Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARMENIAN-CZECH BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN YEREVAN

TERT.AM
20.11.12

Armenian-Czech trade reached U.S. $64m last year, Czech Deputy
FM Tomáš Dub stated at the Armenian-Czech business conference
in Yerevan.

The conference is an opportunity for Armenian businessmen to present
their business propositions. The business event is expected to
facilitate bilateral trade and economic ties.

Czech businessmen’s visit to Armenia to negotiate with Armenia’s
business community representatives is no coincidence. The trade
mission is an important aspect of the Czech Republic’s foreign policy,
Mr Tomáš Dub.

The Czech Republic considers Armenia an important partner and seeks
to strengthen ties with Armenian partners.

Mr Robert Harutyunyan, General Director, Armenian Development Agency
(ADA), said Armenia is open to investors and development of business
contacts and welcomes larger-scale Czech investments in the country.

Armenia’s Deputy FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan pointed out a higher level
of bilateral relations, which is reflected not only by the opening of
diplomatic missions, but also by the development of economic relations.

“Developing trade and economic relations with European states is of
importance for Armenia. The European Union of Armenia’s major partner,
and its share in Armenia’s exports is 50%,” he said.

Armenia is bringing its trade and economic procedures to conformity
with European standards, Mr Mnatsakanyan said.

Representatives of 13 Czech companies are participating in the
conference.

More than 20 companies with Czech capital are currently operating
in Armenia. Armenia’s exports to Czech Republic totaled U.S. $19m
(aluminum and ferrous materials), and imports from that country U.S.

$24m (nuclear reactors, electrical machinery, glass) last year.

Armenian and Czech businessmen held private meetings as well.

From: Baghdasarian

ONE MORE ARMENIAN IS WOUNDED IN SYRIA

The situation in Armenian-populated regions of Syrian Aleppo city is
calm during the last two days, but some streets are still considered
to be dangerous.

As speaker of Armenian diocese in Aleppo Jirayr Reisian informed
Tert.am an Armenian woman was wounded as a result of the bullet at
New Village (Nor Gyugh). She was taken to the hospital and her life
is out of danger now.

Armenian-populated Qesab settlement is also under fire during last
some days. Hot clashes between the opposition and the Army took place
near Qesab. Now the settlement is out of electricity and connection.

Syrian clashes started since March, 2011 and more than 40 Armenians
have been killed since that time. More than 60 Armenians have been
wounded, some Armenians are kidnapped.

20.11.12, 15:45

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE GAZA CEASEFIRE

YEREVAN, November 20. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Edward Nalbandyan met Tuesday Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah.

During the meeting Mr. Nalbandyan called for immediate ceasefire in
the Gaza Strip.

Armenia, as a part of the international community, expresses deep
concerns about the growing escalation in Gaza and the nearby areas,
he said.

“Use of force caused dozens of deaths of the civilians, as well as
serious harm to the already fragile situation in the region. It is
necessary to stop the threats and use of force. We deeply believe,
there is no alternative for peaceful settlement of the issue,” Mr.

Nalbandyan stated.

Israel’s military has embarked on a new operation “Pillar of
cloud” targeted at killing Hamas commanders and destroying their
infrastructure. The operation is said to be Israel’s response to the
hundreds of rockets that had been fired from Gaza at Israel.

As of now, Israel operates remote air strikes, however, the Israeli
authorities do not exclude ground offensive in case one is necessary.

According to media reports, over 100 Palestinians have been already
killed by Israel’s air strikes. -0-

From: Baghdasarian

ONE IN SEVEN FAMILIES IN ARMENIA HAS INFERTILITY PROBLEM

news.am
November 20, 2012 | 11:29

YEREVAN. – One in seven families in Armenia has an infertility problem,
Armenian Association for Reproductive Health Director, gynecologist
Eduard Hambardzumyan stated during a press conference on Tuesday.

In his words, the infertility rate in Armenia has reduced as compared
with the past five years. “Infertility in Armenia was 28 percent
ten years ago, but today it is already 16-18 percent. The infertility
percentage in Artsakh [that is, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)] is
higher: 18 percent. Yet this number is greater than in the developed
countries. If the infertility percentage is more than 5 percent,
this causes a demographic problem,” Hambardzumyan noted.

In her turn, the aforesaid association’s deputy director, gynecologist
Karine Pokhunts said infertility in Armenia has its causes. “There
aren’t any infertility treatment centers in remote regions. Measures
are taken to train physicians and establish centers, including in NKR.

Also, a fund is created to assist families with such problems, since
artificial insemination in Armenia costs $3,500-$5,000 on the average,”
Pokhunts said.

From: Baghdasarian

TURKS AREN’T SUCH TO GIVE UP AFTER FIRST DEFEAT
Igor Muradyan

Politics – Monday, 19 November 2012, 10:59

Each country and nation, as well as political class has hopes and
expectations relating to political and economic prospects. The present
moment is not a period of hopes for Turkey.

Despite lack of competence and capacity of relevant functionaries
of the administration, the Americans have been able to lead Turkey
into a state of utter obedience. However, it should be said that this
submission is a state of a furious and unreliable partner.

But the Turks are not such as to give up at the very first defeat.

It’s necessary to understand that Turks return to old, forgotten ideas
and goals. Not only Turks but also many other ambitious nations in
the region think that the U.S. is shifting responsibility for the
Middle East, first of all.

Experts of Turkish origin, working for the think-tanks of the Western
community, are thinking actively on this issue, and their Arab,
Iranian and Greek colleagues think with them too. This topic is
relevant and demanded for many in the analytical community (with the
exception of analysts working in the U.S. embassies in the region,
including in the U.S. Embassy to Armenia).

Anyway, in Ankara the future of geopolitics and regional policy is
linked with ending positions and presence in the Middle East. It would
be very unserious to suspect the U.S. of a possible “departure” from
the Middle East. The U.S. still has urgent problems in the region and
is planning various activities to re-balance and re-format the region.

It is a large scale and it’s complicated but the Americans are trying
to carry out these plans without any significant material costs
(relatively, of course).

From: Baghdasarian

EXPERT URGES TO FIGHT AGAINST OLIGARCHS, THEN DISCUSS PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

tert.am
19.11.12

Armenia is not ready for passing to the parliamentary system of
government, it needs first of all to fight against oligarchs, Richard
Giragosian, Regional Studies Center director, said at a news conference
on Monday.

“I am not sure whether Armenia’s parliament can govern as today’s
parliament is not effective at all,” he said.

The analyst said until the reforms are not made it is early to
speak about the parliamentary system of government. At the same
time he stressed that the future of country’s democracy depends on
the parliament.

“For a very long time the policy in Armenia was being decided by
individuals. We do not have healthy debates and the policy is more
the race of fame and not the race of clever ideas and thoughts,”
he said, adding that Armenia has a crucial need for strategic vision.

“In this context the economic issues play a significant role. Economy
is the guarantee of national power,” he said.

At the same time he said it is necessary to challenge the oligarchs
as the current situation is not constructive. “Oligarchs are the
main threats to Armenia,” the expert claimed, adding that by keeping
markets closed and not paying taxes they even demonstrate power.

Referring to the statement of second president about ‘feudals’
Giragosian said it is interesting that Kocharyan is aware of them.

“But unfortunately during the years of his presidency the oligarchic
system became powerful. So, the ideas he has should be accepted,
but it should be remembered that he is an ex-president,” he concluded.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN POLICE CHIEF CALLS FOR EFFORTS TO FIGHT ILLEGAL GOLD HUNTING

tert.am
19.11.12

Photo by ArmeniaNow.com

Chief of Armenian Police Vladimir Gasparyan has called for strict
measures to combat illegal gold search in the Gegharkunik region.

As he told the local police officers in the course of a recent tour
to the eastern region, the ~Sgold hunters~T often start the search
for the precious metal notwithstanding the imminent risk of death.

~SExploiting minors and exposing them to risk is trafficking in the
strictest sense of the word. Theft is not of paramount concern ~V we
may find the thief ~V what troubles me most is slavery. How long can
the lure of gold lead one to killing people?~T Gasparyan said, adding
that minors aged between 14-16 are often exploited for such purposes.

Speaking to Tert.am, the governor of the Sotk village, Kolik
Shahsurvaryan, said the cases of drowning or mine collapse (which used
to be quite widespread in the village) have reduced almost to zero.

~SSuch incidents happen sometimes,~T he said, adding there are no
Sotk residents among the gold hunters.

According to the Armenian Police, the gold hunters, commonly known
as bats, gain entrance to the mines by digging the soil.

~STo be frank, I have neither been there nor seen anything, but I
think those are abandoned mines,~T he said. ~SThey put their lives
at risk to earn a piece of bread.~T

The Police said there have been cases of gold hunting, adding that
the initiators are very often individuals.

The gold mines of Sotk, situated in the south-west of the Gegharkunik
region, were processed several centuries before our era.

From: Baghdasarian

Egypte: Manifestation pacifique des refugies soudanais

Publie le : 19-11-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
invite a lire cette information publiee sur le site du Collectif
Urgence Darfour le 12 novembre 2012.

Collectif Urgence Darfour

Manifestation pacifique de soutien aux refugies soudanais en Egypte

Par admin le 12 novembre 2012

Les refugies soudanais en Egypte ont organise le 12 novembre 2012, une
manifestation pacifique devant le Ministère des Affaires etrangères
et le siège du Haut Commissariat des Nations unies pour les refugies
(UNHCR).

Ci-dessous leurs revendications, notamment la liberation de refugies
arretes et emprisonnes par les autorites egyptiennes et l’interruption
des arrestations intempestives.

They demanded :

1. Calling to Release of Abo AlQasim Ibrahim AlHaj who are imprisoned
in Qanater prison since 8. January 2010 Ptil now.

2. Calling of Cases of a missing refugees in mysterious circumstances;
persistence of arrests by Egyptian security.

Abubakar Ibrahim Abdullah Adam; living in Cairo; unknown place since
11/4/2012.

Omar Mohammed Omar Mohammed. Was arrested in Cairo from 11/03/2012.

3. Calling to total Solving the cases of former imprisoned. Their
sitiuations are Still badlly, security , living conditions , health
Because of the torture they suffered in prison, and there is no care
from UNHCR :

Adam Yahya Abdullah Hawally Mohammed Abdel-Rahman Hassan Mohamed
Mahmoud Suleiman Mohamed Hass

4. Calling Justice for who kling in the seceurity Centers and prison ,
and the perpetrators should be tried

Isaac Mattr Mubarak Yacob Jimmy John Atef Adriano

5. Diseases rampant among the refugees and has lost care;. Neglect.

bad deiling from UNHCR Commission , and bad treatment For patients
from Caritaz organization. theft and trade in human organs.

6. The total Live of refugees are too bad; some are use to work in
the some rich Egyptions house , but their women subjected to sexual
harassment and denial of their wage.

7. Security breakdown and threat of Baltagia Gangs Against the
refugees. also there alot of Sudanese security in light of the
relations between the Islamic govement in Egypt and the Islamic
Sudanese regime. for That there are some refugees sleeping in front
of the UNHCR office in the open-demonstration because from 6 months ,
their lives are in danger; and some they do not have to rent house.

Mr. Moniem Suliman

SCCsd Chairperson

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Collectif Urgence Darfour

From: Baghdasarian

L’ARMENIE AMELIORE SON INDEX DE COMPETITIVITE MONDIALE DE 10 POINTS EN 2012
Stephane

armenews.com
lundi 19 novembre 2012

L’Armenie a ameliore son index de competitivite Mondiale de dix
points apparaissant a la 82ème place sur 144 etats en 2012 a dit Sevak
Hovhannisyan du centre de recherche sur l’Economie et les Valeurs.

L’annee dernière l’Armenie etait a la 92ème place parmi 142 etats.

” Le rapport 2011-2012 de la Competitivite Mondiale montre que
l’Armenie a ameliore ses positions dans presque tous les secteurs,
a part les infrastructures (baisse de 3 points a la 80ème place)
et dans la recherche technologique l’Armenie a perdu 4 points,
apparaissant a la 92ème place ” a-t-il dit.

L’Armenie a leve ses index de 4 a 36 points dans ses institutions,
la stabilite macroeconomique, la sante et l’education primaire,
l’enseignement superieur, la productivite des produits, les marches
du travail et financier, l’esprit d’entreprise, les innovations.

lundi 19 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PRINTING 500TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN TBILISI

November 19, 2012 – 16:18 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On November 17, Tbilisi’s Hayartun Cultural Center
hosted an exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the
Armenian printing.

The event, organized by Hayartun Center and Vernatun Union of
Georgia-based Armenian Writers, was held under the auspices of Armenian
Ministry of Culture.

Head of Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia Bishop
Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Advisor of the RA Embassy in Georgia Levon
Torgomyan, writer Givi Shahnazar, Vernatun Union members and young
literature experts attended the event, press service of Hayartun
Center reported.

From: Baghdasarian