Ավազակապետությունը այս մի քանի օրը քննադատում է Րաֆֆի Հովհաննիսյանին: Դա, անշուշտ, մեծ պատիվ է: Եթե ավազակապետությունը քեզ սկսի գովաբանել, նշանակում է, որ դու այնքան էլ մաքուր չես. շտապ վերլուծիր, թե ինչու են քեզ գովաբանում և պատճառը ուղղիր:

Ընդհանրապես, ահա թե ինչ է ասում ավազակապետությունը…

Դուք ընդդիմություն եք: Մ՛ի թողեք մեզ, որ մենք ապօրինություններ և կեղծարարություններ գործենք: Ու նաև իմացեք որ եթե մեզ փորձեք զսպել, մենք «ձեր ականջները կքաշենք»: Ձեզ սպանելն էլ մեզ համար խնդիր չի: Բայց իմացե՛ք, որ եթե որևէ ապօրինություն տեղի ունենա, դա ձեր մեղքն է, քանի որ դուք անգործունյա ընդդիմություն եք:

UPDATE: The caption on the picture says 'Mister Stalin and his sons of bitches'. I think a disclaimer is in order here. I do not think that Robert Kocharian and Serj Sargsian are Georgians. I also do not think that they were fathered by Mr. Stalin and I do not think their ancestors behaved in inappropriate ways when these two were conceived. The caption describes the kind of actions the two have taken in the past and in the present.

Another Young Armenian Human Rights Activist Assaulted

If someone in the US was in such circumstances that his or her life was under constant danger, he or she would obtain a 'concealed carry' license for a handgun.

Another Young Armenian Human Rights Activist Assaulted

June 26, 2008

Narek Hovakimyan, a member of Armenia’s pro-democracy youth movement Hima, was attacked and beaten yesterday, June 25, 2008, in downtown Yerevan.

Narek, a 19-year old freshman at Yerevan State University, was approached by an unknown young man, as he was leaving school after classes at around 3:30pm, and was asked to “have a conversation” outside the campus.

Narek quickly realized it was a setup, and sought to avoid confrontation by walking away. The assailant followed him, blocking his way in an underground passage on the corner of Abovian and Koryun streets half a mile away, joined by another accomplice. Narek was beaten, and suffered head and stomach injuries. As the assailants fled the scene, Narek received assistance from bystanders, and was taken to the emergency care unit of St. Gregory the Illuminator Hospital in Yerevan.

The attack against Narek Hovakimyan, who is also youth activist and member of the Aylentranq (Alternative) Coalition – a network of pro-democracy organizations established in 2006, joins a pattern of similar attacks against leaders and activists of Armenia’s human rights and pro-democracy community before and after the country’s Presidential Election 2008.

On November 15, 2007, 20-year-old Narek Galstyan, leader of the youth wing of the opposition Social- Democratic Hnchakyan Party, was beaten by a group of unknown assailants. Two days earlier, police had briefly detained Galstyan and another youth activist for posting leaflets critical of then Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, warning then to stop anti-government propaganda. This case was reported by Human Rights Watch (http://hrw.org/englishwr2k8/docs/2008/01/31/armeni17642.htm ) and the U.S. Department of State. The case was closed.

On May 22, 2008, Mikael Danielyan head of the Armenian Helsinki Association, was shot point blank from a pneumatic gun by a member of parliament from the ruling Republican party, who then bragged about it at a press conference later that day. The case was documented and reported by Human Rights Watch on May 22, 2008 (Armenia: Leading Human Rights Defender Assaulted, http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/22/armeni18918.htm)).

On May 28, 2008, Arsen Kharatyan, a leading member of the Armenian democratic youth movement, was brutally assaulted and beaten in broad daylight in Yerevan, by a group of unknown assailants, and taken to the hospital with serious head injuries. (www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=61057).

None of the incidents above have been properly investigated, and no one has been charged in connection with them. Whether a sign of inability or unwillingness by the authorities to address the situation, violence against pro-democracy and human rights activism in Armenia grows, as harassment and intimidation against them continue with impunity.

We strongly condemn the attack yesterday against Narek Hovakimyan, and urge the Armenian law enforcement to ensure its proper investigation.

We also call upon the international human rights community to continue to bring information on Armenia’s critical human rights and democracy situation to the attention of the world public, as a way to support the work and momentum of a vibrant pro-democracy and human rights youth effort in Armenia.

ՇԱԽՄԱՏԱՅԻՆ ՊԱՐՏԻԱՆ ԱՎԱՐՏՎԱԾ Է

[...]Իսկ շաբաթվա լրահոսի գլուխգործոցն էր Սերժիկի հերթական վասալորեն հնազանդ այցը Մոսկվա եւ այնտեղ հնչեցրած արկածախնդիր մտքերը: Մասնավորապես, պարզվում է, որ նա երազում է Թուրքիայի նախագահ Աբդուլա Գյուլին հրավիրել Երեւան՝ երկու երկրների հավաքականների միջեւ ֆուտբոլային խաղի համատեղ դիտման: Միգուցե օթյակում նրանք նույնիսկ հասցնեն մի պարտիա շախմատ էլ խաղալ: Դաշնակների անլեզու ու աներես ղեկավար թայֆային առաջարկում եմ դիմել քաղաքապետարան ու խաղի ժամանակ բողոքի ակցիա կազմակերպել «Հրազդան» մարզադաշտի հարավային տրիբունայի տակ: Քաղաքապետը, Բուրնաշն ու Նեմեցը թույլ կտան:[...]

The full article is available on Payqar.

Zhirayr Sefilian's speech on June 20 at Matenadaran.

He debunks a few of the myths that the Serj Sargsyan propaganda machine has been spreading about him (see one example here).

Կարծյոժնիկ սեռժիկը

From Payqar :)

«Երեկ հավաստի տեղեկություններ ստացանք այն մասին, որ Արտաշատում վաղ առավոտյան կրպակներից հավաքել են մեր թերթի բոլոր համարները: Դժվար չէ կռահել, որ սրա պատճառը թերթում տպագրված տեղեկությունն էր այն մասին, որ ՀՀ Ազգային ժողովի նախագահի պաշտոնը Սերժ Սարգսյանը թղթախաղում է տարվել Հովիկ Աբրահամյանին:»

Հայկական Ժամանակ 25.06.08

Armenia embarrasses itself with idiotic “Judaic-Masonic” conspiracy talk

David Kramer, a US assistant Secretary of State, was in Armenia a few days ago and condemned the anti-Semitic rhetoric on the State TV. Anti-Semitism is rampant among the reports on State TV, the newspapers published by Dashnaktsutyun, newspaper Azg published by the Ramkavars, and a sizeable chunk of the Armenian language blogosphere on LiveJournal. While I can understand the behavior of the ultra-nationalist Dashnaktsakans, and the State TV which is dominated by Dashnaks and Republicans, I am dumbfounded about Azg and the blogosphere (anti-Semites like Ruben Muradyan (aka Uzogh), Tigran Kocharyan (aka Pigh), Lilit Kocharyan (aka moonleight) and such).

Anyway, here is what I came across on Khosq:

[...] During his meetings with Armenian officials and the ensuing news conferences Kramer also condemned Armenian state television for making anti-Semitic comments in its continuing verbal attacks on Ter-Petrosian. Citing the Jewish origin of Ter-Petrosian’s Russian-born wife Lyudmila, the state-controlled Public Television as well as some pro-government newspapers have alleged in recent weeks that the opposition leader’s bid to return to power was part of a “Judaic-Masonic” conspiracy against Armenia.

“For a country with a proud history of relations with the Jewish community and with the state of Israel, we made clear that anti-Semitism has no place in Armenia,” said Kramer. “And based on the reaction that we heard from people in the government, it is my hope that there will be an immediate end to such rhetoric.”

The Armenian premier, according to his office, described that rhetoric as “extremely condemnable and inadmissible.” Justice Minister Danielian told the visiting U.S. official, however, that Public Television’s controversial reports “can not be unequivocally deemed anti-Semitic.” [...]

The full post is available here.

Further analysis of the PACE hearings yesterday.

The transcript of the debates at PACE yesterday has been released. Please pay attention to this portion about amendment 1 (see who voted what here and all the voting results here):

THE PRESIDENT. – [...] We come to Amendment No. 1, tabled by Ms Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin, Mr Egidijus Vareikis, Mrs Danuta Jazłowiecka, Ms Anna Lilliehöök, Mr Göran Lindblad, Mrs Corien W.A. Jonker, which is in the draft resolution, paragraph 8, second and third sentence, to replace the words “January 2009” with the following words: “Autumn 2008”.

Ms de POURBAIX-LUNDIN (Sweden). – Mr President and dear colleagues, if you consider nothing else, please consider those political prisoners who have already been in prison for four months. Should they stay in prison for another six months? Support Amendment No. 1, and do not give the Armenian authorities until January 2009. Instead, the deadline should be autumn 2008, as we suggest.

THE PRESIDENT. – Does anyone wish to speak against the amendment? I call Mr Prescott.

Mr PRESCOTT (United Kingdom). – I think that the honourable lady knows that, given the circumstances in Armenia, we have set two timetables. One is for 2009, when all the legal changes will be made. We are waiting for the Venice Commission to act; we have to allow time for that. As for the timetable relating to the prisoners, we will ask the Human Rights Committee to visit, have a look and assess the situation. We have visited two or three times, and it is not easy to get to the truth. I oppose the amendments and I suggest that you adopt our recommendations.

THE PRESIDENT. – I understand that the committee is against.

The vote is open.

Amendment No. 1 is rejected.

The full text of the adopted resolution 1620 can be found here.

Unzipped has an analysis of this resolution where he, too, is critical of Prescott's behavior. I wish there was a way to record the hearings and put it on YouTube. Prescott was a total ass (donkey) and his conduct was unfitting for a European parliamentarian.

[...] There are speculations that this is a result of some kind of behind the scenes deal between John Prescott, Council of Europe and Armenian authorities, to ensure Serj Sargsyan's administration compliance with the Resolution, while avoiding strongly worded open statements. The other possibility is that this is a consequence of John Prescott's continuing disastrous role as PACE rapporteur on the Armenian elections, in a new format. This guy should be kept away from anything related to democracy, human rights, as far as possible. If you doubt, ask anyone from the UK... [...]

Unzipped's full post can be accessed here.

Discussion at PACE.

Watched the deliberations live at http://tv.coe.int/internet/index.html

There were about 26 people at the deliberations. Raffi Hovhannisian walked out after his speech. All the amendments, and amendments to amendments, most of which were by the Armenian delegation, were passed.

Prescott was for keeping the political prisoners in jail at least until January 2009 and was against an amendment to set a deadline of July 2008 for the resolution of the issue of political prisoners. Based on his recommendation the political prisoners will stay in jail until next year.

Resolution 11656 passed - let's see what the final text looks like.

George Carlin, 1937-2008

One of the most courageous people in America died today. He did not shy away calling things the way they were. Thankfully, the comedians are still allowed to do so.

He will be missed.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers and wider freeways but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge but less judgment, more experts yet more problems, more medicine but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. Theses are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit the delete…

Remember; spend more time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with you heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.
Remember to say, “I love you” to your partner and loved ones, but most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again,
Give time to love, give time to speak. And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin
1937-2008

Stealing Armenia – How he did it!

Bruce Tasker has posted a summary of how a major chunk of the loans from World Bank and IMF were misappropriated by the Kocharian regime and some facts about the privatization of state assets (such as the sale of Sevan-Hradan power generation tunnels and power stations) where the sale price was grossly below the fair market value of these assets. I highly reccoment reading the whole article on Khosq.

[...] In 2004, Vahan Hovhanissian’s Parliamentary Commission found corruption estimated to be in the region of two hundred million dollars, a massive amount for Armenia which at the time had a state budget of about four hundred million. The problems were associated with the World Bank’s Municipal Development Project, designed to improve Yerevan’s water utility, and the ‘Government’s Integrated Finance Rehabilitation Plan’, a devious mechanism to eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars worth of old electricity debts, supported by the Bank and under IMF ‘Surveillance’.

The Commission concluded that the Bank and the IMF were clearly in cahoots with the Armenian authorities, depriving Armenia’s under-privileged of tens of millions of poverty reduction dollars and using them for state-backed profit-making activities, and illicitly transferring hundreds of millions of dollars worth of state assets to corrupt state cronies and their partners-in-crime.

Roger Robinson, the World Bank Country Manager at the time, initially reacted to the accusations with anger, but he later backed down and paid lip service to the claims. The IMF’s Permanent Representative in Armenia however had a more philosophical view of the affair. When asked: Should he not be stopping a One Hundred Million Dollar scam, as he was meant to do in accordance with his IMF technical assistance agreement? He replied ‘That depends”. When asked: On what does it depend? – He answered – “My Conscience”. [...]