Author: Andres-Papazian

RUSSIA-CHINA TRADE GROWS 56 PERCENT IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER – PUTIN

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG

Trade between Russia and China grew by 56 percent in January-September
amounting to 42 billion US dollars, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin said at the talks in the extended format with Chinese Prime
Minister Wen Jiabao on Tuesday.

“As for trade and economic relations, they have stood the test of
the crisis,” he said. “Over nine months of the current year, trade
turnover grew by 56 percent and amounted to 42 billion US dollars.”

“The volume of trade in some kinds of goods grew considerably,” Putin
went on to say, adding that there was an 83-percent growth in timber
and a 40-percent growth in supplies of electric power.

“Russian-Chinese strategic partnership is a major factor for the
strengthening of stability and security in the world and in the
Asia-Pacific Region,” Putin added. He said relations between the
two countries “don’t depend on external conjuncture, and develop
dynamically in all spheres – politics, economy, science, education
and culture”.

“I am confident that today’s talks and joint work will give another
powerful impetus to the development of interstate relations,” he
summed up. Besides, Putin noted that a ceremony closing the Chinese
Season in Russia and the Russian Season in China would be held on
Wednesday. He stressed that these seasons had been successful and
thanked everybody taking part in them.

Wen Jiabao, for his part, noted that “considerable progress in
cooperation between Russia and China” has been reached over the past
year. According to him, constant summit-level contacts let the two
countries coordinate their policies.

“China and Russia support each other in different issues, including
those that concern sovereignty, and thus they ensure security in the
region and in the world,” the Chinese prime minister noted.

He urged the two countries to boost efforts in order to ensure
stability in the border regions.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN PRESENT AT THE OPENING OF “ARMPRODEXPO 2010”

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was
present today at the opening of tenth “Armprodexpo 2010” international
exhibition. President’s press office reported that Serzh Sargsyan
walked across the pavilions, got acquainted with the presented products
and spoke with the participants about their issues and future plans.

Leading companies of the republic, enterprises representing small
business as well as more than 20 food producing foreign enterprises
from Belarus, Ukraine, Austria, Germany, Finland are among the
participants of the event.

From: A. Papazian

TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVES BORIS KOVALCHUK AND YEVGENY GLADUNCHIK

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2010
YEREVAN

Tigran Sargsyan received today Chairman of the management board of
“INTER RAO UES” OJSC Boris Kovalchuk and Yevgeny Gladunchik, general
director of the Armenian Electrical System.

Press service of the Armenian government told Armenpress that during
the meeting the parties expressed gratification on the process of
bilateral constructive cooperation, highly appraising the efficient
implementation of joint programs.

In particular, issues on equipment and construction of electric
substations in the territory of Armenia by the Armenian Electrical
System were discussed.

In the context of expansion of bilateral cooperation the interlocutors
referred to prospects of implementation of further programs.

From: A. Papazian

ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN TO THE CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOODROW WILSON’S ARBITRAL AWARD

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan addressed to the conference dedicated
to the 90th Anniversary of Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitral Award. President’s
press office says the address runs as follows:

“Dear Participants of the Conference,

Ninety years ago on this day – November 22, 1920, the President of
the United States Woodrow Wilson made an Arbitral Award regarding
Armenia’s borders.

It was probably one of the most momentous events for our nation in
the 20th century which was called up to reestablish historic justice
and eliminate consequences of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated
in the Ottoman Empire. The Arbitral Award defined and recognized
internationally Armenia’s borders within which the Armenian people, who
had gone through hell of Mets Eghern, were to build their statehood.

Perfidy and brutal force thwarted opportunities for calling President
Wilson’s Arbitral Award to life. Nevertheless, its significance is
not to be underestimated: through that decision the aspiration of
the Armenian people for the lost Motherland had obtained vital and
legal force.

With the collapse of empires after World War I, a number of
European nations had been endowed with the opportunity to achieve
self-determination through the creation of their own nation states.

President Wilson wished for Armenia to be one of those nations which
would employ all opportunities offered by the European civilization.

He knew what the responsibility of a great state means; he didn’t
not ignore sufferings of small nations.

Even today, through the power of his historic legacy, Woodrow Wilson
entreats to strengthen international law, prevent genocides and
undertake measures to restrain the impunity of brutal force. He is
the one whom the grateful Armenian nation remembers and will remember
for ever as an advocate of justice and a true friend.

Scientific studies and analysis of that historic ruling are of utmost
importance, and I wish the Conference productive works.”

From: A. Papazian

ORANGE CONGRATULATES WINNER OF JUNIOR EUROVISION 2010

Tert.am
19:53 23.11.10

Vladimir Arzumanyan and the members of the dance band who won the first
place at the music contect Junior Eurovision 2010 in Minsk with their
brilliant performance, were greeted by Orange, the official partner
of the broadcasting, and received gifts from the General Director of
the company Bruno Duthoit.

According to a press release by Orange, Mr Duthoit offered an iPad
to Vladimir, to the members of the dance band – mobile phones as well
as nice Orange-branded backpacks and wallets.

The young poeple shared their impressions from Eurovision with
journalists and supporters at the meeting.

“We are happy to be the official partner of such a popular european
music contest. Everyone in Armenia followed the event at the TV with
big interest and tension and we all admired the beautiful voice, the
mastery and artistism of the Armenian participant. I congratulate all
those who helped Vladimir and his friends to achieve this victory,
I also congratulate all Armenia for this unprecedent achievement,”
said Mr Duthoit.

From: A. Papazian

ACID BATTERY PLANT OPENS IN ARMENIA

Tert.am
19:46 23.11.10

Elbat Company has started to produce lead acid batteries in Armenia.

With its up-to-date equipment and technologies, the company is
opening a plant in Yerevan, ensuring in the meantime guarantee and
post-guarantee services for battery exploitation.

The opening of the new plant was held Tuesday in Yerevan. The ceremony
was attended by Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan, Yerevan Mayor Gagik
Beglaryan, Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan and the Ambassador
of Germany in Armenia, Hans-Wulf Bartels.

Chronimet Mining German company holds 51% of Elbat’s shares. The
Armenian side owns 49% of the shares.

“More than 180.000 newly produced batteries are consumed in Armenia
every year, whereas there are no battery production enterprises in
the region and around,” Head of Elbat company’s directors’ board
Samvel Abrahamyan told journalists.

The company currently has 145 employees whose minimal salary comprises
206.000 Armenian Drams.

From: A. Papazian

OMBUDSMAN CALLS FOR FULFILLMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Tert.am
19:40 23.11.10

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s Office has received several
complaints that Armenia’s law enforcement bodies restrict the rights
of Armenian citizens to have a lawyer while being held in detention.

In that relation, Armenia’s Ombudsman, Armen Harutyunyan, has issued
a statement calling on Armenia’s law enforcement bodies to strictly
follow the requirements of Armenia’s Constitution and the international
agreements under which Armenia has assumed some responsibilities on
human rights protection.

“Taking into account the above-mentioned, I am calling [on Armenia’s
law enforcement bodies] to strictly follow from now on the requirements
of Armenia’s Constitution, the European Convention on the Protection
of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, European Court of Human
Rights and the precedents of the judicial acts of Armenia’s Court of
Cassation,” reads the statement.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIA REMINDS ARMENIA OF AGREEMENT TO DECREASE ROAMING TARIFFS

Tert.am
19:37 23.11.10

Russian Minister of Mass Communication Igor Shchogolev has met with
Armenia’s Minister of Transportation and Communication Manuk Vardanyan,
the press service of Russian Federation Ministry of Communication
reports.

The parties have discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation in
communication sphere.

The Russian minister has reminded his Armenian colleague of the
agreement on decreasing roaming tariffs and requested that the
Armenian side exercise control over the implementation of all the
agreements reached.

The meeting also focused on the possibility of Armenia’s participation
in the satellite project.

The Armenian side was offered to consider the possibility of the
joint use of the orbital positions under its control.

Shchogolev mentioned in turn that his country is now in the process
of modernizing satelite communication systems.

From: A. Papazian

OPPOSITION PARTY READY FOR DIALOGUE ONLY AFTER POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE SET FREE

Tert.am
19:34 23.11.10

The Armenian Pan-National Movement party (APNM) has nothing to talk
about with the ruling authorities, APNM Board Chairman Aram Manukyan
told a press conference today.

Mr Manukyan’s statement comes after the Secretary of Prosperous
Armenia (PA) party’s parliamentary faction, Aram Safaryan, said
that the ruling parliamentary coalition will discuss the release of
political prisoners.

“The number one issue, i.e. the release of political prisoners, that
the authorities must resolve, has been raised for several times,
as well as in the speeches [former president] Levon Ter-Petrosyan
has delivered during the rallies,” said he.

The next important issue, according, to Mr Manukyan, is the
organization of the investigation of the 10 deaths caused during
the March 1-2 events that followed the 2008 disputed presidential
elections in Armenia.

“Only after that can there be a topic of dialogue, i.e. handing
down the power or holding upcoming [meaning “early”] elections,”
said Mr Manukyan.

From: A. Papazian

PAAVA LUNCHEON HEARS ABOUT IRAQ RECOVERY EFFORTS

By:Armenian Weekly
Mon, Nov 22 2010 | Published in Mid-Atlantic
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.

Guests at the 12th annual luncheon of the Philadelphia
Armenian-American Veterans Association (PAAVA) heard about the
reconstruction work in Iraq and received an update on the khatchkar
(Armenian cross-stone) memorial-being built to commemorate the only
known Armenian to have served in the Union Navy during the American
Civil War.

The luncheon was held on Nov. 14 and drew an audience of 175 veterans,
their spouses, the spouses of deceased veterans, and members of the
Philadelphia community.

Kerry Kachejian, a retired colonel in the Army Reserves, was the
keynote speaker of the event. Kachejian had recently returned from Iraq
after serving for six years as a leading officer in the reconstruction
operations of the Gulf Region Division (GRD).

In both his narration and slide presentation, Kachejian covered
some of the events that had garnered headlines-sometimes with a
different view-and some that never even made it in the headlines in
this country. Although the GRD is working on behalf of Iraq and the
Iraqi people, it has lost 35 personnel through ambushes, car bombs,
and rocket fire. Sadly, he pointed out, four were very close friends.

A West Point graduate, Kachejian has served in the army for 28 years
and holds the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star medals and the Combat
Action Badge, and is Airborne and Ranger qualified. Currently, he is
the director of homeland security at Raytheon. He is the author of
SUVs Suck in Combat: The Rebuilding of Iraq During A Raging Insurgency,
copies of which were available for sale and were signed by the author.

*** Paul Sookiassian, who is responsible for uncovering much of the
information about Katchadour Garabedian, the immigrant to America
who joined the Union Navy in the Civil War, reported that work has
now begun on the carving of the khatchkar that will be mounted on
Garabedian’s grave. He indicated that the Memorial Fund is still
open for tax-exempt donations. In addition to being the only known
Armenian officer to have served in the Union Navy, Garabedian made
his home in Philadelphia, upon his discharge, and became the first
Armenian in the city.

Sandra Selverian, PAAVA’s founder and president, recounted the history
of the organization, which began by honoring veterans from the St.

Gregory the Illuminator Apostolic Church, but which quickly expanded
to include veterans from the four other Philadelphia churches,
now represented on PAAVA’s Board. The luncheon was held in the new
Founders Hall of St. Gregory;s Church, where it all began. The other
churches supporting PAAVA are: theArmenian Martyrs Congregational
Church, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Marks Armenian
Catholic Church, and Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.

The master of ceremonies was retired Master Sergeant Steven Hox who,
having married into the Kuredjian family, is now a member of PAAVA
and a member of St. Gregory’s Church, the host of this year’s luncheon.

As part of the program, Martin Gutchigian, an 88-year-old PAAVA member,
led the singing of “America The Beautiful” at the beginning, and
“God Bless America” at the end of the luncheon, as well as offering
“Danny Boy” during the program. The song, he said, was always sung
on board his ship during the Pacific war whenever a member of the
crew was killed in action and his body confined to the sea.

The Colors were presented and retired by the Homenetmen Scouts
Troop Number 15. The invocation was pronounced by Archpriest Nerses
Manoogian of St. Gregory’s Church, and the benediction was offered
by Rev. L. Nishan Bakalian, pastor of Armenian Martyr’s Church.

Those wishing to donate to the Khatchkar Fund, should send their
tax-exempt contribution to: Richard Weinsheimer, Apt 15, 300 Ernest
Way, Philadelphia, PA 19111, marking it “Garabedian Memorial.”

Next year’s PAAVA Luncheon will be held on Nov. 13.

From: A. Papazian