Month: December 2008

From: Karine Birazian <[email protected]>
Subject: ANCA ER Accepting Applications for Leo Sarkisian Internship in DC

PRESS RELEASE
December 29, 2008
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern, US
122 W. 27th St. Floor 12, New York, NY
Contact: Karin Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918

ANCA Eastern Region Now Accepting Applications for Leo Sarkisian
Summer Internship in Washington, DC

New York, NY’The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2009 Leo
Sarkisian Summer Internship program (LSI) in Washington, DC. The
program, now in its 25th year, is a great opportunity for student
activists and community leaders to learn the inner workings of our
nation’s capital and the Armenian Cause. The application deadline
is March 1, 2009.

Named in honor of longtime ANCA activist Leo Sarkisian, the program
consists of an intensive 8-week immersion into the American
political system and public affairs. Interns are drawn from the
Eastern and Western ANCA regions in the United States as well as
from Canada and South America. "Every summer we welcome a group of
young, talented Armenian American college students from across the
United States to participate in the Leo Sarkisian internship. The
program affords these students the opportunity to develop their
community buildings skills, to increase their understanding of the
American political system, and to establish close friendships with
other young Armenians" said Karine Birazian, ANCA Eastern Region
Executive Director.

The interns will work just blocks from Capitol Hill in the ANCA
National Headquarters. In past years, interns have attended both
House and Senate committee hearings and have had the opportunity to
meet many members of Congress. Interns participate in a series of
lectures given by guest lecturers including U.S. government
officials and public policy professionals, as well as ANCA staff
members. In addition, students have had the great experience of
meeting the Armenian Ambassador to America, His Excellency Tatoul
Markarian, as well as the representative from Nagorno Karabakh,
Vardan Barseghian.

"As a student with an interest in political science and public
policy, this internship was a great opportunity for me to get real,
hands-on experience in the field. On top of that, my activism on
behalf of Hai Tahd has increased tenfold and by the end of my
internship, I found myself energized to return home and put all I
had learned to good use," said Nieri Avanessian of Michigan, a 2008
Leo Sarkisian intern.. The internship draws students with varying
academic and political.

The 2009 Leo Sarkisian Internship program will begin in mid June
and run through mid August. Applications for the internship are
available on the "Capital Gateway" section of the ANCA website at
Applicants must complete the forms corresponding to
their respective region and return them to the Eastern Region or
Western Region headquarters by March 1 to be considered for the
2009 program. Applications will be reviewed and those deemed
qualified will be invited for an interview before final selections
are made in May 2009.

For more information, or to request applications, please contact
your ANCA regional headquarters at (818) 500-1918 or
[email protected] for the Western Region and (917) 428-1918 or
[email protected] for the Eastern Region.

Click here to download a 2009 Leo Sarkisian Internship Application:
pplication.php
#####
Photo Caption: 2008 Leo Sarkisian Interns meet Representative Zack
Space (D-OH)

Dr. Krikor Beledian

Saturday, January 31, 6 pm
Sunday, February 1, 6 pm

Glendale Public Library Auditorium
222 East Harvard Street, Glendale
(818) 548-2042

Photo by
George Grigorian

The Library will host a two-day literary event with Krikor Beledian, one
of the most important 20th century Armenian literary figures. The events
will be cosponsored by Hamazgayin Cultural Society.

Born and raised in Lebanon, Dr. Krikor Beledian is a leading
French-Armenian poet, novelist and critic whose work has been published
in Armenia, France, Lebanon, and by Abril Books in Glendale. Dr.
Beledian lives in Paris and teaches at the Institut Catholique in Lyons
as well as at the Paris Institut National de Langues et Civilisations
Orientales. His extensive work revolves around questions of Armenian
identity; but is most powerful in the way he uses the language to
express his thoughts.

"The Artist and His Model" – On January 31, Dr. Beledian will discuss
Levon Shant’s literary work. Levon Seghposian or Levon Shant was born on
April 6, 1869 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire and died on November 29,
1951 in Beirut; Lebanon. He was an Armenian playwright, novelist, poet,
and founder of the Hamazkayin National Cultural Foundation.

On February 1, Dr. Beledian will discuss his newly published book
Dialogue Avec Narekasti, that analyzes the literary work of Grigor
Narekatsi.

Grigor Narekatsi (951-1003) was an Armenian monk, poet, mystical
philosopher and theologian, born into a family of writers. Narekatsi’s
poetry is deeply biblical and is penetrated with images, themes and
realities of sacred history, distinguished with intimate, personal
character. The mystical poem "Book of Lamentations" (published in 1673
in Marseille) has been translated into many languages and has played a
significant role in the development of the Armenian literary language.

MFA OF ARMENIA HOPES THE VIOLATIONS IN THE GAZA STRIP WILL END

armradio.am
29.12.2008 16:02

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the republic of Armenia issued a
statement on the events in Gaza.

"We are deeply concerned about the events in Gaza Strip, during which
hundreds of people have already been killed or wounded.

We express hope that the violations will stop and negotiations will
immediately start for the solution of all disputable issues in a
peaceful way.’

NKR DEFENSE ARMY’S COUNCIL CONVENES A SITTING IN STEPANEKERT

armradio.am
29.12.2008 12:47

On 27 December at the Officer’s Palace of capital Stepanakert took
place a meeting of the NKR Defense Army’s Military Council convoked
to sum-up the activities of the army in 2008. During the meeting
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan delivered
a comprehensive speech, Central Information Department of the Office
of the NKR President reported.

In his speech the head of state particularly said:

"Generals and officers, Respected participants,

I am glad to greet all of you. It is the hard and consecutive work
carried out army and people that has enabled us to gather today and sum
up the results of the year in the conditions of tranquility and peace.

During the current year we succeeded in defending and further
strengthening the borders of our country, raising fighting efficiency
of the Defense Army, ameliorating social conditions of the servicemen,
solving a number of security issues.

Aggressive and anti-Armenian policy waged by the authorities of
Azerbaijani, sharp drastic increases in military spending, frequent
violations of the cease-fire regime require us to be more vigilant
and purposeful in strengthening defense potential of the country. The
issues related to state security, army building, combat readiness of
the servicemen represent call of the times for us.

As a suprem e commander-in-chief today I can declare with great
satisfaction and pride that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Defense Army
is strong and battle-worthy, it is ready to rebuff any encroachment of
the enemy. The neutralization of the enemy’s subversive actions in this
March and November by our soldiers is the best evidence of that. The
state has valued the subversive and heroism of the servicemen.

It is symbolic that servicemen representing different generations
fought together against the enemy. This is the embodiment of smooth
alternation of generations and a strong commitment to keep good
traditions. I have given appropriate instructions to the government for
employment assistance to officers demobilized from the armed forces.

The results of current and general inspections, as well as military
maneuvers also show high level of combat readiness and fighting
strength. It is worth mentioning that successful completion of the
recent offensive war games has demonstrated that the Defense Army not
only effectively protects our borders but if necessary it is able to
transfer military operations deep into the territory of an aggressor
state and enforce it to accept peace.

However, we must keep being watchful not to allow the enemy event think
about taking the initiative and dictate his will to us. Everybody must
realize that the independence and security of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic are not matter of speculations once and for all.

Activi ties directed to strengthening our borders make efficient
patrolling carried out in the positions.

I have given instructions and orders concerning army building, the
situation along the line of contact, amelioration of social conditions
of the servicemen and other related issues during consultations with
the supreme command staff of the army. The last such consultation
took place on 15 of December. I was reported that the discussed issues
have been brought to the notice of appropriate chains, so I will not
touch upon those questions.

However, I would like to underline once again the importance of
issues related to armaments, logistics, intelligence, aid defense,
military discipline. Elaborating effective ways to find solve these
issues will have a palpable impact on strengthening the country’s
defense capacity and combat readiness.

I consider positive considerable reduction of the enemy’s activities
along the line of contact, which were the results of proper exercise
of intelligence activities and control of the situation.

I consider important maintaining proper discipline in military
units. Of course, in military units exercising combat duties along
the line of contact in a situation of constant tensions extraordinary
cases cannot be excluded.

However, necessary steps should be taken to minimize cases of
deaths and injuries of servicemen that take place under other
circumstances. Special attention should be paid to the issue of

carrying out daily duties of the commanders and officers on the basis
of utmost responsibility, high discipline and self-conscience, maximal
attentiveness towards the subordinate. Any inappropriate causality
casts negative impact on the morale and fighting efficiency of the
army, on its image and on further strengthening the society-army ties.

The fighting efficiency of the army is directly connected with social
conditions of the servicemen and their families. For this very reason
the state keeps in the spotlight the progress of work related to
these issues.

The defender of the Fatherland should be as free of everyday
necessities of life as possible, so that to carry out his duties
adequately. Within this context I consider positive the fact
that in 2008 around 130 servicemen were provided with comfortable
apartments. This practice will be of a continuing nature.

The authorities pay special attention to the needs of the
families of the perished, missing-in-action and wounded freedom
fighters. Serious work has been carried out to solve their social
problems, including those related to housing, life conditions, health
and education. Parallel with this I consider important assistance of
the state in full integration of the disable into the society. The
program of providing hand operation cars to the first disability group
freedom fighters pursues this very purpose. I am confident that this
policy will have a positive impact on further stre ngthening healthy
moral and psychological atmosphere both in the armed forces and in
the society.

In different fields of activities in our country, in public life,
in ameliorating socioeconomic conditions of veterans and the disable,
in patriotic upbringing of the younger generation the Union of Freedom
Fighters of Artsakh plays an important role. The authorities of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic rated high active participation of freedom
fighters that contribute to the development and prosperity of the
Fatherland and will keep providing assistance to the activities of
the union in every possible way

Dear participants, I would like to mention that the participation
of the President of the Republic in such meetings will become
traditional. This will enable to make more effective the activities
of the Defense Army, a sphere of vital importance to our country.

Summarizing my speech, I would like to congratulate the whole personnel
of our army on successful completion of the year and praiseworthy
realization of the assigned task. I also congratulate you on the
coming New Year and Christmas and wish everybody personal happiness,
good health and peace."

NA SPEAKER CONGRATULATES THE PEOPLE OF ARMENIA ON NEW YEAR

armradio.am
29.12.2008 13:17

The President of Parliament of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia, Hovik Abrahamyan, issued a New Year message, which states:

"Dear compatriots,

At the New Year Eve we usually sum up what we have done and what we
have not done, plan the programs for the next year. Sure, the passing
year was a year of challenges and achievements.

Assessing the year 2008, we should note that a period of post-election
reforms started in Armenia after the elections of 2007 and 2008,
at the end of which we can state that our country has made another
step on the way of establishment of democracy and improvement of the
socio-economic conditions.

As Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia,
I want to wish to all our compatriots living in and outside Armenia
peace, tolerance and success. We are living a hard but interesting
period and have all the preconditions for leaving a more prosperous,
stable and developed Armenia to our generations.

I wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and wish you peace,
health and happiness."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S OMBUDSMAN ASKS HIS GEORGIAN COUNTERPART TO MONITOR THE CHAKHALYAN AND SHIRINYAN TRIALS

armradio.am
29.12.2008 14:37

Taking into consideration the written statement of "Yerkir" Union
of NGOs for Repatriation and Settlement, the Human Rights defender
of the Republic of Armenia Armen Harutyunyan has issued a letter
(in Russian), where he asked his Georgian counterpart to monitor the
trials of the Javakhk Armenian political activists Vahagn Chakhalyan,
Gourgen Shirinyan and his relatives.

The Ombudsman’s letter states:

"Dear Mr. Subari,

I have received a written statement from R. Tatoyan, Head of "Yerkir"
Union of Non-governmental rganizations for Repatriation and Settlement.

In the statement Mr. Tatoyan expresses deep concern about the lawsuit
against Vahagn Chakhalyan – the leader of the "United Javakhk"
Democratic Alliance" political movement, Gourgen Shirinyan – a
political activist, and the members of their families.

Mr. Tatoyan states that the investigations, as well as the judicial
proceedings are held with major violations of human rights.

Taking into account our agreements, I kindly ask you to organize
monitoring activities and to find out whether the human rights
provided for by the international treaties acceded to or ratified by
the Republic of Georgia are observed.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year and Merry
Christmas!"

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INVESTMENTS BY ARMROSGASPROM IN GAS INSTALLATIONS TOTAL 3.2BLN DRAMS IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Dec 29, 2008

YEREVAN, December 29. /ARKA/. ArmRosgasprom company completed all the
works on gas installations provided for under this year investment
program. The total volume of the investments made was 3.2bln Drams,
the company’s press service reported.

The last facility where a gas installation was made this year was
Arazap community of the country’s Armavir region where the arrival
of blue fuel was marked the day before.

In 2008, ArmRosgasprom company provided gas installations to 109
facilities under the program on restoration of gas supply.

About 150 kilometers of gas pipeline was built. Deputy General
Director of ArmRosgasprom Khachatur Baghdasaryan said that gas supply
was installed in 38 new settlements, including 11 ones where the
company carried out the gas installation works at its own expense
(the government paid for the remaining 27).

In total, 45 Armenian towns and 465 villages have natural gas
today. The number of potential subscribers went 21,000 up to
675,000. Real number of subscribers grew by 58,000 people to 574,000
people.

"ArmRosgasprom" holds the monopoly for supply and distribution of the
Russian natural gas on the domestic market in Armenia. The company
was founded in 1997. "Gasprom" open joint stock company and Armenian
Ministry of Energy had 45% of the shares each with the remaining 10%
belonging to "Itera".

After implementation of two out of three planned investment stages of
the project (after purchase of additional shares of ArmRosgasprom in
2006 and 2008) the share of "Gasprom" company in the authorized stock
has increased to 75.55%. The share of the Armenian Government is 20%
and that of "Itera" 4.44%. (1$=308.42Drams).

ARDSHININVESTBANK TO HAND PRIZES TO 30 WINNERS OF 2ND PHASE OF "ACTIVE CLIENT" ACTION IN FEBRUARY 2009

ARKA
Dec 29, 2008

YEREVAN, December 29. /ARKA/. Armenian Ardshininvestbank is to hand
presents and certificates to 30 winners of the second phase of "Active
Client" action in February 2009, Head of Remittance Department of
the bank Tigran Shahinyan said.

The action started in November this year, will be continued next year
and is to become a good tradition, he told journalists Saturday.

The action was held by the bank together with Contact international
money transfer system. The first stage of the action was held in the
period from November 15 to December 15. Desk clocks and soft toys
were presented to the first stage winners.

The second phase of the actions is to last till February 15.

Shahinyan said that all people who sent or received money
through Contact remittance system in November participated in the
action. Frequency of remittances was considered in selecting winners.

The action was held in all capital and regional departments of
Ardshininvestbank, Shahinyan said adding that the Contact system
operates mostly in CIS countries and transfers are made mainly by
labor migrants working in Russia.

Ardshininvestbank received its license on banking activities from the
Central Bank of Armenia on February 27, 2003. The main stockholders
of the bank are "Region" investment financial corpora tion (86.82%)
and the International Financial Corporation (10%).

Arshininvestbank is an affiliated member of MasterCard/Europay
international payment system and a stockholder of local transfer
system Armenian Card closed joint stock company As of the end of
September, the bank’s capital was 22.7bln Drams, assets 119.2bln Drams,
liabilities 94.5bln Drams, credit assets 79.8bln Drams and retained
profit 4.1bln Drams.

Currently, Ardshininvestbank is effecting private transfers also
through MoneyGram, Migom and Bistraya Pochta. The bank is cooperating
with a number of Russian banks, such as Promsvyazbank, Socgorbank,
For a bank and Sberbank.

The bank has 55 branches, including 6 branches in Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic and a representative office in Paris. ($1=308.42Drams).

VALLETTA OF ARMENIAN COMPANY EFFECTS 2ND COUPON PAYMENTS ON BONDS ON DEC 27

ARKA
Dec 29, 2008

YEREVAN, December 29. /ARKA/. Armenian Valletta company effected the
second coupon payments on bonds on December 27.

The Press Service of Armenian Armswissbank reported that payments
were made on bonds of AMVALTB02ER9 series. Armswissbank closed joint
stock company was the underwriter.

According to the report, the next coupon payments are to be effected
on June 26 and during three days after December 28 2009 with redemption
scheduled for December 28 2009.

The decision on issue of registered coupon bonds was adopted on
November 12 2007, says the report. The tranche included 10,000 bonds
of Valletta with 50,000 Drams’ value each, a redemption period of 24
months and a coupon yield of 10.5% p.a. (5.25$ per half a year)

Valletta LLC has been operating in Armenia since 1990. Its main fields
of activities are trade (export-import, wholesale-retail sale), fast
food (SFC), tea and coffee production and promotion of enterprises
to an independent status. The company has processing enterprises,
restaurants, shop networks, house appliance importing firms.

Armswissbank closed joint stock company was registered on November 22
2004 and has 100% Swiss capital. On February 25 2005 the bank received
a license for banking activities. On October 6 2008 Armswissbank
became the official market-maker of the third tranche of Valletta’s
bonds. ($1=308.44D rams).

INECOBANK OF ARMENIA 36TH IN TOP-100 LIST OF BEST MICROFINANCE ORGANIZATIONS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

ARKA
Dec 29, 2008

YEREVAN, December 29. /ARKA/. Inecobank of Armenia is the 36th
in top-100 list of best microfinance organizations of developing
countries, says the analysis carried out by Microfinance Exchange
(MIX) in 2008.

The analysis was made based on four basic indicators – profitability,
efficiency, transparency and market involvement, says the official
website of the bank. This is an important achievement for the bank
particularly in the field of microfinancing facilitated by bank’s
flexible and effective management and development-orientated powerful
strategy, says the report.

The bank started the microfinancing business-program only at the end
of 2008.

Inecobank closed joint stock company was registered on February 7
1996. In December 1997 the bank became the first bank in Armenia
extending credits for consumer goods.

Among the stockholders of Inecobank are member of KfW group DEG
company (Deutsche Investititions-und Entwicklunsgesellschaft mbH)
with 13.5% and the International Financial Corporation with 10%. The
bank is cooperating with the EBRD, USAID, KfW, the Black Sea Trade
and Development Bank and other international organizations.

The bank’s assets had totaled 41.1bln Drams as of the end of September
2008 with total capital being 7.8bln Drams.

The authorized stock of the bank is 1.4bln Drams, the credit portfol
io – 29.4bln Drams and the profit 1.1bln Drams in January-September
2008. Credits to small and medium enterprises were 10.7bln Drams with
mortgage loans amounting to 2.8bln Drams. ($1=308.44Drams).