Month: April 2007

MEMBERS OF ARMENIAN DELEGATION PRAY AND LIGHT CANDLES IN MOTHER CATHEDRAL OF ANI RUINS

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 02 2007

ISTANBUL, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
delegation, which visited Van on the occasion of opening Aghtamar
church, went to Kars and visited Ani ruins before returning to
Armenia. The delegation headed by the Armenian deputy minister
of culture, aslo paid a visit to Mother Cathedral (among many
other churches) where the delegation members lit candles and
prayed. According to the Turkish newspaper "Miliet", some women
took soil and stones from the Ani ruins as memorial things to bring
to Yerevan.

OVER 10.1 MILLION DOLLARS ALLOCATED THIS YEAR FROM STATE BUDGET FOR REPAIRS OF YEREVAN SCHOOLS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 02 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. 48 comprehensive schools under the
jurisdiction of Yerevan Mayor’s Office will be repaired in 2007
with state budgetary resources. Head of the Education Department
of Yerevan mayor’s office Onik Vatian said at the April 2 press
conference that 3.7 bln drams (over 10.1 mln USD) will be allocated
for this work. According to him, this year repairs of Yerevan scools
will also be carried out with resources of the Social Investment
Fund and the Lincy Foundation. The latter envisages to repair 5
comprehensive schools with 10 million dollars. O. Vatian noted that
construction work has already started in some schools, but the main
work will start in April and finish in accordance with the schedule –
by late 2007. In the words of O.

Vatian, 54 schools of the city have their own boiler-houses for local
heating, and their number will increase by the end of this year. He
said that as a result of check-ups conducted by the mayor’s office,
directors of comprehensive schools No 87 and No 121 were dismissed
from their jobs for abusing their official positions, while 37 teachers
received warnings.

GEORGIAN POLICEMAN KILLED ARMENIAN

A1+
[09:01 pm] 02 April, 2007

April 2 – A Georgian patrol policeman killed 28-year-old Misha
Kirakosyan on Atsghor-Akhaltskha highway while implementing his duty.

Misha Kirakosyan was a member of Akhaltskh motorcyclists’ club. He
was driving home at a high speed when the Georgian policeman shot
trying to stop him.

But the eye-witnesses claim that Misha didn’t break the traffic
rules; he couldn’t have noticed the policeman as he was wearing a
helmet. Besides, the policeman was to shoot in the air as a sign
of warning.

Misha Kirakosyan’s corpse was taken to the Akhaltskha
hospital. Hundreds of fellows are presently holding an action of
protest opposite the hospital, A-Info reports.

The police chained the building to prevent the rally participants
and representatives of media from entering the building.

AGAPI HAYKAZUNI IS THE VERY GAYANE MANUKYAN

A1+
[08:22 pm] 02 April, 2007

Chief inspector of Eerbuni and Norbarashen communities Mr. Avagyan
brought an action against Agapi Haykazuni, editor of "Pakagits"
newspaper. The latter is sued for withdrawing money from the bank
account of "Agap Hrat" LTD which is under sequestration and is accused
of financial embezzlement under Clause 3 of RA Penal Code.

Agapi Haykazuni informed A1+ the news today. To note, Agapi Haykazuni
is currently at home because her leg was hurt during the fuss with
Spartak Melikyan, leader of the Democracy and Labour Party.

Reminder; on March 30 Spartak Melikyan broke into "Pakagits" Club
and demanded the whole property.

Haykazuni turned down his claim and spent the night in the club with
her brother Vahagn Manukyan. The following morning Spartak Melikyan
arrived with his body guards and made Agapi vacate the premises. "They
seized my collar and made me release the premises but I opposed. As a
result of the turmoil I hurt my leg; it stuck in the grating. Spartak
Melikyan pressed the iron doors to prevent me from fetching the seal
and documents of "Agap Hrat" Ltd. Meanwhile, I called the police. Five
minutes later the police were in the office at the head of Nver
Hovhannisyan. They took me to a doctor," tells Agapi Haykazuni.

As for the property of "Agap Hrat," Ms. Haykazuni claims that it was
taken out of the office.

Nevertheless, "Pakagits" will resume its routine; Ms. Haykaznuni will
afford property by the financial support of the adherents.

We couldn’t talk to Spartak Melikyan on the matter as he was out.

To note, the press service of the RA Police Forces informed A1+ that
they got complaints from Agapi Haykazuni neither on March 30 nor on
March 31.

They got complaints from Gayane Manoukyan, editor of "Pakagits"
newspaper and president of "Agap Art" Ltd.

To note, Gayane Manukyan turned out to be the same Agapi Haykazuni.

TAMASH AYAN IN YEREVAN

A1+
[07:14 pm] 02 April, 2007

April 2 – RA President Robert Kocharian received Tamash Ayan,
president of International Weightlifting Federation. The sides dwelt
on the development of Armenian sport and the possibilities of holding
international tournaments in the Republic of Armenia.

Robert Kocharian maintains that there are already tendencies to
expand international co-operation which will contribute to the
Armenian sports.

Tamash Ayan noted that the Armenian Olympic Committee carries out
large-scale work to enhance professional sport and has expressed its
readiness to assist the Armenian side.

"ARMENIA IN PANTURKISM BLOCKADE"

A1+
[06:14 pm] 02 April, 2007

SEFILYAN’S LETTER TO THE ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHQ

"Unfortunately, RA Government couldn’t see the matter thoroughly. They
opposed to the construction of Kars-Akhalqalaq railway to initiate
that of Gyumri-Kars instead. The RA high-ranking officials think that
RA budget can benefit from the "Panturkism" communication," Zhirayr
Sefilyan, commander of the Shushi special regiment, sent this letter
to the Javakhq Armenians from the National Security Service.

In Sefilyan’s opinion the RA Government doesn’t realize that the matter
is purely political and it may lead the whole region to Turkism, i.e.,
they want to turn us Turks economically, culturally and politically.

"Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia plan to carry out the Kars-Akhalqalaq
railway construction this year.

Armenians are against the project as it implies Armenia’s blockade
which is the core objective of Panturkism. The target of this
anti-Armenian project becomes Javakhq. The project is aimed at
displacing Armenians and inhabiting the territories with foreign
elements who will settle there as constructors and railway workers,"
says Sefilyan.

At the end of the letter, Sefilyan voices hope that our compatriots
living in Javakhq fully realize the menace and will do their utmost
to frustrate the above-mentioned anti-Armenian project.

I am convinced that the Armenians spread world-wide will render their
assistance in the decisive moment.

Nobody and nothing can break the will -power of Armenians. Let’s stand
firm and protect our country from the Turkish threats," urges Sefilyan.

NEW TIMES PARTY SAYS NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE TRIES TO CANCEL ITS ACTIVITY

Panorama.am
19:13 02/04/2007

"We just love prosecutor’s office," Aram Karapetyan, leader of New
Times Party, told a meeting with reporters, saying he forwards cases
to the office giving chance to prosecutor’s office officials to engage
in professional work.

"The prosecutor’s office "likes" us too because it sends replies to
our applications," the leader said.

Most of the cases Karapetyan submits concern "libel" to his address
made in the media.

The party leader believes state officials try to stop them from
participating in the elections. "According to our sources, National
Security Services have applied to the ministry of justice to cancel
the activity of New Times Party saying it is funded from abroad,"
Karapetyan says.

Karapetyan also said he has clear evidence that the Armenian
Republican Party (HHK) and Prosperous Armenia (PA) collect passports
in communities and also distribute money. Speaking of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutiun), he said that Dashnaks
distribute their "propaganda leaflets."

Karapetyan also said, "three TV channels refused to cooperate with
the party after his speech aired in "Shant" TV." The leader said his
party will use the paid time stipulated by law in full. They have
plans to spend 60 million drams.

PUBLIC COMMISSION SAYS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONTRIBUTE TO ELECTION FRAUD

Panorama.am
20:53 02/04/2007

Public Commission Monitoring Legality of Elections held a round table
to discuss violations of election law. Ruben Torosyan, member of the
commission, said, "The official election campaign has not started yet.

However, some TV channels and print media make political
advertisements." He said ALM, Kentron, H1, H2, Shant and AR are the
TV channels most frequently violating the election right. Torosyan
has applied to district courts reporting on election fraud. He has
submitted 50 applications since February 5.

Torosyan said the courts have rejected the applications saying no
violation has taken place. He applied to Review Court, which refused
to discuss the cases. However, the Appeal Court ruled out that the
cases in fact include violations of election right.

Mr. Torosyan also said the international organizations largely
contribute to election fraud in our country.

One of the participants of the round table suggested that the
commission files cases against such structures in the European Court.

JEWS IN ARMENIA CELEBRATE EASTER ACCORDING TO TRADITION

Panorama.am
21:09 02/04/2007

May Pesakh be according to tradition and happy! This is how the Jews
throughout the world congratulate each other with Easter. The Jews
in Armenia are now celebrating the Easter in one of Yerevan hotels.

Before sitting at table, they prayed. Until today, women and men pray
separately according to Jewish tradition.

In the course of one week before Pesakh, Jews do not eat pastry or
bread prepared with yeast. On the day, they do not drink water and
drink only grape juice.

Gersh Burshtein, Jewish community head, told Panorama.am that Jews
eat only matsa (bread prepared only with flour and water). "Bread with
yeast contains a lot of air, whereas matsa is made of only flour. The
truth is one and it is dense like this bread. When we feed ourselves
with air, truth becomes secondary. It hold us back from getting close
to God," the community head said.

PARTICIPANTS OF QUARTER FINAL OF ARMENIAN FOOTBALL CUP TOURNAMENT BECOME KNOWN

Noyan Tapan
Apr 02 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Return games of 1/8 final of Armenian
Football Cup Tournament took place on March 31 and April 1. The
following results were registered: Bentonit – Gandzasar 2 to 0, Ulis
– Ararat 2 to 0, Mika-2 – Shirak 0 to 1, Banants-2 – Kilikia 2 to 0,
Ararat – Pyunik-2 1 to 0, Dinamo – Banants 1 to 3. Banants – Kilikia,
Ararat – Ulis, Shirak – Mika, Bentonit – Pyunik pairs will play in
the quarter final. First games of quarter final are fixed for April
5-6 and the return games for April 10-11.