Month: November 2006

WHAT DID THE ELECTIONS GIVE TO THE AMERICAN ARMENIANS?
Khazhak Mkrtchian “Hayrenik” (“Motherland”), USA
Yerkir, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
The US congressional elections held on November 7 were analyzed from
different perspectives. The American Armenians had their criteria
for such analysis based on the impact they would have on the issues
of interest for the Armenians.
The party affiliation of individual American Armenians, the nature
of their business, the state of residence and other factors of
course determine their individual views of the elections. However,
these factors have no impact on the collective assessment of the
American Armenians. The most important factor in this case is the
elected official’s position on issues of interest for the Armenians
irrespective of whether he is a republican or a democrat.
If we look at the elections from this perspective, the Armenians might
have lost in terms of the number of officials that have a pro-Armenian
position. However, the results of the elections can overall be assessed
as positive based on several facts. The first positive development in
this respect is the resignation of Denis Hastert and Nancy Pelosi’s
becoming the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The former was known for his tendency of yielding to pressure from
the executive and excluding the issue of the Genocide recognition
from the agenda. It should be noted that the instructions Hastert
was receiving did not come exclusively from Republican sources. In
several cases the democratic executive was pressuring Hastert.
This cast some shadow on the Armenians’ optimism regarding Nancy
Pelosi. However, the Armenians’ optimism connected with Pelosi has
some ground. The latter has repeatedly taken pro-Armenian positions
and her pre-election promises inspire hope that she will stick to
her positions.
The election of New Jersey representative Bob Menendez is of special
importance for the American Armenians for two reasons. First,
Menendez took an important position during the discussion of the US
Ambassador’s candidacy. This issue is still open, therefore, Menendez’
presence is important in terms of continuing the efforts and achieving
a pro-Armenian outcome.
Second, the results of these elections further strengthened the
connection between the American Armenians and Menendez because when
the results of the exit polls questioned Menendez’ election, ARF’s
Hay Dat Committee of New Jersey took a principled position on the
issue and expressed its support to Menendez based on the latter’s
pro-Armenian position on issues of interest for the Armenians.
Taking into consideration the above-mentioned facts, we can state
that the results of the November 7 elections can be assessed as
positive for the American Armenians. However, in order to achieve
positive results from the elections it will be necessary to use this
historical opportunity properly, to double our joint efforts and
support the work of Hay Dat Committee that has taken up the mission
of pursuing the Armenian question.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HAMAZKAYIN PRESENTS ‘FOR YOU, LEBANON’
Yerkir, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
A concert with this title and organized by the Hamazkayin Educational
and Cultural Union and the Public TV of Armenia will be staged at
the National Opera and Ballet Theater on November 17.
The concert’s aim is to extend the moral support of the Armenian
culture figures to the Lebanese Armenians and the Lebanese people
in general.
During the past 15 years, the Hamazkayin has sponsored visits of scores
of Armenian artists to Lebanon. Now they obligated to fellow-Armenians
living in Lebanon.
Lebanon is the home to the most important Diaspora community, and
Beirut has for decades been considered the unofficial capital city
of the Armenian Diaspora. The concert will be aired live on local TV
channels and will be watched by Armenians and non-Armenians as well.
The State Dance Ensemble of Armenia, the Chamber Choir, the groups
“Kadans,” “Arevik,” “Sayat Nova,” singers Ruben Matevosian, Shushan
Petrosian, Leyla Saribekian, Hamlet Gevorgian, Arto Tunjboyajian,
Arsen Grigorian and others will perform at the concert.
The concert will be attended by National Assembly Vice-speaker Vahan
Hovhannisian as well as Member of Lebanese Parliament Hakob Bagratuni
and Lebanese Ambassador to Armenia Jibrail Jiara.
“Who should support morally Lebanon and its people if not Armenia
that has seen a war and has done everything for independence,” says
Lilit Galstian, the director of the Hamazkayin’s Armenia office.

DEFENSE MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN MAY MEET IN JANUARY
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
The recurrent meeting between the Defense Ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan Serge Sargsyan and Safar Abiev may take place in January,
declared the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, APA agency reports, referring to Russian
media. He noted that he has already applied the parties, but has
received no response.
To remind, at the initiative of Andrzej Kasprzyk, Foreign Ministers
Serge Sargsyan and Safar Abiev met on October 20. The parties discussed
the question of maintenance of the cease-fire regime.
ArmInfo correspondent did not manage to get information confirming
the meeting from RA MFA. According to APA report, Azeri MFA was not
informed about Kasprzyk’s statement and the forthcoming meeting of
the Defense Ministers.

NEWLY APPOINTED JUDGES PLEDGE TO FOLLOW RA CONSTITUTION AND LAWS
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
According to RA President Robert Kocharyan’s decree of 20 October,
Armen Khachatryan was appointed Judge of the First Instance Court
of Ararat marz. Armen Khachatryan and Rafik Melkonayn were appointed
Judges of the First Instance Court of Tavush marz. The oath ceremony
was held today at the sitting of the Justice Council, featuring the
President of the Republic. Taking the high position of Judges, they
pledged to follow only the Constitution and laws, be unbiased and
principled, fair and humane.
Congratulating the newly appointed Judges, the President said he
anticipates true, fair and principled work.

FIBA-EUROPE DELEGATION TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
The official delegation of FIBA-Europe headed by President of the
European Basketball Federation Georgios Vasiliakopolos will arrive
in Armenia on a three-day official visit tomorrow. Members of the
delegation will meet with President of RA National Olympic Committee
Gagik Tsarukyan and President of RA Basketball Federation Hrachya
Rostomyan. They will visit places of interest of Armenia, as well as
sport and cultural structures. They will learn about the current state
and prospects of basketball in Armenia and will meet with members of
the Executive Committee of RA Basketball Federation.

TUSIAB EXCLUDES COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
Azeri TUSIAB international business company has refuted the reports
of a number of Turkish mass media on cooperation with Armenia. TUSIAB
President’s address to “Turan” agency says that there was information
in the Turkish Daily News that the Istanbul based Club of Turkish
Producers and Businessmen /TUSIAB/ established contacts with Armenia.
The document says that “TUSIAB categorically denounces any cooperation
with Armenia before the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity.”

NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASYAN TO SPEAK AT LA WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
After completing his visit to the East Coast communities, rallying
support for the upcoming Armenia Fund’s 9th Annual International
Telethon, NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan will leave Detroit for Los
Angeles today.
President Arkady Ghukasyan is scheduled to speak at the Los Angeles
World Affairs Council’s dinner reception at the Westin Bonaventure
Hotel on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 7:30pm. The Council hosts
heads of states and high-ranking government officials to speak to its
members. This past summer, the Council hosted Her Majesty’s Prime
Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom and H.E. Sergei Lavrov,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
President Ghukasyan will use this opportunity to share his views on
the future of Karabakh, its relations with neighboring countries,
its place in the international community and the prospects for greater
US-NKR engagement.
The President is the Guest of Honor at Armenia Fund’s Annual Gala,
which will take place on November 19 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at
the California Plaza. The event will highlight the 15th anniversary
of independent Republics of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and as well
as celebrate Armenia Fund’s mission of rebuilding the homeland since
independence. Armenian jazz singer Datevik Hovanesian and her quartet
will perform live during the gala. The premier sold out event is set
to welcome Armenia Fund’s long time donors and supporters as well as
heads of major Armenian-American organizations and churches.
In Los Angeles President Ghukasyan is scheduled to meet with select
Armenia Fund donors and supporters, as well as with the leaders of
major Armenian-American organizations. The President is to appear
live during Armenia Fund’s 9th Annual International Telethon. The
live 12 hour television program will be held on Thanksgiving Day,
November 23, 8:00AM-8:00PM PST. Proceeds from the event will benefit
the Hadrut Regional Development project which, among other projects,
includes the reconstruction of a regional hospital and the purchase of
5 new ambulances, the construction of new local schools, agricultural
development programs, as well as the construction of drinking water
and irrigation networks.

U.S. EMBASSY EXPRESSES DEEPEST CONCERN FOR ARMENIAN SOLDIER INJURED IN IRAQ
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
The Embassy of the United States of America in Yerevan would like to
express its deepest concern for the Armenian soldier who was seriously
injured in Iraq, as well as its condolences for the Polish and Slovak
soldiers who were killed during the incident, says the statement of
U.S. Embassy in Armenia.
Earlier Armenian Defense Ministry Press Secretary, Colonel Seyran
Shahsouvaryan, told ArmInfo that Senior Lieutenant Georgy Nalbanyan
(born in 1981) was injured in a blast of a self-made mine. Polish
and Slovakian soldiers who were accompanying him were killed in the
blast. The leg of the Armenian officer was ablated. He will undergo
further treatment in Germany. It was the first incident wherein an
Armenian soldier was involved during the 2 years of the Armenian
contingent’s mission in Iraq.
U.S. Embassy told ArmInfo Armenia’s contingent in Iraq is carrying
out the extremely important but dangerous work of bringing peace and
democracy to the country. ” The injured Armenian solider is receiving
the best medical care available, and we would like to thank him and
his Armenian colleagues for their vital role in the international
coalition fighting the global war on terror,” says the statement of
the U.S. Embassy.

IRANIAN COMPANY ALVAN FOUNDS BUILDING PAINTS PRODUCING PLANT IN ARMENIA
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
A plant producing building paints of an Iranian company ALVAN, which
is engaged in production of paints and rubber, will be put into
exploitation in Armenia by the end of 2007, ALVAN Export Department
Director Siamak Ebadi told ArmInfo. He did not mention the volume of
investments in the production.
He said the idea of founding the plant in Armenia is connected, first
of all, with the high demand for building paints in the local market,
as well as with the 7-year-long experience of work in the Armenian
market. Thus, S. Ebadi said ALVAN exported paints worth $5 million to
Armenia during these 7 years. The sales volume of the Iranian paints
in the Armenian market grows by 30% annually. S. Ebadi forecasts that
the new plant will produce 100 tons of building paints daily. At the
same time, he said the local production will satisfy the internal
demand at the initial stage. In future it will export its production.
S. Ebadi said that ALVAN intends to found similar plants also in
Romania and UAE. At present, the company exports its production to
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Switzerland, Georgia, Ukraine
and Iraq.
ALVAN was founded in Iran in 1981. According to the National
Statistical Service of Armenia, in Jan-Sept 2006 as against the same
period of 2005, the paint-and- varnish production in Armenia grew
by 30.4%.

CHARITABLE RELIGIOUS SEMINARY OF CALCUTTA (INDIA) ANNOUNCES ADMISSION OF CHILDREN
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 13 2006
The Charitable Religious Seminary of the Armenian Apostolic Church
in Calcutta (India) announces admission of children at the age of 7-11.
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Chancellery Department for
Inter-confessional Ties told ArmInfo, the seminary is a ten-year
educational establishment meeting the demands of an English secondary
education school. The graduated students of the seminary are to pass
examinations. The graduated students having excellent and satisfactory
marks will get an opportunity to continue their education in the
11-12th forms at schools in Calcutta or abroad, particularly, in
Australia, England and the USA. The Armenian Apostolic Church covers
the education expenses. Applications can be made to the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin Chancellery Department for Inter-confessional
Ties. The deadline for applications is December 10.