Month: November 2009

ITEMS OF FOOD AND CHEMICALS DISCUSSED IN YEREVAN

Aysor
Nov 17 2009
Armenia

One-day Forum on Quality Control of pesticides and Support of
monitoring of its leavings was held in Yerevan organized by UN Food
and Agricultural Organization (FAO) with assistance of Armenia’s
Ministry of Agriculture, press office of UN Yerevan Office said.

The participants represented by governmental, public, and private
organizations discussed current stage of control services of chemicals
and its leavings and viewed the steps necessary to take in this field
and various ways of FAO’s contribution.

"I think that the program is very important for our country. I
believe that the Forum will become a significant step towards the
implementation of the program," said Deputy Minister of Agriculture
of Armenia, Levon Rukhkyan.

Greece’s Ambassador to Armenia also spoke to Forum. He said that in
the matter of Greece’s contribution to development of the agricultural
sphere is foreground. It’s worth mentioning, that through FAO program,
Greece provides Armenia with $3.600.000. Besides, it supports three
other programs of which budget is $1.400.000.

"It is a complicated task to found technically-equipped laboratories
under local conditions, it demands for territories, expensive
equipment, professional staff and a budget to ensure the functional
stability," said FAO’s senior technology consultant

Three-month long program is fully funded by the Greek Government
and is implemented by UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
with assistance of Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture.

AZERBAIJANI SCOUTS DEMONSTRATE SUPERIORITY OVER ARMENIAN CHILDREN: AZERBAIJAN ASSOCIATION OF SCOUTS CHAIRMAN

Today
7553.html
Nov 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijan Association of Scouts Chairman,
Eurasian Scout Fund President and Regional Scout Committee Deputy
Chairman Namiq Jafarov.

Day.Az: You head the only scout organization in Azerbaijan. To what
degree the Azerbaijani children are involved in a scout life?

Namiq Jafarov: First, I want to note that the Azerbaijan Scout
Association was founded in 1997. We entered into the World Organization
of Scout Movement in 2000. This allowed us to participate in all
international scouting events. The meeting of the Regional Scout
Organization was held in Baku in 2004. To hold such an event with
participation of the leading countries of Europe was difficult for
a young organization, but it took place in the highest level.

Since then scouting became more widespread in Azerbaijan leaving
behind some neighbors for its scales. This is evidenced by the fact
Azerbaijan annually holds international camp since 1998. We host
young people from different countries. This is a big indicator for us.

Azerbaijani children are happy to join us and represent the country
at international events. Scouting has become a way of life for many.

Q: How many scouts does your organization have?

A: Currently, our organization brings together 1,800 scouts throughout
the country. Each year about 500 children participate in scout camps
organized by the association. Over 300 million people have joined
scouts throughout the world.

We are open to all, but it does not mean that we accept all. The
main thing for us is not to become a scout, and to remain a scout in
future so that to play your role in society in a worthy manner. As
many as 28 million of scouts in 216 countries around the world seek
to change the world to the better.

Q: Is the key objective of scouting to organize leisure activities
for children?

A: Scouting is thought-out, pedagogically sound and proven system
of education, training and recreation for children. Established by
British intelligence officers Baden-Powell at the beginning of the
century, the Scout method proved very effective and resilient. Having
existed for nearly a century, it still has not lost its relevance.

Scouts are engaged in various activities including hiking, camping,
talks and discussions. Scouts from different countries travel a lot
and communicate with each other. They find friends in other countries
and help each other. Scouting aims at unity, it has no boundaries.

All scouting programs are aimed at knowledge of nature, perfection
and the formation of active integrated personality.

Q: You said that your children participate in international camps and
communicate with other children. Probably, they often meet Armenian
scouts …

A: We can not avoid it. But I am heartened by the fact that our
children demonstrate their superiority over the Armenian scouts in
international meetings and camps.

Of course, we place great importance on training of our scouts. Our
children are ahead of many scouts from the Eurasian region for level
of development, communication skills and initiative at international
events.

Q: Why so much importance is attached to scouting in the world?

A: Because today’s scouts are future parliamentarians, businessmen
and public figures of the country. It educates leaders and patriots.

Scouting is very popular around the world. The country which lacks
a scout organization is consider undeveloped. It hurts the image of
the country and is considered undemocratic. Therefore, many states
establish scout organizations in their own country and allocate funds
worth $200,000 for their development.

Q: And who supports you?

A: We have always received attention. We cooperate with Ministry
of Youth and Sports, as well as with UNDP, SOROS, UNFPA, Save The
Children, the World Organization of the Scout Movement, BP oil company,
UNCEF and UNCER. Donors have helped us in organizing the camps and
various projects.

This helps us to move along a path to development.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MKHITARYAN PROVES ARMENIA’S HERO

UEFA.com
der21/fixturesresults/round=2000006/match=2000068/ report=rp.html
Nov 17 2009

Armenia secured their first win in 2011 UEFA European Under-21
Championship qualifying thanks to Henrik Mkhitaryan’s hat-trick
against the Republic of Ireland.

Mkhitaryan feat

Both these sides had yet to taste victory in Group 2, although Ireland
had drawn four of five games and Armenia just the one. However, a
depleted Republic team were breached by Mkhitaryan on the half-hour
and he added a second on 61 minutes. Cillian Sheridan pulled one
back, only for Hovhannes Goharyan’s fine goal to be followed by a
Mkhitaryan penalty.

Spirits raised There had been frustration for both countries on
Saturday when Armenia conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Estonia,
and Ireland were similarly levelled late on in Georgia, in 1-1
draws. Yet Armenian spirits were raised here when Mkhitaryan danced
past three defenders and his superb shot opened the scoring.

Victory sealed Just past the hour, the 20-year-old from Ukrainian club
FC Metalurh Donetsk applied a powerful finish to Edgar Malakyan’s
cross, but four minutes later Sheridan gave Ireland hope by heading
in James O’Shea’s centre. With a quarter-hour to go Goharyan struck
from 20 metres to make it 3-1 and after Malakyan was felled in the
box, Mkhitaryan completed his treble. Armenia duly moved ahead of
their visitors and into fifth place on head-to-head record, before
the sides’ rematch in Ireland on 2 March.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RESTORING TRUST BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND AZERBAIJANIS WILL TAKE DECADES

news.az
Nov 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Zardusht Alizade News.Az interviews Azerbaijani political scientist
Zardusht Alizade.

An article by MP Aydin Mirzazade looking at what both Armenia and
Azerbaijan have lost as a result of the Karabakh conflict has been
widely published in Azerbaijan. The article revived debate about the
cost of occupation for Armenia. What can you say about it?

First of all, I think this article is remarkable. For the first time
a member of the ruling team has written an article in the spirit
of world culture. He does not advocate hatred for Armenians or
curse them, he merely attempts to analyse what would have happened
had it not been for the war. Much has been said about this. I have
repeatedly told Armenians about it and suggested that they weigh up
the advantages they could have had, had it not been for the current
claims. Now they think that they won the war and gained Karabakh. What
does Karabakh give them? And what did they lose? They have driven all
the Azerbaijanis out of Armenia, Karabakh and adjacent regions. But
at the same time, they have lost the land where Armenians lived in
other parts of Azerbaijan; they lost a strong Armenian influence in
Baku, they lost Armenian-settled villages in very favourable zones
of Azerbaijan including Shamakhi, Agsu, Agdash and Ganja. In other
words, they lost the chance to live in Azerbaijan and influence the
development of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations.

Armenians have lost very favourable areas of activity in Azerbaijan,
including oil and gas, science, administration and law-enforcement
where Armenians were traditionally well-represented.

Moreover, we both lost a great deal in the rate of development. The
modern world is a world of competition. Countries compete in science,
industry and technology. We have lost everything and have become a
purely oil country and what is most important is that we have lost
democratic potential. Compare the living conditions and potential of
our country and the Baltic states that started democratic advancement
at the same time as us. The national movement in the South Caucasus
was also strong, but we turned out to be weaker in the intellectual
sense. The empire managed to impose these conflicts on us and we lost
a great deal.

Do you think we will manage to make up leeway after a peace agreement
is concluded?

People’s lives have been lost and they will never be returned. One
can return something material but not the dead. We can never return
a lost hand or leg or lost vision.

As for material losses, certainly, we can restore houses, roads and
bridges. But it will take us a long time to return the trust between
peoples, between Azerbaijanis and Armenians. It will take decades.

We will also have to make serious reforms in our systems of public
health, education and social provision. At least a century will
be needed to raise wages in Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet western
standards. The same goes for democratic development.

Is it true that had it not been for the conflict, all the current
energy pipelines from Azerbaijan would cross Armenia, not Georgia?

Yes, that’s right, they would all have gone through Armenia, as this
is the direct, shortest way. In fact, it is Georgia that benefits from
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The pipelines became longer and more
expensive. They cross Georgia and give it many advantages including
the provision of fuel and transit fees.

If the land is liberated peacefully, Azerbaijan promises economic
benefits to Armenia which is isolated from regional projects. It’s
clear that the projects that have already been built cannot be
diverted. What new projects might involve Armenia?

The only new projects left are transport projects. These include a
railway and highways. Armenia could have received serious transit fees
from the trade turnover between Russia, Turkey and Iran. In this case,
Azerbaijan could also have gained a great deal from the railway via
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. The same goes for the Iranian route.

Perhaps Armenia would have been less dependent on Russia in such
a case?

I wouldn’t say that Armenia’s dependence on Russia would have fallen
dramatically, but the ratio would have changed. Turkey’s role would
have grown. Armenia would not have been fully dependent on Russia,
but Russia would have continued to be Armenia’s important partner in
all spheres. Do not forget the large and influential Armenian diaspora
in Russia.

SERZH SARGSYAN PRESENTS CONDOLENCES ON OCCASION OF SOVIET UNION HERO SUREN SARGSIAN’S DEATH

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. On November 17, RA President Serzh
Sargsyan sent a telegram of condolence to Soviet Union Hero Suren
Sargsian’s family and relatives on the occasion of the latter’s death.

According to RA President’s Press Office, Suren Sargsian was the last
of the 103 Soviet Union Heroes residing in Armenia.

RA NSC SECRETARY ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN HANS-GUNNAR ADEN

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to Armenia-Sweden
partnership were discussed at a November 17 meeting between RA
National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasarian and Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to RA Hans-Gunnar Aden.

A. Baghdasarian emphasized the importance of development of
Armenian-Swedish cooperation in the bilateral format, as well as
within the framework of international structures. Issues of Armenia’s
cooperation with international structures were also discussed. A.

Baghdasarian attached importance to the signing of the associated
agreement with the European Union in the context of further deepening
of RA-EU relations.

According to the RA NSC Secretary Press Service, the interlocutors
exchanged thoughts over regional problems, in particular,
Armenian-Turkish relations and Nagorno Karabakh problem.

ARMENIAN KILLED IN MOSUL

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
MOSUL

MOSUL, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Non-identified
persons killed Armenian Rami Khachik on November 13 in the city of
Mosul, North Iraq. According to the Hayrenik weekly, the criminals
opened fire at him from a black car proceeding at a high speed when
the 16-year-old boy was entering his house.

According to the local priest, this crime is aimed against Christians
and has a purpose of banishing them from that territory.

According to the newspaper, nearly 40 Christians were killed in the
city last year, thousands of Christians left Mosul.

RA NA CONFIRMS CONTROL CHAMBER’S 2010 ACTIVITY ANNUAL PLAN

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. On November 17, the RA National
Assembly confirmed Control Chamber’s 2010 activity annual plan.

The bill On Confirming the Three-Year Plan of 2010-2012 State Statistic
Work was adopted in the second reading and completely.

According to the bill, in particular, on the part of demography it
is envisaged to hold a test census between April 14 to 23 2010 and
a regular census between October 12 to 21 2011.

The parliament also adopted the bills discussed the day before, which
envisaged making amendments and addenda to a number of valid laws.

In particular, a bill authored by Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law)
faction head Heghine Bisharian and faction member Hovhannes Margarian
was adopted in the first reading. It envisages making amendments and
addenda to the RA Criminal Code. According to it, in order to raise
the protection extent of journalists or information activity it is
proposed making stricter the punishment established by the legislation
for hindering journalists’ legal professional activity.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN CONSIDERS ABSURD LEVON TER-PETROSIAN’S ACCUSATIONS ADDRESSED TO HIM

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Second RA President Robert
Kocharian, commenting upon statements RA founding President
Levon Ter-Petrosian made lately at the meeting of the Armenian
National Congress most active members regarding him, said: "Levon
Ter-Petrosian’s insolence and self-admiration make a hard impression.

I suppose that those present exerted much efforts not to fall asleep
during his speech."

According to Panorama.am, R. Kocharian also said: "The accusations
addressed to me are so absurd that it is no use dwelling upon their
content due to the lack of the latter."

PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSIAN JOINS REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARMENIA

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian was
admitted to the Republican Party of Armenia with majority of votes
at party’s executive meeting held the day before. Panorama.am was
informed about it by RPA Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov.