Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

EXPERT CALLS HURRIYET PUBLICATION A GENERAL PROPAGANDA TRICK

Panorama
May 11 2011
Armenia

Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian paid a visit to Istanbul
where she has attended World Women Summit. Armenian Minister had a
meeting with the representatives of Armenian community to Istanbul,
where Mrs. Hakobian handed medals to renowned artists in Polis.

Turkish “Hurriyet” has referred to the event stating that the Armenian
community in Polis is upset with the Minister’s visit and the medals
she has handed. “Minister has called them Armenians of Diaspora,
while they don’t feel that way, because they are Armenians who live
in the country of their ancestors.”

Ruben Melkonyan, the vice dean of Oriental Studies Faculty in Yerevan
State University told “Ermenihaber.am” news website that the Turkish
media outlet spread inaccurate and false information, which is a
general cheating propaganda trick.

The Armenians of Polis, don’t feel as if Armenians of Diaspora, and
Minister Hakobian is well aware of that fact. During her meeting with
local Armenians, Hranush Hakobian stated she didn’t consider them
Diaspora. They are considered a community which has created Diaspora.

Referring to the medals, they are granted to the people who contribute
to Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, and the Armenian culture being
created in Polis is pan-Armenian.

Turkish expert Ashot Soghomonyan, who accompanied Mrs. Hakobian in
Istanbul, told that her statement was hailed in the local community.

Ruben Melkonyan said that it has been long since Turkish FM Ahmet
Davutoglu, PM Tayyip Erdogan have targeted Armenia-Diaspora reinforcing
cooperation.

From: Baghdasarian

JOSEPH OUGHOURLIAN AND AMBER CAPITAL’S NEW PURCHASE

The Business Insider
May 11 2011

Joseph Oughourlian is the co-founder, managing partner, and chief
executive officer of Amber Capital Investment Management. Amber
Capital is an event-driven hedge fund. Oughourlian headed the Equity
Arbitrage Proprietary Trading Desk at Societe General between 1997 and
2001. Initially Amber Capital operated as the asset management arm of
SG Corporate & Investment Banking. New York City-based Amber Capital
was launched in 2005 as an independent entity. It serves corporations,
partnerships, institutions and high-net worth individuals all over
the world. Amber mostly invests in value stocks, mergers, spin-offs,
and takeovers. About one third of its investments are in the U.S. and
the rest is in Europe. In 2007, Amber managed $7 billion at its peak.

Oughourlian and Michel Brogard, Amber’s other co-founder, has averaged
12% annually between 2001 and early 2009.

Joseph Oughourlian, Armenian trader, was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He
was elected as the newest member to Central Board of Directors of the
AGBU. AGBU is the largest nonprofit Armenian organization, established
in 1906 and aims to preserve and promote the Armenian identity and
heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs.

Previously Michel Borgard worked at Credit Suisse First Boston focusing
on European equities.

Last month Amber Capital disclosed a 5.9% stake in Gran Tierra Energy
(GTE). They paid around $7.5 per share on or around April 12th. At the
end of 2010 Amber had 5.9 Million shares of GTE in its portfolio. This
means they acquired an additional 9.4 Million shares as GTE fell
below $8 per share.

Amber Capital is by far the largest shareholder in GTE. At the end of
December George Soros had $14.5 Million in GTE. Chuch Royce’s Royce &
Associates had $13 Million in GTE as well.

Read more:

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA OUT OF EUROVISION FINALS

ianyan Magazine

May 11 2011

Armenia, Arts & Entertainment – By Liana Aghajanian on May 10, 2011
3:38 pm

For the first time in its participation history, Armenia has not made
it through to the Eurovision finals that will take place on Saturday,
May 14.

Armenia’s chosen song, “Boom Boom” performed by pop singer Emmy was
fraught with controversy and disappointment throughout its tenure,
with fans at one point demanding a re-do of the vote that ultimately
sent the song to the semi-finals.

On Tuesday night however, the votes ultimately didn’t add up to send
“Boom Boom,” with its boxing inspired props and outfits to the next
round, while its neighbors, Azerbaijan and Georgia as well as Russia
made it through.

The up-tempo song saw Emmy enthusiastically jumping around to
choreography with a group of dancers, a move that might have
ultimately led to the entry’s demise – the dancing proved too much
for the singer’s vocal abilities to shine through, causing her to run
out of breath and resort to slight yelling in an effort to compensate.

Many on social networks predicted “Boom Boom” would go through,
the song fell flat as the 10 finalists were announced. Meanwhile,
its Caucasus neighbors, Azerbaijan and Georgia won spots in the finals.

The announcement led to surprise reactions from many who were watching
the telecast and posting thoughts on social networks like Twitter:

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES DEPLOYMENT OF ARMENIAN CONTINGENT IN AFGHANISTAN

News.am
May 11 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. Parliament of Armenia approved the document amending the
international agreement on deployment of the Armenian peacekeeping
contingent in Afghanistan within NATO mission.

The document envisages prolongation of deployment of the Armenian
peacekeeping mission and increase in number of troops.

Speaking in parliament Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan said
the government offers to prolong presence of the Armenian peacekeepers
till December 31, 2012 and increase the number of troops from 40 to
45. The Armenian troops will continue serving under German command. The
Minister stressed that training of the Armenian peacekeepers got
appraisal of the German side.

Armenia has been participating in peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan
since January 2010. The Armenian troops serve under German command as
part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
since 2010 in the Afghan province of Kunduz. The Armenian servicemen
have been ensuring security of Kunduz airport.

From: Baghdasarian

APRIL 22 SET AS FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DATE

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 11, 2011 – 19:22 AMT

The French government announced its 2012 presidential election dates
on Wednesday, May 11 with the first round election set to take place
on 22 April and the second run-off on 6 May.

A two-round parliamentary election for the lower house National
Assembly will follow on 10 and 17 June, government spokesman Francois
Baroin told reporters in Paris.

Centre-right President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to stand for
re-election for a second five-year term and is likely to face strong
challenges from the Socialist Party on the left and the National
Front on the far right.

Polls show that Sarkozy could be beaten by any of the likely main
candidates for the Socialist Party’s nomination and could even be
knocked out in the first round if the National Front’s Marine Le Pen
swipes second place.

While the Socialists have yet to pick their candidate, opinion polls
suggest International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn
would be their strongest choice, RFI reported.

From: Baghdasarian

FIFTY VETERANS RECEIVE MONEY AWARDS

ARMENPRESS
MAY 11, 2011
YEREVAN

On the occasion of the Day of Victory in Great Patriotic War with the
assignment of the Yerevan mayor about 1.0 million AMD was transferred
to the “Union of Veterans of Great Patriotic War” within the framework
of “Assistance to Non-Governmental Organizations”.

Press service of the Yerevan City Hall informed Armenpress that during
the ceremonial event May 10 at the Council of Union of Veterans head
of the City Hall’s social insurance department R. Zakaryan conveyed
to the veterans the congratulation of Karen Karapetyan and best wishes.

About 50 veterans invited from 12 administrative regions received
money assistance.

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIAN COMPANY PERMITTED TO ACQUIRE HRAZDAN HYDROPOWER PLANT’S SHARES

Tert.am
11.05.11

The Public Services Regulatory Commission has permited the Russian
company INTER RAO UES to purchase the shares of Hrazdan’s hydro-power
plant.

The plant had transferred 100% of its shares to the Russian Rosneftgaz
in 2009. The deal, along with transfers from 78 other natural gas
companies had helped the Russian governemnt to increase the company’s
assets. The owner of the Hrazdan hydropower plant is the Russian
Federal Agency for State Property.

In 2004, Armenia had handed over the hydro-power plant to the Russian
governement under the Property for Debt program.

The Russian Federal Agency for State Property is a 100% shareholder
of Rosneftgaz.

From: Baghdasarian

KOCHARIAN WEIGHS IN ON SO-CALLED ‘DIALOGUE’

asbarez
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Former President Robert Kocharian

YEREVAN-Former President Robert Kocharian discussed the so-called
“dialogue” between President Sarkisian and Armenian National Congress
leader Levon Ter-Petrosian, saying the nature of the dialogue will
determine its benefits or harm.

“If the dialogue aims to establishing civilized rules for political
activity and rejects all radical approaches, then I’ll see that as
positive,” Kocharian said in an exclusive interview with Mediamax
news agency. “Stability is a necessary condition for economic growth,
and this is what Armenia needs most today.”

The former president also said that that above-envisioned dialogue
would also pave the way for fair elections.

However, “if the elections are being held under the ‘to be or not to
be’ motto, then opportunities for falsifying exponentially increase,”
explained Kocharian.

He warned that “if the dialogue involves the artificial parameters of
a political contest-where both sides would mutually benefit-then it,
most likely, will be collusion behind the voters’ back,” which will
give way to standstill and increase corruption.

Kocharian warned that such a scenario would adversely impact the
population, who will become pawns in the games between the authorities
and the Armenian National Congress.

In his interview, Kocharian also discussed the role Ter-Petrosian’s
Armenian National Movement played in the March 1, 2008 unrest,
expressing hope that the newly ordered probe into the incidents will
shed light on that.

“By the way, if the leader of the opposition did not sit at home,
but tried to deter the crowds that he instigated, I am sure deaths
would have been avoided,” explained Kocharian.

From: Baghdasarian

SYUNIK GOVERNOR SAYS SOCIAL-ECONOMIC PROGRAMS IN THE PROVINCE AIMED TO IMPROVE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE

ARMENPRESS
MAY 11, 2011
YEREVAN

The programs directed toward the solution of social-economic issues
of the Armenian province of Syunik are under the spotlight of its
governor Surik Khachatryan. These programs are directed toward the
improvement of livelihood of the people. Armenpress news agency spoke
with the governor of the province Surik Khachatryan about the prior
issues of the province and steps to solve them.

– Your activity in 2010 was assessed by the executive power 96,08
points – the highest in the republic. Which is the guarantee of this
high assessment?

– I consider this assessment the result of the activity of Syunik
governor’s office, local self-governmental establishments. I think this
is not only my assessment but the assessment of our joint activity. It
is being perceived by us as a big responsibility and obliges to work
better, to increase the efficiency of the activity of the governor’s
office for the sake of development of the province and welfare of
its residents.

– Which program of improvement of the social-economic situation of
the province do you rate high?

– The program of social-economic development of the province for
2010-2013 approved in June 2009 points out a number of important
issues. The most important of them are the issues presented by
the communities. I particularly highlight the already launched
program of reconstruction of Tatev monastic complex, construction
of Halidzor-Tatev cable way, construction of new mine plant in the
territory of Geghi, construction of Iran-Armenia railway, North-South
highway, Meghri hydro power plant. The implementation of the mentioned
programs will promote the increase of the level of livelihood of
the people of the province, creation of new jobs and decrease of the
unemployment rate.

– Which are the prior issues of the province? What steps are being
undertaken in that direction?

– The province has a lot of various issues. Part of them has
been solved. The prior issues that need to be solved are the road
construction issues which exist in all the regions of the province. We
also have issue of connecting a number of communities to gas network,
we need to reconstruct Meghri’s town hospital, and many such issues.

These issues are gradually being solved. For instance, with the
decision of the Armenian government new building will be built for
the Meghri medical center by 2012.

– Last year, mainly connected with the unfavorable climate conditions,
the province registered low agricultural indices. What steps are
currently being carried out to assist the farmer?

– In spite of unfavorable weather condition, thanks to the targeted
usage of professional potential and work we managed to increase the
volume of agricultural products. As compared with the past years
the number of farmer economies increased by 110, the number of
organizations dealing with reprocessing of the agricultural products
by 58.

– There are issues in the health sphere of the province. Particularly
the province lacks doctors-specialists, medical devices. Are you going
to carry out programs for the solution of the issues of the sphere?

– The issues of the health system of the province are gradually being
solved. Today more favorable conditions have been created for providing
medical services to the population. If few years ago we were solving
issue of preservation of the system, today we are solving issue of
upgrading it.

During 2004-2010 the medical establishments of the province were
filled with medical devices amounting to 907 million AMD. In 2010
the cardiologic center started operating in the town of Goris.

As to filling the establishments with doctors, the Health Ministry
has signed contracts with 4 doctors according to which they passed
to work in the medical centers in provinces. Currently 12 doctors of
the province are having classes in the National Health Institute of
the Health Ministry.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS IN EUROPEAN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Panorama
May 10 2011
Armenia

In the third round of European Women’s Championship, which is being
held in Tbilisi, Elina Danielian confirmed her professionalism.

Armenian chess player defeated Khurtsidze and scoring 3 out of 3 she
is among the leaders of the championship. Lilit Mkrtchian and Lilit
Galoian who met in the third round ended in draw and occupy the ninth
and sixteenth horizontals.

Find the results of the third round and the standing below

3rd round

Danielian – Khurtsidze 1-0
Mkrtchian – Galojan 1/2
Aginian – Ibrahimova 0-1
Arabidze – Kharatyan 1-0
Hairapetian – Severiukhina 1-0
Martirosyan – Zhukova 0-1
Gevorgyan – Trapaidze 1-0
Ghukasyan – Zhorzholiani 1/2
Alexanian – Charochkina 0-1

Standing

1. Kosintseva Nadezhda 3
2. Danielian Elina 3
3. Cmilyte Viktorija 3
9. Mkrtchian Lilit 2.5
16. Galojan Lilit 2.5
22. Hairapetian Anna 2
77. Alexanian Nelli 1
94. Aginian Nelly 1
96. Ghukasyan Siranush 1
99. Gevorgyan Maria 1
115. Martirosyan Lia 0.5
116. Kharatyan Anahit 0.5

From: Baghdasarian