Month: June 2009

NO CONCRETE PLANS OVER NABUCCO PROJECT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.06.2009 19:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There are no concrete plans over Nabucco pipeline
construction; the program is just at the stage of discussion,
Azerbaijan’s Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said. According
to the Azeri official, there are a lot of political and economic
difficulties in implementing the project.

"The pipeline route is not yet known. There are a lot of unresolved
problems in terms of funding, resources etc. By 2020, Transcaspian
countries are expected to obtain 300 billion cubic meters of gas. But
transit cost is an extremely difficult problem. Even Azerbaijan and
Turkey have not yet agreed upon the price. So, it will really be hard
to reach agreement among 6 Nabucco transit states," 1news.az quoted
Aliyev as saying.

ARMENIAN-AUSTRIAN COMMISSION TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF ECONOMIC PROJECTS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.06.2009 20:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 3, Armenian-Austrian Mixed Commission on
Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Issues started its fourth
two-day session in Yerevan. The meeting was presided over by RA Finance
Minister Tigran Davtyan and Head of Austrian delegation Johan Zags.

Delegation members will focus on joint projects in the spheres of
tourism, information technologies, energy, agriculture and industry
as well as consider possible ways of cooperation in other spheres, RA
Finance Ministry’s Public Relations Department reports. Parties will
also discuss anti-crisis programs, as well as bilateral cooperation
in the sphere of trade and investments.

The commission’s first session was held in Vienna in 2002.

ZIL CARGO TRUCK WAS BLOWN UP BY AN ANTI-TANK MINE IN NKR

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.06.2009 20:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 31, ZIL cargo truck was blown up by an anti
tank mine in NKR.

The HALO Trust Organization representatives declared that the territory
was inspected several years ago, and warning signs were put up in
all appropriate places. Strangely, the signs have been removed,
which caused the accident.

The HALO Trust representatives declared that clearing of minefields
is being conducted; the organization asks NKR population to not remove
the warning signs.

The HALO Trust Organization, specializing in the removal of the
hazardous debris of war, has been in charge of mine clearing on NKR
territories since 2000, The HALO Trust Stepanakert Office Manager
Valon Kumuva told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

This has been the second incident since the beginning of 2009. The
truck driver was injured and immediately taken to Yerevan hospital.

RA OLYMPIC TEAM TO RIVAL FRENCH CHESS PLAYERS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.06.2009 21:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Rapid match between the national teams of France
and Armenia will be held in Paris on 24-25 June, 2009. Armenian
team will include Olympic champions Levon Aronian, Vladimir Akopian,
Gabriel Sargissian, Tigran L. Petrosian and Artashes Minasian.

The composition of the French team is as follows: Maxime
Vachier-Lagrave, Laurent Fressinet, Joel Lautier and Christian Bauer.

The organizer of the match is French company Modd’ Ailleurs
(responsible: Vartan Kaprielian) together with Chess Federations of
Armenia and France.

TURKEY DEFEATING CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 961

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.06.2009 00:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ National and grassroots Turkish American associations
joined power to defeat California Assembly Bill 961, a proposed law
that sought to punish companies who did business in the Ottoman Empire
or do business in Turkey today. The bill was introduced by Armenian
Assemblyman Paul Krikorian and supported by nationalists Armenian
groups, TurkishNY reports.

On the front line were activists from ATAA component organizations,
the Turkish American Association of California (TAACA) and the
Association of Turkish Americans of S. California (ATASC). Ergun
Kirlikovali and Karahan Mete lead over 25 local Turkish Americans
to provide statements at the public hearings of the Business and
Professions and Judiciary Committees.

ATAA President Nurten Ural submitted a statement to the California
Assembly that A.B. 961 was an unconstitutional creation of foreign
policy and an unconstitutional interference against the private
sector. President Nurten stated: "A.B. 961 is nothing more than
Armenian ethnic politics to legislate Turkish history and a genocide
conviction against Turkey, and to vent that condemnation by punishing
companies, including but not limited to energy (e.g., BP, Shell,
Exxon), insurance (e.g., New York Life, AXA), and other sectors
(e.g., Nestle), who did business with the Ottoman Empire nearly one
hundred years ago and to prohibit them from doing business with the
State of California. A.B. 961 contravenes good history, good law,
and good social responsibility in business. A.B. 961 contradicts
federal foreign affairs efforts to support truth and reconciliation
between Turkey and Armenia."

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW NUCLEAR UNIT IN ARMENIA TO COST NEARLY 4.5 BILLION USD

ARMENPRESS
June 3, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS: Nearly 4.5 billion USD will be spent on
the construction of a new nuclear unit in Armenia. The Armenian Energy
and Natural Recourses Minister Armen Movsisian told today journalists
that the sum became clear as a result of the latest researches.

As a result of assessments made before that, yet 7-8 years ago, nearly
800 million USD was in circulation, but according to the Minister
a number of factors affected the increase of sum of money. First of
all the prices of corresponding metals have sharply increased in the
international market. Besides that the demand for nuclear units in
the world has sharply enhanced.

"At present there is an order for nearly 50 new nuclear stations in
the world which results in the increase for prices of equipments,
the demand for corresponding specialists, prolonging of terms of
construction as there are no powers for production of links of nuclear
equipments. All these affect the mechanisms of setting prices,"
the Minister said.

According to A. Movsisian, a station will be constructed in Armenia
which will have a capacity of 1200 megawatts, passive security system
and at least 18 month’s period for reloading of nuclear fuel. With its
other economic parameters the station must be efficient. The capacity
of the existing nuclear station is 400 megawatts, the security systems
are active and the reloading of nuclear fuel takes place once in
12 months.

The Minister also noted that there are still much to be done before
the start of construction works of the nuclear station. Corresponding
equipments must be selected and their orders made.

As a result of the tender announced by the State Procurement Agency
for obtaining the rights for the implementation of "Managerial services
over the implementation of the project of construction of a new nuclear
unit in Armenia" project the "Worley Parsons" international consortium,
which corresponded to all the tender demands, was recognized winner.

The Armenian Government and the above mentioned organization have
already signed an agreement of 459.7 million USD. A number of drafting,
oversight and consultant service works are included within it.

A. Movsisian informed that the "Worley Parsons" will establish a
company in Armenia 25% and plus one shareholder of which will be the
Armenian Government. This means that the Armenian government will be
able to take part in the managerial process of the new nuclear station.

THE PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR ST. PETERSBURG

AZG Armenian Daily
04/06/2009

Presidential

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian will pay a two-day working visit
to St. Petersburg to participate in the 13th international Economic
Forum, RA President’s press office reports.

Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents Serzh Sargsian and Ilham Aliyev’s
meeting is also anticipated in St. Petersburg.

Within the framework of the forum, President Serzh Sargsian will also
meet his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY’S ARMENOLOGICAL REVIEW LAUNCHES ITS 29TH VOLUME
By Mira Yardemian

AZG Armenian Daily
04/06/2009

Diaspora

Beirut, 29/05/2009- On Thursday the 14th of May 2009, Haigazian
University Armenological Review’s 29th volume was launched, in the
presence of University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, Lebanese
Member of Parliament, Dr. Yeghia Jerejian, and a number of community
intellectuals.

The program opened with the welcoming words of the Review’s Editorial
Board member Mr. Armen Urneshlian, who highlighted the important role
of this yearly gathering of Armenian intellectuals to celebrate the
new release of the Haigazian University Armenological Review, and to
discuss matters that concern Armenian studies.

Keynote speaker, MP Dr. Yeghia Jerejian, highlighted on the pivotal
role the Ministry of Diaspora in Armenia is playing regarding Armenian
Studies, and surveyed the basic prospective problems and the means
of addressing these problems.

Editor in Chief, Father Antranig Granian took pride in the 29th volume,
considering it as a major achievement in its scientific approach and
content, and the seriousness of the research papers.

In his concluding remarks, President Haidostian considered the
Armenological Review as a major accomplishment of the University,
and the work of its editorial board as "monumental". Haidostian also
considered the Ministry of the Diaspora as a blessing in establishing
a bridge between the Armenian citizens in Armenia and the Armenians
in the Diaspora.

Finally President Haidostian, MP Dr. Yeghia Jerejian, Father Granian,
and the editorial board members, cut the traditional celebratory cake.

The 29th volume of the Haigazian University Armenological Review is
composed of 484 pages, and includes 7 research articles, 3 briefings,
2 unpublished documents, 3 book reviews, 4 scrutanies, 13 necrologies,
and a list of books and periodical acquisitions of the University’s
Derian Armenian Library.

‘Tsar’ to open Moscow Film Festival

Event to run until June 28

Variety.com
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Festival News

By BOBBIE WHITEMAN

The 31st Moscow Film Festival will open June 19 with helmer Pavel
Lungin’s Un Certain Regard player "Tsar."

Lungin, a Russian now based in France, will also chair the jury for
the Official Competition, which unveiled its full lineup on Tuesday.

Among the 16 pics in the running for statuettes of St. George are Noah
Buschel’s "The Missing Person."

Austrian helmer Robert Dornhelm will lead the jury in the Perspectives
section for debuts and experimental films. Among the 13 competitors is
Duncan Jones’ Sundance player "Moon."

Event will also feature a co-production forum and a focus on Bulgaria.

The fest, which is celebrating its 50th year, ends June 28.

The 31st MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Competition program

`Bibi, ` Hassan Yektapanah, Iran
`Tréfa` (Prank), Péter Gárdos, Hungary
`Come dio comanda` (As God Commands), Gabriele Salvatores, Italy
`Beauty, ` Toshio Goto, Japan
`Mala Moskwa` (Little Moscow), Waldemar Krzystek, Poland
`Melodiya dlya sharmanki` (Melody for a Barrel Organ), Kira Muratova, Ukraine
`Mooki bo’era (Burning Mooki), ` Lena and Slava Chaplin, Israel
`Palata nomer 6` (Ward No. 6), Karen Shakhnazarov, Russia
`Petia po doroge v tsarstvie nebesnoye` (Pete on the Way to Heaven), Nikolai Dostal, Russia
`Mediatori` (The Mediator), Dito Tsintsadze, Georgia, Germany
`The Missing Person, ` Noah Buschel, U.S.
`Cinco dà – as sin Nora ` (Five Days Without Nora), Mariana Chenillo, Mexico
`Rani` (Crayfish), Ivan Tscherkelov, Bulgaria
`Happy New Year, ` Christoph Schaub, Switzerland
`Jeo nuk ui game` (Today and the Other Days ), Wee An Choi, Korea
`Chudo` (Miracle), Alexander Proshkin, Russia

Perspectives Program

`Faasuto sukuwaddo` (The First Squad), Yoshiharu Ashino, Russia, Japan, Canada
`Je te mangerais` (You Will Be Mine), Sophie Laloy, France
`Last Conversation, ` Noud Heerk
t Days), Cemal San, Turkey
`Koma` (Coma), Ludwig Wûst, Austria
`Sukunat` (Silence), Yolqin To’ychiyev, Uzbekistan
`Die Dame Mit Dem Hündchen` (Lady With the Little Dog), Julij Koltun, Germany
`Bonded Parallels, ` Hovhannes Galstyan, Armenia, France, Norway
`Metastaze` (Metastases), Branko Schmidt, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia
`Aya seyahat` (Journey to the Moon), Kutluo Ataman, Turkey
`Moon, ` Duncan Jones, U.S.
`Perfidia` (Perfidy), Rodrigo Bellott, Chile, U.S.
`Sobytie` (The Event), Andrey Eshpay, Russia

estivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid= VR1118004434&cs=1

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

Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
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PRESS RELEASE
Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]

Armenia Fund Chair Visits AGBU Center in Armenia

Yerevan, Armenia – Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region Chairman, Ara
Aghishian, Esq. visited the AGBU Center in Yerevan at the invitation of
the AGBU Armenia Representation Director, Mr. Ashot Ghazarian. The
meeting took place on Monday, May 18, 2009.

Mr. Ghazarian congratulated Ara Aghishian on his recent election as the
new Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region chairman. He briefed him on the
ongoing projects of the AGBU in Armenia, most notably in the spheres of
education, culture, and various programs intended to further strengthen
Armenia-Diaspora relations. Mr. Aghishian in turn thanked the director
for the warm welcome and invitation. He commended the ongoing support of
the AGBU for Armenia Fund not only in Armenia, but abroad in many
Diaspora communities. The cordial meeting concluded with a brief tour of
the AGBU Center.

Mr. Aghishian was accompanied by Armenia Fund U.S. Eastern Region
Chairman, Mr. Raffi Festekjian and newly formed, Armenia Fund Syria
Chairman, Mr. Hrair Mouradian.

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