Gabriel Sargsyan’s second subsequent victory
ArmRadio.am
19.03.2007 16:58
Armenian Grand Master Gabriel Sargsyan celebrated his second subsequent
victory in the International Chess Festival after Ryui Lopes under way in the
Spanish city of Safra. Gaining 2 points in two rounds, he currently shares
1st-2nd place with Spanish Lopes Kandelario.
The readers’ editor on … the rights and wrongs of journalism under pressure
The Guardian – United Kingdom
Published: Mar 19, 2007
Any time now a book of these columns, drawn from the 350 or so I have
written over the past decade, is to be published by Guardian Books
under the title Journalism Right and Wrong. All the ethical and other
issues discussed in it are matters raised by you, calling into
question particular things the Guardian has done, whether in print or
online.
The title might equally have said Journalism Right or Wrong, because
very often we have been trying to work out between us which was the
case: was the Guardian right or wrong to publish what it did, or in
the way that it did? Sometimes we have come to the conclusion that we
do not know, or at least to concede that there are differing points of
view, all with some merit.
The title, therefore, is not meant to be dogmatic because there is
very little dogma in the columns themselves. The intention has been to
render normal or natural a running and public debate on the ethics of
journalism between the readers of the Guardian and its
journalists. This is still an unusual enough phenomenon anywhere in
the world of journalism. Even more unusual is the freedom with which
we have been able to have this conversation, unaffected by editorial
edict or embargo, often about matters that the majority of news
organisations would still consider too embarrassing to mention.
Apropos of the conversational tone, Sterne’s Tristram Shandy – to be
dogmatic for a moment – should be compulsory reading for journalists:
"Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is)
is but a different name for conversation." Tristram Shandy, by the
way, was "the favourite novel" of John Wilkes, to whom we owe a debt
for the freedoms we enjoy and still have to protect (see Arthur H
Cash: John Wilkes, the Scan dalous Father of Civil Liberty, Yale,
2006). But I digress.
The columns in the book are arranged thematically, with the idea of
making it as useful as possible to students of journalism or any
others involved in the business who are inclined to define their work,
as I do mine, as an effort to understand. For example, there are
sections that group together columns dealing with the continuously
controversial matter of payment to criminals, which I have said is
sometimes a good thing; the coverage of conflict and disaster; the use
of pictures, particularly those that appear to many to be at or beyond
the borders of acceptability; picture manipulation and the integrity
of the image; plagiarism and the responsibility to acknowledge
sources.
Other sections include columns that discuss the need for, and what
constitutes, reasonable sensitivity to the feelings of others,
particularly in areas where some intrusion upon grief has been
involved. I am glad that our discussions of the reporting of suicide
resulted in the inclusion several years ago of a cautionary clause in
the Guardian’s editorial code, and more recently may have contributed
to the decision to include a note with a similar purpose in the code
monitored by the Press Complaints Commission. There are also columns
dealing with language, including – not an area in which I have had
much effect – expletives.
It is, I am slightly surprised to find, the sixth book to be drawn
from my not quite Sisyphean labours here. Two of these have been
collections of columns with some of the lighter corrections, and one
has been devoted almost entirely to corrections. Only two have been
devoted entirely to columns – one of those is in Russian and the other
is in Armenian.
It was really these last two, which are used primarily by students,
that encouraged the publication of the present book. Teachers at the
journalism schools where I have spoken in the past few years have also
said that something like it would be useful. Many students on courses
in Britain now come from countries where this kind of conversation and
scrutiny simply does not take place. Perhaps it will in the future.
Ian Mayes is the president of the Organisation of News Ombudsmen
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Ahmadinejad to open first stretch of Armenian gas pipeline from Iran
AP Worldstream Published: Mar 19, 2007
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Armenian counterpart on
Monday are to formally open the first stretch in Armenia of a natural
gas pipeline.
Ahmadinejad and Armenian President Robert Kocharian are to open the
40-kilometer (25-mile) section in the town of Meghri, just over the
border from Iran. Under the first stage of the project, Iran is to
deliver up to 400 million cubic meters (14 billion cubic feet) of gas
a year; when the pipeline is completed and extends to the capital,
Yerevan, the volume could rise to 2.5 billion cubic meters (88 billion
cubic feet) a year.
The project was launched in 2004 after more than a decade of
negotiations.
Russia, which supplies most of Armenia’s gas, had objected to the
project. Armenian officials said last year they were discussing the
prospect of Russia’s natural-gas monopoly Gazprom purchasing the
Armenian section of the pipeline from Iran.
Landlocked Armenia has developed its relations with Iran amid economic
troubles caused the closing of its borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan
in the wake of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of
Azerbaijan occupied by Armenian and ethnic Armenian Karabakhi forces.
Iran also has sought projects and influence in other parts of the
former Soviet Union, mostly in Central Asia.
Last year, Ahmadinejad opened an Iranian-financed tunnel improving
connections between impoverished Tajikistan’s north and the capital
region. Tehran has focused mostly on transport and infrastructure
projects and restoring historically close cultural ties.
I LEFT OYP AS I HAD NO REASONS FOR BECOMING OPPOSITION, VAYOTS DZOR’S
GOVERNOR, CURRENTLY ALREADY RPA MEMBER, DECLARES
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. "When the Orinats Yerkir (Country of
Law) Party left the coalition, I as a Governor had no reasons for
becoming opposition, so I left OYP," Samvel Sargsian, Vayots Dzor’s
Governor, currently member of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA),
declared at the March 19 press conference. S. Sargsian has been
nominated by majoritarian system at electoral district N 39
(Yeghegnadzor-Jermuk) by RPA for the forthcoming parliamentary
elections.
"I am leaving my post and I am going to legislative work in order to
be able to continue my programs aimed at region’s further
development," he said. In S. Sargsian’s words, though the governor
does serious and responsible work, he does not have as great powers as
a deputy.
S. Sargsian also assured that at the forthcoming parliamentary
elections fair elections will be held concretely at their region and
as a Governor will not use his levers.
And Ararat Governor Alik Sargsian said that for already third time RA
President has strictly ordered everybody to hold fair elections. "In
case of any violation the representative of empowered body, in this
case the Governor will be punished," he said.
TEMPERATURE TO RISE BY 7-9 DEGREES UNTIL MARCH 24 IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Precipitations are forecast in some
regions of Armenia, especially in the second half of the day on March
20-21, no precipitations are forecast on March 22-23 and
precipitations are again forecast on March 24. As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by Gagik Surenian, chief specialist of
Haypethydromet Department’s Meteorological Forecasts Unit, temperature
will rise by 7-9 degrees until March 24.
On March 20-24, in country’s mountainous regions night temperature
will be 0 +5, in the daytime temperature will be +5 +10 and in Ararat
valley +5 +7, +15 +18, respectively.
GABRIEL SARGSIAN STARTS MADRID CHESS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT WITH VICTORIES
MADRID, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The chess international tournament started on
March 17 in a small resort settlement near Madrid. 2 among the 8 participant
grand masters are women. Gabriel Sargsian (Armenia) competed just with them,
Hue Yifan (China) and Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) at the 1st and 2nd
stages and won both of them.
ArmSwissBank signs cooperation agreement with BI LINE company
Arminfo
2007-03-19 16:40:00
The ArmSwissBank signed a general agreement on cooperation with BI
LINE, the largest computer facilities sales and services company in
the country, for receiving the full package of services, BI LINE Vice
President Sargis Karapetyan told an ArmInfo correspondent.
He noted that under the agreement, the ArmSwissBank will receive not
only a wide range of services and up-to-date computer technologies,
but also consultative and analytical support. "The most interesting
thing is that the ArmSwissBank itself has chosen a permanent partner
and entrusted it to choose the necessary information technologies for
the bank", S.Karapetyan emphasized. He pointed out that BI LINE will
grant constant discounts to ArmSwissBank and render some of its
services free of charge. S.Karapetyan said that at the moment BI
LINE’s base clientele makes up 85-90% of the Armenian banks, including
the Central Bank of Armenia, the Ardshininvestbank, the ACBA – Credit
Agricole Bank, the Armenian Development Bank. BI LINE’s suppliers are
such world famous companies as Hewlett-Packard, ABC, MICROSOFT, CISCO.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Total Amount of Approved Projects on Crediting of Renewable Power System of `
Cascade Credit’ UMC Exceeded $5 Mln
Arminfo
2007-03-18 01:36:00
The total amount of approved projects on crediting of the renewable
energy of the "Cascade Credit" Universal Mortgage Company (UMC) made
up $5.084,0 thsd. As the press-service of the "Cascade Capital
Holdings" told ArmInfo, as of March 16, 10 projects were submitted to
the Credit Committee of "Cascade Credit" CJSC, 9 of which have been
approved. The sum of the given credits makes up $1.314,6 thsd.
The "Cascade Credit" Mortgage Company, in cooperation with the
Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Fund and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), participates in a renewable
energy crediting program in Armenia. Since November, 2006, the Company
has been granting credits for construction and renewal of small energy
objects, of small hydropower plants, in particular. "In 2005, the
World Bank and the EBRD were searching a partner in Armenia that would
be ready to take an active part in the financing of a small energy in
Armenia. The Cafesjian Family Foundation, established by an American
of the Armenian origin Gerard Cafesjian, has become such a
partner. Earlier, he had founded a "Cascade Capital" financial group
and invested $3 mln in a small energy crediting via a "Cascade Credit"
subsidiary. The Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Fund has granted
$5 mln and the EBRD has given $7 mln", the Executive Director of the
"Cascade Credit" Garegin Gevorgian said.
In an undertime, the "Cascade Credit" has succeeded to gather a group
of specialists and develop a product that meets the demands of both
the investors and the potential borrowers. According to G. Gevorgian,
the Company succeeded to agree with the partners and the investors on
unprecedentedly low interest rates, that indicates not only the
attractiveness of the Program for potential borrowers but also the
concentration of the Company’s efforts on a long-term development of
economy and not on the fast profits.
The "Cascade Credit" renders a financing at an annual rate of
LIBOR+7.5% that presently makes up about 13%. The borrowers pay 0.3%
of annual for the approved but not used part of the credit. In case of
giving a credit, the borrowers also pay a nonrecurrent fee at the rate
of 0.6% of the credit sum. "We carry out a flexible mortgaging policy
that is based on a stage-by-stage grow of the mortgaging assurance
volume, as well as a diversity of mortgage kinds. 240,000 drams are
levied for consideration of the credit application", the Exec Director
said.
To note, the "Cascade Credit" UMC is part of the Cascade Capital
Holdings. It also includes the Cascade Bank, the Cascade Bank
Georgia, the "Cascade Equity Managers" Capital Control Company, the
"Cascade Insurance" Insurance Company and the "Cascade Investments"
Investment Company.
Armenian police concerned over increase of assaults related robberies in
streets of Yerevan
Arminfo
2007-03-19 16:06:00
The Armenian Police is concerned over the increase of assaults related
to robberies in Yerevan’s streets, Major-General Nerses Nazaryan, the
chief of the Yerevan Municipal Police Department, said during a
press-conference, Monday.
According to him, the struggle against this phenomenon is one of the
priority tasks. The solution of this problem will be possible due to
an increase of number of police routes. N.Nazaryan noted that the
number of policemen is insufficient. Therefore, most part of the
routes are focused in the center of the city, as there are a lot of
people in this part of the city and, as a result, a great number of
crimes are committed here. He pointed out that the matter concerns the
lack of law-enforcers. Now there are about 70 of them, and their wages
range from 55 thsd to 75 thsd AMD.
To note, the cases of assaults related to robbery have lately become
more frequent in the outlying areas of Yerevan. As a rule, the
assaults occur not very late – around 8-9 PM. Robbers attack mainly
women. A criminal sneaks up behind the victim and snatches her bag.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenian agency accuses USA of "political hypocrisy"
Mediamax news agency, Yerevan
19 Mar 07
The Armenian news agency Mediamax has described as political hypocrisy
the US administration’s reluctance to recognize as genocide the
killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey in the early 1900s. The agency
also criticized Turkey for its failure to "stretch out its hand to
Armenia". The following is an excerpt from the Mediamax report in
English on 19 March headlined "Time to renounce hypocrisies"; the
subheading has been inserted editorially:
It is obvious that this year the US Congress will not pass the
resolution on the recognition of the Armenian genocide. On 7 March, US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US Secretary of Defense Robert
Gates sent a joint letter to Speaker of the US House of
Representatives Nancy Pelocy "strongly urging" her "to refrain from
allowing the resolution to reach the House floor".
[Passage omitted: quotes latest statements by US officials]
The latest two years the US administration keeps to the new tactics –
"we have never denied the mass killings and forced exile of as many as
1.5 million Armenians in the final years of the Ottoman Empire". The
given word-combination started to be especially actively used after
the scandal related to the actual dismissal of US ambassador to
Armenia John Evans, who used the word "genocide" going against the
official stance of the US administration.
[Passage omitted: more quotes]
Now let us remember how the Armenian genocide was described by US
President George W. Bush in his annual messages of 24 April – the
Armenian Remembrance Day.
2001 "Today marks the commemoration of one of the great tragedies of
history: the forced exile and annihilation of approximately 1.5
million Armenians in the closing years of the Ottoman Empire. These
infamous killings darkened the 20th century and continue to haunt us
to this day."
2002 "Massacre of as many as 1.5 million Armenians through forced
exile and murder at the end of the Ottoman Empire."
2003 "Horrible tragedy, the mass killings and forced exile of
countless Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire." "Many
Armenians refer to these appalling events as the ‘great calamity’."
2004 "Annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians through forced exile and
murder at the end of the Ottoman Empire." "The events of 1915 have
become one of the most horrible tragedies of the 20th century."
2005 "Forced exile and mass killings of as many as 1.5 million
Armenians during the last days of the Ottoman Empire." "This terrible
event is what many Armenian people have come to call the ‘Great
Calamity’."
2006 "Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th
century – the mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5 million
Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915."
Let us try to understand: is it possible to exterminate and forcibly
exile 1.5 million people of a certain nationality without a detailed
planning? The answer is obvious – no. What happened in 1915 was
exactly genocide – a purposeful mass extermination of people based on
their nationality. [US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and
Eurasia] Daniel Fried’s use of the term "ethnic cleansing", which is
widely used after the events in former Yugoslavia, was not
accidental. Ethnic cleansing is the same genocide.
It comes to the point that representatives of the US administration,
who so carefully have been avoiding the "g" word, have started openly
using it in their speeches. The same [US Deputy Assistant Defense
Secretary for European and NATO policy] Daniel Fata said on 15 March
in the House of Representatives: "The passage of an Armenian Genocide
Resolution would have a wide range of negative repercussions." As we
see, here we could not find the usual Aesopian language – "the
so-called genocide", "what you call genocide".
Political hypocrisy
All this evidences that we are dealing with political hypocrisy. The
first manifestation of that hypocrisy is the fact that the president
of the most powerful country of the world six years on end openly
states that 1.5 million of people of one single nationality were
cruelly murdered and deported, but refuses to call it genocide. At
that, the US president and his administration say that historians, and
not politicians, should deal with the terminology. But, if the
president and his administration openly recognize the fact of the
committed crime – 1.5 million of Armenians were killed – what is the
object of examination for the historians?
The second manifestation of hypocrisy is the stance of Turkey, which,
as far as we can see, is ready to resign to all the accusations,
except for the word "genocide". It turns out that the term "ethnic
cleansing" embarrasses the Turkish government less than "genocide",
and it recognizes the responsibility of the Young Turks’ government
for the killings of people, based on ethnic characteristic? No, the
Turkish government is silent when Daniel Fried is the one talking
about the ethnic cleansing. However, as soon as any representative of
Armenia starts talking about that, the Turkish side describes it as
"fabrications of the Armenian lobby". And this is already double
hypocrisy.
It seemed that the violent murder of [Turkish editor of Armenian
descent] Hrant Dink would become the "moment of truth", which would
make the Turkish government stretch out its hand to Armenia. However,
it did not happen – the Turkish leaders continue the harsh rhetoric
addressed to Armenia. Instead, the Turkish government presents as a
"sensation" the opening of the restored Armenian church on the
Akhtamar Island (Lake Van), scheduled for 29 March. First, the
Turkish government should have restored the church long time ago and
it should not have allowed it to find itself on the verge of
destruction. Civilized governments have to preserve historical
monuments, not depending on their cultural or religious
belonging. Second, if the Turkish government really wants to present
the action as a gesture of good will, why were there the cheap
"discussions" as to whether there should be a cross on the dome of the
church or not?
The US secretary of state and the secretary of defense in their letter
and Daniel Fried in his speech in Congress recalled the slogan "We are
all Hrant Dinks, we are all Armenians", with which the residents of
Istanbul entered the streets on the day of the murdered journalist’s
funeral. But what did the Turkish government do to support its
citizens? Nothing, except for the abstract promises on the
reconsideration of Article 301 of the Criminal Code.
It came to the point that the US secretary of state and the secretary
of defense in their letter to Nancy Pelocy point out as a positive
development the fact that representatives of the Turkish leadership
met Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Arman Kirakosyan, who was in
Istanbul to take part in the funeral of Hrant Dink. It is well known
that no progress was marked during those meetings, and it is
impossible to understand why the mere fact of those meetings taking
place should convince the US legislators of anything.
The problem of recognizing the Armenian genocide, undoubtedly, is a
very complex one. However, the issue of recognition of the Armenian
genocide has neither a political, nor a terminological character, but,
first of all, a moral one. The only super power in the world exhausted
the limit of political hypocrisy in that issue. The USA, which wants
to lead the world, cannot avoid calling the extermination of the
considerable part of the Armenian ethnos by its real name. The only
super power in the world does not have the right to fear the "g" word.