Month: March 2007

CONFLICT HAS POLITICAL ESSENCE

A1+
[05:54 pm] 05 March, 2007

Samvel Babayan will run for the parliamentary elections in constituency
37, in Syunik. To note, Alexandre Sargsyan, Serge Sargsyan’s brother,
also put forward his candidacy in the same constituency. Taking into
consideration the relations between Serge Sargsyan and Samvel Babayan,
we can anticipate that the struggle will be rather tense.

The members of "Dashink" (Union) Party don’t agree to this. To note,
it was "Dashink" that proposed the candidacy of the party’s leader
/Samvel Babayan/ under majority system.

"When we put forward Samvel Babayan’s candidature we were unaware
that the Defense Minister’s brother would be nominated in the same
constituency", Gnel Ghlechyan, member of the Dashink informed us.

He assures that the struggle will be held in a civilized way, "We
are determined to combat till the end. So far we have no intention to
withdraw. All the rumors that the struggle will be tense, and there
will be confrontations are fabricated. They are aimed at deluding
people. We see the conflict a political struggle not a military one,"
Gnel Ghlechyan says.

As for the Sargsyan – Babayan conflict, Mr. Ghlechyan noted, "The
press is fond of running into extremes; they write articles that
are uncompliant with the reality. As far as I know there isn’t any
personal conflict between Serge Sargsyan and Samvel Babayan.

The conflict is ideological which exists among the pro-governmental
forces", he adds.

In Mr. Ghlechyan’s words Samvel Babayan’s nomination in constituency
37 is determined by the fact that Mr. Babayan enjoys high rating
in Syunik.

"Samvel Babajan has done a great deal for the Syunik residents in
order to preserve their security. People never forget good deeds;
they have fresh memory. All these factors were taken into account
while putting forward Samvel’s candidature", said Mr. Ghlechyan.

PEOPLE REMEBER VAZGEN SARGSYAN

A1+
[06:39 pm] 05 March, 2007

March 5 is Vazgen Sargsyan’s birthday. Today the Erablur was
overcrowded; representatives of various parties and RA high-ranking
officials assembled near Vazgen Sargsyan’s tomb. It is already
nine years since Vazgen Sargsyan died. Every year his friends,
acquaintances, relatives, and adherents assemble in the Erablur on
March 5.

53-year-old Emma Chobanyan often visits Vazgen Sargsyan’s tomb. "He
was a real Armenian, a real patriot. The Armenians will never have
Vazgens. Our hearts will be restless unless the criminals of the
October 27 carnage are punished", she says.

The RA Defense Ministry, Prime Minister, "Yerkrapah" Volunteers’
group, Manvel Grigoryan, head of the board of "Yerkrapah" Volunteers’
Union, as well as various parties put wreaths on the tomb. The
representatives of the general headquarters of the RA armed forces
were also in the Erablur.

Michael Haroutyunyan, head of the general headquarters, underlined
that fact that "Vazgen Sargsyan laid the bases of everything Armenia
has nowadays. It is due to his inexhaustible energy and assiduity
that we have efficient troops today. If I say now that the army has
not problems I shall make a grave mistake; we counter great problems
that demand serious treatment. For instance, we must do our utmost
to make the RA army meet the regional and international standards",
says Mr. Haroutyunyan.

Armen Sargsyan, one of Vazgen Sargsyan’s friends remembers, "Vazgen
Sargsyan sought romanticism in all his steps and he found it. He
wished Armenia were a powerful state, having great culture and good
specialists. He was a great Armenian and his sole objective was to
see Armenia united."

TRAINER OF THE ARMENIAN FOOTBALL TEAM SUFFERS CANCER

A1+
[07:07 pm] 05 March, 2007

Yan Porterfield, chief coach of the Armenian football team suffers
cancer. The Scottish coach announced the news today. To note, he has
been training the team since the August of 2006.

"I have been weak over the past weeks and had to see a doctor. After
undergoing numerous examinations doctors discovered large intestine
cancer.

"They claim I must be operated on as soon as possible.

I shall have to give up my work for a few weeks. But I am determined to
restore my energy soon and resume the work. The news was a real shock
for both my family and the Armenian Football Federation. Everybody
assisted us, and I am grateful to all of them".

The coach made public the names of 24 footballers who will participate
in the training meeting of the Armenian national team prior to
Poland-Armenia selection meeting of Euro-2008 scheduled on March 28.

"TE DEUM" SERVICE IN DINK’S MEMORY

A1+
[07:29 pm] 05 March, 2007

On March 4 under the blessing of His Holliness Garegin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a Te Deum service was held
in the he Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, in memory of Hrant Dink,
editor-in-chief of "Akos" weekly.

Prior to the ceremnony archiibishop Arshak Khachatryan addressed the
presentees with an opening speech. He dwelt on Hrant Dink’s activity
and urged to pray for the rest of Hrant Dink’s soul.

The representatives of the Armenian community of Polis, as well
as the monks of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin were present at
the ceremony.

MAZMANYAN-KARAPETYAN CONFLICT "FLARES UP"
Shushanik Haroutyunyan
Student of the Yerevan State University

A1+
[08:01 pm] 05 March, 2007

"Karapetyan, you are not illetarate, you are ignorant. Sue me again",
Armen Mazmanyan, director and stage-manager announced in the "Friday"
Club today.

He intends to challange the verdict of Court of Firts Instance under
which he was found guilty in slandering Tigran Karapetyan, president
of ALM Holding. Besides, Armen Mazmanyan was fined 300 thousand AMD.

Mazmanyan maintains that the events are ordered, "I am not a toy and
I shall let nobody play tricks on me", said the director and added,
"I shall seriously see to the matter; I am ready to bear unbiased
objective punishment".

To note, "21st century" NGO has opened a bank account and started
collecting money as they say, "Mazmanyan expressed our opinion,
and we are to pay the penalty".

By the way, we tried to find out Armen Mazmanyan’s stance on the
eve of the parliamentary elections. He didn’t conceal his affection
towards the Republican and ARF Dashnaktsutyun.

At the same time he says that he will be passive and keep away from
the political fuss.

NO VACANT ELECTION CENTERS ANY MORE

Panorama.am
16:59 03/03/2007

Armenian Republican Party (HHK) nominated Tigran Arzakantsyan, deputy
of National Assembly, as a candidate for deputy in the next parliament
at number 22 election center in Gavar. In 2003, Arzakantsyan was
nominated and elected in the same community.

There was another vacancy at 18 election center where Ghukas Ghukasyan,
who has no party affiliation, nominated his candidature. He will
compete with Hakob Grigoryan, nominated by Union of Freedom Fighters
Veterans’ party.

In community center 25, candidates from HHK and Prosperous Armenia
will compete.

In community 31, 5 candidates were nominated, including one from HHK,
one from Orinats Yerkir, one from Alliance party and two other on
civil initiative.

PRESIDENT RECEIVES GEGHARKUNIK GOVERNOR

Panorama.am
19:00 05/03/2007

President Robert Kocharyan and Governor of Gegharkunik region
Arsen Grigoryan discussed social-economic situation of the region,
president press services told Panorama.am . The parties talked about
the implemented works in 2006 and future plans. The governor reported
on the pace of president’s assignments made earlier.

The two also discussed Lake Sevan related topics.

ARMENIA HONORED GUEST OF INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE EXHIBITION IN FRANCE

Panorama.am
20:35 05/03/2007

Armenian became the honored guest of international 44th agricultural
saloon, which has been taking place in Paris recently. France’s
president Jacques Chirac visited the exhibition mid today. He greeted
Armenian Agriculture Minister David Lokyan and the Armenian ambassador
in France Edward Nalbandyan warmly.

President Chirac asked to deliver warm greetings to the Armenian
president, foreign ministry press services report.

Some eighty countries participated in the respectable exhibition where
Armenian participates for the first time together with Russia and
Japan. The exhibition focuses on ecologically safe products this year.

Armenian ambassador told French reporters that Armenian products
are of interest in this sense and that doors may open for Armenian
products not only in France but also in Europe.

GEORGIAN PRINCIPALS IN ARMENIAN SCHOOLS

Panorama.am
20:36 05/03/2007

Nine out of 94 candidates for the post of principals of Akhalakalak
secondary schools passed the test, including one Armenian and eight
Georgians.

Bagin reports that the concern that the Armenian schools may have
Georgian principals have come true.

>>From now one, not the boards of trustees but Georgian education
minister will appoints school principals.

The Armenian candidates failed to pass the tests because they did
not know Georgian. Many have appealed the decision and the answer
will be clear in two weeks.

COMEDY CLUB PROJECT EDITOR WANTS TO BECOME A DEPUTY OF PARLIAMENT

Panorama.am
18:48 05/03/2007

Garik Martirosyan, editor of "Comedy Club" project, wants to become a
deputy of parliament. His name is included in United Libratory National
Party (ULNP) proportional list. CEC official website says Martirosyan
is not affiliated to any party and has registration in Yerevan. He
is also known as the group head of "New Armenians." The list of ULNP
is headed by Levon Martirosyan, brother of Garik Martirosyan.