US supports Armenian new government’s efforts – John Bolton

October 25, 2018 By administrator

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received today John Bolton, Assistant to US President for National Security Affairs.

The acting Prime Minister attached importance to active Armenian-American dialogue and close cooperation.

Referring to the political developments in Armenia, he said: “The processes that followed the non-violent, velvet revolution of love and solidarity are based exceptionally on democratic values. Now we are working to create and reinforce a stable and institutional democratic country.”

Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia is resolute to move forward along the path of democratic development.

John Bolton, in turn, conveyed warm greetings from US President Donald Trump. He noted that in this period of historic importance to Armenia, they attach importance to the development and deepening of Armenian-American relations.

Bolton congratulated Pashinyan on successfully leading the peaceful demarcating transition.

“The US supports the new government’s efforts aimed at fighting corruption, ensuring transparency of the judicial system and improves the accountability of the government before people, which will lead to the reinforcement of the rule of law and regional stability,” Bolton stated.

Levon Aronian and other chess players support Serzh Sargsyan

April 21, 2018 By administrator

Levon Aronian support Serzh Sargsyan

YEREVAN.- The chess team members of Armenia have congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his election as the Prime Minister of Armenia and expressed support.

As it was noted, the chess players have issued a statement:

“The third President of Armenia, President of the chess federation of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan was elected to the post of the Prime Minister of Armenia days ago, for which we congratulate Serzh Sargsyan and express our support for him for the welfare of our country and people. Having worked with Serzh Sargsyan for long years we, the chess players, have felt his readiness and devotion more than everyone to do everything for the achievements of Armenia and the Armenian people. All these have been proved numerous times by our achievements for which we have had numerous opportunities to be proud of our country, the creative and intellectual potential of our people. It’s just with the guidance of Serzh Sargsyan that the chess team of Armenia 3 times won the Olympic champion and once won the title of World Champion, in fact becoming the most reputable team. We are convinced that our present and future achievements in the sphere of chess have been obtained also due to our internal belief and confidence that we are all unified in our Motherland and we present one and the same power standing side by side. Today we once again want to reaffirm the conviction that our internal unity and power have been and will be the guarantee of our victories. Considering the developments in our country these days we call on all the sides to remain in the limits of reasonability and faithful to the spirit of the exceptional national solidarity. We assess inadmissible all the steps, calls and actions that can harm our country and any member of our public. We are confident that no right should be restrained, at the same time the implementation of any right should never violate others’ rights and put an end on our achievements. We are convinced that as a chess superpower, we will be able the best solution to the situation with joint efforts”, reads the statement.

Olympic champions, international Grand Masters Levon Aronian, Smbat Lputyan, Vladimir Hakobyan, Artashes Minasyan, Gabriel Sargsyan, Tigran L. Petrosyan, Rafayel Vahanyan and the head coach, international Grand Master Arshak Petrosyan have put their signatures under the statement.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

We expect Serzh Sargsyan to ‘complete reforms undertaken’ – ARF-D member

April 16, 2018 By administrator

By expressing support to Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy for the prime minister of Armenia, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) expects him to successfully complete the process of the reforms initiated, a lawmaker of the governing coalition said Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Armen Rustamyan reiterated their party’s stance ruling out personalized or individualized approaches. “We never ruled out the possibility that Serzh Sargsyan may hold some government office in the future,” he said, citing a constitutional provision allowing the parliament to impeach the prime minister every six months.

“Serzh Sargsyan must prove that those changes [constitutional amendments] were really for the people. Even the worst-case scenario should pave the way to a balanced government in our country. The main threat we see today is the [fear] lest they should opt for a return to a presidential [government],” he said.

The ruling Republican Party of Armenia convened its Council and Executive Body on Saturday to consider the third president’s candidacy for the prime minister’s post. The proposal received a unanimous approval by the members. In an official statement issued later the same day, the ARF-D expressed its support to the decision.

As for the party’s ministerial portfolios, Rustamyan said they do not expect essential changes.

“But I do not rule out future changes in the cabinet given the priority attached to individual management-related problems,” he said, highlighting ministers’ responsibility for achievements in specific fields.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Iranians march in pro-regime rallies: state TV

January 3, 2018 By administrator

Tens of thousands demonstrators have turned out for pro-government rallies in several cities across Iran, state television reported. The marches follow days of deadly unrest sparked by economic hardship in the country.

State media broadcast live footage showing large crowds waving Iranian flags and holding placards supporting Iran’s government on Wednesday.

The show of strength comes after a week of anti-regime protests that have resulted in at least 21 deaths and over 450 arrests. The unrest was initially triggered by discontent over the republic’s weak economy, but soon transformed into a broader outpouring of anger against the leadership.

State TV said pro-government rallies were underway in at least 10 cities, including Ahvaz, Kermanshah and Gorgan, where supporters held pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and chanted slogans such as “Leader, we are ready,” and “Down with the USA.”

Iran blames ‘enemies’

In a speech on Tuesday, Khamenei spoke publicly about the crisis for the first time and blamed foreign “enemies” for inciting the demonstrations.

“Look at the recent days’ incidents,” Khamenei said. “All those who are at odds with the Islamic Republic have utilized various means, including money, weapons, politics and (the) intelligence apparatus, to create problems.”

While he mentioned no specific state by name, it’s likely some of his criticism was aimed at the United States. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly tweeted his support for the protesters in recent days, praising them for acting against a “brutal and corrupt” regime. The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has also called for emergency UN talks to discuss the situation.

“The people of Iran are crying out for freedom,” she said at a news conference. “All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause.”

Poll Finds Strong Support For Armenian Military most trusted institution

December 30, 2017 By administrator

December 29, 2017

Armenia - Defense Minister Vigen Sargsian (R) inspects troops deployed
along the border with Azerbaijan, 

The Armenian military remains the most trusted institution in Armenia,
according to an opinion poll conducted recently.

The Armenian branch of the U.S.-funded Caucasus Resource Research
Center (CRRC) interviewed more than 1,600 randomly chosen households
across the country in November as part of the CRRC's annual Caucasus
Barometer survey. The survey gauged public opinion in Armenia and
Georgia on a wide range of issues facing the two neighboring
countries.

According to its findings released last week, 51 percent of Armenians
"fully trust" and another 26 percent "rather trust" their armed
forces. The CRRC's previous surveys found similarly strong popular
support for the Armenian army, a sentiment that appears to reflect the
unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The latest CRRC poll shows that the Armenian Apostolic Church and
other religious organizations active in the country were the second
most trusted institution, with 74 percent of respondents having
confidence in them.

The poll found much lower degrees of public trust towards the
executive and legislative branches of government. In particular, only
18 percent of those polled said they trust President Serzh Sarkisian,
according to the CRRC. Public confidence in the Armenian parliament
was found to be even weaker.

Respondents were also asked questions relating to foreign
policy. Two-thirds of them said they approve, in one way or another,
of Armenia's membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic
Union. Accordingly, 64 percent described Russia as Armenia's
"friendliest" foreign partner.

At the same time, 55 percent of those polled voiced varying degrees of
support for Armenia's potential accession to the European Union.

Cher calls for support for Joe Berlinger’s “Intent to Destroy”

November 10, 2017 By administrator

Cher is calling for support for Joe Berlinger’s Armenian Genocide documentary “Intent to Destroy” which is opening in theaters in Los Angeles and New York on Friday, November 10.

“The award winning @intenttodestroy about the Armenian Genocide produced by my dear friend @esrailian is in theaters in LA & NY tomorrow. Please support and #KeepThePromise!” the Armenian-American pop legend said in a tweet.

The documentary has received positive reviews from the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter and a host of other magazines and media outlets.

“Tit for Tat” Netanyahu Support kurdistan independence because Erdogan Support Hamas

September 16, 2017 By administrator

Netanyahu’s message to Turkey is that as long as it supports Hamas, it can expect stones to be thrown at its glass house
Analysis Kurdistan independence: One day in September could wreak havoc in the Middle East

“Israel opposes the Kurdistan Workers’ Party [the PKK] and sees it as a terror organization, as opposed to Turkey, which supports the terror organization Hamas. But while Israel opposes terror as such, it supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to achieve a state of their own,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week.
Perhaps it was no coincidence that his statement came only a few days after a speech by one of his Habayit Hayehudi partner-rivals, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, at the Interdisciplinary Center at Herzliya, in which she touched on Kurdish independence. But she took it even further and said, “The Israeli and American interest is that there should be a Kurdish state, firstly in Iraq. It’s about time that the United States supports this.”

“Firstly in Iraq?” And where after that, Turkey? Iran?

Israel’s support for Kurdish independence is not new; Netanyahu has made similar declarations as far back as 2014. But the timing, less than two weeks before a September 25 referendum slated to be held in Iraqi Kurdistan, makes the Israeli message more than just moral support for the Kurdish people’s desire for an independent state. The statement, the first of its kind to be made by any world leader, is a dagger right in the eyes of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is ideologically and strategically opposed to the establishment of a Kurdish state.
Netanyahu was delivering a double message to Turkey, although not solely to Turkey. As long as Turkey supports Hamas and doesn’t define it as a terror group, it can expect stones to be thrown at the glass house in which it lives. In addition, whoever supports an independent Palestinian state should be prepared for Israel to encourage the establishment of a Kurdish state.
read more: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.812469

Iraqi Kurdistan: Barzani’s KDP supports ‘Yes’ vote in Turkey Erdogan referendum

April 14, 2017 By administrator

ANKARA,— Iraq’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by Massoud Barzani, which has good ties with the ruling party in Turkey, is of the view that a yes-vote in Turkey’s referendum may re-open the door for the peace process between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish state, the party’s representative to Ankara told Rudaw.

Commenting Sunday’s referendum on constitutional reforms that will replace Turkey’s parliamentary system with an executive presidency, Omar Mirani said that Kurds in Turkey should study and compare the current constitution with the amended one to see which one has “benefits” for millions of Kurds in Turkey.

“Regarding us, we as Kurds should look at what are the benefits in the previous constitution and what are the benefits in the current constitution. And based on that we should act,” Mirani told Rudaw. “But if we say no randomly, why should we, for no reason, turn ourselves into the enemy of a government or a state, without even getting any benefits?” Mirani argued, adding that Kurds should find “a reason” to vote either way.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), strongly supported in the southeast but cast by Turkish President Recep Erdogan as an extension of the PKK, opposes the constitutional reform but its ability to campaign has been devastated by a crackdown which has led to the jailing of its leaders, a dozen of its MPs and thousands of its members on charges of PKK links. The state has taken over municipalities which the HDP had hitherto run. The HDP denies direct links to the PKK.

Asked whether there is still a possibility for a return to the peace process which ended in mid-2015 when armed conflict resumed between the PKK and Turkey, Mirani said that that depends on which way the Turkish people vote in the referendum.

“One should never be disappointed, or close all doors. Everything is possible,” he said. “In my view, ‘No’ does not have any benefits that [may make] Turkey to open the doors again. Turkey may become even more complicated. But ‘Yes’ has another possibility, another chance that the doors may open again for negotiation, for peace. And even some parties… can become mediators.”

President Masoud Barzani, who leads the KDP and enjoys good relations with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, has said time and again that he is ready to help with the peace process should both sides decide to go back to the negotiating table.

Asked whether the KDP has been officially working for a renewed peace process, Mirani said no, but added that they are meeting all the time with “our HDP brothers”, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Whichever way the Turkish nation votes, Mirani said they wish that “it ends well.”

Erdogan says Turkey needs a strong presidency to avoid the fragile coalition governments of the past. His critics cite the arrest, dismissal or suspension of more than 100,000 teachers (including 11,500 Kurdish teachers), civil servants, soldiers, judges and journalists since a failed coup last July as evidence of his authoritarian instincts.

Since July 2015, Turkey initiated a controversial military campaign against the PKK in the country’s southeastern Kurdish region after Ankara ended a two-year ceasefire agreement. Since the beginning of the campaign, Ankara has imposed several round-the-clock curfews, preventing Kurdish civilians from fleeing regions where the military operations are being conducted.

In March 2017, the Turkish security forces accused by UN of committing serious abuses during operations against Kurdish militants in the nation’s southeast.

The PKK took up arms in 1984 against the Turkish state, which still denies the constitutional existence of Kurds, to push for greater autonomy for the Kurdish minority who make up around 22.5 million of the country’s 79-million population. Nearly 40,000 people have been killed in the resulting conflict since then.

A large Kurdish community in Turkey and worldwide openly sympathise with PKK rebels and Abdullah Ocalan, who founded the PKK group in 1974, and has a high symbolic value for most Kurds in Turkey and worldwide according to observers.

Source: Ekurd.com

Russia says Syria peace talks impossible in near future “blamed the West for supporting “terrorists”

November 1, 2016 By administrator

russia-dm Russia’s defense minister has said Syrian rebels cannot be negotiated with, making peace talks impossible for the time being. He blamed the West for supporting “terrorists.”

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow was not expecting a resumption of Syrian peace talks in the foreseeable future because of the “impossibility” of negotiating with forces opposed to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Militants in the northern city of Aleppo were “shooting dozens of civilians a day for attempting to approach humanitarian corridors” opened by a pause in Russian and Syrian air attacks, he said in comments carried by the state news agency TASS.

“Is this really an opposition with whom it is possible to negotiate?” he said, adding, “As a result, the prospect for the beginning of a political process and returning peace to the Syrian people is being postponed indefinitely.”

Supporting terrorists?

He accused the West of continuing to support violent Islamists as a by-product of its help to so-called “moderate” rebels fighting against Assad’s forces, which are receiving backing from the Russian military. Much of Aleppo is under the control of Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda.

“It is time for our Western colleagues to determine whom they are fighting against: terrorists or Russia,” Shoigu said. “In order to destroy terrorists in Syria it is necessary to act together and not put a spanner in the works of partners.”

Strained ties

With its military support for the Syrian regime, Russia has increasingly come onto a collision course with the United States and its allies, who want to see Assad removed from office.

Shoigu, who was addressing a meeting of Russian military officials, said he was surprised that some European governments had not allowed Russian naval vessels headed for Syria through the Mediterranean Sea to dock for refueling or restocking, but said the refusals had not affected the naval mission.

NATO had voiced concern that the ships could be used in airstrikes in Syria, which it says have killed large numbers of civilians. Moscow denied the charges.

tj/sms (Reuters, dpa)

Source: DW.com