Author: Antranik Varosian

IT DIDN’T RAIN ON THEIR PARADE: ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY

Tert
Sept 22 2009
Armenia

Armenian National Congress (HAK) had decided to celebrate Independence
Day by Sarayan’s monument. At 6 pm yesterday, Pan-Armenian National
Movement participants and HAK representatives began to gather
there, and though there was heavy rain, those gathered were in no
rush to leave. Also present was Armenia’s first president, Levon
Ter-Petrossian, who was welcomed by applause.

Since the rain was getting heavier, all those present were invited
to HAK’s head office, after which the crowd moved to Koryun Str.

At the office, the leader congratulated all those present and stated,
"I think everything was more natural and pleasant than expected. I
congratulate all of you, and as Nikol used to say, there are no
doubters here."

Further in his talk with journalists, Levon Zurabian stated why the
tradition was broken and why, on September 21, there were no receptions
in any halls.

"Under pressure from the governing authorities, no hotel or business
centre agreed to provide a hall [for us]. Moreover, even if they
agreed, they said it’s not possible to have more than 150 people. But
this number is too small for us… Our movement is a large-scale
movement: we can only hold such a reception where thousands of
people will come. Since that’s not possible, we decided to gather
at Saryan’s monument, but, later, when it began to rain, we made a
prompt decision to come here. I think, the important thing is not
where we celebrate this day, but the spirit which unites all of us,"
HAK coordinator stated.

Levon Zurabyan also added that yesterday’s rain symbolized the
situation which is created today for our independence.

"An independence, whose essence today’s governing authorities try to
deprive us of. I think the idea of independence will be understood to
the fullest extent by people only if legitimate governing authority
and Constitutional order are reinstated in Armenia. Therefore, I wish
you all an independence crowned with legitimate governing authority,"
Levon Zurabyan stated.

ECONOMIC CRISIS HAMPERED IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
16.09.2009 14:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A legislation on pension reform will be submitted
to the National Assembly till the end of the year.

"It’s one of the most complicated reforms, preparation of which
took three years of work with international specialists," RA Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan said during presentation of the report of
Armenia’s competitiveness.

"Reforms in healthcare and education sectors are also envisaged,"
he said.

"Anti-corruption reform is a constituent of national competitiveness. A
new anti-corruption program has been already developed and will be
submitted to the parliament in the near future."

However, the PM Sargsyan remarked that the crisis hampered the reform
process in Armenia and new incentive is needed to revive it.

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

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES
THE AMBASSADOR OF USA IN LEBANON IN ANTELIAS

On Friday 11 September 2009, Michele Sison, the Ambassador of the United
State in Lebanon, visited His Holiness Aram I in his office in Antelias.
After an overview of the situation in the region and in Lebanon, His
Holiness Aram I emphasized the importance of strengthening national unity at
this critical moment in the life of the country.

The ambassador and His Holiness then discussed the positive contribution of
Armenians to American society. They also talked of the spiritual,
educational activities of the Eastern and Western Prelacies of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia and their contribution to the democratic ideals of
the country. His Holiness Aram I mentioned the "2009 Year of Youth", which
he has declared, and which has provided the opportunity for youth in the
diaspora to discuss their vision of church for the 21st Century.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos398.htm#2
*****
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.

"ARMENIAN CHURCHES OF OLD TIFLIS" BOOK PUBLISHED IN ECHMIADZIN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.08.2009 17:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Armenian churches of old Tiflis" book, authored by
Paruyr Muradyan, was published in Echmiadzin. The book is included in
"Historical origins of Armenian church" book series.

The book features 70 unique photos of old Tbilisi’s Armenian churches,
their history and construction sites. The history of cultural and
religious centers is viewed here in the context of Tbilisi’s Armenian
Diaspora establishment, Holy Echmiadzin’s Press Service reported.

The book publication was sponsored by Armen and Nune Sargsyans,
with the blessing of Catholicos of all Armenians,Garegin II

UNDECLARED WAR OR WHAT HAPPENS TO ARMENIAN WEB SITES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
22.07.2009 18:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A press conference, aimed at clarifying the situation
with hackers’ attacks on Armenian web sites, particularly based on
the Arminco servers, is scheduled for tomorrow in Yerevan.

The conference will be attended by Arminco ISP technical director
Gregory Sagiyan and Arminco’s expert on information security issues
Samvel Martirosyan. The topic of the conference is "Undeclared war
or what happened to the Armenian sites in the last days".

The Arminco company provides a wide range of Internet access services,
in particular, hosting services to a large number of companies,
including the Government of Armenia.

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN NEEDS A SIMPLE ANSWER TO A SIMPLE QUESTION

ArmInfo
2009-04-29 11:37:00

It is the choice of Armenia and Turkey how to continue their relations,
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at a joint press conference
with President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso,
APA reported.

The Head of the Azerbaijani state also answered the questions
regarding the discussions he had conducted with Jose Manuel Barroso
about Turkey-Armenia rapprochement: "I have discussed a number of
issues, including regional development and cooperation issues with
the President of the European Commission. Of, course while talking
about the regional cooperation, we could not leave aside of the latest
developments in the region you have mentioned about. We have expressed
our position on this issue many times. The position is that we never
intervene in the affairs of other states and the relations between the
two sovereign countries. This is the decision what Turkey and Armenia
can make. It’s their choice how to continue their relations. But
while touching on some comments about the historical roots of this
issue, I want to remind that the border between Turkey and Armenia was
closed in 1993 as a result of occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories
by Armenia. This occupation is still continuing today. Today, Armenia
still continues keeping the internationally-recognized territories of
Azerbaijan under its occupation. I reiterate that we do not have such
a position to create obstacle for further development of relations
between these two countries or prevent it. I want to mention that we
also have a right to form our policy according to the new realities
in the region and we will use this right. We receive different
information from different sources. According to him, one source says
that "Road Map" was accepted in certain circumstances, but another
source says no circumstances have been determined yet. This is a kind
of word game. I think the world, region and Azerbaijani People have
a right to know what happens. Is Nagorno Karabakh problem left aside
of Turkey-Armenia rapprochement? This is a very simple question and
we need a very simple answer", I. Aliyev said.

VI INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM BRIGDE-2009 TO TAKE PLACE IN TSAKHKADZOR ARMENIAN RESORT ON FEB 20-23

ARKA
Feb 12, 2009

YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. The sixth International Economic Forum
BRIDGE will take place in Armenian ski resort city of Tsakhkadzor on
February 20-23 2009.

The theme of the forum in 2009 will be "International economic
collaboration: priorities, trends, opportunities", and will be aimed
at introducing Armenian economic potential to business and political
circles of the West and Middle East.

Forum will include sectional and plenary sessions, presentations and
round table discussions on "Armenian export potential: analysis and
assessment", "Perspective of Armenia’s development into regional
financial center", "New opportunities of development of regional
transport system" and "Electronic community: utopia or reality".

Participants of the conference will also discuss "UNIDO Program
on private sector development", "Construction and real estate:
today’s requirements", "Bulgaria – investment solution", "Competitive
advantages for stable development", "Tourism in Armenia: experience
and perspectives", "Business-training: luxury or necessity" and
"Presentation of Sverdlov region".

Over 300 businessmen are expected to participate to the event this
year.

Justifying "Armenian Davos" title, BRIDGE forum is t he place where
politicians, reps of government bodies, manufacturers and businessmen,
scientists and public figures form Armenia and abroad meet and have
discussions.

Organizators оf Forum are Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen
(Employers) of Armenia and Center of International Integration Support
MASTER by the official support of RA Ministry of Economy, RA Foreign
Ministry and Central Bank of Armenia.

The first International Economic Forum BRIDGE took place in
Tsakhkadzor, Armenia on July 23-26 2004. Over 70 businessmen from
Armenia, Russia, Georgia and Iran took part in it.

The fifth International Economic Forum BRIDGE 2008 took place in
Tsakhkadzor on February 15-18, 2008. Over 300 businessmen from Armenia,
Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Austria and Iran
took part in it.
–Boundary_(ID_5x4MVozMsWa/YVryBJBCpQ)–

RUSSIA TO EXTEND $500MLN STABILIZATION CREDIT TO ARMENIA

ARKA
Feb 5, 2009

YEREVAN, February 5. /ARKA/. Russia will extend a $500mln stabilization
credit to Armenia to survive the global economic crisis, RF Minister
of Finance Alexey Kudrin stated yesterday.

Speaking before representatives of the British business community,
he pointed out that Russia is ready to render assistance to the other
CIS member-countries, RIA Novosti reports.

"We will assist the neighboring countries we are working with,"
Kudrin said.

Among the countries are Belarus, which will receive $2bln, Kyrgyzstan
(over $2bln) and Armenia ($500mln).

Other countries are applying to Russia as well, the Minister said.

Late last month Kudrin reported that Armenia applied to Russia for
a stabilization credit. No amount was cited.

SAMVEL NIKOYAN SENDS OFFICIAL LETTER TO RA POLICE HEAD AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATION SERVICE

Noyan Tapan

Jan 26, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, NOYANM TAPAN. Samvel Nikoyan, the chairman of
the RA National Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on Inquiry into March 1-2
Events in Yerevan and their Reasons, has sent an official letter to
Vahagn Harutyunian, the head of the group investigating this case, with
a petition to organize a forensic examination at the Criminological
Center of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs "in order to find
out from which carabines, which have been seized in the case related to
the fragments of "Cheryomukha 7" cartridges removed from the bodies of
the killed and wounded persons, shots were fired". S. Nikoyan requested
to inform the Committee about the results of the forensic examination.

The Committee’s chairman also told NT correspondent that he has
sent another letter to the head of the RA Police Alik Sargsyan with
the request to present information about when the police received
"Cheryomukha 7" cartridges with gas grenades (made in 1986 and
1989) used during the March 1-2 events and how many cartridges were
received. S. Nikoyan also asked the RA police head to inform him
whether any commission has tested the fitness of this special weapon
(kept in the RA police’s arsenal) for use, and if so, to present the
results of this test to him.

RA FM: TURKEY DOESN’T DO A FAVOR TO ARMENIA BY NORMALIZING RELATIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
21.01.2009 19:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia will agree to form an intergovernmental
commission only after Turkey opens the border and establishes
diplomatic relations with Armenia without preconditions, RA senior
official said.

"Yerevan is not going to make sacrifices to normalize relations with
Ankara," Edward Nalbandian told a news conference Wednesday.

"Armenia will never stop it policy calling for international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Dark pages of history should be
turned but the lessons of the past should never be forgotten. Armenia
will never question the fact of the Armenian Genocide," he said.

The Minister agreed with the opinion of his Turkish counterpart Ali
Babacan that the two countries are close to reconciliation.

"Nevertheless, the problems will be resolved only if Turkey agrees to
establish diplomatic relations with Armenia without preconditions,"
he said.

Minister Nalbandian also informed that Armenia will participate in
the impending meeting on the Caucasus Platform.