Author: Chatinian Lara

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS-CLUB" AND "PRESS-CLUB+": ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES

EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF "ZHAMANAK-YEREVAN" IS CHARGED ON INSULT

CONFERENCE "THE ROLE OF REGIONAL MEDIA IN PROTECTION OF PUBLIC INTERESTS"

MEDIA COMPETITION "A COUPLE OF WORDS ABOUT WOMEN" IS ANNOUNCED

"PRESS-CLUB" AND "PRESS-CLUB+": ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES

On December 3 another "Press Club" TV show went on the air of "Yerkir Media"
TV company. The cycle is produced by Yerevan Press Club with the support of
the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program of the Open Society
Institute. The guests of the "Press Club" host, the President of Yerevan
Press Club Boris Navasardian, were Vice-Chairman of the RA National Assembly
Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Rafik
Petrosian, Vice-Chairman of "Democracy" NGO Hrair Tovmasian, and
Presidential candidate of 2008 elections in Armenia Arman Melikian. The
discussion subject was the electoral system in Armenia and its conformity to
the international standards.

The next "Press Club" cycle program will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Wednesday, December 10, at 23.00.

On November 29 "Yerkir Media" aired another program of "Press Club+" cycle,
produced by Yerevan Press Club with the support of the UK Embassy in
Armenia. The Chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
Ashot Melikian and the participants of the talk show, the Chairman of the RA
National Assembly Standing Committee on Territorial Management and Local
Self-Government Hovhannes Margarian and Vice-President of the Association of
Community Financiers David Tumanian discussed the issue of financial
independence of local self-government bodies. The talk show also gave floor
to the audience, composed of media representatives of Armavir and Kotayk
regions.

The next "Press Club+" show will go on the air of "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, December 6, at 17.40.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF "ZHAMANAK-YEREVAN" IS CHARGED ON INSULT

On December 2 Police Department of Kentron community charged the recently
appointed Executive Editor of "Zhamanak-Yerevan" daily, member of Political
Council and the spokesperson of "Republic" party Suren Sureniants on Article
136 of RA Criminal Code ("Insult"). As Suren Sureniants told YPC with a
reference to the police representative, the criminal proceedings against him
were instituted in August 2008 by the complaint of the establisher of
"National Idea" magazine Artem Khachatrian. According to Suren Sureniants,
in July 2008 Artem Khachatrian published an article in the above-mentioned
magazine, in which he spoke disrespectfully about the national hero, late RA
Prime-Minister Vazgen Sargsian. Artem Khachatrian’s expressions brought on
comments of a number of political figures and media. As Executive Editor of
"Zhamanak-Yerevan" daily stated, his opinion regarding the personality of
Artem Khachatrian was published in "Iravunk de facto" newspaper on August
11, 2008, and this particular publication constituted a ground for
instituting the criminal proceedings. Suren Sureniants also informed that in
the nearest time the police are going to take the criminal case to the
court. In the opinion of Suren Sureniants, the accusation presented is not
related to the activities of "Zhamanak-Yerevan", but it is remarkable that
it coincided with his appointment to the position of Executive Editor. As it
has been reported, the establisher and Chief Editor of "Zhamanak-Yerevan"
oppositional newspaper Arman Babajanian has been serving his sentence for
document fraud to evade military service for already three years (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, November 14-19, 2008).

CONFERENCE "THE ROLE OF REGIONAL MEDIA IN PROTECTION OF PUBLIC INTERESTS"

On November 28-29 a conference "The Role of Regional Media in Protection of
Public Interests" took place in "Congress" hotel in Yerevan. The event was
organized by the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression under the
project "Advocacy through Empowering Journalistic Organizations and Regional
Media", supported by the Open Society Institute Assistance
Foundation-Armenia and the Netherlands Government. During the conference the
results of monitoring of regional media of Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori,
Syunik, Tavush, Shirak regions were presented, as well as the results of
public opinion survey on informational needs of the regional media audience
and possibilities to meet the demand. The subject of another report was the
situation with freedom of expression and violation of rights of journalists
and media in Armenia in 2008.

MEDIA COMPETITION "A COUPLE OF WORDS ABOUT WOMEN" IS ANNOUNCED

British Council Armenia and the OSCE Office in Yerevan announce an annual
media competition entitled "A couple of words about women". Materials in any
of journalistic genres must have been published or broadcasted within the
period from January to December 2008 and covered the activities and
achievements of women in political, economic and social spheres. Prizes will
be awarded in 6 categories: TV program, newspaper article, radio program,
online article, social advertisement, commercial advertisement. Applications
must be submitted until December 31, 2008.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

ARMENIA’S PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT RUSSIA
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
04.12.2008 14:04

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, will leave for the
Russian Federation on December 5 for a working visit. Deputy Foreign
Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan told a press conference today
that the Prime Minister will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir
Putin. The discussions will mainly focus on the world financial crisis
and the joint efforts that should be made to resist the possible
negative influence of the financial crisis on the economies of the
two countries.

Shavarsh Kocharyan said it’s natural that every country has its
peculiarities, and the two Prime Ministers are expected to discuss
the steps that will allow solving the problem with joint effort. The
heads of executive bodies of the two countries will discuss all issues
of mutual interest.

"The relations with our strategic partner Russia have a unique place
in the balanced policy of the Republic of Armenia. Those relations
have been dynamically developing especially in the recent period,
and the frequent meetings on the highest level are evidences of it,"
the Deputy Foreign Minister stated.

At the Armenian Embassy in Russia the Prime Minister will meet
Armenian businessmen.

MILLER: GAZPROM’S COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA IS OF LONG-TERM STRATEGIC NATURE

ArmInfo
2008-12-01 17:54:00

ArmInfo. Our cooperation with Armenia is of long-term strategic
nature and is based on mutual confidence and mutually beneficial
partnership. Gazprom not only sells gas to Armenia but also takes
part in its transportation and marketing in the territory of the
country. We have big joint plans in the electric energy sector, the
chairman of the Board of Gazprom OSJC Aleksey Miller said during his
meeting with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in the framework of
the welding of the last joint of the Kajaran-Ararat section of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

The Armenian-Russian ArmRosgazprom company has successfully worked
in Armenia for over 10 years and it is due to its efforts that the
Kajaran-Ararat section has been built. Miller is sure that the
new pipeline will significantly enhance the stability of energy
supplies in Armenia and will contribute to the development of the
gas infrastructure of the whole region.

Miller and Sargsyan pointed out the importance of the Gazprom-Armenia
cooperation and expressed conviction that it would be enlarged.

To remind, the Kajaran-Ararat section links the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline with the gas system of Armenia. This 206.5 km section has
been built by ArmRosgazprom. This company enjoys monopoly for supply
and distribution of Russian natural gas in Armenia.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)-686-0710
Fax: (212)-689-1934

December 2, 2008

Communiqué

In the early morning hours of November 30, a shooting incident took
place in the vicinity of Second Avenue and 35th Street in New York
City, directly in front of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. The
incident was reported in local press reports which mentioned the
cathedral’s proximity; these subsequently initiated concerned
inquiries to the Diocesan Center. This communiqué is meant to address
those inquiries.

The shooting took place on the street outside the cathedral. A renter
with no affiliation to the cathedral or to the Armenian community had
rented the Diocesan Center’s auditorium for a private function, for
which all due security and permits had been secured. After 4:00 a.m.,
as the event ended and the guests dispersed to the street, a crowd
formed on Second Avenue. There, an unidentified gunman fired shots
into the crowd. Two of the three victims receiving minor injuries
were guests at the event; a third was a security guard, one of several
routinely hired by the Diocesan facilities manager for such occasions.

Contrary to some published reports, no staff members of the Diocesan
Center were injured in the episode.

The three shooting victims were taken to hospital and pronounced in
stable condition, and were subsequently discharged after receiving
basic care. We pray they will make a full recovery.

The New York City police have stated that they are still investigating
the matter, and have not determined whether the shooting was related
to the crowd, or was a random occurrence of street crime. Police have
announced no suspects, nor made any arrest in the incident.

DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE

###

In Jan-Sep 2008 National Security Service of Armenia detects a number
of transactions by forged plastic cards worth 85 mln AMD

2008-11-28 18:43:00

ArmInfo. In Jan-Sep 2008 the National Security Service of Armenia (NSS)
detected a number of transactions made by forged plastic cards worth 85
mln AMD.

As NSS press-service told ArmInfo, on November 26 it was found out as a
result of preventive measures that "Gasarga" LLC operating in Yerevan
made on-paper-only transactions worth 16,2 mln AMD by means of three
forged Master plastic cards belonging to US banks. Three members of the
criminal group are detained, a criminal case has been instituted. On
November 4, NSS officials detected a similar crime committed by the
director of "Skava" LLC which made transactions worth 45 mln AMD. In
addition, in September-October 2008 a criminal group of 10 citizens of
Romania was detained for cashing money from the bancomats of Armenian
commercial banks by means of forged plastic cards.
The confiscated amount made up 24 mln AMD.

AZG Armenian Daily #221, 28/11/2008

Culture

300 PHOTOS OF 3000-YEAR-OLD HISTORY

A photo-exhibition under heading "Armenia; 3000-year-old history"
opened in Porto Velio city (state Rondonia, Brasilia).

The visitors of the exhibition became acquainted with Armenia through
300 photos, Armenian music, the films "Lost motherland" and
"Screamers" of the band "System of a down".

The organizers of the exhibition try to tell about Armenia – from the
geographical location of the country to its economic and scientific
achievements, also its tragedies and celebrations.

The exhibition will continue until December 12. The organizers intend
to hold the exhibition in other cities of the state Rondonia as well.

By Nana Petrosian, translated by L.H.

RA PRESIDENT AWARDED ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS FOR BRILLIANT OLYMPIC VICTORY

De Facto
Nov 27, 2008

YEREVAN, 27.11.08. DE FACTO. According to an enactment the RA President
Serge Sargsian signed on November 26, the members of Armenian men’s
team, who had won the 38th World Olympiad in Dresden, were awarded
1st class Medal for Service to the Motherland.

According to the RA President’s Press Office, for brilliant victory
in the World Chess Olympiad, protection of the homeland’s sport
honor, Armenia’s proper presentation at the international arena and
stimulating chess’ development in the Republic, Arshak Petrosian,
the trainer of Armenian men’s team, Levon Aronian, Vladimir Hakobian,
Artashes Minasian, Tigran Petrosian and Gabriel Sargsian, international
grand masters, have been awarded 1st class Medal for Service to
the Motherland.

In the evening of November 26 the winners of the 38th World Chess
Olympiad in Dresden returned to Yerevan. Thousands of people met them
at the Zvartnots airport. The Olympic champions were driven along
the central streets of Yerevan with a solemn escort. The ceremony
of honoring the winners and a gala concert was held at the Yerevan
Sport and Concert Complex.

The festivities ended in fire-works.

APARTMENT PRICES FALL IN YEREVAN

A1+
[07:49 pm] 27 November, 2008

As of October 2008, there were 14,550 real estate deals in
Armenia. This number has gone down by 9.1% compared to October 2007,
while the number of houses sold rose by 10.0% in September 2008.

In October 2008, 82.3% of 5,035 alienated real estate deals were
sale and purchase, 16.5% were donations and 1.2% was barter. 30.0%
of alienation of real estate was registered in Yerevan, while 31.7%
of alienated real estate was the homes of apartment buildings.

According to data provided by the State Management Agency for Real
Estate Management, the average market prices for apartments in
multi-apartment buildings measuring 1 square meter went down by 0.3%
in October 2008 compared to prices in September 2008.

In October 2008, besides Yerevan, 426 apartments were sold in the
Marzes; that number rose by 9.8% compared to September 2008 and 20.7%
compared to October 2007.

HEAD OF THE OSCE OFFICE IN YEREVAN: TRANSPARENT AND PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SYSTEM OF CIVIL SERVICE IMPORTANT FOR EFFICIENT STATE GOVERNANCE

ArmInfo
2008-11-26 10:50:00

ArmInfo. Transparent, healthy and properly functioning system of civil
service is important for efficient state governance, Head of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan Ambassador Sergey Kapinos said at the ceremonial
awarding of certificates to the members of monitoring and attestation
commissions of the Armenian Council for Civil Service Affairs who
underwent relevant training-courses.

Ambassador Kapinos said OSCE Office in Yerevan has been cooperating
with the Council since 2007. It has been contributing to establishment
of modern system of state governance. He also added that with the
support of OSCE Office, the Council has started making transparent
decisions, ensuring public control over contests and upgrading
professionalism and independence of the examination commission
members. ‘We have achieved certain results and today’s event is one
of these achievements’, Sergey Kapinos said. ‘We note with approval
that the council has seriously come to grips with the problem of
improvement of professional skills and ethics of the members of
contest and attestation commissions. We also welcome the idea of
cooperation of the Council and the public within the frames of our
program and recommend measures to enhance the cooperation in future’,
the Ambassador said. He outlined the extreme interest of OSCE Office
in cooperation with the Council and expectations of more tangible
results in future.

ARQIVA PROVIDES WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ARMENIA FUND’S INTERNATIONAL TELETHON

BroadCastBuyer.tv
http://www.broadcastbu yer.tv/publish/Productions_160/Arqiva_Provides_Wor ldwide_Distribution_Of_The_Armenia_Fund_s_Internat ional_Telethon_18307.shtml
Nov 25 2008
UK

For the fourth consecutive year, Arqiva will be providing
worldwide distribution of Armenia Fund’s 11th annual Telethon. The
internationally telecast fundraising event spans 12 hours of live,
continuous coverage on the American Thanksgiving holiday, which
falls this year on 27 November, and utilises Arqiva’s satellite,
terrestrial fiber and webstreaming infrastructure.

The live television broadcast is sent as a continuous feed to Arqiva’s
Los Angeles teleport and from there is distributed throughout North
America and Europe via Arqiva teleports in Washington DC, Winchester
(UK) and Paris. Arqiva’s extensive international and domestic satellite
capacity, as well as its global terrestrial fiber network, ensures
uninterrupted delivery of the telethon to all continents of the world.

Arqiva’s ability to combine online webstreaming of the content
with broadcast distribution is a significant benefit to Armenia
Fund. In 2007 webstreaming of the telethon dramatically increased
viewership and raised a record $15.2 million. Arqiva will encode
the 350kbps webstream and connect the video output directly to the
Internet backbone for streaming through local servers. In addition,
Arqiva will make the webstream available in Live Flash Media as well
as Windows Media, providing a greatly enhanced video experience for
thousands of Internet viewers

Greg Boyrazian, Director of Development for Armenia Fund, said:
"This is an important and emotional event for Armenians around the
world so it’s great to know that Arqiva is once again handling the
crucial process of distribution. Arqiva has consistently delivered
an unparalleled service which maximizes our reach to donors around
the world. As the Telethon continues to grow, it is both exciting
and reassuring to know that Arqiva is able to meet and exceed our
ever increasing expectations and requirements."

Simon Thrush, Senior Vice President of Arqiva Satellite & Media in
the US, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be at the heart of this
extraordinary event and proud to be playing such an important role in
ensuring its worldwide success. Being the primary distribution point
for the Armenia Fund Telethon, we physically connect the event with its
audience – and its all-important donors. International distribution
of a 12-hour continuous live broadcast is a major undertaking but
one for which Arqiva has the expertise, experience and infrastructure."