It turns out, that the vice president of Corporate Marketing and Strategic Alliances for Synopsis Rich Goldman is an avid tweetterer and has been twitting photos from the official dinner Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan gave to honor Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who was in Armenia to receive a presidential award.

These rare pictures give an amazing sense of what it’s like to be at a presidential dinner.

Goldman, who was accompanying Wozniak throughout the Apple co-founder’s trip, was twitting all the way. From what I understand, his company, Synopsis, was one of the initiators and organizers of the whole prize-giving gig.

A Prize for Woz

Back to the man “guilty” for the dinner invitation: Wozniak, the tech-hero, who created the Apple 1 and Apple 2 computers in mid-1970s, was given the Armenian President’s IT Award for his “outstanding contribution to humanity”.

The award was instituted in Armenia in 2009 and was first handed to Craig Barrett, a former chairman and chief executive of Intel Corporation. One of its goals is to encourage connections between the Armenian IT industry and world’s IT visionaries. The Armenian government has declared development of the domestic IT sector, which employs around 7,000 people, a top economic priority.

Wozniak, by the way, seemed to immensely enjoy his time in Armenia. He gave a bunch of interviews in which he spoke of readiness to come back to Armenia again.

PS: From what I’ve heard, it was initially planned to hand the award to Apple co-founder and longtime CEO Steve Jobs, but after it became clear that Jobs is unwell and couldn’t make it (he passed away on October 5th), plans were adjusted to bring Apple’s “Other Steve” to Armenia.

Armenia - President Serzh Sarkisian and his son-in-law Mikael Minasian.

Armenia’s ruling Republican party seems the only political force that is taking the upcoming elections seriously, as President Serzh Sargsian makes some major reshuffles by replacing Yerevan’s Mayor Karen Karapetian, Chief of Police Alik Sargsian, Moving the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamian to run his party’s election campaign and sends his most trusted person – Mikael Minasian (son-in-law) to supervise the runner of his party’s campaign.

As the spectacular show of firings and “resignations” continues in Armenia, an amazing variety of conspiracy theories are springing up about ex-President Robert Kocharian’s plot to return, about Serzh Sargsian being determined to disrupt those plans and meeting Russia’s Vladimir Putin to run his plans past “Russian Tsar’s” ears and more.

The bottom line, however, is this – while most fellow Armenians, including myself, find these stories amusing, we understand, that all these changes mean no changes at all. They just indicate, that the authorities are very much determined to remain in power and they are taking the upcoming elections very seriously.

This runs in sharp contrast to the tactics of the existing opposition forces.

Until recently the largest opposition force – Armenian National Congress (HAK), was playing a cat and mouse games with their support base by circulating horror stories about “regime’s collapse”, “pre-term elections” and only confessing that they’re preparing for elections at the end of October.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) has launched their campaign much earlier, but we haven’t heard anything about their campaign after the rather low-key launch with a not-so-populous rally in Gyumri.

“Zharangutyun” (Heritage) is still behaving like it is not a party at all, but rather an alliance of loosely connected individuals who happened to win sits in the parliament running together in the past elections. Not a word from their elections plans so far. We’re not sure if they’re even planning to run at all?

Armenia -- President Serzh Sargsian introduces new police chief to the top police officers, Yerevan, 01Nov2011

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian replaced the Head of Police Alik Sargsian with Deputy Defence Minister Vladimir Gasparian.

“Armenian Police needs Vladimir Gasparian’s type of manager,” Sargsian explained his decision as he introduced the new chief of police today and dismissed Alik Sargsian with a mere “thank you” and appointment to a symbolic post of his advisor (Sargsian has a dozen of advisors by now).

What exactly is Gasparian’s “type” of management? Jusding from his past deeds, Vladimir Gasparian is the uncompromising and brutal force, which has been used in the past and will be used again as Armenia heads into an election period. His appointment illustrates the determination of the authorities to use repressive methods during the upcoming election and crack down on any type of descent.

Vladimir (Vova) Gasparyan, newly appointed Chief of Armenia's Police | Photo: ArmeniaNow.com

On another recent episode, then Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir (Vova) Gasparian spoke about the need to take legal action against civil society activists and NGOs, who voice problems in the Armenian army. He’s also known to have publicly used against political activists, civil activists and NGOs offensive epithets like “թուլա” (puppy), “անհայրենիք, անշնորհք, սեփական արժանապատվությունը չունեցող երևույթներ” (people without dignity, respect and fatherland), very well describing his attitude towards everybody who lives and cares for this country, but doesn’t necessarily want to be a part of the ruling regime.

I’m not saying, that Alik Sargsian, the former police chief was any better, but Vova Gasparian’s appointment is a clear sign of things to come.

Yerevan's Former Mayor Karen Karapetyan

Yerevan’s mayor Karen Karapetyan resigned last week offering an explanation to his fans (and he did have a lot of fans in fact) on Facebook, which basically read like – he got a better job offer in Moscow.

“I took the decision with great difficulty and am stating with all responsibility that there is no subtext of political or intra-governmental disagreements as is claimed by some,” said Karapetian even as everybody continues to speculate, that his resignation was very much a political one.

But that is not what I’d like to talk about, really. Deputy mayor Taron Margarian will very likely be a better mayor, even if girls won’t find him as “cute” as they do Karapetyan.

The problem is, as very well described by a fellow-blogger Mika Zolyan, that this is increasingly looking like a return to the USSR, when every government official in Yerevan was dreaming of a promotion to go to work in Moscow.

I mean – what kind of an excuse is that – leaving mayor’s position for a better job in Russia? Even if it is not the real reason, the mayor himself and the Armenian authorities should feel ashamed of it. But are we hearing any voices of condemnation? Nope. Everyone says they understand and respect Karen Karapetian’s decision.

What exactly do they understand? Not feeling ownership for the city, taking responsibility for Armenia’s crown-jewel Yerevan? Saying that he’s out for a big-shot job in Moscow – the center of the empire which it has been for ages? Leaving the province for the megapolis?

No, I’m not understanding this. I’m more proud than that.

For the first time since leaving his presidential post in April 2008 and departing from the political scene, Armenia’s former President Robert Kocharian has indicated readiness to return to “big politics.”

“I don’t rule out the possibility of my return to big politics,” Robert Kocharian said in an interview to Mediamax news agency

Ever since he left the presidential post, Kocharian’s possible return has remained a hot topic in various political speculations. The fact that Russia’s former spresident Vladimir Putin announced last week about his intention to run for President in 2012 has further intensified discussions on possiblity of a repeat of Russian scenario in Armenia.

Meanwhile, Kocharian has stopped short of making a definite statement about hir return, noting, that there are three major factors which “may force” him to return.

“These three factors are:1. the absence of a tangible and stable improvement of the situation in country’s economy and people’s welfare, and consequently the growth of hopeless moods and migration; 2. the demand for my return to big politics by various layers of the society; 3. my inner belief that I can radically improve the situation,” Former President has explained.

Kocharian also hasn’t explained what he means by return to “active” and “big” politics. It could be anything from running for President to forming his own opposition party or taking a prime-ministerial seat, something that has always been a matter of political speculation.

Meanwhile, at least one “layer of society” has been calling for Kocharian’s return for a while. A Kocharian fan-club has set up a website and has slowly started to campaign for his reelection.

It is clear, that Kocharian’s statement won’t be taken lightly by his bitter political foe, First President Levon Ter-Petrossian.

And even though there have been rumors, that President Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharian have been having some disagreements lately, Sargsian’s reaction is hard to predict. In fact, it will be the most interesting thing to watch for, because Kocharian’s statement might even be a political ploy organized jointly by former allies Kocharian and Sargsian.

Online media are seen as the most trustworthy news source by 54% of Armenians, beating TV (47%), Radio (45%) and Newspapers (44%), according to “Armenia 2011 Media Public Opinion and Preference Survey” published this week.

The study administered by the Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC) has revealed, that online media and social networking sites are also used more frequently and are considered more important than either radio or newspapers.

The study contains a wealth of useful information, along with alternative data on Armenian internet penetration rates.  It shows, for example, that 26% of Armenian households are connected to internet, while 32% of Armenian households own a computer.

Accessing social networking sites and using instant messengers like Skype, are the top reasons why Armenians use internet, with Odnoklassniki social network dominating the scene accounting for 80% of social network users, followed by Facebook with as little as 15%.

All of this information has important implications as Armenia heads into parliamentary and presidential elections in 2012-13. Existence of objective online media and further growth in internet penetration can potentially make or break an election in this country.

Sadly, I have my doubts on this account…

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Secondly, our group will soon be archived by facebook admins. That being said, if you’d like to continue your membership and involvement with the ‘Armenian-American Students & Activists United’, please “like” our facebook page and suggest your friends and family to join as well!

Your membership, involvement and opinions are of great value and without you and your activism, we would be unable to have our voices heard today as Armenian-Americans living/working/studying in the United States and abroad.

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In regards to the 4th of July, the Republic of Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan addressed the American Embassy in Yerevan today stating:

“There is no nation or people that are not striving for independence and freedom,” stressing that American Independence Day marked on July 4 “had and even today has significance not only for the people of the United States, but for all nations, including the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“I take this opportunity to thank your [President Obama's] administration and you personally for persistent and constructive efforts for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem that are aimed at maintaining peace, stability and security in the region,” President Sargsyan, in particular, said in his message.

“Armenia attaches special importance to the ongoing close cooperation with the United States and warm partnership relations, progressive development of our bilateral relations, further strengthening and deepening of friendship between our peoples and our countries.”

Self-determination, a human right in which the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh have fought and continue to fight day after day until their independence is internationally recognized.

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Again, be sure to “like” our facebook fan page so as to continue your involvement with this group since facebook will be archiving this particular group in due time! You can join our fan page and suggest membership to your friends/family here!

We look forward to your future involvement and wish you all a wonderful Independence Day!

Reference: “Armenian President Sees U.S. Independence as ‘Significant’ for Nagorno-Karabakh”

Russia - Presidents Dmitry Medvedev (C) of Russia, Serzh Sarkisian (R) of Armenia, and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan meet in Kazan, 24Jun2011.

Amid international pressure and widespread expectations, Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan did not sign a framework document which would have set the stage for a resolution of the Karabakh conflict, as they met in Russian city of Kazan  for talks hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Armenian president Serzh Sargsian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev made a joint statement, which runs: “The heads of state confirmed mutual understanding on the range of issues that contribute to the creation of the conditions for approving the major principles of the Karabakh settlement.”

This is much less than what’s expected, given the unprecedented number of “calls for additional efforts” to reach a Karabakh solution and sign a deal, which leaders of main OSCE Minsk group mediator countries U.S., Russia, France, as well as the EU issued within the past two days.

The fact, that Serzh Sargsian feels more confident at home due to the lingering dialogue with Armenia’s largest opposition force Armenian National Congress most likely had a role in giving the Armenian President the strength to reject a deal, which he himself described as “not a document that the Armenian side has dreamed of.”

The framework peace accord proposed by the mediators envisages that Karabakh’s final status would be determined in a referendum to be held in the disputed territory years after Armenian withdrawal from Azerbaijani districts surrounding it. It is still not clear whether the two sides agree on the time frame and key practical modalities of the would-be vote.

This could look like a sensible proposition, but the continues bellicose rhetoric by Azerbaijani leaders undermines all the would-be virtues of such a peace accord, because it would mean, that Armenia and Karabakh are simply giving up fortified positions to a highly aggressive enemy  which is only waiting for a convenient moment to attack.

It is no wonder, that Armenian opposition have been highly critical of the propositions, with ARF-Dashnaktsutyun and “Zharangutyun” (Heritage) threatening to stage protests if Sargsian signs a deal under those terms.

PS: Even though I’ve always been pro peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict, I’m glad the Armenian President was in a strong position this time to make his position loud and clear without having to fear outside pressure.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made a major PR appearance at the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) yesterday.

He appeared as a ruler, who has successfully settled domestic problems and was cautiously optimistic on Karabakh. He appared as the president of a nation, which is eager to learn from the international community, but also ready to teach tolerance to the Europeans.

He addressed most pressing issues Armenia faces – blasted Turkish foreign policy, reaffirmed Armenia’s determination to continue using nuclear power and even publicly humiliated Armenian opposition MP Zarouhi Postanjian for demanding Sargsian’s resignation in front of PACE MPs.

Frankly, I’m impressed by Sargsian’s speech and answers at the PACE, even though I understand this is all just an illusion, an appearance.

Armenian National Congress continues to insist, that the authorities should form an official delegation to hold dialogue with Armenia’s largest opposition force on pre-term elections, despite continuous refusals by representatives of the ruling party and now the Chief of Staff of President Serzh Sargsian himself.

“We are waiting for the position of the current authorities, represented by [Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan, after which we will make assessments,” said Armenian National Congress (HAK) press spokesperson Arman Musinyan, in response to a question by Epress.am on HAK’s take on a statement made today by Chief of Staff of the President of Armenia Karen Karapetyan.

As previously reported, Karapetyan, in response to a question by Novosti-Armenia, had said that the fact that dialogue between HAK and the authorities has begun is simply so obvious that speaking about it is, at the very least, odd.

“As for the suggestion of negotiating on pre-term elections and forming a delegation, well, in this case, both the proposed format and the question posed, to a great extent, are simply an end in themselves and — it wouldn’t be difficult to guess — unacceptable,” he had said.

This fresh exchange of ‘niceties’ comes a day after deputy-chairmen of Serzh Sargsian’s Republican party, as well as the party’s speaker said they refuse to engage in dialogue on pre-term elections.

Karen Karapetian is as close to being the representative of Serzh Sargsian as it gets. Moreover, Karapetian’s response is almost humiliating for HAK. Still, the opposition force is holding the pause in such a self-assured manner, that it seems they actually know something.

Do they?

And what will the HAK say, if tomorrow Serzh Sargsian repeats the exact words that his representatives have uttered?

I’m really intrigued…

Armenia -- Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian and prominent opposition leaders Sasun Mikayelian and Nikol Pashinian face the rally of supporters, Yerevan, 31May2011

Armenian opposition has achieved a great deal over the past two months and is ready for dialogue with the authorities, after President Serzh Sargsian’s administration agreed to release all jailed opposition activists,  grant permission to hold rallies in Yerevan’s Liberty Square and relaunch the investigation into the deaths of 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan.

On May 31 rally  Levon Ter-Petrossian - the leader of the main opposition force Armenian National Congress (HAK) told tens of thousands of supporters in Liberty Square that the door is now open for dialogue with the authorities over opposition’s key demand.

“The agenda of the [Armenian National Congress] is known — that is, holding early presidential and parliamentary elections. …But it doesn’t mean that we should not take into account — I don’t say accept, I say take into account — the agenda and counterarguments presented by the authorities,” Ter-Petrossian said.

The opposition leader dedicated large sections of his very long and very boring speech, to explaining just how opposition had achieved all these concessions. He said, that authorities agreed to it to avoid an “Armenian Spring,” the kind of civil unrest that toppled dictators in Egypt and Tunisia. Even as I was getting bored to death by Ter-Petrossian’s endless analyses of Obama’s Arab Spring speech, it appeared to me, that the opposition leader himself is finding hard to believe, that the authorities have agreed to all his demands.

This got me thinking – so why did the government of President Serzh Sargsyan suddenly open the door to talks?

The opposition has continued to gather impressive numbers of supporters at its rallies in April and May, but none of those rallies was as big as those on March 1 and 17.  So Sargsyan’s concessions weren’t made because he feared of growing momentum of opposition rallies, because there was no momentum. On the contrary, Ter-Petrossian was sending supporters home every time and angering the more radical ones, potentially decreasing the number of next rally attenders.

Unlike what the opposition leader claimed in his speech, the economic situation in the country has just started to improve and it is obvious not just by government’s figures. Construction sector has started moving again, agriculture is doing better so far with a more favorable weather.

The international pressure and U.S. mediation between government and opposition has been there for 3 years and I haven’t noticed any substantial increase recently.

So, I would say, that this has been more of a well-calculated decision by Serzh Sargsyan, not a forced move. Which means, that Serzh Sargsyan has something to gain from this. What exactly? Let me suggest some options:

1. Sargsyan will be able to put Ter-Petrossian’s well-balanced opposition in parliament and get rid of ARF-Dashnakstutyun and Zharangutyun (Heritage) which seem to annoy him by their ‘nationalistic’ stance on Armenia-Turkey and Karabakh related issues.
2. Sargsyan will have Ter-Petrossian’s support in curbing the power of the oligarchs, including Gagik Tsarukyan and his Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) party. Every time he forces them to pay more taxes and stay away from holding state office, he will cover-up by saying that the increasingly powerful opposition demands it. Meanwhile, cracking down on oligarchs will strengthen Sargsyan, who’s one of the most powerful oligarchs himself.
3. Sargsyan will have a powerful supporter against Second President Robert Kocharian, who would potentially be strong competition if he decides to run for presidency.

PS: I’ve gotta admit, yesterday’s rally was somewhat disappointing. I  expected young and charismatic Nikol Pashinian, just out of prison, to bring new dynamics to the opposition movement. But no… everything seemed to proceed as Sargsyan has planned.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan

SERBIA, April 4, 2011 (KATAKAMI.COM / RIA NOVOSTI ) — Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is embarking on a two-day official visit to Serbia on Monday, Sargsyan’s press service reported.

The visit will take place on an invitation from Serbian President Boris Tadic.

A number of documents on bilateral cooperation in a number of spheres are expected to be signed.

Sargsyan will also meet with other top officials and representatives of Serbia’s Armenian community.

Tadic last visited Armenia in summer 2009.  (*)

A group of journalists covering the late evening board meeting of President Sargsyan’s Republican Party (HHK) on Wednesday entered the hall where the meeting was held and discovered that several copies of meeting agenda and supplementary documents were left behind.

“The political coalition will endorse a joint candidate, the acting president, in the upcoming presidential elections, thus creating guarantees for sustained reforms and ensuring the stable progress of our country in the next 5 years,” journalists read in one of the documents, which turned out to be the text of the new coalition agreement, which Republican spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov said will be signed on Thursday.

Even though Serzh Sargsyan has not yet announced plans for reelection, Rule of Law (OEK) party, the smallest party in Armenia’s ruling political coalition, has already endorsed his candidacy.

There are no doubts, that Sargsyan-led Republican party will also unanimously support Sargsyan’s reelection bid.

HHK, by the way, enjoys comfortable majority in Parliament and doesn’t really need either of its two junior coalition partners.

the Intrigue

Leaders of Armenia's ruling coalition (from left to right): Artur Baghdasaryan (OEK), Serzh Sargsyan (HHK), Gagik Tsarukyan (BHK)

There are already rumors, that BHK might be trying to back off from signing the coalition agreement in the last minute.

This is highly unlikely, however. Tsarukyan missed his chance of saying good-bye to coalition on Saturday.

Pressure on him has been building up for months already and the oligarch showed signs of despair at his party’s congress, hinting that he might eventually leave the political arena.

“If Mr. Tsarukyan feels at some point that he can’t live up to the trust and confidence of the people and his team, he will convene an emergency congress [of the BHK] and resign as party chairman with dignity,” he said at his party’s congress. “When a person can lift up to 50 kilograms, putting him under [a burden of] 200 kilograms would be a waste of time,” the former arm-wrestler added vaguely.

Not even Kocharyan

Tsarukyan has A LOT to loose from a confrontation with all-powerful Serzh Sargsyan.

He tested political waters by mentioning a couple of weeks ago his main business partner (if rumors are true) ex-President Robert Kocharyan’s name.

Angry HHK uproar followed.

In a rare move, Kocharian made a media appearance to back the tycoon. This fed into speculations, that BHK is refusing to endorse Sargsyan’s presidency because they’d love to see Kocharyan’s return to power.

But HHK’s cold response clearly showed who’s in charge. The fresh move to force Sargsyan’s endorsement onto Tsarukyan and BHK points to incumbent President’s determination to stay in power and not give in to pressure from Kocharyan, his long time ally.

Sargsyan and Kocharyan both came to Armenia from Karabakh and helped each other climb the power ladder.

Kocharian ensured transfer of presidential power via rigged elections in February 2008. Now, apparently, the two man have lost that long-time affection for each other. Sargsyan is determined to cling to power and he’ll do whatever it takes.

Whatever…

Aram Kandayan, the a staff member from President Serzh Sargsyan’s administration, who became famous for his role in the resignation of Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan, has indicated on his Facebook profile, that he is inspired by Placido Domingo.

This is both funny and humorous, because Ex-Mayor was forced to resign, after it emerged, that he had beaten up Aram Kandaian, an official responsible for Protocol and Ceremonial Services within the Presidential administration, because the latter had asked Beglarian’s wife to change her seat during world-famous opera star Plácido Domingo’s December 3 concert in Yerevan.

Following the incident, Kandayan’s and Domingo’s names became subject of many political jokes. Furthermore, after the major resuffle in the government after Yerevan Mayor’s resignation, Armenian bloggers and twitterers even invented a special tag: #kndwela.

Armenia -- President Serzh Sarkisian talks to protesting parents of soldiers who died in non-combat incidents, 27Jan2011

The protest marred an award-giving ceremony dedicated to the 19th anniversary of the official formation of Armenia’s armed forces. Sarkisian handed medals to more than 30 army officers on the occasion.

As they lined up on the steps outside the presidential palace in Yerevan for a photo session with the president, the participants heard chants and shouts from more than a dozen people standing at the railing gates of the compound. The protesters demanded action against what they called an official cover-up of the deaths.

Sarkisian approached them moments later to assure them that he is more interested in solving them than anyone else. He cited the recent change of Armenia’s chief military prosecutor as further proof of the Armenian authorities’ intention to step up their crackdown on army crimes.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian was on hand to give similar assurances. “Mr. President, I want to inform you that all criminal cases are under control and that I am personally dealing with them,” he said, according to the Tert.am news service.

Sarkisian said that he will order the new prosecutor , Gevorg Kostanian, to meet the protesters and look into their grievances.

Armen Arzumanian, the presidential press secretary, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service that the meeting took place later in the day. He said it was agreed that Kostanian will also hold separate meetings with the grief-stricken parents.

The parents say that military investigators falsely portrayed the violent deaths of their sons as suicides or accidents and failed to seriously punish anyone. One of those soldiers, Tigran Ohanjanian, was found dead near his military unit in 2007.

“According to the official theory, my son was accidentally electrocuted to death, but I insist that he was killed because there were traces of violence on his body,” Ohanjanian’s mother, Gohar Sargsian, told News.am.

The problem, which dates back to Soviet times, has had a greater public resonance of late because of a spate of non-combat deaths and other violent incidents involving military personnel. Dozens of officers have been arrested, fired or demoted since August.

Greece -- President Karolos Papoulias (L) greets his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian in Athens, 18Jan2010.

Presidents Karolos Papoulias of Greece and Serzh Sarkisian of Armenia strongly criticized Turkey as they met in Athens on Tuesday.

Papoulias told Sarkisian that the two nations were “butchered” by their common arch-foe in their past. “We were butchered by the same barbarian,” he said, according to the AFP news agency.

Following statements in the Cyprus parliament a day before, Sarkisian, for his part, again blamed Ankara for the collapse of the Western-backed Turkish-Armenian agreements that envisaged the normalization of bilateral ties.

Sarkissian has been striking increasingly anti-Turkish chords over the past 6-7 months. However, the visits to Cyprus and Greece and the context, within which Armenian president made this fresh round of critical statements about Turkey, seem to indicate, that the Armenian authorities have lost all hope of normalizing relations with Turkey and are now burning the last standing bridges.

This comes two years after Sarkissian himself initiated the dramatic Turkish-Armenian rapprochement that began with Gul’s historic September 2008 visit to Yerevan. The Turkish president was invited by Sarkisian to attend a first-ever game between the two countries’ national soccer teams.

Turkey -- President Abdullah Gul (R) speaks with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian during the World Cup 2010 qualifying football match between Turkey and Armenia in Bursa, 14Oct2009

The two leaders watched the return leg of the match in the Turkish city of Bursa a year later. “We are not writing history, we are making history,” Gul declared during their talks held there.

The process culminated by the signing of Armenian-Turkish normalization protocols in Zurich in October 2009.

The normalization process fizzled out in the following months as Ankara reverted to its Karabakh linkage and protested against the Armenian Constitutional Court’s interpretation of the Western-backed agreements.

Sarkisian responded by accusing the Turks of reneging on the deal and freezing its ratification process in the Armenian parliament and eventually halted the ratification of protocols by Armenia.

At the height of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement process, when Sarkissian was happily cheering in Bursa for the Turkish soccer team while they were scoring 2:0 against Armenia, opposition politicians back home were warning about possible diplomatic miscalculations.

Today, we’re seeing a 180 degree turnover of foreign policy and the time is ripe to ask, is everything right with the president’s new calculations?

Armenia - Empty egg-boxes lined up in an open-air food rmarket, Yerevan, 28Dec2010

No eggs were to be found in a dozen of groceries, supermarkets and food markets in Yerevan today, as families dashed out to buy food preparing for the traditional New Year feast.

In my local Erebuni food-market he price of eggs jumped up to 100 drams a piece (the usual price is 50-60 drams), but I couldn’t get my hands on it, nevertheless. A lady in front of my que paid 2000 drams for the 20 remaining. All I got is this crappy mobile photo-shot.

Half an hour later, someone bought the last box of eggs before me in SAS Supermarket in another part of the city, on central Amiryan street. The shop’s category manager said they received eggs 3 times that day, and every time it took 20-30 minutes to sell it off.

Fresh supermarket on Mashtots avenue and Star on Amiryan street were out of eggs too. I started to despair having spent 4 hours driving around town and checking various shops and markets.

My wife used her time more effectively – asked for help from neighbors, talked to the local grocery. By the time I got home she had bought more than enough eggs: a neighbor brought a dozen for us, the grocer hid under stall a dozen for us. So that’s settled for now.

Killing Egg Produces

The usual egg price over the past 3-4 years has been 35-40 drams per piece ($ 0.10-12 US). There used to be a number of medium and large egg producing companies, like Lusakert, Yerevan Bird Factory, Araks, Arzni, Ecco, Ashtarak Eggs. There are also the small village farms.

The situation changed sharply this summer, influenced by two factors.

Firstly, the price of fodder went up, because of bad harvest: too much rain in spring and very dry summer.

Secondly, the big egg producers waged a price war: egg price went down to 10-15 drams for about a month.

The price dumping, coupled with increased food prices forced smaller producers out of the market, some of them sold plants to the big guys, others found no other solution than to kill the livestock.

The issue with price dumping was referred to the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition, the body responsible for taking action against such developments in the market. The body said at the time, they “were studying the market” but they saw no indication of any wrongdoing and claimed, that the egg market in Armenia is “competitieve.”

Back to USSR

There is a tradition of laying out a big table on New Year’s eve, with all kinds of Armenian dishes. The table stays there for 3-5 days. Friends, relatives visit each others houses, enjoy each hospitality, share New Year wishes.

Lot’s of food and drinks are the main characteristic of the New Year table, which means, families spend a considerable amount of money buying up food and preparing for the celebrations.

Eggs are used in all sorts of Armenian food – they go into salads, pastry. So its no wonder, that the egg market, which now has become centralized, wasn’t able to meet the demand.

Last year at the same period of time I had no problem at all buying eggs! This year – I spent the whole day looking for them. This summer eggs were 15 drams, today they’re flying off market for 100 drams a piece.

There is more to it, however.

At the start of December, when the remaining large egg-producers saw they can’t meet the market demand, they sought to raise the prices for eggs. Price went up by 10-15 drams, and eggs which were sold for 45-50 were now traded at 60-65.

Noting the price hike, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan commanded the egg producers, owner of “Araks” and “Yerevan Paultry” Khachatur Khachatryan and owner of “Lusakert” factory Khachik Manukyan, to make sure the price of the eggs doesn’t go any further and threatening to take action.

The result is – Soviet-style shortage of eggs.

The issue of eggs can be solved one way or another, tomorrow, if not today.

However, I see a bigger problem – the authorities are trying to regulate the market first by helping their allies gain monopolies, than forcing them to stick to certain price ranges. This smells and sounds very much like the Soviet Union’s centralized and command-driven economy. And that, has been going on for some time already. A similar situation exists in fuel-import market, cooking oil, sugar, flour, and even imports of computers and mobile phones. And the list is rapidly expanding…

President Sargsyan congratulated the newly elected Mayor wishing him resoluteness, success and vigor.“Mr. Karapetyan is known as a good manager and enjoys respect in the capital. “I believe he will justify our hopes and will not disappoint those who saw him as Yerevan Mayor,” said the Armenian President.

“My expectations are primarily connected with your working style.

Young and handsome Karapetyan

To know the background story read Yerevan’s Mayor resigns over scandal post.

Important to mention, the Web page of Yerevan Municipality has already been updated with a biography of a new mayor, check it here. Enjoy it

President Serzh Sargsyan signed into law on Wednesday amendments to social legislation, which cuts the amount of maternity benefits for working mothers, causing public discontent and protests at the Presidential office.

Specifically, according to the amendments, maternity benefits will be paid only for working days rather than for all the 140 days of maternity leave as before and will be limited to 162,500 AMD (5 times the minimal salary), which is significantly lower than what some of the highly qualified women-professionals are getting these days.  Which basically means, that if they choose to have babies, their paychecks will be cut.

The amended laws can only be characterized as anti-Armenian, anti-national interests, because it’s discouraging the middle-class working mothers to have babies, who would be getting the good genomes of smart mothers along with good education and become the driving force for our future.

One would think, that Armenia, with a population growth rate of 0.016%, would think hard before doing anything that could damage population growth. This is especially relevant, given the fact, that Armenia’s is surrounded with hostile Azerbaijan (0.81% population growth rate) and Turkey (1.27%), and we’re the smallest nation around here anyway.

The government’s explanation for amending the existing law is, that it might be abused, somebody might hire their pregnant relative 2 months before she’s set to deliver and than send her to maternity leave on a monthly salary of 2 million AMD, which is deducted from the company’s taxes. It is also supposed to help cut budget spendings.

I refuse to accept either of these explanations however. The law might be abused? We’re paying salaries to tax inspectors, police and the whole goddamn Finance ministry to make sure laws are properly implemented.

Trying to cut spending? Well, how about getting rid of some of the pointless ministries, like Finance Ministry (which clearly isn’t up to the task), along with the “Ministry” of Diaspora and Ministry of Environmental “Protection”? (One is not a ministry at all, the other is clearly not protecting anything).

PS: Great job all the pregnant working mothers for getting out there and protesting! I admire your courage. And just a note for the future – this was once again a protest action initiated and coordinated on Facebook.

Russia - Three presidents, Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Serzh Sarkisian of Armenia, and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, meet in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the sidelines of the annual economic forum, 17Jun2010

Russia’s President Dmitri Medvedev unexpectedly called for a trilateral meeting with Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Russia’s Astrakhan, on October 27th, amid increasingly antagonistic statements by the two sides.

“At the talks the parties approved a joint statement. The document, which is humanitarian in purpose, has great importance for resolving the conflict in view of the various difficulties still apparent today in Azerbaijani-Armenian relations over the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,”  Dmitry Medvedev said after the meeting and added that the statement aims to bolster the ceasefire regime and strengthen confidence-building measures.

According to the statement, the Armenia’s Serge Sargsian  and Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev have agreed that their first step would be an immediate exchange of prisoners of war and the return of the bodies of those killed.

Answering journalists’ questions after the meeting, Mr Medvedev noted that the general principles for settling the Nagorno-Karabakh problem could be drafted in time for the OSCE summit that will take place on December 1-2, 2010 in Astana. Today’s trilateral meeting was the seventh so far and the third this year.

The real purpose of the meeting

Russia’s Medvedev called Armenian and Azerbaijani president, after Ilham Aliyev said today’s Republic of Armenia, capital Yerevan were located on historical Azeri lands, to which Serzh Sargsian responded angrily, calling Azerbaijan a fascist country.

With the meeting, Medvedev reassured the international community, that Russia is the real power in the region. More importantly, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents adopted a joint statement, despite the recent exchange of mutual insults and accusations. Clearly, that was forced too.

Generally, I suspect this wasn’t a meeting about peaceful regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute, but rather a scolding session, where Russia demonstrated some muscles.

PS: One of Armenian blogs brought this photo to my attention. Isn’t it funny how Sargsian and Aliyev have swapped places and are posting for a photo in front of each-others flags. That must have been quite some scolding by Medvedev to disorient them so hard!

Foreign Ministers Eduard Nalbandian of Armenia (L) and Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey sign landmark agreements to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations in Zurich.

“Unfortunately Turkey has backtracked from the agreements. Not only has it refrained from ratifying the protocols, but Ankara has returned to the language of preconditions that it had used before the beginning of the process,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has written in an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal, adding: “One needs to prove one’s good intentions by deeds.”

Last year on Oct. 10 in Zurich, after intense negotiations, Armenia and Turkey reached agreement and the foreign ministers of the two countries signed the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations, opening of the border and development of bilateral relations.

But since the signing ceremony, senior officials in Turkey have linked ratification of the protocols with progress in a separate dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Responding to conditions put forward by Turkey, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan suspended the ratification process of protocols in the Armenian parliemanet on April 23, 2010, 1 day before the Armenian Genocide remembrance day, but he indicated that Yerevan was not, for now, withdrawing its signature from the documents – a statement welcomed by the international community, in particular by the United States and the European Union.

Armenian and Turkish Flags

“Our position was reflected in the well-known approach of normalization of relations without any preconditions. It was the bottom-line principle for starting the negotiations with Turkey. With this common understanding we started, conducted this process and came to the agreements,” Armenian Foreign Minister has written one year after the historical signing of documents.

“It seems we speak in different languages. On the one hand, the Turkish leaders pretend that they always respect the principle of pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be kept), but on the other hand, they refrain from ratifying and implementing the agreements signed by themselves in Zurich. What does that mean? They claim they have no preconditions, that they simply demand that we fulfill this or that before they can proceed with the ratification. Does this mean they have no preconditions?” he asks, adding, that while Turkey speaks about the need to have a “comprehensive solution” for the problems of the South Caucasus region, in reality “it is a mere rhetoric, all words and no performance.”

“Smokescreen against Armenian Genocide recognition”

“Hypocritically Turkey also uses the normalization process as a smokescreen for baseless argument that the adoption of resolutions on the Armenian Genocide in various countries can damage the normalization process. Yet, from the beginning of the process we made clear both in our contacts with the Turkish partners as well as publicly that Armenia will never put under question the fact of the Armenian Genocide or the importance of its international recognition,” Nalbandian has written touching on perhaps the most sensitive issue for President Serzh Sargsyan’s government as he initiated the Armenian – Turkish normalization process.

Fears, that the normalization will damage efforts for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide forced Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) out of the ruling coalition. Sargsyan faced protests at home as well as abroad from Diaspora Armenian communities all over the world.

“No Silent Diplomacy”

Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu have said in more than one occasion, that the Turkish-Armenian relations have entered a period of “silent but decisive diplomacy,” following suspension of ratification process by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

“There is neither “silent diplomacy, nor “a second season” of Zurich, nor any new round of negotiations, according to the information often spread by the Turkish media these days,” Edward Nalbandian has responded in the WJ op-ed: “The only remaining step in this long lasting process is the ratification and implementation of the Armenian-Turkish protocols without further ado. Armenia will be ready to move forward if Turkey is again ready to go ahead with the normalization process without preconditions.”

PS: Nareg Seferian, thank you for the link :)

Performance staged at Erebuni fortress  (c) Artur Papyan for http://www.ditord.com

A number of cultural and sports events were held in Yerevan today, which coincidentally, is the 10th day of 10th month of the twenty-10th year (10/10/10).

The celebrations, which started with an impressive show at Erebuni museum, attended by top government officials, including President Serzh Sargsyan and Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamian, will conclude with fireworks in central Republic Square.

History of Yerevan

Yerevan (Armenian: Երևան) is the capital and largest city of Armenia. It is one of the world’s oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along theHrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country.

The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century B.C., with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC by king Argishti I at the western extreme of the Ararat plain.

After World War I, Yerevan became the capital of the Democratic Republic of Armenia as thousands of survivors of the Armenian Genocide settled in the area.

The city expanded rapidly during the 20th century as Armenia became one of the fifteen republics in the Soviet Union. In fifty years, Yerevan transformed from a town of a few thousand residents within the Russian Empire, to Armenia’s principal cultural, artistic, and industrial center, as well as becoming the seat of national government.

Yerevan has undergone major transformation in recent years as a number of major construction projects changed the face of the city.

Today, the modern appearance of new buildings, roads, restaurants, boutiques, living quarters give the city a modern, cosmopolitan appearance.

In 2009, the population of Yerevan was estimated to be 1,111,300 people, which is more than a third of Armenia’s population.

Source: Wikipedia