Month: November 2009

SWEDISH FM: EU TREATY HAS "NO RELIGIOUS CRITERIA" OVER TURKEY’S BID

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 18:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Union (EU) Term President Swedish
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt asked on Wednesday those opposing Turkish
membership in the EU: "Did the enlargements to date take place because
the public opinion wanted them?"

Participating in a debate on the future enlargement of the EU at the
European Parliament (EP), Minister Bildt made comments to oppose those
against Turkish membership and those who wanted to end the membership
negotiations with Turkey and offer Turkey a privileged partnership
instead of full membership.

As far as I can see, far right deputies are against Turkish membership
in the EU due to its large population with a majority of Muslims. The
Treaty of Amsterdam and its Article no. 49 does not bring any
exceptions for big countries. This Treaty has no religious criteria,
Bildt stressed.

Article 49 states that the EU is founded on principles of freedom,
democracy, rule of law, human rights and basic freedoms. It states
that any European country displaying respect for such principles may
apply for full membership, Bildt also said.

MUSICIAN ARA GEVORGYAN RECEIVES THE FIRST ORDER OF CONSENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 18:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Musician Ara Gevorgyan receives the first Order of
Consent for active participation in establishing consent in Armenia
and in the world, Sarkis Arakelyan , head of Amerashkhutyun movement
(Consent movement) said Nov. 26 at the award-giving ceremony.

Ara Gevorgyan confessed that the award was a surprise for him:
"I am not chasing awards. I seek to create good conditions for the
life of my child: a clean city, a peaceful country".

GOAL OF HENRIK MKHITARYAN RECOGNIZED THE BEST GOAL OF OCTOBER IN UKRAINE PREMIER LEAGUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 18:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Goal of Henrik Mkhitaryan was recognized the best
goal of October in Ukraine Premier League. Official web-site of the
Metallurg Donetsk FC conducted a survey among fans. 494 respondents
answered the question which goal was the most beautiful. 177 football
fans (36 per cent) gave their votes to the goal Henrik Mkhitaryan
scored in the game with Chornomorets Odessa at the 89th minute.

Another goal of Henrik Mkhitaryan was recognized the second, that
goal brought victory to the "blue-white " in the game with the Vorskla
Poltava. 121 respondents (24 per cent) voted for this goal.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS BILL AMENDING VAT LAW

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 18:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian government has rejected a bill amending
the VAT Law. As RA finance minister Tigran Davtyan told a government
meeting, members of the RA National Assembly proposed a bill ensuring
0 per cent VAT for domestically produced goods. "The government sticks
to the view, that the proposal violates the VAT Law and contradicts
to accepted international practice, " he said.

In addition, according to finance minister, this bill would entail
difficulties in administration, and cause some risks of its misuse.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONTE MELKONYAN COULD HAVE BECOME 52 YESTERDAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 19:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Hero of Karabakh war Monte Melkonyan (Avo) could have
celebrated his 52nd birthday on November 25. On that occasion, Martuni
regional center hosted events attended by NKR President Bako Sahakyan,
as well as commander’s companions-in-arms and inhabitants of Martuni.

Monte Melkonyan was born on November 25, 1957 in Varselia (a town
not far from Frezno), California. In 1969, his family moved to Spain.

After leaving school, Monte left for Turkey to see his ancestors’
lands. Later he moved to Lebanon. Upon his return to United States,
Monte entered Berkley Universit, to specialize in archaeology and
Asian history. After internship in Japan he worked as a teacher in the
Armenian schools of Iran and Lebanon (beginning 1957). Monte Melkonyan
knew 7 languages, and had the degree of Associate Professor of History.

In the 1970s, Monte Melkonyan took part in Lebanese Civil war. In
spring 1980, he joined ASALA. Monte planned and organized the seizure
of Turkish Embassy in France (known as Van operation) and several
other operations against Turkish representative offices in European
states. While ASALA member, he took part in the assassinations of
several Turkish diplomats in Europe during the early to mid-1980s
and was later arrested and sent to prison in France. In 1989, he
was released and in the following year, acquired a visa to travel
to Armenia.

Throughout his tenure, Melkonian carried several different aliases
including "Abu Sindi", "Saro", "Timothy Sean McCormack" and "Commander
Avo"; the last of which was the name addressed by troops under his
command in Nagorno-Karabakh.

One of the outstanding, talented and experienced commanders, Monte
Melkonyan died in strange circumstances on June 12 1993 in Marzilu
village. He is revered by Armenians as a national hero.

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN ANTICIPATES TURKISH SOCIETY TO ACKNOWLEDGE HISTORICAL TRUTH

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 19:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A Turkish delegation of intellectuals and women’s NGO
representatives Thursday visited National Assembly. The delegation is
in Armenia within the frames of "Urban" foundation’s "Eurointegration
and Gender Problems" project.

The guests were received by women MPs to discuss questions concerning
Armenia’s national programs on gender issues and the country’s policy
aimed at enhancing euro-integration process.

Sharing his impressions, Bosfor University scholar Demir Raime Bulut
said that his studies helped him reveal that Armenians in Turkey
played essential role in their country’s life. Head of NA Standing
Committee on European Integration Issues Naira Zohrabyan welcomed
Turkish delegate’s interest in history. She also expressed hope that
the country would be bold enough to acknowledge the historical truth
"to the benefit of both states".

At the end, delegates expressed their gratitude for warm reception,
hopeful that such meetings would contribute to active Armenian-Turkish
dialogue.

ARMENIA AND NKR TO INTENSIFY COOPERATION BETWEEN PROSECUTORS’ OFFICE

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 19:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 26 November, President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Bako Sahakyan received Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan
. During the meeting the officials discussed prospects of deepening
cooperation between prosecutors’ offices of the two Armenian states,
as well as reforms implemented in the judicial system of NKR. The
meeting was also attended by NKR Attorney General Arshavir Garamyan,
press office of the NKR president reported.

PAVEL KOGAN: MSASO CAN BE SAID TO BE BROUGHT TO ARMENIA BY ARAM KHACHATURYAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 19:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "It’s incredible that over the 67 years of its
existence, Moscow State Academic Symphonic Orchestra (MSASO) yesterday
performed its first concert in Yerevan. Orchestra’s second concert
is scheduled for November 27," MSASO Art Director Pavel Kogan told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, impressed by the warmth and young spirit
of Armenian audience.

"MSASO can be said to be brought to Armenia by Aram Khachaturyan. We
all bow to his talent, and I think professional musicians will be
pleased to eternalise the great composer’s memory," Kogan said.

ANY DOCUMENT CONCERNING NKR SHOULD BE COORDINATED AND PROCEED FROM THE INTEREST OF ARTSAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 20:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Armenian leadership always makes adequate
responses to Azeri senior officials’ bellicose statements," Head
of RPA parliamentary faction Galust Sahakyan told a news conference
in Yeravan.

At that he noted that Azerbaijan’s statements testify to the country’s
unrestrained approach to the talks. Besides, Sahakyan didn’t rule out
the possibility of Armenia’s having occupied territories in case of
Azeri side’s resuming military operations.

RPA faction leader once again said that main effort in conflict
settlement process were directed at determination of NKR status. If
Azeri side seeks for speedy conflict settlement, it should agree to
Karabakh’s participation in talks, he said. "Any document concerning
NKR should be coordinated and proceed from the interest of Artsakh,"
Sahakyan stressed.

RA POLICE DOES NOT CONFIRM REPORTS ON PAEDOPHILE-MANIAC’S WANDERING ABOUT YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 20:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Rumors on minor girls’ rape incidences have been
recently circulating in Yerevan. Particularly, three girls aged 8-12
are reported to have been subjected to sexual assault.

However, Armenia’s Police press service confirmed only one case
concerning the rape of an 8-year old girl. "For the time being, we have
instituted a criminal case and are conducting an inquest. We cannot
provide further details considering the interests of investigation,"
RA Police press service reported to PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent.