Month: April 2007

MAJOR ARMENIAN PARTY UPBEAT ABOUT OUTCOME OF PARLIAMENTARY POLL

Arminfo
5 Apr 07

Yerevan, 5 April: The Prosperous Armenia party has become one of the
major forces in the Armenian politics, the chairman of the Prosperous
Armenia party, MP Gagik Tsarukyan, has said. He presented the programme
and the proportional list of the party at a round table in the resort
town of Tsakhkadzor.

"The Prosperous Armenia party has become one of the major forces in
the Armenian politics. We have a big opportunity to become leaders
in the forthcoming parliamentary election. A tense election campaign
awaits us," Tsarukyan said.

He called on all the political forces to "aim at a just competition,
free and fair election".

"We respect all parties, but we are certain that we are strong and
well-organized. The people approve our ideas, and we have substantial
opportunities to win," he stressed.

The MP said that the round table organized today is aimed at informing
society of the party’s main political activity and human potential
with the help of which the Prosperous Armenia party intends to realize
its programme.

"The election campaign starts in three days. It is our objective
for the content of the party’s programme to reach each person in an
understandable and available manner," Tsarukyan said.

The Prosperous Armenia party was created in 2004. The number of its
members is 370,000. The chairman of the party is MP Gagik Tsarukyan,
who is also the head of the Armenian National Olympics Committee and
the president of the Multy Group company.

The election campaign will officially begin on 8 April and will last
till 10 May. The parliamentary election will take place on 12 May.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPER UNDERGOING TREATMENT IN THE US

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 14:41

Georgi Nalbandyan, Armenian peacekeeper wounded in Iraq, is receiving
a course of treatment in one of US military hospitals, Head of the
Engineering Corps of RA Defense Ministry Vostanik Adoyan told ArmInfo.

Georgi Nalbandyan was taken to the US on March 9. After treatment
he will return to Armenia and will continue his service, Vostanik
Adoyan added.

Let us remind that senior lieutenant Georgi Nalbandyan was wounded
from mine blast in November 2006, as a result of which his leg was
amputated. He was immediately taken to Germany and later to the US.
From: Baghdasarian

BEELINE COMMON SYSTEM IN PARTNER COUNTRIES

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 15:15

Beeline cell operator has declared that henceforth a common Beeline
system will operate on the territories of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Russia.

Mobi.ru portal informs that there is no need in changing the settings
when sending MMS messages, entering the Internet or checking the
voice mail.

Everything will work as if "at home." The only thing one should do
is to register in one of the partner cell networks when arriving in
the country – ArmenTel in Armenia, Beeline GE in Georgia, Beeline KZ
in Kazakhstan, Beeline TJ in Tajikistan, Beeline in Uzbekistan and
Beeline UA in Ukraine.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY DISCUSSED AT PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 15:25

The plan of development of Cultural Development Strategy for 2008-2013
was discussed during President Robert Kocharyan’s working meeting
with RA Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan.

In particular, reference was made to the improvement of programs of
culture financing and management programs, cultural cadre policy and
education, the regulation of the legal field.

The President instructed to work out an inclusive program of
arrangements ensuring state cultural propaganda.

SECOND ANNUAL "HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II WORK PROJECT" KICKS OFF ON APRIL 10

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 16:06

The second annual "His Holiness Karekin II Work Project" kicks off
in Armenia April 10. Volunteers from around the globe will descend
upon Armenia, to build homes side by side with homeowner families,
local sponsors, volunteers, dignitaries, and monks from the Armenian
Apostolic Church.

"The Armenian Apostolic Church is delighted to launch this event once
again with Habitat for Humanity. It’s not only a celebration of people
coming together to help families in need, but it’s also an important
step toward removing the blight of poverty housing in Armenia,"
says Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

During building events around the country from April through October,
37 homes for families in need will be completed in Armenia, symbolizing
36 worldwide Dioceses, plus the Holy See of Mother Etcmiadzin. His
Holiness, Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, is expected to
bless the event’s official opening at the Etchmiadzin Gevorgyan
seminary on April 10.

The Armenian Church signed a historic partnership with Habitat for
Humanity in April 2006, aimed to combat poverty housing in Armenia,
and worldwide. The first "His Holiness Karekin II Work Project"
was held in Gavar, Armenia, where a building was renovated for 24
families, with an additional 13 homes being built around the country.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S ADDRESS TO FOREIGN OBSERVERS

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 15:58

MP Aram Sargsyan, the President of the Democratic Party of Armenia,
has sent applications to representatives of observation missions of
the Council of Europe, international and local organizations.

The address says: "To promote the conduct of free, fair and transparent
elections on May 12, 2007, corresponding to European standards, we
suggest you to undertake the following measures in compliance with RA
legislation: starting from the opening of precincts till the summing up
of the final results and formation of protocols permanently locate the
most part of observers in 10-12 precincts in all 41 electoral areas."

"Taking into consideration that the number of observers reaches 500,
this way it will be possible to carry out observation missions at
least in one forth of the precincts. Simultaneously, the rest of the
observers will carry out their common monitoring mission."

The Democratic Party of Armenia is assured that the accomplishment
of this suggestion will hold back the temptation to falsify the
elections. "All political forces concerned with the international
rating of Armenia and pursuing formation of legal authority join our
suggestion," the address says.

135 PEOPLE ARE REGISTERED AS CADIDATES FOR DEPUTY FROM 141 ONES NOMINATED FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS BY MAJORITARIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. 135 people were registered as
candidates for deputy from the 141 ones nominated and presented
documents for registration at the 41 electoral districts for the May
12 parliamentary elections. Each of electoral districts No8, 11, 13,
22, 31, 35 did not register one candidate.

Former Minister of Transport and Communication, non-partisan Eduard
Madatian (electoral district No 13), member of the United Labour Party
Samvel Hovsepian who is more known as Admiral (electoral district
No8), are, particularly, among the pretenders remained out of the
electoral struggle.

As a result one candidate, correspondingly, NA deputies, non-partisan
Hakob Hakobian elected from the Yerevan community of Malatia-Sebastia
and RPA member Armen Purtoyan will pretent for the deputy mandate at
each of Yerevan electoral districts No8 and 13. So, one candidate
will participate in the elections in each of 7 electoral districts
from the total number of 41. 6 of them are deputies of the NA of
present convention.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN SERGE SARGSIAN’S WORDS, CHANGES ARE NOT ENVISAGED YET IN GOVERNMENT STAFF AND PROGRAM

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsian
participated on April 6 in the annual general meeting of the RA
National Academy of Sciences where results of the 2006 scientific
and scientific-organization activity of the RA NAS were discussed. As
Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Government’s Information and Public
Relations Department, the Prime Minister in future envisages to meet
with scientists of the Academy and intellectuals of the republic to
more closer get acquainted with the problems they are interested in.

After the meeting, responding journalists’ questions connected with
the RA Government’s and Prime Minister’s future activity, S. Sargsian,
particularly, mentioned: "I do not think that serious changes must
be in the government staff now as there are almost 40 days to work,
and it will be our most important problem to secure continuation of
the government works. However, no change is envisaged at the moment."

S. Sargsian does not think that any changes must be in the program
of the government activity. However, in his words, the Government
must send the program to the National Assembly. The Prime Minister
mentioned that after the elections that political force which will
make the government, must already send a new program to the NA.

Touching upon the issue of appointments of the National Security
Secretary Council and Defence Minister, S. Sargsian abstained from
foretelling.

SERGE SARGSYAN THINKS SERIOUS CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT UNNECESSARY AT PRESENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2007 12:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I do not think that it’s time for serious changes
in the government," newly appointed Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan
told reporters April 6.

Some 40 days remain till completion of the term of the incumbent
government and under such circumstances the most important task
is to ensure its constant work," he said. "I do not suppose any
changes in the government’s activities should be made. At least,
we should submit the program to the parliament’s consideration,"
he said adding that after the election the political force entitled
to form the government will have to elaborate a new serious program.

Serge Sargsyan, however, refrained from any forecasts on the possible
designate for the post of Defense Minister, IA Regnum reports.

Serge Sargsyan was appointed Prime Minister on April 4. By another
decree signed by President Robert Kocharian, he was dismissed from
the posts of Defense Minister and Secretary of the Security Council.

The post of Prime Minister remained vacant after the untimely death
of Andranik Margaryan, the chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia.

WORKS OF PARTICIPANTS OF FINAL STAGE "FINE ARTS AND CINEMATOGRAPHY" NOMINATION OF RA PRESIDENT’S YOUTH PRIZE ARE PRESENTED AT CENTER OF INNOVATORY EXPERIMENTAL ART

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Works of participants of the final stage
of the "Fine Arts and Cinematography" nomination of the RA President’s
annual youth prize are presented at the exhibition opened on April
5 at the Center of Innovatory Experimental Art (CIEA). Within the
framework of this program being implemented under the patronage of
Robert Poghosian and Sons fund, prizes are given in the spheres of
"Literature," "Classic Music" as well.

According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the "Hayastan"
(Armenia) All-Armenian Fund, a certificate, an order and monetary
prize equivalent to 2500 U.S. dollars are given in the "Fine Arts and
Cinematography" nomination. 28 from 46 works beforehand presented in
this nomination entered the final stage. Among them 5 are feature
films, 2 are clothing collections and 21 are pictorial canvases
and photos.

According to the same source, the competition committee has already
decided the winners whose names will be made public only after being
affirmed by the RA President.