Author: Badalian Vardan

The Sun, UK
Oct 12 2012

Ballotelli feeling blue

MARIO BALOTELLI will miss Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Armenia tonight.

The Italian Football Federation announced that the Manchester City
star, who was expected to start the match, has not recovered from flu.

Balotelli missed both his side’s opening Group B encounters after
having laser eye surgery in the last international break.

Cesare Prandelli is hopeful Balotelli will shake off the illness to be
fit for next week’s clash with Denmark.

MIS-STEP: DANCE TROUPE LEFT WITHOUT REHEARSAL SPACE AHEAD OF IMPORTANT PERFORMANCES
By Gohar Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow reporter
12.10.12 | 16:25

The chief choreographer of Armenia’s National Academic Theater of
Ballet and Opera is concerned that the Theater might temporarily be
left without its ballet troupe.

A renowned choreographer and a leading solo dancer Roudolf Kharatyan,
who in 2009 was invited to Armenia from the United States to lead
Armenia’s national ballet troupe, told the press on Thursday that the
major repair of the opera building is leaving the troupe without
a place for rehearsals, and that, he said, might have serious
consequences.

“The repair and upgrade of the stage was needed and welcomed, but
nothing had been pre-planned. Starting tomorrow our troupe will leave
the building and will have this status until, as we have been told,
February. We have not been offered any alterative for a rehearsal
studio yet and we’re in limbo. But a dancer is like an athlete and
has to keep training constantly,” said Kharatyan, adding that the
troupe has a performance of “Giselle” ballet to perform in Italy in
April and then in the United States.

“They say we can start rehearsing in February. But how is it possible
to stage a performance in two months only, when it takes two decades
for dancers to start getting the feel of it ? This way we can never
present ourselves to the world as a ballet country, when through ballet
we are able to present the entire history of our nation,” he says,
adding that this might lead to losing what’s been achieved over the
past three years – dancers in good shape and full concert halls.

The troupe has 86 dancers aged between 18 and 41, with average salary
90,000 drams ($220) a month.

In 2012 the State Budget has allotted six million drams ($15,000)
for the repair.

Kamo Hovhannisyan, director of the Theatre, told ArmeniaNow that on
Monday the issue will be resolved.

“The repair works have been going for a few months now and will be
completed in January, however working at the Theater is not safe
anymore, because of the welding. On Monday it’ll be clear where the
Theater staff and troupes can temporarily move to,” he promised.

AUDITS AS PARTY ATTACK?: CORRUPTION ALLEGED AT MINISTRIES FORMERLY HEADED BY PAP MEMBERS
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow
12.10.12 | 16:12

The Government continues to reveal new violations at the ministries
formerly under Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leadership, which Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan has qualified as “disgraceful”.

Following President Serzh Sargsyan’s much-discussed September
meeting with the cabinet, during which he criticized the government
for shortcomings and kickbacks in the sphere of state-budget-funded
procurement, audits have been carried out at the ministries of urban
development, healthcare and defense.

The audits have led to the detention of one urban development ministry
employee, Republican Vazgen Khachikyan, who is also the former head
of social welfare service (it operates under the ministry of labor
and social affairs that, again, used to be under PAP leadership).

For violations in delivery of purchases to the Ministry of Defense,
director of Kapan’s meet processing factory has been detained,
and earlier Lieutenant-General Arshaluys Paytyan, in charge of
coordinating the ministry’s purchase and delivery, was dismissed,
as was the leader of Procurement Assistance Center non-governmental
commercial organization.

The Control Chamber’s most recent revelation has been on drug
procurement, as well as medical institutions’ failure to fulfill
their tax duties. The violations occurred during the leadership of
former minister, PAP member Harutyun Kushkyan. The same goes for the
violations at the urban development ministry.

During Thursday’s session at the health ministry, the head of
the Finance Ministry’s department of audit and financial control
stated that in 2009-2010 and this year in February and April, the
health ministry acquired ten drug titles on state money, “making 600
million drams’ (around $1.5 million) worth of unjustified purchases
and unnecessary spending”. The government audit revealed that the
drugs had been bought for prices higher than the market rate.

The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC)
had earlier studied the drug market and identified violations in
drug procurement tenders at 80 percent of the monitored 137 medical
institutions, many didn’t even hold tenders. SCPEC stated that in
2011 the state budget suffered 1.5 billion drams ($3.7 million)
worth of damage only because of drug procurement violations.

And, according to the State Revenue Committee, the majority of medical
institutions have 50-60 percent higher profit than they show.

The premier has warned that delinquent officials “from now on will
bear personal responsibility”.

PAP has not offered any comment on these developments or speculations
that the investigations are singling out the political party.

RUSSIA PROMISES TO REACH A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL AGREEMENT ON GAS PRICE

ARMENPRESS
12 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, ARMENPRESS: Trade and economic relations between
Armenian and Russia are developing constantly. Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission co-chair Maxim Sokolov Minister of
Transport of the Russian Federation came forth with a statement,
Armenpress reports.

“In the course of the previous years goods turnover made one billion
dollars. Current year statistics show there is a positive growth in
the course of 8 months and we are going to exceed 1 billion index ”
Russian high ranking official stated. Yet in his words it is early to
talk about results. What refers to direct investment, Sokolov noted
during the last 20 years direct investments in Armenia were amounted
2.5 billion dollar. “It is particularly nice the investments are
direct reportedly they are directed for the business development”
Minister noted.

On the reporter’s question about the change of gas price circulated
lately, Sokolov was quoted as saying. “The negotiations are ongoing.

We are moving forward and are sure as always we shall reach beneficial
agreement” .

Currently 1,000 cubic meters of gas costs 180 dollars in Armenia.

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SILENT ABOUT GAS TALKS

news.am
October 12, 2012 | 13:52

YEREVAN. – Representatives of energy operators and officials present
at Armenia-Russia intergovernmental committee meeting in Yerevan
declined to comment on the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter’s question
regarding gas price.

Yevgeny Bibin, Director General of Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC,
said rise in gas price and future impact on the tariffs was not
discussed during the meeting. Deputy Chairman of Gazprom management
committee Valery Golubev also refrained from commenting on gas price.

In his turn Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan noted that the
talks are not over. Asked whether the sides will reach agreement on
gas price by the end of this year, Minister said the possibility is
not ruled out.

Talking to reporters, co-chairs of the Armenia-Russia intergovernmental
committee – ­PM Tigran Sargsyan and Russian Transport Minister Maksim
Sokolov- said the talks are underway.

ARA ABRAHAMYAN: THE PROCESS AROUND OSKANIAN DOES NOT RAISE ARMENIA’S REPUTATION

arminfo
Friday, October 12, 13:34

The process around a deputy from Prosperous Armenia Party, Vartan
Oskanian, is a very negative phenomenon and does not raise Armenia’s
reputation, chairman of the Union of Russian Armenians, Ara Abrahamyan,
said at today’s press-conference in Yerevan. Nevertheless, we should
not give untimely assessment and should wait for the completion of
investigation.

To recall, earlier a statement was disseminated on behalf of the Union
of Russian Armenians, which slagged off the Armenian authorities for
an attempt to impose political pressure upon Oskanian. But next day
the Union disproved making such a statement. Then rumours appeared in
mass media, according to which Armenian authorities imposed pressure
upon Abrahamyan which resulted in publication of the disproof.

Today Arrahamyan said there was no pressure and that the Union did
not disseminate such a statement to support Oskanian. He declined to
answer the question, who is behind all this.

He also added that he has been always supporting President Serzh
Sargsyan, as he has got the state positions and understands very
well the necessity of strengthening the country. The activity of the
Union of Russian Armenians is directed to implementation of this task,
he concluded.

GREAT DUDUK MASTER JIVAN GASPARYAN IS 77 (VIDEO)

2012-10-12 12:07:25

Today is the 77th birthday anniversary of great duduk master Jivan
Gasparyan.

Perhaps few people know that the master spent his childhood in the
orphanage because his father was a soldier in YSU and his mother,
unfortunately, passed away early on.

He took up duduk as his life fellow when he was 6.

In 1988 Bryan Ino heard the master’s performance by chance in Moscow
and decided to invite him to London.

Gasparyan’s duduk was recognized around the world, after Peter Gabriel
used his music in Martin Skorseze’s “The last temptation of Christ” .

POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION OF ARMENIA URGES EDUARDO EURNEKIAN TO RENOUNCE PLAN OF PURCHASING MFA BUILDING

Panorama.am
12/10/2012

The Chairman of Political Science Association of Armenia, Doctor of
Political Science Hayk Kotanjian, has released the following address
of the Association:

Political Science Association of Armenia is in agreement with estimable
Mr. Vazgen Manukyan, Chairman of the Public Council of the Republic
of Armenia, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, who
considers the sale of the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Armenia as a political mistake.

Based on the observation of historical experience and modern reality,
the Association believes that for the Armenian people – living in
Armenia and Diaspora and building its independent state in response to
the Genocide and its recurrence threat – the symbols of statehood both
in the political and spiritual-cultural aspects are identified with
the Armenian statehood. In such a case, the vital principle “not on
bread only” becomes an additional factor, by which it has balanced its
far-sighted pragmatism throughout its long history. Therefore Armenia’s
state bodies and officials, as well as prominent representatives of
the nation have vocation for carrying out their activities taking
into account these priorities.

The status of the Republic Square – symbolizing the nation-state’s
political center from the viewpoint of the citizens of Armenia,
Diaspora, foreign states, and international organizations – first of
all is associated with the Government of the Republic of Armenia and
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Taking account of the aforesaid, the Association addresses to:

– estimable Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian, the proprietor of the “Tango”
Company, patriot and benefactor appealing to him to reappraise the
situation and renounce the plan of purchasing the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs’ building of and its transformation into hotel;

– the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the person of Prime
Minister estimable Mr. Tigran Sargsyan to repeal the decision of the
sale of the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

BELGIQUE : LE COMMUNAUTARISME AUX ELECTIONS 2012

Publie le : 11-10-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Un groupe des personnalites
belges viennent de diffuser la lettre ouverte suivante a propos du
communautarisme polluant gravement la campagne et contaminant tous
les partis. Dogan Ozguden, redacteur en chef d’Info-Turk, fait suivre
cette Lettre ouverte de ses remarques fort pertinentes. Il conclut
” Laissons tranquilles les victimes des genocides et des repressions
interminables, au moins dans leur pays de refuge qu’est la Belgique. ”

Legende photo : Dogan Ozguden, redacteur en chef d’Info-Turk

Info-Turk

Quelques remarques* sur la lettre ouverte a propos du communautarisme
aux elections 2012

Un groupe des personnalites belges viennent de diffuser la lettre
ouverte suivante a propos du communautarisme polluant gravement la
campagne et contaminant tous les partis.

Dimanche prochain, certains d’entre-nous voteront socialiste,
humaniste, liberal, ecolo, communiste ou FDF, d’autres ne voteront pas.

Certains d’entre nous sont chretiens, musulmans, juifs ou athees.

Mais, tous, nous partageons la meme conviction et le meme engagement.

Il n’y a pas de place dans notre pays pour le racisme et
l’antisemitisme qui relèvent dangereusement la tete au cours de la
campagne electorale.

Il ne devrait pas y avoir de place non plus pour les replis
communautaires de quelle que nature qu’ils soient, religieux, ethnique
ou nationaliste.

Malheureusement, et chacun peut le constater, dans certaines communes
le communautarisme fait rage, pollue gravement la campagne et contamine
tous les partis.

Des candidats sont stigmatises, souvent de manière anonyme, par des
tracts diffuses a large echelle, pour leur appartenance, vraie ou
supposee, a telle religion ou a tel groupe ethnique.

Toute forme de negationnisme historique est evidemment hautement
condamnable mais il n’est pas acceptable que des conflits exterieurs
a notre pays, presents ou passes, et sans aucun lien avec l’enjeu
des elections communales, (israelo-palestinien, turco-kurde,
turco-armenien, saharoui-marocain, sunnite-chiites, hutu-tutsi, etc.)*
soient exploites par certains a des fins bassement electorales.

Nous nous insurgeons donc et crions ” casse-cou ” contre ces pratiques
inacceptables et hautement dangereuses pour notre democratie et
l’indispensable necessite du ” vivre ensemble “.

Nous demandons instamment a toutes et a tous les candidats concernes,
TOUS partis politiques confondus de cesser cette course ” attrape voix
” de menaces et exigeons que les campagnes electorales se focalisent
exclusivement sur les vrais enjeux, politiques, economiques, sociaux
et environnementaux vitaux pour nos concitoyens, quelles que soient
leur religion ou leur origine ethnique.

Josy Dubie, Senateur Honoraire; Louis Michel, Depute europeen; Marie
Arena, Senatrice; Georges Dallemagne, Depute; Didier Gosuin, Depute;
Fouad Lahssaini, Depute; Jean Claude Defosse, Depute; Rachid Madrane,
Depute; Bernard Wesphael, Depute; Fatiha Saidi, deputee; Carine Russo,
Ancienne Senatrice; Michel Graindorge, Avocat; Sam Touzani, Comedien;
Ralp Coeckelberghs, Ex reponsable ONG; Simone Suskind.

* Remarques de Dogan Ozguden, redacteur en chef d’Info-Turk:

En tant qu’un des premiers militants de la lutte pour la reconnaissance
des droits politiques aux citoyens d’origine etrangère, je soutiens
de tout c~ur cette demarche.

Toutefois, je ne partage nullement la citation de conflits “turco-kurde
et turco-armenien”.

Les peuples kurde et armenien sont les victimes depuis plus d’un siècle
de la dictature genocidaire des pouvoirs successifs des Unionistes,
Kemalistes et Islamistes.

En Turquie, il y a une defense legitime contre une repression
ultra-nationaliste interminable d’un Etat turco-islamiste.

La campagne electorale qui se deroule actuellement dans les communes
de Schaerbeek et de Saint-Josse n’a rien a voir avec les Kurdes et
Armeniens. A Schaerbeek, il n’y a aucun candidat issu des communautes
kurdes et armeniennes.

D’ailleurs, après plusieurs tentatives d’epuration ethnique entamees
par des nationalistes turcs instigues et proteges par l’Ambassade de
Turquie, les citoyens d’origines kurde, armenienne et assyro-chaldeenne
s’eloignent de cette partie de la cite.

Ce qui se passe aujourd’hui a Schaerbeek est un règlement de compte
entre des politiciens autochtones entoures des candidats nationalistes
turcs qui donnent toutes les concessions anti-democratiques et
anti-laïques afin d’obtenir quelques votes de plus dans la communaute
turque.

La campagne electorale de ces politiciens se deroule souvent soit dans
les marches, cafes, restaurants, mosquees ou boîtes de nuit turcs,
soit directement en Turquie dans une ville habitee uniquement par
les citoyens turco-turcs.

Il est vrai que les dirigeants de tous les partis concurrents a
Schaerbeek et Saint-Josse se sont rendus depuis des mois a Emirdag.

Un secretaire d’etat (PS) qui s’est egalement declare etre le “futur
bourgmestre de Saint-Josse” est souvent a Emirdag et meme a Ankara.

Il accueille souvent des notorietes turques dans son cabinet, par
exemple le chef de police d’Istanbul, Celalettin Cerrah, accuse de
ne pas avoir empeche l’assassinat du journaliste armenien Hrant Dink.

Les sites et les journaux au service du lobby turc sont pleins
d’informations et de photos sur cette mobilisation communautariste.

Laissons tranquilles les victimes des genocides et des repressions
interminables, au moins dans leur pays de refuge qu’est la Belgique.

INFO-TURK 53, rue de Pavie 1000 BRUXELLES

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Source/Lien : Info-Turk

AZERI MEDIA MISREPRESENT OSCE ENVOY’S REMARKS

Panorama.am
11/10/2012

Azeri media misrepresented my remarks, Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk said in
response to a question from Haylur news program of whether he made
the controversial statements on Stepanakert airport attributed to
him by Azeri media.

Azeri media reported on Wednesday that Andrzej Kasprzyk allegedly
had said, “Stepanakert airport is on the sovereign territory of
Azerbaijan. In this issue, much depends on Azerbaijan’s position.”

According to Azeri media, the OSCE envoy allegedly added, “This move
represents a provocation and violation of all international norms, and
damages the process of negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.”