Month: April 2007

AGBU VISITED ARTSAKH TO MARK CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
Laura Grigorian

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07

The delegation of the Armenian General Benevolent Union visited Artsakh
on April 3 to mark the centennial anniversary of the AGBU. The members
of the AGBU visited the village of Norashen, Hadrut, founded by the
union, as well as the neighboring Jrakn and Bareshen to watch the
work. In Stepanakert, the members of the organization visited Alex
Manoogian Street repaired by Louise Mannogian Simone and laid flowers
to the monument to the great benefactor. Later on the 75 members of
the delegation met with Prime Minister Anushavan Danielian and Ashot
Ghulian. The prime minister congratulated and thanked the union for
its assistance to Artsakh. "We have a long way to go together. With
such a powerful organization backing us we can solve greater problems,"
said Speaker Ghulian. Levon Kebabjian, AGBU, stated that the Union will
always support the homeland. He shared his impression from the visit
to Norashen, where 22 houses, a school and a medical station have
been built. On this day the school got four computers and a TV set
to the school. "We are happy to see that young people, children live
in the village, especially that they are new settlers. We visited the
school, which opened in September. We saw the new programs implemented
in this and other villages. The impression was high," said Levon
Kebabjian. The NKR prime minister presented the programs underway in
Hadrut and Martakert, involving construction of hospitals and schools,
gasifying, water supply, roads, etc. Answering the question of Karnig
Yacoubian, Syria, about investments in Artsakh, Prime Minister
Danielian said the government focuses on this sphere, and since NKR
cannot expect cooperation with international organization unless it
is recognized, the government decided to create favorable conditions
for business by softening taxes. Ashkhen Muradian asked who will
build the road of Norashen. The prime minister said the government
will fund the construction of the road, and if presently it is 2.5
hours of driving, after the construction it will take 40-45 minutes
to drive to the village.

LIKE A BIG FAMILY
Susanna Balayan

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07

The home of old and disabled people of Stepanakert was founded in
1995, a year after the cease-fire. Elderly people who lost their
homes and relatives during the war found shelter there. Presently
the Old People’s Home has 67 inhabitants. Another 150 people live in
their apartments but the staff of the Home takes care of them. Irina
Sargisian, the director of the Home since 1997, says that unfortunately
the number of elderly people who need their help grows. Irina Sargisian
found it difficult to answer why. "It is difficult to say without
analyzing the cause. As to me, I wish these people lived surrounded
with the love and care of their families. But since they lack family
warmth, we try our best to be careful and attentive to them," she
said. "It is like a big family." Irina Sargisian says the Home holds
different events for the elderly people. The folk band of Shushi,
Nairuhi Alaverdian, Rashid Gharabagtsi, the folk choir, the students
of the art school after Gyurjian, Erudite School, the school of the
village of Shosh have performed for the elderly people.

Usually the old people watch TV, listen to music, and in good whether
they work the garden. The Home is sustained by the government. "The
government pays the salaries of the workers of the Home, nevertheless,
we would like to have sponsors, Irina Sargisian says. Shant Ltd and
the Armenian Evangelical Society sometimes help us, but one-time aid
is not enough. If we had a sponsor who would provide at least 1000
drams per pensioner for small expenses every month, it would relieve
some of our problems. They get 25 percent of their salary in cash,
the rest is spent on their needs, nevertheless, it is too little,"
she says. Another problem is the building. "Last time it was repaired
8 years ago," Irina Sargisian said.

WE ARE FOR UNBIASED EVALUATION IN ANY CASE
Norair Hovsepian

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07

On April 4 Prosecutor General Armen Zalinian held a news conference
to sum up the work of the Office of Prosecutor General in 2006. The
Prosecutor General began with information on the state of crime
in the country. Namely he said 513 offenses were reported in 2006
against 538 in 2005. In the regions, the rate of crime went down,
but in Martuni, Shushi and Shahumian the rate of crime went up. Armen
Zalinian also informed that in 2006 the Office or Prosecutor General
enforced repayment of government loans, 105 929 381 drams were repaid
to the state budget, as well as 24 million drams for the rent of
land. He assured that the target was not minor borrowers. "It is
impossible to collect 133 million from minor borrowers. The Office
of Prosecutor General mainly focused on major borrowers who did not
repay the loan for years on." The prosecutor general touched upon the
recent mutual accusations of the City Hall and the Office of Prosecutor
General. Mr. Zalinian said the statement of the Office of Prosecutor
General released on March 3 answered all the questions. As to the
explanations in the media, those were meant to prevent misunderstanding
among people rather than to answer Mayor Edward Aghabekian. "The
impression is that with such behavior the mayor is trying to prevent
the Office of Prosecutor General from revealing illegal actions,"
said the Prosecutor General, adding that the Office has checked
different government agencies and offices on reports from people,
charges were brought, but only the City Hall opposed.

The news reporters raised the "cadastre case", "doctors case" as
well. The prosecutor general assured that they treat any sphere,
especially health workers with respect. However, once you transgress,
you are responsible. The recent scandal involved the director of
Artsakhkap, who was charged with embezzlement and forgery. In the
end, the prosecutor general said the Office of Prosecutor General is
ready to cooperate with the media and expects unbiased evaluation in
any case.

EXPECTATIONS JUSTIFIED BUT PARTIALLY

A1+
[12:14 pm] 11 April, 2007

As we have already informed you, Armenian sportsman Hovhannnes Davtyan
/60kg/ won a silver medal in the European Judo (EJU) Championship
held in Serbia.

During his interview to A1+ Gagik Aghamalyan, the chief coach of the
Armenian judo team, noted that our hopes were justified by 50 %.

"We hoped that Armen Nazaryan /66 kg/ will also enjoy victory and
bring a medal for the team," he said.

To remind, Armen Nazaryan, became EJU champion in 2005 and
vice-champion in 2006.

Nazaryan’s defeat was determined by the change of his weight
category, the chief coach maintains. "He formerly played in the 60
kg category. He hasn’t got adjusted to the new category yet."

While speaking of Hovhannnes Davtyan’s victory, Gagik Aghamalyan
noted that he could have shown a better result in the finals if he
were psychologically fit.

To note, Anush Hakobyan /52 kg/ and Armen Ispiryan /81kg/ quited the
championship just after the first round as, in Mr. Aghamalyan’s words,
this was their first participation in the European Adult championship.

PPA ATTACKS FROM TWO FRONTS

A1+
[03:22 pm] 11 April, 2007

April 11 – The People’s Party of Armenia is holding a meeting with
the voters of Lori marz today. The main meeting is fixed in Alaverdi
at 5:00 p.m.

It is noteworthy that the party has divided into two groups to visit
various villages of the marz at a time.

The first wing is headed by Grigor Harutounyan, secretary of the
PPA and the third candidate of the PPA proportional ticket, and the
second wing- by Stepan Demirchyan, leader of the PPA, and Albert
Bazeyan, leader of the National Revival Party, the second in the PPA
proportional list

Stepan Demirchyan and Albert Bazeyan have already met the residents
of Dsegh Village, which is the birthplace of the Armenian renowned
writer Hovhannes Tumanyan.

The village is rather big; it has got 800 houses but only 2000
dwellers. Armik Ghazumyan, a former librarian, noted that none of
the villagers will be able to saw the land as they have problems
with seeds.

Most of the dwellers have left abroad to try their lucks overseas.

It is due to mention that the residents spoke cautiously with the
candidates of the PPA; some thought they shouldn’t be seduced by
recurrent promises, others welcomed the PPA members open-heatedly
and expressed their wish to see Stepan Demirchyan RA President.

To note, the PPA will support Larisa Paremuzyan among the candidates
under the majority ticket in constituency 31 of Lori.

VISITS OF THE RF HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIALS BECOME FREQUENT

A1+
[03:39 pm] 11 April, 2007

more images April 11, 2007 – RA President Robert Kocharian received
the RF delegation at the head of first premier Sergey Ivanov. The
key issues of the discussion were the Armenian-Russian relations
on the economic level. The parties also dwelt on other issues of
regional cooperation.

Robert Kocharian and Sergey Ivanov highlighted the fact that the
Russian capital gradually expands in Armenia, which is an outcome of
mutually beneficial dynamic partnership.

SURVEY ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN TURKEY
By A. Haroutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily
11/04/2007

The majority of Turks is against adoption of the Resolution of
the Armenian Genocide by the Congress of the United States of
America. "Zaman" newspaper, Turkey, informs that a social survey
displayed that 83% of the questioned population of Turkey will
oppose rendering the USA assistance in Iraq in case the Resolution is
passed. 42% of the questioned finds that the Resolution on the Armenian
Genocide is anti-Islamic, 31% think that the issue Resolution is the
private business of the US. In any case 12% of the questioned accept
the Armenian Genocide as a historical fact.

ARMENIA CANNOT TOLERATE SARCATIC INDIFFERENCE

A1+
[09:34 pm] 10 April, 2007

‘It is not enough that Turkish Government can’t help hiding the real
history from people. Now they are aimed at preventing ‘Opening of
Educational Exhibit on the Rwanda Genocide,’ Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan responded to the postponement of the exhibition.

‘Raphael Lemkin’s works are a part of international records and world
history. A UNO country aimed at peace preaches around the world should
not allow such intolerance towards UNO. Armenia cannot tolerate the
world history neglects the ordeals of Rwanda and Darfur people,’
says Vardan Oskanyan.

It is very sarcastic and shameful to see how Turkey tries to teach
lessons on human rights and genocide prevention. Their act is nothing
but disrespectful attitude towards historical recollections.

TONGBOYAJIAN TRUSTS RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN

A1+
[08:42 pm] 10 April, 2007

‘I know Raffi, I trust this person. We should hope for the
future. Every single Armenian has the right to speak out both about
the Genocide and his own opinion about the future of Armenia. We have
got a long and difficult way to pass together and Raffi is the person
to follow,’ announced Arto Tongboyajyan, American-Armenian who has
also received double citizenship for a term of 10 years.

The biggest hall in hotel’ Marriott’ did not have enough room
for the guests and the voters of ‘Heritage’ Party. Right after the
Armenian National anthem, the party represented top 10 candidates in
the proportional ticket. Raffi Hovhannisyan started his speech with
the following slogan, ‘ Are you the master of your vote? Are you the
master of right? Are you the master of your freedom? Are you the master
of your heritage? Are you the master of your fatherland?’ The crowd
responded, ‘ Yes, we are.’ Raffi Hovhannisyan in his turn assured,
‘ We are the master of our electors.

Our party will serve its people like a private soldier devoted and
sincere towards every citizen. For "Heritage" people has the power,
and the king is the citizen himself. ‘

‘ Every Armenian should be authorized with the law power. One of
the main problems is our economy. We have to be able to legalize
everything. If we manage to bring the money into the state budget,
people will get what legally belongs to them. One should not ignore
an ordinary citizen,’ Raffi Hovhannisyan states. He is of the opinion
that 150 thousand work places can be created but for tax evasion.

As to Raffi Hovhannisyan, we all will lose during the forthcoming
elections if election forgery is inevitable. "We are the winners,"
declared leader of "Heritage" party.

EX-MINISTER OF DEFENSE KEPT HIS PROMISE

A1+
[07:32 pm] 10 April, 2007

Serzh Sargsyan has tried to show his gift of a Prime Ministry. On
February 8, ex-minister of defense promised to set working the Chemical
factory which is of vital importance for the Vanadzor residents.

The factory will start working one of these days.

Great efforts were made to fulfill Prime Minister’s promise. RA
Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan personally deals with this matter
and makes sure about the deadlines. ‘I believe we’ll manage to bring
once fame to the factory, thus employing thousands of people in
Vanadzor.’ Armen Movsisyan claimed after his last visit to Vanadzor.

In spite of the active works in the factory, people have very little
hope for the factory opening. They consider it to be just a political
maneuver at the threshold of NA elections

In respond to the residents’ meditations, the Minister of Defense
assures that no band will be cut. "To remind, I first made the
announcement three months ago. The Election Day was not fixed then. We
can postpone the opening after the elections if this helps," Armen
Movsisyan told.

Anyways, the factory will set working as soon as possible. 30% of
the salary has been redeemed. They will start employment procedures
on April 4.

Firstly, carbide workshop will be set in action.

Secondly, they will produce corundum which is stipulated in a
month. Thus all types of production as well as new ones are due
to restore.