Month: November 2009

CONGRESS WILL NOT ACCEPT SERGE SARGSYAN’S LEGITIMACY

Lragir
17/11/09

On November 17, reporters asked the coordinator of the HAK Levon
Zurabyan about the example brought by Levon Ter-Petrosyan in his speech
related to Yeghiazar Ayintaptsi. Levon Zurabyan said everything may
be explained in different ways. Levon Zurabyan himself explained that
example in the following way: Levon Ter-Petrosyan persuaded Serge
Sargsyan not to look for legitimacy out but inside the country.

"Unfortunately, it was not directed to only Serge Sargsyan but also
many other forces", says Levon Zurabyan.

At the same time, Levon Zurabyan stated the Congress has never
accepted and will never accept Serge Sargsyan’s legitimacy because
he occupied his office through rigged election. Alongside with this,
Levon Zurabyan notes if Serge Sargsyan turns to people and tries to
acquire legitimacy through real reforms, if not everything but at
least much may be prevented in connection with the Armenia-Turkey
relations. In particular, Levon Zurabyan means the provision on the
commission of historians.

Zurabyan also stated that the HAK did not end its fight and did not
give up demanding Serge Sargsyan’s resignation. Congress strengthens
its positions, for example, it opens an office in Charentsavan. Levon
Zurabyan says Congress is going to bear the whole responsibility in
front of people with the calculation of extraordinary presidential
and parliamentary elections.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER: THE PEOPLE OF ARMENIA HAVE NEVER SUFFERED FROM THE SUPERIORITY COMPLEX TO OCCUPY ALIEN SOILS

ArmInfo
2009-11-17 13:35:00

ArmInfo. For thousands of years of their existence the people
of Armenia have never suffered from the superiority complex to
occupy alien soils, Armenian Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan said
at presentation of the book telling about the military art of the
Armenian army at the bronze century.

‘Perhaps, no country of the world was attacked so may times like
Armenia. At different stages of existence of the Armenian state our
armed forces used to gain bright victories over the enemy, which
was often armed better and its number was bigger. But fighting for
their independence the people of Armenia have never suffered from the
superiority complex to occupy alien soils and oppress other peoples’,
– the minister said.

ARMENTEL LAUNCHES "HI LINE WITHOUT BORDERS" CAMPAIGN WITH FREE CONNECTION TO INTERNET AND LOW PRICES OF MODEMS

ArmInfo
2009-11-17 15:17:00

ArmInfo. ArmenTel announces the launch of "Hi Line without borders"
campaign that will last till 31 December 2009. Within the frames
of the campaign, the connection to internet via ADSL-service Hi
Line will be free. As regards the modem prices, the modem will be
provided free of charge in case of connection to the tariff plan Hi
Line Unlimited 1024. The modem will cost 4800 AMD in case of connection
to the tariff plan Hi Line Unlimited 512; and it will cost 7200 AMD in
case of connection to Hi line Unlimited 256. After activation of the
service within the next 3 months, it will be possible to change the
tariff plan only in case of transition to a higher speed tariff. To
connect to the campaign it is necessary to fill in an application
at

To recall, ArmenTel (Beeline trademark) started providing Hi Line
service by ADSL technology since 2007. The service has been available
in the regions of Armenia since the beginning of 2009.

‘ARMAVIA’ REPLENISHES ITS AIR FLEET BEING AWARE OF THE LAST ACHIEVEMENTS OF AIR TRAFFIC INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

ArmInfo
2009-11-17 14:12:00

ArmInfo. The delegation of the national air carrier "Armavia" is
taking part in the annual air show Dubai Airshow 2009 being held in
Dubai on 15-19 November. As press-secretary of Armavia Nana Avetisova
reported, the delegation of Armavia is headed by the leaders of the
company Mikhail Bagdasarov and Norayr Belluyan, which always rake
part in different air shows, such as: Le Bourget/Paris, Farnborough
International Airshow/London, Airshow in Zhukovsky/Russia. The fact
that Armavia always rakes part in international air shows, is a member
of IATA and observes the demands of the ICAO makes it possible for
the company to always watch and implement international standards
of air carriage, including the last achievements in ensuring safety
of flights.

To note, the liner CRJ 200 was the last replenishment of the air
fleet of Armavia, which will implement flights to Minvodi, Stavropol,
Voronezh, Zurich, Athens and Rome. Since 26 October the company has
been implementing flight from Yerevan to Bahrein, which will lead to
development of tourism and activate the trade and economical links
between the two countries. At the beginning of the current year
Armavia rented a new Ð~B319-100 plane, and it is going to purchase
Ð~B330-200 at the beginning of next year. All this is evidence of
the fact that Armavia manages to resist not only negative affect of
the world financial crisis but also to develop ensuring high level
of service, meeting international standards of safety of flights and
regularly upgrade its air fleet.

Despite objective facts, certain mass media allowing publication
of incorrect data have been disseminating false and groundless
information on Armavia quite frequently recently. Those reports
aimed to mislead passengers. Thus, "Zhamanak" newspaper reported
that Armavia is allegedly offering flights Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan
for nearly 600 US dollars whereas the Georgian Airlines make two-way
flights to Istanbul for nearly 200 US dollars. In response to the given
reports, President of the Georgian Airlines T. Gaiashvili explained
that Georgian Airlines has not made flights to Istanbul for already
several years. It is noteworthy that Armavia Company does not offer
Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flight for lack of diplomatic relations
between Armenia and Turkey at the given stage. Armavia is making
charter flights ordered by Bagrat -Tur Tourist Agency. The price
policy belongs to the Agency as well. Armavia just ensures safe and
comfortable flights providing its aircrafts.

For conclusion, Nana Avetisova said that an Armenian passenger is
intellectual and far seeing and Armavia has always been grateful to
its passengers and Mass Media for warm responses to the company’s
activity and gratitude. "Such provocations i.e. dissemination of
inaccurate and unconfirmed information contradicts objective facts
and cannot have any impact on passengers. The sustainable development
of the air company is the best evidence of the aforementioned."

ARMENIAN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS MINISTRY EXPLAINS HOW A MINE OCCURRED NOT FAR FROM ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

ArmInfo
2009-11-17 13:32:00

ArmInfo. Armenian Emergency Situations Ministry has explained how
a live mine could occur not far from the Armenian NPP. Earlier on
November 13 in the evening a live mine was found in 300 meters from
the wall of the plant during agricultural cultivation of the area.

Sappers removed the mine and rendered it harmless.

The Ministry explained that a military polygon was located in the given
territory before and such finds are not rare in that area. Mines have
already been found there before.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS COORDINATOR CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER ON ‘JOINING THE MAFIA’

ArmInfo
2009-11-17 13:45:00

ArmInfo. "Probably, this is the very stage necessary to pass to
join the mafia and the oligarchic and crony power system," says
Levon Zurabyan, Coordinator of the Armenian National Congress, when
commenting on Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s joining the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

"I have nothing to do but congratulate him on joining the mafia,"
the oppositionist says.

T. Sarkisyan got the party membership card on November 16 during the
meeting of the RPA Executive Committee.

ASSISTANT OF EX-PRESIDENT OF NAGORNY KARABAKH REPUBLIC REFUTES STATEMENTS ON FOREIGN POLICY OF ARMENIA ASCRIBED TO ARKADY GHUKASYAN

ArmInfo
2009-11-17 13:11:00

ArmInfo. Assistant of the ex-president of Nagorny Karabakh Republic
has refuted the statements on the foreign policy of Armenia ascribed
to Arkady Ghukasyan. Earlier, the USA Armenian Life Magazine ascribed
certain statements on the foreign policy of Armenia to the ex-president
of the NKR, now Special Envoy of Armenia, Vice President of Hayastan
Foundation Trusteeship Council, A. Ghukasyan.

Thus, Eduard Atanesyan, the Assistant of A. Ghukassyan, says: "Mr.

Ghukasyan is known to openly express his opinion on the topical
issues of the agenda when necessary. Therefore, he does not need any
assessments to be made on his behalf, much less false statements based
on rumors. During his meetings with representatives of the Armenian
communities of Canada and the USA as part of the annual telethon Mr.

Ghukasyan could not and did not voice such assessments or impolite
statements addressed to the political figures he respects and
appreciates. Evidently, we deal with an failed attempt of quoting out
of context and distortion of quotation as well as ascribing of rude
statements." Apo Jabaryan, editor of the USA Armenian Life Magazine
quoted A. Ghukasyan as saying while in Los Angeles on October 3 that
Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan is "weak and unprepared".

SEMINAR ON FOOD SAFETY AND PESTICIDE RELATED ISSUES

armradio.am
17.11.2009 10:44

Within the framework of its recently launched project "Support for
Pesticide Quality Control and Residue Monitoring in Armenia", the UN
Food and Agriculture Organization, in cooperation with the Ministry of
Agriculture of Armenia, organized a one-day seminar in Yerevan today.

Representatives from public, private and non-profit sectors discussed
current situation and prospects of pesticide quality control and
residue monitoring in Armenia and examined the steps that could
lead to the resolution of the problems in this area as well as the
contribution of the UN FAO.

One of the main objectives of the project is to enable Armenia to
improve the quality control of pesticide products in line with the
international standards and to carry out pesticide residue monitoring
programmes in order to increase food safety, improve the quality of
agricultural products and open new opportunities in food trade.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mr. Levon Rukhkyan stressed, "I find
this project highly important for our country and I hope that the
results of this discussion will become a significant milestone in
the implementation of the project."

The Greek Ambassador, Mr. Ioannis Korinthios, in his speech said
that the priority in development assistance is in the agricultural
sector, and Greece is currently sponsoring two projects through FAO,
with a total budget of 3.600.000 USD and three other complementary
projects of 1.400.000 USD. The program on the pesticides will protect
the health of the farmers and consumers, and will contribute to the
economic development of Armenia.

"Establishing high-tech laboratories under local conditions will
be a demanding task requiring not only suitable laboratory premises
and expensive equipment but also highly qualified staff and a proper
operational budget to guarantee sustainability", said Mr. Klaus Ziller,
the UN FAO Chief Technical Adviser.

This two million US dollars project is fully sponsored by the Greek
Government and is implemented by UN FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture
over a period of three years.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF RUSSIAN TV AND RADIO COMPANIES

armradio.am
17.11.2009 11:40

President Serzh Sargsyan received a group of directors of the Russian
TV and Radio companies and other representatives of the sphere,
who arrived to Yerevan in the framework of the Days of the Russian
Television in Armenia. The delegation is headed by the President of
the Russian Television Academy Foundation, Special Representative
of the President of the Russian Federation for interstate cultural
cooperation Mikhail Svydkoy.

Welcoming the guests and stressing the importance of this kind of
events, President Serzh Sargsyan noted that the Armenian-Russian
strategic partnership requires constant attention in all areas. "We
attach great importance to the development of our relations also
in the humanitarian area. Our peoples are spiritually close, our
forefathers, grandparents and parents were friends. Today, we carry on
that friendship; however, I believe we should also consider the fact
that these relations require daily attention. The world changes, public
opinion is more and more influenced by a new mentality, therefore we
should bear in mind our past and pass it on to the new generations,"
President Serzh Sargsyan said.

With this regard President Sargsyan highlighted the role of mass media,
and television in particular. He mentioned that three Russian channels
are available for all Armenian viewers, which brings great influence
and, at the same time, implies great responsibility. The President
of Armenia stressed the importance of the presence of the Russian
channels in Armenia also from the point of view of broadening the
use of the Russian language.

The members of the delegation presented to Serzh Sargsyan the results
of their consultations with their Armenian colleagues and came up
with the proposals. In particular, discussed were issues pertinent
to the launching of joint Armenian-Russian TV programs, professional
training of the Armenian journalists and producers on the Russian
central channels, and possibilities of conducting joint seminars.

The President of Armenia awarded the President of the Russian
Television Academy Foundation Mikhail Svydkoy with the Movses
Khorenatsi medal for his significant contribution to the development
of the Armenian-Russian cultural cooperation.

POLITICAL COURAGE, GENUINE COMMITMENT AND THE WISDOM TO COMPROMISE CAN BRING ABOUT REMARKABLE RESULTS

armradio.am
17.11.2009 12:52

"The two processes are running in parallel and they should both go
forward as rapidly as their own respective dynamics make it possible,"
the Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Michelin Calmy Rey said in
response to the question whether the normalization of Armenia-Turkey
relations would contribute to the Karabakh conflict settlement.

"We support the Minsk Group process, and we are pleased to note that
the negotiations in this framework have been going on intensively
during the last year or so. We very much hope that the forthcoming
meeting between President Aliev and President Sargsyan will again
contribute to further strengthen this positive momentum, and that an
agreement on the key principles will soon be achieved. If anything,
the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia showed that
political courage, genuine commitment and the wisdom to compromise
can bring about remarkable results. The situation in the region is
complex and delicate, but I am convinced that the positive developments
between Turkey and Armenia can and will have a positive influence,"
Michelin Calmy Rey said in an interview with APA.

What will Switzerland do as the mediator if the protocols are not
ratified by the parliaments of the two countries? "The mandate that we
received from the parties was to assist them in coming to an agreement
which would allow them to normalize their relations. This was achieved
with the conclusion and then the signing of the two protocols. Beyond
that, Switzerland remains of course in contact with the parties. We
encourage them not to lose the momentum and to proceed diligently
with the ratification process, so that the implementation of what
was agreed can rapidly start. Needless to say, we fully support this
process which, we are convinced, will greatly benefit both countries,
both peoples and eventually the whole region. We are of course ready,
if so requested by the parties, to continue to be of assistance in
this context," the Swiss Foreign Minister concluded.