Author: Antonian Lara

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE OFFERS ARMAVIA TO ISSUE IPO

ARKA
April 18, 2008

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. The Armavia Armenian Air Company is expected
to issue IPO (initial public offering) on the London Stock Exchange,
said Julien Dufour, commercial director of the company.

The International Financial Corporation, which is Armavia’s partner,
has offered the air company to issue IPO on the London Stock Exchange,
according to Dufour.

He believes despite certain unsolved issues, Armavia’s effective
and transparent corporate management allows the company to enter the
IPO market.

The Armavia Air Company LLC is the national air carrier of Armenia. The
Armenian Aviafin Ltd and Mika Armenia Trading Ltd founded the company
in 1996.

As from July 2005, President of the MIKA Armenia Trading Company
Mikhail Baghdasarov is Armavia’s absolute shareholder.

At present, Armavia offers flights to Russian and CIS (Commonwealth
of Independent States) cities, as well as to Middle East and Europe.

On February 1, 2008, the air company’s fleet was replenished with a
Bombardier CRJ-100ER. Armavia also possesses A-320, A-319 airbuses,
Boeing 737-300, and CRJ-100ER.

ARMENIAN EUROVISION SONG CONTEST REPRESENTATIVE SIRUSHO CONTINUES PROMO ACTIVITIES

Trend News Agency
ws&newsid=1179025&lang=EN
April 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Sirusho, the Armenian representative in the 2008 Eurovision Song
Contest, will continue her promotional tour in the next days which
will take her to seven more countries!

After having been to Moscow already, Sirusho will now go to Germany,
Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and France. She will also
appear at the UK Eurovision preview party which will take place on
the 25th of April in London’s Scala nightclub where about 1200 people
will be present. Sirusho will perform her infectious song Qele Qele
there which is tipped by many experts to reach the Top Five in the
2008 Eurovision Song Contest.

The Armenian delagation confirmed to Eurovision.tv that Sirusho’s CD
including her Eurovision Song Contest entry will be released at the
end of April or the beginning of May. The promotional pack will not
include the CD only, but there will also be a DVD with the videoclip
of Qele Qele and also a T-shirt!

Sirusho is the most poular female artist in Armenia and she was awarded
the award of "Best Female Artist" in Armenia for four consecutive
years! In her recording career, she has already released three albums
and has also written songs for other Armenian artists. She will be the
third Armenian artist – and the first female one! – in the Eurovision
Song Contest after both Andre and Hayko reached a good 8th place in
Athens and Helsinki respectively.

Sirusho will perform in the first Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision
Song Contest on the 20th of May in the Belgrade Arena in Serbia.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

DR. ZAVEN YEGAVIAN OF THE CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION
VISITS HIS HOLINESS

The Director of the Department of Armenian Affairs of the Lisbon-based
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Dr. Zaven Yegavian arrived in Antelias on
April 17 following an invitation from His Holiness Aram I.

Dr. Yegavian will stay in the Catholicosate of Cilicia as a guest for a
period of one week and will hold meetings with the Armenian Pontiff on
further deepening the cooperation between the Catholicosate of Cilicia and
the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Dr. Yegavian will attend the ordination and consecration of Bishops in
Antelias on April 20. He will also hold meetings with leading members of the
Lebanese-Armenian community’s educational circles.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ACCORDING TO RA PRIME MINISTER, SPORT SUCCESS HAS POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON SOCIETY’S MOOD

Noyan Tapan
April 17, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 17, Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsian Presented The Re-Appointed Minister Armen Grigorian To The
Staff In The RA Ministry Of Sport And Youth Affairs.

In the words of the Prime Minister, the sport success has a positive
influence on the society’s mood. He said that the Minister with the
Ministry’s staff is able to solve the problems of the sphere, which
relate to youth education, apartment problems, healthy mode of life,
and contribute to creation of healthy society.

A. Grigorian, in his turn, said that good preparion for the Beijing
2008 games and the successful participation of the Armenian sportmen
in that sport event are urgent issues. The Minister assured that he
will do his best with the staff to implement the directions and tasks
outlined by the government.

RUSE, FOURTH BULGARIAN CITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
18.04.2008 14:43

Thursday 17 April, Ruse city passed a city council resolution
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide by 36 against 3 and 5
abstentions. Ruse (175 000 inhabitants) is becoming the fourth
large city of Bulgaria to engage upon such a move after Varna (650
000 inhabitants), Plovdiv (380 000 inhabitants) and Burgas (230 000
inhabitants), the European Armenian Federation informed.

While Europe is becoming more and more permissive to Turkish denial,
the European Armenian Federation warmly commends the citizens of
Ruse, the members of their city council as well as the local Armenian
community and especially the Armenian National Committee of Bulgaria.

The Federation recall that a similar resolution adopted in February
by the city of Burgas has triggered the freeze of any commercial
relations by the neighbouring Turkish region of Edirne (Andrinople),
and noteworthy the European trans-boundary program PHARE. This episode
gave evidence of the threat represented by Turkey’s State denial on
the policies of the European Union.

Bulgaria is ruled by a coalition between Socialists and an ethnic
party representing the large Turkish community of the country (10%).

DISABLED PEOPLE IN KARABAKH WILL GET CARS

KarabakhOpen
18-04-2008 10:49:49

Soon 10 special cars will arrive in Karabakh for the disabled people
of the first group with spine chord injuries. Prime Minister Ara
Harutiunyan said during the meeting of government that it is not the
last consignment of cars. The president has pledged to provide cars
to all the disabled people of the first group.

GENERATIONS WON’T FORGIVE US
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on April 16, 2008
Armenia

If We Don’t Learn A Lesson From March 1

Interview with the director of the Genocide Museum Hayk Demoyan

"March 1 was, mildly speaking, a regrettable event for every Armenian,
a psychological, moral blow, the consequence of which is simply
irretrievable.

It is impossible to imagine that we could have ever afforded similar
act towards ourselves, our statehood.

I don’t want to take the role of a judge and to say who is right,
who is wrong. But the thing that happened is really a matter of
serious concern.

Our people have faced genocide and today we have the opportunity
to build our statehood, it is impossible to imagine that the
representatives of a nation that has faced genocide can struggle
against one another.

So we must learn a lesson from March 1 and draw right
conclusions. Should we not give right assessment to what happened,
we will leave a very bad heritage for the coming generation.

Before doing something, we must give a question to ourselves: "Do we
treat properly those who were martyred or who survived dreaming of
an independent Armenia?"

The thing that happened on March 1 in the center of the capital city
was an unforgivable "luxury" and meanwhile a contemptuous attitude
towards the victims of the Genocide and those who survived. To have
statehood is a great grace for the nation that has faced genocide,
it is a chance that we mustn’t lose. The generations won’t forgive
us. Consequently we must record once and for all that violence must
be excluded from the agenda of our political culture.

Using force will ruin us. It will give ground to suspicion abroad:
"Why do Armenian’s insist on the recognition of the Genocide, if they
themselves solve their issues by force.’

"Will the traditional Diaspora, lobbyist organizations, which still
make efforts towards the international recognition of the Genocide face
difficulties in this issue. Especially because the "lobby belonging
to Armenian Pan National Movement" acts against their own state,
the ruling power and the church, moreover they hold demonstrations,
in the United States and the European capitals with the slogan "Robert,
Serge, Talyat?"

"Definitely! Thus our direct enemies will be pleasantly surprised,
we give them good reasons to say: "How can the Armenians speak about
the Genocide when they kill one another for political reasons?"

As regards the demonstrations hold in the foreign countries, those
citizens of Armenia who live overseas, or those who are citizens of
other countries but consider themselves Armenians, must understand
that each of us must be helpful to this statehood, rather than
teaching something."

LEADERS OF US AZERBAIJANI DIASPORA MET WITH HEAD OF CONGRESS SUB-COMMITTEE FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS

Azeri Press Agency
April 15 2008
Azerbaijan

New York. Husniyya Hasanova-APA. On April 13, 2008, leaders of
Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) – Tomris Azeri, U.S. Azeris Network
(USAN) – Adil Baguirov, Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC) – Javid
Huseynov, and Caucasus Jewish Community of New York- Yakov Abramov
and Nobert Yevdayev, joined the Congressional breakfast organized by
the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York.

APA US Bureau reports, speaking at the event, members of JCRC, Consul
General of Israel in New York – Asaf Shariv, Congressmen Steve Israel
and Gary Ackerman, Congresswomen Nita Lowey and Yvette Clarke and
Senator Ron Widen addressed the issues of security and peace in
Middle East, the interests and policies of the United States and
Israel vis-a-vis the global war on terrorism and regional threats.

Event participants greeted the representatives of Azerbaijani Diaspora.

During the event, Adil Baguirov and Javid Huseynov met with
Congresswoman Nita Lowey, the chair of the Foreign Operations
subcommittee of the U.S. Congress. They emphasized that Azerbaijan
is the only secular Muslim country besides Turkey, enjoying broad
security and economic relations with the United States and Israel, and
it’s therefore important for the U.S. to continue supporting this key
regional ally to promote peace, security and religious tolerance in the
region. Drs. Baguirov and Huseynov also informed Rep. Lowey about the
vibrant Jewish community in Azerbaijan,living in peace alongside Azeris
for many centuries. 39 pro-Armenian congressmen recently appealed
Nita Lowey to reduce financial assistance to Azerbaijan in 2009.

Azerbaijani community representatives also met with Senator Ron Widen.

AZERBAIJANI DIASPORA IN US ARRANGES PRESENTATION ON AZERBAIJAN AND NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Azeri Press Agency
April 15 2008
Azerbaijan

New-York. Husniyya Hasanova -APA. Heads of Azerbaijani Diaspora
organizations in the US made a report in 13th assembly of the "World
Convention of the Association for the Study of Nationalities" organized
by Columbia University every year, APA US bureau reports.

Tomris Azeri, President of Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), Javid
Huseynov, President of Azerbaijani American Council, Adil Bagirov,
Executive Director of US Azerbaijanis Network, Fariz Ismayilzadeh,
Taleh Ziyadov, representatives of Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy and
other Diaspora Activists have arranged the presentation on Azerbaijan
and Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They stated that the confrontation
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis had started after occupation of
territory by Russian Empire. Armenian scientists stated that Armenian
political elite depended on Russia and any force, who settled for a
compromise was made drop out of politics. There were serious statements
on the situation of national minorities residing in Turkey during
the hearings. Armenian scientist Alla Mirzoian stressed that Ankara
should not support Azerbaijan and borders between Armenia and Turkey
should be opened. Mirzoian stated that struggle for the recognition of
so-called Armenian genocide was not against the territorial integrity
of Turkey. Javid Huseynov, President of Azerbaijani American Council
announced that Armenians occupied Nagorno Karabakh and violated
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity recognized on international
level. Armenian scientist could not answer his question on why it
was impossible to take the similar step towards Turkey under the
pretext of so-called Armenian genocide. Adil Bagirov, Executive
Director of the US Azerbaijanis Network stated that 100.000 people
had participated in the funeral of Grant Dink, Armenian journalist
in Turkey and added that Armenians’ participation in the funeral of
killed Azerbaijani or Turkish was impossible.

CHALLENGERS OUT TO BREAK PYUNIK GRIP
by Khachik Chakhoyan

UEFA.com
April 14 2008
Switzerland

FC Pyunik may have enjoyed a winning start but Armenia’s perennial
champions will need to overcome some stern competition this season
if they are to clinch the Bardzraguyn Khumb title for an eighth
consecutive year.

Five contenders FC Banants, FC MIKA and Ararat Yerevan were Pyunik’s
closest challengers last term and all three clubs have begun the 2008
campaign with renewed optimism after strengthening their squads during
the closed season. FC Gandzasar Kapan, fifth in the eight-team top
flight last year, have also recruited heavily and cannot be discounted
in what promises to be a particularly open title race.

Youthful Pyunik Pyunik remain the team to beat, yet their inexperience
could present the other contenders with an opportunity to end the
Yerevan club’s dominance. Aside from their two veteran Armenian
internationals, Sargis Hovsepyan and Karen Dokhoyan, the Pyunik side
is flushed with youth and much is expected of emerging trio Henrikh
Mkhitaryan, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Karlen Lazarian, all of whom have
been capped by the national team.

Two-point advantage A slender 1-0 win against FC Ulis Yerevan in
the season’s opening match on 6 April ensures Pyunik already have
a two-point advantage over city-rivals and last year’s runners-up
Banants, who could only draw 0-0 with Gandzasar. That stalemate,
coupled with an unconvincing penalty shoot-out win over FC Shirak
in the last eight of the Armenian Cup, has put some pressure on the
club’s new Bulgarian coach Nedelcho Matushev, who has replaced his
countryman Nikolai Kostov.

Israelyan confident Banants, the cup holders, underlined their
intentions by signing the highly-rated Armenian international Romik
Khachatryan to partner Karen Aleksanyan in midfield, and club president
Sargis Israelyan is optimistic for the remainder of the season. "We
were missing too many players during the preparation period and that’s
why our form is not good at the moment," Israelyan said. "However,
I’m confident we can challenge for the top places, as well as trying
to repeat our success in the Armenian Cup."

Comfortable victories Ararat and MIKA, meanwhile, enjoyed perfect
starts to their league campaigns, securing comfortable home
victories. Varuzhan Sukiasyan’s return to the Ararat dugout has had
a positive impact, with an impressive come-from-behind win over Ulis
in the Armenian Cup quarter-finals followed by a 5-0 league triumph
over FC Kilikia.

Arkadiy Andreasyan’s MIKA, who are also through to the cup semi-finals,
defeated Shirak 3-1 in their league encounter.

Argentinian signings Gandzasar have been eliminated from the cup,
losing on penalties to Pyunik, yet few will be taking them lightly
in the Bardzraguyn Khumb.

The Kapan outfit now have 14 foreign players on their books, an
Armenian record, after signing five Argentinian players. Yet coach
Samvel Petrosyan knows his South American newcomers – Claudio Alanis,
Aleo Jelatini, Jose Rikardo, Carlos Mavilyan and Jonatan Mavilla –
will need to settle quickly if the club is to mount a serious title
challenge.