Month: October 2006

STARTING NOVEMBER 1 PASSENGERS OF ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT TO BE CHARGED
SAFETY PAYMENTS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Starting November 1, a new safety
payment of 2 euros will be charged from leaving, arriving and transit
passengers at Zvartnots Airport. Gayane Davtian, spokeswoman for the
RA Civil Aviation Main Department, told NT correspondent that this
decision was made based on ICAO rules. According to the same source,
ICAO and other aviation organizations proposed that airports use new
passenger and plane safety technologies in connection with the fight
against terrorism. Particularly, fingerprint identifying devices
will be used at Zvartnots Airport from November 1. It was noted that
the airport manager took an obligation that from January 1, 2007,
Zvartnots Airport will have a rescue and a firefighting detachments
on duty with all necessary modern equipment.

ARMENIAN BUSINESSWOMEN DO NOT YIELD TO MEN BY THIER ACTIVITY, USAID
OFFICIAL SAYS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian businesswomen do not yield
to men by their efficient activities, and there are no problems of sex
discrimination in this respect. Gary Kilmer, USAID DAI-ASME director,
said this during the discussion of Armenian businesswomen "Along
the Path of Success" on October 20 held within the framework of the
national exhibition "Armenian Businesswoman 2006". In the opinion of
experienced businesswoman Tagui Chenterechian, the shortest and most
efficient way to win recognition, enter the competition field and find
means of selling production is to participate in such exhibitions. She
noted that "Armenian Businesswoman" provides with an opportunity to
present new products, as well as to find new partners and develop
new programs of cooperation.

3985.2 TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID BROUGHT TO ARMENIA IN JANUARY-AUGUST

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. 3985.2 tons of goods of general
cost of 33.7 mln U.S. dollars were brought to Armenia as humanitarian
aid in January-August of the current year. 4650.4 tons of goods of
general cost of 24.8 mln U.S. dollars were brought in the same period
of 2005. According to data of the RA National Statistical Service,
products of chemistry and industrial branches connected with it made
44.4% of the got assistance, devices and apparatuses made 22.9%,
textiles made 6.7%, machines, equipment and mechanisms made 6.5%.

AVERAGE MONTHLY DUST DENSITY EXCEEDS PERMITTED NORM 3.8 TIMES IN
AUGUST IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Air basin was observed in RA
towns of Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Hrazdan, Alaverdi and Ararat in
August. According to the data of RA National Statistical Service,
density of contaminants was determined with 3356 samples of air taken
in the above mentioned populated areas.

So, in August, average monthly dust density in Ararat exceeded the
permitted norm 4.8 times, in Yerevan 3.8 times, in Hrazdan and Gyumri
2.8 times and in Vanadzor 1.3 times.

ADVISER OF RA PRESIDENT POINTS TO NECESSITY TO CREATE INSTITUTION IF
INTERCOMMUNAL GOVERNMENT

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. "Issue of dispersion of local
self-government bodies is sharply set today in Armenia." RA
President’s Adviser, Seyran Avagian, said this at the October
20 seminar organized by the European Integration NGO with the
support of F.Ebert fund, dedicated to European experience in the
sphere of local self-government. In his words, Lithuania has only
64 local self-government bodies, while their number in Armenia is
900, at that only 50 or 100 people live in some communities. This
circumstance, in S.Avagian’s opinion, impedes effective governance
in communities. Solution to the problem of intercommunal government
acquires importance in this respect. He said that determination of
Yerevan status also remains one of the most important problems. The
President’s Adviser expressed the hope that the adopted constitutional
amendments will create new possibilities and resources, which will
make possible to solve both of these problems. Despite of unsolved
problems, in S.Avagian’s words, Armenia’s legislative field regulating
the activity of local self-government sphere has been almost formed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LAKE SEVAN LEVEL FALLS BY 8 CM IN AUGUST

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. In August, Lake Sevan level fell
by 8 cm and as of August 31, made 1898.47 m, which is more by 27 cm
than the same day index of 2005. According to the data of RA National
Statistical Service, during the month, leakage of water from Lake
Sevan made 53.982 mln c/m. In August, in the majority of country’s
rivers average monthly outflow of water made 70-90% of the norm.

ONE-SIDED COVERING OF EVENTS BECOMES USUAL EVENT FOR ARMENIAN MASS
MEDIA, "A1+" EDITOR SAYS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The last draft to the law on
television and radio proves that nothing essencial is done in Armenia
in the sense of strategy in the direction of supporting improvement of
the freedom of information. RA Ombudsman Armen Haroutiunian expressed
such an opinion during the October 20 round table on the theme
"Armenian Mass Media on the Eve of 2007 Parliamentary Elections." The
event was organized by the Armenian representation of the "Article
19" international public organization. In A.Haroutiunian’s words,
every new draft relating to this sphere must become a stable step of
progress in the issue of securing the freedom of information. But,
the draft put in circulation is not capable to become such one. The
Ombudsman mentioned that it is not enough to touch upon the theme
of the freedom of expression only on the eve of elections, it is
necessary to do everyday work in that direction.

A.Haroutiunian also expressed opinion that it will be possible to raise
the level of public awareness only in the case of securing variety of
political opinions. In words of Mesrop Movsisian, the editor of the
"A1+" electronic newspaper, "if the freedom of press is much spoken
about in any country, it means that the country has serious problems
in that sphere." In his words, the "sad experience" of mass media
showed during the 2003 elections that variety of opinions in Armenia
is of formal character: one-sided covering of events became a usual
event." M.Movsisian emphasized that according to his observation,
today the Armenian society "believes romour heard in the market more
than an official information broadcast on TV."

COLLECTION OF FASHION DESIGNERS TARLOYAN BROTHERS RESIDING IN FRANCE
SHOWN FOR FIRST TIME IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. October 19 showing of splendid
collection of clothes of Tarloyan brothers residing in France was among
the series of cultural events organized in Yerevan in connection with
Year of Armenia in France. These collections on subjects "Inquisition"
and "Escape" including 150 clothes were shown in Paris before this. In
the collection Gevorg and Vardan Tarloyans tried to present the history
of the medieval period through showing of medieval clothes. "We try to
show not only the clothes, but also by means of models to present some
historic period, literary or opera creations that are accompanied by
music making the show perfect," the brothers emphasized. The Tarloyans
expressed the hope that very soon they will again appear before the
Armenian spectator with a new collection. Vardan and Gevorg Tarloyans
graduated from Art College after P.Terlemezian and later, from Yerevan
Art Academy. They profoundly studied Armenian miniature painting and
got specialized in this branch of art. In 1991 they left for Holland,
then for Belgium and in 1993 settled in the capital of France where
they graduated from Paris Fashion Higher School. The brothers had
their training practice at Chanel, Christian Dior and other fashion
houses. Currently they work independently and soon production of the
clothes designed by them will start.

FRENCH ARMENIAN DESIGNER KARINE ARABIAN’S COLLECTION PRESENTED IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Karine Arabian already having
a unique place in the world of the French fashion and promoted
cooperation with leading fashion firms of many countries of the world
started to work from 2000 with Armenian artisans: woodworkers,
silversmiths and jewellers who make adornments and different
accessories. K.Ararbian’s goal is to newly reveal Armenia.

Karine Arabian stated about it at the October 18 press conference
taken place in the S.Parajanov’s house-museum. The display of her
lustre collection of bags, adornments and shoes entitled "Mineral"
took place on the previous day.

Accessories made of wood, silver and Armenian agate predominate at the
display. In K.Arabian’s words, the collection exhibited in Yerevan
is the result of her cooperation with Armenian artisans in 2000. It
was displayed in 2003 in France as well. "The main goal of creation
of that collection is to present the Armenians abroad as creators
as foreigners very often know the Armenians either as ones having
unhappy fate or as a whining people," Mrs.Arabian mentioned.

Famous actors and singers like Isabel Adjani, Julie Delpy, Adrey
Tautou, Scarlet Johanson, Madonna, etc. make use of K.Arabian’s
collections.

IN ANM BOARD CHAIRMAN’S WORDS, LEVON TER-PETROSIAN WILL NOMINATE HIS
CANDIDATURE AT NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. RA first President Levon
Ter-Petrosian is going to nominate his candidature at the next
presidential elections.

Armenian National Movement (ANM) Board Chairman Ararat Zurabian said
this at the October 20 meeting with journalists presenting his personal
opinion. Assuring that L.Ter-Petrosian will return to political life
soon, which, in A.Zurabian’s words, will fully change the situation
in Armenia, he mentioned: "I am sure that L.Ter-Petrosian’s return
and a few words to be said by him will be more weighty than the
whole activity of a number of current forces." In response to the
question, did he discuss this intention with L.Ter-Petrosian, as ANM
was also convinced of the same before the 2003 elections, the party
Board Chairman said: "My personal impression is that L.Ter-Petrosian
will nominate his candidature." In A.Zurabian’s words, in any case,
ANM will nominate his own candidate at the coming presidential
elections. "If Vano Siradeghian returns to the country today and
nominates his candidature, I think he will gain a brilliant victory,"
ANM Board Chairman declared. In his words, every second person he
meets says that "a Vano is needed in this country."