Author: Badalian Vardan

Ride On!: More new buses on way to relieve Yerevan congestion

Society | 05.10.12 | 15:18

New buses will soon appear in the Armenian capital, as the Yerevan
Municipality will to bring another 160 buses manufactured by South
Korean Hyundai.

Public transport and congested traffic continues to be a problem in
Yerevan, despite the municipality’s promises (and some efforts) to
unload the traffic by increase the number of buses and reduce the
number of mini-vans.

According to Genrikh Navasardyan, the head of a municipality
department in charge of public transportation, the new batch of buses
will help partially solve the problem of traffic jams in Yerevan. The
municipality has held competitions since May to choose companies that
will operate 62 minibus routes and 12 bus routes.

Currently some 2,000 minibuses and about 580 buses are running in
Yerevan. The municipality plans overall to cut the number of minibus
routes from 109 to 75:

Expert: Turkey won’t unleash war against Syria in near future

October 6, 2012 – 17:23 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey won’t unleash a large-scale war against Syria
in the near future, Armenian political expert said.

According to Anush Hovhannisyan, Turkey won’t launch a war that
threatens it big losses, while the U.S. will hardly start military
operations in Syria by the end of the presidential race.

The expert further noted Syria’s Kurdish districts as Turkey’s target,
voicing skepticism that the shell explosion in the Turkish city of
Akcakale was masterminded by the Syrian army.

`The incident might have been provocation by Turkey,’ the political
analyst said, drawing a parallel with Sarajevo market shelling,
prompting NATO’s intervention in the Bosnian conflict.

Tsakhkadzor to host first Pan-Armenian Winter Games

news.am
October 06, 2012 | 17:23

NICOSIA. – The executive meeting of Pan-Armenian Games World Committee
started its work on Friday in Larnaca, Cyprus. One of the participants
is Armenian ambassador to Cyprus Gagik Ghalachyan.

The participants decided to hold the first Pan-Armenian Winter Games
in 2014 in Armenia’s Tsakhkadzor, Armenian MFA reports. The Games will
include skiing, alpine skiing, snowboard and hokey events.

Besides, the head of the Pan-Armenian Games World Committee Ishkhan
Zakaryan offered to cover all expenses for the Syrian delegation.

Such sport events as shooting, bicycling, amateur golf and sport dance
will be included in the summer games starting from 2015. The next
session of the Committee is scheduled for 2013 May in Yerevan.

Prosperous Armenia party MP says Tsarukyan aware of all developments

tert.am
16:57 – 06.10.12

The absence of Prosperous Armenia party leader Gagik Tsarukyan at the
National Assembly discussions over Vartan Oskanian’s case does not
mean anything, Michael Melkumyan, PAP MP told the reporters today.

`Gagik Tsarukyan is always present. It is not physical presence that
decides anything. He is in permanent touch and is aware of all the
processes,’ he said.

Asked when Tsarukyan will make a statement, the MP said he is not
aware of it, adding that the party’s leader is already in Armenia.

`Let’s wait for the developments,’ the MP said.

US Ambassador tells about clean-up event in Hrazdan gorge

news.am
October 06, 2012 | 16:33

YEREVAN.- U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern told about a
clean-up event in Hrazdan gorge on his video blog on Youtube.

The event was organized by the U.S. Embassy in Armenia partnered with
the Armenian branch of Let’s Do It environmentalist movement on
September 15.

The embassy employees, US government alumni and kids from Nor Kharberd
board-school joined the campaign.

`It is time for Armenians to appreciate how beautiful their country
is, how beautiful Yerevan city is,’ he said, adding the action may
serve as a good example for all the residents of Yerevan and Armenia
on the whole.

At the end of the day over 100 packs of garbage were collected.

Georgian border is closed for the thieves by law. Mikhail Sahakashvili

14:24, 6 October, 2012

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, ARMENPRESS: Each governing power should be
consistent with the protection of the law. As reports Armenpress
referring to GHN agency, Georgian President during the meeting with
MFA Eka Zguladze and General Prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava. According to
him they should control strictly to prevent `thieves-in-law’ from
arriving to Georgia.

`Not putting on the seat belt a person is going against himself. The
usage of the seat belt has reduced the mortality cases. According to
EU data we have the lowest number of crimes in the whole of Europe,
and I am proud of it’ declared Sahakashvili.

`We recognized the election results. We all should respect the
constitution and all the laws.’

President Serzh Sargsyan expressed condolences on the death of
composer Edward Mirzoyan

14:14, 6 October, 2012

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
issued a condolence message to the family of Edward Mirzoyan. As
Armenpress was informed from the presidential press office it was
mainly noted in the message `I was so deeply saddened to hear of the
passing of renowned composer, USSR and Armenian National Artist Edward
Mirzoyan. The music of Edward Mirzoyan, which is filled with optimism
and bright philanthropy, is the best manifestation of creative spirit
of Armenian people. Beauty of Armenia and the noblest of human
qualities are reflected in his creations. I express by deep
condolences on the death of Edward Mirzoyan, wish fortitude and
patience to his family and admirers of his music during such a hard
period’.

Armenian Minister comments on Georgia elections

armradio.am
14:01 06.10.2012

`We are confident that the free and competitive elections in Georgia
will contribute to the further consolidation of democratic values in
our neighbor country, continuation of political and economic reforms
for the benefit of the brotherly people of Georgia,’ Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian said, commenting on the parliamentary
elections held in Georgia.

`Armenia and Georgia are tied by traditionally good-neighborly
relations stemming from the depth of centuries. Georgia is home to
thousands of Armenians, who serve as an important link for reinforcing
our relations,’ the Minister said.

‘We have managed to build high-level mutually beneficial interstate
relations and we are hopeful that we’ll continue the joint efforts
targeted at the further reinforcement of friendly cooperation for the
sake of our peoples and states,’ Minister Nalbandian concluded.

`I Feel Bad That I Have Defeated My Country,’ Grisha Virabyan

October 5, 2012 10:50

According to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, the
Republic of Armenia will pay 31 thousand to Grisha Virabyan, a former
supporter of the People’s Party of Armenia (PPA), as compensation for
moral and physical damage. The following is the interview of
with G. Virabyan.

* Could you imagine 8 years ago that after 8 years, your case would
not only be considered by the European Court, but you would actually
win?

* Certainly, I am pleased after 8 years of waiting. I believed, I was
convinced that I would win. I have always believed that I am innocent
and the case with political overtones was made up post factum (he was
beaten up by the police of the Ararat region in April 2004 for
participating in rallies and with regard to the events related to the
presidential election – R.M.).

* What status do you enjoy and where do you live today?

* I got a political asylum in Belgium as early as 3 years ago.

* Have your intentions changed after the judgment of the European
Court, will you come to Armenia?

* Yes, I intend to. The government of Armenia has demanded me once and
our ambassador here is worried.

* What does it mean `demanded,’ are you wanted by the police?

* No, I am not. I don’t know, perhaps someone has used his diplomatic
contacts and made a request to the Kingdom of Belgium, folks here
responded that there was no Grisha Virabyan.

* Which of the party leaders, supporters from Armenia have congratulated you?

* My friends who have stood by me from the beginning have
congratulated me. Hovik Arsenyan, a member of the Republic Party
political council, has called me. And the PPA generally doesn’t want
this to be published in the press, since they stated at the beginning
that I am the government’s man. Now let everyone know that I have seen
it through. They promised to give me the floor at every rally of Levon
Ter-Petrossian, the PPA wouldn’t allow that, their leader would take
offense like a woman.

* It is known that you have undergone serious surgery, has there been
any need for medical treatment in Belgium?

* They solved many medical problems in the first year, now I am OK; I
don’t have health problems.

* Mr. Virabyan, how do you feel after defeating the country, for
which, as you say, you have struggled?

* I have mixed feelings of pride and sadness. I feel bad that I have
defeated my country…. I feel bad that there is no law and order in my
country and that the legal system will not learn a lesson from my
victory.

On the other hand, I am proud that I have maintained my right and my
dignity and was able to prove to those people who tried to desert and
disgrace me carrying out the concrete instructions of the attorney.

I will be among the pioneers again and let them continue to eat from
the government’s trough.

I wish Stepan Demirchyan and Stepan Zakaryan well. My place is in the
square, I am not to blame that I am not next to my friends, please,
don’t consider me absent.

* What other questions would you like me to ask?

* I would like to express my gratitude to all journalists who were
concerned with my case, Anna Israyelyan, you, Karine Ashughyan, Taguhi
Tovmasyan, Armine Ohanyan, Christine Barseghyan, first Human Rights
Defender Larisa Alaverdyan and special thanks to Aram Zaven Sargsyan
who said to me in the worst days of my life, `Grish, I couldn’t keep
Armen out, they put him in prison, but I will shoot the last bullet
for you,’ and he stood by me. I haven’t won; Aram Zaven Sargsyan has
won today.

Interviewed Ruzan MINASYAN

Armenian Parliament’s `modest’ leader – newspaper

NEWS.AM
October 06, 2012 | 06:53

YEREVAN. – The launch of the Armenian version of German Bundestag MP
Wolfgang Börnsen’s book on parliamentarism was held at Armenia’s
National Assembly (NA), and Börnsen likewise was on hand, Hraparak
daily reports.

`[And] Everyone was waiting for [NA Speaker] Hovik Abrahamyan [to
come]; he descended the stairs carefully and [said] `Guten Tag!’
[German for `Good day!’] to everyone.

In his remarks, the book’s author, who is endowed with a unique humor,
said as follows: `The women here [in Armenia] are dresses very
beautifully, [and] the men as well. And your National Assembly Speaker
is a true model!’ Perhaps he meant his [Abrahamyan’s] expensive suit.

At the end of the reception we asked Abrahamyan: `Were you very
flattered that Mr. Börnsen said you leave the impression of a model?’
`They tell me such things frequently,’ the NA head modestly said,’
Hraparak writes.