Author: Badalian Vardan

SYRIAN ARMY KILLS 100 ARMED REBELS IN DEIR EZZOR

Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:0

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army units inflicted heavy losses upon armed
rebel groups and destroyed their equipment and weapons in al-Marieh,
al-Sana’eh and Jasr al-Sayyasieh neighborhoods in Deir Ezzor on
Wednesday.

According to FNA dispatches, the Syrian army killed 100 armed rebels
and injured dozens more in heavy clashes with Lava al-Qaqa terrorists
in Deir Ezzor neighborhoods today.

The army also destroyed a gathering center of terrorists in al-Hamidyeh
area of Deir Ezzor on Wednesday.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized
attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border
guards being reported across the country.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have
been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups
for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated
from abroad.

In October 2011, calm was almost restored in the Arab state after
President Assad started a reform initiative in the country, but Israel,
the US and its Arab allies sought hard to bring the country into chaos
through any possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals
have been staging various plots to topple President Bashar al-Assad,
who is well known in the world for his anti-Israeli stances.

TURKEY TRIES TO STRENGTHEN ITS POSITIONS AMONG RADICAL MUSLIMS – ARMENIAN TURKOLOGIST

July 11, 2013 | 01:45

YEREVAN. – Official Ankara is meddling in Egypt’s internal affairs
because the power in Turkey is in the hands of the Islamic party.

Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences Institute of Orientology
Director, turkologist Ruben Safrastyan told the aforesaid to Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

In his words, the Turkish authorities made a statement-criticizing
the actions by the Egyptian army-to not only help the Muslim Brothers,
but to strengthen their own positions among radical Muslims.

“It is important for Turkey to strengthen its positions among radical
Muslims,” Safrastyan concluded.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

NEW RUSSIAN AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM TO DETECT MISSILES AT BLASTOFF

S-400 air defense systems

RIA Novosti. Artyom Zhitnyov
20:44 09/07/2013

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Multimedia

Russian S-400 Triumf Air Defense System The S-300P surface-to-air
missile system

MOSCOW, July 9 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s new aerospace defense system
will ensure guaranteed detection of enemy ballistic and long-range
cruise missiles at blastoff, a top military official said Tuesday.

General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov said the system would feature
advanced information-gathering, data-processing and attack capabilities
with an early-warning radar system to be deployed along the entire
Russian border.

Other measures will include the modernization of existing
surface-to-air missile systems and the provision of advanced S-400 and
S-500 air defense systems, “capable of reliably protecting critical
installations against air and missile attacks,” he said.

That will significantly enhance the survivability of Russia’s strategic
nuclear forces, he added.

Priority in the organizational development of Russia’s armed forces
through 2020 will be given to the strategic nuclear forces and the
aerospace defense system, Gerasimov said.

Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces will continue to be equipped with
advanced Yars ballistic missile systems featuring higher capabilities
in overriding enemy missile defense systems, he said.

In mid-June, Russia’s prototype medium-range air defense system that
should replace the S-300 was demonstrated to President Vladimir Putin.

The Vityaz system, manufactured by the Almaz-Antei corporation,
which will have a more advanced radar and a launcher with 16 missiles,
compared with only four on the S-300, should enter service next year,
Almaz-Antei chief designer Igor Ashurbeili previously told RIA Novosti.

The Vityaz will complement the Morfey, S-400 and S-500 air defense
systems in Russia’s future aerospace defense network to engage targets
at ranges from five to 400 kilometers, and at altitudes from five
meters to near outer space.

In late May, Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces conducted a series of
snap drills that checked the combat readiness of aerospace defense
units, air force units and air defenses in the Western Military
District, as well as military transport and long-range aviation
command. The exercises involved 8,700 people, 185 aircraft and 240
military vehicles.

KOUTOUJIAN ENDORSED BY NATIONAL ARMENIAN GROUP

Patch.com
July 9 2013

Posted by Charlie Breitrose

By Charlie Breitrose

Peter Koutoujian’s work for the Armenian community has earned him the
endorsement of the Armenian National Committee of America in his race
for Congress.

The group pointed to the commitment to Armenian causes and global human
rights by the Middlesex Sheriff and former State Representative for
Waltham and Watertown. Koutoujian played a major role in the creation
of the Armenian Heritage Park at the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston,
according to a release.

“We stand with Peter Koutoujian as he embarks on his new path
to Congress. His leadership in Massachusetts and in the Armenian
American community has been steadfast and inspiring, and he has the
ANCA’s full backing in this election process and beyond,” said ANCA
National Board member Stephen Mesrobian in a statement.

ANCA is the largest Armenian American grassroots political organization
in the United States.

Koutoujian entered the race for the 5th Congressional seat on July 1.

He seeks to replace Ed Markey, who won the special senate election
in June. He thanked ACNA for the endorsement.

“I am humbled and honored to be endorsed by the Armenian National
Committee,” Koutoujian said. “Along with other elected officials in
the state, I’ve been pleased to work on a range of issues important
to the Armenian community.”

DORTMUND FINALISE MKHITARYAN DEAL

Soccerway
July 9 2013

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk
attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a four-year deal.

The two clubs agreed a fee on Monday, with personal terms still to
be settled between the Bundesliga runners-up and Mkhitaryan.

But a deal has now been signed and the Armenia international will
wear the number 10 shirt vacated by Mario Goetze, who moved to Bayern
Munich at the end of last season.

Mkhitaryan scored a Ukrainian Premier League record of 25 goals in
29 games last term as Shakhtar cruised to their fourth consecutive
league title, 13 points clear of second-placed Metalist Kharkiv.

They also reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, where
they were dumped out by eventual finalists Dortmund, losing 3-0 at
the Signal Iduna Park after a 2-2 draw in Ukraine.

The Armenian signed for Shakhtar in 2010 after an impressive debut
season in Ukraine with Metalurg Donetsk and has gone on to net 47
times in 108 games.

Mkhitaryan, who was also heavily linked with a move to Premier League
outfit Liverpool, is likely to be Dortmund’s last major addition of the
off-season, with the club’s holding company admitting on Monday that a
~@50 million transfer budget had been largely exhausted by the signings
of Mkhitaryan, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The statement read: “Borussia Dortmund has finalised its essential
transfer activities in the summer transfer period for the season
2013-14.

“In the course of the ordinary execution of these transfers, Borussia
Dortmund will have almost spent the available investment budget in
the amount of ~@50 million.”

Dortmund could be back in the market, however, with striker Robert
Lewandowski strongly linked with an imminent move from the club.

The club will be hoping that they can stave off prolonged interest
from Bayern for the Pole, who manager Juergen Klopp admitted over
the weekend is likely to move to the Bavarian club in 2014 when his
Dortmund contract expires.

ALEPPO CRISIS WORSENS

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

The ravaged city of Aleppo is home to a large community of Armenians.

ALEPPO-The closure of roads to and from Aleppo is threatening
severe shortages of supplies and worsening living conditions in
this highly-Armenian-populated city as the Syrian crisis continues
to worsen.

Reports indicate that constant security concerns in Aleppo have been
compounded in recent days by the closure of all access routes to and
from the city, which is preventing emergency and relief services from
providing basic needs to the population there, reported Yerkir Media.

The three basic necessities, food, fuel and medication are in severe
shortage and if available are extremely expensive.

Reports from Aleppo paint a grim picture of shortages of mainly flour,
forcing most bread bakeries to shut down. The cost of fuel has risen
to 10 times the market price, causing daily traffic to dwindle.

Most medical professionals, especially specialists, have fled Syria.

Due to budgetary constraints, all emergency medical vehicles have
stopped operations, making rapid response difficult.

Locals fear that the crisis will further impact the Syrian currency,
the lira, which has already fallen in value since the beginning of
the crisis in 2011.

DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE IN ARMENIA CONTINGENT ON EXPORT POTENTIAL: STUDY SAYS

YEREVAN, July 10. / ARKA /. Given the small size of the local market,
development of industrial agriculture in Armenia is contingent largely
on export potential, according to the findings of a study conducted
by Ameria consulting company.

The study called ‘Development of industrial agriculture in Armenia”
indicates the prerequisites, constraints and risks for the development
of this sector. The focus in the study was on development of
greenhouses, horticulture and fish farming.

Experts point out that gardening in Armenia will have no serious
development obstacles in the next 10 years given that anti-hail
stations are built and effectively run. The major risks and obstacles
to the development of this industry are natural and climatic factors,
mainly hails.

“The growing land under vineyards and fruit trees show the potential
for development of horticulture in Armenia”, the study says. About
two-thirds of fruit trees are in Armavir, Ararat, Aragatsotn and
Kotayk regions. Ararat and Armavir account for bulk of fruit and
vegetables output.

According to the study, there are 900 greenhouses in the country
with a total area of 130 hectares. The largest greenhouse is on
5 hectares. About 60% of their output are vegetables- tomatoes,
cucumbers, beans and peppers, and 40% are flowers and ornamental
plants.

According to Ameria experts, the prospects for the development of
large greenhouse in the next five years are estimated as average,
while the prospects of small and medium-sized greenhouses are assessed
as not promising.

As the findings of the study show, the average annual growth of
aquaculture in the last 10 years was about 28.5%, while export of
fish and fish products have increased by 4.7 times. Prospects for
the development of fisheries are also evaluated as average. The
study says if some regulation issues are resolved this sector may
advance tangibly.

Founded in 1998, Ameria is a leading Armenian advisory company,
offering professional services in administrative, financial and legal
consulting. -0-

– See more at:

FULE: ARMENIA-EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT NOT TO DETER ARMENIA FROM DEVELOPING COOPERATION WITH ITS NEIGHBORS

YEREVAN, July 10. /ARKA/. The Armenia-EU Association Agreement doesn’t
deter Armenia from developing cooperation with its neighbors, European
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan
Fule said today at a news conference in Yerevan.

On the contrary, it will give Armenia wider room for cooperation with
neighbors and partners and will strengthen the country’s positions
in regional cooperation, he said.

The Association Agreement between Armenia and the European Union
would be initialed in November in Vilnius, at the Eastern Partnership
Summit. –0—- – See more at:

GLORY AND HONOR TO LISKA’S FRIENDS

Artak Budaghyan was charged on the 40th day of his brother death. The
fact that they were going to charge him was known on the very next day
of the incident when military prosecutor Gevrog Kostanyan announced
about armed assault without presenting facts. But since the criminal
world has its sacred rules, they waited for 40 days to be “clean”.

The system has its principles that are never broken. There are many
cases and examples. On the day of Vahan Khalafyan’s death, killed in
Charentsavan police station, Chief of Police Vova Gasparyan appointed
Samvel Tonoyan chief of police of Charentsavan, who was rumored to
be directly linked to the case. Ruben Hairapetyan was awarded ahead
of Vahe Avetyan’s death anniversary…

Hours later after Artak Budaghyan was charged, former Syunik governor
started giving interviews presenting him in a new way: he dwells on
moral values, speaks on behalf of people. He said in particular that
he resigned but he didn’t stop serving his people and will continue
doing it in his hometown Kapan.

The scenario is the same like with Ruben Hairapetyan, after the
Harsnakar case. Ruben Hairapetyan was deprived of the parliamentary
mandate, Surik Khachatryan of the governor’s office.

The interview of the former governor fits into the logic of scenario
written by military prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan. Ex-governor says he
does not understand why Budaghyan brothers attacked his house.

Surik Khachatryan says that he has never treated badly anyone to
arouse hatred towards himself. “So I don’t understand why those people
would come and attack my house. But no one wants to understand that
they assaulted a sleeping man. What should that person do? Of course
defend himself. Let’s ask that journalist and if she is raped, won’t
she defend herself?”says former governor.

Now, 40 days after the incident, the military prosecutor, most likely,
calculated how deep the ex-governor was sleeping, how thick the walls
of his house are, and whether the rumors could be heard inside.

The former governor does not hide his worry about the investigation
recalling about “objective examination”. He is looking for justice,
the justice he is used to receive always.

“I have heard a lot that friends usually leave their friend alone
in trouble. Bu I would like to thank my friends. To the contrary,
they supported me even more. Glory and honor to my friends; I don’t
have this problem”, says the former governor.

His friends didn’t betray him. His friends – the leading class of
Armenia and the law enforcement system. Indeed, glory and honor
to them.

Zhanna Alexanyan, 15:52 10/07/2013 Story from Lragir.am
News:

TRANSFER TALK: BORUSSIA DORTMUND BEAT LIVERPOOL TO £23.6M SIGNING OF HENRIKH MKHITARYAN

The attacking midfielder will move to the Bundesliga rather than the
Premier League

SIMON RICE Author Biography

TUESDAY 09 JULY 2013

Liverpool have been thwarted in their attempts to sign Henrikh
Mkhitaryan after the midfielder opted to join Borussia Dortmund
instead.

The Champions League runners-up have secured the services of the
Armenian international after agreeing a [email protected] (£23.6m) fee with
Shakhtar Donetsk.

The transfer represents a record fee for the Bundesliga side and will
go some way to filling the void left by Mario Goetze who left for
Bayern Munich.

“It wasn’t an easy transfer but we absolutely wanted to have Henrikh,”
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said.

Mkhitaryan has signed a four-year deal and will wear the No. 10 shirt
previously worn by Goetze.

“We are delighted that we got a fantastic new signing for the
attacking midfield role,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc
said.

Mkhitaryan, who scored 25 goals and helped set up 10 more in 29
Ukrainian top-division matches last season, has played in the
Champions League, and made 37 appearances for Armenia.

Liverpool had been strongly linked with a move for Mkhitaryan but will
now have to turn their attention elsewhere.