Author: Badalian Vardan

HAUT KARABAGH
Les jeunes représentants des minorités nationales d’Arménie en visite
au Haut Karabagh

Achot Ghoulian, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale de la République
du Haut Karabagh a reçu le 2 novembre à Stepanakert un groupe de
jeunes représentants des minorités nationales d’Arménie. Parmi eux des
membres des communautés russes, polonaises, juives, assyriennes,
yézidies, géorgiennes et ukrainiennes. Achot Ghoulian a félicité le
groupe de jeunes pour cette visite du Haut Karabagh et expliqué la
situation géopolitique de l’Artsakh. Il les invita à nouer des liens
avec les représentants des minorités nationales de la République du
Haut Karabagh. Le groupe visita également de nombreuses régions du
Haut Karabagh.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 4 novembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

AFFMA TO HOST ZADIK ZADIKIAN’S EXHIBITS IN NOV

PanARMENIAN.Net – This month, the Arpa Foundation for Film Music and
Art (AFFMA) will host two exhibits featuring the works of renowned
artist, Zadik Zadikian.

The first is this Sunday, November 4. AFFMA will host an exclusive
preview of the artist’s work. Next Sunday, November 11, AFFMA will
continue to showcase the artist’s work which includes both paintings
and sculptures. At both events, AFFMA patrons will have the opportunity
to meet artist, Zadik Zadikian, in person.

Since his early gilded interior installations and minimal stacks of
gold-leafed bricks, created in New York City in the late 1970s and
early 1980s, Zadikian has continued to create objects of desire,
sculpted in gold leaf and electroplated bronze and Hydrocal.

Zadikian has built a career around the historical properties of
fetishized objects and the mystical powers of gold, recalling Egyptian,
Assyrian, Armenian, Persian and Helenistic cultures. The artist lives
and works in Los Angeles.

JILIZA FOREST AGAIN GETS THE AXE: MANY CHAINSAWS, NO FORESTRY OFFICIALS
Larisa Paremuzyan

November 2, 2012

Forests in the strategic border region of Jiliza, Lori Marz, again
fell prey to the chopping axe yesterday.

15,000 hectares of the forest is under the “protection” of the
HayAntar Jiliza Forestry Division, while another 4,000 is under the
administrative care of the Lalvar Forestry Division.

Hetq has written about the violations taking place in the Jiliza
forest on numerous occasions.

One example is my piece, “Who’s Behind Large-Scale Logging in Jiliza?”

This article led to an investigation into the matter by the Lori
Regional prosecutor.

But the investigation went nowhere. No criminal charges were filed.

Now it seems, those behind the illegal logging have no qualms or
fears about doing their dirty work out in the open.

Yesterday, when I visited the forest, the trees proudly displaying
their autumn colors, the buzz of chainsaws filled the air.

Along the road, the Hetq team met up with various trucks hauling off
newly chopped trees. This was no targeted clearing of dead or diseased
trees, since many were healthy.

We got the run around from the drivers and workers. Some would tell
us that they had permission from HayAntar to chop and haul out trees,
only to admit that they couldn’t produce the paper work then and there.

Jiliza village Mayor Mher Vardanyan quipped that, “Perhaps the felled
trees had been legally cut and that the village school hadn’t been
allocated any wood for heating.”

More excuses, more stories, more chainsaws buzzing away…

And all the time we didn’t spot one staffer or supervisor from
HayAntar.

CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS INCREASE IN ARMENIA

NEWS.AM
November 02, 2012 | 17:20

YEREVAN. – During nine months of 2012 the number of crimes against
persons increased by 638. At the same time, 161 out of the total
number were cases of intended bodily harm, Armenia’s Deputy Attorney
General said.

Addressing the meeting of Attorney General’s office board, Mnatsakan
Sargsyan said the cases of inflicting grievous harm increased by 25
as compared with the same period last year.

Armenia recorded 41 murders and 23 murder attempts during the mentioned
period. Deputy Attorney General noted several shortcomings registered
during investigations of felonies. In particular, the overwhelming
majority of protocols say the criminal offence victim is unable to
give testimony, the terms of forensic examination are prolonged or
several examinations are appointed. Besides, the protocols contain
violations. Sargsyan offered the regional and community prosecutors
to bring such cases under personal control.

ROMANIAN NEWSPAPER ONCE AGAIN REFERRED TO SAFAROV’S CASE

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Romanian Observator Cultural weekly,
which pays a great attention to the international events, referred
to the case of murderer Ramil Safarov, putting the position of some
Romanian circles under the question. As reports Armenpress, the
author of the editorial is an outstanding writer and publicist Petros
Khorasanjian who wrote “It seems a humorous joke to us that on October
2012 two Romanian officials, the Former President of Romania and the
Vice President of Romanian Cultural Institute, participated in “Heydar
Aliyev” symposium in Baku which was dedicated to the democracy and
cooperation among world’s countries. We refuse this joke with a feeling
of helpless indignation and bitter humility. Why? Because one Azeri
perpetrator serviceman hacked with an axe Armenian serviceman when
asleep during NATO English training courses in Budapest, and then was
extradited by Hungarian government and granted pardon by Azerbaijani
one. Moreover, he was proclaimed a national hero, awarded the rank of
major and provided with the salary which was accumulated during the
years of his imprisonment and an apartment. Armenia suspended its
relations with Hungary. And Romania, how Romanians echoed? What is
the problem? What else would you want? Echo? Is it in vain that the
bust of Heydar Aliyev is in the Bucharest City Park? Are we supposed
to spoil the relations with our partner countries? We agree. But
in such conditions it seems shameful to speak about democracy and
human values. Stupid joke. When German institution wanted to award
Vladimir Putin with the title of “Person of the year” several people
were against it. The award wasn’t given. What are we talking about? Not
all the talks on democracy and human values are empty rhetoric. Or this
topic is discussed around the table full of food and wine. This much.”

WEST WILL BRING SHAME ON AZERBAIJAN FOR VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS – ARMENIAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST

news.am
November 02, 2012 | 03:28

YEREVAN. – After the amendments to be in Azerbaijan’s law on the
freedom of assembly, the West will bring shame on Azerbaijan for
violating human rights, Caucasus Institute Deputy Director, political
analyst Sergey Minasyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to him, due to political expediency and the western
organizations’ interactions with Azerbaijan, however, the West will
not intervene in this country’s internal processes for the next
several years.

To note, the Azerbaijani parliament on Friday will make amendments
in the country’s law on the freedom of assembly. Pursuant to these
amendments, an additional point will be included with respect to
presenting necessary information by the assembly organizers, and a
provision will be added whereby the assembly organizers can be one
or more individuals, or legal persons.

SYRIAN ARMENIANS’ ISSUES ARE AT GOVERNMENT’S FOCUS – PREMIER

news.am
November 02, 2012 | 13:49

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s PM Tigran Sargsyan, who is also Board Chairman of
the Araratian Pontifical Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
attended, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the diocesan
meeting moderated by the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II,
the Government press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“Owing to our faith, [and] unity around the Church, today we have a
state and are resolving the issues that concern our people,” Sargsyan
noted, and added: “I am convinced that we can surmount the modern-day
challenges if we place our hopes on our faith, strengthen the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin, [and] consolidate the relations between the
state and the Church. [And] The Armenian Genocide’s 100th anniversary
preparations likewise must be as such.”

Also, the PM assured that the urgent matters concerning the Syrian
Armenians are at the focus of the Government of Armenia. “Several
thousand [Armenian] families have arrived in Armenia from Syria,
and we need to do everything so that they may feel comfortable,
[and] be able to overcome all difficulties,” Sargsyan noted.

According to Armenia’s Premier, “The [Armenian] state-church relations
have never been as firm as they are during tenure of [incumbent
President] Serzh Sargsyan. By strengthening the relations with the
Church, [and] our faith, we will be able to leave all difficulties
behind and build a strong and promising state.”

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA TO PROPOSE AGENDA TO PREMIER-HEADED ANTI-CORRUPTION COUNCIL

tert.am
02.11.12

The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) attaches paramount importance to
anti-corruption measures.

However, real struggle against corruption – practical steps – is
of essential importance for the party. That is, the PAP is going to
propose its agenda at the anti-corruption council’s meeting scheduled
for Saturday and to be chaired by Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan.

If the council approves the PAP agenda, a PAP representative is
ready to participate in the council’s meeting. “The following issues
are on the agenda: first, the major reasons for ineffectiveness of
anti-corruption measures; second, problem of full-scale activities
of the ethics committee dealing with high-ranking officials,” Naira
Zohrabyan, Secretary of the PAP parliamentary group, told Tert.am.

The PAP-proposed agenda includes the issue of “$16.6m worth lectures”
read for residents in Armenia’s rural communities under the Millennium
Challenge Armenia Account.

“I think Armenian citizens must know about what was the quality
of lectures that cost U.S. $16.6,” Zohrabyan said. She noted that
Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the Millennium Challenge Armenia Account.

ARMENIA’S HEALTH MINISTER UNAWARE OF OLIGARCH’S MEDICINE IMPORT ACTIVITIES

TERT.AM
01.11.12

Armenia’s Minister of Health Derenik Dumanyan is sure that no monopoly
in the import of medicines exists in Armenia.

Moreover, he is unaware of whether or not Samvel Alexanyan, a member
of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group, is
importing medicines to Armenia.

“I do not think that medicines import is monopolized because seventy
companies are importing medicines to Armenia. How can it be a
monopoly?” the minister told journalists on Thursday.

As to how many of the companies belong to Samvel Alexanyan, Minister
Dumanyan said:

“I do not ask the importers’ names. They apply to the ministry for
permission to import a medicine. We apply to experts for an examination
of the medicine after which we give permission,” the minister said.

The minister said his only concern is that medicines be of high
quality, efficacious and safe. He assured the journalists that the
medicines imported to Armenia are safe.

Dumanyan admits abuse in the purchase of medicine, which caused
damage to Armenia’s state budget. According to him, law-enforcers
are supposed to deal with the problem.

Asked if his predecessor Harutyun Kushkyan should be held responsible
for the abuse, Dumanyan said that the Ministry of Health is only
supervising 18 medical institutions, and 90% of medical centers are
supervised by other bodies.

THE RENOVATION OF COMMON USE PREMISES IN MULTI-APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN VANADZOR PROCEEDS

News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan
01-11-2012 12:20:43 | | Economy

Yerevan, November 1, 2012. Within the framework of the renovation
project of common use premises in multi-apartment buildings the
roof renovation of the second building has already started in the
Vanadzor city.

Habitat for Humanity Armenia Foundation, together with Inecobank CJSC
is implementing a two-year repair project of apartment buildings, the
aim of which is to help 200 families living in apartment buildings to
repair common use premises including roofs, entrances, water pipes,
elevators, as well as ensure heat isolation of the buildings.

The pilot project launched in Vanadzor city of Lori region in July
2011, apartment buildings of which have abundant issues relating to
conditions of common use premises.

The project is implemented in close cooperation with Vanadzor
municipality, and as a result the latter provides 40% subsidy.

Habitat for Humanity Armenia plans to expand the scope of the project
throughout Armenia by implementing it in all regions of RA.

“I should note that this project is very important and at the same time
is hard to implement since citizens of RA do not attach importance to
the improvement of common use premises and are not ready to pay for
solving these problems. In this respect a lot of work should be done
to increase the role and responsibility of the residents towards the
improvement of common use premises. Since 2011 Habitat for Humanity
Armenia has been carrying out awareness-raising activities in this
field, and today we can see the results. On behalf of our staff I
would like to express my deepest gratitude to the mayor of Vanadzor
Samvel Darbinyan for his invaluable assistance and I hope that our
close cooperation will be a prerequisite to the partnership with
other municipalities of RA.”- said Karine Mailyan Housing Finance
Manager of Habitat for Humanity Armenia foundation.

Gagik Arzumanyan, Branch Manager of Inecobank in Vanadzor, mentioned
“Being a socially responsible organization, we are glad that Inecobank
and Habitat for Humanity Armenia Foundation joined efforts to launch
the roof renovation of the second building within the scopes of the
project. The start shows that the level of awareness in the field of
financial services is increasing and communities show willingness
to start an effective cooperation with the Bank. It is noteworthy,
that the issue of upgrading common use premises can successfully
be solved through a most efficient financial product developed by
Inecobank for this project.”

*** Habitat for Humanity Armenia is the national office of Habitat
for Humanity International in Armenia. Habitat for Humanity Armenia
Foundation is a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to the
cause of eliminating poverty housing and improving housing conditions
of families with low income. Habitat Armenia renovates and repairs
homes, and advocates for simple and affordable housing. It has
been active since 2000 and has supported more than 1700 families
through reconstruction and repairs, as well as provision of housing
micro-finance services in partnership with financial organizations.

For more information visit *** Inecobank CJSC was
established in 1996 and is a dynamically developing bank offering
universal services in the financial services market in Armenia. Its
goal is to promote the development of private sector – acting as a
reliable and loyal partner and consultant for micro, small and medium
business and individuals. As of 31 March 2012 the bank had AMD 86
billion in assets, and AMD 15.9 billion as fixed capital.

Inecobank has over 25 foreign partners which include International
Finance Corporation (IFC), German Investment and Development Company
(DEG), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and others. For more information about
Inecobank, visit: