Month: October 2008

ACCORDING TO DEPUTIES, AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE MADE IN CURRENT
LEGISLATION ON BROADCAST SPHERE, WHEREAS IN OPINION OF GOVERNMENT, SOME
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CONTRADICT CONSTITUTIONAL NORMS

YERVAN, OCTOBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The package of the following bills:
the bill on making amendments and additions to the RA Law on Television
and Radio, the bill on making amendments and additions to the RA Law on
the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, the bill on making
amendments and additions to the RA Law on the National Television and
Radio Commission, and the bill on making an addition to the RA Law on
State Duty was discussed at the October 15 sitting of the NA Standing
Committee of Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Issues. The
bills were prepared by National Assembly deputies Naira Zohrabian,
Heghine Bisharian, Lilit Galstian and Anahit Bakhshian.

In the words of N. Zohrabian, the amendments are aimed at ensuring the
independence of the National Television and Radio Commission – an
independent body regulating the public and private broadcast media, and
the Council of the Public Television and Radio Company. The purpose of
the amendments is also to establish the selection of the members of the
indicated bodies on a competitive basis. The amendments are mainly
related to the principles of formation of these bodies, the mechanisms
of their financial independence and the provisions on pluralism. N.
Zohrabian stated that in developing the amendments, the RA
Constitutional Court’s decisions, by which several articles of the RA
Law on Television and Radio were either suspended or recognized as
invalid, were taken as a basis, as well as the reforms proposed in the
PACE Resoluition 1609 were taken into account.

The RA minister of justice Gevorg Danielian took part in the sitting.
He presented a negative conclusion of the government, according to
which some principles stipulated in the bill contradict the norms of
the RA Constitition. After a dicsussion, it was decided to set up a
working group, in which representatives of the sphere will be included
as well, and to make the bills mutually acceptable.

According to the RA National Assembly PR Department, the chairman of
the standing committee Armen Ashotian said that all the proposals of
the government will be discussed. The package of bills with a positive
conclusion will be put on the draft agenda of the autumn session of the
National Assembly.

HOVIK ABRAHAMIAN CALLS JOURNALISTS FOR BEING OBJECTIVE, CONSCIENTIOUS,
AND HONEST

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. "The press of the Third Republic of
Armenia is already a fully established structure, which gives an
adequate response to all important and vital issues by forming public
opinion and ensuring people’s right to receive information stipulated
by the RA Constitution," the congratulatory address of RA NA Speaker
Hovik Abrahamian on the occasion of Armenian Press Day marked on
October 16 read. He mentioned that the information sphere is fully
fledged in Armenia: competent journalists work in the sphere.

According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA NA Public
Relations Department, congratulating all journalists of the country on
the occasion of their professional holiday, H. Abrahamian wished them
creative success and wished them to be objective, conscientious, and
honest when carrying out their professional activity.

ARMENIA IS CONSISTENT IN ACTIVIZATION OF CSTO WORK

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The primary activity directions in
CSTO during Armenia’s chairmanship in the organization, various events
planned, and tasks connected with them were discussed at the October 15
meeting of RA President Serzh Sargsyan and CSTO Secretary General
Nikolay Bordyuzha. According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by
the RA President’s Press Office, the work of CSTO regulations bodies
was also touched upon.

S. Sargsyan reiterated Armenia’s consistency in the issue of CSTO’s
further development and activization of its work.

SARGIS HATSPANIAN IS GOING TO APPLY TO COURT: NOW HE HAS ASKED ARTSAKH
AUTHORITIES FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The other day French Armenian
freedom-fighter Sargis Hatspanian applied to NKR President Bako
Sahakian in a written form asking him for a political asylum in
Artsakh. S. Hatspanian said this in his interview to Noyan Tapan
correspondent. According to him, on October 9, when his apartment "for
already three days had been surrounded by unshaved people in civil
clothes" he rang up NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosian, National
Assembly Speaker Rudik Hyusnunts and asked for a political asylum, in
response to which the latters promised to attend to that issue.
However, according to S. Hatspanian, he has received no response from
NKR power representatives and President so far.

S. Hatspanian said that as early as on October 6 a group of people
tried to enter his apartment, without introducing any document they
stated that they are representatives of law enforcement bodies and have
an instruction to expatriate S. Hatspanian from Armenia. S. Hatspanian
refused to open his door before them. And only on October 9 he was
handed a notice on that, and the order to expatriate the former
freedom-fighter from Armenia was proved to have been signed by former
President Robert Kocharian as far back as on March 10.

According to S. Hatspanian, that order of R. Kocharian was not valid on
October 6 as no notice was introduced to him. Besides, keeping his
apartment under control for 24 hours without introducing the respective
documents to him, as he evaluated it, reminded of a house arrest. S.
Hatspanian said that he is going to apply to the Administrative Court
on October 16 to challenge R. Kocharian’s above mentioned order, as
well as the actions of the Police, which are illegal in his opinion.
The former freedom-fighter stated that all those guilty of terrifying
his family lately will be called for liability. He added that though he
does not trust the justice system in Armenia, nevertheless he is not
going to sit idle and will go as far as the European Court.

ARTUR GHUKASIAN CONSIDERS HIGHFEST 6th PERFORMING ART FESTIVAL A SUCCESS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The Highfest 6th International
Performing Arts Festival held on October 4-12 was concluded by a number
of agreements with foreign festivals and theaters. As festival Chairman
Artur Ghukasian reported at the October 14 press conference, there was
a preliminary agreement between producer Vahan Badalian and the
Versilidanza Italian theater, and the Seven Feelings dancing drama was
staged jointly with them within the framework of the festival. And
seminars for playwrights and screen writers will be held with renowned
British dramatist Mark Ravenhill. Besides, they also plan to stage a
joint Armenian-English performance. A children’s theatrical school will
be created in Armenia in the future on the initiative of the Antagon
theater.

Evaluating festival’s activity and process, A. Ghukasian said that it
was held at rather a high level and received a large resonance in
press. In total, 80 performances were staged on 15 stages.

The Highfest’s responsible person also said that the halls’ being
half-empty during some performances is to some extent their "fault,"
"but society was periodically informed about the performances, and it
means that society just did not have a willingness to watch the
performances. The performances’ being multilingual also caused
problems, but translating them requires much resources, though some
performances were translated into Armenian by subtitles."

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206

Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
Url:

PRESS RELEASE

Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]

Armenia Fund Launches 11th International Telethon Campaign
Telethon 2008 `My Home, Armenia’ Logo Unveiled

Los Angeles, CA – Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is pleased to
announce the launch of its 11th International Telethon campaign. The
live fundraising program will air on television sets in all major
Armenian-American communities in the U.S. and across the globe on
November 27, 2008, 8am-8pm PST as well as on the internet at

On Friday, October 10, Armenia Fund’s long time supporters and donors
gathered at the residence of Mr. Armen Khachatourian and Mrs. Maria
Mehranian to unveil the 2008 Telethon logo. The unveiling has become a
tradition over the past years and marks the important launch date of the
campaign. Present at the special dinner reception was the former
President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic, H.E. Arkady Ghoukassian. The
president currently serves on the international board of trustees of
Armenia Fund.

Present at the event were all board member organizations of Armenia
Fund: Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian Catholic Exharchate of
America, the Armenian Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party, the Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America, the Armenian General Benevolent
Union, the Armenian Relief Society, the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party, the Western Diocese
of the Armenian Church, the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church.

Throughout the evening, attendees at the event got a first hand update
on the progress of Armenia Fund’s projects, including the Hadrut
Regional Hospital, Togh School and the Amaras highway – all major
projects of the U.S. Western Region affiliate of the Fund. Mrs. Maria
Mehranian, Chairperson of Armenia Fund, Inc. welcomed all guests and
thanked them for their continuous financial and moral support.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Church of America convened the opening prayer and offered his
blessings. Mardirossian highly commended the projects of Armenia Fund
and its dedication to enhancing the lives of the Armenian people.

Mr. Sarkis Kotanjian, Executive Director and Public Relations Manager of
the Fund’s Western U.S. affiliate, provided an extensive and detailed
update on the progress of the major projects. Kotanjian also reminded
everyone that Armenia Fund does not only focus on infrastructure and
rural development, but continues to provide monetary assistance to the
families and children affected from the war.

Mr. Edik Balaian, the artist of the 2008 Telethon logo offered his brief
remarks regarding the concept of the logo and choice of colors. He
mentioned that the colors of the logo are distinctly from the palette of
legendary Armenian artist Minas Avetisyan.

Armenia Fund Honorary Member, Philanthropist Vahe Karapetian who has
stood by Armenia Fund since its inception, introduced the former
President. In his remarks Karapetian highly commended the recent
projects of Armenia Fund and praised its interim management in Yerevan.

President Ghoukassian, Consul-General Armen Liloyan, along with the
leadership of Armenia Fund unveiled the logo. It features an Armenian
village house with a tricolor smoke rising from its chimney – a sign
that the house is not a mere structure but rather an Armenian family
home. The slogan of the Telethon campaign is `My Home, Armenia’.

"Armenia Fund maintains continuity of its programs. This year’s Telethon
will include both infrastructure and economic development projects in
the villages of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. We are also excited to see
an unprecedented participation from Armenia. Despite the difficult
global financial environment, we believe we are going to have great
results for this year’s Telethon," said Mehranian.

Mehranian invited Very Rev. Baret Yeretsian, who was representing His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, to
offer his blessings and closing remarks. Very Rev. Yeretsian commended
the Fund’s continuous commitment to the development of Armenia and Karabakh.

The event also secured participation of 400 members of the community in
the Armenia Fund Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Sunday, November
23, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City,
California. The event will welcome H.E. Bako Sahakyan, President of
Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The evening’s keynote speaker will be the
newly appointed Minister of Diaspora Affairs of Armenia, the Honorable
Hranush Hakobyan.

In Southern California, the Telethon will once again air on KSCI Channel
18 for full 12 hours, 8:00AM-8:00PM PST. Around the world the Telethon
will be featured on H1-Armenian Public Television ().
Los-Angeles based 24 hour Armenian Russian Television Network
() and Horizon Armenian TV () will
also air the Telethon in its entirety, on its cable, satellite and
internet networks.

For more information, please log on to

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $190 million in
development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is
the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund. Tax
ID# 95-4485698

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan’s military expenses to make $7 bln for 2003-2009

18 October 2008 [10:46] – Today.Az

Day.Az reports with reference to AzerTac that in 2003 the overall
military expenses of Azerbaijan made $163,000,000, while in 2008 this
figure makes $1,850,000,000.

In 2003-2008 $4,500,000,000 was allocated for military purposes.

In the future Azerbaijan will raise its military expenses over this
year. Thus, about $7 bln will be used for military expenses in
2003-2009.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OCTOBER 12 ELECTIONS TO LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES IN THREE RURAL
COMMUNITIES OF SYUNIK MARZ AND ONE COMMUNITY IN ARATAT MARZ RECOGNIZED
AS INVALID

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Out of the elections to local
self-government bodies scheduled to be held in 282 communities of
Syunik, Ararat, Kotayk and Vayots Dzor marzes on October 12, elections
in 281 communities were held. The elections of the community head and
aldermen in Shikahogh village of Syunik marz did not take place because
no candidates had been nominated. By the regional governor’s decision,
new elections will be called there. By a decision of the district
electoral commission (DEC) No 38, the election of the head of
Antarashat village community in the same marz was recognized as
invalid, NT correspondent was informed by secretary of the RA Central
Electoral Commission Aram Bakhchagulian.

Demands were submitted to recount the preliminary results of the
elections in 9 out of 281 communities. The results of the following
elections were disputed: the elections of community heads and aldermen
– in Mrgavan village community (Ararat marz), Zovuni village community
(Kotayk marz), the elections of community heads – in Tegh, Shenatagh
and Khoznavar village communities and Sisian city community (Syunik
marz), and the elections of aldermen – in Charentsavan and Nor Hachn
city communities and Kaghsi village communit (Kotayk marz).

The SEC secretary said that as of October 16 the recounting was
continuing only in Sisian. As a result of recounting the voting results
in the other communities, the elections of the heads of Mrgavan
community (Ararat marz), and Tegh and Khoznavar communities (Syunik
marz) were invalidated. Re-voting in these communities and in
Antarashat will be held on November 2, with the same candidates being
nominated for the posts of community heads.

POLICEMEN USED DISPROPORTIONATE FORCE ON MARCH 1st, ARTSVIK MINASIAN
EXPRESSES OPINION

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. It is clearly seen is in some
episodes filmed during the March 1 events that policemen used
disproportionate force against citizens, member of the RA National
Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on Inquiry into March 1-2 Events in Yerevan,
member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasian said at the October
16 press conference. In his words, it is not clear, for example, why
policemen chased people, throwing stones at them in Republic Square
which is pretty far from the place of holding the rally.

Besides, according to him, over 7 months the committee members failed
to find out the purpose of the operation implemented in Liberty Square
on the morning of March 1. He said that the committee is sure of only
one thing: the operation began before 7 am and not at 7 am as the
high-ranking police officials claimed.

As for the statement of the former deputy prosecutor general, currently
imprisoned Gagik Jhangirian to the effect that the creation of a
fact-finding group is a death sentence for the ad hoc committee, S.
Minasian considered this statement as one that "deviates from the
reality". In the opinion of ARF members, the committee worked
efficiently, while the goal of the fact-finding group is to examine the
facts most skilfully.

NATIONAL-DEMOCRATIC UNION TO SUPPORT MARTUN GRIGORIAN IN GYUMRI MAYOR’S
ELECTIONS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Taking into consideration the opinion
of Gyumri structure of the National-Democratic Union, the party Board
made a decision to support the candidature of NA deputy Martun
Grigorian in Mayor’s elections. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by
the party Press Service.