Author: Andres-Papazian

ENTRANTS OF STATE ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA PREFER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES TO MINING AND OTHER SPECIALTIES

ArmInfo
2010-09-01 13:12:00

ArmInfo. Competition for the faculties of information technologies at
the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) was the stiffest
also this year, says Vostanik Marukhyan, SEUA Rector. The next in the
list of the demanded faculties are traditionally, radio engineering and
communications, cybernetics and power engineering. The other faculties
are less popular among entrants, including mining and metallurgy,
machine building, chemical technologies, ecological engineering and
others. This year we have 1221 students versus 1520 last year.

“We are ready this such decline and have already taken certain
measures. We are ready also to the fact that next year schools will
not have graduated students. One of the ways to attract entrants
is admission to extension departments. This year we have nearly 130
students on these departments,” Marukhyan says.

From: A. Papazian

‘SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAY’ DISPROVES RAISING OF TARIFFS FOR CARGO TRAFFIC BY 3,5 TIMES

ArmInfo
2010-09-01 13:15:00

ArmInfo. ‘South Caucasus Railway’ has disproved raising of tariffs for
cargo traffic by 3,5 times. To recall, earlier Agriculture Minister
Gerasim Alaverdyan said at the press-conference that crops price has
grown in Armenia because its transportation from Ayrum station to
Yerevan by railway has grown from $8 up to $30 for a ton of wheat.

As press-secretary of ‘SCRW’ Vahe Davtyan said, the company increased
the tariffs two times over the current year: first, in January
when taking inflation into account the tariffs were indexed by
9%; and second, on 1 July when the tariffs were increased by 2,4%
because of changing of the Swiss franc exchange rate. He also added
that at present the tariff for transportation of one ton of cargo at
Ayrum-Yerevan direction is 5 628 drams (a little more than $15). It was
5 505 drams before 1 July. ‘In 2009 ‘SCRW’ did not raise cargo traffic
tariffs so that to support Armenian economy during the most difficult
period of crisis, though it had 2 bln drams loss because of it. As for
raising tariffs this year, they were of the correcting nature and have
been coordinated with the tariff policy of the company published at
our corporative web site and available to everybody’, – Davtyan added.

From: A. Papazian

WELCOME FIRST GRADERS!

ArmInfo
2010-09-01 08:42:00

ArmInfo. On September 1, the Day of Knowledge, doors of Armenians
schools opened before over 37,000 first-graders. For the first time
this year the Armenian teachers will swear.

Today’s morning in Yerevan was special. People in the streets were
mostly in white and with flowers. Even buses in the streets were
decorated with balloons on occasion of the Knowledge Day. The Road
Police of Armenia has announced “Safe Road Traffic” days for September
1-10. Head of the Patrol Department, Colonel Norayr Sargsyan says
“Safe Road Traffic” will be held throughout Armenia under motto
“Attention Children!!” These days the Road Police is especially
attentive to traffic near schools. In addition, one can see refreshed
accident preventives installed on the roads near schools.

The Armenian Apostolic Church did not remain indifferent to the Day
of Knowledge either. On August 31 Catholicos Karekin II served a
service on occasion of the Knowledge Day at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin. In addition, today on September 1 Armenian Defense
Minister Seyran Ohanyan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian
Army Yuri Khachaturov and other top military officials will hold
lessons of courage at schools. Minister Ohanyan will visit the school
#55 after A. Chekhov. As for the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan,
he personally awarded Armenians honor students 2009-2010, laureates
of international Olympiads, the winners of Math Kangaroo Contest on
August 31. Today, the president addressed all the teachers, pupils
and their parents on occasion of the Knowledge Day.

From: A. Papazian

YEREVAN TRANSPORT DECORATED WITH COLORFUL BALLOONS ON KNOWLEDGE DAY – AUTHOR OF INITIATIVE REMAINS ANONYMOUS

ArmInfo
2010-09-01 13:08:00

ArmInfo. The new educational year in Armenia began with rush
characteristic to New Year holidays.

Thousands of schoolchildren accompanied with parents and grandparents
went to school for the first time this year. Traditionally, the
parents having cars could not but drive to school with their children.

Thanks to the Road Police, the traffic jams, especially near schools,
were reduced to the minimum. Road Police patrolled in front of most
schools in the city and did not allow happy parents to park their
cars on the ‘second traffic line.

Route buses and minibuses occurred in the streets decorated with
colorful balloons. The author of the given initiative remained
anonymous. In addition, drivers of the public transport decided to
drive today with their headlamps on during the daytime. In response
to ArmInfo’s correspondent request, the Yerevan Municipality replied
that they gave no such instruction. Nevertheless, certain people (who
do not introduce themselves) approach drivers and demand driving with
headlamp on. The Road Police did not make such instructions as well.

From: A. Papazian

SAHAKYAN, KASPRZYK DISCUSS SITUATION ALONG CONTACT LINE BETWEEN ARTSAKH AND AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 1, 2010 – 11:08 AMT 06:08 GMT

On August 31, President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met with
personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador
Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The current situation along the line of contact between Artsakh and
Azerbaijani armed forces was in the focus of the meeting, reported
the Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh
Republic President.

From: A. Papazian

MUSTAFA KABAKCI: TURKEY VIEWS KARABAKH CONFLICT AS ITS OWN PROBLEM

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 1, 2010 – 12:04 AMT 07:04 GMT

Chairman of the Turkish-Azerbaijani parliamentary friendship group
Mustafa Kabakci said that Turkey will support the resolution on
Nagorno Karabakh in the UN Security Council.

“Turkey views Karabakh conflict as its own problem and will always
back Azerbaijan in this issue,” Kabakci said.

According to him, it is noteworthy that the discussion on Karabakh
conflict will be held during Turkey’s presidency in the UN Security
Council, 1news.az reported.

From: A. Papazian

SEVERAL KILLED IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CLASH

BBC
01 Sept 10

Tensions remain high in the so-called “frozen conflict” Clashes between
the forces of Azerbaijan and Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh have
left several soldiers dead, with both sides blaming the other for
the violence.

Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said three Armenians and two Azeris
were killed following an Armenian attack.

Armenian reports said one Armenian was wounded repelling Azeri forces,
and up to seven Azeris were wounded or killed.

Recent attempts to solve the “frozen conflict” have failed to gather
steam.

There have been a number of skirmishes in recent months across the
ceasefire line dating to the 1990s.

Fighting broke out in the late 1980s as the Soviet Union headed towards
collapse, with ethnic Armenians taking control of Nagorno-Karabakh
and a land corridor linking it to Armenia.

Negotiations between the two countries, under a fresh peace drive
backed by the US and Russia, took place last year but have since
stalled.

From: A. Papazian

THE RECURRENT LIE OF AZERBAIJAN
Hasmik Dilanyan

“Radiolur”
01.09.2010 15:07

One Armenian conscript has been wounded in fighting in Karabakh when –
according to the NKR Defense Army Press Office – an Azeri sabotage
unit attempted to overrun the Armenian positions and move into the
Armenian-controlled territory.

The incident took place at 6:30 am on August 31 in the vicinity of
the village of Chailu in northeastern Karabakh.

“The Armenian servicemen on duty timely noticed the movement of an
enemy special task group and took corresponding action,” the report
said, adding that following the Armenian response the Azeri forces
retreated, suffering losses.

It is reported that Karabakh army private Rudik Manaseryan, 19, was
wounded in the exchange of fire. He was taken to Stepanakert hospital.

Touching upon the reports of Azeri mass media that the Armenian side
has concurred three losses, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said: “Once
again Azerbaijan showed its true face. However, the enemy retreated,
suffering losses as a result of the corresponding actions taken by
the Armenian side. As usual, they disseminate false information.”

According to Seyran Ohanyan, the Armenian Army properly fulfils its
main task. Reforms are being implemented in the Armenian Army, great
role is attributed to international experience. Moreover, we have
units, which are no worse than the units of the Soviet Army and can
compete with different armies of the world,” Seyran Ohanyan declared.

Touching upon the protocol on the extension of the term of the Russian
military base in Armenia for 49 years, the Defense Minister said:
“The extension of the term of agreement was extremely important since
we consolidate our strategic partnership. It also provides us with
an opportunity to develop our capacities within a joint contingent
with Russia, analyze our security atmosphere and resist the existing
challenges.”

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIA WILL NOT DEPLOY ANY NEW MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA, SAYS DEFENSE MINISTER

Tert.am
15:43 01.09.10

The defense pact recently signed with Russia is very important
for Armenia, Seyran Ohanyan, the Defense Minister of Armenia, told
journalists at a briefing today.

“We consider the extension of that agreement as extremely important
as with that [agreement] we strengthen our military-political alliance
[with Russia],” said he.

Armenia signed a protocol with Russia which prolonged the deployement
of the Russian military base in Armenia’s second-largest town of
Gyumri for 24 years up to 2044.

According to Mr Ohanyan, this document enables Armenia to further
develop its military capabilities together with the Russian Federation
in order to resist the current threats.

Further he went on saying that the Russian base is currently being
reformed and renovated.

“The structural and functional problems in that base will be made
optimal, and we will together do what is stipulated in the agreement,”
said Mr Ohanyan, adding that the document does not envisage the
deployment of any new military base in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

IN THE NAME OF SECURITY OR COMPETITION?: MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA STRENGTHENS RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN THE REGION
By Naira Hayrumyan

ArmeniaNow
01.09.10 | 12:50

Analysis

“Who, if not Russia, shall guard Armenia?”…

The August 19-20 state visit to Armenia by Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev triggered discussions in the country about what part of its
sovereignty and national security Armenia may delegate to Russia.

During Medvedev’s visit, Moscow and Yerevan signed a protocol extending
Russia’s lease on the Russian military base in Armenia and expanding
“the geography” of its actions. The amended 1995 treaty also commits
the Russian military base stationed in the Armenian northwestern
city of Gyumri to protecting the security of the whole of Armenia,
and not only along the borders of the former Soviet Union as before,
but along the entire perimeter of the Republic of Armenia borders.

Pro-government political parties unequivocally supported the treaty,
in particular, spokesman for the ruling Republican Party Eduard
Sharmazanov said: “Who, if not Russia, shall guard Armenia?”

The main opposition Armenian National Congress and the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) also deem that Russia is
the only guarantor of Armenia’s security. ARF Executive Council of
Armenia representative Armen Rustamyan said on Tuesday that 80 percent
or more of Armenia’s security is ensured by Russia.

Hardly no one has publicly voiced disagreement. At the same time,
each speaker finds he or she ought to note that the extension of the
deployment of the Russian military base in Armenia poses no danger
to the sovereignty of the country. The feeling is that politicians
respond to accusations that have not been presented by anyone. But
this, in turn, means that they are aware of the threat to sovereignty.

The main issue of the debate boils down to whether Russia would
intervene if Azerbaijan attempts to renew military operations against
Karabakh. President Medvedev gave an evasive answer to this direct
question, in fact, not promising interference in the conflict. Other
Russian officials also stopped short of commenting on that possibility,
but at the expert level, it has been openly stated that Russia would
not meddle in an armed conflict.

The leader of the International Eurasian Movement Alexander Dugin told
Vesti.az: “Russia may use the factor of its military presence only
for one purpose – to prevent a military conflict and, if you will,
to restrain Armenia lest it should want to unleash such a conflict.”

There is another question: why was it necessary to extend the term
of the base’s lease, if it still had 10 years to go? Experts believe
it is because Russia wants to solidly stake its claim for influence
in the region, over efforts from the West.

The United States reacted with great restraint to the extension of
the Russian military base’s deployment in Armenia. The answer was
voiced at the level of a middle-ranking official, who said that it
was “a bilateral issue between Russia and Armenia.” Nor has there
been any significant reaction from Europe. Armenia’s neighbors have
not expressed an official attitude to this fact, and only Azerbaijan
policy experts tried to blame Russia, and several nationalists in
Baku organized a picket at the Russian Embassy.

From: A. Papazian