Author: Andres-Papazian

New arrests in health sphere?

08:37 pm | September 29, 2012 | Politics

Serzh Sargsyan held today a consultation to discuss existing problems
in the health sector, including the use of state control mechanisms
and ensuring the population’s access to health services.

“I would like to know why many of the complaints in our society are
related to this important sphere,” Serzh Sargsyan said. “Our citizens
raise their voices, saying that the “state order” system does not work
properly, bribes are frequently taken. Citizens complain about
“incorrect and irresponsible medical treatment” and low-quality
services, abuse of their rights, red tape, medicines, and the current
situation”.

Head of the Control Service of the Armenian President Hovhannes
Hovsepyan gave a report about the state procurement process in the
health sector, the situation in the drug market, and the results of
the checks conducted by the Control Service on September 19-26, as a
result of which a number of violations were revealed.
Minister of Health Derenik Dumanyan spoke about the problems of the
health sector and the proposals aimed at their solution, which have
been singled out by the Ministry, taking into account the
recommendations made at the previous government consultation invited
by Serzh Sargsyan.

After familiarizing himself with the reasons of the existing problems
and discussing them with the consultation participants, Serzh Sargsyan
called the situation in the health sphere shameful, criticizing the
inaction of executives of both the Ministry of Health and several
other state bodies. At the conclusion of the consultation, the
Armenian president gave instructions to the executives. It was decided
to develop a program of significant changes in the health sphere
within 6-8 months – based on the proposals – and to submit it for
approval.

From: A. Papazian

Artsakh delivers food aid for Syrian-Armenians

21:36 29/09/2012 » Society

Today the NKR government has dispatched the first consignment of aid
for the Armenian community of Syria.

According to the NKR government, Artsakh Fruit Company donated food
aid for Syrian Armenians. The aid will be delivered to Yerevan and
then will be transferred by plane to Syria.

The food aid is part of `Help Your Brother’ civil initiative, NKR
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Aghabekyan said. The aid will be
continuous – exclusively high quality Artsakh products will be
dispatched for Syrian-Armenians, the NKR official noted.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

Turkish FM’s remark a formality – Armenian expert

news.am
September 29, 2012 | 23:08

YEREVAN.- The UN General Assembly is a favorable platform to voice
propaganda and political clichés.

Sergey Minasyan, Deputy Director of the Caucasus Institute, considers
this is the reason for Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s
statement.

The analyst believes Davutoglu’s remark has no goal to divert
attention away from Azerbaijan-Hungary deal.

`Turkey neither condemned, nor supported Azerbaijan on Safarov’s case.
The statement made by Davutoglu in New York was a formality. Turkey
tried to show activeness in the context of no process of normalizing
relations with Armenia. The process may be resumed and then Ankara’s
official statements will be more restrained,’ he told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

Addressing the delegates, Turkish FM said Ankara `underlines the need
for a solution to Nagorno-Karabakh in accordance with the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, yet there has been no single step towards
resolution of this problem for the last two decade.’

From: A. Papazian

Prospects for Armenian-German relations discussed

19:16, 29 September, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenian delegation headed by
Zohrab Mnacakanyan, Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, left
for Berlin on September 27-28 to have political conferences. As
Armenpress was informed from MFA press, informational and public
relations department during the conference sides have discussed the
perspectives and possibilities of development of bilateral relation as
well as in political, economic, cultural, scientific spheres. Deputy
Minister Mnacakanyan presented the process of Armenia-EU cooperation
as well talks on establishing a deep and comprehensive free trade zone
to German side.

Interlocutors have also referred to the regional developments and to
Ramil Safarov’s case in this context. During his visit to Germany
Mnatcakanyan had meeting with Doctor Christoph Israng and Ruprecht
Polenz.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
TEDxYerevan
Yerevan, Armenia

[email protected]

MORE THAN 300 LEADING THINKERS AND DOERS EMBRACE CHANGE WITH TEDxYEREVAN 2012

YEREVAN, September 29, 2012 – Yerevan welcomed the third TEDxYerevan
conference on September 29th at Tumo Center for Creative Technologies,
which brought together more than 300 leading thinkers and doers from a
myriad of fields, such as architecture, art, technology, education,
entrepreneurship, and many more.

The leading theme this year was Embracing Change. TEDxYerevan 2012
brought 15 inspiring speakers on the stage to share their experience
and understanding of change on many levels, including personal,
institutional, societal and national. A variety of perspectives were
articulated from embracing change in public health and individual
lifestyle to embracing diversity of opinions and thinking.

The Founder and CEO of Kanjoya Company Armen Berjikly elaborated on
circumstances when change is not a choice. Berjikly began creating
online communities designed to sponsor hope through research and
community after a close friend’s diagnosis with a serious medical
condition. His passion continues to be building products that unite
people who can improve each other’s lives and pioneering new ways to
bring emotional awareness to technology.

Patrick Sarkissian, the Founder and CEO of SarkissianMason, talked
about defying and conquering change. Sarkissian is passionate about
reinventing the Armenian identity and finding innovative ways to use
technology to stop human trafficking, having sponsored a worldwide
grant in 2012.

The CEO of Luys Foundation Jacqueline Karaaslanian navigated TEDx
participants through connecting learning to social change.
Karaaslanian unveiled the proven ways to empower youth to engage and
shape the future, while healthly lifestyle advocate Madlene Minassian
discussed the perils of unhealthy eating choices.

TEDxYerevan 2012 also brought to stage some of the youngest TEDx
speakers in Armenia so far – Marc Papazian, 16 years old, who talked
about his perspective of change having lived and traveled in a variety
of countries and cultures. Alongside Marc, Karen Hakobian presented an
interesting way to welcome each morning, while Emil Aslanyan and Sima
Cunningham elaborated on the concept of change from the perspective of
art and creativity. In the same spirit the recognized photographer Ara
Oshagan pondered upon the docmentary image of identity.

Participants also learned about change and interventions in
problematic zones from the prominent architect Bernard Khoury. With an
international reputation and a significantly diverse portfolio of
architectural design project, Khoury talked about change in conflict
zones and how that affects the society.

Participants had the chance to ponder upon how change affects the
Armenian society as part of the global community. A successful
entrepreneur David Bequette talked about how an active customer
society has transformed the service delivery sector in Armenia, while
Samvel Martirosyan discussed how the generational gap affects
education. The Conference was summed up by Sevan Kabakian’s talk about
Armenia’s inspiring narrative.

TEDxYerevan 2012 also featured an amazing plastic dance performance by
the Mihr Theatre and a Surprise Session with a stand-up performance by
the host and comedian Sergey Sargsyan and several TEDxKids@Yerevan
2012 speakers.

The event was made possible with the support of a number of
organizations, including the official partner – TUMO Center for
Creative Technologies, Synopsys, Storaket Architectural Studio, ABBYY,
IREX Armenia, Mojo Drink, Green Day Organic Store, Inn Serenity yoga
retreat center, PanArmenian Photo, JurJur, and ArmNews TV.

xxx

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local,
self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like
experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine
to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local,
self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently
organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for
the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.
(Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.
Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has
grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives.
At TED, the world’s leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the
talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available,
free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall,
Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe
Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime
Minister Gordon Brown. Two major TED events are held each year: The
TED Conference takes place every spring in Long Beach, California
(along with a parallel conference, TEDActive, in Palm Springs), and
TEDGlobal is held each summer in Edinburgh, Scotland.

TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted
daily; the new TED Conversations, enabling broad conversations among
TED fans; and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles
and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to
be translated by volunteers worldwide.

TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional
individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity
to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or
groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world;
and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from
around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its
help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

For information about TED’s upcoming conferences, visit

Follow TED on Twitter at , or on Facebook
at

From: A. Papazian

MilAz.info, Azerbaijan
Sept 28 2012

Richard Morningstar: `We are interested in increasing the number of
the US companies in energy field in Azerbaijan’

22:03 28-09-2012

`The US is ready to contribute Azerbaijan for further development of
economy and is interested in increasing the number of US
companies’,said ichard Morningstar, the US ambassador to Azerbaijan
during the annual dinner party for American Trade Chamber, APA
reports.

The ambassador spoke about the present development achieved in the
economical sphere and stressed the importance of more development of
this sphere. He said that the development in the economical sphere is
important, but there is another issue we must focus our attention on
is the peaceful solution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict: `I know that
this problem concerns all Azerbaijanis’.

Morningstar said that US are ready for the diversification in the
economical sphere and rendering assistance in the development of other
fields of the country. He showed interest in number increase of US
companies operating in Azerbaijan in energy sphere. The ambassador
recalled that US is represented in Azerbaijan’s energy sector just by
one company: `I consider that the work of US companies in Azerbaijan
is worth much for the development of energy sphere’.

The ambassador also mentioned his assurance that Azerbaijan would
receive the representatives of American Trade Chamber soon: `Receiving
and adaptation to the requirements of this company will play into
Azerbaijan’s hands’.

From: A. Papazian

Vahagn Chakhalyan: If Mikheil Saakashvili remains at power, inflow of
Turks to Javakhetia will intensify even more

arminfo
Saturday, September 29, 15:57

If Mikheil Saakashvili remains at power, the inflow of Turks to
Javakhetia will intensify even more, Vahagn Chakhalyan, who is serving
his sentence in Rustavi, Georgia, says in his statement addressed to
the voters of Javakhetia.

The author says that as long as the activists of United Javakhq
Movement are in Georgian prisons, no elections can be free, fair or
legitimate. If Saakashvili remains at power, the illegal arrests and
cases of appropriation of property will increase in Javakhq, the
political prisoners from Javakhq will remain in prisons, the attacks
against the Armenian schools will be continued, Armenian teachers and
officials will be dismissed, and Armenian churches will be closed.
Chakhalyan stresses that all the shameful phenomena Javakhq has
witnessed since Saakashvili came to power in 2004 will continue.

Today those who work for Saakashvili keep on conducting the policy of
driving Armenians out of Javakhq, which is a crime against their own
nation and should be severely punished by the law, he says.

Chakhalyan calls on the residents of Javakhq not to yield to any
pressure or threats during the voting. He urges the voters to follow
their conscience and convictions in the name of their native Javakhq.

To note, the parliamentary elections in Georgia will be held on
October 1. To recall, Vahagn Chakhalyan was arrested by Georgian
authorities in 2008. In April 2009 he was sentenced to 10 years in
jail on fabricated charges of “violation of public order”,
“hooliganism”, “keeping of weapon”. At the moment Chakhalyan’s case is
being considered at the European Court of Human Rights.

From: A. Papazian

Physicist Vazgen Sargsyan winner of the 2012 `Academy’ Award

16:19 29.09.2012
`Radiolur’

The annual `Academy’ award ceremony was held at the Armenian National
Academy of Sciences today. This year’s prize was handed to young
physicist Vazgen Sargsyan.

The `Academy’ Award established in 2011 aims to encourage young
scientists. Every year the award will be handed in one particular
field of science.

The prize is meant for works published in scientific magazines during
the two years preceding the competition.

Academician-secretary of the National Academy of Sciences Hrant
Marevosyan noted that the rules of the competition are the rather
strict, therefore only six young scholars submitted their works.

Laureate of the award Vazgen Sargsyan emphasized the importance of the
award, noting that such appreciation is really encouraging.

From: A. Papazian

U.S. Senator urges immediate re-incarceration of Azeri ax-murderer

September 28, 2012 – 10:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – California Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has
expressed her outrage over Azerbaijan’s pardon, promotion and praise
for convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, and called for his immediate
re-incarceration, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

In a strongly worded letter to President Aliyev, Senator Boxer
stressed that Safarov’s release is “deeply disturbing and provocative
action has only served to inflame tensions and endanger efforts to
forge a lasting peace in the Caucasus.” Calling the Safarov’s pardon a
“blatant disregard for the rule of law,” she went on to demand that
Aliyev “adhere to the standards of the international law by returning
Safarov to jail, where he belongs, for the heinous crime that he
committed.”

Last week, during the Center for European Policy Analysis’
U.S.-Central Europe Strategy Forum, Assistant Secretary of State Phil
Gordon told RFE/RL that the State Department continues “to express our
dismay and disappointment. We’re not satisfied with what has happened
here. In our view this is someone who should have continued to serve
out his sentence and certainly we were appalled by the glorification
that we heard in some corridors of somebody who was convicted of
murder, and so no, we’re not satisfied with the responses.”

From: A. Papazian

Prosperous Armenia rep. thinks ex-FM will be stripped of immunity

tert.am
14:17 – 29.09.12

Naira Zohrabyan, the secretary of the Prosperous Armenia party faction
in parliament, says she isn’t optimistic about the National Assembly’s
vote over the prosecutor general’s motion to lift the legal immunity
of ex-Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan.

`This is linked to the enthusiasm that mobilizes the [ruling]
Republican Party faction, with several members not being allowed to go
on a business trip and others being called back,’ she told Tert.am on
Saturday.

Oskanyan, who is the founder of the Civilitas Foundation, quit the
organization’s board in May to join the Prosperous Armenia party and
run for parliament. On May 25, the National Security Council launched
a money laundering proceeding against Civilatas, accusing the
foundation of a failure to report a $1.5 million donation to the tax
authorities. Oskanyan’s lawyer later asked a Yerevan district the
court to halt the proceeding but his motion was rejected.

From: A. Papazian