed. And with very heavy words, I condemn this."

Newer and newer lows...

I should start counting how many times I am absolutely astounded by the new levels to which this regime takes their inhumanity, this is yet another example.

Tigran Arakelyan has been sentenced to two months in prison. He and now FIVE others are on hunger strike. They are:
Karen Karapetyan
Arakel Semirjyan
Narek Aivazyan
Sargis Gevorgyan
Sargis Khachatryan

Here is a video of the group assembled in support of Tigran Arakelyan (outside of the courtroom I think)

It's a two for one deal!

UPDATE: Tigran Arakelyan has now declared a Hunger Strike.

SS and the rest of the banditocracy must be getting bored with the pace of things - a false testimony here, oppressing the media there... a beating here, an imprisonment there.
So, on the occasion of Constitution Day, they have imprisoned Tigran Arakelyan. If you remember, he was one of the youths passing out flyers on the 1st, about the demonstration to be held on the 2nd. The group was beaten, including pistol whipping, by a group of plainclothes police. Now, Tigran Arakelyan has been arrested on charges of hooliganism.
The whole thing is beyond ludicrous, I'm not sure pointing out all of the problems with this has any benefit.

But two things have been confirmed.

1) This regime can be creative in its formation and application of new ways of trying to destroy the country - having now both beaten and imprisoned the same person within 4 days for one action.

2) The regime has a different Constitution than what the rest of the country has - it must, since to perform such an illegal act on Constitution day really must mean they have a different Constitution.

Or maybe they didn't know it was Constitution day? Didn't anyone let them know???

July 1 Statement by Pashinyan

Video
Statement in Armenian

My Dear People,

In a short while I will be leaving this place which, due to circumstances, I am compelled to call underground, and will move toward the building of the Chief Prosecutor of the Republic of Armenia, where the Special Investigative Service is located. I resort to this act to fulfill my promise to leave the underground and continue my political battle in prison. To realize this plan, I need the assistance of the Special Investigative Service, where I will arrive in a few hours.

I had referred to the reasons why I was leaving the underground in my announcement of June 24, and I don’t think it is necessary to refer to them again. With this message, I wish to look straight into the eyes of every citizen of the Republic of Armenia and to underscore that our struggle is in the name of a Free and Happy Armenia, in the name of such an Armenia that will be a safe home and a warm hearth for each and every citizen, regardless of political views, or social and public stature.

And so, our struggle in the name of a Free and Happy Armenia is inexorable, our victory is inevitable. We will struggle till the end, and we will win.

Long live Freedom, Long live the Republic of Armenia, and Long live our children who will live in a Free and Happy Armenia.

P.S. I am aware that our supporters were expecting to see me at the meeting tomorrow. I thought long about that possibility, but at the end decided against that option because I don’t wish to leave the impression that I’m trying to hide behind the tens of thousands of our supporters. To avoid possible exploitations of my action, I chose the option described above.

Nikol Pashinyan
July 1, 2009

"Բարեւ ձեզ, ես Նիկոլ Փաշինյանն եմ"/"Hello, I am Nikol Pashinyan"

They don't even know what to do with him!



From YouTube, NikolPashinyan's Channel