Month: May 2008

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DEVELOPS "SCHOOL CONNECTION" AND "COMPUTER TO EACH" PROGRAMS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian government is developing
"School Connection" and "Computer to Each" detailed programs, which are
being turned into business programs with the assistance of Armenian
branches of Microsoft and Intel, the RA minister of economy Nerses
Yeritsian said on May 21 when presenting, at the invitation of the
Club of Economic Journalists, the economic provisions of the 2008-2012
program of the Armenian government.

According to him, it is planned to determine the share of financial
participation of the state and foreign businessmen-benefactors,
in particular, Diasporan ones, in the above mentioned two programs.

In the minister’s words, these programs also have a business
context. "If people have computers connected to the Internet, they
can manage their pension accounts via the Internet, while banks and
postal organization can provide their services and trade companies
can sell goods to them," N. Yeritsian said.

He added that the program on formation of an information society in
Armenia, which will be worked out in 2008, will become a stimulus
for the implementation of the indicated programs.

The current practice in Armenia is that businessmen and representatives
of various companies incur expenses by applying to state government
bodies in person and receiving services from there. In countries
with a developed information society, the automation of such
services’provision was done by the model called "2 dollars for each
transaction". "I think our businessmen will pay with pleasure 2
dollars for a transaction," in order to solve their problems with
the state without going to a state government body.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RECTOR OF CONSERVATORY SERGEY SARAJIAN REELECTED ON HIS POST

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Sergey Sarajian has been reelected
rector of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. This information
was provided by Ara Avetisian, the Deputy Minister of Education and
Science, in the May 22 sitting of the RA government. He added that
there were no complaints during the elections. Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsian expressed his happiness on the occasion of the free and
transparent elections of the rector of the conservatory.

PUBLIC LAVATORIES TO BE INSTALLED AT FILLING STATIONS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. By the Armenian government’s decision,
public lavatories have to be installed at filling stations of
the country. The RA minister of economy Nerses Yeritsian said at
the May 22 sitting of the government that the owners of filling
stations will spend about 10 thousand dollars on installation of
each lavatory. Some environmental problems will also be solved in
this way. Public lavatories have to be installed at Yerevan’s filling
stations within a year, in marzes – with three months.

The government decisions also envisage changing some rules of trade.

According to N. Yeritsian, weight checkers have to be installed at
all trade points, including in fairs. Besides, bread sold at trade
facilities shall have a label with its price and weight.

GOVERNMENT TO CREATE FOUR COMMITTEES

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. For the purpose of making the
proceedings of the RA government more productive four committees:
financial-economic, social, territorial development and state-legal,
will be created in the government. As Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian
mentioned in the May 22 sitting of the RA government, the objective
of the creation of the committees is that before submitting the draft
laws of the corresponding spheres to the government they should be
discussed in the above-mentioned committees.

The Prime Minister touched upon the problem of transparent work of
the RA government and stated that a corresponding concept should be
developed. Mass media representatives can take part in the development
of the latter with their suggestions. In the words of Tigran Sargsian,
the current traditions contribute to the development of the yellow
press. "In that respect, we should start from ourselves," he mentioned.

NAREK SARGSIAN: PROGRAM OF GATHERING HISTORIC MONUMENTS IN BUZAND STREET IS "NOTHING MORE THAN CEMETERY OF MONUMENTS"

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Narek Sargsian, the former Yerevan Chief
Architect, in Yerevan Urban Development Council has voted against
approval of the program of gathering historic monuments in Buzand
street. He is convinced that the program is "nothing more than a
cemetery of monuments."

Moreover, the Chief Architect of Yerevan considers these monuments
repetitions of Russian provincial architecture in Yerevan and in other
places, which were designed in the late 1800-s in Minvody, Kislovodsk
by "engineer-technicians." "I am for that cultural layer’s preservation
in Yerevan as a historic and not architectural value," he emphasized.

Narek Sargsian said in his interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent
that there was such a part for restoration of historic monuments in
Alaverdian street.

"We considered that the monuments should be gathered in that part of
Yerevan. However, I consider absolutely inadmissible placing them
in the middle of Main Avenue envisaged by Tamanian’s Major Plan,
in the territory of three hectares."

"Fortunately, nothing has been done yet. The city’s architectural
solutions and junctions should arrange so that its blood vessels will
be opened like, for instance, Northern, Miasnikian Avenues, Italian
street. Main Avenue, which is 90 meters wide and should be entirely
a park, will be closed with the implementation of this program,"
he emphasized.

The former Yerevan Chief Architect stressed that he will do his
best for that program adopted and approved two years ago not to
be fulfilled.

ARMENIAN DRAFT LAWS TO BE PRESENTED WITH RESPECTIVE CONCLUSIONS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 22 sitting, the Armenian
government discussed the bill on amendments and additions to the Law on
Legal Acts. The RA minister of justice Gevorg Danielian said following
the sitting that the bill envisages introducing an institution on
assessment of the impact of a law. Based on it, the author of the
bill shall present the details of the law’s impact: noting whether
the law is in line with international acts and standards and the
Constitution, how much additional state budgetary resources its
adoption will require, etc.

G. Danelian said that 8 conclusions attached to each draft law shall
be presented, including conclusions on its environmental and social
impact, development of small and medium business, etc. It also applies
to National Assembly deputies who submit legislative initiatives to
the government to make a conclusion.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMEN AYVAZYAN TO DELIVER LECTURE ON ARMENIAN IDENTITY IN GLENDALE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

GLENDALE, MAY 22, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. A lecture and a
public discussion on " The Cornerstones of Armenian Identity or
Who Is An Armenian " by Armen Ayvazyan, the director of " Ararat "
Center for Strategic Research in Yerevan will be held in the Glendale
Central Library on June 1.

"The Cornerstones of Armenian Identity or Who Is An Armenian ", a
newly 29-page publication in Armenian, English and Russian will be
presented to the public on the same day.

MONUMENT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO OPEN IN LARNACA

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

LARNACA, MAY 22, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. On May 28 the
official inauguration of the Armenian Genocide Monument will take
place in Larnaca with the participation of the President of the
Cyprus Republic Demetris Christofias. A high-level delegation from
the Armenian Republic will also be present.

ARMENIAN SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN GLENDALE

oNoyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

GLENDALE, MAY 22, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. An Armenian High
School will be built in Glendale in the near future.

Armenian Benefactor Raffi Manoukian has committed six million dollars
to this end, the Gybrahayer internet periodical reports.

"ARMENIANS AND PROGRESSIVE POLITICS" CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE IN GLENDALE IN JUNE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

GLENDALE, MAY 22, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The ARF
Dashnaktsoutiun Western USA is hosting an "Armenians and Progressive
Politics" Conference on June 6 and 7. The conference will be a
critical examination of subjects pertinent to Armenians’ political,
social, and economic situation within a global context. The panels’
topics are Raising Social Consciousness Through Art and Music, Women’s
Issues, Social and Democracy Issues in Armenia, and Media Democracy
and Reform to name but a few.

Some of the noteworthy speakers who will be participating in the
conference are: Vahe Berberian, Levon Marashlian, David Barsamian
and Roger Waldinger.

The two-day conference will take place in the Glendale Public Library.