Month: April 2007

"ARMENIA: 15 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE" EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN DUBLIN

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 17:07

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian and Dublin Central
Library Senior Librarian Terri Murray with Dr. Vahe Gabrielian,
Armenian Ambassador to UK and Ireland announcing details of the
Armenian photographic exhibition at the Central Library Ilac Centre
from April 16th – 28th 2007.

The Exhibition was composed to celebrate the 15th anniversary
of Armenia’s independence. It is called "Armenia: 15 Years of
Independence". It consists of 140 photographs of 15 Armenian
photographers who have recorded various aspects of Armenia’s life
throughout the years of independence and even a few years before it
(such as the 1988 earthquake and the rallies and demonstrations of
1988-1991, before Independence itself).

The pictures cover scenes of people’s everyday life from baking lavash
(the national bread), folk dancers, remote farms, energy crisis,
a mining factory to new development sites in Yerevan: landscapes,
architecture, history, important events (earthquake, independence
rally, war episode, military parade), famous people (politicians,
scientists, composers, world chess cup winners).

THERE IS NO QUESTION OF SENDING ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO AFGHANISTAN ON THE AGENDA

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 17:31

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan told Mediamax agency
today that there is no question of sending Armenian peacekeepers to
Afghanistan is not on the agenda.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said this, commenting on the statement
of the representative of NATO Press Centre that during the sitting
in Brussels in 26+1 format on April 4 the Ambassadors of NATO
member states welcomed the willingness of the Armenian side to send
peacekeepers to Afghanistan.

"Armenia considers possible various ways of cooperation with the
international community in post-conflict rehabilitation in Afghanistan,
but the question is not about sending Armenian peacekeeping forces to
the country. Armenia may retrain medical specialists of Afghanistan
in its higher educational establishments or detach several Armenian
Officers to work in the headquarters of the coalition forces," said
Arman Kirakosyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANTENATAL CARE CENTER CREATED IN AGARAK HOSPITAL

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 17:52

On April 6, 2007 at 12:00 the official opening ceremony of Antenatal
Care Center in Agarak Hospital took place. The center was established
through the US Embassy and USAID-funded Community Self-Help Fund (CSHF)
program, which is implemented by Save the Children. Representatives
of the US Embassy, USAID, Save the Children, Syunik Marzpetaran,
Agarak local government and the community participated in the event.

Agarak hospital was built in 1969 providing health services to the
residents of Agarak town as well as the three neighboring villages. In
2000 the hospital was partially renovated and furnished through the
funding of Mission East.

There are a pediatric, surgical, therapeutic, infection, and
obstetric-gynecological departments in the hospital.

As a result of the project, a part of the hospital building provided
to the center was fully renovated and furnished. Electric power and
water were provided, doors and windows were placed, and a sewage
system was constructed. The center was provided with furniture,
examination table, scales, refrigerator for medications, and an air
conditioner. Thus the antenatal care center of Agarak hospital was
established, providing quality reproductive health services to more
than 2100 women of the town and neighboring villages, and promoting
the increase of number of pregnancies with positive outcome.

The total cost of the project was USD 16,889 of which USD 14,889 was
provided by the Community Self-Help Fund, while USD 2,000 (about 12%
of the project cost) was contributed by Agarak community in form of
labor and construction materials.

ADAM SCHIFF: THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION IS NOT IN A DEADLOCK

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 17:47

"The Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 106) introduced in the US
House of Representatives has not entered a deadlock. Currently the
co-authors are working to increase the number of Congressmen supporting
the bill. Now we are strong as never, having more than 180 supporters,"
US Congressman, co-author of the Armenian Genocide resolution Adam
Schiff said in an interview with the "Armenian Reporter" review.

He expressed confidence that having this many supporters short after
the introduction of the resolution is a very good start. "I think
the biggest and the most important challenge we should resist and
overcome is the Turkish lobby," the Congressman noted.

He added that these days the Congress is primarily centered on the
Iraqi issue. Therefore, any other foreign policy issue has to wait
a little.

"Nevertheless, I don’t think time is already "pressing." I’m more
concerned with the success of the resolution than the day of its
adoption. I’m very optimistic and I have great hopes that it will
pass," Adam Schiff underlined.

IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL AND CARE CONDITIONS CREATED FOR CHILDREN OF SEVAN KINDERGARTEN #4

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2007 18:03

On April 6, 2007 at 12:00 the official opening ceremony of kindergarten
#4 " Galik" in Sevan took place. The kindergarten was renovated
through the US Embassy and USAID-funded Community Self-Help Fund (CSHF)
program, which is implemented by Save the Children. Representatives
of the US Embassy, USAID, Save the Children, Gegharkunik Marzpetaran,
Sevan local government and the community participated in the event.

As a result of the project, the roof, kitchen, playrooms and
sleeping rooms of the building were renovated, windows were glazed,
and the heating system was fully replaced (2 gas boilers and heating
accumulators were installed, and the heating water pipes were replaced)
ensuring proper heating in the kindergarten. Thus, the education and
care conditions for kindergarten’s 146 kids and work conditions of
the 18 staff were significantly improved.

The total cost of the project was USD 30,000 of which USD 19,300 was
provided by the Community Self-Help Fund, while USD 10,700 (about 35.5%
of the project cost) was contributed by Sevan community in form of
labor and construction materials.

IN ARAM G. SARGSIAN’S WORDS, ATTEMPT UPON LIFE OF GYUMRI MAYOR WAS COMMITTED BY "PATRONIZED GROUPINGS"

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. It is senseless to speak about fair and
free elections in the atmosphere of arbitrariness formed in Armenia. RA
MP Aram Sargsian, Chairman of Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA),
gave assurance at the April 6 press conference. In his words, "the
guys with nicknames" having penetrated into the parliament saw that
they can also assume the role of people dictating the situation. And
the reason of all that, in the words of Democratic Party’s leader, is
the policy carried on by the figure holding the power in the country:
the very person has "beautifully" created this criminal field.

According to A. Sargsian’s observation, those committing the attempt
upon life of Gyumri Mayor are not common killers, but patronized
groupings. The MP said that if RA authorities wish they can disclose
that crime without difficulty.

S. Sargsian said that DPA proposed representatives of Council of
Europe, CIS countries, international and local organizations carrying
out observation mission that on the day of elections, May 12, the
main part of observers should permanently stay at 10-12 polling
stations chosen by them from 41 electoral districts, from opening
of electoral districts to final summing up of results and making up
of protocols. In the words of DPA leader, comparison of the received
results with the results of the polling stations left out of observers’
constant control, as well as with the results announced by CEC will
enable to receive the real picture of elections as far as possible. "We
are convinced that fulfilment of this proposal will greatly restrain
servile and sly people of every kind from the temptation of falsifying
the elections," A. Sargsian said.

In his words, if observation missions are indeed interested in holding
fair elections, they will accept that proposal. A. Sargsian also said
that in the coming days he will invite to consultation representatives
of the parties who are ready to create united headquarters for control
over the elections.

EXPORTS FROM ARMENIA GROW BY 18.9%, IMPORTS – BY 13.6% IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007 ON SAME MONTHS OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-February 2007, Armenia’s
foreign trade made 198 bln 964.8 mln drams or 552.6 mln USD, including
exports of goods amounting to 48 bln 580.5 mln drams or 135.2 mln USD,
imports – 150 bln 384.3 mln drams or 417.4 mln USD.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, the foreign trade
balance was negative by 101 bln 803.9 mln drams (about 282.2 mln USD),
the balance without cargos received as humanitarian aid – by 100
bln 644.2 mln drams (about 279 mln USD). In January-February 2007,
the foreign trade balance made 229.6 mln USD.

In January-February 2007, exports grew by 18.9%, imports – by 13.6%
on the same months of 2006.

In the first two months of 2007, exports to CIS countries amounted
to 41.8 mln USD (82.7% growth on January-February 2006), imports made
134.9 mln USD (97.7% growth). Exports to Russia made over 27.2 mln USD
(109.5% growth), imports – 91.6 mln USD (106.7% growth). Exports to
Georgia made 9 mln USD (29.6% growth), imports from Georgia – 17.1
mln USD (114.5% growth).

Exports to EU countries amounted to 65.2 mln USD (1.5% growth), imports
– to 124.3 mln USD (61.3% growth). Exports to Belgium made 11.7 mln USD
(27.4% decline), imports from Belgium – about 26 mln USD (6.8% growth);
exports to Germany made 22.5 mln USD (16.5% growth), imports – 12.3 mln
USD (17% growth); exports to the Netherlands made 16.8 mln USD (18.7%
decline), imports from the Netherlands – 2.3 mln USD (26.3% growth).

Ecports to Israel amounted to 3.7 mln USD (58.1% decline). imports –
to about 8 mln USD (47.3% decline); exports to the US made 7.1 mln USD
(0.5% growth), imports from the US – 21 mln USD (30.5% growth).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT INSTRUCTS TO WORK OUT ALL-EMBRACING PROGRAM OF EVENTS SECURING STATE CULTURAL PROPAGANDA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2008-2013 program on strategy
of culture development was discussed at the April 6 working meeting
of RA President Robert Kocharian and Minister of Culture and Youth
Issues Hasmik Poghosian. It was particularly spoken about issues
concerning improvement of programs on financing and management of
culture, policy and education of the cultural staff, regulation of
the legislative field.

According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, R. Kocharian instructed to also work out an
all-embracing program of events securing the state cultural propaganda.

TAKING CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONSIDERED AS MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. This year’s motto of World Health Day,
April 7, is "Let’s Build a Secure Future by Making Investments into
Health." As Elizabeth Danielian, Head of Armenian Office of World
Health Organization (WHO), said at the April 6 press conference,
healthcare systems are links of control over possible healthcare or
security crisis. In her words, weak and unready healthcare system
becomes the weak link of the response chain and hampers implementation
of efficient measures.

RA Deputy Minister of Health Tatul Hakobian said that one of the
main directions of policy adopted by the Ministry should be public
health, the main responsible of which, however, is not only the
Ministry. "Taking care of public health should be the result of
cooperation of various departments and individuals," the Deputy
Minister said. He called all structures, entrepreneurs, individuals
for making more investments in the healthcare system, which is the
guarantee of healthy future of the next generation.

Lilit Avetisian, Head of State Hygienic and Anti-epidemiological
Inspection’s Infectious and Non-infectious Diseases Department,
said that taking care of public health has been always considered
as a matter of national security in Armenia. She said that RA bill
"On Providing Security of Public Health" has been worked out. The
bill, in particular, includes points regarding agitation of healthy
way of life, implementation of hygienic education, compulsory medical
examination. L. Avetisian also said that there are primary healthcare
problems in the country: in particular, the Ministry implements a
number of measures for liquidating the local cases of those diseases.

NAKHIJEVAN, NAGORNO KARABAKH, KELBAJAR AND LACHIN INCLUDED WITHIN BORDERS OF ARMENIA IN A TURKISH MAP

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 06 2007

ISTANBUL, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The artistic unit of
the Turkish ministry of culture recently released a disc-collection
of national anthems of Turkish-speaking countries, which created
some tension in relations of Azerbaijan and Turkey. The map on the
disc’s cover shows Nakhijevan, Nagorno Karaakh, Kelbajar and Lachin
as included within the borders of Armenia.

Noticing this, cultural advisor to the Turkish embassy in Baku Doc
Gedikli prohibited the sale of the disc in Azerbaijan. The letter
sent by the embassy to the Turkish ministry of culture says that
what has happened can be misinterpreted by the friendly Azerbaijan
and an impression can be created that Turkey does not respect the
territorial intgrity of Azerbaijan. So the map must be changed.

According to the newspaper "Marmara" (Istanbul), the disc has been
sent to embassies of many other countries and some other addresses,
and the Turkish ministry of culture considered the concern of the
embassy advisor as exaggerated, noting that the small-scale map is
not so remarkable and contains other inaccurate details.

In response to the question if this map is a handwork of Armenians,
spokesman for the ministry of culture noted that it was prepared
not by an Armenian but by a Turkish partner with strong nationalist
feelings. "It is not a notable map, but if necessary, it can be
changed," the ministry representative said.