Month: September 2008

THE ADDRESS OF NKR PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE DAY OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC

armradio.am
02.09.2008 12:54

"Dear compatriots,

On September the 2nd we celebrate the day of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, a holiday which has a special significance for our
nation. On this very day a new chapter in the history of Artsakh
was opened. It became the commencement of restoration of independent
Armenian statehood.

17 years ago the people of Artsakh set about to realize their
century-long dream of building free and independent, democratic and
social state. We have been able to overcome this extremely difficult
path due to the unbreakable will, unity and cohesion. Artsakh has
become the symbol of rebirth of the triumphant spirit of the Armenian
people.

In the course of recent years we have succeeded both to reconstruct
the economy ruined by war and also lay a solid foundation for
further development of the state. Deepening and strengthening
Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora relations, combining efforts and potential
of world-spread Armenians, we have begun to find effective solutions
to various problems our republic faces, improve lthe iving standards
of the population and develop construction and infrastructures.

Today we can proudly state about strong and efficient army,
harmoniously developing country that meets international norms and
standards and is considered to be one of the key factors of stability
in the region.

We should always remember what price has been paid for the present free
and peaceful life, what losses and hardship our nation did suffere on
its way to independence. The best sons of the nation gave their lives
to the defense of the Motherland. Everlasting glory and honor to them!

We are obliged to fulfill the cherished dream of our martyrs and
gain international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and
leave for the generations to come strong and independent, peaceful
and prosperous Motherland. Be confident, it is a matter of time.

The NKR authorities are committed to the idea that conflicts should
be settled exclusively by peaceful means through a direct and frank
dialogue.

Everybody should realize once and forever that the independence of
Artsakh has no alternative and is not subject to speculations.

Dear people of Artsakh, I cordially congratulate all of us on this
symbolic holiday and wish good health, happiness and further success
to the glory of the bright and serene future of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic."

ECONOMIC CRIMES RATE GOES 37.5% UP IN ARMENIA IN JAN-JULY 2008

ARKA
Sep 1, 2008

YEREVAN, September 1. /ARKA/. National Statistical Service of Armenia
says 220 crimes against economic activity were committed in the
country in Jan-July 2008.

This is 37.5% greater number than that of the same period of the
previous year.

The statistical report based on the police’s figures says that 55 of
these economic crimes were cases of money counterfeiting or forging
securities. This figure is 2.1 times greater than that of the same
period a year earlier.

According to the report, 165 other economic crimes were committed in
Jan-July 2008 (23.1% greater number, compared with the same period
of the previous year).

TRADE TURNOVER BETWEEN RUSSIA, ARMENIA REACHES $400 MILLION

ARKA
Sep 1, 2008

YEREVAN, September 1. /ARKA/. Trade turnover between Russia and Armenia
has grown 20% over the first six months of this year to $400 million,
RIA Novosti reports referring to the information received from a
source in Kremlin ahead of Russian-Armenian high-level talks in Sochi.

The source said that the two countries’ presidents will discuss
prospects for development of trade and economic relations.

He said that Russia is Armenia’s largest partner.

The 2007 result was $821 million (66-percent growth, compared with
2006.

Russian export grew 67% to $655 million.

The accumulated capital investments exceeded $1.3 billion. Russian
investments are mainly sent to energy, banking, mining, construction,
communications and information technologies sectors.

The Kremlin representative also said that Russian credit and financial
companies whose share in Armenian banks’ capital exceeds one quarter
express intention to enlarge their presence in Armenian banking system.

He said that "the parties are now discussing ways of implementation
of new large-scale joint projects in various sectors of mining and
processing industries and transport".

He said these projects will lay ground for doubling Russian financial
injections in Armenia.

The source in Kremlin said that Russia intends to develop cooperation
also in diamond and jewelry industry.

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES KARABAKH ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

YEREVAN, September 2. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Serge Sargsian has
congratulated the Karabakhi people on the Independence Day of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

In his letter of congratulation Sargsian said the past 17 years have
proved that the Karabakhi people made the only right choice that
time. The president called it "a historical, holy and irrefutable
choice".

Sargsian said September 2 is a holiday for Armenians and those who
fought for the independence of their motherland. He assured the
Karabakhi people that Armenia and Armenians will help them overcome
all the difficulties and meet further challenges.

On September 2, the Regional Councils of Nagorno-Karabakh and Shahumyan
adopted the Declaration on the Nagorno-Karabakh Repulbic.

The Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Artsakh, mainly populated
by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.

On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet
Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority
of the population (99.89%) voted for independence from Azerbaijan.

Afterwards, large-scale military operations began, as a result of
which Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven
regions adjacent to it.

On May 12, 1994 after the signing of the Bishkek cease-fire agreement,
the military operations were stopped.

Since 1992, neg otiations over the peaceful settlement of the conflict
have been carried out within the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the
USA, Russia and France.

ARMENIA’S MONEY SUPPLY GROWS BY 3.3% IN JULY 2008

ARKA
Sep 22, 2008

YEREVAN, September 2. /ARKA/. Armenia’s money supply totaled 426.2bln
drams – 3.3% (13.5bln drams) increase, the RA National Statistical
Service (NSS) says, referring to the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA).

Armenian drams in cash outside CBA totaled 356.3bln drams as of
end-July against 343.3bln drams earlier that month. Required dram
reserves were worth 28.57bln drams in July against 28.61bln drams
in June.

Required foreign-currency reserves totaled 40.4bln drams as of end-July
against 39.96bln drams in late June.

Net international reserves (without privatization receipts) totaled
425.2bln drams in July – 1.8% (7.4bln) month-on-month growth. Red
ink of net internal assets totaled 1.031bln drams in July against
5.097bln drams in June (18.8bln in early 2008).

Armenia’s money supply has decreased by 0.2% since January. ($1 –
302.44 drams).

EXPOSITION "THE ARMENIAN SPORTS IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE" OPENS AT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM-INSTITUTE

Noyan Tapan

Se p 22, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. An exposition
"The Armenian Sports in the Ottoman Empire" opens in the temporary
show room of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute on September 2. It
includes about 70 photos, documents and periodicals that present the
history of the formation of sport clubs and football teams in the
Ottoman Empire before 1915.

According to a report of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute,
Armenian sport clubs and sportsmen made a significant contribution
to the development of sports in the Ottoman Empire: there were about
100 Armenian sport clubs in the empire.

Armenian Olympic Games were organized in Constantinople in 1911-1914.

"Gymnast" sports newspaper (editor Shavarsh Krisian) was published
in that period, which was the first periodical on sports in the
Ottoman Empire.

Two Armenian sportsmen, Vahram Papazian and Mkrtich Mkrian took part
in the 5th International Olympic Games in Stockholm in the summer of
1912, representing the empire for the first time at Olympic Games.

In 1915-1920, many Armenian sportsmen became victims of the genocide
and the majority of sport clubs stopped functioning.

COURT DECISION ON PETITION TO CHALLENGE PROSECUTION IN GAGIK JHANGIRIAN’S CASE TO BE ANNOUNCED ON SEPTEMBER 2

Noyan Tapan

Se p 1, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The court sitting on the case
of the former prosecutor general of Armenia Gagik Jhangirian was
held in the court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan’s Kentron and
Nork-Marash communities presided over by Judge Zhora Vardanian on
September 1. G. Jhangirian is charged under Article 316 part 1 of
the RA Criminal Code: committing violence, not dangerous for life
and health, against a representative of authorities. G. Jhangirian
himself considers the case as false. To recap, G.

Jhangirian had been also charged with keeping an illegal weapon and
usurping power (Article 235 part 1 and Article 300 part 1) but later
these charges were dropped.

The court dismissed the defence’s petition to challenge the presiding
judge on the ground that the judge cannot be impartial because his son
is a member of the group conducting an investigation into the case. The
court substantiated its decision by the fact that the judge’s son did
not participate in any investigative action related to G. Jhangirian
so this circumstance, according to the court, cannot cast a doubt on
impartiality of the judge.

The defence also submitted a petition to challenge the prosecution:
prosecutors Hovsep Sargsian, Koryun Piloyan and Lilit Tadevosian did
not control properly the preliminary investigation into the case as G.

Jhangirian was taken to police and arrested in an obviously illegal
way, the bringing of charges against him, the choice of arrest as
a precautionary measure and the extension of his arrest twice were
illegal as well. G. Jhangirian added that he without any legal status
was kept in police for 28 hours, and the petition to choose arrest was
filed to court two and a half hours after the law-envisaged period
of arrest – 72 hours. The court will announce its decision on the
petition at the September 2 court sitting.

TWO CANDIDATES NOMINATED SO FAR FOR SEPTEMBER 28 ELECTION OF YEREVAN’S NOR NORK COMMUNITY HEAD

Noyan Tapan

Se p 1, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. As of September 1st, 6 pm two
candidates: the current head of Yerevan’s Nor Nork community, member
of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Davit Petrosian and member
of RPA, currently unemployed Melik Gasparian were nominated to run in
the September 28 election of the head of the indicated community. 24
candidates were nominated for 15 seats of the community council
of aldermen, NT correspondent was informed by Samvel Kocharian,
secretary of district electoral commission No 2. The deadline for
candidate nomination is Septembert 3rd, 6 pm.

UNTIL NOW ONLY ONE CANDIDATE NOMINATED TO RUN IN SEPTEMBER 28 ELECTION OF YEREVAN’S KENTRON COMMUNITY HEAD

Noyan Tapan

Se p 1, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. As of 6 pm of September 1st, only
one candidate – the current head of Yerevan’s Kentron community,
member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Gagik Beglarian
was nominated to run in the September 28 election of head of the
indicated community. 14 candidates were nominated for 15 seats of the
community council of aldermen. No bid of nomination for the election
of the council of aldermen in Nork-Marash community to be held on the
same day has been submitted so far, NT correspondent was informed by
Silva Markosian, chairwoman of dictrict electoral commission No 10
that organizes the elections to local self-government bodies in the
two indicated communities. The deadline for candidate nomination is
September 3rd, 6 pm.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN WILL ATTEND WCC MEETINGS

Armenians Today
Sep 1, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENIANS TODAY. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian
will attend the World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order consultation
on "Tradition and Traditions: Early Sources of Authority in the
Church," in Cambridge, United Kingdom, from September 1 to 6. Bishop
Anoushavan will present the Armenian Church’s approach to this topic.

Other participants include the Syrian Orthodox Church, Eastern Orthodox
Church, Anglican Church, and Methodist Church. Bishop Anoushavan is
Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy and the Ecumenical Officer in
the United States on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.