Author: Albert Nalbandian

Birthplace of renowned Armenian poet Hamo Sahyan to be illuminated

Albert Nalbandian
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 16 2019

In the village of Lor of Armenia’s Syunik Province, people say that Lor is illuminated by Hamo Sahyan. More seriously, they expect to see the village on the tourist-friendly settlements map. They support their optimism by facts: The poet’s birthplace has a rich cultural history, and the problem of the village’s street lighting has begun to be solved. In this regard, they are assisted by the partners, VivaCell-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), who focus on the development of the infrastructures in the rural areas in their programs.

The lighting posts installation works has already begun. It is envisaged to illuminate a part of the village with LED lights system providing economic and environmental efficiency by installing 32 lamps. The works’ roadmap also includes the area of the famous poet’s house-museum, VivaCell-MTS said in a press release. 

Davit Arustamyan, the administrative head of the village, assesses the importance of the ongoing works in terms of safety, the promotion of eco-tourism, and just having normal conditions. After the collapse of the Soviet system, the streets of the village were not illuminated. The farmers who work in cattle breeding don’t have barns in their yards. They travel kilometers to reach the collective farm’s barns, remaining from the Soviet era. The dark streets become dangerous because of wolves’ attacks.

“The street lighting of Lor is one of the most important problems for the town. There have been cases of wolf attacks in the village, at night. Solving the issue is important both for human safety and for the development of eco-tourism. Hamo Sahyan’s house-museum is located, here. I am sure that lighting will also contribute to the development of tourism,” said administrative head of the Lori village, Davit Arustamyan.

The remote regions of Armenia continue to be at the focus of partner organizations. In order to solve the existing problems in many settlements, the works are coordinated over the years. The previous project of VivaCell-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) was implemented in Lor, four years ago. The village was provided with 24-hour water supply, then. A 2 km. long pipeline has been constructed, a daily water supply reservoir and a water tank have been renovated and fenced.

ACNIS reView

Albert Nalbandian
Free chair     

AUGUST 09 2019 
 Since the formation of independent Armenia, we have been under total blockade. Only Georgia and Iran give us the opportunity to communicate with the outside world. Azerbaijan and Turkey are consistently and purposefully doing everything to isolate us as much as possible. It is natural that our government is constantly looking for ways to overcome the blockade by two neighboring states and mitigate its consequences. On the one hand, the transport veins connecting Armenia to Georgia and Iran, and on the other hand, the country’s energy security and self-sufficiency occupy a primary position in this matter. High voltage between Armenia and Georgia the laying of power transmission lines, as well as the synchronization of many actions of Armenia and Iran, can greatly contribute to increasing the security of Armenian electrical networks in order to prevent such global accidents as occurred during this summer. The construction of a new nuclear power plant is also an important strategic issue, because its presence not only increases energy security, but also significantly raises the international ranking of Armenia.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan is not sitting idly by. Thus, the tripartite summit of Baku, Tehran and Moscow will soon be held in Sochi, the agenda of which includes the construction of the North-South energy corridor, which should ensure the synchronization of the energy systems between Iran and Russia through Azerbaijani infrastructures. Energy security expert Vahe Davtyan believes that such a development of events will harm Armenia’s interests, as a situation is created in which the North-South Energy Corridor project with Armenia’s participation may simply lose its urgency. “In my opinion, this the aforementioned North-South Energy Corridor project, which will allow Armenia to act as a major electricity exporter and an important transit zone for electricity, can face the policy. Thus, the North-South is an integration challenge for Armenia, and the passive behavior shown towards it is unacceptable and extremely dangerous,” said the expert.

In terms of Armenia’s security, the construction of the North-South highway is equally important. This transport corridor has the most important strategic importance for Armenia. The 550 km long road will provide access to the Black Sea and European countries, providing a connection with Iran and Georgia. Moreover, this road will halve the sea route of cargo carriers from industrialized Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea, provided that container ships pass through the Suez Canal, which has a very limited capacity. If we count the delivery of containers from those countries to the Georgian port of Poti the traditional way (bypassing the African continent), then it is reduced by 3.5 times. Just look at the map to see for yourself. With the development of our economy, cargo transportation through Iran and the Persian Gulf will decrease by 2-3 times, which will significantly lower the price of Armenian products both in our country and abroad. We can become a transit country for transporting goods from Asian countries to Europe through Georgian ports, significantly shortening their delivery route. The problem of building a railway connecting Armenia and Iran also lies in this dimension. Our neighbors were aware of the unprofitability of the railway line from Azerbaijan to Georgia took the step, knowing that it would further isolate Armenia, be a lever of pressure on Georgia and pass through the Armenian-inhabited areas of Georgia, thereby justifying the presence of Turkish troops to protect the railway where Armenians live.

The statements of some of our “experts” that these projects are ambitious and not profitable are worrying. But even if the implementation of these projects is not covered, we are still obliged to implement them, because the existence of energy and transport corridors fully ensures not only the economic but also the political security of Armenia.

 

Karapet Kalenchyan


 


 

 

Armenpress: Ex-military recruitment officer arrested in suspicion of bribery

Albert Nalbandian

Ex-military recruitment officer arrested in suspicion of bribery

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10:29, 9 August, 2019

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS. A former military official has been arrested in suspicion of bribery, the National Security Service (NSS) said in a news release.

The NSS said the suspect, a former high-ranking officer of a military commissariat, together with an accomplice have organized the procedure of exempting or deferring 13 men from mandatory military service by faking medical documents during the 2019 summer conscription period. The ex-official and the accomplice, the identity of whom are undisclosed, have charged the would-be conscripts various amounts of money ranging from 2000 dollars up o 15,000 dollars for their services.  

The investigation has revealed that one of the suspects was also engaged in organizing the discharge of two active-duty conscripts by providing them with fake medical papers. A doctor at a military hospital was involved in the scheme.

Three people are charged in the case, and the former high-ranking officers and the accomplice have been placed under pre-trial detention.

As the investigation continues, the NSS called upon citizens to “refrain from illegal actions for avoiding military service”.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan.

Armenian, Russian PMs hold meeting

Albert Nalbandian

Armenian, Russian PMs hold meeting

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16:17, 9 August, 2019

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting in Kyrgyzstan as part of the Eurasian Economic Union’s Inter-governmental Council session in the town of Cholpon-Ata.

The session was opened today by Pashinyan, as Armenia is currently holding the presidency of the Union.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan.

Russia: Sochi Int’l Airport firing Armenian employees

Albert Nalbandian
JAM News
Aug 3 2019
JAMnews, Yerevan
Artur Xachatryan
August 3, 2019

Dozens of people have signed a statement asking for protection against what they say is a “cleansing” of airport personnel on ethnic grounds

Employees with Armenian surnames are being laid off at the Sochi International Airport in Russia’s south.

Dozens of airport employees published a statement several days ago, asking for help in what they said is clearly a case of ethnic discrimination.

The statement was signed by about 30 employees of Sochi International Airport.

It reads:

“For the second year already [ed. at Sochi airport], there is a brusque ‘cleansing’ of personnel on an ethnic basis. Employees with Armenian surnames are being dismissed by all possible means.”

According to the signatories, the discriminatory firing of Armenian personnel started back in 2018.

The first “purge” was carried out in two departments of the airport – in the Transportation Management Service and the Aviation Security Service.

“As a result, more than 70 people were left without work in these two services, including single mothers, the only bread-winners in the family, war veterans, staff members who have disabled disabled dependents, and others,” the airport staff said.

Employees ended their appeal with a request to “stop discrimination against Armenians in the airport of Sochi.”

“We just want to work, live normally, feed our families and be confident in the stability of the future of our children and grandchildren!”

Once the news came to the attention of many Armenian and several Russian media outlets, the press service of the airport commented:

“Given … the insulting information about the company released in the media, Sochi International Airport officially declares that the company’s personnel policy is in full compliance with the demands of Russian legislation.”

The statement further reads that the “composition of the airport staff is multinational, which is an indisputable advantage.”

The airport denies that personnel have been fired on ethnic grounds, and says that employees with whom contracts were recently terminated “are using issues of ethnicity for their own personal benefit.”

“The actions of this group of persons are not only illegal, but also lead to incitement of ethnic hatred, which is unacceptable”.

Sochi airport employee Karen Petrosyan says that the company earlier made it clear that they were waiting to hire other employees:

“They kind of secretly warned us that they would not let us work for a long time – ‘finish the season’ [they said], and then be ready for dismissal, without any particular reason.”

Petrosyan, who has not yet been dismissed, says that none of the employees has received an explanation as to the essence of the problem:

“This is an ethnicity issue, because 90% of those who are going to be dismissed have a last name that ends in ‘yan.’ No one is saying what the essence of the problem is. They are just removing all non-Russians.”

So far, only Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Commission on Regional and Eurasian Integration Mikael Melkumyan has commented on the issue.

“I contacted the Consul General of Armenia in Rostov-on-Don Vardan Asoyan and asked him to clarify this information”, Melkumyan said.

Melkumyan promised to raise this issue at meetings with colleagues from the Russian State Duma.

As for the office of the Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, so far there have been no statements made.

CSU Summer Arts is the perfect pick-me-up for creative juices

Albert Nalbandian
Fresno Bee, CA
CSU Summer Arts is the perfect pick-me-up for creative juices

By Armen Bacon Special to The Bee

There is no epidural for personal growth. The first time I ran away from home at 13, my father caught me in the act: painting Maybelline mascara and aqua blue eye shadow onto eyelids heavy handedly. He called me “cheeng-eh-neh,” an Armenian derogatory term meaning gypsy. Forced to scrub off the black and blue makeup until unmasked and naked-faced, I quietly vowed to someday resurrect this other person hiding within.

It is Day One of CSU Summer Arts at Fresno State. This is not new to me. I’ve been taking writing classes since 2008 in an effort to be the best storyteller, memory keeper, columnist and author humanly possible.

Arriving early, finding a patch of shaded grass, I remove jewelry as if some sacred ritual is about to take place. Off comes the silver bracelet cuff, my favorite necklace – a giant untarnished heart, wedding rings, oversized earrings, reading glasses outlined in zebra stripes. Unearthed of worldly props, I make a journal entry that reads: Who am I when nobody is looking?

The Starbucks coffee cup unevenly placed on the ground tips over, its liquid stain sinking into the earth as if running from the scene, disappearing before my eyes. For an instant, I disappear, too, or at least consider rethinking my decision to enroll in yet another memoir writing course. As the brochure underscores, this program pushes students beyond limits, breaks boundaries, and is quite possibly the hardest work you’ll ever do to master your craft, whether it’s writing, dancing, acting, animating, painting, photography or making music.

Read more here:

https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article233186061.html

                   

Read more here:

Sports: Armenian divers finish their performances at World Aquatics Championship

Albert Nalbandian
Panorama, Armenia
Sport 18:31 22/07/2019 Armenia

The Armenian divers have ended their performances at the World Aquatics Championship underway in Gwangju, South Korea.

In the qualifying round of the 10m springboard Vladimir Harutyunyan gained 318,70 points and ended up on the 35th position. Lev Sargsyan came 39th with 296,10 points, the National Olympic Committee’s press service reported.

Earlier Lev Sargsyan-Vladimir Harutyunyan pair had collected 336,48 points in the 10m synchronized springboard qualification round and had qualified for the final with the 12th place where the pair had improved the result scoring 372,48 points and placing 9th.

Extent of Armenia’s Ijevan illegal logging is presented from space

Albert Nalbandian
News.am, Armenia
Extent of Armenia’s Ijevan illegal logging is presented from space (PHOTOS) Extent of Armenia’s Ijevan illegal logging is presented from space (PHOTOS)

10:18, 22.07.2019
                  

In order to form an idea as to what terrible-extent illegal logging has been done in the forests of Ijevan, I present the dynamics of intensification of logging in about 800 hectares of forest in Ijevan during last year. Ayser Ghazaryan, the former Deputy Minister of Environment of Armenia, has written this and posted respective photos on Facebook. 

He noted that the first satellite GIF imagery is the July 2018, the second is the July 2019, and the third is the July 2019 satellite imagery combined with a transparent map—with yellow borders—of the forestry, and the green numbers are the numbers of squares and forests.

Also, Ghazaryan posted the logging dynamics of the same forest in Ijevan in 2018-2019, but this time combined with optical, multispectral satellite imagery—in infrared, red, and green. He noted that here the aforesaid forest is mostly in dark red, the polygons with yellow borders are highlighted as examples where intensive logging was conducted, and some other homogeneous areas can also be identified to their color.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had touched upon the events that unrolled in Ijevan town last week.

“We will stop illegal logging with all determination,” he had written. “Those guilty of yesterday’s [July 17] events, as well as the organizers of illegal logging, shall be punished with severity.”

On the evening of July 17, numerous residents of Ijevan blocked the Armenia-Georgia interstate motorway in protest against the incumbent authorities’ tougher stance on illegal logging. A clash ensued between demonstrators and police. Subsequently, the police detained several people from their homes. The demonstrators argue that they are able to make a living solely by logging.

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Armenpress: ”My step for Shirak Province” investment-business forum kicks off in Gyumri

Albert Nalbandian

‘My step for Shirak Province” investment-business forum kicks off in Gyumri

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11:12,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. ”My step for Shirak Province” investment-business forum and local production exhinition kicked off in Gyumri on July 20.

PM Pashinyan and Shirak Governor Tigran Petrisyan will deliver welcoming remarks, followed by panel discussions. Nearly 50 investmentprojects will be presented.

The forum’s slogan is ”Start from Shirak”. Days before the start of the forum www.shirak.biz website was launched.

“My step for Shirak region” business forum, initiated by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, aims to create a platform, which will promote the development of the economy and the communities of Shirak region through multilateral collaboration among local and foreign businesses.

The Forum makes an opportunity to present the economic potential, development prospectives of the Region, as well as ready-made investment projects.

As ARMENPRESS was inforemdf rom the press service of Shirak Governorate, based on the peculiarities of Shirak region 3 directions were defined: IT/Industry, Tourism, Agriculture

The forum will be launched by the Business Expo, where more than 50 companies will present their products and services.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan