AIRCRAFT CRASHED 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKING OFF
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.07.2009 15:44 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The plane traveling from Tehran to Yerevan crashed
near the city of Kazvin 15 minutes after take-off from the capital’s
Imam Khomeini International airport, killing all 153 passengers and
16 crew members on board.
The causes of the crash are being clarified.
Iranian media says this is the first crash in Caspian Airlines’
history.
GLITTERATI: JACK VARTANIAN
FabSugar.com
89906
July 14 2009
Name a celebrity that hasn’t worn the gorgeous creations of Brazilian
Armenian jewelry designer Jack Vartanian. Gisele Bundchen,Taylor Swift,
and Selma Blair have donned his bling to recent events. Ciara stepped
onto the MET Gala red carpet wearing Vartanian’s 2.8-carat black
diamond stud earrings, while Cameron Diaz wore this 18-carat coral
and diamond cocktail ring to the Tonight Show With Jay Leno in May.
Gisele has described his goods as "cool and sophisticated at the
same time."
Vartanian comes from a family of jewelers who specialize in precious
stones. He grew up recognizing the best stones and diamonds throughout
the world, and as a teenager started working in the family business. In
1999, he branched out on his own and currently has four stores in
Brazil and a US boutique on Madison Avenue in NYC. His pieces don’t
come cheap, but they’re a feast for the eyes nonetheless.
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN
Kenan Guluzade
The Monitor (McAllen, Texas)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune News Service
July 13, 2009 Monday
BAKU, Azerbaijan _ The recent visit by the president of Israel to
Azerbaijan, and the outrage it inspired in Iran, shows just how complex
international relations have become in this volatile part of the world.
President Shimon Peres’ visit to Baku in late June was the first
time a high-ranking official from the Jewish state has visited this
overwhelmingly Muslin nation. During his stay, the two countries
signed an agreement dealing with cooperation in the fields of science,
education and culture, as well as a pact related to information and
communication technologies.
The two countries have long maintained cordial relations: Israel
has maintained an embassy in Baku since the early 1990s, soon
after Azerbaijan declared independence from the collapsing Soviet
Union. Azerbaijan has yet to open an embassy in Israel.
Local analysts note that maintaining close ties with Israel presents
difficulties for a country like Azerbaijan, which has a large Muslim
population.
"Azerbaijan is a secular state, but most of the population is Muslim
and overfriendly relations with Israel might be misinterpreted by
allies in the Organization of the Islamic Conference as a breach of
Muslim unity," said Boyukaga Agayev, head of South Caucasus Research
Center.
That was clearly what happened in Tehran, which expressed outrage
over the visit.
"Tehran actively objects to us opening an embassy in Israel, as well
as to the visit of officials from that country to Baku," Agayev said.
The day before Peres arrived, Iran sharply reminded Azerbaijan of its
feelings, urging Baku to close the Israeli embassy and describing the
visit of the Israeli head of state as an insult to the Islamic world.
Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, replied that Baku
would do no such thing, and reminded Tehran that Baku had its own
grievances with Iran.
"Iran’s declaration about the need to close the Israeli embassy in
Azerbaijan is surprising," he said, noting that Iran continued to
"receive officials from Armenia at the highest level." Azerbaijan
and Armenia remain locked in a decades-long dispute over the region
of Nagorny Karabakh.
Tehran eventually recalled its ambassador to Baku "for consultations"
while Peres was in the country.
What became clear though the incident is that ties between Azerbaijan
and Israel have become increasingly important to both countries.
The value of trade between the two nations has risen to $3.6 billion
a year, due in large part to Azerbaijani oil exported to Israel.
Political scientist Rasim Musabayov says commercial relationships
will trump ideology every time.
"Israel is interested in a relationship with a secular Muslim country,
which is at the same time an energy supplier," Musabayov said. "Israel
is already the third largest buyer of Azerbaijan’s oil in terms of
volume." And there may be more trade ahead.
"Israel wishes to export agricultural products and technology to
Azerbaijan and, as it emerged during Peres’ visit, military equipment
as well," Musabayov said.
And the fact that tens of thousands of Azeri Jews have migrated to
Israel in recent years further serves to bind the nations together
culturally, as well as economically.
"The economic and political relationship [between the two states]
makes the partnership of Azerbaijan and Israel inevitable _ in spite
of the possibly negative reaction of the OIC and Iran above all,"
said analyst Agayev.
Of course, not everyone welcomed Peres’ visit.
Haji Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, a Muslim scholar and head of the Center for
Protection of Freedom Conscience and Religion, said he reacted "very
negatively from the point of view of Muslim unity" to the Jewish
president’s visit.
But few others followed his lead, and Peres’s trip went off peacefully,
leaving Iran further isolated, and Israel with an unlikely friend.
PRESIDENTS OF U.S., FRANCE, AND RUSSIA CALL LEADERS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN FOR SETTLING LONG-LASTING CONFLICT
Noyan Tapan
July 14, 2009
YEREVAN, JULY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Presidents of countries chairing in
the OSCE Minsk Group, U.S., France, and Russia Barack Obama, Nicolas
Sarkozy, and Dmitry Medvedev expressed their support to Armenia’s and
Azerbaijan’s efforts to complete elaboration of the basic principles
of the Nagorno Karabakh settlement. They called the leaders of Armenia
and Azerbaijan for settling the long-lasting conflict and instructed
the mediators to pass to the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan the
revised variant of the program on establishment of peace introduced
in 2007 in Madrid.
"We call the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan for solving several
remaining disagreements and bring to a final form their agreement
On Basic Principles, which will outline the general picture of
an all-embracing settlement," the joint statement of co-chairing
countries’ heads adopted lately read.
According to the Associated Press agency, Madrid Principles imply
return of territories adjoining Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan,
security and autonomy guarantees and an interim status to Nagorno
Karabakh, land communication between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,
right of displaced persons and refugees to return to places of
their residence, final solution of Nagorno Karabakh status, "through
expression of will having a compulsory force in the legal respect."
CHESS PLAYER SERGEI MOVSESIAN PARTICIPATES IN SPANISH DONASTIA FESTIVAL
Noyan Tapan
July 13, 2009
SAN SEBASTIAN, JULY 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Grand
master Sergei Movsesian who represents Slovakia participates in the
Donastia festival held in the city of San Sebastian, Spain, these
days. According to Aravot, his rivals are former world champion
Anatoly Karpov, Peter Svidler (both from Russia), Ruslan Ponomariov
(Ukraine), Harika Nakamuru (U.S.), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France),
Francisco Vallejo and Pablo San Segundo (both from Spain), Julio Granda
(Peru) and Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan).
PROSPEROUS ARMENIA: THERE’S NO ALTERNATIVE TO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF NKR
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
13.07.2009 17:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ ""Madrid principles", formed in 2007, are secret,
so we can’t discuss the subject for lack of concrete details. Internet
publications can’t claim to be reliable, as the document has never
been published officially," Press Secretary of Prosperous Armenia Party
Leader Gagik Tsarukyan, Khachik Galstyan told a news conference today.
When questioned by reporters on additions to Madrid principles,
Galstyan expressed his unawareness as to the contents of the document
and called internet publications a misinformation.
Dwelling on NKR conflict settlement issue, he emphasized that the
following issues are prioritized by Prosperous Armenia: provision of
land border between NKR and RA, guaranteed security for NKR population
and NKR status. "There’s no alternative to international recognition
of NKR," Khachik Galstyan stated.
PRESS RELEASE
July 13, 2009
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gaiane Khachatrian
E-mail: [email protected]
AUA HOSTS TWO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES FOR UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS
The American University of Armenia hosted two conferences for overseas
American universities in May 2009, the annual meeting of the Association of
American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU) and the 2009
meeting of the American International Consortium of Academic Libraries
(AMICAL).
AAICU is an association of American universities established to promote
American standards of education, cultural exchange, and research and
development, as well as serving to bridge cultures and foster dialogue
within the framework of the American liberal arts tradition. During the
2009 meeting, the association reaffirmed its commitment to the AAICU Cairo
Declaration, which stated that the association serves as a "bridge for
encouragement of quality American-style education outside the United States
and for the translation of cultural and educational values in countries
where AAICU institutions are located to constituencies in the United
States."
"We were pleased to host both the AAICU and AMICAL meetings this year and to
have the opportunity to showcase the American University of Armenia and
Armenia for so many university presidents, provosts, and library directors
from all over Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia." remarked AUA
President Haroutune Armenian. The meetings were hosted in the new
state-of-the-art Paramaz Avedisian Building facilities.
An AAICU delegation will visit Washington, DC, in the fall of 2009 to
promote international dialogue on the core values of American higher
education, encourage expansion of support from the U.S. Agency for
International Development, and seek the extension of Pell grants to U.S.
students studying at AAICU member institutions and federal research grants
eligibility and institutional support to AAICU member institutions.
AAICU member institutions strive for a global standard of excellence by
providing privileged spaces of intellectual interchange, academic freedom
and responsibility. They also promote the pursuit of learning and of
democratic values so their graduates are prepared for the rapidly changing
needs of the twenty-first century.
AAICU members include the American University of Armenia, American
University of Cairo, American University of Beirut, The American College of
Greece, St. Louis University, Madrid Campus, Haigazian University, American
University in Kosovo, American University of Central Asia, American
University in Bulgaria, Lebanese American University, American College of
Thessaloniki, Institute for American Universities, Franklin College, The
American University of Paris, John Cabot University, Association of American
Colleges and University Programs in Italy, American College Dublin, American
University of Sharjah.
The AMICAL conference was the sixth in the series of annual conferences,
supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and brought together 60
participants including library, information and instructional technology
staff members and faculty from 21 AMICAL member institutions higher
education.
This year’s conference focused on "The Learner’s Perspective – Adapting
Information Services for Today’s Students" and how students are using
information resources in academic work and what technology needs. The
four-day conference featured two keynote speakers, Nancy Foster, University
of Rochester and James Simon of Sun Microsystems and a post-conference
workshop led by Matt Goldner, OCLC Executive Director.
WILL ARF DEMAND THE FOREIGN MINISTER’S RESIGNATION?
Lena Badeyan
"Radiolur"
13.07.2009 14:51
The statements demanding Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s
resignation became very popular in Stepanakert after the statement the
Presidents of the US, Russia and France released within the framework
of the G8 summit last week. Speakers at the pan-Armenian conference in
Stepanakert were insisting on the resignation in their speeches. They
were referring to the example of Turkey, which recently changed its
Foreign Minister.
However, the requirement of Edward Nalbandian’s resignation was not
included in the final conclusion.
The conference featured representatives of different political forces.
Therefore, any of them should take a separate decision. For example,
ARF Dashnaktsutyun lays the blame for the mistakes it notices in the
negotiation process only on the Foreign Minister, although according
to the Constitution, the latter is appointed by the President. Will
Dashnaktsutyun demand Edward Nalbandian to resign within the coming
days?
"The format, where one person is responsible for everything, often
leads to a deadlock. We have always considered that anyone should be
accountable for his sphere. It’s a correct format for the governance
of the country," Levon Lazarian said.
According to him, the ARF Bureau and Supreme Body will convene a
sitting soon, and they will present their stance afterwards.
RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN MET WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERNATIONAL DONOR ORGANIZATIONS TO DISCUSS A CIRCLE OF ISSUES CONNECTED WITH THE UPCOMING CENSUS IN ARMENIA.
Fri day, 10 July 2009
The Prime Minister mentioned that the government has decreed to
hold a general census from October 12 through to October 21, 2011,
with a primary one to be held from April 14 through to April 23 in
Sevan town of Gegharkunik marz and Getahovit, Gandzakar, Achajur
and Khashtarak rural communities of Tavush marz. An estimate of
expenditures is already out to a total amount of AMD 2.5 billion for
five years covering the period from 2009 to 2013. The estimate was
approved at the first sitting of the central commission on the 2011
census, which was held on March 20, 2009. 1.9 billion drams will be
spent during the year 2011. About 16 thousand temporary staff will
be involved in this process to considerably offset the impact of the
global crisis on vulnerable households.
Tigran Sargsyan said that according to finance ministry’s preliminary
estimates, only 21% of the above-stated amount can be financed from
the State budget. Therefore, on behalf of his government, the head
of the Cabinet asked those present to possibly provide financial and
technical assistance to the Republic of Armenia, badly needed in a
fast-evolving global environment.
Trend, Azerbaijan
July 9 2009
UAE diplomatic mission to be opened in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, July 9 / Trend News, E.Ostapenko / Diplomatic
mission of United Arab Emirates will soon be opened in Azerbaijan, UAE
Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on July 9.
On July 9, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received UAE
Foreign Minister in Baku.
Sheikh appreciated the development of Azerbaijan and stressed that the
UAE is interested in developing relations with Azerbaijan.
UAE is most interested in developing economic relations with
Azerbaijan, amongst which the priority is petrochemical industry and
tourism, said Al Nahyan.
Touching upon Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
guest said that his country supports the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied
territories, as well as solution to this problem through peaceful
dialogue.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister highly evaluated the current state of
relations between the two countries and noted that the positions of
Azerbaijan and the UAE coincide on many international issues.
He also thanked Al Nahyan for supporting the position of Azerbaijan on
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding
districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in
1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the
U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Mammadyarov stressed the importance of bilateral relations and
exchange of young diplomats.
The meeting also focused on other bilateral, regional and global
topics that affect the interests of both countries.