Author: Badalian Vardan

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE CONFERENCE ON THE
SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL LEGACY OF THE SYRIAC CIVILIZATION

On 8 November 2012, theologians and specialists on Syriac spirituality, who
were in Beirut to participate in a conference, visited His Holiness Aram I.

After welcoming the participants, His Holiness said that this was indeed an
important conference, and he remarked that “the achievements of the past
should not be forgotten; they should be assessed and revived in the
present.” Speaking of the spiritual legacy of the Armenian Church, he noted
that during the Kingdom of Cilicia, the theology of the Armenian Church
developed along with the discourses of the Syriac, Greek and Latin
theologians. Then, as now, the Armenian Church affirmed its own specificity,
while remaining open to dialogue.

During a brief discussion period, the participants asked the Catholicos to
speak of the challenges to the ecumenical movement today. He said that
theological dialogue among churches should continue because of past
misunderstandings and differences. However, he added, “These dialogues today
should also take into consideration the social issues societies are facing,
because those issues are also linked to the life of the churches.
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Photo here:

The Official Visit of Yuri Khachaturov to Greece

2012-11-13

The delegation headed by Yuri Khachaturov, Chief of General Staff of
the ARM Armed Forces was on an official visit in Greece from November
12-14 and had meetings with Panos Panagiotopoulos, Minister of
National Defense of Greece and Michail Kostarakos, Chief of Hellenic
National Defense General Staff.
At the meetings they touched upon issues of bilateral military
cooperation, particularly collaboration between departments of the two
agencies coordinating combat support and combat service support,
military education, military industry, training in military operations
other than war, etc.
In the scope of the visit Yuri Khachaturov also visited Hellenic
Military Academy where Armenian cadets are being trained and several
military-industrial enterprises.
Armenian Chief of General Staff alsolaid a wreath at the monument of
the Unknown Soldier.

Berio Armenian Diocese condemns the inhuman treatment towards the
mosques and cemeteries in Syria

21:28, 16 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Not only the peaceful civilians, but
also churches and mosques are suffering a loss in a result of Syrian
clashes. This was noted in the message Armenpress was provided with by
Berio National Armenian Diocese.

`In a result of military actions in Aleppo Armenian Apostolic Church
of St. George, the Arab Evangelical Presbyterian Church and other
places of prayer have been damaged or ruined.

Der Zor Holy Martyrs Church the evidence of Armenian Genocide has been
also damaged. `For the sake of Syrian Armenians we condemn the inhuman
treatment towards the places of prayers and cemeteries.

We respect the memory of all the Syrian victims. We respect the memory
of Armenian Genocide’s victims. Let they rest in peace’ was noted in
the message.

ARMENIA LAYS CLAIM TO BECOME THE LEADER OF THE BIO-ETHANOL AND INULIN INDUSTRY IN THE REGION

10:20, 15 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is intended to become
one of the sole manufacturers of bio-ethanol and inulin in the
region. Inulin is considered to be one of the starches beneficial
for people observing low diabetes. Earth apple will serve as a raw
material for those productions. “Armenpress” had a conversation with
the General Director of the CJSC “Gyughcorporation” Vahan Shirkhanyan
about the implementation of the program.

– Why has Armenia made a decision to undertake such a comprehensive
production and what future can this initiative have?

– Previously there have been such attempts to make earth apple one of
the main plants, which will serve as a raw material. Such an attempt
was initiated by the Government of the Armenian SSR in 1986. Although,
the collapse of the USSR was the reason why those undertakings remained
unrealized. Taking into consideration the fact that Armenia does not
have energetic resources and there is a problem of provision security
earth apple due to its qualities can become irreplaceable plant first
of all as recourse of energy recovery and provision.

– Armenia is not engaged in the production of gasoline, where do you
plan to realize bio-ethanol?

– Earth apple is among the most efficient means for the production
of bio-ethanol; its component in gasoline reaches 18 percent. In
accordance with current standards of gasoline production its usage
is indispensable. The Russian Federation also is intended to the
implementation of EURO-3 standards in the gasoline production. In case
of mass growth of earth apple in Armenia possibility of bio-ethanol
production also grows. This production can reach up to 30-40 tons. In
case of the organization of the industry the European states are
willing to buy all the production of bio-ethanol. (THE FULL VERSION
OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Artak Markosyan

HEAVY DUTY: KARABAKH ASSEMBLES FAMOUS RUSSIAN TRUCKS FOR ITS MACHINERY NEEDS

BUSINESS | 01.11.12 | 13:16

Photo:

Heavy-duty trucks popular in Russia and the former USSR are being
assembled in Karabakh, reported the unrecognized Armenian republic’s
public television this week.

First “made-in-Karabakh” Kamaz vehicles are now ready to be used for
the needs of capital Stepanakert and elsewhere.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan visited the
AKA 27-18 company that specializes in car manufacturing to see how
the mechanical engineering process is organized, reported Arka news
agency, quoting Karabakh’s TV channel.

The plant’s director Artur Baburyan said car manufacturing was launched
in Karabakh last May after the enterprise had received financial aid
from the government.

“Spare parts for cars are imported from Russia and the trucks are
manufactured in NKR. By this we are able to save significant funds,”
said Baburyan. “If this car costs nearly $80,000 in Russia, the same
car manufactured in NKR costs just $55,000.”

He said the first Kamaz snow removal vehicle is already ready for
operation.

“In about ten days a garbage collection vehicle will be also
commissioned. After that the enterprise will manufacture another two
snow removal vehicles, which will operate on the Stepanakert-Berdzor
highway and to clean streets in capital Stepanakert. We have also got
orders to manufacture five garbage collection vehicles,” said Baburyan.

Kamaz, based in Tatarstan, Russia, is the largest truck producer
in Russia and former USSR countries. Its heavy-duty models produced
since 1976 are popular not only in former Soviet republics but also in
Eastern Europe, Latin America, China, the Middle East and North Africa.

“TEAPOT TEMPEST”?: REPUBLICANS CLAIM “THE OTHER POLITICAL FORCES ARE BLUFFING”, WHILE PAP CONTINUES POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS

POLITICS | 15.11.12 | 15:38

Armenian political forces are playing a blame game, criticizing each
other in this crucial period prior to the presidential run.

Wednesday “alternative” Prosperous Armenia (PAP) leader, businessman
Gagik Tsarukyan visited Gyumri, where during his meeting with
local fellow party members, he voiced sharp criticism against the
authorities. Tsarukyan, reflecting on emigration, said that people
are leaving the country because of unemployment or low salaries.

“Salaries and pensions should match the price hike. Everybody wants to
live well. When today they say 30 percent of the population is poor,
does it mean the remaining 70 percent is rich? Let’s say 40 percent
gets 40,000 dram ($100) salary. Is it enough for living?” Azatutyun.am
cites Tsarukyan, who also added that representatives of the authorities
should try to put themselves in people’s shoes. “People don’t want
social benefits or charity. People want conditions, opportunities,
jobs, so that they earn their families’ living and show hospitality
to others.”

To the question on a single candidate with the Armenian National
Congress (the possibility was not ruled out by ANC coordinator Levon
Zurabyan), Tsarukyan gave his favorite, mocking, answer: “I don’t
know. We’ll talk about it at the next lesson.”

The authorities, as represented by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
believe it to be highly unlikely that ANC and PAP can come up with
a single candidate. Wednesday during the briefing after the National
Assembly-government Q&A, the premier said “nothing can be ruled out
in politics, but to me the chances for that are very slim”.

“That kind of drastic turn is less likely in politics than maintaining
the work style they have had so far,” he stated.

Ruling Republican party speaker, Parliament Deputy Speaker Eduard
Sharmazanov directed his criticism against PAP and other political
forces holding political consultations initiated by Prosperous
Armenia referring to Armenia’s transition to parliamentary system
of administration.

“Over the past ten days we have witnessed curious political
developments – startling statements, references, diverse political
tricks. I believe this is nothing more that an attempt of tempest
in a teapot. German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in his time said it
the best: ‘People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or
before an election.’ And while certain forces are busy with political
bluffing, the Republican Party is taking steps to the point rather
than trying to be pretentious,” Sharmazanov said from the Parliament
rostrum.

IN ARMENIA, ALMOST ONE IN FIVE FAMILIES IS INFERTILE

Society – Wednesday, 14 November 2012, 17:32

Yerevan, 14 November 2012 – Today, UNFPA, United Nations Population
Fund released the State of World Population 2012 report, which this
year was dedicated to family planning as a human right that can help
reduce the number of abortions and maternal mortality.

If the unmet need for contraceptives was met, worldwide, an estimated
26 million abortions would not take place this year. In Eastern Europe
48% of pregnancies are unwanted. The vast majority of these end in
abortion (79%).

According to the 2012 State of the World Population report, “The
evidence is strong that as modern contraception becomes more widely
used, abortion rates fall (Westoff, 2008). For example, in Russian
Federation, as the use of the intrauterine device and the pill
increased by 74 between 1991 and 2001, abortion, which had been the
primary means of fertility control for decades, fell by 61 per cent.

Similar patterns are seen throughout the Eastern Europe and Central
Asian countries where women previously lacked access to modern
contraception (Westoff, 2005).”

The rate of modern contraceptive use is relatively low in the Eastern
Europe and Central Asia. The region has a modern contraceptive
prevalence rate of 54% for women in age group 15-49. Moreover,
the belief that family planning negatively affects fertility
rates is not necessarily the case as the fact check shows. As a
matter of fact, the contraception prevalence rate in Turkey is 73%
(modern contraception methods – 46%), but at the same time Turkey is
considered to be a main engine of population growth in the region and
has a total fertility rate of 2.2. However, in Armenia contraception
prevalence indicators are 55% and 27% respectively, while the total
fertility rate constitutes 1.7.

However, family planning and use of modern contraception can
significantly contribute to addressing the bitter issue of infertility,
thus facilitating population growth. In Armenia, almost one in five
families is infertile (UNFPA, 2009), the overwhelming majority of them
have secondary infertility, which means that the person previously
had a child, but cannot bear a child anymore, the main reasons being
unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted diseases due to the lack
of sex education and access to affordable family planning services.

101,000 AMD IN PENSION MONEY STOLEN FROM MAILMAN

hetq
11:55, November 15, 2012

On the night of November 13,Yerevan police detained a security guard
working at a factory on Baghramyan Avenue on suspicion of stealing
a post office bag containing 101,000 AMD in pension money.

Earlier that day, a mailman had called police saying that he had left
the bag at the factory’s security gate. Postal carriers in Armenia
often distribute pension funds as a part of their routes.

An investigation is underway.

EASTERN PARTNERSHIP CULTURE PROGRAMME: PHOTO CONTEST AROUND DIVERSITY IN UKRAINE AND ARMENIA

21:03, 15 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Photographers in Ukraine and Armenia
have been invited to take part in a photo competition around the
theme of ‘Diversity in my community’, organised by a project funded
under the Eastern Partnership Culture Programme, reports Armenpress
citing EU Neighbourhood Info Center. The contest is part of the
‘Equal opportunities for national minorities and disadvantaged
groups in realising cultural rights: richness through diversity’
project financed by the European Union under the Eastern Partnership
Culture Programme. The aim of this contest is to reflect and raise
awareness of the importance of cultural diversity in local community
development in Ukraine and Armenia. Community leaders, bloggers,
professional and amateur photographers are invited to present photos
of any genre. The deadline for submitting entries is1 June 2013. The
best photos will become part of an international mobile exhibition
in Ukraine and Armenia. The ~@12 million Eastern Partnership Culture
Programme aims at assisting Partner Countries in their cultural policy
reform at government level, as well as capacity building and improving
professionalism of cultural operators in the region. It seeks to
strengthen regional cultural links and dialogue within the Eastern
Partnership region, and between the EU and ENP Eastern countries’
cultural networks and actors.

“THE OTHER BANK OF THE RIVER” ARMENIAN-TURKISH PHOTO EXHIBITION LAUNCHED IN ANKARA

19:35, 15 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOEVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Photo exhibition launched in
Turkish capital Ankara dedicated to Armenia and Turkey and titled
“The other bank of the river”. As reports Armenpress referring to
“Akos” daily the exhibition is dedicated to the Armenian-Turkish border
which divided the two nations, their culture and history. Ali Saltan
one of the initiator of the project told to “Akos” journalist that
the idea had come to him during a conversation with Armenian women
from one of the borderland villages.

“In the framework of “Mehrabarev” project Ruben Mangasaryan one of
the authors of the project and I managed to visit several villages.

The last village was Bagaran. Armenian side made a warm reception and
we were invited to one of the houses where an Armenian elder women
told how they used to watch children playing, hear women’s voices and
laughter from the other bank of the river. She shared with her dream,
one day to visit that village but from there and not crossing Georgia”
told Saltan who is of Turkish nation.

Citing Hrant Dink’s saying “Two close nations, two distant neighbors”
Saltan shared with his impressions and highlighted that he had noticed
many similarities between the two nations.

The photo exhibition hosted in Ankara will be concluded on November
16. It is preplanned to have this exhibition in Kars, Istanbul and
Diarbeqir. The exhibition will be available in Yerevan in December.