Author: Babajanian Karo

ARMRUSGASPROM DISCUSSES GAS SUPPLY PRICE FOR ARMENIA

news.am
April 11, 2012 | 20:24

ArmRusGasprom CJSC discussed gas supply price for Armenia for 2012-2013
by the CEO of Russian Gazprom Alexey Miller and ArmRusGasprom CJSC
head Vardan Harutyunyan, reports.

Besides, the parties discussed the realization process of Gazprom
agreements on gas and energy in Armenia. In particular, the
ArmRusGasProm started the successful process of the exploitation
of the Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant, which secures the main part of
Armenia’s electricity.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR OFFERED GEORGIAN MINISTER TO PROTECT AND RESTORE ARMENIAN CHURCHES

On April 6 Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hovhannes Manukyan met
Georgian Minister of culture and monuments’ protection Nicolos Rurua.

Press and information department of RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
informs about this.

Both sides underlined the importance of Armenian-Georgian cultural
cooperation and noted the existence of high level cooperation between
Ministries of two countries.

During the meeting programs for 2012 were discussed. Cultural events
dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenian-Georgian diplomatic
relations were especially paid attention. Agenda of the events
dedicated to the 300th anniversary of great Armenian musician
Sayat-Nova was also discussed.

Armenian Ambassador offered to activate protection and restoration
of the Armenian churches in Georgia. Georgian Minister expressed
readiness to start practical actions soon.

Some other issues of cultural cooperation were discussed during the
meeting as well.

EXHIBITION IN ST. PETERSBURG DEDICATED TO THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN PRINTING

ARMRADIO.AM
11.04.2012 17:43

An exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Armenian
book-printing was opened at the Russian National Museum of Saint
Petersburg. The Armenian fund of the museum includes about 75
thousand books, manuscripts and periodicals in Armenian and Russian,
published not only in Russia, but also in different cultural centers
of the world.

The exhibition presents the history of Armenian literature from the
“Armenian Alphabet” published in Roma in 1623 and the Testaments issued
in Amsterdam in 1668 to the books published in Saint Petersburg,
Moscow, Astrakhan, Shushi, Baku and European capitals in 18-19th
centuries, the publication of the Soviet era and contemporary
literature.

The event has been covered by St. Petersburg press and television.

LEADING MUSLIM PUBLIC FIGURE KILLED IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 11, 2012 – 13:09 AMT

A leading Muslim public figure has been killed in Moscow, RIA Novosti
reported citing a police source.

Metin Mekhtiev, 33, the former head of international department
of the Islamic Cultural Center of Russia, was found dead early on
Tuesday, April 10 near downtown Moscow’s Belorussky train terminal,
the source said.

“He had stab wounds on the neck and face,” he added.

According to preliminary data, Mekhtiev – an Azerbaijani national –
was killed as he was was waiting for the arrival of his wife and
two-month-old son.

Mekhtiev was also active in social work with students and youths from
the Caucasus region, the Aze.az website said.

The head of Moscow’s Islamic Cultural Centre, Abdul-Wahid Niyazov,
slammed the murder as “brutal, barbaric and medieval.”

He also said a gang of five young people, including a young woman,
had attacked Mekhtiev.

Police have given no details on a possible motive, but bloggers have
speculated on a link to far-right nationalists.

Russia has seen a dramatic rise in nationalist sentiments since the
break-up of the Soviet Union. Racial violence led to the deaths of 21
people of “non-Slavic appearance” in 2011, a decline from 42 in 2010,
according to the Sova organization, which monitors race-hate attacks
in Russia.

GYUMRI RESIDENTS HELD PROTEST ACTION AGAINST THE INITIATIVE OF AZERBAIJANI FILM FESTIVAL

11.04.12, 16:49

Gyumri residents held protest action against the initiative of
Azerbaijani film festival

Today protest action took place in Gyumri central square against the
initiative to hold Azerbaijani film festivals in this town. Shirak
center web-site informs about this.

Remind that Armenian so called peacemaker George Vanyan intends to
hold Azerbaijani film festival in Gyumri town. His initiative to make
the festival in Yerevan and Vanadzor was failed as the society is
against such actions. A huge struggle started and this meaningless
event did not take place in Yerevan and Vanadzor. But now Vanyan
decided to try again and again speaks about this shameful festival.

Vanyan wants to organize festival of Azerbaijani films in case
when Azerbaijanis killed Armenians in Baku, Maragha, Sumgayit just
nearly twenty years ago, in case when an Azerbaijani criminal killed
Armenian lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan in Budapest when he was slept
and now this criminal is national hero in Azerbaijan. Armenian
villager Manvel Saribekyan was captured and killed by Azerbaijanis
just nearly a year ago. Azerbaijanis shot at our border and kill our
soldiers on the border. Armenia and Azerbaijan are in war yet. And
some George Vanyan wants to organize festival of Azerbaijani films
in Armenia. Vanyan announces that the festival will assist to launch
dialogue between Armenian and Azerbaijani societies. Note, that
dialogue has two parts but all of us know that such actions are held
only in Armenia. Azerbaijani authorities just spread Armenophobia as
the base of their politics.

Armenians in social networks are very active and announce they will
not let such a shameful event take place.

Note that no one organization gave place Vanyan to hold the festival
in Yerevan and chairman of the “Asbarez” press-club Levon Barseghyan
agreed to give the place and named his action “protection of speech
freedom”.

PARAKAR SETTLEMENT RESIDENTS DRIVEN TO ATTEND RPA ELECTION MEETING

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 11, 2012 – 12:06 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian President, leader of the Republican Party
of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited the art college in Parakar community
of Armavir province within RPA’s election campaign.

Despite a working day, hundreds of people have flocked into the
art college.

A PanARMENIAN.Net reporter asked the people whether they did not have
to be at work today, and a local responded: “Of course, we did. They
gathered all of us here [to attend the meeting].”

The school children present at the meeting answered similarly.

PanARMENIAN.Net reporter’s talk with the locals revealed that the whole
school in the neighboring Merdzavan community was off the classes to
come to the rally.

Parliamentary elections are due in Armenia on May 6 featuring 8
political parties (Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Prosperous
Armenia, ARF Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD), Orinats Yerkir, Heritage,
Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA), Communist Party of Armenia and
United Armenian party, as well as one election bloc represented by
opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC).

AVERAGE INTERNET SPEED IN ARMENIA HAS REACHED 4.5 MB/S – EXPERT

news.am
April 11, 2012 | 14:20

YEREVAN. – The average Internet speed in Armenia has reached 4.5 MB/s
as of last month, the Economy Minister’s advisor Vahe Danielyan told
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In terms of Internet speed, Armenia surpasses Azerbaijan and has
reached closer to Georgia. With respect to the number of Internet
Protocol (IP) addresses, however, Armenia exceeds even Georgia.

As per Danielyan, the average Internet speed in Armenia grows by 2-3
decimals every month. And this growth is also reflected on the World
Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Index.

“In the case when we were 116th one year ago, now we are 70th in
downloading speed, and 40th in uploading. We have reached a fantastic
uploading speed,” Vahe Danielyan noted.

PAPER: ILLEGAL CASINO IN SYUNIK UNDER GOVERNOR’S PATRONAGE

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 11, 2012 – 09:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Law enforcement bodies hit San Palace casino
operation near the city of Kapan on April 10. The casino has not
paid any taxes since its launch 2 months ago because its operation
was illegal.

San Palace had no license provided by the Finance Ministry. According
to Aravot paper’s data, the unauthorized casino was owned by some
Arthur nicknamed Abas in Kapan, who moved to Armenia from Russia. His
former employee, certain tycoon Mirik killed in Moscow, also operated
casinos there.

Syunik’s governor Suren Khachatryan has allegedly backed this casino,
which explains its privileged condition. The paper says the law
enforcement even detained clients gambling there at the moment.

According to Kapan residents, female dealers were invited from Ukraine
to work in this casino.

ARMENIA’S IT SECTOR SALARIES ARE AMONG HIGHEST IN COUNTRY – EXPERT

news.am
April 11, 2012 | 13:20

YEREVAN. – The average monthly salary in Armenia’s Information
Technology (IT) sector is AMD 400,000 (approx. US$ 1,025), Enterprise
Incubator Foundation Executive Director Bagrat Yengibaryan stated
during a press conference on Wednesday.

According to him, 6,700 people are currently employed in the country’s
IT sector. Half of them work at local organizations, whereas the
other half is employed by the local braches of foreign companies.

At present, Armenia’s IT sector is represented by 300 organizations;
the annual profits amount to $205 million, and the growth was close
to 25 percent in 2011.

And as per the Economy Minister’s advisor Vahe Danielyan, each IT
sector worker in Armenia creates an annual value that is worth more
than $36 thousand, which is an unprecedented high as compared with
other braches of economy.

And 60 percent of the products of Armenia’s IT sector is used in the
domestic market.

ARMENIA, SLOVAKIA TO SIGN AGREEMENT ON PROTECTION OF SECRET INFORMATION

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 11, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: Agreement on mutual protection of
secret information will be signed between Armenia and Slovakia. The
issue is included on the agenda of the cabinet sitting on April 12.

The goal of the agreement is to ensure protection of secret information
between the two states.