Month: July 2007

NO LABOR MIGRATION GROWTH REGISTERED IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. No labor migration growth is registered
in Armenia: thus, 4.1% of the country’s population was involved in
labor migration in 2002-2005, while this index makes nearly 3.8% in
2005-2007. Anna Minasian, the Chairwoman of the Leading Social
Technologies NGO, said this at the July 3 discussion, presenting the
preliminary results of the study conducted by the organization at 1734
households in 2005-2007. According to the study, 68% people involved in
labor migration in 2005 do not go abroad to earn money any more.
Meanwhile it was mentioned that the reasons for this have not been
analysed yet.

A. Minasian said that at present "a labor migrant brings in 1.5 times
more money home from one trip than two years ago." However, in her
words, this money, due to dram appreciation, is equal to the money he
earned two years ago, which to earn migrants work twice as hard now.

A. Minasian reported that working migrants, 95% of whom are married
men, mainly have a secondary or vocational education. They mainly leave
for Russia to work in the sphere of construction.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMERICAN-ARMENIAN STUDENTS IMPLEMENT CHARITY PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA WITH
THEIR OWN RESOURCES

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. It is already the second year the
organization of American-Armenian students has been implementing a
charity program in the town of Armavir. Elmen Tsarukian, a student of
the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), said at the July 3
press conference that last year the organization purchased furniture,
consumer electronics, and stationery amounting to 5 thousand dollars
for one of Armavir’s kindergartens. This year aid of 12 thousand
dollars has been given to another two kindergartens, at that, the
necessary things were bought or ordered in Armenia. It was mentioned
that next year it is envisaged to implement charity programs in another
region of Armenia.

The student organization’s name, Alfa-Epsilon-Omega, is comprised of
the initial letters of the Greek name for the Armenian National
Organization. The organization, founded in 2000, currently has branches
in seven Universities of California, where many Armenian students
study. The initial goal of the organization was to unite Armenian
youths from different parts of the Diaspora, to inform American
students about the Armenian Genocide, Armenian history, and culture. In
E. Tsarukian’s words, many programs of the kind are being implemented
at UCLA, where renowned historian Richard Hovhannisian works as a
lecturer. Their organization also takes part in these programs.

The youth union’s programs are mainly financed at the expense of their
own resources and membership fees. However, the students hope that
donations from another sources will also increase parallel with the
expansion of the charity programs.

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC HNCHAKIAN PARTY CALLS
U.S. STATE SECRETARY TO INTERFERE IN SITUATION CREATED AROUND AZATUTIUN
IN ARMENIA

NEW YORK, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian-American
council operating under the patronage of the Social Democratic
Hnchakian Party sent a message to Condoleezza Rice, the State Secretary
of the United States, claiming that the American government should
interfere in order to prevent the danger threatening the Azatutiun
(Liberty) radio station.

The message runs as follows: "We are sure that the main goal of the
Armenian authorities is, in fact, to close the "Free Europe-Azatutiun
Radio Station", which is currently the only source of truly independent
news."

"We are also sure that the government of the United States and other
western organizations, as well as OSCE, have their share of
responsibility in this development of events, as they have ratified the
parliamentary elections, which are very vulnerable, where opposition is
represented by less than 12%."

Finally, with this letter the Armenian-American Council called the U.S.
State Secretary on behalf of the Armenians in America that she should
take all necessary measures in order to prevent "this tragedy" and
persuade the Armenian authorities to keep away from all the steps taken
to leave the Azatutiun (Liberty) radio station out of the Armenian
ether.

NKR ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO ISSUE OF RESETTLEMENT OF ARMENIAN REFUGEES
IN LIBERATED AREAS

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Arman Melikian, the NKR President’s
Adviser, reported at the July 4 press conference than when Nagorno
Karabakh becomes a participant of the negotiations process on conflict
settlement, the issue of resettling the liberated areas with Armenian
refugees will be put on the agenda without fail. Meanwile he said that
otherwise that issue will not be solved. "The solution of the refugees’
problem is NKR’s duty, as the deportation of Armenians of Baku and
their massacres were the consequence of Karabakh’s demand to come out
of Azerbaijan," A. Melikian said.

In his words, Armenia’s and NKR’s positions differ in that issue, as
Armenia never speaks about refugees. While, in A. Melikian’s words, all
territories being under NKR’s jurisdiction and especially the liberated
territories should be a resource of compensation of material and moral
losses of those people and should become a new homeland for them. The
NKR President’s Adviser considers that the best variant for conflict
settlement is national-territorial division. "The Azeris will not
return, and the Armenian refugees will not go to live in Baku or
Kirovabad, so, the solution of the problem of 500 thousand Armenian
refugees by the NKR authorities can become a very serious factor in the
process of the conflict settlement," A. Melikian said.

NEWLY-ELECTED PRIMATE OF FRENCH DIOCESE VISITS RA AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE

PARIS, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Archbishop Norvan
Zakarian, the newly-appointed primate of the French diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, paid an official visit to Edward Nalbandian,
the Armenian Ambassador to France. Karpis Jrbashian, the Chairman of
the Diocesan Parliamentarian conference, Grigor Phaphazian, the
Chairman of the Diocesan Council, secretaries Zhak Phanosian and Monk
Grigor Khachatrian, as well as cashier Gegham Torosian were included in
the retinue of His Holiness.

According to the infomation provided by the Secretariat of the French
Diocesan Council, the aim of the visit was to introduce the
newly-elected primate and the forthcoming plans and tasks of the
newly-composed diocese to His Holiness.

The Chairman of the Diocesan Council gave assurance that the Diocesan
Council will make every effort so as the Armenian community in France
will unite round the church and display its capacities in the
church-national life in the best way.

Therefore, Edward Nalbandian, the Armenian Ambassador, welcomed
everybody. He congratulated the newly-elected primate and expressed his
happiness with the fact of his election, as well as mentioned that his
deeds already speak about his individuality. The Ambassador also said
that he is ready to support the Armenian Apostolic Church and the
newly-composed French diocese, in particular.

INTERCHURCH MEETING ORGANIZED IN HRODOS

HRODOS, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The preparatory meeting
of the Third Ecumenical Pan-European Conference to be held in the city
of Sibiu in Romania form September 4 to 9 took place on the Hrodos
island of Greece at the invitation of the Cosmic Patriarchate of
Constantinople from June 24 to 28. About 35 representatives of the
Orthodox Churches, which are members of the Conference of the European
Churches, took part in this meeting. Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, who
is responsible for the Interchurch relations, and Archmandrite Hovakim
Manukian, the Supervisor of the Interchurch relations’ Office of the
Mother See, representing the Armenian Apostilic Church took part in the
meeting with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians. This
information was provided to Noyan Tapan by the Information Services of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Issues concerning the Third Ecumenical Pan-European Conference, the
role of churches in the formation process of a new European society
were discussed during the meeting. They also exchanged viewpoints
concerning the productive participation and united evidence of the
Orthodox Churches during the Third Ecumenical pan-European Conference.
The participants of the meeting were divided into three groups, taking
the following important subjects for discussion: "Christ’s Light and
Church," "Christ’s Light and Europe," and "Christ’s Light and the
World."

The participants also visited the sanctuaries of Hrodos, met with
Kirilos Metropolitan of Hrodos, as well as became acquainted with the
life of the metropolia and the city.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF GERMANY

ANTEILIAS, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Aram I, the
Catholicos of the Great Cilician House, received Marius Haas, the
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lebanon, on July 2.

According to the information provided by Antelias, issues concerning
the latest political developments troubling Lebanon, in particular, and
the Middle East, in general, were discussed during the meeting that
lasted more than an hour. On this occasion, His Holiness expressed his
points of view concerning the peaceful settlement of the issues and
with regard to the issue of how to find a way out of the current
situation for Lebanon, in particular.

Regions around Nagornyy Karabakh should be settled by Armenian refugees
from Azerbaijan, the NKR president’s advisor thinks

arminfo
2007-07-04 16:37:00

Regions around Nagornyy Karabakh should be settled by Armenian refugees
from Azerbaijan, the NKR president’s advisor thinks

Regions around Nagornyy Karabakh should be settled by Armenian refugees
from Azerbaijan as compensation for their lost property, the NKR
president’s advisor Arman Melikyan told Arminfo correspondent.

Asked if this is his personal or official position, Melikyan replied he
does not see much difference in it. -, the NKR president’s advisor
said. He also
added that the problem of settlement of the Armenian refugees by
Karabakh may become a very serious factor in the conflict settlement
process.

Asked by ArmInfo correspondent if it will be an alternative or
non-alternative option for the Armenian refugees, Melikyan replied that
this option should be discussed and it will be clear over the
discussion if it will be alternative or non-alternative. He also added
that nobody is going to settle somebody at these territories by force.
, – Melikyan said. , – Melikyan said.

WWF Environmental Journalism Contest in Armenia

arminfo
2007-07-04 21:44:00

World Wide Fund for Nature Armenian Branch (WWF-Armenia) has announced
an environmental journalism contest on the topic of "Biodiversity
Hotspots in Armenia".

WWF-Armenia reports that the contest is open to Armenian journalists
for broadcast media, TV, radio, printed press such as newspapers &
journals, online media.

Today the major threats to biodiversity in Armenia are mining, illegal
logging, poaching and illegal wildlife trade, overgrazing, overfishing,
infrastructure development, pollution of rivers and wetlands. These
threats lead to habitat degradation, decline of species populations,
and disruption of ecological processes ` all contributing to overall
loss of biodiversity in the region.

The submitted works by the journalists will be reviewed and evaluated
by the jury based on presentation and exposure of the topic, timeliness
and sensitivity of the issue (a hot issue) and
journalistic professionalism.

The winners of the contest will be awarded: I place – AMD 200,000, II
place – AMD 100,000, III place – AMD 50,000.

The application deadlines is 25 August, 2007.

IV International film festival Golden Apricot will give many pleasant
surprises to film directors, members of the steering committee promise

arminfo
2007-07-04 15:23:00

IV International film festival Golden Apricot will give many pleasant
surprises to film directors.

As director of the festival, Armenian film director Harutyun
Khachatrayn said at today’s press-conference, thanks to general sponsor
of the festival Viva Cell, it is for the first time that film-winners
will also get money prizes. Thus, the theatrical film that will get the
first prize, will also get 2 mln
drams (about $5 thsd), and the documentary firm – 1 mln drams, etc.The
steering committee decided to introduce an innovation according to
which the opening and closing ceremonies of the Golden Apricot
will be held at Liberty Square which will give an opportunity to
increase the number of the audience seats several times. Moreover, from
10:00 PM till midnight the most interesting films, that got prizes at
other film festivals, will be demonstrated free of charge.

To note, it is for the first time this year the films included in the
competition programme of the Golden Apricot will be assessed by
FIPRESCI.