Author: Badalian Vardan

TURKISH MAYOR CAN’T RECEIVE TREATMENT ABROAD OVER TRAVEL BAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 19, 2011 – 14:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The mayor of Sur Municipality in the eastern province
of Diyarbakýr is suffering from a serious disease and was advised by
doctors to receive medical care abroad. But Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirbaþ
is not allowed to leave Turkey due to the Kurdish Communities Union
(KCK) case, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Demirbaþ, who is very popular for multilingual municipal services, is
on trial in the case against the alleged urban wing of the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). He was arrested Dec. 24, 2009 and
convicted due to the accusations. His previous illness has worsened
because of prison conditions.

After Dicle University Medical Faculty released a report saying,
“Abdullah Demirbaþ has critical conditions,” the court released him
pending trial on April 5, 2010.

Istanbul University Medical Hospital, Capa Medical Faculty and
Diyarbakýr Training and Research Hospital diagnosed his disease as
“hereditary vein thrombosis” and warned that without treatment, it
could grow worse every day. The universities suggested that Demirbaþ
should receive treatment abroad, but he cannot seek treatment because
of his travel ban.

“I have applied to the court four times, but our applications have
been denied regarding the suspicion of attempt to escape. In order
to suspend the travel ban, President Abdullah Gul or Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdoðan or Minister of Justice Sadullah Ergin could use
initiative for this case,” Demirbaþ told the Hurriyet Daily News on
Oct. 17.

The mayor also noted that the court might decide in his favor.

A new campaign called “Freedom to Demirbaþ” has been launched on
social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook urging officials to
lift the ban. The mayor said the social media campaign has been very
successful so far.

“The head of the local administration of the Council of Europe and
the head of Turkish Parliament’s Human Rights Commission called me
on the issue,” Demirbaþ said.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BETWEEN VIVACELL-MTS AND FOUR ARMENIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Noyan Tapan
19.10.2011

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the frames of the
VivaCell-MTS Career Development Program the objective of which is to
create continuous connection between business and higher education

VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of “Mobile TeleSystems” OJSC, is glad
to announce that at VivaCell-MTS Headquarters a Memorandum of
Understanding was signed between the Company, represented by its
General Manager Ralph Yirikian and four more educational institutions
of Armenia, represented by their respective Presidents such as:
Junior Achievements of Armenia (JAA), International Accountancy
Training Center (IATC), Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute after
M. Nalbandyan, IAB Center.

For over three years, the VivaCell-MTS General Manager has been
a guest lecturer in universities in Armenia. Ralph Yirikian has
extended his visits to meet with students, graduates and faculty
members in the regions of Armenia and Yerevan, with the purpose to
share the Company’s success as a leader in Corporate Responsibility,
management culture, successful strategy of business development,
technical development of network, marketing strategy, etc. However,
the support of VivaCell-MTS to higher educational institutions in
Armenia is not limited to one-time lectures. In order to create
continuous connection between business and higher education,
VivaCell-MTS developed the Career Development Program initiative.

“The realization of the importance of passing the accumulated
experience to the younger generation became for us a motivation to
create the Career Development Program. In the frames of this program we
cooperate not only with Yerevan-based higher educational institutions
and educational centers but with regional ones as well.

We have already hosted a lot of interns at different departments of
our Company and our staff is lecturing at the universities. This
will help meet the needs of the job market and help the Armenian
youth stay and work in Armenia. The Memorandum of Understanding that
we are signing today with another four educational institutions will
support more students with upgrading their capacity in the respective
spheres based on the demands of the job market”, mentioned VivaCell-MTS
General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

The major directions of mutual cooperation outlined in the Memorandum,
are the following: organization of master’s thesis internship
for graduate students in VivaCell-MTS, organization of practical
lectures for students delivered by the respective specialists of
the Company, implementation of joint scientific research, master’s
thesis research and curriculum development projects jointly with
the faculty, involvement of the Company’s specialists as Master’s
thesis supervisors, etc. In addition, according to the Memorandum,
the universities’ high-performing students will be given an opportunity
to get specialty internship in specific areas such as commercial law,
finance and accounting, marketing and sales, information technologies,
customer service, etc. In addition, students from regions will receive
a salary to help them cover living expenses in Yerevan.

VivaCell-MTS keeps on investing in the younger generation of Armenians
to assist them to achieve their professional goals, to develop and
to find their destination in life for the sake of a better future of
our motherland.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading mobile operator,
having the widest 2G/ 3.5G network reach and spreading a wide range
of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of
the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July
2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build
a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS
drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any
development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. For
more information, visit

* * *

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS”) is the largest mobile phone operator
in Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company
services over 100 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as well
as Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which
MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM
services, have a total population of more than 230 million. Since
June 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about MTS can
be found at

NICOLAS SARKOZY EXPRESSES BIASED POSITION ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IN HIS LETTER SENT TO SERZH SARGSYAN

APA
Oct 18 2011
Azerbaijan

France will be relentless in its commitment as long as the massacres
perpetrated against your people in 1915 have not been duly recognized
by the descendants of those who had perpetrated the crime

Baku. Habil Suleymanzadeh – APA. “I am confident that should it be
necessary you will be able to assume the risk of peace in the name of
your country and for the benefit of the region, making by that your
imprint on Armenia’s future”, says the letter of French president
Nicolas Sarkozy to Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion
of his recent visit to the region, APA reports.

Touching on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, French
leader said that his country was near Armenia in the settlement of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict through negotiations: “Be sure that France
unfalteringly stands by your side to conquer the challenges that your
country faces first of all, on the road toward the resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict through negotiations”.

Sarkozy especially touched on his visit to the so-called “Armenian
genocide” monument in Armenia: “My state visit first and foremost
is memorable for the emotions that overwhelmed me at the Genocide
Memorial, where I paid tribute to the victims of the capital crime
perpetrated against your people on April 24, 1915. Please be assured
that France will be relentless in its commitment as long as the
massacres have not been duly recognized by the descendants of those
who had perpetrated the crime”.

French President also touched on the development of French-Armenian
relations.

STATUS QUO IN KARABAKH CANNOT CONTINUE FOR LONG TIME – US OFFICIAL

news.am
Oct 18 2011
Armenia

BAKU. – U.S. as a mediator in Karabakh peace process within the
framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is ready to continue steps aimed
at peaceful resolution of the conflict, US Deputy Secretary of State
William Burns told journalists in Baku.

“The U.S. is loyal to do best for strengthening and renewal the process
carried out by OSCE Minsk Group at the highest level – presidential
level,” APA news agency quotes the official.

He also stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict
adding that the existing status quo cannot continue for a long time.

“That’s why the U.S. approaches to this issue as an urgent case,”
he added.

Burns stressed that the Karabakh conflict was one of the key topics
discussed during his meeting with Azerbaijani leader.

SCHOOL DAMAGED BY RECENT EARTHQUAKE IN ARMENIAN GARNI

news.am
Oct 18 2011
Armenia

GARNI. – Walls of the school were damaged as a result of the recent
earthquake occurred in Garni village of Armenian Kotayk Region.

As a result of the earthquake, the ceiling of the first floor of
school Fantan village was cracked as well, Armenian Ministry of
Emergency Situations informed on Monday. Administration of the region
is informed of the incident.

The earthquake measuring 3.5 magnitude occurred 10 km to west from
Garni village on October 14.

SOMMET RUSSO-ARMENIEN LE 24 OCTOBRE A MOSCOU (KREMLIN)

RIA Novosti

17 oct 2011
Russie

Les presidents russe et armenien, Dmitri Medvedev et Serge Sargsian,
tiendront des negociations le 24 octobre a Moscou, a annonce lundi
un communique du Kremlin.

“Le 24 octobre, des negociations russo-armeniennes au sommet auront
lieu au Kremlin”, lit-on dans le communique.

M. Sargsian se rendra du 23 au 25 octobre en visite d’Etat a Moscou
a l’invitation de son homologue russe.

ARMENIAN PRIEST DEFROCKED FOR EXPRESSING CONDOLENCE TO ERDOGAN

news.am
Oct 18 2011
Armenia

An Armenian priest was defrocked for publishing condolence letter in
Turkish press on death of Premier Erdogan~Rs mother.

Members of the council of Armenian Surb Khach church in Istanbul~Rs
Uskyudar district decided to publish a condolence letter to Premier
Erdogan on the occasion of his mother~Rs death, Turkey-based Armenian
Agos newspaper reports.

The move was negatively perceived by Armenian Deputy Patriarch of
Constantinople Aram Ateshyan.

Ateshyan defrocked the priest of Surb Khch church Koryun Fenerjyan for
publishing a letter without holding consultations with patriarchate.

STATUS QUO IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT CANNOT LAST LONG, SAYS U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE

Shanghai Daily

Oct 18 2011

BAKU, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) — The existent status-quo in Armenia-
Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict cannot last long and must be
treated with seriousness and urgency, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of
State William Burns said Tuesday in Baku.

According to Burns, the U.S. remains committed to the principle of
doing everything possible to strengthen and update process conducted by
the OSCE Minsk Group on the highest level – at the presidential level.

The Deputy Secretary of State said the United States being a co-
chair of the OSCE Minsk Group stands ready to continue talks on
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The military
way of solution of the problem is impossible, he said.

As part of his visit to Azerbaijan, Burns also met with President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday. The meeting focused on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh and cooperation
in the field of global projects and activities in the energy sector.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a cease-fire deal in 1994 over the
disputed Nagorno-Karabakh, a region that lies within Azerbaijan but
has been under the control of Armenian troops and ethnic Armenian
forces after a separatist war broke out in 1988.

The OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by France, Russia and the United
States, has been orchestrating the peace negotiations between the
two South Caucasus countries since then.

PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN

Office of the President of the Republic

Oct 17 2011
Armenia

The President of France Nicolas Sarkozy sent a letter to President
Serzh Sargsyan which states:

“Mr. President,

I would like to express my cordial thanks for the exceptional reception
that was extended to me during my state visit to Armenia which I had
the honor and pleasure to conduct on October 6 and 7.

My state visit first and foremost is memorable for the emotions that
overwhelmed me at the Genocide Memorial, where I paid tribute to
the victims of the capital crime perpetrated against Your people on
April 24, 1915. Please be assured that France will be relentless in
its commitment as long as the massacres have not been duly recognized
by the descendants of those who had perpetrated the crime.

I am happy that the visit provided the opportunity to assure the
Armenian people of France’s sincere gratitude for everything that
those who had escaped the Genocide gave to France, contributing to
the shaping of the image of France, right up to amalgamating with it.

I have equally emotional memories of the enthusiasm that engulfed
the France Square and which was a manifestation of such a close
friendship of our two nations enrooted in history and forged in the
calamities of the last century. I would also like to assure you that
France views Armenia as its friend and sister.

Please, have no doubt that France is unfalteringly stands by Your side
to conquer the challenges that Your country faces first of all, on the
road toward the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through
negotiations. At fateful for Your country moments, You have been able
to prove Your courage and sense of responsibility which are admirable.

I am confident that should it be necessary You will be able to assume
the risk of peace in the name of Your country and for the benefit of
the region, making by that Your imprint on Armenia’s future.

Now, we have to define prospects outlined during our meetings so that
programs which will further strengthen our friendship are implemented.

Rest assured that France will sincerely and unequivocally work toward
their implementation.

I wish Armenia a well-deserved peaceful and prosperous future. I also
wish that Your mission of the leader of the country is crowned with
the success which You are truly worthy of.

Please accept, distinguished Mr. President, dear Serzh, the assurances
of my deepest esteem and my most profound friendship.”

STATE INSPECTION ON VETERINARY AND FOOD SECURITY FINED 14 ARMENIAN COMPANIES IN THE AMOUNT OF 1.5 MILLION DRAMS

/ARKA/
October 18, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 18. /ARKA/. Fourteen Armenian companies were fined in
the total amount of about 1.5 million drams in the result of checks,
said the Head of Department of Food Security of state inspection on
veterinary and food products within the Armenian Agriculture Ministry
Artur Varzhapetyan on Tuesday.

“We have traditional risky areas related to perishable products,
in particular with marking and expiration date. In the result of
monitoring in about 1.2 thousand shops in Armenia, in 80% of cases
different types of violations were detected”, said Varzhapetyan.

Monitoring lasted 45 days and ended on October 3. “Currently, the
results are being analyzed and summarized, after which they will be
publicized”, he said.

For different types of violations by the shops, according to
legislation, a penalty from 30 to 300 thousand drams is envisaged.

“Moreover, according to the new law, if marking is mentioned on
expiration date, the penalty will be from 100 to 300 thousand drams”,
he said.

During monitoring the method of warning was applied which assumes
explanatory works with entrepreneurs.

“Monitoring was conducted in two phases. First, inspectors conducted
consultations and explanatory works, and I would like to mention that
visiting the same stores in the second phase, inspectors recorded that
most of the violations were corrected. It evidences that in many cases
consultation of the specialist is more effective that application of
administrative penalties”, he said.

Parliament of Armenia on September 14 adopted amendments in the law
“On security of food products” in the second and final reading, and
changes in the accompanying laws, particularly in the law “On the
protection of consumer rights”, Code of Administrative Violations,
Criminal Code, according to which it is envisaged to prohibit import
and sale of products if the expiration date is not mentioned, or it
is mentioned twice or marking is mentioned on expiration date. It aims
at excluding the opportunity of selling overdue products in Armenia.

The changes also envisage punishment for import and sale of overdue
products up to criminal responsibility with a term of imprisonment
from 3 to 5 years if it harmed health or caused death. ($1 – 375.4
drams).