Author: Badalian Vardan

EIGHTEEN DOCTORS FROM NKR AND JAVAKHQ TRAINED IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
July 27, 2011
YEREVAN

Training classes are being conducted in Armenia for the doctors of
Nagorno Karabakh and Javakhk. The program is being implemented by
the Union of Medical Graduates of the Fund for Armenian Relief in
collaboration with the RA and NKR health ministries, Javakhq medical
establishments, leading Yerevan clinics. The financial assistance is
displayed by the American Armenian Doctors’ Union.

Hambardzum Simonyan, coordinator of the health programs of FAR,
told Armenpress that 18 doctors have already been trained, of which
four from Javakhk, 14 from the NKR. Within the framework of the 2011
program it is expected to train more than 40 doctors.

The program is intended for two years, during which 80 doctors are
intended to be trained.

BAKO SAHAKYAN RECEIVES CHIEF MILITARY INSPECTOR OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
July 27, 2011
STEPANAKERT

On 27 June President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan received
chief military inspector of the President of the Republic of Armenia
colonel-general Michael Haroutyunyan.

Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic
President told Armenpress that issues related to the army building,
particularly fighting efficiency and combat readiness of the defense
army were discussed during the meeting.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH GOVERNMENT STIMULATES THE BIRTHRATE

arminfo
July 27, 2011

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) keeps on implementing the state
program on stimulating the birthrate.

ArmInfo correspondent in Stepanakert reported with reference to the
NKR Ministry of Social Security that as of 1 July 2011 a total of
422 special time deposits were opened for the third and the next
children born in families. 254 of the deposits were for the third
child, 99 – for the fourth one, 25 – for the fifth one, 26 – for the
sixth one, 11 – for the seventh one, 1 – for the eighth child, 3 –
for the ninth child, 1 – for the tenth one, 1 – for the eleventh one,
and 1 – for the twelfth child.

A total of 244,600,000 AMD was spent on this purpose (approximately
600,000 USD). For 492 first children born in families 100 thsd AMD
(approximately 270 USD) per child has been allocated; for 450 second
children – 200 thsd AMD (about 540 USD) per child; for 258 third
children in families – 500 thsd AMD (about 1,350 USD) per child;
for 167 fourth and next children – 700 thsd AMD per child. In total,
385,400,000 AMD (over 1 mln USD) was spent on this purpose. Over the
first half of 2011, 506 newly- created families received lump-sum
benefits worth a total of 15,800,000 AMD (about 43 thsd USD).

NKR GOVERNMENT ENDORSES ORDER OF FOREIGNERS ENTERING HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

arminfo
July 27, 2011

The order of foreign citizens entering higher education institutions
of Nagornyy Karabakh Republic has been endorsed at the regular sitting
of the government.

As Arminfo correspondent reported from Stepanakert, the purpose of
adoption of such a document is to make training of foreigners in the
education establishments of the NKR available, as well as to create
the relevant conditions for foreigners to show interest in the Armenian
cultural heritage and to promote development of the Armenian studies.

As the NKR Education and Science Minister Vladik Khachatryan said,
students from the Armenian Diaspora may get a right of free of charge
education. The training for foreigners may be held in Armenian as
well as foreign languages.

At present, 7 citizens of India have been trained at Aktsakh State
University.

MUMBAI : LA SEXAGENAIRE DERNIèRE SURVIVANTE ARMENIENNE DE LA VILL
Stephane

armenews.com

mercredi 27 juillet 2011
INDE

Lorsque Zabel Joshi s’est mariee a un homme d’affaires de Gujarabi
et a quitte e Liban pour venir a Mumbai en 1972, elle faisait partie
des nombreuses armeniennes qui emigrèrent en Inde. Aujourd’hui, Joshi
est la seule personne d’origine purement armenienne qui reste a Mumbai.

Venant de ce petit pays montagneux d’Europe de l’Est, les Armeniens
sont une communaute orientee vers les affaires qui s’est etablie, en
Inde, dans des villes portuaires telles telles Kolkata [Calcutta],
Chennai [Madras] et Mumbai. Kokalta accueille encore près de 150
Armeniens, mais leur nombre a decru rapidement a Mumbai au cours des
50 annees passees, et il ne restait que trois Armeniens en 2008.

Après le decès de Rosie EknaIan, 95 ans, il y a deux ans, et de Nvart
Mehta, 100 ans, ce mois d’avril, Joshi est seule en charge, a present,
de l’heritage historique.

“S’adapter a la culture indienne a ete facile parce qu’Indiens et
Armeniens sont très traditionnalistes et orientes vers la famille”,
dit Joshi, residente de Juhu qui n’a pas souhaite etre photographiee.

Desormais sans aucune relation armenienne avec qui echanger, Joshi
ressent durement l’absence de reunions communautaires.

“Nous nous reunissions tous les dimanches après la prière pour un
dejeuner ou prendre un the,” dit Joshi. “La presence de gens de mon
propre peuple, de l’usage de ma langue et de mes prières me manquent”.

Les Armeniens a Mumbai : une histoire de 200 ans

AArefa Johari, Hindustan Times

Mumbai [Bombay], 3 juillet 2011

Zabel Joshi (nee Hayakian), a present seule survivante Armenienne de
Mumbai, a grandi a Beyrouth comme une Armenienne libanaise. Elle a
rencontre son mari, un marchand de vetements base a Mumbai, au cours
de l’un de ses nombreux voyages d’affaires dans cette ville. Elle
s’est mariee a 23 ans et s”est etablie a Mumbai en 1972 ; elle parle
aujourd’hui couramment l’armenien, l’arabe, le turc, l’anglais,
le gujarai, l’ hindi et le marathi.

Les Armeniens ont une grande diaspora disseminee autour du monde. En
Inde, les Armeniens, bien que constituant une communaute peu nombreuse,
etaient des marchants influents et des negociants en joaillerie qui
ont edifie des eglises ; ils ont organise des associations et des
institutions educatives dans les villes portuaires telles Kolkata
[Calcutta], Chennai [Madras] et Mumbai. A Mumbai, cependant, Joshi
est a present la seule personne en charge de l’Eglise Armenienne
Apostolique Orthodoxe Saint Pierre, de Fort [quartier d’affaires de
Mumbai], où ses trois filles ont ete baptisees.

“L’Archeveque d’Australie est venu me baptiser, et mes photos ont paru
dans la presse”, dit la plus jeune fille de Joshi, l’actrice Tulip
Joshi, qui n’est pas chretienne Armenienne pratiquante mais aime a
se rappeler des fetes d’une communaute armenienne soudee a l’eglise.

Aujourd’hui, bien que l’eglise ait ete renovee avec des fonds de la
communaute armenienne de Kokalta, il n’y a pas de pretre et il n’y a
pas d’offices. Il y a quelques annees, Joshi avait ouvert les lieux
aux Chretiens orthodoxes syriens de la ville.

“Leur foi est semblable a la notre, et il est important que l’eglise ne
se vide pas”, nous dit Joshi. En plus de ses filles, Joshi accueille
quelques personnes d’ascendance indo-armenienne qui s’etaient enfuies
en Inde au temps de la Première Guerre Mondiale.

“Comme les Juifs, les Armeniens etaient eux-aussi persecutes par les
Turcs et etaient pas consequent toujours pousses a s’en aller”, nous
dit Marion Arathoon dont le grand-père paternel etait un Armenien
etabli a Lahore.

Attaches a leur langue et a leur culture, la plupart des Armeniens
immigrants ont adopte l’Inde tout aussi chaleureusement que l’Inde
les a adoptes. “Je suis alle en Armenie plusieurs fois et retourne
a Beyrout chaque annee, mais aujourd’hui, je me considère comme
indienne,” nous dit Joshi.

BIBLE IN ARMENIAN IS AVAILABLE FOR CELL PHONES

news.am
July 26, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Programmer and blogger Armen Lazarian wrote a program,
allowing to read the Bible in Armenian on cell phones.

“The program is written in Flash and most of the phones support this
format,” said Lazarian, adding that the program is designed for
regular phones, not smartphones.

At present the program includes only the New Testament, but the
programmer aims to create mobile version of the Old Testament in
Armenian.

The program takes only 1 mb of space and is available for download
from here

ARMENIA WORLD CHESS TEAM CHAMPION

news.am
July 26, 2011
Armenia

NINGBO. – Armenian team won the World Chess Team Championship for the
first time. Armenian and Ukrainian teams ended in a draw 2:2 at the
last round in Ningbo team championship. All chess games registered
draws.

Armenia tops the standings with 14 points in nine rounds. It is
ahead of Ukraine with two points. Armenia won bronze at previous
three championships.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER: THE PROTRACTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT DOES NOT ALLOW FORECASTING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION

APA
July 26, 2011
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received
the delegation of the UK parliament led by the member of the House of
Commons, deputy chairman of the Azerbaijan’s Friends’ Group Christopher
Pincher, APA reports.

Elmar Mammadyarov gave information about the rapid development in
all spheres in Azerbaijan and increasing regional role of the country.

Speaking about the UK-Azerbaijan relations and operation of the UK
companies in Azerbaijan, Minister underlined that the cooperation
with the UK is developing not only in the oil sector, but also in
the non-oil sector.

Touching on the negotiations on the resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Minister underlined that the Armenian Armed
Forces must be withdrawn from the occupied Azerbaijani territories,
a number of documents adopted by the international organizations make
up a legal basis for this, the protraction of the conflict does not
allow forecasting the future development in the region.

The guests underlined the importance of improving Azerbaijan-UK
relations and enhancing cooperation. They expressed their hope for
the peaceful solution of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

SHARMAZANOV: KARABAKH-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT IS NOT A TERRITORIAL DISPUTE

Lragir.am

Serzh Sargsyan said at the PACE that he respects the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan.

Commenting on this statement, the secretary of the Republic
parliamentary group Sharmazanov said all three presidents of Armenia
recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan but Nagorno
Karabakh has nothing to do with it because it has never been part of
independent Azerbaijan.

The Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict is not a territorial dispute, it’s
the fulfilment of the right to self-determination which was declared
in accordance with the USSR Constitution and international law.

THE NKR AGRICULTURE ON THE EVE OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC’S PROCLAMATION
Srbuhi Vanian

July 26, 2011

The issue of the July 19 round-table discussions organized by the
NKR Public TV and dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Republic’s
proclamation was agriculture. The

sphere’s official representatives, led by Minister of Agriculture
Armo Tsaturian, as well as representatives of the private sector
having agricultural products’ production and processing business were
invited to the round table.

The 20 years of independence had their heavy impact also on the
agricultural sphere – great losses took place here both during the
war and after it. Currently, in spite of the numerous and various
programs directed to the system’s rehabilitation and prosperity,
the sphere’s issues are still unresolved and numerous ‘why?’ and
‘how?’ are waiting for their answers.

What have we gained and what have we lost for the last 20 years? Thee
questions were raised by the round table initiator and host Norair
Hovsepian.

Surely, the first and important question had to be asked to the 1998
and nowadays chief specialist of the sphere, Minister of Agriculture
Armo Tsaturian – what did we have those years when the Government
adopted a resolution on taking the privatization way, was it so
necessary and was it realized in time?

The minister noted that the issue of privatization had been raised the
first time almost immediately after the cease-fire establishment and
certain disputes had taken place on it, during which A. Tsaturian,
according to him, had declared against privatization, explaining
it with the unfinished war, the unstable political and economic
situation in the country, and others. However, things were going
so that a privatization process had to start. Over 80% of the stably
developing collective farms were destroyed after the war. In 1998, when
the Government changed and Jirair Poghosian was appointed its leader,
the next day, according to A. Tsaturian, a resolution on starting
the privatization process was adopted. Levon Garoyan was invited
from the USA, who was an adviser to four Presidents on agricultural
issues. He conducted corresponding researches here to submit a package
of proposals on the further development of the sphere. L. Garoyan
concluded that the NKR people were not ready for privatization yet.

His advices were not taken into account and the new Government started
works on creating a legal field. 80 specialists were invited from
the RA, with the support of which the process of land privatization
was realized in a short period.

As a result, we had what we have – in a century, the system underwent
3 or 4 radical changes, which could not but have negative impact on
it as a whole and on land cultivation in particular.

What lessons have we learnt from our own experience and what are the
principles and logics of giving agricultural credits and other kinds
of state assistance today, when statesmen beat their brains out for
rehabilitating the destroyed system? These questions were answered by
Director of the NKR Fund for Village and Agriculture Support Vahram
Baghdasarian.

The Fund’s creation was caused by the necessity of control over
the centralized and purposeful use of the great amounts allocated
to the villagers and land cultivators within any program. Earlier,
the most part of the allocated amounts were, unfortunately, difficult
to gather. For a few years of existence, the Fund has rendered state
assistance in about 7 billion drams, about 5 billion of which –
in credits. Surely, for the last 2 or 3 years, the state support
has ensured certain results, especially in the agricultural sphere,
but there is still much to do and we can’t say that everything is
satisfying. Maybe, regretful is that today’s villager doesn’t want
to deal with agriculture and nobody can answer why. The Government
officials believe that the state is ready to do everything possible for
protecting the interests of villagers and rehabilitating the economy,
but land cultivators consider that it isn’t profitable today to deal
with agriculture, due to the lack of a favorable realization market,
corresponding conditions, and others. The efforts and expenses aimed
at getting the desirable harvest don’t justify themselves.

Answering the question why the processing enterprises don’t
establish suitable prices for getting agricultural products, the
directors of Artsakhfruit and Artsakhkat Companies introduced their
grounds. As private and profit-seeking organizations, they have
their own calculations, which don’t coincide with the producers’
interests. So, the range of economic relations seems to be endless
and hopeless, as a result of which we have a food supply problem,
increase of prices, bad development of the system, and uncertainty,
which leads to contradictions.

Whom do the attendants consider able to advance the sphere? Everybody
had his opinion on this. Surely, the basic driving force is a villager,
a land cultivator, and development can be expected via realization of
complex programs ensuring corresponding labor and living conditions
for him; and as a state policy, they noted the necessity of expansion
and creation of cooperative farms.

Unfortunately, this also still seems to fail – land owners either
have lost trust, being tired of their inefficient labor, or they don’t
clearly realize their benefit. Opinions also differ on this. Much can
be spoken about agriculture. “Especially, there is much to do in the
sphere. Besides protecting and loving land, it should be also cared
for”, said the round table organizer.

Today, we still identify what we should do. We’ll need if not 20,
but at least 10 years to really estimate whether we have efficiently
used the last 20 years for developing the sphere.