Month: October 2005

BAGHDASARYAN DOESN’T THINK ARMENIAN LEGAL SYSTEM IS HAMPERING COUNTRY’S DEVELOPING

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, October 17. /ARKA/. Armenian National Assembly Speaker
Arthur Baghdasaryan doesn’t think Armenian legal system is barring
the country from developing, he said at A Common Future conference
in Yerevan. At the same time, he noted that the system needs a major
reformation to become a guarantor of lawfulness in the country.

Baghdasaryan stressed the importance of the crackdown on corruption
and economic mergers having monopolistic ambitions. “We have to
do whatever necessary to develop free economic market and form
offshore investors’ trust”, the lawmaker said. In his opinion,
favorable environment for investments is already created in Armenia,
but to retain this status Armenia should increasingly build up the
crackdown on corruption. “Government should become a partner to an
entrepreneur”, Baghdasaryan said. That’s why it is necessary to rid
the republic of corruption, he said. He attached a great importance to
struggle aginst corruption pointing out the need of rooting out it to
pave the way for free development of economic market and creation of
independent legal system, in which an entrepreneur will feel himself
shielded by the law.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GHARIBJANIAN: RA FM NEEDS FINANCIAL MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTING PURPOSEFUL STRATEGY

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. So much money is to be invested in
the foreign policy that it is possible to implement some strategy.

Gegham Gharibjanian, the RA Deputy Foreign Minister stated this at the
October 14 joint sitting of the NA Standing Committees on Financial,
Credit and Budget Issues and Foreign Relations, dedicated to the
discussion of the 2006 draft state budget.

He mentioned that it’s only within the current year that the Ministry
was able to implement some mission programs: particularly, organization
of the Yerevan conference dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide and publication of its materials, organization of
events dedicated to the 90th anniversary in a number of countries.

Gegham Gharibjanian mentioned that the Ministry prepared and spread
a special certificate with the help of which Armenian participants of
international conferences will be able to give a proper counterblow to
Azeri and Turk participants’ misinformation. According to him, during
the next year work in that direction will continue and giving necessary
information, including to deputies as well, will become periodical. The
Deputy Minister emphasized the necessity of a more close cooperation
between the Ministry of Foreing Affairs and the Parliament, regular
contacts and exchange of information among diplomates and deputies.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGHASI AIVAZIAN’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The 80th anniversary of Aghasi
Aivazian, a prose-writer, script-writer and director, was celebrated
at the Yerevan Cinema House on October 14. Officials, artists were
present at the ceremony.

Aghasi Aivazian entered the literary field in 1960 and became one
of classics of the Armenian literature by his original works and
particular way of thinking, prose-writer Perch Seytuntsian mentioned.

“The writer’s life and work may be characterized as a great love
towards life and living, fighting and creating, towards his people,
Fatherland and culture,” Perch Zeytuntsian said.

Aghasi Aivazian is an author of numerous books, scripts. The
“Triangle,” “Lighted up Lantern” and other films were shot at the
“Hayfilm” movie studio by his sripts. The last film on Aghasi
Aivazian’s scenario remains the film “Secret Advisor” shot in 1988.

“At present there are interesting ideas, ready works which can become
good films,” Aghasi Aivazian mentioned. He informed that he’s going to
publish a new book where works of last few months will be included in.

Aghasi Aivazian wrote a number of plays which were staged at theaters
of different cities of Armenia, and “Aralez” was staged just by the
author himself.

RA President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
sent messages of congratulation on the occasion of Aghasi Aivazian’s
jubilee. During the event, pieces from films on A.Aivazian’s scenarios
were presented as well as parts extracts from his works were read.

MAYOR OF YEREVAN: YEREVAN, VENICE TO SIGN AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN CULTURE IN NEAR FUTURE

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, October 17. /ARKA/. Yerevan and Venice will sign agreement
on cooperation in culture in the near future, Mayor of Yerevan
Yervand Zakharyan told journalists at the photo exhibition “Armenian
memories in Italy”. He said that this agreement will be signed
in two months. He said that photo exhibition held at the Yerevan
Municipality is only one link between Armenia and Venice. “We hope
we will strengthen relations between our cities, including trade and
economic cooperation”, Zakharyan said. Over 20 foreign cities are
the twin-cities of Yerevan.

BOOK “VAZGEN I CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS” RELEASED

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, October 17. /ARKA/. The book entitled “Vazgen I Catholicos of
All Armenians” has been released at the Holy Echmiadzin on the occasion
of the 10th anniversary of his death. The book was released by the
Department for Interchurch Relations with the blessing of Catholicos
of All Armenians Garegin II with the sponsorship of the USA-based
Armenians Ruth and Nshan Terteryan. The book contains all information
on Vazgen I’s life and activities. The edition contains numerous
pictures. The book also includes RA President Robert Kocharyan’s
address to the participants in last year’s commemoration meeting on
the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Vazgen I’s.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONUMENT DEDICATED TO MEMORY OF VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE ERECTED IN FRESNO

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

FRESNO, OCTOBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Fresno Mayor Alan
Autry announced this week his commitment to build a monument in the
near future dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian
Genocide. The announcement was made on October 10, in Fresno City Hall,
during the meeting with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia. In addition to the Pontiff, present were a large
group of representatives of the Fresno Armenian American community.

According to the Information Department of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, in City Hall, His Holiness conducted an opening prayer during
a city council session. During the council session, Mayor Alan Autry
offered His Holiness the symbolic key to the city. Upon receiving the
key, His Holiness commented that “my hope is that this key will also
unlock the hearts of all the various cultures so that we may share
and work together to build stronger and closer communities living
together in peaceful coexistence.” The Pontiff said that the United
States is the leading example of the possibility of this reality.

The Catholicos had a very busy schedule in Fresno that included
visits with the students, administration and parents of the Armenian
Community School of Fresno on October 11 where the Pontiff stressed
the critical role that Armenian schools play in preserving our culture
and identity as well as imparting our traditions and values.

His Holiness attended a reception and gave a speech at Fresno Pacific
University that also received media attention by local TV stations and
the Fresno Bee. The speech focused on the diversity of cultures that
coexist in the United States as a model. His Holiness also brought
forth the example of intolerance and how that manifested itself in the
Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government. Since
the U.S. has always stood for tolerance, human rights and justice,
he emphasized, “The U.S. Congress must recognize the Armenian Genocide
and thereby demand justice for this crime against humanity.”

In his speech His Holiness discussed state of Christianity in the
Middle East using the Armenian experience and the Armenian Genocide as
an example of what can happen when the idea of peaceful coexistence
with different cultures and religions is shattered. He also outlined
the dynamic role the church plays in Middle Eastern societies including
politics where it pursues matters of justice, peace and human rights
as well as imparting human and family values.

Plans for erecting a Genocide Monument in Fresno is yet another
step in the road toward justice and proper recognition of the 1915
genocide committed against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Turkish
government. It comes on the heels of several other recent positive
developments on this issue including the passage by the U.S.

Congress’ House International Relations Committee of two resolutions
recognizing the genocide as well as the recent resolution passed by
the European Parliament calling for Turkey to recognize the genocide
prior to being considered for admission into the union.

OTOLARYNGOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT OF “ARABKIR” MEDICAL CENTER REPAIRED AND RE-EQUIPPED

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The otolaryngological department
and operating-room of the “Arabkir” medical complex were repaired
at the expense of 88 thousand USD given by the Development and
Cooperation Agency of Switzerland and the “Aznavour to Armenia”
charitable fund. As Spartak Ghazarian, Executive Director of the
Complex, mentioned at the ceremony of department’s opening, the repair
will enable to bring the medical services rendered at the complex in
correspondence with the requirements of the modern medicine. According
to him, henceforward otolaryngological operations can be made in the
reequipped operating-room with a general anaesthetic instead of the
former local one.

S.Ghazarian also informed that 2000-2500 children are operated on at
the department every year.

POPULATION CENSUS TO BE CONDUCTED ON OCT. 18-27 IN NKR

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues concerning the census
of population to be held in NKR for the first time were discussed
at the meeting between NKR President Arkadi Ghukasian and Head of RA
National Statistical Service Stepan Mnatsakanian held in Stepanakert.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the General Information Department
under NKR President, the census of population will be held from
October 17 through October 27 in NKR. NKR President Arkadi Ghukasian
gave assurance that this important state event will be conducted
in accordance with all necessary requirements. At the same time the
President noted that the data to be received as a result of the census
will be used for prospects of country’s socio-economic development,
as well as in different spheres of country’s life.

BAGHDASARYAN, ESTINIAN CHANCELLOR OF JUSTICE DISCUSS POSSIBILITIES OF CONDUCTING CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN OMBUDSMEN IN ARMENIA IN 2006

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, October 17. /ARKA/. Speaker of the Armenian Parliament
Arthur Baghdassaryan and Chancellor of Justice of Estonia Allar Yoks
discussed possibilities of conducting conference of European Ombudsmen
in Armenia in 2006, pres-service of the RA National Assembly reported
ARKA News Agency. During their meeting Yoks presented Estonian model
of the institute of Ombudsman to Baghdassaryan. He reported that this
is a parliamentary structure in Estonia, which includes functions
of parliamentary control and human right protection. Yoks expressed
readiness to cooperate with RA NA and RA Ombudsman in experience
exchange and training of professionals.

In his turn Baghdassaryan spoke about the importance of the positive
results of the referendum on amendments to Constitution of Armenia,
which will be additional stimulus for parliamentary activities and
for elaboration of a new law on Ombudsman.

“EARTH FROM SKY” PHOTO EXHIBITION TO BE OPENED IN YEREVAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2005

YEREVAN, October 17. /ARKA/. A photo exhibition “Earth from the Sky”
is to be opened at the National Picture Gallery in Yerevan on October
21. Displayed at the exhibition will be the works by the French
photographer Jean Artus Bertran.The press service of the French
Embassy in Armenia reports that the photo works show the Earth’s
nature and the damage caused to it by Man. The photographer flied
over hundreds of countries and spent 4,000 hours to prepare this
series of photos.

The photos served as a basis of the book “The Earth from the Sky”
published in 24 languages. The exhibition bearing the same title has
been held in 30 countries and visited by 50mln people. In Yerevan the
photos will be available in a tactile version for people with sight
problems.

The exhibition will be opened by a press conference of French
Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny.