Author: Emil Lazarian

RUSSIA: BAD WEATHER CONFIRMED AS REASON FOR ARMENIAN AIRBUS CRASH

NTV Mir, Moscow
11 May 06

A Russian aviation official has been giving details of what happened
when an Armenian Airbus crashed into the Black Sea on 2 May, the
Russian external TV service NTV Mir reported on 11 May.

The head of the air accident investigations department at the
Interstate Aviation Committee, Aleksey Morozov, said: “It has been
established that in the process of coming in to land on runway 06
for which permission had been granted – and I stress permission had
been granted – bad weather led the air traffic controller to order
the crew to halt its descent, make a right turn and gain height. The
aircraft began its right turn and ascent but then began to come down
and hit the surface of the water.”

The information comes from recordings of conversations between the crew
and air traffic control in Adler, the presenter said. In addition,
he said, a Sochi airport official has denied rumours that the air
traffic controller who was speaking to the plane had vanished. He
will be at work tomorrow and there are no complaints against him.

“BUSINESS CLASS” LEFT OEP
Anna Israelian

Aravot.am
11 May 06

As the businessmen entered into “Orinats Erkir” for insuring their
business as well as they leave the party for not threatening it.

Yesterday it became clear that those “OEP” members together with
Arthur Baghdasarian who voted against the account of the realization
of privatization of State Estate in 2001-2003 or were absent on 13 of
April don’t leave the party. And almost all deputies who abstained from
the voting /Samvel Shahgaldian, Grigor Margarian, Alexan Petrosian,
Sayad Zakharian, Arshak Mkhitarian/ have written settlements for
leaving the group without explanations. OEP deputy leader Mher
Shahgeldian didn’t interpret the circumstance that 13 deputies from
20 remained in the group. Giving the same answer to all questions;
” We’ll express our official position and approaches one of these
days”. And Hovhannes Margarian simply mentioned that “Orinats Erkir”
had 62 thousand members and it wasn’t a tragedy if 61994 remained.

Instead, the official newspaper of “Orinats Erkir” gives sharp
appraisals.

The main hero of the newspaper is the RPA group leader Galust Sahakian
where it is written; “Each negative speech pronounced by him gives
more results as everybody knows him” but it is mentioned in one of
the publications that there are people who become nervous hearing
Arthur Baghdasarian’s name and his party. First is Galust Sahakian,
that is the RPA parliamentary group leader. It is very interesting
that Galust Sahakian began speaking about “behavior”. But we can
hardly bear it when a person speaks about what he doesn’t have. But
we have always thought that a politician like him must think in first
what he speaks about. For example what Mr. Sahakian thought when he
said that the RPA was against Arthur Baghdasarian’s candidacy as the
NA chairman in 2003.”

There are affirmations that the OEP group distraction had been
coordinated by the President’s personnel, to our question whether
the RPA was interested in it Mr. Sahakian answered; “We don’t have
any connection with it and don’t welcome such demonstrations”. The
explanation of the RPA group why businessmen deputies leave the party
was the following; “I don’t think that this have connection with
business. Simply people felt themselves cheated”. We were interested
whether he had spoken to those deputies, is he sure that they feel
themselves cheated and Mr. Sahakian answered; ” It’s natural that I
have spoken as I also have friendly relations with some of them.

Thus, the OEP is the forth group by its quantity and yields as the RPA
and “People’s deputy” as well as “Justice”. Anyway its representative
can lead the parliament at request. Galust Sahakian assures that they
won’t demand Arthur Baghdasarian’s resignation; “I think we shouldn’t
change the formats and rules of the game in the half way”. But he also
mentioned if Arthur Baghdasarian “sends in his resignation I’ll respect
him more”. But OEP representatives don’t interpret the published news
that Arthur Baghdasarian was ready to take the step by which Galust
Sahakian would respect him. But the OEP deputies assured him not to
take that step. Hovhannes Margarian simply mentioned that OEP leader
doesn’t want to keep his post and authority. And Mher Shahgeldian
repeating Arthur Baghdasarian’s words said; “If we consider that
discrepancies and dissents are so much that it is impossible to work
together we can leave the coalition. This is our approach”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RECALLED TURKISH ENVOYS RETURN TO POST IN FRANCE, CANADA

Anatolia news agency
11 May 06

Ankara, 11 May: Turkey’s ambassadors to France and Canada returned to
their posts on Thursday after having consultations in Turkish capital
of Ankara regarding so-called Armenian genocide allegations.

Turkey’s Ambassador in Paris Osman Koruturk and Ambassador in Ottawa
Aydemir Erman arrived in Ankara at the beginning of this week to have
consultations over recent baseless Armenian genocide allegations in
these two countries.

Koruturk and Erman participated in meetings held at the Turkish Foreign
Ministry, and were received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Canadian parliament has adopted a resolution, acknowledging the
Armenian claims, while Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have
made remarks in which he qualified unfounded Armenian allegations as
“genocide”.

On the other hand, French parliament will debate a bill on May 18th
which makes any denial of the so-called Armenian genocide a crime.

SITTING OF COMMISSION COORDINATING WORKING OUT OF RA NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY TO TAKE PLACE ON MAY 17

Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The 5th sitting of the interdepartment
commission coordinating works of working out the draft to the RA
National Security Strategy will take place on May 17, instead of May
12 stated beforehand. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by Colonel
Seyran Shahsuvarian, the RA Defence Ministry’s Press Secretary.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BRONZE MEMORIAL PLAQUE SYMBOLIZING TIE OF ARMENIAN, ITALIAN AND PERSIAN CULTURES OPENED IN TOWER OF MILVIO BRIDGE OF ROME

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 11 2006

ROME, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the occasion of
establishing friendship of three bridges, Milvio bridge of Rome,
Allahverdi-khan of Ispahan, Sanahin bridge of Alaverdi, Ambassador
of Armenia to Italy Ruben Shugarian participated on May 4 in the
colemn ceremony of placing the bronze memorial plaque in the tower
of the Milvio bridge of Rome. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, by the “Zatik”
Italian Armenian friendship association’s proposal, the event was
initiated by the joint efforts of the Rome XX community office,
Embassies of Armenia and Iran to Italy: the goal was to symbolize
the close historic-artistic ties among three different but at the
same time rich and important cultures.

Officials of the Rome Mayor’s Office, Ambassador of Iran to the
Holy Throne, Gaetano de Sanctis Lycee Director, representatives of
the “Zatik” association as well as the Armenian community of Italy
and the Armenian Apostolic Church participated as well. During the
speech Ambassador Ruben Shugarian particularly mentioned that today
we do not only fix establishing of friendship of the sister bridges
but also build them and build at the time when there are unsolved
and continuing conflicts and wars in the world. Those present were
informed that a similar event will take place in Sanahin as well
for the further generations remember the dialogue of Armenia, Italy,
Iran three civilizations.

Within the context if cultures are different from each other, Gaetano
de Sanctis Lycee Director proposed to present in his institute the
Armenian Genocide as well during the day dedicated to Oswiencim. The
“Zatik” Association Director assured that the association will continue
to work in the direction of lightening cultural and religious loneless
of Armenia. It was mentioned that the cities of Ispahan and Alaverdi
got similar memorial plaques as well to place at the corresponding
bridges. The ceremony was finished by blessing of a representative
of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EXPORTS FROM ARMENIA DECLINE BY 5.6% IN JANUARY-MARCH 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR, IMPORTS GROW BY 13.6%

Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-March 2006, Armenia’s foreign
trade turnover made 273 bln 508.7 mln drams or 606.4 mln USD. According
to the RA National Statistical Service, commodity exports amounted
to 83 bln 131.3 mln drams or 184.4 mln USD, while imports – to 190
bln 377.4 mln drams or 422 mln USD. The foreign trade balance was
negative by 107 bln 246.1 mln drams (237.6 mln USD), without cargos
received as humanitarian aid – by 102 bln 682.9 mln drams (227.5 mln
USD). In the period under review, exports declined by 5.6% on the same
periood of 2005, whereas imports grew by 13.6%. In the first quarter
of 2006, exports to CIS countries amounted to 36 mln USD (a 8.8%
increase on January-March 2005), while imports – to 140.2 mln USD
(a 28.6% increase), including exports of about 19 mln USD to Russia
(a 4.4% decline) and imports of 55.6 mln USD from Russia (a 31.9%
growth), and exports of 12 mln USD to Georgia (a 33.4% growth) and
imports of 7.4 mln USD from Georgia (a 256.5%).

Exports to European Union countries made about 100 mln USD (a 10%
growth), imports from EU countries – 114.6 mln USD (a 17.1% growth),
including exports of 24 mln USD to Belgium (a 4.8% decline) and imports
of 27.6 mln USD from Belgium (a 22.9% decline), exports of 33.8 mln
USD to Germany (a 11.4% decline) and imports of 29.2 mln USD from
Germany (a 60.6% growth), exports of 28.6 mln USD from the Netherlands
(a 49.3% growth) and imports of 2.8 mln USD from the Netherlands
(a 19% growth). Exports to Israel – another large trade partner of
Armenia made 16.6 mln USD (a 49.9% decline) and imports from that
country amounted to 24.2 mln USD (a 32.3% decline), exports to the US
made 25.8 mln USD (a 25.8% increase) and imports from the US – 20.5
mln USD (a 12.8% increase). In the first quarter of 2006, exports
of plastic goods, rubber and articles made of rubber grew 10.6fold
on the same period of last year, exports of art works – by 212.4%,
exports of footwear, head-gear and umbreallas – by 130.4%, and exports
of devices grew by 76.4%. The most considerable decline in exports
was registered in the commodity group of various industrial goods –
18.5%, as well as live animals and production of organic origin –
17.1%, machines, equipment and mechanisms – 16.6%, and precious and
semiprecious stones, precious metals and items made of them – 14.8%.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WORKS OF SANITARY CLEANING AND PLANTING OF GREENERY CONTINUED IN VAYOTS DZOR

Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006

YEGHEGNADZOR, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Deadlines of the month of sanitary
cleaning and planting of greenery stated on March 20 were postponed
in the marz of Vayots dzor till in late May. As of May 10, works of
sanitary cleaning were implemented in 44 communities of the marz,
in 34 of which trees were planted as well. For the tree planting,
the Governor’s Office allocated about 35 thousand plants of ash-trees
to the communities. Community heads’ offices, public organizations
and individual citizens bought other 10 thousand plants. Members of
the “Miasnutyan Tsaratunk” (Unity Tree Planting) office headed by RA
Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian planted trees in the communities
of Yelpini and Vernashen on May 7.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NOYEMBERIAN POLICEMEN POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED WITH MEDALS “FOR HEROIC DEED”

Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006

NOYEMBERIAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. A memory event dedicated to the
15th anniversary of martyrdom of 12 policemen and 2 drivers of the
Noyemberian Internal Affairs Departmet took place in Noyemberian on
May 6. They died in 1991 in the forest of Voskepar, during the the
Soviet Armed Forces’ attack. Deputy Chief Officer of the RA Police
Hovhannes Hunanian made public the RA Police Chief Officer’s decree
about awarding policemen from Noyemberian died while defending the
border of the Fatherland with the medal “For Heroic Deed.” Financial
aids were given to the martyrs’ relatives by the Tavush Governor’s
Office, Noyemberian Mayor’s Office and “Bargavaj Hayastan” (Prospering
Armenia) party.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A FAMILY DYNASTY AT COLDWELL BANKER IN PASADENA
By Katina Dunn

Arcadia Weekly, CA
May 11 2006

Mabel Agojian Besides being a realtor and mom, Agojian is also a
new grandmother, or Medz Mama – which means Big Mama in the Armenian
language.

For Mother’s Day this weekend, Agojian will wait and hear what deal
her children have in mind for her. “I am expecting my kids to come
up with a great proposal,” she said.

It is the dream of many mothers to work alongside their children,
and Mabel Agojian is one lucky mom to work with her two. All three
are realtors in the same Coldwell Banker office. “It was so different
when we were home and I was the boss and they were the kids,” said
Agojian. “Now I have to accept that we are equals. I’ve learned if
parents work with their kids, the parents just have to listen to them
more,” she said.

“It’s a big switch,” said Agojian.

When her children were little they watched her work on the telephone
and make deals and became inspired. “I think they admired the
business,” she said. Her own mother, Angele, taught her to “never
give up” which she says is valuable advice for selling real estate,
and a message she imparts to her own kids. “Her name means angel and my
mother was really an angel. Everybody’s mother is their angel, right?”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA ADOPTS 12-YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

Lragir.am
11 May 06

Since September 2006 Armenian schools will adopt 12-year secondary
education. The transition will be finally over in 2009, and in 2009
a three-grade secondary education will be declared. On May 11 the
government of Armenia approved provisions in the law on education on
transition to a 12-year school education. Under these provisions,
children will go to school at the age of six instead of the former
6.5. But in September 2006 both 6 and 6.5-year-old children will be
admitted. There will be two first grades, says Deputy Minister of
Education Norayr Ghukasyan. The six-year-old children will study for
12 years and the 6.5 year-old-children will study for 11 years. Since
2007 children will go to school at the age of 6. This transition
implies change of textbooks and syllabuses. The teaching staffs will
be retrained. Elementary school will include 1-4 grades instead of
the former 1-3, 5-9 grades will be considered middle school, 10-12
grades will be senior school.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress