Author: Emil Lazarian

NKR FOREIGN TRADE GROWS BY 15.2% IN 2005

Noyan Tapan
Apr 27 2006

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2005, the gross domestic
product (GDP) of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) made 51.4 bln
drams. The gross agricultural output made 21.1 bln drams, exceeding
the previous year’s index by 5.6%. The volume of construction work
done at the expense of all sources of financing amounted to 12.6 bln
drams, increasing by 37.8% on 2004. In the year under review, the
NKR foreign trade made 133.1 mln USD (a 15.2% growth compared with
2004). Last year the retail commodity turnover reached 42.7 bln drams
in the NKR, the paid services to the population – 5.4 bln drams. In
January-December 2005, the average exchange rate of one US dollar
made 457.8 drams (in 2004 – 532.1 drams) in the NKR, that of 1 euro –
570.7 drams (in 2004 – 660.7 drams).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS ON ALL STATES OF ORGANIZATION OF BSEC TO RECONSIDER THEIR APPROACHES TOWARDS ISSUE OF REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006

BUCHAREST, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 14th
meeting of Committee of Foreign Ministers of Organization of Black
See Economic Cooperation (BSEC) states was held in Bucharest. The
Armenian delegation taking part in the meeting is headed by Deputy
Foreign Minister of Armenia Arman Kirakosian. The heads of the
foreign political departments of the countries of Organization of
BSEC discussed the events held during Romania’s chairmanship, in
particular, the results of the meetings of working groups in the
sphere of transport, internal affairs, ecology, energy, science,
technologies, customs services and tourism. They exchanged opinions
about perspective issues of cooperation within the framework of the
Organization of BSEC. The Bucharest Declaration was adopted as a
result of the meeting. Arman Kirakosian in his speech, in particular,
emphasized the supremacy of the idea of realistic partnership in
the issue of smoothing over the disagreements existing among some
members of the organization. RA Deputy Foreign Minister called on all
country-participants to reconsider their approaches towards the issue
of regional infrastructures, especially towards relaunching railways
and motorways, emphasizing the economic profit from relaunching
of the Kars-Gyumri railway. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA
Foreign Ministry Press Service, during the Committee’s meeting
representative of Greece, first Ambassador of Greece in Armenia
Leonidas Chrysanthopulos was elected the Secretary General of the
International Secretariate of Organization of BSEC. From May 1 2006,
the Russian Federation will assume chairmanship in the Organization
of BSEC.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JUDY BADY CONVINCED THAT JOINT CONCERT OF ARMENIAN AND AMERICAN JAZZ MUSICIANS WILL BE HARMONIOUS SYNTHESIS OF TWO ARTS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 27 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. “I am very glad to be in Armenia. I
had never been to this country before, but during a few days of my
stay in Armenia I have even managed to learn some Armenian words. The
Armenians are warm and hospitable people,” solo singer Judy Bady,
the head of the Judy Bady American jazz quartet, said at the April
27 press conference. Judy Bady has arrived in Armenia in connection
with the Jazz Days organized by the U.S Embassy for already the
fifth year. According to the American singer, her teacher was
Armenian pianist Armen Danielian who in his turn was the pupil of
famous American musician Billy Hamper. Judy Bady started her musical
activity from early childhood: at first she sang at the church,
then attended a musical college and studied at many well-known
musicians. “In spite of the fact that my teacher was Armenian by
nationality, I am not so much familiarized with the works of the
Armenian jazz musicians. I hope I will get to know them closer during
the April 29 joint concert with Armenian jazz musicians,” Judy Bady
said. According to the singer, elements of the Armenian jazz are
also included in the American jazz works to be performed at the
joint concert, which, in all probability, will be a successful and
harmonious synthesis of two arts. The traditional events dedicated to
the month of jazz organized by the U.S. Embassy Department of Culture
started on April 26 in Yerevan: the “Pictures from an Exhibition”
dance ensemble presented the “American Suite” jazz dance performance
at the hall of Hakob Paronian Theater of Musical Comedy. The same day
the “Jazz Colors” painting contest was also held with participation
of young painters. On April 29, within the framework of Jazz Days,
the American and Armenian jazz musicians will perform a joint concert
program at Alexander Spendiarian National Academic Theater of Opera
and Ballet and on April 30, jazz-lovers will have an opportunity to
listen to the Judy Bady quartet at the same hall.

ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN IN THE FIRST PLACE

A1+
[01:05 pm] 27 April, 2006

The Yerevan Chess Academy team beat the leader of the tournament –
the Chelyabink “Ural” with the overall 4:2 in the 6th round of the
Russian Youth Chess open championship.

The Chess Academy victory was provided by Hovik Hayrapetyan and
Armine Babayan who were striking in the championship with their
excellent participation.

The Chess Academy tops the fixture table with 11 points after this
victory. The team “Uniline” occupying the 2nd place beat the Yerevan
“Mika” with the overall 4:2.

The adult leader the Ekatirinburg “Ural” beat “Meria” with the score
4.5-1.5 and is in the 1st place now.

Vladimir Hakobyan celebrated the team victory and provided one
point for “Ural.” Levon Aronyan’s team “Tomsk – 400″beat the Samara
“Permosteps” with the overall 3.5-2.5 and is in the 3rd place at
present.

Aronyan tied with Gelfand in the 1st round.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN-FRENCH YOUTH BICYCLE MARATHON TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
27.04.2006 12:30

July 6-20 Armenian-French youth bicycle marathon, featuring 20 French
young sportsmen from Pa-de-Kale, will be held in a number of marzes
of Armenia.

This is already the 5th “Valotur de Armenie” tournament, the French
representatives Dominick de Mori and Didier Payen told “Armenpress.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH HELD IN ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
27.04.2006 15:15

In Armenia food is tasty, people are good and man are attractive. These
are the first impressions of jazz musician Judy Bady. In the framework
of the Jazz Appreciation Month in Armenia, Judy Bady Quartet will
give a concert, featuring Armenian jazzmen.

By the way, Judy Bady worked with American-Armenian pianist Armen
Danielyan and considers him her teacher.

“I see no difference between American and Armenian jazz, although
America is the homeland of jazz. Any culture, presenting jazz
compositions, applies its own national components. In this concert
I want to feel the melodiousness of the Armenian music,” Judy said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LECTURE ON THE IMPACT OF MEDIA LEGISLATION ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN ARMENIA TO BE DELIVERED IN AUA

ArmRadio.am
27.04.2006 16:45

April 29 David Sandukhchyan, Head of the Legal Service of the Internews
Media Support NGO will deliver a lecture on the “Impact of current
media legislation on freedom of speech in Armenia” in the American
University of Armenia.

The lecture will focus on the level of legal protection of journalists
in Armenia, issues of proper regulation of Mass Media activities and
law enforcement, ensuring independence of TV and radio companies,
legislative guarantees of the Mass Media’s independence from state
authorities, imperfect legislation ensuring protection of media
professionals; inadequate application of current legislation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR DELEGATES MIGHT APPEAR AT PACE SOME DAY

Lragir.am
27 April 06

Economic cooperation between Karabakh and Armenia must improve, stated
Deputy Speaker of Armenia Tigran Torosyan in Stepanakert, after the
meeting of the Parliamentary Commission of Armenia and Karabakh in the
capital of NKR. He emphasized that this question would by all means
appear on the agenda of the commission. In answer to the question of
the Lragir why the question occurred now, Tigran Torosyan said there
are issues which require a solution.

Tigran Torosyan told about the activity of the Armenian delegation
to the PACE. In the beginning it was stated that the NKR members of
parliament cannot be included in the Armenian delegation to the PACE.

“They may dream of the day, of course, when they participate as a
separate delegation,” he said. The deputy speaker of Armenia said
the Karabakh issue is intensively discussed by European organizations
in the recent 1 or 2 years. In 2005 the PACE adopted the resolution
#1416 on the conflict over Karabakh, several days ago a resolution
on refugees was adopted and a document on missing persons is being
prepared. Even an ad-hoc committee has been established.

Tigran Torosyan emphasized that so far the Armenian delegation has
managed to insist on the necessity of recognition of the right for
self-determination of the Karabakh people. And it is accepted. For
the PACE resolution, the parties are called for stopping militaristic
statements and preventing another war. However, Tigran Torosyan says
the resolution does not provide for sanctions. Perhaps, the mandate
of the committee of Russell Johnston was prolonged to control the
fulfillment of the resolution.

Commenting on Aliev’s recent statement about a settlement based on
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Tigran Torosyan said we honor
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan but it has nothing to do with
the right of NKR for self-determination. The international community
already accepts this, however it finds that the will for fulfillment
of this right must be confirmed. “Nobody doubts the results of another
referendum if it is ever held,” said Tigran Torosyan.

For the Iran-United States relations, Tigran Torosyan said specific
events by all means have an impact on specific conflicts, however,
“the possible strike of America is not the question that should be
discussed during the meeting of a joint commission.” “I hope America
will not strike, and if it does, it will not affect the settlement
of the conflict,” said Tigran Torosyan.

The question of the Constitution of NKR was also discussed during
the meeting. NKR Deputy Speaker Rudik Hyusnunts announced that the
constitution will have been adopted by the end of this year.

Currently 2 out of 8 chapters are being worked out. In this context
Tigran Torosyan commended the fact that a large number of laws in
the NKR legislation comply with European standards.

Both the Armenian and Karabakh parties assessed the meeting of
the commission as practical. It was stated that the meetings of the
commission are to be held twice a year. Tigran Torosyan promised that
the schedule will be fixed, and another meeting will take place in
the fall. He noted that the level of the meeting with the parliament
of Karabakh is as high as that of meetings with other parliaments.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NOBODY STRUGGLES AGAINST CORRUPTION

Lragir.am
27 April 06

There is no struggle against corruption in Armenia. 79 percent of
readers who participated in the poll of Lragir.am think so. This does
not suggest, however, that the rest of participants think there is
struggle against corruption in Armenia. Our poll lasted for a week,
and over this period not a single reader of Lragir.am replied “yes”
to the question “Is there real struggle in Armenia?” Besides the 79
percent who answered “no,” 14 percent of the readers of Lragir.am,
who voted, find that the struggle is biased. 7 percent chose the answer
“partly.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA FOREIGN MINISTER TO PAY TWO-DAYS VISIT TO NAGORNO KARABAKH

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian will pay on April 27 a two-days visit to the Republic
of Nagorno Karabakh for regular consultations. RA Foreign Minister’s
meetings with the NKR President, heads of the Parliament and Government
as well as with the Foreign Minister are envisaged in Stepanakert. As
Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, Vartan Oskanian will make a speech in the
Stepanakert University as well.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress