Author: Emil Lazarian

REFUGEES HAVE TO PAY FOR ENTRY VISA TO ARMENIA

Panorama.am
19:37 21/07/06

Armenian nationals continue to arrive to Armenia from Lebanon. Tonight
two Armavia airliners arrived in Yerevan having 219 people on
board. Most of them are Lebanese citizens. On the Armenian boarder
many of them faced the problem of paying for visa. Press Secretary
of ministry of foreign affairs Vladimir Karapetyan explained that
"citizens of other countries have to pay $30 for entry visa as is the
usual procedure." Another group of 128 will arrive in Yerevan through
Tel Aviv next Sunday, with 53 children among them. /Panorama.am/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA FOUNDATION TO RECONSTRUCT ST. ECHMIADZIN CHURCH IN TBILISI

Lragir.am
21 July 06

In July 2006 Armenia Foundation will start the reconstruction of St.
Echmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, the department of public relations of
Armenia Foundation reports. Recently the project was put out to tender,
and a Georgian company won. This company specializes in reconstruction
of churches.

The reconstruction will be carried out in two stages. In the first
stage the problem of preservation of the structure will be solved. In
the second stage the building will be reinforced. The first stage
will end in December 2006.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VAZGEN MANOUKIAN: NO SETTLEMENT CAN BE REACHED, IF AZERBAIJAN DOESN’T
ACCEPT THAT NAGORNO KARABAKH IS OUT OF ITS STRUCTURE

AZG Armenian Daily #135, 20/07/2006

Opinion

The statement by American Co-Chair Matthew Bryza about Minsk Group
resigning mediation between Armenia and Azerbaijan was a mere
attempt to exert psychological pressure upon the conflict sides,
Vazgen Manukian, leader of the

‘National-Democratic Union’ party, said. He believed that the Armenian
politicians usually exaggerate the influence of the OSCE Minks Group on
the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said that there was only
once in the history when the international structures forced a state to
cede territories to another: Adolf Hitler was given the Sudet region of
Czechoslovakia so as to prevent the war, but nevertheless it unfolded
a year after. He added that even if ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian
had ceded the security zone territories, still Azerbaijan would not
stop claiming Karabakh for its own, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipe line would still go round Armenia. Vazgen Manukian admitted
that the new suggestions by the Minsk Group are more profitable for
Armenia than the previous ones that President Ter-Petrosian was about
to sign. He assured that in any case none of the project could insure
peace in Karabakh, as they do not provide for the determination of
the status of Nagorno Karabakh, the cause of the conflict. The new
project contains another dangerous term – return of Azeri refugees
to Karabakh, which can provoke new skirmish among the population.

By Marieta Khachatrian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DAYS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE TO BE HELD IN SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA, HUNGARY AND CZECH REPUBLIC

BRATISLAVA, JULY 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the initiative
of Ashot Grigorian, President of the Armenian community of Slovakia
and of the Armenian organizations’ representation of Europe, Days of
Armenian culture will be organized in Slovakia and in the countries
of Central Europe (Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic) from
September 2006 to January 2007. The events are dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia.

The opening of the Armenian days is planned in Bratislava in September.
Performers of classic and folk songs are invited to the opening
ceremony. They will also perform in Vienna and Budapest. Hasmik
Gabrielian, Armenian pianist from Slovakia and Michael Ziachek,
Slovak duduk and saxophone player, will also take part in the opening
ceremony.

The Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia, with the participation of
famous Canadian Armenian pianist Catherine Manukian, which are invited
to the World Festival of Classic Music of Bratislava on October 3,
are also included in the program within the framework of days of
Armenian culture.

In November, the concerts of the world-famous "Komitas" string quartet
are envisaged in Vienna and in other cities. In December, on the
eve of Christmas, a concert will be held with the participation of
music stars of Slovakia and Austria. And on January 11, a concert
planned in the Big Hall of the State Philharmonia of Bratislava,
with the participation of world-famous Armenian musician, violinist
Sergey Khachatrian, will close the Days of Armenian culture in the
countries of Central Europe.

As Ashot Grigorian mentioned in the interview with the Noyan Tapan
correspondent, an agreement of cooperation is already gained with the
RA Minister of Culture and the World Armenian Congress. The Armenian
communities of Austria and Hungary will take part in the cultural days:
joint work with the community heads Hayk Asenbauer and Adam Sargsian
is underway. Heads and members of the National Council and Government
of Slovakia, diplomats, official guests from Armenia and European
countries will take part in the opening and closing ceremonies.

According to Ashot Grigorian, due to this event, these European
countries will get acquainted with the Armenian culture more closely,
which in its turn will promote the adoption of Armenian Genocide
resolutions in this countries’ parliaments. He mentioned that after
the adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the National
Council of Slovakia, good preconditions have been created for the
adoption of such resolutions in the neighbor countries. In particular,
the parliament of Poland approved a respective resolution.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANCA CHALLENGES REP. BURTON’S ATTACK ON NAGORNO KARABAGH

Washington, DC, July 19. ArmInfo. The Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) responded today to a July 17th speech on the House
floor by Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) that seriously misrepresented
Nagorno Karabagh’s history, status, and right to self-determination.

ANCA reports that the Indiana legislator took to the House
floor yesterday in an apparent attempt to undermine the growing
Congressional support for Nagorno Karabagh – as demonstrated by the
successful recent Washington, DC visit and U.S. Capitol reception for
the Parliamentary Speaker and Foreign Minister of the Republic of
Nagorno Karabagh. Commenting on what he perceived as a pro-Nagorno
Karabagh tilt among U.S. legislators, Rep. Burton stressed that:
"Any outside influence, any shift in neutrality can only result in
a false peace. That is why I am deeply concerned when I hear some of
my colleagues throwing barbs at the Azeris and attempting to lay all
the blame for this complicated issue at their doorstep."

In a factually incorrect statement, he sought to call into question
Nagorno Karabagh’s right to self-determination, asserting that:
"So far as I know, the Nagorno-Karabakh region has never been a part
of Armenia. To suggest otherwise, and to suggest that the problems
in Nagorno-Karabakh are caused solely by Azerbaijan seems to me to
distort the facts and potentially undermine our good faith efforts
to see this conflict resolved; and to see peace and prosperity come
to the people of both Azerbaijan and Armenia."

In a three-page fact sheet sent to every Congressional office, the
ANCA challenged Congressman Burton’s inaccurate description of the
Nagorno Karabagh issue as well as the biased and counter-productive
advice he offered to his House colleagues. The key points addressed
in the ANCA document included:

1) Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to peace

2) Azerbaijan’s threat to regional stability

3) Nagorno Karabagh’s economic growth

4) Nagorno Karabagh’s right to self-determination

5) Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to democracy

6) Nagorno Karabagh’s pivotal role in ending the Soviet threat
to America

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaruhi Harutyunyan of Armenia bagged her fourth title of 2006 in Scotland

ArmRadio.am
20.07.2006 12:33

Armenia’s hope in world tennis, Zaruhi Harutyunyan of Armenia bagged
her fourth title of 2006 in Scotland, demolishing in the final
Anastasia Nebojanko 6-1, 6-2 who in the semi finals had eliminated
tournament number one Alexa Guarachi of the United States.

However, Harutyunyan’s true determination and champion characteristics
in the Scottish Championships emerged in the semi finals – when she
fought off all odds – against Caitlin Smith, 7-6(4), 6-7(6),7-5.

A position in the top 200 is now well in her grasp and if she continues
this winning tempo her chase for a Grand Slam participation may come
much sooner than we all anticipate.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

250 RA citizens and Armenians left Beirut for Syria

ArmRadio.am
20.07.2006 15:09

The Armenian Embassy in Beirut continues evacuation of its citizens
from Lebanon. Acting Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Vladimir Karapetyan informs that 5 buses are currently transporting
250 passengers to Aleppo from Beirut. Up to the Syrian border they
will be accompanied by two collaborates of the Armenian Embassy, who
will help to cross the border, considering the large accumulation of
those willing to leave Lebanon. Under normal conditions the trip from
Beirut to Aleppo takes 6-7 hours. Now it will last longer because of
the overcrowding and congestion. According to Vladimir Karapetyan,
in addition to the 250 people who have already been evacuated, names
of another 50-60 are included in the lists of the Armenian Embassy in
Beirut. Vladimir Karapetyan refuted the reports that the Israeli troops
started bombarding the Christian districts. "The Christian districts
are not being attacked. Yesterday a lorry was intentionally exploded,
and this brought about the reports on the attacks of the Christian
districts," he noted.

In the Spokesman’s words, about 70 percent of those who left Lebanon
with the support of RA Embassy are Armenian citizens.

"The Embassy assists only those who apply the Embassy," Vladimir
Karapetyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Regional Basketball Federation of CIS and Baltic states to be established

ArmRadio.am
20.07.2006 16:14

During the meeting in Druskininkay, Lithuania Presidents of Basketball
Federations of Armenia, Russia, Lithuania, Moldova and Belarus agreed
to establish a regional basketball federation of CIS and Baltic
states. This will provide an opportunity to basketball players of
these countries to hold joint tournaments.

President of RA Basketball Federation Hrachya Rostomyan informed
that the corresponding agreement is to be signed in September. Most
probably, Estonia and Latvia will also joint the contract.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Informal CIS Top Summit Opening in Moscow July 21

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.07.2006 13:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 2-day informal summit of the leaders of the CIS
member states is opening in Moscow tomorrow. Turkmenistani President
Saparmurat Niyazov, who seems to avoid such meetings lately, is
most likely not to arrive in the Russian capital. The arrival of
Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko is also doubted. The agenda of
the summit includes two principal issues – the assessment of global
developments and the CIS reformation. "Being the CIS chairman the
Russian President invited his counterparts to arrive in Moscow for
an informal summit without a precisely outlined agenda and discuss
the ways of CIS reformation," said assistant to the Russian leader
Sergey Prikhodko, reported Vzglyad.

Presidents of Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are expected to attend the summit.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA POSTS 11.8 PERCENT GDP GROWTH IN HALF 1

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenia GDP in the first half of 2006
rose to 809.235 billion Drams, posting an 11.8 percent year-on-year
growth. The growth against May was 40.7 percent.

Armstat said industrial output, not counting indirect taxes, amounted
to 300.7 billion Drams. Not counting diamond sector, the figure was
299.1 billion Drams, while not counting power, gas, water production
and distribution it was 244.6 billion Drams.

Armenia produced in the first half of 2006 3.2 billion kilowatt hours
electricity, down 7 percent from a year ago. Agricultural output in
this time span was 118.9 billion Drams, which was 7.2 percent higher
from a year ago.

The volume of major construction, in money terms, was 165.6 billion
drams, 32 percent higher on year-on-year terms. The volume of retain
trade across the country rose to 320.7 billion Drams, a 12 percent
increase from a year ago.