Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Serzh Sargsyan records the highest rating among Presidential
candidates: “Sociometer”

12:08, 10 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBRER 10, ARMENPRESS: Acting President, RPA chairman
Serzh Sargsyan enjoys the highest rating among the possible
Presidential candidates in the threshold of election campaign. Aharon
Adibekyan, ”Sociometer” sociological center head had a briefing with
the journalists on November 10, Armenpress reports.

The expert presented the results of polls conducted by the center. In
his words “Prosperous Armenia” party chairman Gagik Tsarukyan follows
Serzh Sargsyan. Raffi Hovhannisyan and Levon Ter- Petrosyan
reportedly come the second and the third, ARF two representatives
namely Vahan Hovhannisyan and Armen Rostomyan jointly share the
fourth place.

In the words of Adibekyan the results of the polls state RPA chairman
does not dwell on foreign policy and Armenian-Turkish protocols making
the progress of the country. ”Instead Tsarukyan more talks about
economic problems directing his speech to the ordinary people”
sociologist noted. Serzh Sargsyan leads the list of the rankings;
reportedly the President initiates active steps especially in the
recent times.

From: Baghdasarian

Paata Zakareishvili: “Georgia will never make a decision that would
impede the strategic relations with Azerbaijan”

arminfo
Thursday, November 8, 12:46

“Georgia will never make a decision that would impede the strategic
relations with Azerbaijan,” Georgian State Minister for Reintegration
Paata Zakareishvili said on Wednesday at the press club of Tbilisi
office of RIA Novosti, when commenting on concerns raised by an
Azerbaijani expert on possible restoration of railway communication
with Russia via Abkhazia.

“I have not heard any statements made by the Government of Azerbaijan
on this issue. It is our strategic partner, and steps that can cast a
shadow on these relations are ruled out,” Zakareishvili said.

As for the restoration of railway communication via Abkhazia, which
caused great excitement, the state minister said that there is no such
issue on the agenda. He called the rail communication just as one of
the topics of conversation, but not as subject to negotiation.

However Zakareishvili noted that this issue is related to
Georgian-Russian relations, therefore, it is the prerogative of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the Special Representative
of the Prime Minister for Relations with Russia, and the office of the
state minister for reintegration will not take part in it.

From: Baghdasarian

Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor damaged as a
result of clashes (video)

11:53 – 11.11.12

Deir ez-Zor Holy Martyrs Armenian Church has suffered an essential
damage as a result of continuing clashes between Syria’s Governmental
forces and rebels.

Press Secretary of the National Primacy of Aleppo Zhirayr Reyisyan
told Tert.am that the church has been damaged as a result of gunfire
and blasts near the neighboring buildings.

The remains of Armenians killed in Deir ez-Zor desserts during the
Armenian Genocide were buried in the church-memorial complex.

Days ago Armenian Holy Gevorg Armenian church was set ablaze in
Aleppo. It again appeared in the center of clashes and later became
victim of vandalism.

The church has turned into ashes. Mesropian college has also been
essentially damaged.

From: Baghdasarian

Gulf Times, Qatar
Nov 10 2012

Embers – a tribute to filmmaker’s grandma

Embers, an entry in the Arab Documentary Competition at the fourth
Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), uncovers some of the history of
post-war Armenia while paying a tribute to the memory of the
filmmaker’s grandmother.

`First of all it is an honour to be selected for a festival like DTFF,
one of the leading Arab film festivals,’ director Tamara Stepanyan
told Gulf Times in an interview.
`The selection is a chance to project my voice to others and DTFF is a
great platform to exchange views with fellow filmmakers, producers,
writers, and festival delegates,’ she said.
Work on the film started in 2010. The film takes place in Stepanyan’s
birthplace, the city of Yerevan. The filmmaker was in Beirut when she
had the idea of making Embers, and at that point had zero money.

`I called Paul Baboujian, the director of Screen Institute Beirut and
asked him for a camera and sound equipment, telling him that I was
planning to travel to Armenia for a month in two days to make a film
about my grandma. Without asking further questions he told me to go to
institute and take what I need. Of course I told him I had no penny. I
thank him so much for believing or perhaps trusting.

`I received my first funding from Screen Institute Beirut, then came
in Doha Film Institute then AND (Asian Network of Documentary) from
Busan International Film Festival. Of course when I had a producer who
is also the editor of the film, things were easier on me. The main
obstacle I faced perhaps was to convince people to give a life to my
Embers. I believe I achieved some part of this, yet there are still
lots of obstacles to come, which will be fought equally.’

The filmmaker wants the audience to watch the film with their heart –
to allow the film in, and allow it to take a life in them.

`It is a not a very easy documentary to watch, not in the traditional
form I say. I wish the film will lead them to a journey, to give them
a thought, to hear the fight of these people who lived and believed in
a system and yet only few particles exist today. I think the most
important for a filmmaker is to touch the audience, even if for few
moments.
Stepanyan believes that the support for filmmakers is growing now.

From: Baghdasarian

The Daily Star (Lebanon)
November 9, 2012 Friday

Antranik battle to 90-83 victory over Bejjeh

by Dany Abboud

Three Antranik players hit double figures as they grabbed their first
win of the 2012-2013 basketball league with a deserved 90-83 victory
over Bejjeh in round two at Demerjian Center.

ANTELIAS, Lebanon: Three Antranik players hit double figures Thursday
as they grabbed their first win of the 2012-2013 basketball league
with a deserved 90-83 victory over Bejjeh in round two at Demerjian
Center.

The Armenian side were dominant throughout, leading 44-32 at halftime.

However, the visitors swiftly cut that deficit with American duo Corey
Williams and Harold Jamison’s massive contributions bringing Bejjeh in
touch at the start of the final quarter, 63-59.

The last minutes saw non-stop excitement, as the Jbeil side came
within one point (77-76) two minutes from time.

American Novar Gadson registered a deadly 3-pointer to give his side a
80-76 lead, but Bejjeh’s Jad Kabbara answered quickly with a
2-pointer, but again Gadson provided the killer blow for the hosts
with a basket-in to extend the lead to five points with one minute to
go.

Antranik held on to register their first win of the season, 90-83.

Ghanian guard Asenso Ampim led the scoring for Antranik with a
game-high 29 points, compared to Gadson’s 23 points and Joey Zalaoum’
19.

Meanwhile, Williams finished with 26 points for Bejjeh, Jamison added
17 points and 20 rebounds, and Ramy Akiki 13 points.

Jamison was three rebounds shy of exceeding Mike Frazer’s record, set
at 22 against Riyadi.

Elsewhere, Mouttahed go into Friday’s match against rivals Sagesse
with a point to prove at their stadium in Tripoli.

Or Frenchman manager Jean Denys-Choulet at least hopes so, after his
side lost unexpectedly 81-84 in the opening match against Byblos.
Another loss would be damaging to the newly assembled powerhouse, who
harbor hopes of championship contention.

Following the loss to Byblos, Mouttahed disposed with the services of
American point guard Kevin Houston who failed to live up to
expectations, and his replacement is a familiar face to the Lebanese
fans, in former Sagesse player Eric Chatfield who had his first
practice with teammates Thursday.

Meanwhile, Sagesse seek to grab their second win after defeating Hoops
102-66 last Sunday at Ghazir, and they are hoping to maintain their
perfect start to the season prior the showpiece derby against
traditional rivals Riyadi Beirut on Nov.16.

From: Baghdasarian

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
November 8, 2012 Thursday

Turkey Forces Armenian Plane Carrying Humanitarian Aid to Syria to
Land at Erzurum Airport

ANKARA, (SANA) – The Turkish authorities forced Armenian cargo plane
bound for Syria to land at Erzurum Airport in eastern Turkey.

Anadolu news agency quoted diplomatic sources as saying that an
Armenian airlines company on Tuesday filed a request to use the
Turkish airspace to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria.

The sources added that the company was given the permission to use the
Turkish airspace.The Turkish newspaper Zaman indicated that the plane
which carries humanitarian aid to Syria was forced to land at Erzurum
Airport at 6:00 am for inspection.

It is the third time that the Turkish authorities forced a plane bound
for Syria to land.

Last month, Turkish warplanes forced a Syrian aircraft flying from
Moscow to Damascus to land at Ankara airport, assaulted its passengers
and searched the aircraft.

On October 15, the Turkish authorities ordered an Armenian aircraft
carrying humanitarian aid to Aleppo in Syria to land in Turkey and to
be searched.

R.

Raslan/ Ghossoun

From: Baghdasarian

Interfax, Russia
Nov 8 2012

Russian, Armenian military officials discuss bilateral cooperation

MOSCOW. Nov 8

The Russian Armed Forces General Staff chief and first deputy defense
minister, Gen. Nikolai Makarov has discussed the prospects of
military-technological cooperation between Moscow and Yerevan with his
Armenian counterpart Col. Gen. Yury Khachaturov.

“The sides discussed the present-day situation and the prospects for
military cooperation between the two countries, and exchanged opinions
on a number of key issues of mutual interest,” a Russian Defense
Ministry spokesman told Interfax-AVN on Thursday.

From: Baghdasarian

Qatar News Agency
November 8, 2012 Thursday

Authorities Allow Armenian Plane to Continue Flight

Ankara, November 08 (QNA) – Turkish authorities allowed the Armenian
plane, which was forced to land in Erzurum airport on Thursday,
continued its flight.

Turkey has intercepted a Syria-bound cargo plane suspected of carrying
arms which took off from Armenia but has found only food, in line with
what was declared by Armenian authorities.

The plane, which was declared to be carrying humanitarian aid to
Syria, was asked to land in the eastern Turkish province of Erzurum.
The Antonov AN 12 cargo plane landed at Erzurum airport.

After scanning boxes in the cargo plane, Turkish security forces found
15 tons of food and humanitarian aid destined for Aleppo.

Ankara has stepped up efforts to prevent its airspace from being used
to supply the Syrian military and forced down a Syrian airliner
traveling from Moscow last month, which it said was carrying Russian
munitions destined for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s military,
(Today’s Zaman) reported.

Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said those organizing the flight
asked Turkey on Tuesday for permission to carry humanitarian aid to
Aleppo through Turkish airspace. Turkey allowed the plane to fly but
asked it to make a technical landing in Erzurum for what it said was a
“routine procedure.” (QNA)

From: Baghdasarian

Xinhua General News Service, China
November 9, 2012 Friday 2:10 PM EST

Security academy to be set up in Armenia

YEREVAN, Armenia, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) — Artur Baghdasaryan, secretary of
National Security Council of Armenia, said Friday that an academy will
be opened in Armenia to provide education and training to the
military, police and other departments of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization (CSTO) member countries.

He mentioned that a new agreement on cooperation in the
military-technical sphere must be renewed, as the last document was
signed some 20 years ago. The new agreement will focus on simplifying
instruments for cooperation between Armenian and Russian enterprises.

A branch of Russian state agency “Rosgranitsa” will be opened in
Armenia and will modernize parts of the Armenian state border which
are defended by Russian border guards.

In addition, a Russian agency of state reserves, a substructure of
joint Armenian and Russian reserves, will be established in Armenia.
It is expected to play an efficient role in developing the system of
state reserves in Armenia.

Armenia is a member of CSTO from 2002. CSTO also groups Russia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT FRANCE

Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 9 2012
Russia

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will leave on Sunday for a
three-day official visit to France.

In Paris, Sargsyan will meet his French counterpart Francois Hollande,
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and the National Assembly’s
President Claude Bartolone. He is also expected to meet members of
Armenian-French parliamentary friendship groups.

President Sargsyan will also visit Lyon to meet with Mayor Gerard
Collomb. Later he will hold a meeting with French businessmen in the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Rhone-Alpes region.

From: Baghdasarian