Author: Andres-Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Sept 18 2011

Armenia is totally different – president

September 17, 2011 | 15:25

YEREVAN. – Today Armenia is totally different from what it was 20
years ago not only for us but for the entire world, said the President
of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the award ceremony held on the occasion
of 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

The President particularly mentioned:

`I cordially congratulate you all both on the occasion of 20th
anniversary of Armenia’s independence and receiving the high titles
and awards of the motherland.

It’s my very honor to dress you, the worthy representatives of our
country and society, with these awards. It is on the behalf of these
people that our country has strong foundations and our people are
progressing. Today Armenia is totally different from what it was 20
years ago not only for us but for the entire world. Our country
transformed through the devoted effort of individuals and every single
drop of that effort unites into a huge power. As people say, a water
drop can prod a stone. That is exactly what we as a nation did for 20
years – we probed stones drop by drop. All the people present here
today are valuable and important parts of this process,” said
Sargsyan.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian barbecue festival in full swing

September 18, 2011 – 17:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Town Akhtala in Lori region, in the north of
Armenia, hosts Armenian barbecue festival. Within the event the local
church gave service which was followed by the official opening of the
event.

According to PanARMENIAN.NET, the organizers did not expect such
number of people. Attendance surpassed that of last year. Moreover,
the organizers are thinking to sell tickets for festival
participation, so that everybody could taste barbecue.

Boxer, IBF, WBA, WBC world champion Vic Darchinyan also attended the festival.

20 meter long brazier made in Akhtala for the event, on which
representatives of national minorities as well as participants from
Georgia, Russia and European countries will make national barbecue.

The organizers have already offered the jury barbecue for degustation.
The jury includes professional cooks and representatives of the field,
such as director of famous `Dolmama’ restaurant.

The festival is addressed to raising popularity of the Armenian
national cuisine at world level, as well as fostering tourism in the
country’s north, the North Gates.

The state budget allocated AMD 3,2 mln. However, the real budget is
much more with the private sector assisting the festival organization.

From: A. Papazian

Should Israel Arm Kurdish Terrorists?

Jon Wiener

Jon Wiener on Saturday, September 17, 2011 – 18:03

First came the news that advisors to Israel’s foreign minister had
recommended that Israel provide arms for the Kurdish terrorist group
PKK, the Kurdistan Workers Party which has been fighting an armed
struggle against Turkey for an autonomous Kurdistan.The idea was for
Israel to punish Turkey for expelling the Israeli ambassador, after
Israel refused to apologize for its raid on the Gaza flotilla, in
which nine Turkish citizens were killed.That news was first revealed
a week ago in the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth and then by the
widely-read Haaretz(but never published in the New York Times.)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu `did not deny or confirm the
plan,’ according to Haaretz.His office said that Foreign Minister
Avidgor Lieberman was considering only a `theoretical option in case
of an escalation’ and that `a decision will be made only and if
necessary.’Netanyahu added that his goal was to improve relations
with Turkey.

Now the head of the PKK has announced the group would not accept
Israeli arms until Israel apologizes for helping the Turkish
government capture the PKK’s leader Abdullah Öcalan in 1999.

Of course if Israel did arm the PKK, it could be designated a `State
Sponsor of Terrorism’ by the US State Department.State Sponsors of
Terrorism, which include Syria, Iran, and Cuba, are subject to
sanctions by the US, including a ban on arms-related exports and
sales, and prohibition of economic assistance by the US.That would
certainly constitute a change in US-Israeli relations.

The same Israeli advisors who recommended arming the PKK suggested a
second way to punish Turkey for expelling the Israeli ambassador:
`offer assistance to the Armenians and file UN reports against Turkey
for violating human rights of Turkey’s minorities.’The issue here is
that, to date, Israel has refused to recognize the Armenian genocide –
in deference to the Turkish government, once its closest ally in the
Muslim world.That refusal has been especially galling since Hitler
himself considered the Turks’ genocide of the Armenians to provide a
model of sorts for the Third Reich’s campaign against the Jews.In
1939, a month before Germany invaded Poland, beginning WWII, Hitler
famously said `Who today speaks of the annihilation of the Armenians?’

In conclusion, I offer two modest suggestions: (1) Israel would be
wise not to arm the PKK; (2) truth and justice would be served by
Israel finally recognizing the Turks’ genocide of the Armenians.

From: A. Papazian

SIPAN DANCERS TO PARTICIPATE AT THE 6TH MEDITERRANEAN FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER AT 8:00 PM IN LARNACA

Gibrahayer
Sept 2011

The Sipan Armenian Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin Cultural and
Educational Association Cyprus Oshagan Cyprus will be participating in
the 6th Mediterranean Folk Dance Festival on Sunday 18th of September
at 8.00pm on the Sea-Front Stage at Finikoudes/Larnaca.

Additionally this year, Hamazkayin is exhibiting Armenian national
costumes at the Municipal Gallery in Larnaca as part of “Traditional
Costumes of the Mediterranean” exhibition which was inaugurated by
the Mayor of Larnaca Andreas Moiseos on Friday 16 September at 7.00pm.

We hope that you will honor and encourage us with your presence and
enjoy our breathtaking culture once again.

Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Oshagan Cyprus

From: A. Papazian

GARIK AND GOR HARUTYUNYANS – CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
YEREVAN

On the first day of the European Judo Championship among young people
in Belgium, the members of the Armenian team won 2 gold medals. At
first Garik Harutyunyan (55 kg) and then Gor Harutyunyan (60 kg)
took victories in final rounds, becoming champions of Europe.

In the semi-final Garik Harutyunyan defeated Azerbaijani Oruj Valizada,
and in the final – Georgian Leri Tselidze.

In the semi-final Gor Harutyunyan took victory over Russian Aram
Grigoryan, and in the fighting for gold medal he took advantage over
French Vincent Limar.

From: A. Papazian

MINISTRY SUGGESTS ENLARGING FUNCTIONS OF STATE EDUCATIONAL INSPECTORATE

Tert.am
16.09.11

Armenia’s Ministry of Education has suggested enlarging the functions
of the State Educational Inspectorate in an attempt to combat
unlawfulness and corruption in the sphere.

Speaking at the opening of the new building of the State Educational
Inspectorate in Komitas 37 address in Yerevan, Armen Ashotyan, the
minister of education, said that the inspectorate’s responsibilities
should include also the middle and higher education levels.

“The Ministry of Education and Science suggests enlarging the
responsibilities so that to include the spheres of middle and higher
specialized education,” said Ashotyan.

“Today, the Inspectorate is implementing its responsibilities only
in the spheres of pre-school, public and pre-specialized education
which does not allow us to ensure full control over processes taking
place in the educational system,” explained he.

“Corruption risks, violations of the law and generally worrisome
issues exist not only in schools, but also in institutes of higher
education and colleges,” Ashotyan added.

“We are receiving lots of complaint letter, and have to register them
and respond to those cases through the inspectorial tool,” explained
Armen Ashotyan.

From: A. Papazian

JUDGE ASKS NATURE PROTECTION MINISTRY TO PROVIDE LEGAL JUSTIFICATIONS FOR DOLPHINARIUM

epress.am
09.16.2011

On Sept. 15, the lawsuit launched by Center of Bird Lovers and Ecodar
NGO representative and Prezumpcia consulting center Director Levon
Ohanyan against the RA Ministry of Nature Protection was heard in
the Yerevan administrative court. The government ministry is being
accused of inaction with reference to the newly constructed Nemo
Dolphinarium in Yerevan’s Komitas Park, which environmentalists have
been demanding be shut down.

Yesterday’s court session was taken up mainly by Judge Ruzan Hakobyan
directing questions to the nature protection ministry representative,
Center of Bird Lovers NGO President Silva Adamyan told Epress.am.

“In particular, the judge was asking if, according to appeals by
various environmental groups, a survey of the surrounding environment
had been made and an assessment document provided. The ministry
representative was insisting that after the area was transferred for
use it is not subject to being surveyed, but our attorney Levon Ohanyan
insisted and [made a case] with documents that we have appealed to
the ministry with such letters prior to the transfer of the building
for us,” she said.

In Adamyan’s opinion, in hearing these preliminary court hearings,
the judge understood that a serious lawsuit has been launched against
the nature protection ministry.

“The judge gave the ministry representative 20 days for them to
present documents and legal explanations as to what the ministry did
concerning the dolphinarium in general,” she said.

Note, the next court date has been scheduled for Oct. 2 at 4:30 pm.

From: A. Papazian

“ROLE OF ARMENIANS IN CULTURAL LIFE OF CONSTANTINOPLE” SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
YEREVAN

Armenian Diaspora Ministry organizes September 16-17 days of
Constantinople-Armenian community, within the frameworks of which
“Armenians’ Role in Cultural Life of Constantinople” scientific
conference will be conducted.

“We often organize scientific meetings and discussions in this
building, I think this one will also be interesting,” Chairman of RA
National Academy of Sciences Radik Martirosyan said.

Within the framework of “Role of Armenians in Cultural Life of
Constantinople” scientific conference, Armenia’s and Diaspora’s
reporters presented Constantinople-Armenian outstanding public,
political figures, their work and materials on their rich heritage.

“This is a very interesting topic, as Constantinople is one of
main art centers of Armenian people and has greatly contributed to
development of Armenian culture,” Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan said, adding that “Constantinople-Armenian glorious heritage”
must be preserved and conveyed to coming generations. According to
the Minister, days of Armenian communities of different countries
conducted in Armenia symbolize the unity of Armenians.

“Armenians’ role was inappreciable not only in cultural life of the
Ottoman Empire, but in diplomatic, consular, industrial, agricultural
and other spheres,” ethnographer Hasmik Stepanyan said.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY TO HOLD HIGH-LEVEL DEFENCE TALKS

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 16, 2011 – 18:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – High level military dialogue will be held between
Azerbaijan and Turkey in December this year, military sources told APA.

The meeting, to be attended by high ranking servicemen of Turkish and
Azerbaijani armed forces, will focus on various cooperation directions
between the countries in military sphere.

The specific date of the event has not been determined yet.

Second Chief of General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces and Deputy
Defense Minister of Azerbaijan will attend the high level military
dialogue.

From: A. Papazian

AGARAK COPPER MOLYBDENUM PLANT EXPECTS GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL INDICATORS IN 2011-2012

/ARKA/
September 16, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. Agarak copper-molybdenum plant expects
additional growth of industrial and financial indicators in 2011-2012
and in 2010 it started to show income, press-service of GeoProMining
informed “ARKA”.

Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, visited the Agarak Copper
Molybdenum Combine (ACMC) during an official trip to the region of
Syunik on September 10. The Prime Minister reviewed the plant’s
investment programs, which include modernization of processing
facilities, professional training for employees, changes to the
organizational structure of the enterprise and development of the mine.

In August 2009, GPM hired the Mechanobr Institute to conduct a
feasibility study for the reconstruction of ACMC. The institute
developed an integrated approach to designing new and modernizing
existing facilities at ACMC. The project includes the development of
efficient technologies, implementation of modern engineering solutions
and the use of more efficient, higher-output equipment.

In June 2009, the government of Armenia provided ACMC with
stabilization credit for anti-crisis measures to support a program to
reduce costs and increase ACMC’s competitiveness. In December 2009,
ACMC began repayment of the government credit.

GeoProMining, founded in 2001, is an international, privately held
company with a diversified base of gold and other metals assets.

GeoProMining engages in mining activities in Armenia, Georgia and
the Russian Federation. GeoProMining acquired the initial stake in
ACMC in December 2007.

From: A. Papazian