Month: December 2008

ARTHUR ABRAHAM – "BEST BOXER OF YEAR"

Panorama.am
15:22 19/12/2008

This is the third year boxer Arthur Abraham is announced the boxer
of the year in Germany.

The readers of "BoxSport" German magazine and the special jury have
voted for Abraham to become the best boxer of the year. Currently
Abraham managed to leave behind him famous boxers Vitaly and Vladimir
Klichkos.

"This is a great honor for me. I am happy to hear that the specialists
and the fans have made that decision. We did everything to get the
success and I would like to say thank you to my trainer and our
team for their support. Without their help I would do nothing,"
said Abraham.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA LEAVING FOR KAZAKHSTAN

armradio.am
19.12.2008 11:08

The President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, is leaving
for Kazakhstan on December 19 to participate in the non-official
summit of the Heads of State, President’s Press Office reported.

ARMENIA, SITRONICS TO CONTINUE COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HIGH TECHNOLOGIES

armradio.am
19.12.2008 13:44

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, received today
the President of the Russian "Sitronics" OJSC Sergey Aslanyan,
Vice-President Sergey Urezchenko and plenipotentiary representative
of the company in Armenia Armen Khachatryan.

The parties discussed issues connected with the further development
of cooperation in the field of high technologies. President of the
"Sitronics" Sergey Aslanyan presented the activity of the Company
headed by him, its participation in programs of federal importance for
Russia, the international relations and representation in the CIS,
in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and others, as well
as the future initiatives and programs of cooperation with Armenia
in the field of high technologies.

Sergey Aslanyan spoke about the creation of a venture investment
fund with participation of "Sitronics" OJSC, noting that the company
is ready to present the programs of cooperation in this sphere in a
short period of time.

The Prime Minister attached importance to the cooperation with
"Sitronics" Company and expressed confidence that it will be mutually
beneficial and effective.

CONTRACT SIGNED ON REHABILITATION OF SIX MAIN CANALS IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
19.12.2008 15:19

The Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia SNCO announced the award of
a contract to "SADE" (France) in consortium with "SHMSH-23" (Armenia)
for the rehabilitation of the first package of six main canals, a $5.7
million contract under the MCA-Armenia Irrigated Agriculture Project
Infrastructure Activity. The contract was signed at the MCA-Armenia
Offices on December 16 2008 by MCA-Armenia CEO Ara Hovsepyan and
Mr. Francis Marquiez of "SADE."

The first package rehabilitation works will involve sectional concrete
lining along approximately 4.2 kilometers of the Arzni-Shamiram main
canal and rehabilitation of the hydro-technical structures in the
sections of Artashat, Lower Hrazdan, Armavir, Talin, Arzni-Shamiram
and Shirak main canals that are in a critical state and require
immediate attention.

The contract also includes a pilot sub-component to test shotcrete
and other advanced technologies in lining of approximately 200m of
the canal. If successful, the shotcrete or other advanced technologies
will be applied in the future civil works for rehabilitation of canals
and hydro-technical structures.

The work will cover the Armenian marzes of Armavir, Aragatsotn,
Ararat, Kotayk and Shirak, and will begin in January 2009.

TURKISH ARMY: APOLOGY CAMPAIGN TO ARMENIA INAPPROPRIATE

armradio.am
19.12.2008 15:48

The Turkish army said Friday it does not find appropriate the recent
internet campaign launched to issue a public apology to Armenians,
Hurriyet Daily reported.

"We don’t think this is right. It is wrong and will create harmful
consequences," Brigadier General Metin Gurak told at a briefing.

Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and calling for people to sign on in support. The petition
states: "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to
and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians
were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share,
I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers and
sisters. I apologize to them."

The efforts of the intellectuals drew fierce reaction in Turkey.

On Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said he neither
accepts nor supports the campaign. He added the campaign offers no
other benefit than "stirring up trouble, disturbing our peace and
undoing the steps which have been taken".

Turkey’s opposition parties, Republican People’s Party (CHP) and
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have also harshly criticized the
campaign.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday everyone can express their
opinions freely. " The president’s view is that the fact that the
issue is discussed freely in academic and public circles is proof of
the presence of democratic discussion in Turkey," Thursday’s statement
from Gul’s office said.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN CONGRATULATES EMPLOYEES OF NATIONAL SECURITY BODIES

armradio.am
19.12.2008 16:17

Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia issued a
congratulatory message on the day of employees of national security
structures. The message sates:

"Let me warmly congratulate the employees of national security bodies
on their professional day.

National security bodies play an exceptional role in the
development and reinforcement of our statehood. At different periods
of development of our statehood you have been entrusted the most
important responsibility of ensuring security and you have carried
out your mission with honor.

The unreserved devotion to Motherland, high professional preparedness,
the effective accomplishment of the obligations entrusted to you by
the state are features characteristic of the employees of the National
Security Service.

Today we can state with confidence that the National Security Service
is one of the full-fledged pillars of our independent statehood,
which has always proved its viability at periods full of challenges.

As Secretary of the National security Council, I want to warmly
congratulate you on this Day and wish you health, family happiness,
success in your work and all the best.

Let the New Year bring new successes and prosperity to you."

RUSSIA CONDEMNS GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS, SERBS AND OTHER NATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2008 14:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia condemns genocide of Armenians, Serbs and
other nations, a State Duma member said.

"We tried to dissuade Europe from applying double standards as it
was in case with Kosovo," Gavriil Popov, member of United Russia
faction said, reminding that thousands of civilians were killed in
South Ossetia during several days.

Member of Just Russia party Boris Guseletov stressed the necessity of
close collaboration with all Diasporas throughout the globe to prevent
the crime of genocide. "We condemn any nationalistic aggression,"
he said.

"Genocide is a complicated topic for discussion not only for Russia
but for the entire international community," said Natalya Velikaya,
head of ideology and public policy of Just Russia party. "This problem
can be resolved through a continued public dialogue," she said,
reported Yerkramas, the newspaper of Armenians of Russia.

GUL: ARMENIAN APOLOGY CAMPAIGN SIGN OF TURKISH PEOPLE’S RECONCILIATION WITH THEIR HISTORY

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2008 15:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Turkish army slammed Friday the online public
apology to Armenians.

"This move will have harmful consequences," Brigadier General Metin
Gurak said.

Meanwhile, the presidential press center has said that President
Abdullah Gul eyes recent discussions in the Turkish public opinion
and academic circles over the 1915 events as a sign of existence of a
democratic discussion atmosphere in Turkey which is more civilized
and freer than in many other countries and as Turkish people’s
reconciliation with their history and their self-confidence.

The center also expressed President Gul’s profound regret that the
issue was distorted for some political purposes, although his views
are well-known, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Some 14 thousand people have already signed the online public apology
for the Armenian Genocide.

To counterbalance the campaign, activists of Sabanci University
launched a website with photos of Khojalu to demand pardon from
Armenians. The number of petition signatories exceeds 40 thousand.

MILLI MEJLIS VOTES FOR ILHAM ALIYEV LIFE PRESIDENCY

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2008 15:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Azerbaijani parliament has lifted limitation on
election of one individual President of the republic. In other words,
if the amendments are adopted, the head of state will be entitled to
file his candidacy more than twice.

After consideration in the Constitutional court, the issue will be
put on national referendum, Bakililar.az reports.

SAAKASHVILI LOST WEST’S UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2008 15:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Georgian opposition seems to be consolidating,
an Armenian expert said.

"The incumbent leadership is experiencing serious problems. This
is certainly the result of the August hostilities and the waning
popularity of Saakashvili’s government. Moreover, Saakashvili lost the
West’s unconditional support," Sergei Minasyan, head of scientific
research department at Caucasus institute, told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter.

"Political leaders, specifically Nino Burjanadze and Irakly Alasaniya
will take the opportunity. I suppose, much will depend on the
situation in the region. At that, the Armenian-Georgian relations
will not change," he said.