Month: February 2012

ARMENIAN DAVOS AS ALTERNATIVE TO WORLD DAVOS

/ARKA/
FEBRUARY 6, 2012
TSAKHKADZOR

TSAKHKADZOR, February 6. /ARKA/. The ninth international economic
forum, Bridge, was launched Saturday in the Armenian resort of
Tsakhkadzor.

The key topic of this forum that is also called Armenian Davos is
The New Mentality of the New Reality.

Sessions, round-table discussions, conferences, presentations and
BRIDGE AWARD ceremony will be held as part of the forum.

What Armenia Has Lost in Distant Davos?

Armenia didn’t attend the World Economic Forum held recently in Davos.

Explaining this, Armenian Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan said that
presence of Armenia’s representatives, first of all, depends on
the agenda of the forum. It is important how much the issues under
discussion have in common with Armenia.

Finding Armenia’s presence there senseless, the minister said that
if country’s delegation attended this forum, it would be just a
pro-forma presence.

“Nevertheless, we keep watch on developments and discussions at various
economic forums,” he said. “Fortunately, up-to-date telecommunication
means provide comprehensive information about every event.”

Armenia Keeps in Touch with Latest Developments in World Economy

The agenda of “Armenian Davos” is focused on developments inside
Armenia and outside of it.

The minister thinks that 2012 will be an interesting year in terms
of global economic developments and processes in the global economic
system and the world’s largest economies, such as US, EU and CIS
economies.

The global economic crisis that reached its peak in 2008 to 2010 has
substantially changed Armenia’s approaches and perception of economic
values and economic policy’s agenda.

“It doesn’t mean that global economic approaches have changed –
it means that certain specification has been made”, he said.

Davtyan hopes that the global economy just reached an important stage
and that economic and political efforts will produce positive results
and current temporary risks will subside.

“Certain positive signs, which emerged recently, give grounds for hope
that adverse outlooks are exaggerated and that everything will be OK.”

It isn’t a secret that Armenia’s economy is closely connected with
European system – about 50% of its exports are sent exactly to European
countries. That is why, he said, developments in Europe have direct
impacts on Armenian economy.

“This crisis is mainly due to sovereign debt problems,” he said.

“However, as we see, political and economic authorities of the
European Union are making every effort, and I think the situation is
under control.”

The minister is very optimistic about the situation, since he is
convinced that developments will be predictable and that it will be
possible to put things right soon.

Let Those Unable to Help Us Not to Disturb Us at Least

The minister said that the bulk of the challenges Armenia faces now
are coming from abroad. He is convinced that if no adverse factors come
from the outside, Armenia will be able to ensure positive developments
in its economy with own efforts alone.

SWISS PROSECUTOR LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION AGAINST TURKISH MINISTER FOR DENYING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
06.02.2012 17:33

A Zurich prosecutor on Monday launched an investigation into remarks by
Egemen BagıÅ~_, Turkey’s EU affairs minister and chief EU negotiator,
after he said in Zurich that there was no Armenian genocide and
that Swiss authorities could arrest him if they wanted to, Today’s
Zaman reports.

News about the prosecution’s move was published in the Swiss daily
Neue Zurcher Zeitung. The Zurich Chief Prosecutor’s Office launched
the investigation into BagıÅ~_’s remarks- which he made last month in
Zurich on his way back from the World Economic Forum at Davos – based
on a complaint filed by members of Switzerland’s Armenian community.

“There is no Armenian genocide. Let them arrest me,” BagıÅ~_ said last
week following a question from a French reporter on the 1915 killings.

Zurich State Prosecutor Christine Braunschweig was quoted by the daily
as having said: “Last week we received a petition about this issue,
informing us that Mr. BagıÅ~_ violated the anti-racism Article 261 of
the Swiss Penal Code. Our prosecutor’s office has taken this allegation
seriously and launched an investigation. We will investigate whether
Egemen BagıÅ~_ uttered words denying the Armenian genocide as asserted
in the petition. We will also see if he has diplomatic immunity. At
the end of this, we will press charges against him if there indeed
is a violation and if he cannot benefit from diplomatic immunity.”

Last week, in response to a question from a French journalist on
what he thought of a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian
genocide adopted by the French Senate in January, BagıÅ~_ said:
“Here I am in Switzerland today, and I’m saying the 1915 incidents
did not amount to genocide. Let them come arrest me.”

DIASPORA-ARMENIAN EDUCATORS~R YEARLY TRAINING PROGRAM TO BE HELD IN SUMMER

news.am
February 06, 2012 | 16:15

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Education and Science Ministry has commenced
preparations for the 2012 training program for the Armenology studies
teachers, principals, and teaching inspectors at Diaspora-Armenian
educational institutions.

The training course will be held in Armenia between July 8 and
August 7.

At the end of the program, the participants will receive corresponding
certificates, teaching manuals, textbooks, and other material. Ever
since 2000, this program is funded by Armenia’s state budget, and
so far more than 600 Diaspora-Armenian educators have taken part in
these training courses.

LEADER OF “FREE DEMOCRATS”: “MISTAKES MADE ON 2008 FORCED US TO LEAVE ANC”

06.02.12, 17:34

Today it is obvious that the Armenian National Congress (ANC) is not a
political figure to be called liberalist. Head of the “Free democrats”
political party Khachatur Qoqobelyan announced about this during the
press-conference today at “Hayeli” (“Mirror”) press club.

“First of all it political specter is unintelligible. Of course it is
possible to gather different political forces to achieve the change
of the authorities, but that change may be fulfilled only by the
political allies”, the speaker said.

Kh. Qoqobelyan informed that mistakes made during the presidential
elections on 2008 are one of the reasons of leaving ANC. “We did
not manage to be the masters of the votes which the citizens trusted
to us”.

Speaking about the dialogue between the authorities and ANC leader of
the “Free democrats” told that they have always been for the dialogue
but according to him a right moment should be elected for it.

“You must not negotiate when you are stronger. It was better to
negotiate just after elections when all were together”, Kh. Qoqobelyan
underlined.

Commenting on the version according which “Free democrats” is just
another American project, he said that it was not true and such
attitude was just too simple. He is sure that no one must think so
just because the US Ambassador visited their office.

“I am not a judge and nor you are. The society is judging. No one must
present its thoughts as reality. I thank American Ambassador for his
visit. We are accepted for large political frames”, Kh. Qoqobelyan
said adding that every political force must assist to create relations
of various formats.

SARIBEKYAN WONDERS WHAT ‘DEFENDERS OF REFORMS ARE BEING DEFEATED’ EXPRESSION MEANS

Panorama.am
06/02/2012

“Oxford Analytica” paper referred to reforms being implemented in the
Armed Forces of Armenia noting that casualties and murders recorded in
peace conditions obstruct advancement recorded in the Armenian Armed
Forces in the recent phase. The paper also mentions that defenders
of reforms in Armenian army are being defeated.

Panorama.am asked Karen Saribekyan, member of NA Standing Committee
on Defense, national security and interior affairs, to remark on the
analytic story.

According to the MP reforms being implemented in the army are
being intensively carried out. K. Saribekyan said the committee was
discussing a new Defense Ministry Code which suggests serious changes.

“I don’t understand what does it mean – “defenders of reforms are
being defeated” expressions. Pivotal reforms are important for all
the fields and they are being implemented,” he said.

Military expert Artur Petrosyan said the process of reforms is not
end in itself.

“Before remarking on the feature story it’s important to understand
what sources have been used. Army shortcomings are being transparently
discussed which is evident that serious reforms have got under way.

Nobody says there are no shortcomings in the army, but to say those
reforms are failed and slow, I think is wrong,” A. Petrosyan said.

Asked if there are senior army officials who impede process of
reforms in the army, expert said: “I don’t think so, I’m sure they
know reforms are requirements.”

Panorama.am asked Defense Ministry spokesman Davit Karapetyan to
remark on the analytical story, but D. Karapetyan said the Ministry
would issue comments later.

H. TAMRAZYAN: OPENING OF RESTORED OLD BUILDING OF MATENADARAN TO SURPRISE EVERYONE

Panorama.am
17:55 06/02/2012

The reconstruction of Armenian repository of manuscripts – Matenadaran
named after Mesrop Mashtots, which kicked off yet in previous year,
will finish in May. Before the reconstruction is terminated, the
road leading to Matenadaran will be ready in April. Arthur Meschian
is the architect and designer of the project.

Panorama.am reporter, accompanied by chief engineer Hunan Kostanyan,
walked through the old building. He said they were tasked to create
fresh architectural innovations conserving old traditions. All the
five floors and two-storey cellar are being reconstructed.

Panorama.am has also met with the director of Matenadaran Hrachya
Tamrazyan asking for some remarks.

-Mister Tamrazyan, after the reconstruction of the building what
changes could we enjoy?

-The mission of the reconstruction is to create more space for the
exhibitions. Once we had only one exhibition hall, now we are going
to have 8-9 halls. We are going to display foreign manuscripts,
ancient books, archive materials. All those materials are going to
be changed every time. There will be laboratories, storehouses in
the old building as our funds are getting richer and richer every day.

After the reconstruction the microclimate of the building will be in
accord with modern standards of preserving manuscripts. In summer the
air temperature in the building was 30-35 degrees. It was a terrible
atmosphere for the manuscripts. After the reconstruction everything
must be in accord with the standards of international of museums. We
are going to be nicely surprised.

-When will the restored department be available and how will be
opening be celebrated?

-The old department of Matenadaran will host an exhibition devoted
to the 500th anniversary of Armenian Printing on its official opening
day. It will be in May. Not only Armenian ancient books but European
and Eastern ancient books will be displayed during the exhibition.

-Are some other events being planned during the year?

-Surely, international conferences will be held on this occasion.

-How many manuscripts are there in Matenadaran and how do you acquire
new materials? Are funds allocated by the State Budget enough?

-There are 18 thousand 400 manuscripts in Matenadaran. During the last
four years we have acquired more than 1600 manuscripts, archives have
been enriched with tens of thousands of new pieces. Money allocated
for the new materials are not enough. We have enriched the funds due
to donations.

-Do you host more tourists?

– In 2011 the number of visitors of Matenadaran has increased by ten
thousand, which is a serious advancement.

-What do you think, can Armenia hold “Yerevan – book capital” title
with honor?

-I’m sure we can. Jubilee events will contribute to propaganda of book,
to establishment of spiritual field, our spiritual-cultural life will
breathe freshly.

-Do you cooperate with foreign museums, cultural centers?

-We cooperate; we organize conferences, scientific trips and implement
scientific- methodological projects. This year we plan to have a
scientific forum with CIS and European countries. In this respect
Matenadaran has become an international comprehensive center.

-What could you tell about the digitalization of manuscripts?

-The process continues, we need more technical equipments. We have
obtained new equipments and since May a new phase of it will launch.

We have already digitalized more than two million pages.

HALF A MILLION AZERBAIJANIS MOVE TO RUSSIA IN 2011

News.Az
Mon 06 February 2012 14:04 GMT | 14:04 Local Time

The head of the Russian Federal Migration Service has said that
500,000 of the nearly 14 million migrants to Russia last year came
from Azerbaijan.

Konstantin Romodanovsky announced that 13.8 million people had
legally entered Russia in 2011, among them 9.7 million citizens of
CIS countries, APA reports.

The head of the Federal Migration Service said that 2.7 million
migrants came from Ukraine, two million from Uzbekistan, 1.5 million
from Kazakhstan, one million from Tajikistan and 500,000 each from
Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

Romodanovkiy said that 220,000 illegal migrants had been caught. “Of
them, 76,000 left Russia voluntarily and 29,000 were deported,”
he said.

He said that punishments would be increased for people who break
the migration rules. Deported migrants will not be allowed to come
to Russia for five years while sentences for those found guilty of
illegally bringing migrants to the country will be increased from
five to 10 years’ imprisonment.

ISRAELI FM OPPOSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 6, 2012 – 16:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stood
against the Armenian Genocide recognition.

“Since its establishment, Israel has opposed the application of
Holocaust term in relation to another war and tragedy. The tragedy of
the Jewish people during the World War II is beyond comparison with
any other tragedy. Attempts to turn conflicts and massacres in Africa,
Asia and Balkans into another Holocaust are unacceptable. No country
other than France has recognized Armenian Genocide by law. Today
historical incidents have turned into political disputes. That’s
why I don’t consider it right for Israel to face this problem,”
Azerbaijan Press Agency quoted Lieberman as saying.

It’s worth noting here that the following 22 countries have recognized
the Armenian Genocide: Uruguay, Russia, Cyprus, Greece, Canada, Italy,
Lebanon, Australia, Belgium, France, Argentina, Sweden, Slovakia,
the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Venezuela, Poland, Switzerland,
Brazil, Vatican and Chili.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the
Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. Expected
to be signed into law by President within 14 days, the bill will
impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France
who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.

Two separate groups of French politicians who oppose the legislation
– from both the Senate and the lower house – said they had formally
requested the constitutional council examine the law. The groups said
they each had gathered more than the minimum 60 signatures required
to ask the council to test the law’s constitutionality. The council
is obliged to deliver its judgment within a month, but this can be
reduced to eight days if the government deems the matter urgent.

ARMENIAN SOLDIER WHO DIED IN KARABAKH WAS KILLED BY FELLOW SERVICEMAN

NEWS.AM
February 06, 2012 | 17:06

YEREVAN. – It has become apparent that the 20-year-old soldier of
a Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) border military unit who died on
Sunday was killed by a fellow serviceman.

According to preliminary data, violating the rules on handling the
machine gun assigned to him, conscript Gor Alaverdyan of an NKR
military unit fired shots at and wounded, at the military position
on Sunday at around 7:20 p.m., the same military unit’s conscript
Marat Dimaksyan, MOD informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Dimaksyan died en route to military hospital at around 9 p.m.

A criminal case is launched into the incident, and an investigation
is underway.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, NKR Defense Army conscript
Marat Dimaksyan, 20, received a fatal gunshot wound at a military
position at the line of contact between the Karabakh-Azerbaijani
opposing forces.

AZERBAIJANI HACKERS CRACK ARMENIAN SAMBO FEDERATION WEBSITE

news.am
February 06, 2012 | 17:58

YEREVAN. – It is already for a week that Armenian Federation of Sambo
official website, sambo.am is not available.

According to the website creator Alteza Company, the website was
cracked by Azerbaijani hackers. Currently Azerbaijani flag is posted
on the website instead of a map of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
the Federation informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

This is third similar case. The website is under construction and
the Federation apologizes to all the visitors.