Month: May 2008

SUPPORTERS OF ARRESTED LEADER OF ‘NEW TIMES’ OPPOSITIONAL PARTY STOPPED HUNGER-STRIKE

arminfo
2008-05-21 11:10:00

ArmInfo. Supporters of the arrested leader of "New Times"
oppositional party Aram Karapetyan stopped the hunger-strike in front
of the building of RA Prosecutor General’s Office, initiator of the
hunger-strike, member of Board of "New Times" party Hrachya Sarkisyan
told ArmInfo today.

To recall, on May 16, member of Board of "New Times" party Hrachya
Sarkisyan announced that he starts a termless hunger-strike "until
discharge" of the arrested leader of "NT" Aram Karapetyan. Later,
another 9 supporters of A. Karapetyan joined him. However,
A. Karapetyan, being in "Erebuni" Medical Center because of vast
health deterioration, addressed the action participants in written ,
thanked them for support and called on them to stop the hunger-strike,
after which the hunger-strike was stopped.

ROSGOSSTRAKH COMES TO ARMENIA

arminfo
2008-05-21 09:36:00

ArmInfo. The Council of the Central Bank of Armenia registered a new
insurance company – CJSC Rosgosstrakh-Armenia at the May 20 sitting. As
the CBA press-service told ArmInfo, the company obtained licence
for non-life insurance, particularly, insurance of cargo carriages,
ground transportation vehicles, property, car holder’s liability,
general liability, accident insurance, as well as insurance of fires
and disasters.

To note, Rosgosstrakh-Armenia is included in the largest insurance
group of Russia – Rosgosstrakh, 75% – 1 share of which belong to
Chairman of the group’s Board Daniil Khachaturov and his brother
Sergey Khachaturov after privatization in 2003; 25% + 1 share belong
to Russia. The Rosgosstrakh Group consists of OJSC Rosgosstrakh,
3 regional and 7 inter-regional insurance companies, RGS-Medicine
LLC, which makes surgical operations by compulsory health insurance,
as well as RGS-Life LLC, which is engaged in life-insurance and
non-governmental retirement insurance. The Rosgosstrakh Group was
awarded Ð~B++ rating (high reliability with positive outlook) by the
Expert RA Rating Agency in 2004, this rating was confirmed in 2006
as well.

At the moment, the number of insurance companies of Armenia is 11,
Rosgosstrakh- Armenia inclusive.

–Boundary_(ID_of4zvuVQ4ERYc5DQdfnmTw) —

ARMENIAN SINGER SIRUSHO IN THE EUROVISION FINAL

arminfo
2008-05-21 10:09:00

ArmInfo. Armenian singer Sirusho has found herself in the Eurovision
final.

Thus, her performance number 14 was really lucky not only for her
but also for thousands-strong army of her fans.

Dima Bilan from Russia is among the main competitors of Sirusho. But
knowing unpredictability of Eurovision at present it is difficult
to say who will win. At the same time, when assessing the passed
semi-final it becomes clear why Serbian and British book-makers
highly appreciated chances of Sirusho and Dima Bilan, which will
compete again on 24 May, at Eurovision final.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST WEST COAST "ARMENIANS AND PROGRESSIVE POLITICS" CONFERENCE ON JUNE 6-7

armradio.am
21.05.2008 10:25

The first West Coast "Armenians and Progressive Politics" Conference
is coming on June 6 and 7, 2008. The conference will be a critical
examination of subjects pertinent to Armenians’ political, social,
and economic situation within a global context.

Featuring distinguished speakers from academia, labor unions, community
organizing, the arts, and media, this series of five panels breaks
new ground. Particularly lively presentations and public discussion is
anticipated for the plenary session scheduled for Friday night, June 6.

Avedik Izmirlian, a member of the organizing committee noted, "We’re
excited to bring this program to the Greater Los Angeles community. Our
colleagues on the East Coast are hosting their conference a week
before ours and another has taken place in Argentina."

The panels’ topics are Raising Social Consciousness Through Art and
Music, Women’s Issues/Feminism, Social and Democracy Issues in Armenia,
Labor and Related Social Issues, and Media Democracy and Reform.

CONFERENCE CONVENED ON ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS

armradio.am
21.05.2008 10:54

Eurasia Partnership Foundation, together with the Analytical Center
for Globalization and Regional Cooperation NGO and with funding from
USAID, held an international conference on Armenia-Turkey relations
on May 20 at the Congress Hotel in Yerevan. The conference, entitled
"Global Challenges and Threats: Are Joint Efforts between Armenia
and Turkey Possible?"

brought together a number of distinguished experts from Turkey and
Armenia, representatives of diplomatic missions and international
organizations accredited to Armenia, political scientists, economists
and legal experts, as well as media representatives.

The conference examined whether the European aspirations of Turkey
and Armenia will diminish the historical and political differences
between the two nations. The conference also explored the capacity
of Armenian and Turkish analytical centers and expert communities
to play any significant role in the process. The Analytical Center
for Globalization and Regional Cooperation and their Turkish partner
Diba Nigar Goksel (Analyst of the European Stability Initiative and
Editor of the Turkish Policy Quarterly) also presented a survey of
political and civil society elites from Armenia and Turkey.

Keynote speakers included Diba Nigar Goksel; Cem Toker (Leader of
Liberal-Democratic Party, Turkey), Arda Batu (Member of the Board of
the ARI Movement, Turkey), Stepan Grigoryan (Chairman, Analytical
Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation, Armenia), Armen
Ashotyan (Member of the National Assembly of Armenia), and Alexander
Iskandarian (Director of the Caucasus Media Institute, Armenia).

"By supporting partnerships between Armenian and Turkish citizens,
Eurasia Partnership Foundation aims to promote cross-border contacts
that will improve mutual understanding between the two countries"
said Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan, Country Director of Eurasia Partnership
Foundation in Armenia. He added, "Increased understanding can
contribute to the formation of professional cross-border networks,
promote tolerance among the two societies, and, over the longer term,
accelerate the normalization of inter-state relations."

The conference is part of Eurasia Partnership Foundation’s
Armenia-Turkey Initiative, which promotes improved dialogue and
cooperation between representatives of the non-government, government
and private sectors in Armenia and their Turkish counterparts.

EUROVISION 2008: SIRUSHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL

armradio.am
21.05.2008 12:01

The First Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest was held at
the Belgrade Arena, and the ten countries qualifying for the Final
are known.

The representatives of nineteen countries presented their songs in the
First Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. After all songs
had been presented, televoting started in all the participating
countries. Nine of the qualifying countries were decided by
televoting. Furthermore, the highest placed song in the result of the
national backup juries which was not yet qualified through televoting
got a place in the Final as well.

However, the TV public will only find out which country it was after
the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday.

Thus, the following countries have qualified for the Final of the
2008 Eurovision Song Contest Greece, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Finland, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Poland and Norway.

After the first Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest had
finished, representatives of the ten qualifying countries gathered
for the official winners’ press conference. During the same occasion,
their starting positions in the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song
Contest on Saturday were decided by drawing lots. Armenia was drawn
5th in the Final.

RA PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE ARF CONGRESS

armradio.a
21.05.2008 14:39

President Serzh Sargsyan addressed the 30th Congress of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF). The President stated, in part:

"I greet the Deputies and the guests of the Congress of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation.

ARF has traditionally had its unique role in the political life of
both the Motherland and Diaspora as a political force the biography of
which is closely interrelated with contemporary Armenian history, our
peoples’ struggle for liberation, recognition of historical justice,
preservation of the Armenian national identity and the process of
contemporary heroic fights.

Being one of our traditional parties, Dashnaktsutyun managed to
reestablish in the Motherland, raising the culture of political
struggle to a new qualitative level. As party represented in the
Parliament, today it forms part of the coalition, bringing its
important contribution to the stability and development of our country.

Today our country faces two major problems, the solution of which
requires the unification of efforts of the whole Armenian nation,
and every individual and organization concerned with the fate of the
Motherland plays its role in overcoming these challenges. We must
modernize the political field and economy, restore public conformity,
regaining the international image of the country, give a deeper
connotation to Armenia-Diaspora ties, reach the peaceful settlement
of the Artsakhi issue.

These problems are not unsolvable and require joint work, clarity of
views and purposes.

I hope that together with our relable partner – the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation – we shall manage to build a more democratic,
defended and firm state.

I wish success and fruitful activity to the Congress."

SAMVEL FARMANYAN APPOINTED PRESIDENT’S SPOKESMAN

armradio.am
21.05.2008 15:07

According to RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s decree of May 20, Viktor
Soghomonyan was dismissed form the position of the Press Secretary
of RA President.

According to another presidential decree, Samvel Farmanyan was
appointed RA President’s Press Secretary.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO LEAVE FOR MINSK

armradio.am
21.05.2008 15:22

On May 22 the government delegation headed by RA Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan will leave for Minsk, the capital of the Republic
of Belarus to participate in the recurrent sitting of the Heads of
Government of CIS member states. The delegation comprises the Head
of Government Staff David Sargsyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham
Gharibjanyan, Armenia’s Permanent and Plenipotentiary Representative
to CIS structures Oleg Yesayan, RA Plenipotentiary Representative
at the CIS Economic Affairs Commission Artak Vardanyan, Heads of
corresponding divisions of the staffs of the Government and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the sitting the Heads of Government will discuss about twenty
issues related to the cooperation between CIS countries in different
spheres. In particular, it is expected to adopt decisions on working
out the draft strategy of CIS economic development. The key issue on
the agenda will be the implementation of the commission given by the
Council of the Heads of Government on October 5, 2007 and the council
of the heads of government in November to develop the strategy of the
CIS economic development. The session will also consider the proposals
in the sphere of unified transport policy of the CIS member states
and joint measures to increase food security of the CIS.

PM TIGRAN SARGSYAN’S ADDRESS AT THE CONGRESS OF THE ARMENIAN REVOLUTIONARY FEDERATION

armradio.am
21.05.2008 15:59

Addressing the 30th Congress of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation,
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said, in part:

"Dear friends, On behalf of RA Government and myself, I welcome the
Congress of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and wish a fruitful
and successful works for the sake of Motherland and for the benefit
of all Armenians.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is one of the parties of the
ruling political coalition and has assumed its share of responsibility
for the country’s progress.

Our political leaders have posed the issue of solving the problems
Armenia faces to the Government. These issues include poverty,
unequal opportunities for competition, corruption, shadow economy,
the unhealthy moral-psychological atmosphere, the partition of the
society, etc," the Prime Minister stated.

"A qualitatively new situation has been formed in Armenia.

Under the political leadership of the President of the Republic of
Armenia, the coalition government has come to implement changes. The
expectations of the people provide us with a historic opportunity to
work together to accomplish breaking projects.

We invite you to make use of the historic opportunity to become an
active participant of the implementation of these programs, and we
shall provide for all necessary conditions for that.

This year is of special importance for any of us. In a few days we
shall celebrate the anniversary of the heroic battles of May and the
90th anniversary of establishment of the First Republic of Armenia.

I’m deeply assured that under the conditions of lack of fair society,
public conformity and mutual trust, we need to demonstrate political
will to build an "Armenian World" like the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation did in 1918 to establish the First Republic of Armenia,"
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan concluded.