Author: Badalian Vardan

EDITORIAL: A MOMENTOUS ANNIVERSARY

asbarez
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Armenia’s Tri-Color and Coat of Arms

The 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of Armenia’s independence
is an important milestone for the Armenian nation. Armenia’s
declaration of independence was not only a nail in the coffin of the
oppressive Soviet empire it was another chance for the Armenian nation
to assert its right to statehood. Today, the Republic of Armenia is
the epicenter of our national aspirations and the hope for justice
and historical retribution.

The Republic of Armenia is also the natural continuation of the heroic
stance of a generation that rose from the ashes of the Genocide and
valiantly fought to liberate Armenia from centuries of imperial rule
and create an independent republic in 1918.

The last 20 years have been dominated by challenges for the entire
nation and have elevated the will and determination of the Armenian
people to tackle those issues collectively, all for the cause of
strengthening the Armenian state.

Armenia’s statehood is sacred. In the last 20 years we have witnessed
events and turning points that have demonstrated the sheer resilience
of our people and instances that have tested the very foundations of
the state.

There’s no doubt that the positive achievements of the last 20 years
have indelibly strengthened the foundations of the Armenian state,
but it is how the critical challenges impacting the citizens of Armenia
have been tackled that will set the course for the future of our state.

What has been missing in the last 20 years is the voice of the lay
citizen. That voice has been muffled, often due to the critical
imperatives facing our nation, but more commonly because successive
government have perpetuated the Soviet model where the citizen had
no say in the state’s affairs. The glaring absence of that voice
from the national discourse has resulted in social inequality,
economic disparity and a disconnect with reality. The ruling
elite has encouraged the stifling of the voices and has looted the
nation’s wealth paving the way for mass emigration, which is the most
fundamental threat to Armenia’s national security.

This reality threatens democracy and the advancement of democratic
values. 20 year ago an overwhelming majority of Armenians voted
for independence in a referendum. That same resolute voice needs to
return to the people so they can be empowered to determine the future
of our state and our nation.

Let’s proudly celebrate the milestone that is the 20th anniversary of
the re-establishment of Armenia’s independence, but let us not lose
sight of the fact that confronting the challenges facing the Armenian
state requires national resolve and a collective commitment. Together
we can raise our voices against injustice, band to fights threats
foreign and domestic and make the dream of a United Free and
Independent Armenia a reality.

Happy Independence Day to the entire Armenian nation.

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL DAY

IRNA
Sept 21, 2011
Tehran

First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi cabled a message on Wednesday
to Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, to cogratulate him on
the Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia.

“Herewith, I congratulate you and the great people of Armenia on
the occasion and I wish the two states’ struggle would lead to ever
growing mutual ties in all regional and international fields,” he said.

Rahimi said that the historical and cultural comonalities of the two
countries shape the valuable backbone to extend the mutual ties.

DIGGING IN HRAZDAN CONTINUES
Anahit Mnatsakanyan, Hrazdan Town

Lragir.am News

16:48:56 – 21/09/2011

Earlier in June, exploration of the territory of the iron mine in
Hrazdan seemed to have ended. But in the past few days some activity is
again noticed there. The members of the initiative fighting against
the exploitation of the mine tried to find out what work is done
there after a pause of two months. The workers refused to answer
our questions who they work for, what they are doing, and they even
pretended to be surprised to know that it was an iron mine.

They telephoned their supervisor who came in a few minutes. It was a
woman with Slavic features. She got off her car and asked in Russian
what we wanted. Without introducing herself first, she aggressively
demanded to turn off the camera and said she did not have to answer
our questions, and whatever questions we have, we can ask the mayor
of Hrazdan. Then she got into her car and left.

The iron mine was earlier owned by Nagin Company. Its plan showed
that Hrazdan Town does not surround the mine, it is 1.5 km from the
residential area, 4-5 km from the water reservoir of Akhpara, and 1.5
km from the canal of Hrazdan. Meanwhile, the mine is only 650 meters
away from the blocks of apartments, 1 km from the water reservoir
of Akhpara, the villages Kaghsi and Solak are 4-6 km from the mine,
while the canal Sevan-Hrazdan is immediately next to the mine.

AJA COVERS OVER 7% OF WORLD’S JEWELRY INDUSTRY

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 21, 2011 – 15:37 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On September 21, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan
attended the exhibition of Armenian Jewelers Association (AJA) that
opened in Yerevan on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence.

The exhibition will last till September 23.

AJA President Gagik Gevorgyan told journalists that the Association
was established 14 years ago and will mark its 15th anniversary next
year. “We want to make this date a unique all-Armenian celebration,”
he said.

According to him, the exhibition itself is a celebration with such
events happening once every ten years.

Gevorgyan thanked the President and government for assistance.

“President himself opened the exhibition, thus stressing that the
power of our jewelers is the Motherland,” he emphasized.

Gevorgyan said that more than 5000 jewelers from over 30 countries
are members of AJA, which covers over 7% of world’s jewelry industry.

Striking Armenian jewelers’ professionalism, Gevorgyan said that “it is
the result of not only handwork but also the work of heart and soul.”

Renowned Armenian jewelers from U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Russia,
France, Italy, Thailand, Lebanon and other countries participate in
the exhibition. Yerevan Show exhibits best pieces of 65 famous jewelry
brands owned by our compatriots from Diaspora, among them Asthet,
Haytayan, Bergio, Tacori, Waskol, Yessayan Jewellery and others.

ARMENIA 3,500 – NEW PROGRAM, NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPATRIOTS FROM WEST

Tert.am
13:50 21.09.11

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence
a new program has been launched to bring Armenians from foreign
countries to their homeland.

Armenia3500 Project aims to encourage 3,500 Armenians from the West
to move to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

The organizers promise lots of opportunities and quality of life. They
believe that the program will boost investments in Armenia, promoting
an exchange of experience and skills with the local business.

The program enables foreigners of Armenian descent to apply for a
10-year visa which allows the outright purchase of land. Locally
registered businesses, which can be wholly owned by foreigners,
can also purchase land outright.

POLICE VIOLENCE

Lragir.am News

15:56:59 – 21/09/2011

Today, near the Republic Square where the military parade was
staged, a clash between the parents of soldiers killed during their
military service, whose cases have been covered up, and the police,
was reported. The officers of the police and the National Security
Service went up to the group of parents with posters and blocked
their way to the square.

The police seized the camera of Tsovinar Nazaryan, reporter and the
sister of the officer Artak Nazaryan who had allegedly committed a
suicide. Tsovinar had taken some pictures of policemen using violence
against the parents of the killed servicemen.

They returned the camera only after deleting the photos, and the
women were allowed to walk to the square on the condition of not
holding any posters and photos of killed soldiers.

EUROPE-ARMENIA ADVISORY COUNCIL: EUROPE STANDS BY ARMENIA’S SIDE

Aysor.am
Wednesday,September 21

The Europe-Armenia Advisory Council extends its warmest and most
sincere congratulations to the people of Armenia today, 21 September,
as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

Situated in Europe’s eastern periphery, this ancient Christian country
with its profound cultural richness has successfully taken on the
challenge of developing its young state.

Today, Armenia faces a number of challenges, both old and new. In
this, Europe stands by Armenia’s side! Armenia is now actively
benefiting from the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern
Partnership. Negotiations of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement
are progressing fast and will eventually lead to stronger political
co-operation, deeper economic integration with a comprehensive free
trade agreement, and easier mobility through visa facilitation. We also
welcome the Partnership for Reforms, recently set up by the European
Commission and the Armenian government, which aims to strengthen
democratisation, good governance, and the respect for human rights
and the rule of law.

One of our biggest concerns is the rising tensions in the unresolved
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Europe has shown how countries can overcome
centuries of warfare, transcend their differences through economic
and political integration, and base their relations exclusively
on peaceful means and international law. The people of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh deserve no less. We call for the
implementation of the confidence building measures agreed at the
trilateral summit of March 2011 in Sochi without any further delay,
and align ourselves with the call of the Minsk Group Co-Chairing
countries made in May 2011 in Deauville.

On this anniversary, the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council celebrates
Armenia’s achievements over the past two decades. It encourages
all parts of the Armenian society to continue along the path of
re-integrating Armenia into the European family, where it rightfully
belongs.

ARMENIA CELEBRATES THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

armradio.am
21.09.2011 12:00

Today Armenia celebrates the 20th anniversary of independence. The
celebrations started with a military parade at the Republic Square.

Addressing the nation, President Serzh Sargsyan stated:

Generals and Officers, Dear Brothers and Sisters, I congratulate us
all on the occasion of the Republic~Rs 20thanniversary of Independence.

Twenty years ago on this day, large numbers of voters were casting
ballots into the ballot-boxes with the hands of their children and
grandchildren. Those children, who are grown-ups today, have had
inherited a country to live in free and independent Armenia.

The choice of our people was deeply conscientious. We were also aware
that neither of the former Soviet Republics had such unfavorable
starting point as was ours. A large part of the country was a disaster
zone, and we were at the brink of war. But we handed the ballots to
our children and said, ~SYes!~T Yes, we were ready to assume heroic
tasks. And we have.

Those who were not here in Armenia in the 90-s and who watch
documentary of those days, cannot believe that it all was like that.

Even the streets of Yerevan looked different, to say nothing of
Artsakh, borders and towns of Armenia under shelling.

Reinstatement of our statehood was a holiday ~V our dream came true
but first of all it was a responsibility. From that moment on we
became responsible for our security, our economy, our culture, our
present and our future.

Long live the Armenian nation, which went through war and fire. It
went through all this with boundless trust in Armenia, unwavering
stance and persistent efforts.

Long live free Artsakh, which has written the most glorious page of
our modern history not without the blood of its children.

Long live Armenian volunteers, who at the fateful moment had become
the pillars personifying our dignity and self-respect.

Long live the victorious Armenian Army, which is an indispensable
component of peace and stability in our region.

Long live builders and construction workers, who restored to life
our villages and towns ruined by the earthquake.

Long live Armenian Spyurk, which once was beside Armenia but now has
become Armenia~Rs extension.

Armenia~Rs weight in the international world is much more than
our geographical size. And credit of it first of all goes to a
well-organized and dedicated Spyurk. Long live our brothers and
sisters living all over the world.

Today, Armenia, notwithstanding all its problems, is an established
state. It is proved by today~Rs military parade. And our most precious
possession is the generation of independence. A generation, which
represents citizens of a free country and cannot imagine any other
status. This is a generation which has much to give to its country
and to its people but which also has concerns and demands. And these
are the most significant precursors of progress.

In two decades, we have made a huge leap forward, however there is
still much to be done. Achievements and failures ~V they are all ours.

With this conviction and with the societal accord in the next twenty
years we will be able to build a country, which will come close to our
ideals. I believe in that because I believe in our collective power.

Troops, which will march through this Square in ceremonial step, are
contemporaries of our Independence. This is the Armenia which has a
millennia-long profound history which is, however, only twenty years
old ~V full of twenty-year~Rs ardor and enthusiasm, full of passion
for life and belief, full of optimism and ambitious programs, but
not with the naivety of a twenty-year old. This is a new Armenia,
which cannot be deceived or harassed, which cannot be compelled or
blackmailed. You can befriend and cooperate with this Armenia, you
can celebrate success and share pain with this Armenia, you can set
example for and learn from this Armenia. This is a new Armenia which
remembers much but is not vindictive, which has seen much but today
is looking into future.

This parade is a glorious episode of the Armenian nation~Rs perpetual
march.

Dear Fellow Citizens, I once again congratulate us all on this great
holiday and wish our state new anniversaries and centennials.

The Republic of Armenia is twenty years old, Long live the Republic
of Armenia!

Long live the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia!

ATP BEGINS PROPAGATION OF RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
By Armine Tokhmakhyan and Jason Sohigian

Armenian Weekly
Tue, Sep 20 2011

YEREVAN-The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has
been publishing its “Red List of Threatened Species” since 1963. The
IUCN is the world’s main authority on the conservation status of
plant and animal species, and the Red List is published periodically
as the most comprehensive inventory available. A series of regional
Red Lists are produced by countries and organizations to assess the
risk of extinction to species within a smaller geographic area.

Elderberry Tigrani (Sambucos Tigrani) is one of the 452 rare plants
listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia; it is propagated
by Nursery Manager Samvel Ghandilyan at ATP’s tree nursery in Karin
Village.

The Ministry of Nature Protection released its own two-volume “Red
Book of Plants and Animals of the Republic of Armenia” in 2010. “The
country’s attractiveness and public welfare are directly linked
with the splendor and richness of its natural heritage,” writes Aram
Harutyunyan, Armenia’s minister of nature protection, in the preface
to the publication. “The production of the Red Book is another step
forward in the preservation and recovery of the region’s biodiversity.”

There are approximately 3,600 plant species in Armenia, and 123
are endemic or found nowhere else on the planet. According to the
authors, these plants may become endangered because of a number of
influences including deforestation, the overuse of resources like
water, and development of land that provides habitats for plants and
animals. The new Red Book includes information about 452 plant and
40 fungus species that are rare, along with information on 223 plant
species that are in danger of extinction.

“In response to the concern over the loss of native plants,Armenia
Tree Projecthas a policy of growing only indigenous trees in its
three nurseries,” explained Samvel Ghandilyan, ATP’s Nursery Program
manager. The only exception to this is “naturalized” trees, which were
introduced long ago, have not been observed to have a negative impact
on the local ecosystem, and provide an added benefit of food security
(fruit and nut trees).

“An ecosystem is a community of plants, animals, and smaller organisms
that live, feed, and interact within the same physical components of
an area or environment, including the soil, water, and sunlight. When
you introduce plant species that are not native to the area, there
is a risk that the local ecosystem will be negatively affected,
creating a less suitable environment for local species,” Ghandilyan
added. “In recent years we’ve noticed that many native species that
comprise our local ecosystem have either vanished or drastically
reduced in numbers. Native and naturalized species possess certain
traits that make them more likely to thrive under local conditions
without negative impacts, which is why ATP has made this a priority
in our nursery and tree planting programs.”

“ATP started to pay special attention to the propagation of endangered
species of plants at our nursery in Karin. These include nine trees
and shrubs that are registered as rare in the Red Book, and two that
are in danger of extinction,” Ghandilyan said. “These are Alpine Maple
or Acer Thrautvetteri, and Halfsphere Rose or Rosa Gaenuspherica.”

“Our nurseries serve the communities of Armenia by providing fruit
and decorative trees to more than 900 planting sites,” explained Areg
Maghakian, ATP’s deputy director of operations. “As a result of this
work, we will soon be able to observe some of the species included in
the Red Book in the parks, churches, and schools throughout Armenia.”

ATP’s next ambitious initiative is the restoration of Armenian Heritage
Fruit Trees. In the past, Armenia had numerous varieties of apple,
peach, and apricot trees. These fruit trees are now rare and measures
are being taken to preserve the heritage trees from disappearance.

“Last year we started to produce Heritage Fruit Trees at ATP’s Karin
and Khachpar nurseries,” Maghakian said. “In 2010, we successfully
grafted Parvana and Shaqareni apple, Malacha and Dzmernuk pear, and
Yerevani and Sateni apricot trees, which will be delivered to community
planting sites in coming years. As part of our mission to re-green
Armenia, ATP has a commitment to preserve our precious biodiversity
by planting native and endangered trees all over the country.”

ATP’s mission is to assist the Armenian people in using trees
to improve their standard of living and protect the environment,
guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the
fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. ATP’s
three major programs are tree planting, environmental education, and
sustainable development initiatives. For more information about ATP,
visit

LE GOUVERNEMENT A PRESENTE SON PLAN DE REFORMES A L’UE
[email protected]

armenews.com
mercredi 21 septembre 2011

ARMENIE- UE

Le gouvernement armenien a presente a l’Union europeenne un nouveau
plan de reformes politiques et economiques car il souhaite accelerer
l’integration de l’Armenie dans le bloc.

Le Premier ministre Tigran Sarkissian a annonce le ” programme de
reforme ” après son entretien avec des responsables de l’UE a Bruxelles
lundi soir. Le programme se concentre sur 33 thèmes specifiques au
sujet de la politique de l’Etat, y compris la protection des droits
humains, la reforme judiciaire, l’administration fiscale et douanière
ainsi que la securite alimentaire.

” La Republique d’Armenie veut renforcer ses efforts afin que
les objectifs fixes par son gouvernement soient mis en place plus
rapidement “, a declare M. Sarkissian a Bruxelles.

” Nous sommes confiants et nous pensons que nous parviendrons a remplir
tous nos engagements “, a-t-il declare plus tôt dans la journee lors
d’une conference avec le commissaire europeen pour l’elargissement,
Stefan Fuele.

” Fuele a salue le plan de reforme, affirmant qu’Erevan ne peut
compter sur une plus grande assistance de l’UE. Plus les Armeniens
seront convaincus de ce plan de reformes, plus l’Union europeenne
les soutiendra “, a-t-il annonce.

Fuele a egalement note les progrès en ce qui concerne les negociations
en cours sur la signature d’un ” accord d’association ” entre l’Armenie
et l’UE. ” J’ai encourage l’Armenie a poursuivre ses efforts a cet
egard en s’appuyant sur les bons progrès qui ont ete faits ces derniers
mois “, a-t-il dit.

Dans cet accord, l’Armenie aurait droit a un regime de libre-echange
permanent avec l’Union europeenne et le visa devrait etre simplifie
pour ses citoyens voyageant vers les pays de l’UE.

Fuele a annonce que l’organe de decision de l’UE, le Conseil europeen,
est pret a donner le feu vert pour le debut officiel des negociations
en ce qui concerne l’obtention des visas avec Erevan.

Sarkissian, pour sa part, a affirme que les discussions sur un ”
accord commercial global de libre echange ” entre l’Armenie et l’UE
sera aussi prochainement lance. ” Nous sommes très reconnaissants
de nos collègues de l’UE d’apprecier notre performance a ce jour
et d’exprimer la volonte d’accroître une assistance financière et
technique afin de mettre en ~uvre ce programme de reformes avec
succès en Armenie “, a-t-il ajoute.