Author: Andres-Papazian

The Messenger, Georgia
July 16 2010

Armenia wants to participate in NABUCCO project

By Messenger Staff Friday, July 16
Director of the European Research Centre at Yerevan State University
Artur Kazinian believes that Armenia will definitely participate in
the NABUCCO project. He adds that Armenia should participate in all
regional projects, as all regional countries should participate in a
regional project or become isolated.

The country should do everything it can to ensure that the NABUCCO gas
pipeline project does not take place without Armenia, Kazinian says.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian Ambassador to Russia met with representatives of Armenian
organizations of Russia

July 16, 2010 – 18:55 AMT 13:55 GMTPanARMENIAN.Net – On July 13,
Armenia’s Ambassador to Russia Oleg Yesayan met with representatives
of Armenian organizations of Russia in Moscow.

Chairman of Armenian-Russian Cooperation organization Yuri Navoyan
stressed the important role of the Armenian community of Russia,
saying that the forum attaches importance to strengthening cooperation
among Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. Meanwhile, the Ambassador
said that the work with the Diaspora is of keen importance for
Armenia. Referring to peculiarities of the Armenian community of
Russia, Mr. Yesayan noted that it has good traditions.

As for the Karabakh conflict, the Armenian diplomat stated that
Armenia aims to achieve final status of NKR. According to him, the
conflict will not be settled without the Karabakh people’s decision.

From: A. Papazian

Tatev aerial tramway, breakthrough in area tourism, set for October opening
by Paul Chaderjian

Published: Friday July 16, 2010

View of Tatev monastery. Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia
Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia

Tatev, Armenia – Hundreds of visionaries, philanthropists, government
and church officials, and community leaders will gather at the ancient
Tatev Monastery in southern Armenia on Saturday, October 16, 2010, for
the launch of the innovative and forward-thinking Tatev Revival
Project.

“Tatev is one of our historic landmarks. It’s a crown jewel in our
cultural heritage and was for centuries a major focal point and
religious center for our people. It was also where we studied
theology, humanities, the sciences, and created art and literature,”
said Zarmine Zeitountsian, Fundraising Coordinator of the Tatev
Revival Project. “Tatev is a 9th century landmark that, due to natural
causes and centuries of neglect, is now in serious need of
conservation and restoration.”

The Tatev monastic complex underwent a flawed and unfinished
renovation attempt in the 1980s under Soviet rule. Rain and snow
continue to threaten the stability of the ancient structures and seep
through to interiors causing more damage.

“There’s still a massive construction crane from the renovation
attempt, and it’s been standing in the middle of the courtyard for the
last 30 years,” said Zeitountsian. “The work that was attempted in the
80s is historically inaccurate and unbefitting. It is important not
only to conserve the structures of the Monastery, protecting them from
deterioration, but also to undo some of the inappropriate
interventions such as the hotel lobby-like marble floors in the holy
St. Paul and Peter Church, and to restore some collapsed components
such as the ancient monk cells.”

Spearheading the massive $50-million Tatev Revival Project on behalf
of a group of stakeholders, including the Armenian Government and
Church, benefactors and the Armenian people is the National
Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia.

This public-private partnership tackles breakthrough, strategic
projects that act as catalysts for long-term development.
Competitiveness Foundation projects trigger both government and
private investments in sectors like tourism, education, and
healthcare. Economists have identified these sectors as ones that will
make Armenia globally competitive.

“Our challenge was not just to renovate the monastery, but to ensure
that it will live, become active and self-sustaining,” said
Competitiveness Foundation CEO, Pegor Papazian. “Tatev is part of our
Southern Armenia Tourism Corridor, where we have designed and are
developing projects that are designed to create excitement and inspire
confidence, so that our intervention will trigger further development.
We are zoning and creating a master plan for the region, so that we
can direct development and mobilize investments while protecting
nature and the rural environment.”

The far-sighted Tatev Revival Project will launch in October with the
grand opening of the $13 million aerial tramway. Already under
construction since last fall, this 5.7-kilometer (3.5-mile) aerial
tramway – the world’s longest teleferic – will allow visitors to
bypass a 90-minute drive in and out of the rocky Vorotan River Gorge
to reach the monastery. It will link Armenia’s main regional highway
to the village of Tatev.

“We have a very diverse group of donors, including quite a few
non-Armenians and people of different faiths – Christian, Jewish and
Muslim. As a result of their contributions, the 9th century Tatev
complex may be reached by taking a 10-minute ride,” said Zeitountsian.
“This tramway will take visitors over picturesque green hills, steep
cliffs, and the rushing white waters of the Vorotan River. In itself,
it will be an impressive tourist attraction.”

The Ruben and Veronica Vardanian and Friends Foundation is the main
benefactor of the Halidzor-Tatev tramway construction. Several
sponsors have also committed to covering the maintenance and operating
costs of the Swiss-built ropeway. It will operate year-round, to allow
tourists from around the globe to experience Tatev during all seasons,
even during snow-covered winters.

“With our investors committed to the project, we also have Armenia’s
taxpayers and government stepping up to reconstruct and repave the
roads leading to Halidzor and Tatev and to strengthen the area’s
infrastructure,” said Zara Amatuni, Competitiveness Foundation
Outreach Manager. “There are other investors looking into developing
community-based tourism activities, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and
eateries.”

Among the many innovative breakthrough development programs in the
Tatev Revival Project are the renewal of Tatev’s monastic traditions,
an arts and crafts revival, and culinary tourism. These sophisticated,
multi-faceted projects are ambitious and reflect a long-term
perspective.

“People value food, especially authentic ethnic food, and we want to
make the region’s cuisine more accessible. We want to revive old and
forgotten recipes, use local ingredients to create new dishes, and
offer tourists and global markets a new take on Armenian cuisine,”
said Papazian. “The same ideology will be applied to arts and craft
revival, which will help make Armenia more competitive as a tourism
destination. Projects such as these will result in economic growth
that will naturally lead to more jobs, reduced migration, and a
sustainable economy.”

The monastic revival component of the Tatev Revival Project will bring
back to life a time when Tatev was home to more than 500 monks and a
thriving university that excelled in scientific, literary, and
religious studies. In its heyday, Tatev was at the leading edge of
education. Today, plans are in the works to make the monastery
attractive for students, artists, academics and even pilgrims. The
monastery has the potential to become a center for academic
conferences, research projects, workshops, summer camps, science
fairs, musical concerts, lectures, retreats, and sabbaticals.

“We are attracting financing and plugging Armenia into global networks
and markets,” said Papazian. “We want people to choose Armenia over
another country they might be considering next time they plan their
vacation. We want to be competitive across sectors, and especially in
tourism, healthcare, and education which have great unrealized
potential.”

Information about the Competitiveness Foundation’s mandate and other
projects is available online at The Tatev Revival
Project is described fully on its own site at

From: A. Papazian

ArmenAl foil mill increases output by 26 percent

YEREVAN, July 16. /ARKA/. ArmenAl aluminum foil mill in N Yerevan said
its output grew by 26% in the first six months of the year compared
to the same period of last year.

According to Armenia’s National Statistical Service, the mill
produced 9,620 tons of foil in the first six months of 2009 and a
total of 21,500 tons of foil last year, by 83.5% more than in 2008.
ArmenAl CEO Sergey Borovik said the plant has succeeded in reducing
production costs, toughening technology discipline and introduction of
a comprehensive program designed to cut the costs. He said this has
resulted in higher wages for the staff. ArmenAl employs currently 700
people with an average monthly wage of 235,000 Drams, which is by 30%
higher than in 2009.

The company has also managed to start production of extra thin foil
and installed new equipment.
Founded in May 2000 as part of the Kanaker aluminum smelter, ArmenAl
is one of the largest industrial sites in Armenia and the only
aluminum foil mill in the Caucasus and Central Asia. After joining
RUSAL in 2000 the foil mill became part of the company’s Packaging
Division, which also includes SAYANAL and Urals Foil. -0-

From: A. Papazian

World Bank approves US$ 40 million loan for second additional
financing for lifeline road improvement project for Armenia

YEREVAN, July 16, /ARKA/. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors
on July 15 approved a US$ 40 million loan for the second Additional
Financing for the Lifeline Road Improvement Project for Armenia.

Ani Balabanian, head of a World Bank Yerevan Office unit in charge of
infrastructure issues, said to a news conference today this project
will assist the Armenian government in its on-going efforts to
improve accessibility of the country’s main road network for the rural
population and to create employment.

She said it will also help Armenia to further mitigate the impacts of
the global economic crisis on the country’s economy and the well-being
of its population.

According to a World Bank press release, the second additional
financing will further scale-up activities under the on-going project
to improve the condition of 190 km of roads. Over the years,
insufficient investment in the rehabilitation and maintenance of
lifeline roads has made the road quality poor, and left some roads
difficult to use and others completely impassable. The poor conditions
and inadequacy of the lifeline roads connecting rural communities to
the main highways affect many aspects of rural life: it means that
business opportunities are lost, children find it hard to get to
school, and it is difficult for people to get urgent medical attention
when they need it.

For example, the inability to bring crops to market in time has
resulted in 40 percent or more of harvest loss; in some communities –
up to 80 percent of loss. The rehabilitation of the roads network will
therefore help farmers and small businesses in rural areas to bring
their products to market more easily and at a lower cost.

About 153 km of rural roads, including 35 km under the ongoing
program, were rehabilitated, allowing the Government to swiftly
mitigate the negative impact of the financial crisis. The original
project outperformed the target by rehabilitating additional 18 km of
roads thanks to the significant cost savings generated from the
reduction in the cost of construction and the adoption of more cost
effective design standards during the implementation. About 12,000
person-months of jobs have been created so far. By hiring region-based
contractors local construction industries remain on business.
Basic accesses to social services have been improved by connecting the
rural poor to the main road network. Travel time was reduced on
average by about 40 percent.

The program has two main components. First, it will support
rehabilitation of approximately 190 km of the lifeline roads, located
in nine regions. In addition, a technical assistance component will
help the Armenian Government to modernize and increase the efficiency
of designing the roads. The project will also continue supporting the
`safe village program’ through small road safety civil works combined
with awareness campaigns at the community level. The IBRD Flexible
loan has a maturity of 25 years and a grace period of 10 years
included. Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, the
commitments to Armenia total approximately US$ 1, 358, 7 million. -0-

From: A. Papazian

Alexander Bozhko continues acting as Ambassador of Ukraine to Armenia

2010-07-16 17:21:00

ArmInfo. Alexander Bozhko will continue acting as Ambassador of
Ukraine to Armenia till his departure, says First Consul of the
Embassy of Ukraine in Armenia Denis Avtonomov.

To remind, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich has relieved Bozhko
of his office.

Avtonomov has refused to answer the question if Bozhko’s dismissal
might be due to his oppositional views.

He said that the name of the new ambassador is not know yet. It is not
known either when Bozhko will leave Armenia. Avtonomov does not know
what Bozhko will do after departing from Armenia and if he is willing
to go back to Ukraine at all.

From: A. Papazian

Construction of a hydropower plant on the river Argichi is like ‘white
genocide’, an expert thinks

2010-07-16 14:10:00

ArmInfo. Construction of a hydropower plant (HPP) on the river Argichi
is like “white genocide”, ecologist Knarik Hovhannisyan told ArmInfo
correspondent.

To recall the construction of the HPP was launched on the basis of
permission for the land irrigation of the Aghnjadzor rural community
in Vayots Dzor region.

However, according to strange mathematics, almost 7 thsd hectares of
lands belonging to 5 communities: Geghovit, Madina, Vaghashen, Nerkin
Getashen and Verin Getashen will remain without water for irrigation
of 71 hectares of Aghnjadzor. It is noteworthy that the regional
administration of Gegharkunik has not given its permit for the
construction. The name of the new ordering customer of the HPP remains
unknown, but according to rumors, a high-ranking official’s son is
behind this undertaking.

The local population is frightened, but at the same time, it is ready
to protect its interests, she said. “These are people, whose
grandfathers and great-grandfathers came here from Western Armenia and
laid new roads near Sevan and built new towns – Nor Bayazet and
Martuni. Will their descendants be expelled from there now? There is a
terrible term for that – “white genocide”. It is horrible that all
this is being done with our own hands”,- she said. Hovhannisyan
pointed out that the local population is sure that after the dam is
built, the river Argichi will remain absolutely without water.

“As an ecologist, I am well aware that according to the Water Code,
one should leave environmental consumption in the river, which will
contribute to maintenance of the biological diversity. Moreover, it is
necessary to do this for the river to stay a river, but not turn into
a gutter”,- she said. Hovhannisyan was unaware whether the
construction work is really suspended, as the Environmental Inspection
says, or not.

Anyway, the public has already said its loaded word, having addressing
a letter to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan with the support of the
Aarhus Center. The public demands that the work aimed at changing the
Argichi course should be stopped. To note, Argichi is the most
full-flowing river running into the lake and pouring in it about 176
mln cub.m. of water annually.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian Fruit JSC to be established in Armenia

July 16, 2010 – 18:57 AMT 13:57 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Acting Director of the Program on Creation of Agricultural
Opportunities Sergey Virabyan said that Armenian Fruit JSC will be
established in Armenia as part of the program implementation.

Meanwhile, the state will be the owner of 100% shares of the company,
Virabyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

According to him, it is a pilot project with usage of modern
technologies and international standards. “Based on results of the
program implementation, a new industry will be established in Armenia,
while its output will be in demand in Russia, the CIS and European
markets,” noted Virabyan. He said that the program is a prototype of
voluntary cooperatives, while participation of the private sector in
the company may be considered in future.

For several years, Armenian Fruit will be dealing with all issues
related to creation of agricultural opportunities, including export
logistics, marketing, etc.

On July 16, the RA government hosted a meeting of Head of UN
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Programs in
Armenia Henning Pedersen and Sergey Virabyan with Armenian Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan and a representative of the Ministry of
Finance. During the meeting, the parties voiced desired volumes of
agricultural products sale – $250mln per year.

Commenting on basic problems of agricultural development in Armenia,
Henning Pedersen pointed to the underdevelopment of infrastructures,
lack of marketing services and funds, non-compliance with standards
and quality norms, as well as non-usage of modern technologies for the
achievement of best results.

Over $50mln will be invested for implementation of the Program on
Creation of Agricultural Opportunities in Armenia in 2011-2015.

From: A. Papazian

Colorado Senate Candidates Go on the Record for Armenian Genocide Affirmation

asbarez
Friday, July 16th, 2010

WASHINGTON – With less than a month remaining to the Colorado primaries,
each of the four candidates in the state’s highly-competitive Senate
race have publicly staked out their stance in support of U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

Colorado’s Senate seat, currently in contention, is held by Michael
Bennet (D-CO), formerly Denver’s Schools Superintendent, who was
appointed by Colorado’s governor to fill the post after Senator Ken
Salazar (D-CO) left to become the Obama Administration’s Secretary of
the Interior. The winner of this race, which is currently being
contested by two Democrats and two Republicans, will be elected to a
full six-year term.

The Centennial State’s other Senator, Mark Udall, who has pledged
publicly and repeatedly as a candidate to work for Armenian Genocide
recognition, has, since his election, stated that he will not
cosponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution. He will be up for
reelection in 2014.

Colorado Armenian Americans have made U.S. affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide a key factor in their support for Congressional candidates,
with Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates (RMHA) activists Pamela Barsam Brown
and Vi Bashian Cooper leading the charge in circulating candidate
questionnaires in the 2008 and 2010 election seasons.

The positions articulated by the four Senate candidates are provided below.

Democrats:

*Andrew Romanoff

Romanoff was the first candidate to release his Armenian Genocide
statement and pledge to serve as a cosponsor of legislation condemning
and commemorating this crime. His October 2009 statement was released
as he declared his candidacy, and reaffirmed in a May 20th statement
posted on his campaign website:

`From the outset of my political career I have stood firm with the
human rights community in advocating recognition of past genocides and
urging strong action against those societies seeking to perpetrate
ethnic cleansing.’

`Last November, I vowed to be an original co-sponsor of an Armenian
genocide affirmation resolution. This would bring unequivocal clarity
to America’s moral position on the Armenian genocide, which resulted
in the deaths of two-thirds of Armenians residing in their ancient
historic homeland – the Ottoman Empire.’

`Colorado has clearly spoken on this issue. The state’s Armenian
community was joined in its April 2010 memorial with an outpouring of
bi-partisan support that included a General Assembly resolution and
proclamations from Governor Ritter and Mayor Hickenlooper.’

`Efforts in Congress, however, to similarly stand together, have
languished. So I am renewing my pledge to vigorously work for the
Senate adoption of an Armenian Genocide resolution, and I am proud to
do so.’ [signed] Andrew Romanoff

*Michael Bennet

Bennet is seeking a full six-year term in the seat he was appointed to
fill last year.

In February of 2010, he cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution
(S.Res. 316), and also issued a statement in which he said, `I also
pledge to support similar legislation in the 2010-2011 Congress.’ His
term, if elected, would extend through January of 2017. In making
this commitment, Bennet noted that, `the lessons of ignoring a
travesty such as this have been made all too clear.’ Rocky Mountain
Hye Advocates (RMHA) has asked Senator Bennet to clarify that his
commitment to this human rights issue will extend throughout his
service in the U.S. Senate.

Republicans:

*Ken Buck

Buck issued his first Armenian Genocide co-sponsorship pledge
statement in February of 2010 and reaffirmed his stand in a June 2nd
press release stating:

`As global leaders, we as Americans are charged with the
responsibility of perpetuating statements and policies that respect
the inalienable rights of every person. As the next U.S. Senator from
Colorado, I will proudly co-sponsor a resolution that will finally
acknowledge the brutality against the Armenians for what it was:
genocide.’

Buck’s public announcement of his pledge has been reported in the
Greeley Tribune and is available on his campaign website:

*Jane Norton

Norton, a former Lieutenant Governor, issued her campaign pledge in
January of 2010:

`I am honored to pledge that if elected to serve the citizens of
Colorado as their Senator, I will co-sponsor an Armenian Genocide
Resolution until our nation affirms this tragic historical event.’

From: A. Papazian

Senate Committee to Consider Turkey Ambassador Nominee Tuesday

asbarez
Friday, July 16th, 2010

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey nominee Francis Ricciardone

WASHINGTON – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has announced that
it will hold a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, July 20th for
President Obama’s nominee, Francis Ricciardone, to serve as the next
U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America.

`Ambassador Ricciardone’s confirmation process provides members of the
Foreign Relations Committee a rare and vital opportunity at a pivotal
moment in U.S.-Turkey relations to really explore whether the
Administration’s seemingly endless willingness to defer to Turkey – on
human rights, regional security, and genocide denial – truly serves U.S.
interests and American values,’ said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director of the ANCA.

The short gap of only two weeks between the President’s July 1st
announcement of the Ricciardone nomination and the scheduling of a
Senate confirmation hearing would seem to indicate an effort by the
White House to expedite this process. Ricciardone was a last minute
addition to the July 20th confirmation hearing announced earlier this
week, which is set to be chaired by Sen. John Kerry. The Foreign
Relations Committee has yet to announce a date for the confirmation
hearing for the President’s nominee to serve as U.S. envoy in Baku,
Matt Bryza.

Several neo-conservative groups have voiced their reservations with
Ambassador Ricciardone’s appointment. Foreign policy blog, The Cable,
has reported that Ricciardone’s `tenure as George W. Bush’s envoy to
Egypt provoked the most criticism, particularly among neoconservatives
who are hoping to persuade Republican senators to torpedo his
nomination.’

Ambassador Ricciardone, a career member of the Foreign Service, has
served as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt and the Phillippines, and has had
two tours of duty in Turkey, most recently, between 1995 and 1999, as
Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires. He speaks Turkish and
several other languages. If approved, he would replace Ambassador
James Jeffries, whose confirmation hearing to serve as the next U.S.
Ambassador to Iraq will be held the same day.

From: A. Papazian