Month: May 2008

SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY MARKS 93rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan
April 30, 2008

MIAMI, APRIL 30, ARMNIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of the
Armenian National Committee of South Florida (ANC of S. FL) the 93rd
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 waws commemorated.

The commemoration, held at St. Mary’s Davitian Hall in Hollywood,
was co-sponsored by St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, St. David
Armenian Church, the Armenian National Committee of South Florida,
and the Armenian Assembly of America.

In addition to the strong community turnout, the program featured
the representatives of Armenian Church leaders, leading community
figures in South Florida, and a broad range of human rights activists.

Among the major steps taken this year by the South Florida Armenian
community was the first screening of the documentary titled, "The
Women of 1915."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IAGS PRESIDENT DR. GREG STANTON SPEAKS OF IMPORTANCE OF CAPITOL HILL RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan
April 30, 2008

WASHINGTON, APRIL 30, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. On April 23
International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) President,
Dr. Greg Stanton, gave keynote remarks at the Capitol Hill Observance
of the Armenian Genocide.

Citing the House Foreign Affairs Committee passage last year of the
Armenian Genocide resolution, Stanton explained that by postponing
a full House vote, "Again the United States surrendered to the
ninety-year campaign of denial by the government of Turkey. The State
Department and the White House have continued the cowardly policies
of every Secretary of State since Lansing, who have considered it
more important to placate the Turkish government than to be truthful
about history."

Dr. Stanton went on to explain the eight stages of genocide and
the dangerous cost of genocide denial both to the victims and the
perpetrators.

He described the benefits of genocide recognition, stating that
"telling the truth would ultimately be good for U.S.-Turkish relations,
because they would no longer be based on diplomatic lies." Passage of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution, he noted, would also "pay tribute
to America’s first international human rights movement. The Foreign
Service Officers and prominent individuals such as Theodore Roosevelt,
Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, and Cleveland Dodge, who did so much to
help the Armenians, exemplify America’s legacy of moral leadership."

PRODUCTION OF LIGHT INDUSTRY DECLINES BY ABOUT 15% IN ARMENIA IN 2007 ON PREVIOUS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
April 30, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, NOYAN TAPAN. 32 companies of light industry, which
were subjected to monitoring by the RA ministry of economy in 2007,
manufactured production of 8.1 bln drams (over 3.2 mln USD) in 2007,
or by 15% less than in 2006 when their production amounted to 9.5 bln
drams. NT correspondent was informed by Armen Yeganian, head of the
ministry’s territorial economic development unit that the decline
was mainly conditioned by the fact that the branch mostly operates
by the customs mode "temporary import for processing" and production
volumes depend on foreign orders. In 2007, sales of these enterprises’
production made 8.2 bln drams (in 2006 – 9.3 bln drams), while their
exports made 5.9 bln drams (in 2006 – 7.3 bln drams).

According to A. Yeganian, normal operation of the light industry
is ensured thanks to Hayas Group garment factory, Arshaluys OJSC,
Luxe shoe factory and several other big enterprises. He said that
local production is mainly competitive in international market, with
export promotion being one of the directions of the ministry’s policy.

The ministry has developed a draft 3-year state program of assistance
to handmade carpet making. The draft in particular envisages such
measures as financial support to operating enterprises, assistance with
production export, and organization of exhibitions and advertising.

A. Yeganian underlined the necessity to maintain the development rates
of the handmade carpet making and to attract foreign investments to
this sector. In his words, about 10 handmade carpet making enterprises
currently operate in Armenia.

ITALIAN TOURISTS LEAVE ARMENIA WITH GOOD IMPRESSIONS

Noyan Tapan
April 30, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The price-quality ratio of Armenia’s
tourist services are quite acceptable to Italian tourists. A 8-day
travel from Italy to Armenia costs 1,200-1,800 euros, depending on
hotel prices. The price includes the cost of air travel, food and
journeys made within the country, NT correspondent was informed by
Nadia Pasqual, travel marketing and communication advisor of the
USAID-financed Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Program.

In her words, Italian tourists usually leave Armenia with good
impressions and are satisfied with services provided by local
hotels and tour guides. In particular, by the results of a survey
of international tourists to Armenia (September 2006 – August 2007),
96% of Italian tourists said that they would advise others to visit
Armenia.

She said that establishment of direct flights between the two countries
and a large number of three-star hotels in Armenia may contribute to
a reduction in travel prices of Italians to Armenia.

According to the indicated survey, Italians who visit Armenia by
purchasing tour packages, along with those from the U.S, Canada,
the UK, Germany and France, are among tourists incurring the largest
amount of expenses (up to 224 dollars) daily.

66 COMBINE HARVESTERS AND TRACTORS TO BE IMPORTED INTO ARMENIA FROM JAPAN AND CHINA IN MAY

Noyan Tapan
April 30, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, NOYAN TAPAN. 66 tractors and combine harvesters
of grain and corn will be imported into Armenia in May with grants
provided by the governments of Japan and China. The RA deputy minister
of agriculture Samvel Galstian said at the April 30 press conference
that the lack of such machinery in the country results in 12-17%
loss of harvests annually.

According to S. Galstian, under an agreement signed between the
RA ministry of agriculture and the Polish government, tractors of
various capacities will be brought to Armenia at a low interest rate
by leasing.

In the period of 2004 to January 1, 2008, 519 units of machinery were
imported into the country.

SOME YEREVAN TRANSPORT COMPANIES ARE PLANNING TO RAISE THEIR FARES STARTING FROM MAY 1

arminfo
2008-04-30 19:43:00

ArmInfo. Some Yerevan transport companies are planning to raise their
fares starting from May 1, the vice prime minister, the minister for
territorial administration of Armenia Armen Gevorgyan said in the
parliamentary today.

This is a response to the Government’s decision to stop subsidizing
the domestic natural gas prices. Most of the public transport
vehicles in Armenia work on gas. The local transport companies say
that the present fare makes their work unprofitable. Presently,
the governmental circles are discussing this problem. This is a hard
problem, Gevorgyan said. Meanwhile, some sources say that the route
tax fare may be redoubled – from 100AMD to 200AMD.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CANDIDATE FOR US PRESIDENT: AMERICA DESERVES A LEADER WHO SPEAKS TRUTHFULLY ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

arminfo
2008-04-30 19:40:00

ArmInfo. "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend
to be that President", Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack
Obama said in connection with the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian National Committee of
America told ArmInfo that Sen.

Barack Obama pledged to continue the efforts to press Turkey
to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. "It is imperative that we
recognize the horrific acts carried out against the Armenian people
as genocide and I will continue to stand with the Armenian American
community in calling for the Government of Turkey to acknowledge it
as such", Sen. Barack Obama said in his speech. He added that the
fact of the Armenian Genocide is confirmed by numerous historical
documents. He called on United States Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice to seriously study the US government’s unsteady position on this
issue. Obama said that he’ll continue insisting on recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and expressed his condolence to the Armenian people.

PETER SEMNEBY TO VISIT NAGORNYY KARABAKH IN FORESEEABLE FUTURE

arminfo
2008-04-30 19:33:00

ArmInfo. Special representative of European Union in South Caucasus
Peter Semneby schedules to visit Nagornyy Karabakh or the territories
of security zone in foreseeable future, ArmInfo correspondent was
told in General Secretariat of the European Union council. Thus,
the source absolutely disproved the information disseminated by
Azerbaijani mass media allegedly Peter Semneby is going to visit the
territories of security zone by in Nagorny Karabakh together with
chairman of public organization "Azerbaijani community of Nagornyy
Karabakh" Nizami Bakhramov. To note, Azerbaijani mass media referring
to the diplomatic source say at present preparation of the visit is
taking place, "the purpose of which is to establish trust between
the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagornyy Karabakh".

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTS ADOPTS DRAFT LAW ON ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO ARMENIAN CRIMINAL CODE

arminfo
2008-04-30 19:31:00

ArmInfo. On April 30, the deputies of the Armenian parliament adopted
in the second and final reading the draft law on alterations and
amendments to the Armenian Criminal Code. As Armenian Justice Minister
Gevorg Danielyan said in his speech, the government offers to make
amendments to the Criminal Code regarding responsibility for taking
bribes. According to the acting law, only officials were responsible
for getting bribes. But a number of posts have found themselves
out of the given law, first of all, directors of enterprises and
organizations, which earlier were not considered to be officials. The
given item meets all the international standards, the minister noted.

BY THE END OF THIS YEAR UNIBANK WILL REDOUBLE ITS MORTGAGE CREDIT PORTFOLIO TO $60MLN

arminfo
2008-04-30 19:41:00

ArmInfo. By the end of this year Unibank is planning to redouble
its mortgage credit portfolio to $60mln, says the press service
of Unibank. As of Apr 1 2008 the mortgage credit portfolio of the
bank totaled 8.9bln AMD (over $29mln). Unibank was the first bank in
Armenia to offer mortgage credit without prepayment. As of Apr 1 2008
the portfolio of car credits totaled 1.7bln AMD ($5.5mln) – 3 times
more than a year before. Earlier the director for mortgage crediting
of Unibank Tigran Gevorgyan told ArmInfo that the bank issued mortrage
credits in both Yerevan and the regions. In late 2006 the share of the
regions in the total portfolio was just %12, in 2007 it was 22%, by the
end of this year it will be even bigger. According to the ranking of
commercial banks of Armenia prepared by the Agency of Rating marketing
Information (ArmInfo), as of Jan 1 2008 Unibank had the second biggest
mortgage credit portfolio in Armenia – 9.1bln AMD ($29.9mln).