Month: July 2007

"DANGER OF ADOPTING BILLS THREATENING FREE SPEECH IN ARMENIA STILL
GREAT," ALL ARMENIAN MASS MEDIA ASSOCIATION MENTIONS

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The All Armenian Mass
Media Association expressed its anxiety about the fact that
irrespective of the fact that the bill seriously threatening free
speech in Armenia was not adopted, the danger of adopting such
legislative acts is still great.

It is mentioned in the statement made by the All Armenian Mass Media
Association on July 3 that "The fact that there were only three votes
lacking for the adoption of the bill presented by the government is a
basis to beware of the fact that the current bill may again be
submitted to the RA National Assembly after some insignificant
alterations and receive its approval."

The All Armenian Mass Media Association considers inadmissible the fact
that the RA authorities again drafted a legislative initiative without
organizing public discussions, as in case it was adopted, the RA
citizens’ right of free access to information would be limited. "The
Association believes that this initiative was not grounded with either
legally or economically serious reasons, it is just the continuation of
the policy of the RA authorities, which concerns the establishment of
universal supervision over electronic mass media in Armenia," is
mentioned in the statement.

In the opinion of the All Armenian Mass Media Association, the adoption
of such a bill can be of serious danger to the cooperation of the
Armenian and Disporan mass media as well, since the "foreign mass
media" term includes also the mass media of the Diaspora.

The All Armenian Mass Media Association calls to all those, who
appreciate democratic values and Armenian-Diasporan cooperation, to
unite efforts in order to prevent the adoption of any similar
legislative act in the future.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"POLITICAL MURDERS IN TURKEY NEVER FULLY REVEALED," HISTORIAN ARSEN
AVAGIAN BELIEVES

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. According to Arsen Avagian, a candidate
for historical sciences, political murders have never been fully
revealed in the history of Turkey so far. As he mentioned during the
July 4 debate with Khachatur Ter-Ghukasian, a lecturer at the American
University, the same is being repeated in the trial of the murder case
of Hrant Dink, the former editor-in-chief of the Weekly Akos. Arsen
Avagian agrees with a number of other political scientists, according
to whom, Hrant Dink was killed on account of being an Armenian democrat.

In Kh. Ter-Ghikasian’s conviction, the reason for the murder of the
editor of the Weekly Akos was, first of all, his nationality, as Dink
was dangerous for Turkey with his very nationality. He also mentioned
that relations of rulers and those ruled were established even in the
18th century, which gave rise to a deep hatred and hostility. The
feeling of hatred, according to Kh. Ter-Ghukasian, is currently being
displayed in the relations between the two countries.

Arsen Avagian added, in his turn, that this hatred and hostility should
be eliminated as soon as possible, otherwise, in his opinion, "we will
not have good results."

ACCORDING TO ROBERT KOCHARIAN, POSSIBILITIES TO SOLVE ISSUES OF
REFUGEES INCREASE YEAR AFTER YEAR IN PARALLEL WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH

YEREVAN, JULT 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Robert Kocharian, the RA President, who
received Bushra Halepota, the newly-appointed representative of the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on July 4,
mentioned that there has always been practical and productive
cooperation between the RA government and this international
institution. He expressed conviction that it will, henceforth, have a
successful future as well.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, during the meeting the interlocutors spoke
about the social-economic problems of refugees, the solution of their
apartment problems, as well as their census.

Robert Kocharian mentioned that the complete integration of refugees
into society is of primary significance for the RA government.
According to him, greater possibilities are being created year after
year for solving the problems of refugees in parallel with the economic
growth and development of Armenia.

CARGO TRANSPORTATION VOLUME BY ARMENIAN RAILWAY INCREASES BY 20.6% IN
FIRST SIX MONTHS OF CURRENT YEAR AS COMPARED WITH SAME PERIOD OF 2006

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The cargo transportation volume by the
Armenian railway made 1m 308 thousand 400 tons in the first six months
of the current year, which exceeds the index of the same period of the
previous year by 20.6%. According to the Public Relations Department of
the RA Ministry of Transport and Communication, cargo delivery outside
the country made 346 thousand 900 tons, which has increased by 46.5% as
compared with the first six months of 2006. Import volumes have
increased by nearly 30%. Inter-republican cargo transportation has
decreased a little. This year it has made 307 thousand tons against 343
thousand tons of the previous year.

PREMIERE OF DOCUMENTARY ‘FRUNZIK MKRTCHIAN: LIFE ON TAPE’ TO TAKE PLACE
ON JULY 4 IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 4, the birthday of the USSR
People’s Artist Mher Mkrtchian, the premiere of the documentary under
the title "Frunzik Mkrtchian: Life on Tape" will take place at
Yerevan’s Moscow cinema. As a Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by
film director Hayk Ordian, archive tapes kept at the Armenian Public
Television and Georgian Public Television, as well as materials
provided from the archives of the actor’s brother and colleague, Albert
Mkrtchian, were used in the film. In H. Ordian’s words, the film’s
creative group has met with everybody, who worked with the great artist
in the theater and cinema, Shahum Ghazarian, Sos Sargsian, Levon
Tukhikian, and Vakhtang Kikabidze.

The film is not only about M. Mkrtchian’s creative activity, but also
about his private life. In H. Ordian’s words, the film also includes
feature episodes, which present the most important moments of great
artist’s life. Musician Artak Hakobian played the role of the young M.
Mkrtchian and young actress Shushan Hovhannisian played her debute
role, presenting the image of the actor’s wife, Donara Mkrtchian.

"My goal was to present the great actor the way he was. The film makes
one more attempt to portray M. Mkrtchian’s greatness," H. Ordian said.
In his words, the young generation should know its great figures,
therefore, he will continue shooting the series of films dedicated to
Armenian artists.

MEETING BETWEEN ARARAT AND BANANTS OF 12TH STAGE OF FOOTBALL HIGHEST
GROUP CHAMPIONSHIP OF ARMENIA POSTPONED

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the plan of the 12th stage
of the Football Highest Group Championship of Armenia, Ulis received
Mika in the Republican sports ground and were defeated with an account
of 0:1 on July 2. The following results were recorded for the other
matches of the stage: Kilikia – Shirak 1:4, and Gandzasar – Pyunik 0:1.
The Ararat – Banants match has been postponed.

GABRIEL SARGSIAN RECEIVES THREE OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE POINTS IN
INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT HELD IN SARATOV

SARATOV, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. A high-profile International Chess
Tournament started in Saratov on June 28. 52 out of 128 participants of
the tournament are grand masters. Gabriel Sargsian, the representative
of Armenia, is among them. After four stages the Armenian chess player
shares the 6-25th places with 19 participants of the tournament with
three points each. Alexandre Evdokimov (Russia) is the leader, who has
got four points.

"ESTIMATION OF MIGRATION LEGISLATION" RESEARCH IMPLEMENTED WITH
ASSISTANCE OF OSCE YEREVAN OFFICE

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Estimation of Migration Legislation"
research was implemented with the assistance of the OSCE Yerevan
office, the main goal of which is to introduce the possible ways of
improving the institutional and legal field concerning the issues of
international migration in the Republic of Armenia. The
discussion-presentation of this research took place on July 3 within
the framework of the "Assistance for the development of migration
policy and formation of corresponding abilities in Armenia" program,
which is being implemented in Armenia with the assistance of the
European Commission.

The analysis refers to three principle issues: international standards
of supervision over migration flows from and into Armenia and the
harmony of border control, labour migration and data gathering,
protection, and monitoring.

Irrespective of the fact that the necessity of conducting such research
was attached importance during the meeting, it was also mentioned that
it has a number of flaws. The authors of the research, in particular,
did not take into account the expediency of the application of the
experience of other countries in Armenia when they introduced them.

Gagik Yeganian, the Acting Head of the Migration Agency of the Ministry
of Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia, mentioned
that it is necessary to conduct a united state policy in order to
regulate the issue of migration. According to him, it should include
both labour migration and the work done with foreigners arriving in
Armenia. Gagik Yeganian declared that it has already been three years
since positive migration balances were recorded in the Republic of
Armenia: thus, the number of those, who arrived in Armenia last year
was 22 thousand and 5 hundred more than that of those who left the
republic. In addition to this, the volume of passenger transportation
is increasing by 20 to 25% year after year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONFERENCE OF "INTERNATIONAL PRISON ASSOCIATION" TO TAKE PLACE IN TORONTO

TORONTO, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The conference of the "International
Prison Association" will take place in the city of Toronto in Canada
from July 4 to 7. About one thousand representatives from 110 countries
will take part in this conference. In addition to Christian churches,
representatives of other religions will also take part in the
conference, including Buddhists and Muslims.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the Information
Service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Archimandrite Torgom
Tonikian, the primate of the Aragatsotn diocese, will take part in the
conference and represent the Armenian Apostolic Church with the
blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. Collaborators
of the Penitentiary Department of the RA Ministry of Justice will also
take part in this conference.

Different reports will be made and labour discussions will be held
during the conference, the main goal of which is to become acquainted
with the experience of of different churches and organizations in
working with prisoners and making them more useful and productive.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HAIL DOES DAMAGE TO NUMBER OF SETTLEMENTS IN LORI AND SHIRAK REGIONS

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The hail fallen in the territory of the
Lori region at 3-4 a.m. on July 3 did great damage to the potato,
grain, and fruit-vegetable arable lands of the Tsaghkaber, Mets Parni,
Shirakamut, Geghasar, Shenavan, Sarahart, Gogaran, and Arevashogh
villages of the Spitak region and those of the Hogabardz, Kurtan,
Pushkino, Gargar, Vardablur, and Gyulagarak villages of the Stepanavan
region. The arable lands of the Karmir Aghek Village of the Tumanian
region suffered damages as a result of a strong wind. A commission has
been created in order to find out the size of the damage.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the Rescue
Service of the Ministry of Territorial Administration of the Republic
of Armenia, the hail that fell at night on July 2 did great damage to
the arable lands of the Hovuni, Araphi, Mayisian, Vahramaberd,
Marmashen, Keti, Phokrashen, Meghrashat, Gyullibulagh, Voghji, and
Hatsik villages of the Shirak region.