Author: Hunanian Jack

ARMEN POGHOSYAN: YEREVAN RESIDENTS’ LIABILITIES FOR WATER AMOUNT TO 3 BILLION AMD

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.11.2009 17:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Yerevan residents’ liabilities for water amount to 3
billion AMD, but it is so-called old debts incurred by residents before
the water meter had been introduced. We decided to ask the government
to pay back this debt, the government has already covered some part
of this debt, " president of the Armenian Association of Consumers
(AAC) Armen Poghosyan told a meeting with reporters on November 5.

Armen Pogosyan stressed that over the past few years in Yerevan, no
cases of mass poisoning from water were observed, but such cases were
recorded in the regions. "This is due to deterioration of pipes,"
the chairman of AAC says. "Network of water pipes of the country
became a sieve, which can cause poisoning.

Armen Poghosyan said that 83 per cent of Yerevan residents receive
water round the clock, but in some areas of the country residents
receive water once every three days.

GPM GOLD INTENDS TO INCREASE MINING VOLUMES IN ARMENIA 2.7-3.7 TIMES

ArmInfo
2009-11-03 16:22:00

ArmInfo. The gold recovery company GPM Gold, which is included in
the GeoProMining Group, intends to increase the ore mining volumes
in Armenia 2.7-3.7 times to 1.5-2 mln t per year, the press-release
of the GeoProMining Office in Armenia says.

The press-release says that GPM Gold is conducting negotiations
with the concessionaire of Armenian Railway – "North Caucaus
Railway" on raising of ore transportation volumes from Sotk
Mine to Ararat in 2010. Preliminary plans include expanding of
Sotk-Vardenis-Hrazdan-Ararat branch line capacity for transportation
of 1,5-2 million ton ore annually.

During the first month after re-commissioning of Ararat plant
(November 2008) the Company mined 21 473 ton ore, in December –
30 410, in January of 2009 mining volumes increased up to 31 285,
and in February – up to 38 000 ton. Presently the company is mining
and processing 45 000 ton ore monthly. In the result, the Company
is producing 30-40 000 ounces of gold annually. With a view to raise
processing and recovery volumes GPM Gold is developing a new investment
program, which suggests re-equipment of Ararat plant. In the result
of such re-equipment, plant productivity will raise up to 80-100 000
ounces of gold annually (1 ounce = 31,1034768 grams).

Russian Company GeoProMining obtained 100% shares of Sterlite Gold
Ltd. from International Vedanta Resources in September of 2007.

Sterlite Gold was the sole owner of AGRC. Investments for acquisition
of the package of Vedanta Resources, repayment of debts, redemption
of stocks from minority shareholders, as well as maintenance of the
project and staff during a year and a half and also re-equipment
of plant have formed more than 160 million USD. GeoProMining Group
is an international private company of diversified metal resources,
founded in 2001. Company’s production is gold in the form of "Dore",
as well as copper, molybdenum and antimony concentrates. The group of
companies are engaged in metal mining in Russia, Armenia and Georgia.

Company’s main assets in Armenia are: Sotk gold mine, Ararat processing
plant and Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Combine.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NOW BEARS HRANT DINK’S NAME

Tert
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

A monument at California State University Sonoma honoring the survivors
and victims of genocides and hate crimes now bears the name of Hrant
Dink, alongside the names of peace activists and visionaries such
as Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Albert Einstein, Vaclav Havel and
Pete Seeger, reports the Hrant Dink Foundation.

Hrant Dink’s name was added in March thanks to the sponsorship of
Armenian organizations in California, which financed a memorial
"brick" in Dink’s honour.

Dink’s widow, Rakel Dink, visited the monument during a September 28 –
October 6 trip to the U.S., where she was hosted by Mgrditch Melkonyan,
pastor of the First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno, California.

FUNNY STORIES ABOUT ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: SERZH SARGSYAN DISPATCHED TO CRUISE
By Jamile

Today
165.html
Nov 3 2009
Azerbaijan

One day Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian convenes an
irregular meeting with his deputies in his study.

Shavarsh Kocharian was the first to come, as always. For some reason
all would come to his ears after everything else – he coordinates
with Nalbandian one, but talks to media the other.

And we know about it not by hearsay… But let’s be back to Edward’s
study.

The next to enter his study was Karina Kazinian clicking her heels.

She was followed by Arman Kirakasia, limping slightly.

So, Edward stood up from his pepperwort, walking nervously to and
fro and thinking about something. Suddenly, he cried:

– It is necessary to do something! It won’t do! Serzh should be saved!

Each of us is thinking about ourselves – it is clear. But it is high
time to think a little bit about nation, motherland, Armenians,
at least. We kept silence and finished badly. Absolutely all are
dissatisfied. Well, people went on strike in the streets, we were
silent, parties voiced their dissatisfaction, we kept silent. We know
how to make all to be silent in Armenia…

However, it is impossible to close eyes on protests of Diaspora. Do
you know what it might lead to finally? Do you realize? Ah, you are
for nothing, you only listen without understanding! But I could invent
something! Let’s send Serzh to cruise, tour, round-the-world voyage,
you only say, it makes no difference to me.

This time Shavarsh broke:

– Is the president aware of that?

– Just to your notice, Shavarshik, Mr. President does not sleep whole
nights now! Mr. President is thinking how to rescue himself! What
policy you are speaking about! Soon you will think about the rate
of dram*, when Diaspora will cease feeding us with money! You find
nothing to do? You’d better to deal with your next interview, call
on anyone just to ask to publish your rubbish talks; you will do good
at least! The best there is to distract the public attention!

Gently attempting to support his counterpart Kirakosian inquired
humbly:

– What will Mr. President do during the tour?

– What a question? He will try to coax the Diaspora, speak about the
"genocide" and take his utmost to soften their position.

And you, Karinushka**, do make arrangements as usual. You know well
what the president may need in his tour. Let them prepare a text of
the president’s address to the Diaspora, and something convincing!…

Dispatching his deputies on "missions", Nalbandian sit comfortably
in his warm chair and thought: "What should we do further? How will
Armenia end the deadlock? What else does Serzh need? In his life
he has made achievements which he had never dreamed – he became the
president of Armenia, no matter through which ways!

Karabakh is quasi a borne in our throat! On one hand, in a meeting
with Diaspora Sargsyan could agree to return Karabakh … he might
agree… though… what he would not like to be exactly is to become
a mechanic anew… and me also!"

—

* Dram – national currency of Armenia ** Karinushka – pet name
for Karina

SYSTEM OF A DOWN REUNION IN THE WORKS?

Metal Underground
etails.cfm?newsid=49847&comments=1
Nov 3 2009

Rumours are beginning to spread that System Of A Down are coming close
to reuniting after three of the four members of the band appeared on
stage together at The Roxy in West Hollywood on Halloween.

Guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian, bass player Shavo Odajian and
drummer John Dolmayan were joined by Frank Perez of Scars On Broadway
for an impromptu set where they played the System Of A Down classic,
"Suite Pee" and the Scars On Broadway song, "They Say." Stay tuned
for more information.

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Nov 1 2009

Foxman: Israeli-Turkish friendship to overcome tensionFont Size: Larger|Smaller

Sunday, November 1, 2009
NEW YORK – Anatolia News Agency

Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman says there is
a deep feeling of friendship between Turkey and Israel that will help
the two countries overcome recent tensions in their relations. The
league also announced its anti-Semitism report during its annual
meeting in New York Anti-Defamation League, or ADL, National Director
Abraham Foxman has said the established Turkish-Jewish friendship will
be able to overcome the recent tensions between the two country.

The ADL is one of the leading Jewish organizations in the United
States and works to stop `anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry,’ and
to defend democratic ideals and protect `civil rights for all.’

Attending the group’s annual meeting in New York City, Foxman said the
Jewish community had always had a `profound feeling of friendship’
toward Turks and Turkey. He added, however, that there have been
various events in recent months that have put this friendship to the
test.

`It hurts more when something goes wrong between friends,’ Foxman
said. `I feel myself very close to Turkey. This is why I feel
disappointment.’

`If Turkey wants to become more friendly with the Muslim-Arab world in
the Middle East, then fine¦ But why should this be at the expense of
Turkey’s friendship with Israel and the Jews?’ he said. `I hope this
is a temporary [situation] and for the return to old strong relations.
I am optimistic; I believe our deep friendly ties will overcome these
events.’

Foxman also said the ADL’s approach to the Armenian claims over the
events of 1915 has not changed. `We continue to oppose a bill being
passed on this subject and welcome the steps taken to establish
relations between Turkey and Armenia,’ he said. `We believe that
problems should be resolved between Turkish and Armenian people in
this way and not in the United States Congress or the French
parliament.’

Iran’s nuclear program was one of the most discussed topics during the
annual ADL meeting. Asked whether Turkey was getting closer to Iran,
Kenneth Pollack, the director of research at the Brookings
Institution’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy in Washington, said
Turkey had criticized Israel over the latest clashes in Gaza but that
the country was also very concerned over Iran’s nuclear program.

ADL releases survey results

The ADL released Thursday a U.S.-wide survey that found that
anti-Semitic attitudes in the United States were equal to their lowest
levels in all the years of taking the pulse of American attitudes
toward Jews.

The survey found that 12 percent of Americans hold anti-Semitic views,
a decline from 15 percent in 2007 and matching the lowest figure ever
recorded by ADL, in 1998. In its benchmark 1964 survey, 29 percent of
Americans were categorized as having anti-Semitic views.

The 2009 Survey of American Attitudes Toward Jews, a national
telephone survey of 1,200 American adults, was conducted between Sept.
26 and Oct. 4. `The fact that anti-Semitic attitudes have reached
their lowest point to date is good news, the product of many years of
constant and intense efforts by ADL and others to make America a more
accepting society,’ said Foxman.

"At the same time, there continues to be violence targeting Jews and
an increasing use of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories,’ he said. `We
cannot dismiss that 12 percent of the American people means that there
are still over 30 million Americans that hold anti-Semitic views.’

Commenting on the incongruity of good numbers with the headlines of
anti-Semitic violent incidents and public expressions, Foxman said
that `just as the good news about the election of an African-American
as president has been tempered by the surfacing of racism and
conspiratorial thinking in reaction, so too the significant diminution
of widespread prejudice against Jews is tempered by the manifestation
of violence, conspiracy theories and insensitivities toward them.’

oxman-israel-turkey-friendship-to-over-come-tensio n-2009-11-01

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN: TURKEY MAIN BENEFICIARY OF PROTOCOLS

news.am
Oct 30 2009
Armenia

Both Turkish top-ranking officials and international lawyers have
repeatedly stated that Turkey will be the main beneficiary of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols," Vahan Hovhannisyan, Head of the ARF(D)
parliamentary faction, told reporters. "An interesting poll has been
conducted in Turkey. 70% of the Turkish population was against the
Armenian-Turkish protocols when the process started, whereas 70% are
for them now. It means that propaganda is rather effective there, and
the Turkish society now understands they will gain," Hovhannisyan said.

"They will just try to squeeze some more drops from a squeezed orange
by holding wide-ranging discussions on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue –
as a precondition. It will cause some objections to or reservations
concerning the protocols. I cannot yet say anything, but it is
obvious that they will try to reap dividends from the propaganda,
which is unlikely in our case — our officials state it would be
showing weakness to respond to Turkey. So remaining silent like a
cat is a sign of strength," Hovhannisyan said.

As to the opinion voiced in Turkey that, after the border has been
reopened, Armenian may purchase land plot in Turkey and whether the
Armenian Government may implement such programs, Hovhannisyan said:
"The Armenian authorities can, but the incumbent cannot." According
to him, "it is not so easy to go to Turkey and purchase all the lands
belonging to us under the Treaty of Sèvres, as clear restrictions
are in effect in Turkey."

HRACH AYNTAPLYAN EXHIBITED 50 PAINTINGS IN BEIRUT

Noyan Tapan
28.10.2009

BEIRUT: The 5th individual exhibition of Lebanese-Armenian painter
Hrach Ayntaplyan was held recently at the "Syurfas Libr" exhibition
hall in Beirut with the theme "Invisible waves of warmth".

As reported by "Aztag" daily, the exhibition showcased 50 oil paintings
portraying autumn and human emotional states.

H. Ayntaplyan holds individual exhibitions once every 2 years.

IGOR MOROZOV INTRODUCED TIGRAN SARGSYAN TO CIS FEDERAL AGENCY AFFAIRS

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.10.2009 18:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan has received
Igor Morozov, Vice Chairman of RF Federal Agency for CIS Affairs,
Government’s press service reports.

Welcoming the guest, Prime Minister attached significance to the
EXPO-Russia Armenia 2009 exhibition which opened in Yerevan on October
29. Premier stressed the importance of extending cooperation between
agency and Armenian companies.

Igor Morozov briefed on agency’s activities, focusing particularly
on Investment Fund. In that context, parties attached importance to
cooperation in the sphere of physics.

They also discussed the issues Armenian programs which may be aimed
at IT sphere, nanotechnology and nuclear physics development.

Mr. Sargsyan stressed the importance of deepening cooperation between
Agency, ROS technology, RA Economy Ministry and State Committee
of Science.

EUROPEAN COURT: ARMENIA IS NOT IN BREACH OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.10.2009 18:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In its decision over the case of Bayatyan v. Armenia,
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Republic of Armenian
did not violate Article 9 of Human Rights Convention.

In 2001, RA citizen Vahan Bayatyan (born in 1980), member of
Jehova’s Witnesses sect. was declared fit for military service by
medical commission. However, after receiving summons, he didn’t
appear in military commisariat on the appointed date. He notified
RA Prosecutor General, Republican Military Commissioner and NA Human
Rights Committee that he willingly refused army service, considering
his religious views.

Criminal case against Bayatyan was filed in 2001. The first Instance
Court of Erebuni and Nork Marash districts sentenced him to 1 year 6
months in prison under Section 1, Article 75 of RA Criminal Code. In
2002, RA Appellate Court on Military and Criminal Cases protested
the lower court’s decision, sentencing the accused to 2.5 years’
imprisonment. Cassation Court Chamber on Criminal and Military Cases
left decision unchanged.

In 2003, Vahan Bayatyan lodged a case with ECtHR under Article 34
of European Convention of Human Rights. Plaintiff accused Republic
of Armenia of violating Article 9 of Convention. Under a European
Court decision dated October 27, 2009, most of EU member states have
adopted laws on alternative military service for individuals refusing
to serve in army for religious considerations.

Decision also says that European Court cannot take into consideration
clause B of section 3 Article 4, which leaves the above-mentioned
right at the discretion of parties.

Considering the above-mentioned, European Court ruled that Article
9 of Convention did not guarantee the right for refusing military
service on religious grounds. Thereby the court decided that Armenian
authorities did not violate commitments under Convention by holding
plaintiff accountable under the charges above.