Author: Andres-Papazian

4TH TOURNAMENT OF FOOTSAL TO BE HELD

ARMENPRESS
YEREVAN
OCTOBER 20, 2010

“Hope Bridge” and “Mission East” organizations invite October 18-30
to participate in “Football for Equal Opportunities” 4th footsal
tournament of mass media. The goal of the tournament is the propaganda
of the idea of ensuring equal opportunities for disabled people. It
is already the 4th year that the tournament is organized with the
support of the Armenian Football Federation: high-class referees
serve all the games.

An official from “Hope Bridge” NGO said that the organizers of the
tournament have defined awards for the best teams: there will be
individual awards as well. Besides that, a special award will be given
to the journalist best covered the tournament. Nine teams participated
last year in the mini football – the teams of “Armenpress”, “Mediamax”,
“Public Television, “Yerkir Media”, “Total Football”, “Chorrord
Ishkhanutyun”, “Arevacaghik” (Sunflower), “Tert.am”, and “Shakhmat”
(Chess). Amateur football teams of the mass media can participate
in the tournament. It is prohibited to involve in the teams such
employees, who have come forth in 2005-2010 football championships.

Each mass media can be presented by one team. There is no fee of
participation. The applications for participation must be presented
with the list of participants, with the signature of the head of
the given mass media and corresponding seal. The copies of the
participants’ passports must be presented as well. The applications
must be submitted till 17:00 pm, November 10, 2010. The financial
support is extended by the International Development Agency of Dania.

From: A. Papazian

WORKS OF YURI TUMASYAN EXHIBITED IN ST. PETERSBURG

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 20, 2010
SAINT PETERSBURG

The 10th individual exhibition of works of fine artist Yuri Tumasyan
opened recently in ~SM Art~T private exhibition hall of St. Petersburg
entitled ~SOther World~T.

The artist presented the works he has done this year. They have
mainly surrealistic content and reflect the current philosophy of
that direction.

The personal exhibition of the artist was organized in Germany
and Moscow as well. Member of the Russian Union of Artists,
St-Petersburg-based Tumasian studied at Yerevan P. Terlemezyan art
college, then at Yerevan Art-Theatrical Institute.

Armenpress correspondent from St. Petersburg reports that jubilee
exhibition of works of Armenian artists will also open in the northern
capital of Russia. It will be dedicated to the 300th anniversary of
the establishment of Armenian community.

From: A. Papazian

GERMAN LEADER URGES TURKS TO RESPECT CHRISTIAN RIGHTS

Agence France Presse
October 19, 2010 Tuesday 2:48 PM GMT
ANKARA

German President Christian Wulff urged Turkey Tuesday to respect
the religious freedoms of Christian minorities, a key issue in the
country’s struggling bid to join the European Union.

Wulff made the appeal after talks with Turkish leaders in Ankara,
dominated by issues of co-habitation and a simmering debate in Germany
on whether Berlin had failed in efforts to integrate Muslim immigrants,
many of them Turks.

Wulff, the first German president to visit Turkey in a decade,
stressed the freedoms Muslims enjoy in Germany and urged Islamic
countries to reciprocate.

“We expect that Christians in Muslim countries have the same rights
to live their faith publicly, educate new clergy and build churches,”
he said in a speech at Turkey’s parliament.

“Religious freedom is part of our understanding of Europe as a
community of values,” he said.

Turkey’s non-Muslim communities, mainly Orthodox Greeks, Armenians
and Jews, complain mostly of restrictions on property rights and
theological education.

Several attacks on Christians, including the murders of a German
missionary in 2007 and the head of Turkey’s Roman Catholic Church in
June, have fanned fears that hostility against non-Muslims is on the
rise in Turkey.

Earlier, Wulff issued a conciliatory message aimed at easing a
heated debate in Germany over faltering efforts to integrate Muslim
immigrants.

“We are old friends…. The things that connect us are much more
than the things that keep us apart,” he said after talks with Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul.

Wulff’s remarks came just days after Chancellor Angela Merkel said
Germany’s efforts to create a multi-cultural society had failed and
urged immigrants to integrate, learn German and adopt German culture
and values.

Germany has four million Muslims among its 82 million inhabitants,
with 2.5 million Turks forming the largest ethnic minority.

While many later-generation Turks have integrated with German
society, large sections have never learned German and live in closed
communities.

Wulff stressed the immigrants’ reliance on state benefits, crime
rate, machoism and rejection of education as major problems hindering
integration.

Gul renewed a call on Turkish immigrants to learn the German
language, but stressed that “instead of using the integration problem
politically, everybody must help find a solution.”

The debate in Germany flared after central banker Thilo Sarrazin said
immigrants were making Germany “more stupid.”

There have also been concerns that Muslim failure to integrate is
breeding homegrown Islamic extremists in Germany.

Wulff praised Turkey’s growing role in regional affairs, but reiterated
Berlin’s position that the country’s EU accession talks were open-ended
and did not guarantee full membership.

Along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Merkel argues that Turkey
has no place in Europe and should settle for a “privileged partnership”
instead of membership — a proposal Ankara categorically rejects.

Wulff also met Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey’s
highest Muslim religious official, Ali Bardakoglu.

Despite political differences, Germany remains Turkey’s principal
economic partner, with bilateral trade standing at 23.8 billion dollars
(17 billion euros) in 2009.

Wulff’s four-day visit was to take him also to Kayseri, a booming
industrial city in central Turkey, the nearby Cappadocia region
famous for its cone-shaped rock formations and the historic Saint
Paul’s Church in Tarsus.

He will also visit Istanbul to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
I, the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, and lay
the foundation of a Turkish-German university before leaving Friday.

From: A. Papazian

31 THEATRICAL GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN “SEED OF POMEGRANATE”

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 20, 2010
YEREVAN

The 10th junior theatrical festival of “Seed of Pomegranate” (Nran
Hatik) will be conducted October 25-31 in Yerevan.

This year it is dedicated to Avetik Isahakyan’s 135th anniversary and
is implemented by “Nakhabem” educational-cultural association under
the sponsorship of the Armenian Culture Ministry, with the support of
the Avetik Isahakyan Central Library, Yerevan Municipality and “Metro”
theater of Yerevan. Thirty-one theatrical groups will partake in “Seed
of Pomegranate 2010”, 16 of which from Yerevan, 11 – from Armenian,
2 from Artsakh, 1 from Akhalkalak and 1 from Tehran.

The theatrical groups will mainly perform in “Metro” theater, in
“Hamazgayin”, Anania Shirakatsi Seminary and Children’s Aesthetic
Center.

Director of Avetik Isahakyan Central Library Hasmik Karapetyan told
Armenpress that the first 4 festivals were implemented exclusively
through the efforts of “Nakhabem”, from 2004 “Seed of Pomegranate”
have been involved in 2004-2012 national program on works carried
out with children, and has quite expanded its activity.

Mrs. Karapetyan attached importance to the role of the festival in
regard to aesthetic knowledge and development of feelings. During
these 10 years the festival has staged about 225 performances with
participation of over 145 theatrical groups. According to Mr.

Karapetyan, many juniors participated in the festival have chosen the
path of culture and today study at Yerevan State Theatrical Institute,
play on Armenian and foreign stages.

“By means of the discussions organized after the festival days we
bring to life a main idea – contribution to national upbringing of the
growing generation through theatrical art, keeping pure and conveying
our precious mother language,” she said.

From: A. Papazian

RA STATE LABOR INSPECTION CONDUCTS SEMINAR IN KAPAN

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 20, 2010
KAPAN

The RA Labor Inspection conducted a seminar-consultation in Kapan
October 19 to introduce the amendments made in the RA Labor Code. About
150 employees of state and private sectors from Kapan, Meghri, Goris
and Sisian participated in the event.

The goal of the seminar, according to Armen Smbatyan, deputy head
of the inspection, is support the employers for them not to comment
wrong the amendments in the Labor Code.

At the event Mr Smbatyan referred to the changes made in the labor
agreement, regime, holiday provision points.

According to the changes, hence an employee may go for holiday not
28 calendar but 28 working days.

Mr Smbatyan said Syunik is penultimate province where such
seminar-consultation is being held, the last one will be Vayots Dzor.

From: A. Papazian

GERMAN PRESIDENT TELLS TURKISH MPS ABOUT THREATS AGAINST WORLD PEACE

Anadolu Agency
Oct 19 2010
Turkey

Ankara, 19 October: German President Christian Wulff became the 33rd
foreign statesman addressing the Turkish parliament.

President Wulff, who is currently in Ankara on a state visit, addressed
Turkish law makers after meeting with the Deputy Speaker of parliament,
Nevzat Pakdil.

During his 20-minute speech, President Wulff referred to several
issues concerning both Turkey and Germany.

German President has called for “close cooperation” with Turkey on
issues that posed new threats against the world peace.

“Terrorism, asymmetric threat posed by militant and extremist groups
as well as the proliferation of nuclear weapons are risking global
peace. As Turkey and Germany we need to engage in a very close
cooperation to solve these problems,” Christian Wulff told Turkish
law makers, addressing the Turkish parliament in capital Ankara as
part of his formal visit in Turkey.

Wulff said Turkey’s invitation on a visit to the country is a testament
to the close and intense relations between Turkey and Germany, adding
that he had paid his third formal visit to Turkey since he assumed
the presidential post.

“Our relations are deeply-rooted and they have always been a richness
in the development of our nations. In many fields such as economy,
politics and science we have very close relations,” he said.

Wulff said the relations between the two countries had taken a turn
for a unique course of development, adding that Germany had become
the top European country to host the biggest number of Turks.

The German president said his country had been the most important
partner for Turkey for a long time, noting that Germany was the biggest
market for Turkish exports and the second largest importer for Turkey.

Stating that Turkey and Germany was two important allies of NATO,
Wulff said, “As allies we are responsible for each other. During the
decades of the Cold War Turkey specifically made contributions to
maintaining freedom and security in Europe. Turkey’s share is also
big in the reunification of my country.”

Touching on the Cyprus issue, Wulff underlined that the problem
should be settled which he said would lead not only to the economic
development of the island but also to good neighbourhood relations
in the region.

“Germany is following Turkey’s efforts to maintain good relations with
its neighbours. We do support the normalization of relations between
Turkey and Armenia. An open border gate in a common future and in
an environment where disputed issues were not neglected will offer
a very important contribution to stability in the region,” Wulff said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN MP FROM RULING COALITION SAYS 2011 BUDGET “POST-CRISIS”

Mediamax
Oct 19 2010
Armenia

Yerevan, 19 October: State budget of Armenia for 2011 will be of
“post-crisis nature”, deputy chairman of Parliamentary Committee
on Economic Issues, member of “Prosperous Armenia” faction Vardan
Bostanjyan stated today.

He stressed that in draft state budget for 2011 “social factor
prevails, at that GDP growth will be provided for at the expense of
quantity and not quality development of economy”.

Vardan Bostanjyan informed that Prosperous Armenia fraction, which
enters the ruling coalition, will most likely vote for approval of
draft state budget for 2011. He noted that discussions of the state
budget have just been initiated and the party probably will still
present its suggestions and changes.

From: A. Papazian

DEFENSE MINISTRIES OF ARMENIA AND UKRAINE SIGN 2011 COOPERATION PLAN

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 20, 2010
YEREVAN

On the eve of the sitting of the Council of Defense Ministers of CIS
countries in Crimea Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan had a
number of bilateral meetings with the defense ministers of the CIS
countries during which issues of mutual interest were discussed.

Public Relations department of the Armenian Defense Ministry told
Armenpress that the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Ukraine Seyran
Ohanyan and Mikhail Ezhel talked about the relations between the
defense agencies of the two countries and the ways of their expansion
and intensification.

At the end of the meeting the 2011 cooperation plan between the
Ministries of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and Ukraine was
signed. The most important activities of the plan include strategic
and operative planning consultations and cooperation in the spheres
of engineering and military education.

From: A. Papazian

BRITISH “THE HALO TRUST” NGO DEFUSED IN NKR 4000 HA TERRITORIES FROM MINES IN 2000-2010

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 20, 2010
STEPANAKERT

Chairman of the Nagorno Karabakh National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan
received October 19 head of “The HALO TRUST” NGO’s Karabakh program
Rolly Clark and manager of the same program Yuri Shahramyan.

Press service of the Nagorno Karabakh National Assembly told Armenpress
that during the conversation the head of the program presented the
achievements of “The HALO TRUST” mission and the coming activities as
well as the existing issues. According to him, during the past ten
years overall 4000 ha territories have been defused from unexploded
mines and other arms, another 1000 ha territory need to be defused too.

As an important achievement Mr Clark particularly mentioned the
decrease of the number of victims among population suffered from
explosion of arms. At the same time, he noted that the establishment
has its issues mainly connected with the funding of the program. The
head of the program said in case of expanding the circles of financing
the organization in short period of time will manage to complete the
defusing works.

On his part, the NKR NA chairman highlighted the role of “The HALO
TRUST” in ensuring security of the population and assured that the NKR
authorities, including the legislative body, are ready to find ways and
means to promote the full implementation of the humanitarian program.

From: A. Papazian

HAYK DEMOYAN SAYS AZERBAIJANI STATE IS AN ARTIFICIALLY-FORMED SUBSTANCE

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 20, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijan makes use of the
anti-Armenian “virus” for confirmation of its own identity, Hayk
Demoyan, director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, told
Armenpress, adding in future that policy will originate serious
problems inside the very Azerbaijan.

“From 1988 a political line was designed in that country, by which the
issue of the Nagorno Karabakh was looked upon as an important factor
by national collectivity,” he noted, adding that if this psychological
resource expires itself, the integral basis of the Azerbaijani state
will be eliminated.

“As a historian and a person who is engaged in ethno-psychology, I
can say that the complex of national inferiority is quite strong in
Azerbaijan,” he said, adding that the complex is manifested in two main
directions – imitation and duplication. According to the historian,
the Azerbaijani authority imitates the Armenian state which it has
proclaimed an enemy.

“It imitates the Armenian Diaspora trying to create its own. Even
imitates the phenomenon of the Armenian Genocide, noting that as if it
is the Azerbaijani people that gave experienced the genocide,” Hayk
Demoyan said. And the duplication is mainly running in the direction
of Turkey – Aliyev’s figure is paralleled with the one of Ataturk.

According to Mr. Demoyan, one manifestation of the complex of
inferiority is that the Azeri try to raise the highest flag of the
world, which ended with comedy. “These complexes stem from the fact
that Azerbaijan is an artificially-formed state,” he stressed.

The historian said that the state of Azerbaijan has been formed by
Young Turks, making use of the Caucasian Tatars.

From: A. Papazian