Author: Babajanian Karo

AMERICAN MACHINERY TO BE OPERATED IN ARMENIA’S MINES

news.am
Sept 20 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – There is a growing interest in Armenia toward the products
of Caterpillar Incorporation, the world’s biggest mining equipment
company, Zeppelin Armenia company’s president Heiko Kreisel stated
on Tuesday at a seminar being held in Armenia’s Kajaran city.

The Zeppelin Group international company is the exclusive
representative of Caterpillar Incorporation, and, approximately 5 years
ago, it opened a representation in Armenia. And over the course of
those years, the company sold 30 units of mining equipment to Kajaran
Copper-Molybdenum Plant alone, and now Armenia’s other mines have
also shown an interest toward the company’s products. In addition,
Armenia’s iron mines are planned to be operated exclusively with
American equipment.

In his interview with Armenian News.NEWS.am, the Kajaran plant’s
Director of Transport Department Ruben Abrahamyan confirmed that
Caterpillar’s equipment made it possible to increase the mine’s
efficiency by 25 percent, and, as a result, profits plus taxes paid
to the sate have grown.

HIRAIR HOVNANIAN CONTINUES TO BLOCK GENOCIDE MEMORIAL & MUSEUM IN DC

Tuesday September 20, 2011

National Bank of Washington building (center) and four structures to
the left reverted to the Cafesjian Foundation. PQLiving.com

‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ is the refrain often used to
describe the Turkish government’s tactics: denial of the truth and
a refusal to address the consequences of the Armenian Genocide in an
apparent hope that this issue will go away.

An ever dwindling number of Genocide survivors come to April 24
commemorations and soon – as the centennial of the Genocide approaches
– there will only be a handful left.

We can only do so much in trying to change Turkey’s behavior but it
is completely up to us – as a community – whether we succeed or fail
in building a national museum and memorial to the Armenian Genocide
in the capital of the United States.

Today it is not the Turkish government that is holding up this project
of national importance. It is Hirair Hovnanian, chairman and chief
decision-maker of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA).

Last January a federal court in Washington ordered that the property
designated for the museum revert to the Cafesjian Family Foundation
(CFF). CFF has made clear its intention to move ahead with building
the museum and memorial with broad community support.

But when AAA leaders finally transferred the properties to CFF, they
did so in a way that continues to block forward progress. They have
filed an appeal that may take years to conclude. They have left CFF
with millions in unpaid taxes and fees.

Most immediately, AAA refuses to vacate one of the buildings that
must be demolished to make way for the future memorial and museum.

Prior to the handover of property, AAA moved its office to the building
– one of four structures adjacent to the National Bank of Washington
building – and now refuses to leave, citing a lease agreement that
AAA gave itself.

Last June, CFF asked the court to invalidate the lease. Unfortunately
for the project, in a ruling issued on September 12, the judge declined
to do so. CFF will now have to appeal that ruling.

None of these legal maneuvers would have been necessary had AAA simply
leased another office space. But they insist on staying in the space
that should become part of the museum through 2015, effectively
blocking any progress until that year!

What purpose can this serve other than delay of the project? An
organization that declares genocide affirmation to be its goal stands
in the way of genocide affirmation.

Hirair Hovnanian is in effect continuing his personal vendetta at
the expense of the Assembly. AAA’s other members must realize that
this course is rapidly diminishing the organization’s relevance. We
can only conclude that they also fear that Hovnanian’s departure from
leadership would leave a gap no one wants to fill.

But this also means additional expenses on litigation, money that could
be spent on the project. And this means passage of precious time that
undermines hopes of the community and only helps Genocide deniers.

Wheels of justice grind slowly. But justice will be done.

Armenians may not succeed in changing Turkey’s policies in time for
the Genocide centennial or before we lose our last survivors.

We can and we must succeed in building a permanent landmark to our
people’s experience in the limited time left before 2015.

And you can help by letting Hirair Hovnanian and the Assembly know
how you feel by emailing the AAA office at [email protected] or calling
202-393-3434.

ARMENIA ATTENDS TOPRESA’ 2011 TOURISM EXHIBITION IN PARIS

Tert.am
22:16 20.09.11

Armenia’s National Competitiveness Foundation, together with Armenian
tourism companies, is participating in the annual TopResa’ 2011
tourism exhibition held in Paris.

In a press release issued Tuesday, the Foundation said the goal of
participating in such exhibitions is to raise awareness about Armenia
in the global tourism environment, contribute to the establishment
of business ties and boost tourism inflow in the country.

The exhibit is taking place from September 20 to 23, with
representatives of tourism from all over the world attending it.

AZERBAIJAN MAY COMPLETE TURKEY GAS TALKS SOON

Tert.am
22:37 20.09.11

Azerbaijan said it may complete gas transit talks with Turkey to ship
exports from its Shah Deniz field to Europe by September 26 and sign
a final deal in October, the Reuters reported.

“We expect to complete talks with Turkey before September 26 …

Turkey will be a customer of some amount of gas as well as a transit
territory to ship gas to Western Europe,” Vagif Aliyev, the head of
Azeri state energy firm SOCAR’s investment department, told reporters.

Azerbaijan is negotiating to sell Ankara 6 billion cubic metres (bcm)
of gas per year from the second phase of the giant Shah Deniz field
and to ship 10 bcm to European customers via Turkey.

Talks were resumed with the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan to Baku at the end of July, after breaking off during
parliamentary elections in Turkey.

The move is seen a potential boost to the European Union’s Nabucco
pipeline plans. The EU-backed Nabucco is one of three pipeline projects
bidding for Azerbaijan to supply 10 bcm of gas per year to be pumped
directly to Europe, bypassing Russia.

SOCAR’s president said on Tuesday the final deal might be signed during
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit to Turkey in October.

“It’s not ruled out that signing of this package will take place in
Turkey in October,” Rovnag Abdullayev told reporters.

The 27-member bloc announced last week that it had agreed to negotiate
a treaty with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to bring natural gas from
the world’s fourth-largest reserves across the Caspian Sea to Europe.

But the European pipeline faces competition for Azeri gas from the
Interconnector Turkey-Greece-Italy (ITGI) and the Trans Adriatic
Pipeline (TAP).

All three consortiums had already submitted their final commercial
proposals to SOCAR.

The Shah Deniz field is being developed by BP and Statoil as well
as SOCAR and several others. It is estimated to contain 1.2 trillion
cubic metres of gas.

MINISTER SAYS DIASPORA ARMENIANS MAY HAVE SEATS IN RA PARLIAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 20, 2011 – 17:43 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan
summarized the outcomes of the All-Armenian Forum held in Yerevan on
September 19-20, noting the possibility for Diaspora representatives
to have seats in the Armenian parliament.

“The Armenian people have finally unanimously adopted the agenda of
priority issues,” she said.

According to Hakobyan, the list of priorities covers the issue of the
Armenian Genocide recognition, Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution,
fostering the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church and struggle
against assimilation of Armenian communities. “115 reports have been
presented at the conference, and the authors made quite practical
offers,” she said.

ARMENIAN STUDENTS MEET WITH AMBASSADORS ACCREDITED IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
17:00, 20 September, 2011

“Recognize world’s cultures and countries” program is aimed at
expansion of the students’ way of thinking, promoting the mutual
understanding between the peoples, mutual respect, deepening of
friendship. Secretary of Armenia’s UNESCO Affairs National Committee
Vahram Kozhoyan said the program includes all the 11 schools that
have the status of associate school of UNESCO.

“Ten of the schools are from Yerevan, 1 from Nagorno Karabakh.

Invitations have been sent to the ambassadors accredited in Armenia who
will present the culture of their countries. The students will have an
opportunity to contact with the ambassadors and ask them questions”,
Kozhoyan said, adding that on opening day the students met with the
ambassador of Russia Vyacheslav Kovalenko.

He said the program will be continuative. The next meeting will be
with the ambassadors of France and United Kingdom.

OHANYAN, TAFANELLI DISCUSS MILITARY COOPERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 20, 2011 – 15:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan met with a
U.S. delegation led by the Adjutant General of Kansas Lee Tafanelli,
with U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Armenia, Bruce Donahue present.

The meeting focused on Armenia-U.S. military cooperation; extension
of ties with Kansas Army National Guard was specifically discussed.

In conclusion, both Tafanelli and Donahue congratulated the Minister
on the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, wishing him further
success in his activity, Defense Ministry press service reported.

WHO WILL VISIT KARABAKH FIRST?
Naira Hayrumyan

Lragir.am News

16:30:49 – 20/09/2011

EU is not engaged in the settlement of the Karabakh issue within the
frameworks of Eastern Partnership, though this does not mean that
Karabakh’s representatives are not allowed to participate in the
conferences of the European Movement. This was stated by the Head of
the European Movement Diego Pinto in his press conference in Yerevan.

For his part, the EU Commissioner on Enlargement and Neighborhood
Policy Stefan Fule stated that the “European Union will gradually
increase its role in the settlement of regional conflicts, such
as Nagorno Karabakh or Transnistria”. He said “we are starting a
process of programs of restoration of trust in these regions and we
will assume a more serious role in the settlement of these issues”.

On October 20-21, the Congress of the International European Movement
will be held in Yerevan which will be attended by Catharine Ashton.

Prior to this, in the end of September, in Warsaw, the EU Eastern
Partnership summit will be held, which promises a breakthrough in
the EU-Armenia relations. In early October, the President of France
Nikolas Sarkozy is going to visit Armenia within the frameworks of
his tour in the South Caucasus.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani experts already say that the main burden
of the Karabakh conflict will be transferred from Moscow to Brussels.

In addition, the format and logic of the settlement may undergo
tangible changes. If currently a political settlement, territorial
concessions, military balance, return of refugees, recognition of
independence, peace agreement are considered which can cause sharp
transformations in the region, the new format implies softer methods.

The first sign of transition to the new format can be the EU direct
representation to Karabakh. Even if no office is set up there, there
will surely be set up a “headquarters” through which the EU policy
will be implemented in Karabakh.

Against this background, statements that the process of the NKR
recognition can take place not only through special declarations but
also through state visits are noteworthy. Official recognition is
very important but if a high ranking official of a powerful country
visits Karabakh and if the EU establishes direct contract with the NKR
authorities, and Bako Sahakyan meets with Barack Obama, for instance,
it will have the same significance.

The EU activity regarding the NKR issue can be determined by not only
its wish to get involved in the settlement but also a bouquet of other
tasks, such as the decrease of Russia’s influence in the region and
Armenia’s orientation to the West. Besides, EU’s participation in the
Karabakh settlement can be a good leverage for restraining Turkey and
Azerbaijan’s ambitions. With the help of such leverage Brussels can
force Baku to sign agreements on Nabucco. There are many tasks but
these are the EU’s commitments, and Karabakh should draw up clearly
its agenda of relations with Europe. Most EU commitments are good
for NKR but Europe must treat Karabakh as an equal partner with
which issues are solved through agreements, rather than by force,
and especially for the sake of charity.

I wonder if Sarkozy will visit Karabakh. He is an eccentric
personality, so such a thing is possible in the logic of ongoing
transformations. Otherwise, Ahmadinejad may visit Karabakh first,
who is also an eccentric personality.

THE HEROIC BALLADE TO PRESENT KEY EPISODES OF ARMENIAN HISTORY
Alisa Gevorgyan

Radiolur
20.09.2011 16:50

The “Heroic Ballade” concert-performance will be the main event
dedicated to the 20th anniversary of independence. It will present
the key episodes of Armenian history accompanied by classical works
of renowned Armenian composers.

The conceit will feature the State Academic Choir of Armenia
(Artistic Director Hovhannes Chekijyan), the Brass Band of the
President’s Guard of Honor (Artistic Director Armen Poghosyan), the
“Barekamutyun” Ensemble (Artistic Director, People’s Artist of Armenia
Norayr Mehrabyan), and the State Dance and Song Ensemble after Tatul
Altunyan (Artistic Director Zhirayr Altunyan). The director of the
“Heroic Ballade” is Aram Sukiasyan.

The concert-performance will be accompanied by 3D graphics. The
buildings of the Republic Square will turn into screens, on which
episodes of the history of the 20 years of independence will be shown.

The fountains will serve as water screens; new additional moveable
fountains will be installed. Organizers promise a magnificent show,
which will not leave anyone indifferent.

The performance will be followed by a 1.5-hour-long disco party and
a salute. The 20th anniversary of independence will be celebrated in
all marzes of the republic.

KOCHARYAN WILL HAVE POLITICAL INVILVEMENT, SAYS FORMER FM

Tert.am
15:23 20.09.11

A former Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vardan Oskanyan believes that
second President Robert Kocharyan will sooner or later have his
involvement in the country’s political affairs.

In an interview with the Armenian newspaper 168 Zham, the ex minister
explained his opinion by the upcoming parliamentary elections in
Armenia.

“I have always said that I periodically meet Kocharyan and talk to him
about the situation in the country, but we haven’t planned anything.

We do not have any agreement on political activities,” he said.