Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS MEETINGS WITHIN THE FRAMES OF VISIT TO NEW YORK

ArmInfo
2010-09-23 14:48:00

ArmInfo.Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan held a number
of meetings within the frames of the visit to New York.

As the Foreign Ministry press service reports, E. Nalbandyan met
Foreign Minister of Tunisia Kamel Morjane. The parties discussed
steps towards development of bilateral relations, as well issues of
holding consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministers,
cooperation within the frames of international organizations and
formation of a contractual field. As E. Nalbandyan said, availability
of Yerevan-Tunisia direct flights, organized by Armenia’s national air
carrier, may play an important part from the viewpoint of extension
of bilateral cooperation.

E. Nalbandyan also met Foreign Minister of Kosovo Skender Hyseni at
his request. According to the Armenian FM, although Armenia did not
recognize Kosovo, such meetings are useful for the opinion exchange.

As E. Nalbandyan said, promulgation of the International Court’s
advisory opinion confirmed the reality that one of the most
important principles of the international law, the peoples’ right
for self-determination, cannot be subject to any other principle.

Issues of bilateral relations, formation of a contractual field and
stimulation of economic cooperation within the frames of international
organizations were discussed during the meeting with Foreign Minister
of Singapore George Yeo. The latter invited E. Nalbandyan to visit
Singapore in order to continue the opened dialogue.

Issues of preparation for the upcoming October “Forum for the Sake of
Democracy” in Armenia were discussed during the meeting with Foreign
Minister of Macedonia, Chairman of CE Committee of Ministers Antonio
Miloshoski.

E. Nalbandyan also met Foreign Minister of Cyprus Markos Kyprianou.

The parties discussed the preparation for the visit of the Armenian
president to Cyprus, scheduled for early 2011, the process of solution
of the Cyprian issue and cooperation of the two countries within the
frames of international organizations.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION REQUIRES FREEDOM AND SECURITY FOR AUTHORS OF SCANDALOUS VIDEO

ArmInfo
2010-09-23 14:50:00

ArmInfo. “Despite the statements by Armenia’s Defense Ministry and the
defense minister saying it is impossible to establish identity of a
sadist officer from the video demonstrating an episode of disgraceful
orders reigning in the army, it was established”, the statement by
the oppositional Armenian National Congress says.

According to the statement, the regime had to revise its earlier made
decision on cover- up of this monstrous crime when, on one hand,
it became technically impossible to suppress dissemination of this
video, on the other hand, when it faced counteraction by Armenia’s
civil society, journalist community and human right activists, and
when it realized that public unrest in view of this may be dangerous
up to failure of the forthcoming draft call.

Armenian National Congress fixed the following in its statement
of September 13, 2010: “Any man of sense, having undergone such an
inhuman humiliation, especially an 18-19 years old young man, may
commit suicide or murder, and prefer escape to the enemy”. It also
considered the incident in the aforementioned video as a “gravest
crime, a treason aimed at loosening and demoralization of the army”.

It also demanded to solve it in a week.

Since the authorities, having made the first coersive step, will
process the case in quite another course according to the threats
it earlier voiced, the Congress claims once again and requires for
this incident to be considered not as a usual scuffle or a deed not
meeting the regulations, but as a gravest crime, a treason aimed
at loosening and demoralization of the army – a structure which is
called to assure the country’s external security.

Moreover, ANC says the country’s authorities have to publicly and
officially guarantee immunity of the two servicemen, as well as
freedom, security and immunity of the authors and disseminators of
the video. In its turn, Armenia’s Defense Ministry must offer an
apology for the threats to them it earlier voiced, the statement says.

To recall, the video was put on the internet a few days ago. It
pictured a half-naked officer pouring water on two soldiers and
beating them. The names of the participants in the scandalous video
have been established. A criminal case has been instituted on the
fact according to part 1 of Article 375 of Armenia’s Criminal Code.

From: A. Papazian

ECONOMIC CONCERNS: ECONOMIST WARNS OF PRICE HIKES
Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow

Manaseryan spoke on price hike and alarming issues of the current
economic development.

Deputy National Assembly , economist Tatul Manaseryan, said today that
he is concerned about the recent economic developments in Armenia,
pointing out the indexes of economic growth registered in Armenia
during the first eight months of this year.

“We had an 8.8 percent economic growth during the first five months,
and a serious regress was registered during the next two months,
which should be alarming for all of us,” Manaseryan says.

The regress led to a sharp decline of the growth index down to 3.1
percent (according to data of the National Statistical Service of
Armenia) during the first eight months of this year.

Manaseryan is most of all concerned about the decline in agricultural.

According to the economist, a policy must be developed in the
agricultural sector, which would reduce price fluctuations. Bringing
potato as an example he said: “Last year, because of excessive
production, the minimum price per kilo of potato was 25 drams (7
cents), this year it is ten times more expensive.”

Chairman of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs of the National
Assembly Vardan Ayvazyan told journalists at a press conference
Thursday that currently all the necessary measures are taken to
suppress price hikes in Armenia.

“If there were no such measures, the price hike would have been
even greater. The current price hike in Armenia is mainly the ‘gift’
presented by the foreign market; and I do not think it is caused by
monopolies in the market,” Ayvazyan says.

From: A. Papazian

YOUTUBE ON AGENDA: CONSCRIPT WHO SHOT VIDEO MAY FACE PUNISHMENT
Gayane Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow

23.09.10

The Ministry of Defense of Armenia (MOD) made public on Wednesday
the names of the people shown on YouTube, showing an Armenian army
officer beating, torturing and humiliating two conscripts.

The defense ministry says that Major Sasun Galstyan, who “under the
influence of alcohol beat and teased servicemen,” is the culprit who
abused sergeant Garik Harutyunyan and private Bakur Yeghikyan.

Galstyan is accused of abuse of power.

The video material was leaked on September 11 via social networks,
raising a huge clamor, causing the military to conclude that: “The
ministry severely condemns the preparation and deliberate spread
of suchlike materials, slandering and defaming the armed forces
of Armenia.”

According to ArmeniaNow sources, the conscript who shot the video is
under pressure by the military for his role in showing the material.

“The mobile phone, by which the video material was shot, is
confiscated,” says an MOD statement. The conscript, who shot the video,
as well as his father and brother are being examined.”

“It turns out that the conscript who shot the video is pressured
more than the ‘cannibal’ [meaning officer Galstyan], who humiliates
soldiers,” one of the relatives of the conscript, who shot the video,
told ArmeniaNow, preferring to be anonymous.

From: A. Papazian

SERJ TANKIAN: OBAMA MISTAKEN AVOIDING WORD GENOCIDE WHEN DEALING WITH SLAUGHTER OF ARMENIANS, GREEKS AND ASSYRIANS

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 23, 2010 – 15:52 AMT 10:52 GMT

Obama’s leadership has helped usher in some significant changes,
according to the frontman of System of a Down.

“From the healthcare bill to regulation on industries, to key changes
in all levels of government personnel and bodies, to the stimulus
package, his leadership has done a tremendous job since taking office.

The obstructionist opposition in Congress and industry, naturally
polarized to all this change, have done our democracy a disservice
by acting to block all forms of progress,” Serj Tankian said in an
interview with Huffington Post.

“Obama’s mistakes are the escalation of the invasion of Afghanistan,
and going back on his use of the word Genocide when dealing with the
slaughter of Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians at the hands of the
Turks during WWI,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

LEVON ARONYAN PUSHING ARMENIA FORWARD BY BEATING YESEN

Tert.am
23.09.10

Levon Aronyan is pushing Armenia’s team forward in its competition
with Turkey at the 3 round of the World Chess Olympics held in the
Russian town of Khanti Mansijsk.

Playing on the first board Aronyan beat Yesen Baris with black figures
at the 27 step.

The other sets still continue.

Turkey-Armenia Baris Yesen 2538 0-1 Levon Aronyan 2783 Emre Kan 2500
– Vladimir Hakobyan 2691 Mustafa Yilmaz – Gabriel Sargsyan 2677 Mert
Erdoghu 2428 – Arman Pashikyan 2639

From: A. Papazian

THE INSTITUTE OF RADIOPHYSICS AND ELECTRONICS IS 50
Liana Yeghiazaryan

“Radiolur”
23.09.2010 16:41

The Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics of the Armenian National
Academy of Sciences is 50. On this occasion Armenian and foreign
scholars gathered in Yerevan for a two-day international conference
to sum up the problems and achievements and decide upon the further
steps. Armenian radio physicists told reporters about their latest
discoveries, which are currently being tested and which can have a
say not only in the fields of radiophysics and electronics, but also
in the sphere of healthcare.

Director of the Institute Arsen Hakhumyan says Armenian science does
not fall back from world science. “Unlike other spheres, we manage
to establish productive international cooperation in the spheres of
physics,” he said.

Armenians scientists are currently testing rays like the X-rays, which
claim to become an effective means for identifying different diseases.

Professor Surent Grigoryan has cooperated with Canadian counterparts
to create n equipment, which will help detect whether the medicine is
false or not. “The equipment is already on sale and I hope to bring
it to Armenia within a year. It’s important to test the medicines
for people not to die of low-quality drugs,” the Professor said.

According to the President of the Armenian National Academy of
Sciences Radik Martirosyan, “today science is required to contribute
to the development of science-based economy. “The country’s economy
should develop based on science and new knowledge. In this regard the
experience of this Institute should be of great importance,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH ARMENIANS OFFER AUTHORITIES TO RECONSTRUCT ST. KIRAKOS CHURCH

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 23, 2010 – 15:01 AMT 10:01 GMT

The liturgy in Holy Cross church served as a perfect advertisement
devised by the Turkish government to attract tourists.

“With reconstructing Armenian churches, Turkey just tries to please
Europe and recover economy in its eastern provinces,” Christine
Melkonyan, research fellow of the Department of Turkey at the Armenian
National Academy of Sciences, told a news conference in Yerevan.

For his part, historian Ashot Hayruni said that the Armenian community
of Turkey offered authorities to reconstruct St. Kirakos church
in Diarbekir.

“If Turkey reconstructs Armenian churches in compliance with Armenian
architecture norms, it will be welcome. Opening of St. Kirakos will
help islamized Armenians return to Christianity,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

SEVERAL COMPANIES GET THEIR CLAWS INTO ARMENIA’S MARKET OF DAIRY PRODUCTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 22, 2010

On September 22, the RA State Commission for the Protection of
Economic Competition (SCPEC) announced the results of dairy products
market monitoring.

According to the SCPEC, Dustr Marianna, Ashtarak-Kat and Chanakh
companies dominate in pasteurized and disinfected milk market with
total share of 69.4%.

The same companies dominate also in the markets of fermented milk
and cottage cheese.

Moreover, the first two companies are recognized as dominants in the
market of sour cream with total share of 85.1%.

As for ice-cream market, Tamara, Ashtarak-Kat and Grand Candy companies
dominate in it with total share of 67%.

Besides, Ashtarak-Kat, Art Vine and Brand Leader companies were
registered by the SCPEC in yogurt market with common share of 78.9%.

Dustr Marianna, Ashtarak-Kat and Bio Kat companies (88.5%) dominate
in the market of kefir, while Dustr Marianna and Ashtarak Kat were
recognized as dominants in the market of sweetened and pressed cottage
cheese with total share of 96.2%.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA AHEAD OF AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY IN ECONOMIC FREEDOM RANKING

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 23, 2010

In the wake of the global recession, the average level of economic
freedom around the world dropped for the first time in decades,
according to a new study released by the Fraser Institute, Canada’s
leading public policy think-tank.

Canada wasn’t spared from the decline, although its score changed only
slightly, dropping to 7.95 from 8.0, still good enough to retain its
seventh place ranking overall, according to the Economic Freedom of
the World: 2010 Annual Report.

This year’s report shows that economic freedom experienced its first
global downturn in a quarter century, with the average score falling
to 6.67 in 2008 (the most recent year for which data is available)
from 6.74 in 2007. Of the 123 countries with economic freedom rankings
dating back to 1980, 88 (71.5 per cent) saw their rankings decrease
while only 35 (28.5 per cent) recorded increases.

Armenia is 50th; Georgia is 23rd, jumping up 20 places since last
year. Turkey and Azerbaijan rank 74th and 93rd respectively.

According to the study, Armenia pursues a correct money-and-credit
policy, the problem in the country remaining a biased court system
and extra business expenditures, mostly bribes.

Hong Kong maintains the highest level of economic freedom worldwide,
with a score of 9.05 out of 10. The other top scorers are Singapore
(8.70), New Zealand (8.27), Switzerland (8.08), Chile (8.03), the
United States (7.96), Canada (7.95), Australia (7.90), Mauritius
(7.82), and the United Kingdom (7.81).

The rankings and scores of other large economies include Taiwan,
22nd (7.48); Germany, tied with Japan and Kuwait in 24th (7.46);
France, 35th (7.32); South Korea, tied with Sweden in 37th (7.28);
Spain, tied with Iceland and Honduras in 39th (7.26); Italy, tied
with Montenegro and Poland in 66th (6.90); Mexico, 69th (6.89);
China, tied with South Africa in 82nd (6.65); Russia, 84th (6.62);
India, tied with Croatia and Moldova in 87th (6.51); Brazil, tied
with Madagascar in 102nd (6.18); and Argentina, 114th (5.59).

Zimbabwe maintains the lowest level of economic freedom among the 141
jurisdictions analyzed. Myanmar, Angola, and Venezuela round out the
bottom four nations.

Several countries have substantially lifted their scores and improved
their relative levels of economic freedom over the past three decades.

Ghana saw the biggest increase in this year’s report, climbing to
a score of 7.17 from 3.27 in 1980, followed by Uganda, which rose
to 7.15 from 3.42; Peru, which jumped to 7.36 from 4.27; Israel,
which increased to 6.86 from 3.79; and Turkey, which climbed to 6.91
from 3.95.

Over the same period, economic freedom has steadily regressed in many
other countries. Venezuela fell to 4.35 in 2008 from a score of 6.29
in 1980, while Zimbabwe dropped to 3.57 from 4.93, Myanmar to 3.49
from 4.84, Malaysia to 6.71 from 7.07, and Nepal to 5.44 from 5.75.

From: A. Papazian