Author: Ekmekjian Janet

CANDIDATURE OF LEVON TER-PETROSIAN OFFICIALLY NOMINATED IN RA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 29, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The documents necessary for
the nomination of the candidature of Levon Ter-Petrsoain, the first
President of the Republic of Armenia, in the forthcoming presidential
elections was presented to the Central Electoral Commission on November
29. This information was provided to a Noyan Tapan correspondent by
Tatev Ohanian, the Spokesperson of the Central Electoral Commission.

Levon Ter-Petrosian has been nominated by the self-nomination order,
according to his decision made public beforehand. Thus, as of the
afternoon of November 29, two candidates running for presidency
have been officialy nominated: on the eve Artashes Geghamian, the
Chairman of the National Unity party, was nominated by the decision
of the party.

The deadline for the nomination of candidates in the February 19,
2008 presidential elections of the Republic of Armenia is 18:00 of
December 6.

MINISTERS OF JUSTICE OF ARMENIA AND NKR SIGNED MEMORANDUM

KarabakhOpen
30-11-2007 13:32:16

Today the ministries of Armenia and NKR signed a memorandum in
Stepanakert which the ministers say will mark the beginning of
cooperation. In the meeting of the representatives of both ministries
the NKR minister of justice Arthur Mosiyan said during the two-day
working visit of the Armenian ministry of justice they will be
discussing cooperation.

The Armenian minister of justice Gevorg Danielyan emphasized the points
of the memorandum that refer to the legislation. "This is going to be
the first step, and naturally cooperation will not be confined to this
because we also focus on training and improvement of qualification
of specialists," Gevorg Danielyan said in a briefing, adding that
during the training of specialists the legislative differences will
be taken into account, which will help improve collaboration.

According to the Armenian minister of justice, the memorandum
signed by the two ministries also refers to annual cooperation,
as well as involves short-term projects for the solution of urgent
problems. According to him, they will first of all get down to the
solution of urgent issues relating to the improvement of legislation.

According to the NKR minister of justice, the problems are many,
"and it takes will to solve them in a short period."

MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION TO BE SIGNED BY MINISTERS OF JUSTICE OF ARMENIA AND KARABAKH

Noyan Tapan
Nov 30, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation of the RA Ministry
of Justice with Minister Gevorg Danielian at the head, left for
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh on a two-day working visit on
November 29. According to the information provided to a Noyan
Tapan correspondent by Lana Mshetsian, the Spokesperson of the RA
Ministry of Justice, the goal of the visit is to sign a memorandum of
cooperation with A. Moseyan, the newly-appointed Minister of Justice
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, and make clear the ways and
frameworks of the assistance to be shown to the Ministry of Justice
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh by the Ministry of Justice of
the Republic of Armenia.

The Daily News of Los Angeles
November 30, 2007 Friday
VALLEY EDITION

SUSPECTS SOUGHT IN FATAL BEATING OF MAN OUTSIDE CLUB

By Rick Coca Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS — Police are looking for a group of men involved in a
deadly weekend brawl outside a nightclub with a history of
fistfights, police said Thursday.

Marco Antonio Herrera, 18, of Reseda, was leaving the Club Red Square
around 2 a.m. Saturday with a group of friends when they began
arguing with another group, said Los Angeles Police Department
Detective Joel Price.

As several fights broke out, Herrera was attacked and knocked to the
ground.

“He was beaten repeatedly, stomped and kicked,” Price said.

Neighbor Luis Ochoa didn’t see the fight but heard the early morning
ruckus.

“I heard loud screaming,” Ochoa said. “I kept hearing something
like: Get up! Get up! … Get up, as in you S.O.B.”

Herrera was taken to Northridge Medical Center where he died Tuesday
night of major head trauma.

Police are looking for a black man and about a half dozen Armenian
men who were allegedly involved in the attack, Price said. It appears
that the black man and the Armenians were together or knew each
other, Price said.

Police are also looking for two vehicles seen leaving the fight: a
2002 to 2004, white with gray trim Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a 2005 to
2007 cream-colored Chrysler 300 with a sunroof and oversized chrome
wheels.

The fight outside the club was preceded by a skirmish inside, Price
said.

The club was shut down for a time because it didn’t have a proper
dance-hall license and because neighbors complained. Marina
Gambarini, a part-owner in the club, said she and her partner have
met with police and Councilman Dennis Zine and his staff to implement
changes to make the environment in and around the club safer.

Despite adding outdoor lighting, increasing security and limiting
aggressive hip-hop music — which she said police believe attracts
gang members — there’s only so much she and her staff can do.

“If police would do some rounds, I think that’s the only thing
(troublemakers) are scared of,” Gambarini said. “They’re not scared
of us or our security. … They are only scared when they see a
police car.”

Anyone with information should call the police at (818) 374-7725.

Azat Artsakh Tert, Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Nov 30 2007

My weapon is my tree

The man whose name is Alexan by nick-name "Occupant" sent a letter to
editorial office of the newspaper "AA" in the town of Hadrout
proposing…It’d be better to tell everything one by one. Let’s get
acquainted with Alexander Baghdasarian closer. "Occupant" means the
ability to survive in any situation. Vladimir Narimanian who knows
him well, began to talk with us and explained the meaning if that
nick-name this way: it means that Alexan possesses the circumstances
which is particular to him. When he lived in Crimea he was a
photographer and was engaged in strawberry planting. His family was
living better. When Artsakh National Liberation Movement began, he
came back to his motherland with the family being sure that
motherland’s destiny can’t be solved without him. But the profession
of photographer wasn’t needed here. So he had to change his
occupation; he became a shoe-maker, a baker and those professions
were very useful during those hard years for Artsakh after the war.
Thanks to God, they weren’t hungry. And what we saw in his garden was
simply shocking. There were two year-old nice pine-trees and cypress
trees there. And all of them were grown by Alexan. He was taught to
grow different trees by a Russian forester-scientist Sergey
Polyakovski who always said that our atmosphere is very good for
growing those cultures. He did all that hard work lonely. But when
the first trees were sold, family members became calmly, moreover,
his sun began to assist him in that work. I’m a man who likes to
read. How can you explain the fact that you do that work but not the
professionals who are not less here in Artsakh? Alexan doesn’t agree
with this because there are many professionals who don’t feel the
main thing; they don’t love the nature. That’s why nobody thought to
do this work. And the business which he began 7-8 years ago was
prospering in his hands because he loves the nature endlessly. He
emphasizes: "I’m a reader”. Before the beginning of the business he
makes versatile studying, then he makes it a reality. This love came
to him from his father, grandfather who knew the local forests as
their finger tips. And they often took little Alexan with themselves.
But are yesterday’s and today’s forests comparable? It was pleasant
in forests in the past but now one is walking in unbearable silence.
There are less of forest dwellers. And it’s not only the result of
the free busters’ activity but also the consequence of cruel
treatment with forest wealth. The ex-head of the forest preservation
department of Hadrout province Vladimir Narimanian adds that the
forests are cut with many hectares and nobody plants trees instead of
them. Often not sick but healthy trees are cut making the whole
forest sick. The animals are quite sensitive to all this and simply
to our forest. Alexan says about it sorry. Our attempts to see and to
photo the forest cutting failed. Night rain made forests’ ways
impassable, we were forced to return on half a way. Instead, we
witnesses of free busters’ crime. No, Alexan doesn’t exaggerate, when
he’s deeply anxious with today’s situation in forests; Vladimir
Narimanian says. But he proposes to make real steps, to "repopulate"
with pine-trees and cypress because the curing qualities of these
trees are bigger for forests as well as for a man. Cypress taking
roots deeper in the land absorbes water from the lowest strata due to
which the land around the tree is not so dry during the drought as in
the case of other trees. Ether oil running from cypress germ kills
quality which assists to liquidate harmful germs in nearby territory.
Alexan affirms that it’s inaccidental that the everlasting green
trees are planted around the health resorts. We must not forget among
these frost resistant trees only cypress stands the drought. My
seedlings proved to be viable. Why forest keeping department doesn’t
plant pine-trees and cypress in the forests? My seedlings proved to
be viable, didn’t they? Every year I sell more and more seedlings.
Two years ago the "Karabakh-Telecom" company bought a big group of
this kind of trees (for a sum of 6 000 000 drams, well-known
charity-maker Levon Hayrapetian did it a year ago. Our army in every
new period of soldier swearing buys seedlings which corresponds to
the number of called up new soldiers for planting the tree by a
called up soldier according to the tradition is a symbol of absolute
devotion to the motherland. The more they buy seedlings, the more I
present them in honour of Liberators due to their lives we live now
in peace. My seedlings decorate facade administrative buildings,
military units, hospitals and hotels. Why can’t they live in our
forest to be useful not only for people, but also for the forest. And
what will happen if I sell these seedlings expensively? Only expenses
for two-years work are included in the price of it. I don’t spend
money for seeds, my children and friends send it for me from Russia
and the price of seedlings shows only my work. The planet of the
Earth is one organism. Once Alexan watched on TV how the fire stormed
in California devouring the thousands of hectares of precious
forests. Listening about difficult consequences of the disaster crazy
idea appeared in Alexan’s mind (instandard thinking is specific to
Alexan). During two years period he’s ready to present state of
California about 2 000 000 of seedlings. At first the people were
laughing when I began to do this business. But Alexan didn’t pacify.
He’s sure that the planet of the Earth is one organism and one part
of organism is sick, it will with no doubt ifluence on the function
of the other parts. World climate balance will be lost. And what can
be worse than it? By his own proposal Alexan decided to go to the
editing office of "Azat Artsakh" hoping that while Mr. Sahakian (the
president of NKR) is the USA it’s high time to speak about his
proposal publicly. The United States help us to become economically
developed country. Why cannot we help America with what we have
plenty. I can present them not only everlasting green trees but also
seedlings of Karabakh nut-tree which are quite worthy due to their
different useful qualities. About the USA and its role in the world
1. If we don’t know what’s taking place in Ethiopia, Indonesia or
Japan, it’s not big unhappiness. But not knowing about the superpower
number one, about correct entity of the behaviour of chief "judge" of
world conflicts whose military budget is equal to the budgets of all
the countries of the world together it impermissible. The reason of
my thoughts about the place and the role of the USA in the world was
an event which was discussed widely and accepted a year ago by
Armenian Government and society. We speak about the decision of the
United States Government for granting 236 000 000 of USA dollars aid
to Armenia within the program of "millenium challenges". But there
was not any worthy gratitude to Washington for such generous aid. On
the contrary, the fashionable and enjoyed topic continued to exist,
to criticize the USA, to accuse the US for making evil actions on the
Earth. But generally, Armenia is one of the countries which gets much
aid from the USA, among which it’s in the sixth place according to
accepted aid per capita. US Congress Study Service estimated
1992-2002 Armenia got more than 1.3 billions of dollars. 2. I’m not
passionate supporter of the USA not paying attention to the
democratic system of authorities organization, but to the majority of
principles on the basis of which the whole American public organism
is built. Why? Because they are anti-natural. But I’m supporter of
naturalistic outlook. The outlook which rises from law governed
nature in everything. That is when human-being is the part of nature
he’s obliged to obey the laws of nature. But the question here is
about estimation of practicable policy of Washington, imagination of
modern realities and about created problems and the ways for their
solution. 3. It’s unjust and unjust again to describe the policy of
US as aggressive opposing to world’s general interests as if the US
was led by negative selfish motives. There’s no country in the world
which did not get essential material aid from US. From Europe to
Africa. All post-soviet republics have got additional shares from
Washington since their independence. But they don’t stop complaining
of the actions of the USA (with ground and without it). Some of them
are high sycophants, some like puppies, the others claim calmly.
Dignity and beauty were forgotten long ago. No republic among them
will tell the USA "that will do, at last you’re neither our uncle
aunt, all the more, nor our mother or mother". On the contrary they
will cry (like unsatisfied chickens), if they get something not
enough. What’s the interest of the USA? What do US demand instead? US
demand only one. Don’t live radically. Don’t destabilize the world
where life is comfortable for me. That’s why you must live publicly,
transparently, justly. It’s American interest. It’s not less. It’s
the security guarantee for the USA and the others. Because there will
not be threat from such countries for the world. 4. Let’s bring some
facts and arguments for above written. From 1945 to 2006 the USA
spent 3.2 trillions of dollars for keeping stabilization in the Near
East. Economic and military help made up 850 billions of dollars for
the states of the region. The same takes place in other regions of
the world. For example, in Pyrenees, 1946-1965 years US financial aid
to Portugal made up 516.7 000 000 of dollars. Today’s Europe and
Japan rose from post-war ruins due to American aid. 5. So, if the USA
have the right to be the chief in the world. To be "a world
policeman". Many countries want to see America in the role of social
official philanthropist. It’s impossible. The music is ordered by
those who pay for it. The difference of the USA from the world,
regional and other order-makers is in the question that he’s safe for
other nations because authorities of US are restricted in their needs
and actions. They are restricted and controlled by the fairest, the
most practicable Constitution and really acting public institutes. 6.
This topic is wide. It must be looked through in complex with other
Powers, their behaviour and actions. Today, we simply want to
concentrate the attention on some facts. Reachable facts for their
eyes and ears also to make the majority of our readers get into the
habit of analyzing facts and events selfly, seldom, when they are
essential.

Panorama.am

14:12 01/12/2007

HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT HAVE GREAT FREEDOM IN ROTATION SYSTEM

This is the second year that the rotation system has been introduced
into the higher educational establishments of Armenia. The main
principle is that students on tuition fee may be transferred to free
of charge system in case they demonstrate high achievement. The same
is true for the students on free education who may be transferred to
paid tuition system in case they lower their achievement.

Department head at the ministry of education and science Sasun
Melikyan was asked by Panorama.am about the number of students who
shifted from one system to another, to which Melikyan answered: `These
calculations are made by the higher educational establishments and
they do not report to us.’ He also said the ministry does not
supervise that and higher educational establishment have great freedom
in deciding on such matters.

Source: Panorama.am

Central Asia General Newswire
November 29, 2007 Thursday 5:03 PM MSK

Armenia to join international uranium enrichment center in Angarsk

YEREVAN Nov 29

Armenia has decided to join the Russian-Kazakh agreement on the
establishment of an international uranium enrichment center in
Angarsk in the Irkutsk region, the Armenian government said.

A document on an additional survey of Armenian uranium deposits will
be drafted soon.

According to the preliminary reports, Armenia has no less than 30,000
tonnes of uranium. An additional survey may increase the size of
these reserves by 1.5-2 times.

Russia and Kazakhstan signed the agreement in Astana in early May.

Federal Atomic Energy Agency Director Sergei Kiriyenko said that the
center would begin operations as soon as a third participant joined
the project.

Ukraine is also considering the possibility of joining the project,
Kiriyenko said.

PRESS RELEASE December 1, 2007
NAREK Bell Choir of St. Mary
4125 Fessenden Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Contact: Leon Khoja-Eynatyan
Tel: 202-363-1923; E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

NAREK BELL CHOIR RECEIVES THEIR SECOND ARMENIAN MUSIC AWARD

On November 23, 2007, 9th Annual Armenian Music Awards ceremony took place
at the Gibson Amphitheater, Universal City, California. There were more than
70 nominees for 23 nominations.

The NAREK Bell Choir of St. Mary CD "Let There Be Light" was named the Best
Liturgical Album of the Year.

This is their second Armenian Music Award. Our first CD "Gloria in Excelsis"
which was produced in collaboration with Junior Choir of Sts. Sahag and
Mesrob Church from Providence, RI won this Award in 2005 in the Best
Liturgical, Spiritual, Inspirational Album category.

The CD is the product of 3 years of research, arrangements and recording of
the rare music hard to find in print. This was result of the collaboration
of NAREK Bell Choir with Dr. Socrates Boyajian, Music Director of St. Mary
Armenian Church in Washington, DC.

Fr. Kalayjian was simply too proud for the accomplishments of the NAREK Bell
Choir registered during the relatively short span of its existence since
2000.

There are 40 tracks on this CD. The Bell Choir recorded 5 excerpts `Soorp
Asdvatz’, Marmeen Deroonagan’, `Krisdos Ee Mech’, `Hayr mer’ and `Amen.
Yegheetsee’ from the musical settings of the Divine Liturgies from the
following composers: Pietro Bianchini, Magar Yegmalian, Levon Chilngirian,
Amy Apcar, Gomidas, Edgar Manas, Khoren Mekanejian and Socrates Boyajian.

16-page insert has an article about the Music of Liturgy of the Armenian
Church and the musical notes about each Liturgy and its composers. The
translation and the texts of each excerpt are included in the insert as
well.

The part of this CD was recorded in Armenia during NAREK Bell Choir historic
tour to our Motherland in 2005 and the whole work was completed in
Washington in the Spring of 2006.

This CD was produced with the support from the District of Columbia
Commission of Arts and Humanities and with support from Caspar M. Kasparian
Memorial Fund.

"Let There Be Light" has been also nominated for the WAMMIES 2007 (the
Washington Area Music Awards).

PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL TAKES POLICE AGENCY TO COURT OVER ELIGIBILITY
By Karine Kalantarian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Dec 3 2007

A Yerevan court has until Tuesday evening to rule on whether opposition
member Aram Karapetian is eligible to stand for president in next
year’s election.

Last week, the Visa and Passport Department of the Armenian police
denied the leader of the Nor Zhamanakner party evidence of his 10-year
permanent residence in Armenia invoking data showing his absence from
the republic in the period from 1997 to 2002.

Karapetian, who was allowed to participate in the presidential election
in 2003 with evidence of his Armenia residence provided by the same
police agency, filed a court action last week seeking to be reinstated
in his right to contest the February 19 vote.

Appearing before court on Monday, Karapetian, who has extensive
business connections in Moscow, Russia, submitted a number of petitions
indicating the sources of proof that he has permanently resided in the
republic in the past decade, including the Central Election Commission,
the military enlistment office, the police of the Davidashen district
of Yerevan where he claims to be registered, and others.

Hovannes Kocharian, representing the police department in court, asked
for two days to be given to the respondent to study the materials
related to the case.

But Karapetian, who filed his lawsuit on November 29, reminded the
court that under the law such disputes need to be resolved within a
five-day period the longest.

"Otherwise I will consider it a gross violation of law and a political
order from the police," Karapetian warned.

To save time, Karapetian agreed to withdraw five of his six petitions,
and only asked the court to consider his registration for the 2003
presidential election as a precedent and order all necessary document
proof from the archives. The judge scheduled the next hearing for
Tuesday.

The police representative in court declined to talk to RFE/RL, saying
he "has no powers" to give interviews to the media.

Meanwhile, Karapetian told reporters that legally his lawsuit cannot
be rejected, but at the same time he expressed conviction that in
the end the court will make a "political decision."

"A political order will be accepted and corresponding political
actions will be carried out," Karapetian said. "No matter whether
I am disqualified from the race or not, I am convinced the upcoming
elections will provide the grounds for changing these authorities."

All potential candidates seeking registration in Armenian presidential
elections are required to produce evidence of 10-year citizenship
and permanent residence in Armenia.

Potential candidates have until Thursday evening to submit
nomination-related documents to the Central Election Commission for
registration.

RUSSIAN "GAZPROMBANK" PURCHASED 80% SHARES OF "AREXIMBANK"

Mediamax Agency
Dec 3 2007
Armenia

Yerevan, December 3 /Mediamax/. Russian "Gazprombank" gained approval
of the Central Bank of Armenia and purchased 80.09% shares of
"Areximbank" CJSC.

Mediamax reports that the sum of the deal is not disclosed.

The press service of "Gazprombank" noted that the decision on
acquisition of "Areximbank" "is conditioned by the growing trade
turnover between the two countries, the growth of investments of
Russian companies into the Armenian economy, corporate customers’
need of complex banking maintenance, as well as the need of funding of
"Gazprom" OJSC projects in the territory of Armenia".

"Gazprom" noted that the main directions of "Areximbank" activities
will be the account-cash operations, crediting, trade and project
funding for large corporate customers. The potential customers
of "Areximbank" are large companies from Armenia and subsidiary
organizations of Russian enterprises.

"Areximbank" will continue providing services to individuals as well.

The First Vice-President of "Gazprombank" Olga Kazanskaya stated
that "in medium-term prospect, "Areximbank" will become one of the
leaders of the banking system of Armenia in the sphere of financing
strategically important branches of the country’s economy".

Mediamax notes that the structure of "Areximbank" share-holders had the
following composition: "Finmarket" CJSC – 52.08%, "Impexbank" OJSC –
19.91% and "ROSKRED RESOURCES AND CONSULTING LIMITED" LLC – 28.01%.

Basing on the fact that "Gazprombank" purchased 80.09% of "Areximbank"
CJSC, one may come to a conclusion that "Finmarket" CJSC and "ROSKRED
RESOURCES AND CONSULTING LIMITED" LLC sold their shares of the Armenian
bank and the Russian "Impexbank" remained the owner of 19.91% of
"Areximbank".