Author: Andres-Papazian

VICE PRIME MINISTER GETS ACQUAINTED WITH PROCESS OF RESTORATION OF MAIN IRRIGATION CANAL OF ARMAVIR

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 24, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Armen Gevorgyan, RA vice prime
minister, territorial administration minister, continues getting
acquainted with the process of restoration of the irrigation system
infrastructures in the provinces.

An official from the PR department of the RA Territorial Administration
Ministry told Armenpress that in the province of Armavir the RA vice
Prime Minister and A. Andreasyan, chairman of the state committee
on water economy of the ministry, were presented the process of
restoration of the main irrigation canal of the province.

The canal is being reconstructed within the framework of the
World Bank’s Irrigation Systems Restoration Urgent Program. With
the economized amount of 1 billion 400 million AMD the work of
reconstruction of a 7-km-long area along the land river-bed of the
main canal kicked off in the community of Sardarapat.

The work is intended to be finished March, 2011. Afterward the main
canal will be fully restored. The Minister urged the constructing
organizations to put the emphasis on the quality and keep the schedule.

Afterward the RA vice Prime Minster visited Ararat Marz, where he got
acquainted with the process of restoration of the pumping stations of
the communities of Ranchpar, Mkhchyan and Baghramyan. Armen Gevorgyan
expressed hope that the work will be finished on schedule and that the
pumping station will give an opportunity to organize the forthcoming
irrigation round more efficiently.

From: A. Papazian

PRIME MINISTER SAYS ARMENIA’S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT TO IMPROVE SOON

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 24, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan conducted today a consultation on the improvement of Armenia’s
business environment and particularly on improving the Doing Business
rating.

After the consultation Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said
at a briefing with reporters that they thoroughly discussed the
“Doing business” assessment that relates to Armenia, particularly
what flaws the country ahs and which are its privileges.

“During the consultation we have focused on the existing flaws. The
main element with which we occupy bad position is the tax and customs
administration. A clear schedule of events has been worked out by the
State Revenue Committee which must give us an opportunity to sharply
improve the business environment. I am speaking of the number of
reports, about the time the tax payers are spending as a result of
contacts with the tax bodies. The frequency of paying taxes must also
be cut. The second refers to the regulations, the punitive measures and
ways of checking that we are implementing. It is understandable that
here we must essentially improve the situation so that the contacts
with the tax bodies be brought to minimum and create more favorable
conditions for business. The third direction is the registration of
new business: how much time do we spend on it? How can we facilitate
the process?” the prime minister said.

He said such like assignments were given to corresponding ministries.

In a week another consultation will be held during which all the
ministries will clearly present their activities and the timetable.

“It is done to ensure essential progress in all the points by April 1.

>>From January 1 certain regimes will already function, particularly
electronic reports that will essentially facilitate the contacts of
companies with the officials of the State Revenue Committee as well
as will give them an opportunity not to lose time on administrative
issues. It is understandable that this issue has political content
as well: it is one of the points of RA president’s pre-electoral
program that we must always have under our limelight the rating in
“Doing Business”,” the head of the government said, expressing hope
that soon Armenia’s rating will improve.

From: A. Papazian

ROMANIAN-ARMENIAN COMMUNITY PARTAKING IN ANNUAL FUNDRAISING OF ‘HAYASTAN’ FUND

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 24, 2010
YEREVAN

The Romanian-Armenian community is partaking in the annual fundraising
of ‘Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund, too. The day before the telethon,
intended to be held November 25 in Los Angeles, Armenia’s Embassy
to Romania, the Romanian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
and the fund’s representation took the joint initiative to urge the
community members, organize gatherings and meetings.

An official from the press, information and PR department of the RA
Foreign Affairs Ministry told Armenpress that several notifications
were placed on the website of ‘Ararat’ periodical, published in
Bucharest. The notifications were sent to 1000 subscribers via email.

The first lists of donators have already been made. Archimandrite Tatev
Hakobyan, leader of the Romanian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, Varujan Voskanyan, senator, chairman of Romanian-Armenian
Union, Varujan Pambukchyan, NA deputy, deputy chairman of the union,
as well as heads of the local bodies of the union, intellectuals,
journalists and activists of the community lead the lists of donators.

As of November 21, 15000 USD was donated in Romania. Hakob Krmzyan,
Romanian-Armenian businessmen, donated an unprecedented amount of
10,000 USD.

A duty is scheduled from 6 p.m. (local time), November 25 to 6 a.m.,
November 26 at the Armenian Embassy and Armenians’ Union of Romania
for those, who want to donate during the fundraising of Los Angeles.

Though no any official local body of ‘Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund has
been established in Romania yet, the Romanian-Armenians partake in the
fund’s programs. The computer room of Argentine School of Yerevan was
reconstructed and equipped with computers in 2009 through the joint
financial means by the Armenian communities of Romania and Argenitina.

From: A. Papazian

CONSULTATION AT NKR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 24, 2010
STEPANAKERT

Ashot Ghulyan, chairman of the National Assembly of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, convened today a working consultation with the
participation of the chairmen of standing committees and coordinators
of the staff’s services. An official from the NKR NA press service
told Armenpress that the discussion’s theme was the agenda of the
next full session of the 2nd sitting of the 5th convocation.

The chairmen of standing committees made reports on thematic spectrum
and completeness of the bills. The attendees exchanged thought
and defined the agenda, which is intended to be approved at the
full session, as well as discussed the future plans and received
corresponding assignments. The NA Speaker stated that the NA full
session will be convened November 25, 2010.

From: A. Papazian

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECLARES POLICE WIRETAP LOOPHOLE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Asbarez
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenia’s highest court on Tuesday declared unconstitutional a
legal provision allowing law-enforcement bodies to wiretap telephone
conversations and monitor other private correspondence without court
permissions in some cases.

The Armenian constitution guarantees the complete privacy of
citizens’ personal communication, including phone calls and regular
and electronic mail. It says security agencies can have access to
private correspondence of criminal suspects only if they get clearance
from courts.

An article of Armenia’s Criminal Code of Procedural Justice enacted
after a constitutional reform in 2005 says that such permissions
are not necessary if one of the parties to a phone conversation or
other forms of personal communication allows law-enforcement bodies
to breach their privacy.

Earlier this year, Armenia’s state human rights ombudsman, Armen
Harutiunian, asked the Constitutional Court to declare this clause
null and void, saying that its runs counter to the constitution.

The court accepted Harutiunian’s arguments in a ruling announced
on Tuesday. It obligated the National Assembly to amend the code
accordingly.

Many Armenian opposition politicians and journalists have long
suspected the authorities and the National Security Service (NSS) of
illegally eavesdropping on their phone calls. The Constitutional Court
ruling will hardly dispel their suspicions. Skeptics will point out
that Armenian courts rarely make decisions going against the wishes
of the government and its security apparatus.

From: A. Papazian

CHAMLIAN SCHOOL CELEBRATES ARMENIAN HERITAGE AT ANNUAL CULTURAL DAY

Asbarez
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
GLENDALE

Students, parents and faculty at Chamlian Armenian School celebrated
the centuries old traditions and heritage of the Armenian people on
Sunday, November 7 during the school’s annual Cultural Day celebration.

Chamlian’s Armenian Cultural Day showcases the school’s dedication
to the preservation and promotion of the Armenian culture and heritage.

This year’s event included four sets of performances in the school
auditorium. The dedicated teachers in the Armenian Department worked
diligently to prepare their students for their performances. The
program consisted of singing, dancing, recitation, short-plays, and
a performance by the school choir. In addition, 60 adorable first
graders presented traditional Armenian costumes from various regions
in Armenia.

Guests spent their time in the carnival-like atmosphere outdoors
enjoying Armenian cuisine, boutiques, and music. This event was
entirely sponsored and organized by the Armenian Department and the
Chamlian Parent Support Committee.

This year’s Cultural Day will be remembered for a long time to come,
and the efforts of our hardworking teachers and parents are greatly
appreciated.

Located in the foothills of Glendale and La Crescenta, California,
Chamlian Armenian School provides the ideal setting for an excellent
learning institution. With 500 students in grades 1st through 8th,
Chamilan is one of the eight schools under the auspices of the Board
of Regents of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The school is recognized not only as an Armenian school, but also as
an outstanding learning institution with the highest standards of
academic excellence. Chamlian was established in 1973 and has been
accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since
1983. Chamlian is also the only school in the region that teaches
both Western and Eastern Armenian.

From: A. Papazian

TIGRAN SARGSYAN PARTICIPATES IN CEREMONY OF PROJECT COMPLETION ON MODERNIZATION OF SUBSTATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 23, 2010 – 18:06 AMT 14:06 GMT

On November 23, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, accompanied
by OJSC INTER RAO UES Management Board Chairman Boris Kovalchuk
and Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC Director General Yevgeni
Gladunchik, participated in a ceremony of completion of the project
on reconstruction of 17 substations.

Tigran Sargsyan expressed hope that the investments to the project will
be justified, as a result of which there will be a high reliability
of electric power supply in Armenia.

“It is a large-scale program, which is aimed at securing uninterrupted
electric power supply to the country’s consumers,” Boris Kovalchuk
said in his welcoming speech.

According to him, the total cost of the project amounted to $50mln,
including $35mln allocated by the Japan Bank for International
Cooperation. The rest was provided from funds of Electric Networks
of Armenia. The works were carried out by a Chinese company, which
won the tender. The program implementation will lead to reduction of
technical losses and exploitation costs.

From: A. Papazian

JUDGE WANTS INFO ON REPUTED ARMENIAN MOBSTER’S $350K ROLLS ROYCE
By BRUCE GOLDING

New York Post

Nov 23 2010

L.A. may be a great big freeway, but he surely needed more than $100
down to buy this car.

A judge wants to know how a reputed godfather in the Armenian mob has
been driving around in a $350,000 Rolls Royce Phantom while reporting
only a “quite modest” monthly income.

Armen Kazarian — described by his lawyer as a used-car broker —
was busted last month in a $163 million Medicare fraud that feds
called the biggest scam of its kind by a single crime syndicate.

The Los Angeles resident was scheduled to ask for bail yesterday
in Manhattan federal court, but the hearing was postponed because
Kazarian refused to answer questions from a Pretrial Services officer.

Celebrity defense lawyer Mark Geragos said Kazarian, 47, apparently
misunderstood his instructions “not to talk to anyone,” and would
cooperate at his next interview.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER PAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO SLOVAKIA

Defence Professionals

Nov 23 2010

On the 22nd of November the delegation headed by Armenian Defence
Minister Seyran Ohanyan paid an official visit to Slovakia, following
the invitation by the Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic
Lubomir Galko.

During the visit the Defence Ministers of the two countries discussed
matters of bilateral cooperation. ARM MoD Seyran Ohanyan and the SR
MoD Lubomir Galko signed an agreement on “Military Cooperation between
the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the
Slovak Republic”, which anticipates a cooperation in the following main
areas – Professional Military Education and Training of the personnel,
military medicine, peacekeeping, exchange of experience in the sphere
of Strategic Defence Review, etc.

Seyran Ohanyan also visited the memorial of Armenian Genocide
in Bratislava and put a wreath there. On the 23rd of November the
delegation headed by the ARM MoD left for Hungary, where the matters
of bilateral military cooperation are also to be discussed.

—- MoD Department of Information and Public Affairs

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CONCERN OVER NORTH-SOUTH GAS PIPELINE
By Messenger Staff

The Messenger
Nov 23 2010
Georgia

Armenia is expressing its concern over the possibility that the
Georgian segment of north-south natural gas pipeline pumping gas from
Russia to Armenia via Georgia will be sold to Azerbaijan. Any country
purchasing assets like these should comply with international standards
and should not hinder pumping gas from Russia, but the Armenians are
concerned that if SOCAR, the Azeri state oil company, obtains these
assets problems could arise such as essential repairs, maintenance or
other technical mishaps which will be result in delaying the gas supply
from Russia to Armenia. So, it is up to Georgia to make a decision
about the tender so that together with SOCAR, which has already
expressed its interest, maybe Armrusgasprom can also participate in it.

From: A. Papazian