Author: Andres-Papazian

STEPAN GRIGORYAN, “FOR TAKING ARMENIAN CHURCHES UNDER OUR CARE WE MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE UPCOMING LITURGY IN ST CROSS CHURCH IN AKHTAMAR

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: We must be present at the liturgy
to be conducted September 19 in St Cross Church of Akhtamar, head
of the Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation
Stepan Grigoryan said today at a meeting with journalist commenting
on participation of Armenia in the liturgy to be held in St Cross
Church, Akhtamar. He is not of the opinion that this is a part of
the information war. According to S. Grigoryan, no church has worked
in the Western Armenia already for 80 years. This is the policy of
Turkey. That country will continue returning of Christian churches
to communities.

“The Kurdish factor is so strong that Turkey will try to go to
cooperation with communities,” S. Grigoryan said noting that Armenians
must make use of this situation. “Those who will not participate in
those processes will eventually lose their churches,” S. Grigoryan
said.

The speaker reminded that 2 days ago – after 100 years, a Greek liturgy
was conducted in a Byuzandian church, and the Greek took the church
under their care by participating in the liturgy with pleasure.

From: A. Papazian

TWO ARMENIANS, SUFFERED IN PYATIGORSK, MOVED TO MOSCOW

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: Doctors assessed the health state
of the two Armenians, who suffered from the August 17 explosion in
Pyatigorsk, as grave. Those two Armenians were moved to Moscow.

Tigran Balayan, spokesman of RA foreign ministry, informed Armenpress
that inquiry was conducted for making clear the citizenship of the
Armenians, who suffered from the explosion.

Over 30 people suffered from the explosion near the ‘Hermitage’
cafe in the center of Pyatigorsk. The health state of 6 people was
assessed as grave. They were moved to Moscow.

According to Russian mass media, 7 Armenians – Edgar Avanesov, Michael
Ayriyan, Shushanik Manukyan, Liana Stepanyan, Armenuhi Muradyan,
Arthur Hayrapetyan and Grigor Babajanyan – are mentioned in the list,
published by Municipality of Pyatigorsk.

From: A. Papazian

REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN REPUBLICAN PARTY MEET WITH YOUNG PEOPLE OF SHIRAK PROVINCE

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
TSAKHKADZOR

TSAKHKADZOR, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: The youth organization of the
Armenian Republican Party will conduct August 17-19 in Tsakhkadzor a
gathering of 250 young people of Shirak province with the support of
member of the executive body of the Party, head of the president’s
staff Karen Karapetyan. They represent 25 communities and 22
educational establishments. Today the gathering was summed up,
during which the young people met with the board of the Armenian
Republican Party.

The issues the young people of Shirak province face and the ways of
their solution were discussed. “Our goal is to raise the issues the
young people come across, as well as to strengthen the patriotic merit
system among young people,” Karen Avagyan said. During the gathering
the young people conducted discussions over military-patriotic themes,
visited the historical-cultural sites of Tsakhkadzor.

“The youth is our future, so if we want to build our future in a right
way, we should listen to the voice of the youth, to get acquainted
with their problems and find the ways of solution of those problems,”
NA member Sukias Avetisyan who represents Shirak province noted. This
year is the 20th anniversary of establishment of the Republican Party;
hence meetings with young people are organized within the events
organized on the occasion of this anniversary.

Meetings with the young people of Lori and Shirak provinces have
already been held. The representatives of the Armenian Republican
Party assured these meetings will be comprehensive and continuous.

Question and Answer was also held at the meeting during which the young
people asked a number of questions to the representatives of the party.

From: A. Papazian

NUMBER OF COSPONSORS OF H. RES. 252 ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INCREASES

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: The number of the US Congressmen,
who support the H. Res. 252 on Armenian Genocide, increased by one.

Congressman Peter King pledged to cosponsor the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, H.Res.252, during a meeting, held at his district office
in Massapequa, NY.

Congressman King had last cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution
in the 106th Congress more than ten years ago. “We are thrilled to
have Congressman King as a cosponsor again,” ANCA Eastern Region
Director Garo Manjikian said. “The addition of Congressman King to
the growing list of cosponsors builds our momentum for full passage
of the resolution on the House floor.”

The H. Res. 252 currently has 147 cosponsors. It was passed March 4,
2010 at the House Foreign Affairs Committee with a vote 23-22.

From: A. Papazian

DILIJAN CAMP OF ‘NIKOL AGHBALYAN’ STUDENTS UNION ENDS

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: The ARF’s ‘Nikol Aghbalyan’ students
union held August 13-18 a camp in Dilijan. Over 100 young people
– members and supporters of the union – partook in it. It was the
union’s first camp, organized this year. Mikayel Khosrovyan, head of
the bureau of the ARF’s “Nikol Aghbalyan” Students Union, said in
an interview with Armenpress that the agenda was full of lectures,
themes, issues for discussion and sports games.

The participants listened to the speeches of Vahan Hovhannisyan,
NA deputy, member of the ARF Bureau, Artsvik Minasyan, member of
the ARF faction, Arsen Hambardzumyan, member of the supreme body
of ARF. ‘The camp achieved its goal; social justice and a number of
other ideas were provided to the students. Due to sports games the
participants kept fit, and due to the lectures they became cleverer,’
Mikayel Khosrovyan said. He informed that the slogan of the camp was
‘Justice is Our Power and Credo’.

‘The camp was aimed at investing and spreading national ideology among
the youth, as well as presenting the role of the youth and students
in the society and their further deeds, directed to achieving social
justice,’ Mikayel Khosrovyan added.

From: A. Papazian

RA AMBASSADOR TO ROMANIA HAMLET GASPARYAN VISITS REGIONS OF MOLDOVA AND BUKOVINA

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: RA Ambassador to Romania Hamlet
Gasparyan visited August 13-16 Fokshan, Yash and Suchava cities in
Romania’s north-east regions of Moldova and Bukovina. The Ambassador
met with the local authorities, intellectuals, representatives of the
Armenian community, as well as visited Surb Khach Church of Suchava,
Surb Gevorg Church of Fokshan, Surb Mariam Church of Yash, Hachkatar
and Zamka monasteries.

An official from the press and information department of RA Foreign
Affairs Ministry told Armenpress that the Ambassador met August 14
with Constantine Simirad, president of the regional council of Yash.

Varujan Voskanyan, former minister, senator, chairman of the
Romanian-Armenians union, as well as a number of representatives of
the Armenian community were present at the meeting.

The participants exchanged thoughts on preservation of the rich
Armenian cultural heritage of Yash, as well as establishment of
decentralized relations with Armenia. The same issues were discussed
August 16 at the meeting with Mayor of Suchava Ion Lungu. The Romanian
regional authorities informed that the old Armenian buildings
and establishments are under consistent protection of the local
authorities.

The two sides mentioned that the age-long Armenian presence in a
slew of Romanian cities, the experience of living together, mutual
recognition and sympathy create a strong basis for strengthening the
Armenian- Romanian friendly relations and collaboration. The speakers
expressed readiness to continue the consultations in the direction
of establishing of decentralized relations with Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

TWENTY-THREE LARGE AND SMALL HOTELS WORK IN TSAKHKADZOR

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: Twenty-three large and small hotels
work in Tsakhkadzor, several other hotels are being currently
constructed, head of the Tourism Department of the Tsakhkadzor
municipality Gerasim Lazarian told Armenpress that the flow of
tourists to Tsakhkadzor has grown compared with the last year.

If last year~Rs reduction of the tourist flow was conditioned by
the influence of the global financial and economic crisis and by bad
weather conditions, this year a positive shift is already noticed.

In all cases, Tsakhkadzor is ready to receive a large flow of tourists
at any season. All the infrastructures in the town are provided;
there is a day-round water and energy supply. G. Lazarian said that
hotels and motels offer over medium and high class 3000 places.

The five lines of the funicular railway have been completely
reconstructed and are working. Over 3 km route works for
mountain-skiers in winter.

Today ancient Armenian resting place Tsakhkadzor plans huge programs of
development. Urban authorities closely cooperate with the world center
of mountain skiing tourism, like Verbje town. The most up-to-date
brands of the world industry in the sphere of tourism are imported
to Tsakhkadzor.

The precious ornament of Tsakhkadzor is Kecharis monastic complex
(11-13th centuries).

From: A. Papazian

SERGEY MINASYAN: PROLONGATION OF THE TREATY ON LOCATION OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA IS A POLITICAL MESSAGE TO OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: Prolongation of the treaty on location
of the Russian military base in Armenia is a political message to
our neighboring countries, Sergey Minasyan, political analyst, said
today at a news conference, referring to the coming developments in
the Armenian-Russian relations. “In reality the Armenian-Russian
cooperation is based on the so-called “big” treaty signed in 1997
as well as other legal documents. The fact that Russia is committed
to defend and assist Armenia is fixed in these documents. Though we
may say that the point subjected to changing is a political message
first of all to Azerbaijan that Russia is really ready to display
concrete assistance to Armenia in case of military activities,” the
political analyst said. He noted that in their recent assessments the
Azerbaijani political analysts sharply reduced the warlike statements.

As to the question on why the treaty is being prolonged, with which it
is agreed, Mr Minasyan said that a very favorable regional background
has been created for Russia and the foreign role-players in our region
are functioning less: none will guarantee that such background will
exist for Russia few years later and that country is trying to create
guarantees for its military-political presence in the region.

Referring to the Armenia-CSTO cooperation the political analyst
noted that the CSTO is of prior importance for Armenia: first of
all in respect of operative response divisions created in the CSTO,
secondly, Armenia has an opportunity to broaden its military-technical
cooperation with other countries and finally the CSTO gives Armenia
certain political dividends.

From: A. Papazian

EDWARD NALBANDYAN AND GRIGORY KARASIN DISCUSS ISSUES ON THE STATE VISIT OF DMITRY MEDVEDEV

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan had a phone conversation with the deputy foreign minister
of Russia Grigory Karasin. Armenpress reports citing the web page of
the Russian Foreign Ministry that during the conversation the parties
discussed issues connected with the coming state visit of the Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenia.

Dmitry Medvedev with his spouse Svetlana Medvedeva will arrive in
Armenia August 19 at the invitation of the Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan. The RF President will visit Tsitsernakaberd and put wreath
on the memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

August 20 the private conversation of the presidents of the
two countries is expected which will be followed by the extended
negotiations. As part of the state visit of the Russian president,
Serzh Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev will visit Gyumri to participate
at the opening of “Patvo Blur” (“Honorary Hill”) memorial complex.

From: A. Papazian

SPEAKER OF NKR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ASHOT GHULYAN RECEIVES MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT STEVEN POUND

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 18, 2010
YEREVAN

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: Speaker of the NKR National
Assembly Ashot Ghulyan received today member of the British parliament
Steven Pound, who was accompanied by member of the Armenian Cause
Office of that country Sevan Artin.

Press service of the NKR NA told Armenpress that according to the
British parliamentarian, his visit is of familiarizing nature, like
it was last time – in 2007. “My task is to get acquainted with the
inner life of the Nagorno Karabakh, with the mood of the authorities
and people on the Nagorno Karabakh issue,” he said.

With the guest’s request the NA Speaker briefly presented the political
field of the Republic, the traditions formed in the parliament and
the visual prospects of their development, as well as the latest
developments of the regulation of the Karabakh conflict, and the
attitude of the country’s authority and people in that regard.

During the conversation the interlocutors referred to the issue on
development of inter-parliamentary ties, as well as the prospects
and expansion opportunities of mutual contacts between the Artsakh
people and British parliamentarians was discussed.

Chairman of the NKR NA Standing Committee on Science, Education,
Culture, Youth and Sport Affairs Armen Sargsyan was present at
the meeing.

From: A. Papazian