Author: Jagharian Tania

TAMARA FRUIT’ ARMENIAN COMPANY TO INCREASE EXPORT VOLUMES UP TO $4 MLN BY 2012

ArmInfo
2009-08-06 13:49:00

ArmInfo. ‘Tamara Fruit’ Armenian company is going to increase export
volumes up to $4 mln by 2012, Director General of the company Boris
Hovannisyan told journalists today. To recall, on 12 February 2009
‘Tamara Fruit’ got 300 mln (about $1 mln) drams government grant to
fulfill the programme on creation of the organic berry gardens at the
territory 60 ha. The company has already imported 70 thsd young plants
from the Netherlands. At present 66 mln drams have been already spent
to fulfill the programme.

Hovannisyan said that the farms selected within the frames of the
programme will get young plants free of charge in an exchange of
obligation to sell their harvest only to ‘Tamara Fruit’ for 5 years
with the market prices. At present the programme is being implemented
in Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Tavush and Vayots Dzor regions of Armenia. The
programme will be finished in 2012.

Within the frames of the programme the company is going to increase
the volume berries export up to 500-800 tonnes per year. To recall,
besides the government grant for the organic gardening programme, in
February 2009 the government allocated $3,4 mln budgetary guarantee
to buy organic primary products from Armenian farmers.

‘Tamara Fruit’ company was founded in 2002. About 70% of its production
are exported to Russia and Europe.

ARMENIAN FM: NOVRUZ MAMEDOV’S LATEST SLIPS OF THE TONGUE SHOW HIS UNAWARENESS

ArmInfo
2009-08-06 14:08:00

ArmInfo. Novruz Mamedov’s latest slips of the tongue show his
unawareness and wishful thinking, which have been repeatedly mentioned
also by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs said Tigran Balayan, Head of
the Armenian Foreign Ministry Press-Service Department for Media,
when commenting on the statement by Novruz Mamedov, Head of the
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Department for International
Relations, that Armenia is allegedly pressured to make concessions
in the negotiations for settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

"US Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza has recently said
that Mamedov had never been present at the meetings of Armenian and
Azerbaijani president and cannot judge their content and the sense
of the negotiation process", Tigran Balayan said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONDUCTS CONSTRUCTIVE POLICY IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT ISSUE, HOVHANNES MARGARIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Aug 3, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, NOYAN TAPAN. In the Karabakh conflict settlement
issue, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is conducting a constructive
policy, which is in line with the principles of Orinats Yerkir Party
(OYP), the member of the RA Mational Assembly OYP faction Hovhannes
Margarian said at the August 3 press conference.

In his opinion, the Armenian president will not take any anti-Armenian
steps in the Karabakh problem’s resolution. According to H. Margarian,
OYP attaches importance to 3 major principles regarding the Karabakh
problem: the self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh, a direct land
connection with Armenia, and the security guarantees by international
structures. "The Armenian president is consistent in all these
principles, and we defend and accept his policy," H. Margarian
declared.

As regards possible mutual concessions, he found it difficult to make
comments as it is not clear what will be conceded in return for what
concessions. "It is difficult for me to say what should be conceded,
but I am convinced that whatever decision Armenian president takes,
it will proceed from the interests of the peoples of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and Armenia," H. Margarian said. He added that Serzh
Sargsyan is doing everything to find such a solution to the Karabakh
problem which would be in favor and to the benefit of the nation.

Speaking about the process of normalizing the Armenian-Turkish
relations, H. Margarian said the Armenian president has clearly stated
in case of what conditions he will leave for Turkey so it remains to
wait for Turkey’s return step.

Interfax, Russia
July 31 2009

YEREVAN HAS DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS

Armenia has done its best to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said while meeting with the
participants of the program Come Home on the coat of Lake Sevan on
Thursday, Armenian media reported.

"Over the course of one year we conducted negotiations with Turkey,
which had a normal atmosphere. We reached an agreement on two
documents, but after that some Turkish officials tried to offer
preconditions to us and tie Armenian-Turkish relations to the Karabakh
conflict and Armenian- Azeri relations. Any preconditions are
unacceptable to Armenia," Sargsyan said.

"Turkey has to understand that we cannot talk about preconditions in
the 21st century. Any precondition, any tough approach leads to
resistance," said Sargsyan.

"We realize that Turkey is a large and powerful state. We know very
well the role of Turkey in our region and the whole world, but the
Turks should accept that fact that we are Armenians and that we are an
independent state," Sargsyan said.

According to Turkish media reports, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu said before leaving for Lebanon on Thursday that Turkey had
no preconditions for Armenia, but had one demand: "respect
international law and free the occupied Azeri land."

"Turkey has manifested and continues to manifest good will aimed at
improving the relations with its neighbors, including Armenia. But
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s statements cause our regret and do
not contribute to the normalization of relations. We have no
preconditions for Armenia, but we have one demand: respect
international law and free the occupied Azeri land. We believe that
President Sargsyan has chosen the wrong path," Davutoglu said.

Yeni Musavat, Azerbaijan
July 29 2009

Kurdification of Azerbaijan a dangerous plan

Ethnic Kurdish officials in the authorities are planting mines for the
future of our country

by Tofiq Ahmadli

As time goes Kurds enjoying quite strong support in Azerbaijan feel
themselves more comfortably here. This even has reached a point that
an ethnic Kurdish crime boss visits Baku freely to attend a wedding
party here. As we already reported, several days ago, ethnic Kurdish
crime boss Zahir Kalashov, alias Sakro, attended the wedding party in
Baku. Invited especially to the event at Ay Isigi restaurant in Baku,
Sakro and some of his next of kin left Baku immediately after the
wedding. A highly reliable source has told us this news.

The source said that Sakro was invited to the wedding especially by an
ethnic Kurd represented in the leadership of the country. Sakro is
close to Ded Khasan who is known as a godfather in the criminal
underworld.

The source said that both Sakro and Ded Khasan are in close relations
with Gen Baylar Eyyubov, the head of the presidential security. And
bearing in mind that Ay Isigi is owned by the Eyyubovs, one can assume
that the crime boss was invited by this circle. Over the recent years,
Kurds have been moving to Baku intensively. A considerable number of
Kurdish families from Turkey, Iraq and Iran have settled here since
2005.

We need to highlight that Azerbaijan is in no way against the
principles of internationalism. Our country has been a place for
various ethnic groups Lezgins, Talis, Avars, Inqiloy, including Kurds
and representatives of other ethnic groups for many years and they
live here without problems, enjoying equality. The issue in question
is about the purposeful settlement of Kurds, in particular, of tribes
connected to the PKK [the Kurdish People’s Party] directly or
indirectly. This is a policy designed for the future.

Actually, observations enable us to say that Kurdification of
Azerbaijan is not a new plan but a process being implemented for a
long time. True, after reports carried by Yeni Musavat newspaper about
the settlement of Kurds in different districts, the law-enforcement
agencies of the country did carried out some activities to this
end. Settlers were quickly sent out. Nevertheless, the process is so
intensive that interference of the police and other structures do not
bring to fruition each time.

In our previous issues, we reported about the settlement of Kurds in
Goycay District. Observations and researches by our correspondent
discovered that a new settlement is under construction for Kurds in
the district. This is not the first such a case. Over the recent
years, there have been reports and information in the media outlets
about camps constructed for Kurds in the capital and in several
districts of the country. We have to acknowledge that Yeni Musavat
paper is very sensitive about this topic.

The settlement of Kurds in Azerbaijan has intensified since 2007. Over
this period, with close support of a Kurdish group in the authorities,
a considerable number of Kurdish families have been settled in Goygol,
Samux, Samkir, Goranboy, Naftalan districts. Our correspondents have
repeatedly prepared reports about areas they were settled and closed
camps they are kept. Yeni Musavat is not against any people or ethnic
groups to live in Azerbaijan. Our point is different when we highlight
this issue. The issue in question is about the settlement of tribes
who are close or sympathize with the PKK, along borders of our
country. In several dozens of years, like our ungrateful neighbours,
no-one can guarantee that newcomer Kurds would not have territorial
claims on our lands.

It is an open secret which major countries are behind the political
Kurdism, how and on which conditions Kurds are being organized. Given
this, the settlement of immigrants in our fatherland can be considered
a mine planted against Azerbaijan’s future. Although plans of the
political Kurdism ideologists come across resistance in Turkey, Iraq,
Iran, they are provided with fertile conditions in Azerbaijan.

They even are so confident and self-reliant that ethnic Kurdish crime
boss visits the wedding in Baku and no-one troubles him… In former
times, tsarist Russia settled ethnic groups to various territories of
Azerbaijan. It also arranged massive settlement of Armenians from
across different areas in mountainous part of Karabakh and inflated
their numbers artificially. At the next stage, by means of the settled
Armenians, they kicked off territorial claims to us. In the conflict
under way for 100 years, Azerbaijan has suffered immensely. Following
the artificial conflict between us and Armenians, we have lost a lot
of lands. Tens of thousands of Azerbaijani Turks have been killed. Our
development has been hindered. Russia has been still taking advantage
of this conflict. In their turn, Armenians have ambitions to create a
second Armenian state in Karabakh.

A similar scenario is now being implemented under a Kurdish plan. We
are about to face a Kurdish problem without resolving the Armenian
problem. Actually, this also runs against the interest of the Kurdish
people. Therefore, it is necessary to beat the drum together and
uninterruptedly. Otherwise, both the Azerbaijani Turks and Azerbaijani
Kurds would be driven into trouble.

[translated from Azeri]

FARE INCREASES FOR THOSE TRAVELLING FROM GYUMRI TO YEREVAN

/
2009/07/31 | 16:04

Marzes

Travelers from Gyumri to Yerevan were shocked to learn today that
the one-way fare for minivans had gone up to 1,500 AMD from 1,200.

The route is serviced by "Transakntart" which is owned by National
Assembly Deputy Martun Grigoryan, who also chairs the Prosperous
Armenia Party branch in Shirak Marz. "Tigran Ltd." is also a part
owner of the transport fleet.

According to the owners, constant price increases in fuel, tires and
auto parts lead to the fare hike. They also claimed that a drop in
ridership also contributed to the 300 dram increase.

According to the 2009 job tender submitted by the firms, they agreed
to transport passengers at a rate of 1,500 AMD. The offer was accepted
by state tender committee.

July 31, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AND
CONSECRATE ICONS AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

On Sunday, August 9th, 2009, the eve of the Fast of Assumption, H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy
and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.
During Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will also consecrate church
icons.
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Khoren
Babochian.

APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE
"HARUT BARSAMIAN DISABLED ARMENIAN STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND"

His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the
Executive Council of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America hereby announce that they will begin accepting applications for the
"Harut Barsamian Disabled Armenian Students Scholarship Fund" for the
2009-2010 academic year.
The Fund has been established by Prof. Harut Barsamian to assist
physically disabled students of Armenian decent in obtaining higher
education at any accredited college or university in the United States. The
application for the scholarship should include:

– A short biography of the applicant
– A medical certificate regarding the physical condition of the applicant
– A certificate from the college or university about the status of the
applicant as a student.

The Scholarship Fund may provide up to $3,000 for each academic year.

Applications must be submitted by Monday, August 31, 2009, to the
following address:

Harut Barsamian Disabled Armenian Students Scholarship Fund
C/O Western Prelacy
6252 Honolulu Ave., La Crescenta, CA 91214

PRELATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AT THE CRESCENTA VALLEY CHURCH ON THE
FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARISH

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 26th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Armenian
Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley on the fourth anniversary of the
establishment of the parish. The Prelate was assisted at the altar by
parish pastor Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian.
The Prelate’s sermon centered on the parable of the Good Shepherd
which shows how our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, came into this world to
die for the sins of His lost people in order that they might be saved, and
that He will seek us when we stray from Him.
The Prelate also commended the parish pastor, delegates, Board of
Trustees, Ladies Auxiliary, and deacons and altar servers for their
commitment to the growth of the parish over the past four years and
expressed his wish that the parish have its own church in the near future.
A reception in the adjoining hall followed after services.

PRELACY YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN UPLIFTING ACYA "SPIRITUAL GROWTH" SUMMER
CONFERENCE

The Armenian Church Youth Association, under the auspices of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, held its first ever summer
conference at the Western Prelacy during the weekend of July 24th, 2009.
With the guidance of Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and dedicated
members of the ACYA executive committee, over sixty young Armenians
assembled at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall to
participate in the conference which was entitled, "Spiritual Growth".
The event brought young, faithful Armenians from the local churches
of the Western Prelacy together with several delegates from the Eastern
Prelacy for a weekend of prayer services, enlightening lectures, Bible
studies, roundtable discussions, Q&A sessions, fellowship, testimonies, and
a half-day tour of the San Juan Capistrano mission.
The conference began on Friday morning with a prayer service led by
the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Very Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian,
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and two deacons. The youth participated in
the service, which was conducted in both Armenian and English. The service
was followed by a brief Bible study by Deacon Shant Kazanjian, one of the
delegates from the East Coast. The seminar officially began with opening
remarks by the Prelate. The Prelate conveyed his blessings and encouraged
the youth and young adults alike to continue to grow spiritually by
increasing their knowledge of the word of God, decreasing sin in their daily
lives, increasing their trust in God, and increasing practice of Christ-like
quality. The conference continued with Fr. Vaghinag’s presentation on God’s
love of the Armenians and the Armenian’s love of God. He thereafter took
questions from the attendees relating to the Armenian Christian’s dedication
and devotion to the church in the 21st century. In the afternoon, Fr. Muron
presented a brief-yet-thorough history of the Armenian Church. His
presentation was followed by a round-table debate which focused on issues
that the youth face in their daily lives. The nighttime portion of the
event included an evening prayer service, which was highlighted with a group
reading of "I Confess in Faith" by St. Nerses the Graceful. The night
concluded with a showing of a Biblical film entitled "The Climb".
Day two of the conference began with a morning prayer service
conducted by Father Muron, Father Barthev and deacons, and was followed by a
Bible study presented by Shant Manjikian, a Hollywood ACYA member. The
conference continued with a lecture by Father Barthev regarding the seven
mortal sins and the seven virtues. Thereafter, members participated with the
reading of scriptures, discussions, and a question-and answer session with
Fr. Barthev. In the latter portion of the day, ten members had the
opportunity to present testimonies discussing miracles that touched their
lives. On Saturday night, the Western Prelacy held a dinner & dance event
for all conference attendees. Additionally, members of the ACYA’s
"Lousavorich" choir were invited as guests to celebrate their recent
concert. More than 80 attendees enjoyed a night of great food and
international music.
On the third and final day of the conference, the youth enjoyed a
trip to the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Prior to departure, all the
attendees received a book entitled "The Armenian Church’s Responses to
Non-Orthodox objections," a gift from the Prelate.
The conference uplifted the spirits of all the participants, with
all looking forward to similar events in the future.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT REACTS TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT

APA
July 30 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "We are firm in the normalization of Turkey-Armenia
relations. But we want the international community, especially Armenia
to demonstrate the same firmness in terms of Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at the joint
press conference with Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven
Alkalaj in Ankara, APA reports quoting Anadolu agency.

With this Turkish Minister reiterated Ankara’s stipulation that the
borders with Armenia will not open, unless Nagorno Karabakh conflict
is solved. Ahmet Davutoglu said the process of normalization should be
based on strong will and parties should have open, frank discussions
on all issues.

"We believe that there will be large-scale normalization in the region
soon," he said.

On July 28, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said he will visit
Turkey only after the borders are opened, or on the eve of opening.

TATEVIK HOVANESIAN TO GIVE CONCERT IN LA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.07.2009 12:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR)
recently received the enthusiastic support of Boston’s Armenian
community through two highly anticipated events: the "Jazz for Life"
benefit concert and the 69th Grand Convocation of the Daughters
of Vartan.

Headlined by world-renowned singer Tatevik Hovanesian, "Jazz for Life"
was held on June 27 at the Armenian Cultural Foundation center in
Arlington, drawing hundreds of jazz aficionados and supporters. The
concert, organized and sponsored by the Amaras Art Alliance of
Watertown and the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) of Arlington,
benefited the ABMDR’s current and forthcoming projects.

Throughout the "Jazz for Life" concert, Tatevik dazzled her
fans with her signature jazz stylings, including innovative
renditions of classics by Komitas and Sayat Nova, as well as beloved
performances of her own original songs, often spiced with exuberant
improvisations. Tatevik, who had traveled from New York to appear at
the concert, was accompanied by her trio, comprising Bob Albanese,
David Meade, and Joe Fitzgerald, Asbarez.com reported.

Tatevik Hovanesian was born in Yerevan. Starting to sing jazz at
the age of 11 in the orchestra of radio and television, she became
a soloist of Orbelian’s Orchestra at 17. She was named "Ella from
Yerevan", and kept earning the title of the Best female jazz singer of
the USSR year after year. For 10-12 years singer Tatevik Hovanesian was
unmatched in the USSR. She has lived in the United States since 1985.

RA PRESIDENT ATTENDS NEW ZVARTNOTS TERMINAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
24.07.2009 20:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended
International Airport Zvartnots today to see the new terminal under
construction.

The terminal will be put into operation in 2011 and allow serving 3
million passengers.