Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 100TH ANNIVERSARY COORDINATION COMMITTEE SESSION LAUNCHED IN BRAZIL

ARMENPRESS
9 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS: The session of Central Committee
Coordinating Armenian Genocide 100th anniversary events kicked off in
Brazil on October 8. The composition of the Board by trifle changes was
approved; major issues and goals of the commission were touched upon.

As information and public relations department of the Foreign Affairs
Ministry told Armenpress, the heads of all community basic unions,
religious organizations, traditional political parties , Armenian
Ambassador in Brazil as well as Armenian Honorary Consul of Sao Paulo
were included in the Board staff.

It was suggested to establish Assisting committee which will in
its turn involve more than two dozen community activists, lawyers,
scientists, cultural figures and further on be divided into sub groups
by thematic directions. The Central Committee’s next meeting will be
held in the second half of November.

From: A. Papazian

FROZEN BUFFALO MEAT: A WHO’S WHO OF ARMENIA’S TOP IMPORTERS
Vahe Sarukhanyan

October 9, 2012

The third largest taxpayer in Armenia also turns out to be the largest
importer of frozen buffalo meat.

Aleks Grig, formerly Aleks Group Ltd., is the company in question
and it will come as no shock to readers that it belongs to Armenian
MP Samvel Aleksanyan.

The below table shows who the top players are in the buffalo meat
importing sector. In the past 21 months, the company has imported
some 7,278 tons of the stuff.

Back in 2009 the Armenian press revealed that the frozen meat was
being used in sausage making and that large quantities were being
sold in stores under the guise of fresh beef to unsuspecting consumers.

The government was apprised of the violations but little has been
done to remedy the situation. Aleksanyan’s company was the largest
importer when the story broke and remains so today.

The question arises whether the government is unwilling or unable to
go after Aleks Grig which paid some 9.279 billion AMD in taxes during
the first half of 2012.

2011

2012 (January-September)

Total Tons

Aleks Grig Ltd

6319

959

7278

Parkev Ltd.

1755

1809

3564

Mokonut Ltd.

981

981

Armen-Hamik Brothers Ltd.

671

1243

1914

Universam Avan Ltd.

361

584

945

Moush Ltd.

238

238

Sam-Ser Group Ltd.

690

690

When we check the official website of the company in the RA State
Registry, two individuals are listed as founders – Anastas Arutunyan,
a U.S. citizen residing in North Hollywood, and RA citizen Mher
Gharibyan.

Gharibyan used to work as the director of Aleksanyan’s Yerevan
Supermarket chain and is one of the founders of Aleksanyan’s Fleet
Food Company.

Given that most of Aleksanyan’s companies are registered under the
names of family members and close friends, it’s difficult to find a
paper trail that leads back to him.

Let’s take another look at the chart of buffalo meat importers.

You’ll see the name of a company called Sam-Ser Group Ltd. Last year
it imported no meat at all. This year, it imported 690 tons.

It’s interesting to note that the company lists as founders Victor
Manoukyan, a citizen of Armenia, and Russian citizen Sergei Pashko.

Manoukyan is also listed as a founder of MP Aleksanyan’s former
company Saleks Group Ltd. That’s to say that Manoukyan is one of the
businessman’s cronies.

Sam-Ser is also listed as the 13th largest taxpayer in the first half
of 2012, forking over 2.5 billion to the government.

Both companies are heavily engaged in other food-related sectors as
well. Aleks Grig imports large quantities of meat and meat products
from Brazil, while Sam-Ser imports dairy goods from New Zealand.
All the goods are transported via American ports.

Another company that imports buffalo meat is Armen-Hamik Brothers
Ltd. According to our sources, one Albert Ohandjanyan, the man facing
criminal charges for fraudulently selling frozen buffalo meat to the
Armenian Army, has family ties to the owners to the company.

The company is no newcomer to the importing business. It imported
732 tons of frozen buffalo meat in the 2008 and the 1st half of 2009.

According to the RA State Company Registry the owners are Edik
Hovhannisyan, Hayk Margaryan and Vahe Shkhrtmyan; but the names
reveal nothing.

The company is better known for its Original brand of coffee and the
manufacture of metal tiles and frames. It also makes children’s toys.

Visit the village of Geghashen in Kotayk Province, where the company
is based, and the locals will point out its true owner, whom they’ve
nicknamed, “Coffee Arthur”.

According to our info, the company supplies the army with canned
steamed beef.

The company is the 65th largest taxpayer in Armenia at almost 710
million AMD.

(To be continued)

From: A. Papazian

TOURISM OPENS THE UNKNOWN PAGES OF ARMENIAN HISTORY TO RUSSIANS
Hasmik Dilanyan

“Radiolur”
18:06 09.10.2012

The first Christian state of the world

Russian Ambassador to Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko says the first
tourism campaign held in Armenia from September 30 to October 9 was
a success. During the past ten days students of the Tourism Academies
of Armenia and Russia visited different places of interests in Armenia
to familiarize with the historical-cultural values of our country.

According to the Ambassador, the friendly ties between the Armenian
and Russian peoples have centuries-old history. “Armenia has much to
show to the world. At last, Armenia was the first to adopt Christianity
as state religion,” he added.

“This tourism campaign was the best way to communicate with the
Armenian nation. It allowed us to get to know each other and opened the
unknown pages of the Armenian history to the Russian people. We learnt
much about Christianity during this campaign,” the Ambassador noted.

Rector of the Russian Tourism Academy Igor Zorin noted that “the
world knows little about the historical-cultural heritage of Armenia.”

“Every visitor should know that Armenia was the first country to
adopt Christianity,” he added.

The aspects of bilateral cooperation

The Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission will convene
its regular sitting in Yerevan on October 12. The meeting will be
co-chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Russian
Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov.

According to Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav Kovalenko, the Commission
will discuss the most urgent issues of bilateral cooperation ranging
from economic and military-technical to cultural cooperation.

“The Armenian-Russian relations are on a high level in all aspects,”
the Ambassador said.

The second Armenian-Russian inter-regional forum will also be held
in Yerevan. Sixteen delegations from Russian regions have applied
for participation in the event. All guests will visit the marzes of
Armenia to discuss the opportunities of expansion of trade-economic
ties on the spot.

Besides, Yerevan will host “5 days of Russian speech,” which will
bring together different Russian-speaking specialists to discuss
issues of educational, methodological and cultural cooperation.

From: A. Papazian

ORBAN’S DECISION UNACCEPTABLE, HUNGARIAN INTELLECTUALS SAY IN YEREVAN
Artak Barseghyan

“Radiolur”
18:36 09.10.2012

Four Hungarian intellectuals have arrived in Yerevan today. During the
two-day visit they plan to visit the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
and the grave Armenian Officer Gurgen Margaryan axed by Azerbaijani
Ramil Safarov during NATO classes in Budapest in 2004.

This morning Hungarian historian Zoltan Biro, theologian Gabor Ivanyi,
journalist Gabor Deak and writer Rudolf Ungvary met with journalists
in Yerevan to present their stance on Ramil Safarov’s extradition
and the suspension of the Armenian-Hungarian relations.

Gabor Deak, the initiator of the visit, noted that the Hungarian
people’s attitude towards the authorities’ decision on Safarov was
negative.

According to the Hungarian journalist, Safarov’s transfer was an
incomprehensible and unacceptable political decision, which faced the
severe criticism of the majority of Hungarians. The current visit comes
to prove the stance of Hungarian intellectuals on that shameful deal,
he added.

“The unacceptable decision to extradite Safarov was taken by Prime
Minister Victor Orban, while the judiciary and the Ministry of Foreign
affairs of Hungary stood against it,” theologian, former MP Gabor
Ivanyi said

“Safarov’s vicious crime was immoral and has no justification,” Mr.

Ivanyi added, reminding that the Hungarian Court had sentenced him to
life in prison. “The sum that had to be spent to keep Safarov in jail
(about $1 mln) should be spent on the Armenian Church, which has been
functioning in Hungary since the 17th century, the theologian noted.

He said he regrets that the Hungary has not yet recognized the Armenian
Genocide. Gabor Ivanyi confessed that he feels shame for the decision
of his country’s Prime Minister.

Writer Rudolf Ungvary noted, in turn, that PM Orban’s decision did
not bring the expected financial dividends, but negatively affected
Hungary’s international standing.

Touching upon the decision of the Armenian authorities to suspend
ties with Hungary, historian Zoltan Biro noted that it applies only
to the government of his country, not the Hungarian people.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN COOKS TRIUMPH AT CULINARY OLYMPIAD (PHOTOS)

October 09, 2012 | 15:14

The Olympiad of Culinary Arts was held in Germany, and Moscow-resident
Vera and Rena Hovhannisyan sisters were declared winners in their
category. This event is held every four years and hundreds of cooks
from numerous countries compete.

But this time the multi-champion sisters took part in the Olympiad
by representing Armenia for the first time and they won in the
confectionery-making category. They prepared a candy made from the
heroes from “Ice Age,” a 2002 American computer-animated adventure
comedy film.

To note, Vera Hovhannisyan represented Russia in the 2010 world cup
for cooking and in the international competition held in Malta in
2011 and always won gold medals. In the same year, Vera became an
Armenian Cooks’ Union member and pledged to from now on represent
Armenia in international competitions.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN ENVOY: EMBASSY TO PROMPT ARMENIANS’ RETURN TO HOMELAND

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 9, 2012 – 16:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Russian embassy in Armenia is making its best
effort to cause Armenians to return to their homeland, the Russian
Ambassador to Armenia said.

Summing up the results of the first Armenian-Russian scientific
tourism expedition, Vladislav Kovalenko expressed hope for the event
to promote closer ties between the two countries, also attracting the
interest of Russian Armenians who’ve never been to their native land.

The first Armenian-Russian scientific tourism expedition was organized
under the aegis of the Economy Ministry and Russian Embassy. The
expedition route covered the cities of Yerevan, Gyumri, Dilijan,
Sevan, Goris, Kapan, Meghri, Oshakan and Etchmiadzin.

The event was held on September 30 through October 9.

From: A. Papazian

NO ONE FORCES ARMENIA INTO MIGRATION – RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

TERT.AM
09.10.12

The Armenian citizens working in Russia leave for the country on
their own, without facing pressure by anyone, the Russian Ambassador
has told reporters.

Vyacheslav Kovalenko made the statement at a Tuesday news conference,
when asked to comment why his country refuses to suspend the employment
migration program the Compatriots, which many believe causes many
Armenians to leave the country forever.

“Does anyone drag the Armenians to Russia? Does anyone force them
into going there? Do you think people will stop going in case we
close the representation?” he asked.

The diplomat said he doesn’t think the Federation Migration Service
is to blame for the continuing migration from Armenia.

“Why do people leave Armenia? They do so because they have objective
reasons, and that certainly does not have anything to do with the
Federal Migration Service,” he noted.

The diplomat explained that the representation works in order to
restrict migration and ensure normal living standards and salaries
for those who seek employment opportunities in Russia.

Kovalenko continued, “Why nobody asks how the US Embassy work? I can
say that the Green Card has helped more people leave Armenia than
the Federal Migration Service’s representation. Since 2007, more than
5,000 people left Armenia with their families due to the green card.

But less than 5,000 have left with families through the Federal
Migration Service. What is this fuss and rumor about? What does the
representation have to do here?”

To make the picture clear, the ambassador asked for paying attention
to the statistical records and figures.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION SESSION AND INTERREGIONAL SECOND FORUM TO BE LAUNCHED IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
9 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS: The regular session of Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission is scheduled to kick off on October
12.The commission co-chairs Tigran Sargsyan Armenian Prime Minister
and Maxim Sokolov Minister Transport of the Russian Federation are
going to chair it. It is the first time after former Minister Igor
Levitin, Incumbent Minister Sokolov is participating in Armenian-
Russian economic cooperation intergovernmental commission session
. The commission will discuss the most topical issues of bilateral
relations, ranging from economic, military-technical cooperation and
cultural ties .

Russian Ambassador to Armenia,Vyacheslav Kovalenko came forth in the
press conference held in Armenpress press hall . “Armenian-Russian
relations are at a high level of development. Similar remarks are
peculiar to all aspects of bilateral cooperation” Ambassador noted,
Armenpress reports.

Armenian-Russian inter-regional second forum is going to be launched
in Yerevan. In the words of Kovalenko previous year established event
was an impetus for the regional cooperation of the two states. Russian
Federation 16 regions delegations, headed by Governors, Heads of
various departments have expressed willingness to participate in the
second forum. All arrived quests are scheduled to travel Armenian
provinces aimed at getting acquainted with the capacities of trade
and economic ties expansion in the place.

In the words of Russian Ambassador “5 days of Russian speech” is going
to be launched in Armenia bringing together experts to discuss various
educational, methodological and cultural issues. “Russian Book House”
third event will be opened in Yerevan, which besides enabling selling
of the book is an educational, serious cultural event.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic Armenia and the Russian
Federation were established on April 3, 1992. The embassy of RF in
Yerevan has been acting since 1992, and the Embassy of RA in Moscow-
since 1994.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA MUSTN’T PIN HOPES ON COE IN SAFAROV CASE – OFFICIAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 9, 2012 – 15:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The majority of PACE members supported Armenia’s
stance during the Assembly debate on Azeri axe-killer Ramil Safarov
case, slamming Baku’s promotion of xenophobia, according to the head
of Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe.

As Davit Harutyunyan stated, even the Hungarian MPs condemned the
criminal’s release, criticizing their country’s government for the
blunder committed.

“The PACE committee on legal affairs plans to work out a report
envisaging mechanisms of prevention of such incidents in future,”
Harutyunyan said.

When asked about the reason behind PACE’s failure to adopt a resolution
on Safarov case, Harutyanyan noted that the Assembly’s regulations
don’t envisage passing resolutions following current debates.

“The statements on Safarov case were made by the most influential
PACE structures, including the Assembly chair, secretary and the
commissioner for human rights,” Haturyunyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter.

“We mustn’t expect anything – Armenia has its own way to follow. We
demanded a response – we got it, we raised a legal issue – it’s
being discussed. We mustn’t pin our hopes on the Council of Europe
in expectation of its verdict,” Harutyunyan said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S ARMED FORCES RAISE COMBAT-READINESS LEVEL

news.am
October 09, 2012 | 15:01

YEREVAN. – The Armenian Armed Forces’ strategic command post exercises
are still in progress.

Several extensive measures, specifically operations by newly formed
and transforming military units, are carried out during the drills.

Also, the combat-readiness of the police forces and the reinforcement
of National Security Service Border Troops have been inspected,
MOD press service informs.

The quality of readiness by all kind of headquarters is being
raised during the exercises. Unmanned aerial vehicles are tested,
new anti-tank measures are applied, and the grouping and use of
missile troops are clarified. The air defense troops have carried
out complex tactical techniques.

Armenia’s Armed Forces continually raise the level of their
combat-readiness, ever since their formation, and are ready to fulfill
all the tasks set before them.

From: A. Papazian