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ARMENIA: THE PRINCIPLE OF THE WEAK LINK
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 9 2013
Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
To clarify the position of foreign players and understand the disputes
over the situation inside power in Armenia, we should remember the
events which happen 5 years ago. On March 1st, 2008, the authorities
gave the order to fire on a peaceful demonstration of people who were
dissatisfied with the results of the presidential elections. Nobody
has been punished for the crime yet, even though 10 people were killed
and more than 200 were hurt. The world powers reacted calmly to the
crime committed by the Armenian leadership. Probably, they expected
some benefits from the vulnerable Armenian authorities. However,
they could confuse promises given to foreign players, considering
constant pressing by Russia, Washington, and Brussels.
In this context "the offshore scandal" which began in Armenia should be
considered. Even though the authorities tried to hush it up, it caused
a wide public reaction. On May 28th the online media Hetq.am published
the scandalous article headlined "Who seized Pailak Ayrapetyan's
property? The offshore trinity." The article says that the offshore
company WLISPERA HOLDINGS LIMITED which is registered in Cyprus by
Ashot Sukiasyan and deals with diamond business is involved into
seizure of businessman Ayrapetyan's property. Along with Sukiasyan,
the shareholders of the company are Premier Tigran Sarkisyan and
the head of Ararat Eparchy of the Armenian Apostle Church Archbishop
Navasard Kchoyan. Due to Sarkisyan's support, the bank Ameria gave
a credit of $10.7 million for diamond production; the credit wasn't
used for the planned goal, but the offshore company which belonged to
Sarkisyan received $350 thousand. It can be considered as a payment for
help to the other shareholder of the company - dishonest businessman
Sukiasyan - to get the credit money.
After the publication, Sarkisyan and Kchoyan stated that they had
nothing in common with the company registered on Cyprus. Premier
addressed to the General Prosecution for investigation. Later
businessman Sukiasyan who was wanted by the police sent a letter to
Hetq.am and the General Prosecuation and stated that Premier Sarkisyan
and Archbishop Kchoyan didn't know that the company on Cyprus was
registered in their names: "I registered the company without their
agreement. I made it to protect my business from various invasions. I
didn't realize this step could have consequences." The Armenian
authorities who got used to impunity replied at the scandal that
Sarkisyan wouldn't be dismissed.
However, the authorities and pro-government mass media which promoted
the legend that the premier didn't know about the company were
shocked when on June 27th the same website published continuation
of the detective story with new details, referring to the official
website of the Cyprus Companies Register.
Moreover, the general prosecutor of Cyprus Petros Clerides stated
that in his country it would be impossible to register an offshore
company without an agreement of one of its shareholders.
Who benefits from the uncovering? The powerful media Hetq.am is
financed by the Western funds. Why is Sarkisyan the target? It seems
directors of the offshore scandal considered that his government didn't
fulfill the program for 2008-2012, in 2009 deep economic depression
was registered in Armenia, minor and medium business appeared in
the most negative and difficult situation, the number of the poor
grew under Sarkisyan's rule, and so on. The Control Chamber's report
confirmed that Sarkisyan's Cabinet not only failed to provide economic
development, but also spent budget resources ineffectively.
The weak link principle has worked clearly in the story.
At the same time, the Armenian authorities continue to pretend that
nothing has happened. It seems they believe Armenia is an island
separated from the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Hetq.am has stated
that publications
to be continued...
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/politics/42404.html
From: Baghdasarian
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 9 2013
Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
To clarify the position of foreign players and understand the disputes
over the situation inside power in Armenia, we should remember the
events which happen 5 years ago. On March 1st, 2008, the authorities
gave the order to fire on a peaceful demonstration of people who were
dissatisfied with the results of the presidential elections. Nobody
has been punished for the crime yet, even though 10 people were killed
and more than 200 were hurt. The world powers reacted calmly to the
crime committed by the Armenian leadership. Probably, they expected
some benefits from the vulnerable Armenian authorities. However,
they could confuse promises given to foreign players, considering
constant pressing by Russia, Washington, and Brussels.
In this context "the offshore scandal" which began in Armenia should be
considered. Even though the authorities tried to hush it up, it caused
a wide public reaction. On May 28th the online media Hetq.am published
the scandalous article headlined "Who seized Pailak Ayrapetyan's
property? The offshore trinity." The article says that the offshore
company WLISPERA HOLDINGS LIMITED which is registered in Cyprus by
Ashot Sukiasyan and deals with diamond business is involved into
seizure of businessman Ayrapetyan's property. Along with Sukiasyan,
the shareholders of the company are Premier Tigran Sarkisyan and
the head of Ararat Eparchy of the Armenian Apostle Church Archbishop
Navasard Kchoyan. Due to Sarkisyan's support, the bank Ameria gave
a credit of $10.7 million for diamond production; the credit wasn't
used for the planned goal, but the offshore company which belonged to
Sarkisyan received $350 thousand. It can be considered as a payment for
help to the other shareholder of the company - dishonest businessman
Sukiasyan - to get the credit money.
After the publication, Sarkisyan and Kchoyan stated that they had
nothing in common with the company registered on Cyprus. Premier
addressed to the General Prosecution for investigation. Later
businessman Sukiasyan who was wanted by the police sent a letter to
Hetq.am and the General Prosecuation and stated that Premier Sarkisyan
and Archbishop Kchoyan didn't know that the company on Cyprus was
registered in their names: "I registered the company without their
agreement. I made it to protect my business from various invasions. I
didn't realize this step could have consequences." The Armenian
authorities who got used to impunity replied at the scandal that
Sarkisyan wouldn't be dismissed.
However, the authorities and pro-government mass media which promoted
the legend that the premier didn't know about the company were
shocked when on June 27th the same website published continuation
of the detective story with new details, referring to the official
website of the Cyprus Companies Register.
Moreover, the general prosecutor of Cyprus Petros Clerides stated
that in his country it would be impossible to register an offshore
company without an agreement of one of its shareholders.
Who benefits from the uncovering? The powerful media Hetq.am is
financed by the Western funds. Why is Sarkisyan the target? It seems
directors of the offshore scandal considered that his government didn't
fulfill the program for 2008-2012, in 2009 deep economic depression
was registered in Armenia, minor and medium business appeared in
the most negative and difficult situation, the number of the poor
grew under Sarkisyan's rule, and so on. The Control Chamber's report
confirmed that Sarkisyan's Cabinet not only failed to provide economic
development, but also spent budget resources ineffectively.
The weak link principle has worked clearly in the story.
At the same time, the Armenian authorities continue to pretend that
nothing has happened. It seems they believe Armenia is an island
separated from the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Hetq.am has stated
that publications
to be continued...
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/politics/42404.html
From: Baghdasarian