Month: March 2007

RESULTS OF CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS IN INTERBANK MARKET FOR MARCH 5

arminfo
2007-03-06 09:13:00

The transactions in the Interbank currency market for March 5 made up
$100,000 (35.475 mln drams), which is lower than the previous trading
day indicator 2,5 times. According to the data of the commercial
banks, the average exchange rate of USD fell by 0,001 point to 354.75
AMD/$1 USD. The data of the Armenian stock exchange say the currency
transactions on the floor made up $500,000 (178.000 mln drams), which
exceeded the similar indicator of the Interbank market 5 times. The
average weighted rate at the exchange made up 356 AMD/$1 USD.

EARTHQUAKE IN INDONESIA KILLS AT LEAST 70

armradio.am
06.03.2007 14:40

A powerful earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra,
killing at least 70 people and flattening hundreds of buildings.

The quake had a magnitude of 6.3, and was centred near the town
of Padang.

There are fears the death toll may be higher as communications with
remote regions have been cut.

The quake struck at 10:49 local time, causing panic among residents
in western Sumatra.

A strong aftershock – magnitude 6.0 – struck two hours later causing
further damage and panic, reports the BBC.
From: Baghdasarian

THREE DEPUTIES OF ARMENIAN NATIONALITY TO BE IN NEW ABKHAZIAN PARLIAMENT

arminfo
2007-03-06 08:53:00

The official data of the voting results at the parliamentary elections
in Abkhazia, held on March 4, have been announced.

As the editorial office of the newspaper of Armenians of Russia
"Yerkramas" told ArmInfo, it succeeded to elect 18 deputies out of 35,
three of which are Armenians. Thus, the number of Armenians in the
Parliament of Abkhazia will not change. To remind, there were also
three deputies in the previous Abkhazian Parliament.

ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN CONSIDERS HIS INTENTION TO CONTROL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TO BE IMMEDIATE REASON FOR HIS ARREST

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. "The immediate reason for my arrest is
the coming parliamentary elections: we were at some extent ready to
prevent falsifiers." Zh.Sefilian gave such a response to the written
question "Which are the main reaons for Your Arrest" of the deputies’
group formed on the case of Zhirayr Sefilian, the coordinator of
the "Defence of Liberated Territories" public initiative. As Armen
Aghayan, the temporary coordinator of the initiative stated during the
"round table" organized on March 6, Zh.Sefilian finds that besides his
intention to control the elections, the rumours about returning the
liberated territories, close ties and cooperation with national forces
of Javakhk and some opposing parties of Armenia became a reason for
isolating him from the society. In attorney Vahe Grigorian’s words,
preliminary investigation bodies did not present any serious reasoning
on the occasion of prolonging his defendant’s arrest. In his words,
the only reasoning is that foreign citizen Zh.Sefilian maybe will take
to flight, appearing in liberty. RA NA deputy Hmayak Hovhannisian
mentioned that the situation created round Zh.Sefilian obliges
to think not only about the latter’s setting free, but also about
preventing similar phenomena in the future. In the deputy’s words,
he was present at the last meeting of the initiative and the sharp
speeches and sharp estimations made there may not become a basis
for arresting a person. In H.Hovhannisian’s words, Article 301 of
the RA Criminal Code which defines responsibility for capturing the
state authorities by violence and for calls addressed to bring down
the constitutional order, is not proper for a country going in the
democratic way. Drawing parallels between Article 301 of the Criminal
Code of Turkey (envisaging responsibility for injuring Turkishness)
and Article 301 of the RA Criminal Code, he mentioned that "Armenia
must get rid of that article earlier than Turkey."

BY ONE CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTACY BY MAJORITARIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM NOMINATED AT 5 ELECTORAL DISTRICTS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. 173 candidates, including 9 women,
have been nominated at 41 electoral districts by the majoritarian
electoral system for the parliamentary elections to be held on
May 12. One third of the nominated candidates are deputies of the
parliaments of the current and previous convocations. Out of the acting
deputies, 43 have been nominated by majoritarian system, including 19
ones from the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), 4 – from "Orinats
Yerkir" Party, two – from "Prosperous Armenia" Party, two – from
"Democratic Way" Party, and one from each of the following parties –
ARF, People’s Party of Armenia, National Democratic Party, while 13
candidates have been nominated on citizens’ initiative. The largest
number of candidates – 10 have been nominated at electoral district
No 4 of Yerevan’s Arabkir community and at electoral district No 31
that includes the cities of Alaverdi and Vanadzor of Lori marz. Most
of candidates nominated at electoral district No 4 are party members,
including leader of the NA ARF faction Hrayr Karapetian, member of
the Armenian All-National Movement, deputy of the 1st convocation
NA Aram Manukian, deputy chairman of "National Unity" Party Sargis
Muradkhanian, member of "Orinats Yerkir" Party, former head of the NA
juridical service Suren Mamikonian, and member of "Prosperous Armenia"
Party, chairman of Hayrapetian Eghbayrner CJSC, co-owner of the trade
center "Hayastan" Hayrapet Hayrapetian. By one candidate has been
nominated at 5 electoral districts: No 7, 20, 27, 28 and 32. Samvel
Alexanian, businessman, NA deputy, nonpartisan, has been nominated on
citizens’ initiative at electoral district No 7 that includes Yerevan’s
Malatia-Sebastia and Ajapniak communities. Hrant Grigorian, NA deputy,
RPA member, nephew of RA deputy defence minister Manvel Grigorian, has
been nominated by the RPA at electoral district No 20 of Armavir marz.

Deputy minister of agriculture Surik Poghosian has been nominated at
electoral district No 32 of Lori marz. He is the son-in-law of Karen
Karapetian, head of the NA deputy group "National Deputy". By the way,
H. Grigorian and S. Alexanian were also elected as deputies without
rivals at the 2003 elections. Melik Manukian, businessman, NA deputy,
and Gagik Tsarukian, businessman, NA deputy, chairman of "Prosperous
Armenia" Party (PAP) and chairman of the National Olympic Committee
of Armenia, have been nominated by PAP at electoral districts No 27
and 28 respectively.

DINK REMEMBERED ON 40TH DAY AFTER HIS BURIAL

armradio.am
05.03.2007 17:01

Friends and family were at the Virgin Mary Patriarchy Church on Sunday
to remember Agos weekly’s Editor-in-Chief, Hrant Dink, on the 40th
day since he was buried on Jan 23 after being murdered at the hands
of a 17-year-old right-wing nationalist. The Armenian Patriarch of
Constantinople Mesrop Mutafyan, speaking in Turkish and Armenian at
the service, said it was a source of sorrow for all that the real
culprits of the Jan. 19 murder were not caught. Among the guests
at the sermon, on the second week of fasting before Easter, were
Å~^iÅ~_li Mayor Mustafa Sarıgul, Black Sea Economic Cooperation’s
Armenia representative Karen Mirzoyan, Turkish Daily News Executive
Editor Eyup Can Saglık, author Elif Å~^afak, Yeni Å~^afak and Agos
columnist Ali Bayramoglu and TDN columnist Cengiz Candar.Dink’s
friends and family wore black with a white scarf to show their sorrow.

After the sermon, those present were taken to Dink’s resting place
at the Balıklı Armenian Ceme tery, reports the Turkish Daily Ne.

–Boundary_(ID_FaEQnIK31NCcUt+iKWTE8Q)–

SURB MARIAM ARMENIAN CHURCH OF SAIDABAD RE-CONSECRATED IN CALCUTTA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 06 2007

CALCUTTA, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Saint Table and
18 crosses of the columns of the restored Surb Mariam (Saint Mary)
Church of Saidabad were consecrated in Calcutta on March 4. The
re-consecration of the church was carried out by Archbishop Aghan
Paliozian, the India and Supreme East Patriarchal delegate and
with participation of Archimandrite Oshakan Gyulgyulian, the Indian
Armenian spiritual primate, friar Vardan Navasardian and deacon Tigran
Baghumian, monks of the Mother See. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
the Surb Mariam Armenian Church of Saidabad was built in 1758, with
personal resources of prominent merchant, benefactor Khoja Petros
from Jugha. The church was completely restored on the initiative of
the newly elected church administration of Calcutta this year. A new
church tower and hotel were built, the big territory of the church
was put in good order and earlier illegally captured territories were
returned to the Armenian community.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS MEETS WITH CHIEF MINISTER OF STATE OF WESTERN BENGAL

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 06 2007

CALCUTTA, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. His Holiness Karekin
II Catholicos of All Armenians met on February 28 with Buddhadeb
Bhattacharya, the Chief Minister of the state of Western Bengal. The
Chief Minister of the state, welcoming the visit of His Holiness
to Western Bengal and Calcutta, touched upon the important role of
the Armenian community of India in social, cultural and economic
development of Calcutta. He mentioned about that high respect that
the Indian people has towards the Armenian community, expressing a
hope that the earlier many-membered community which reduced during
the recent years, will again increase and prosper. Catholicos of All
Armenians also touching upon the centuries-old relations existing
between Armenia and India, expressed happiness that numerous
Indian young people at present continue their education at higher
educational institutions of Yerevan. Issues relating to the spheres
of cooperation between Armenia and India as well as to the present
status of the Armenian Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta, Armenian
churches, graveyards and monuments in Western Bengal were discussed
during the meeting. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information
Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, a reception organized
by the Calcutta church board took place on late the same day, in the
Taj Bengal Hotel, in honour of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Board
head Hayk Sukias expressed graditude to His Holiness for the visit
and mentioned that the Armenian community of India waited for the
Armenian Patriarch’s visit for a long time: more than 40 years.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS VISITS BOMBAY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 06 2007

BOMBAY, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. His Holiness Karekin
II Catholicos of All Armenians left for Bombay on March 3 within the
framework of the visit paid to India. The delegation of the Indian
Orthodox Church of Malabar headed by Metropolitan of Bombay Mar
Koorilos welcame His Holiness Patriarch and the retinue accompanying
him. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information Services of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Catholicos of All Armenians visited the
Surb Petros (Saint Peter) Armenian church of Bombay where His Holiness
was met by three Bombay residents of the Armenian origin as well as by
Indian churchmen and Indian Orthodox believers. His Holiness Patriarch
thanked the God for the possibility to reach farther lands of India and
see the Armenian community and its centuries-old heritage. Addressing
to Indian Christians, Karekin II Catholicos persuaded to remain firm
in the Christian belief, to remain faithful to the Indian Apostolic
Surb Church of Malabar founded by Surb Tovmas Arakeal (Saint Thomas
the Apostle).

GOVERNMENT EXTENDS LIST OF POPULATION GROUPS WITH RIGHT TO RECEIVE MEDICINES FREE OR ON PRIVILEGED TERMS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. By the Armenian government’s decision,
the list of citizen groups with the right to receive medicines
free or on privileged terms has been extended. NT correspondent was
informed about it by Ruslana Gevorgian, advisor to the RA minister
of health. According to her, since early 2007, disabled children
below 18 (previously – 16), children below 7 (previously – 3) and
family members of servicemen who died while performing their duty
may make use of these privilages. Henceforth, single mothers may
purchase medicines for their children below 18 at a 50% discount
(previously it was 30% discount). According to the governmental
decision, free or discount medicines will also be given to patients
suffering from chronic renal failure who had a kidney transplant or
undergo programmed kidney dialysis. Oncological patients will receive
free analgesics in addition to antitumor medicines and narcotics.