Author: Jilavian Emma

ARMENIA’S COURTS HOLD OPEN DAY FOR SENIOR PUPILS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 19 2007

YEREVAN, December 19. /ARKA/. Armenia’s courts held open days for
Armenia’s senior pupils. Press Secretary of the RA Court of Cassation
Alina Yengoyan reported that the open days were held on the initiative
of the RA Judicial Department and the RA Ministry of Education and
Science.

"During the open days, senior high school students visited minor courts
in Yerevan and Armenia’s regions, as well as the RA Court of Appeal,"
she said.

During their visits, pupils talked to judges, court officers, attended
trials of civil and criminal cases, got acquainted with Armenia’s
judicial system, etc..

Yengoyan reported that on December 20 the court officers that are
getting ready to be appointed judges are to visit a number of Yerevan
schools, Anania Shirakatsi gymnasium, Olympos education complex,
as well as the School of Physics and Mathematics of Yerevan State
University.

"During their meetings with pupils they will distribute booklets
on the judicial system and its powers, judicial reforms, as well as
discuss issues related to the Judicial Department, School of Judges,
Council of Judges and Council of Court Presidents," Yengoyan said.

She pointed out that on December 24 the students are to meet with
President of the RA Court of Cassation Hovhannes Manukyan, Chairman of
the Criminal Chamber, RA Court of Cassation, David Avetisyan, Chairman
of the Civil Court of Appeal Tigran Mukuchyan, President of the minor
court of the Achapkyak and Davidashen communities Yelizaveta Danielyan
as well as President of the American Car Association (ABA/CEELI)
Sonya Smith.

MUSEUM LACKS VISITORS
Armenuhi Minassian

A1+
[04:09 pm] 17 December, 2007

The cultural values of Alexandrapol will be exhibited to the public
after twenty years’ silence. They will be exhibited at the Gyumri
Museum of National Architecture and Household.

The state budget earmarked 25 million drams to the exhibition. The
money will be spent on the restoration and furnishing of exhibit
rooms. The valuable exhibits will finally be saved from destruction.

Alexandrapol was famous for its numerous crafts in the 19th
century. One can find the city plan, emblem and model among the
exhibits.

Totally, 1600 works are exhibited at the museum.

Today the museum faces serious problems. The director of the museum
Sona Harutiunian says they need local heating. Air conditioners do
not heat the building properly. Besides, all museum of Gyumri lack
visitors.

NA SPEAKER SENDS OUT INVITATIONS TO PACE, OSCE PA AND CIS IPA

armradio.am
18.12.2007 14:39

December 18 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia Tigran Torosyan sent invitations to the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, suggesting to
carry out an observation mission during the presidential elections
in Armenia on February 19, 2008, Public Relations Department of the
National Assembly reports.

ARA GEVORGIAN’S SONG "LOVE EACH OTHER" TO BE PRESENTED TO GRAMMY AWARDS IN 2008

Noyan Tapan
Dec 14, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Composer and instrumentalist
Ara Gevorgian is going to present his song "Love Each Other" to the
Grammy Awards in 2008. As the musician said at the December 14 press
conference, the lyrics of the song, the author of which is a Finn,
in the future will be translated into nearly 20 languages and the
song will be performed by singers of different nationalities.

Ara Gevorgian mentioned that this year he has also finished the
intrumental work "Love Each Other", on which he worked more than 7
years. The work, which lasts 8 minutes and 40 seconds, and in the
recording of which world-famous musicians took part and national
musical instruments of different peoples were used, is a call to the
whole world humanity to be tolerant and to live in peace.

Touching upon the charges of Polad Bulbuloglu, the Ambassador of
Azerbaijan, according to which the work "Artsakh" is an Azeri one,
A. Gevorgian said that he proved with documents that it is his
authored song. His copyright of that work was stipulated in the
Copyright Library of U.S. Congress in 1998.

"If the Azeris were right, they would apply to the court," A. Gevorgian
said. He himself has much grounds to apply to the court as in the
World Championship of Figure-skating held in Minsk the representative
of Azerbaijan performed to the accompaniment of a distorted performance
of "Artsakh".

AZERBAIJAN HOPES ON DESTABILIZING OF DOMESTIC POLITICAL SITUATION IN ARMENIA

arminfo
2007-12-14 17:56:00

ArmInfo. ‘Azerbaijani delegates to the 12th round of the Dartmouth
conference did not hide their hope to settle the Karabakh conflict
at the uncompromising basis, to settle without any cartridge – with
the hands of Armenians’, – the RPA deputy of the parliament Armen
Ashotyan said at the briefing today.

For his part, the leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram
Sarkisyan said that the Armenian party says about breaking of the Kars
agreement by Azerbaijan. ‘Instead of protection of the Nekhichevan
republic Azerbaijan implemented its annexation’, – he said. He also
added that it was mentioned over the talks that Azerbaijan had broken
the quota for armament.

VICTORY OF RUSSIAN COMPANY WILL BE ANNOUNCED JANUARY 15

Lragir
Dec 14 2007
Armenia

The tender for the management of the Armenian railroad was transparent,
stated the World Bank regional vice president for Europe and Central
Asia Shigeo Katsu. In the beginning more than one participant were
expected but in the end, unfortunately, only one was left, he said.

According to him, in this case it is necessary to guarantee that the
company works in the interests of the society. Sufficient coordination
and control of the services provided by the concessionaire are needed,
Katsu said.

In the beginning two companies, a Russian and an Indian, bid for the
management of the railroad. Later the Indian company withdrew its
bid. On December 21 the feasibility study of the Russian Railroad
will become known, on January 8, 2008 the bid. The winner of the
tender will be announced on January 15. The management of the Armenian
railroad will be taken up for 30 years on the condition of prolonging
for another 20 years.

TACTICAL DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND ARF MAY TURN STRATEGIC

Largir , Armenia
Dec 13 2007

If there is tactical disagreement with any force, it gradually turns
strategic, stated the ARF presidential candidate Vahan Hovanisyan on
December 13 at the National Press Club, answering the question whether
the disagreement between the Republicans and the ARF Dashnaktsutyun
is tactical or strategic.

"Strategic disagreement exists inside the country. It is eventually
clear that the liberal economy in our country has expired, and with
a growing budget, economic opportunities, rate of growth, we have
reached a point when new moves should be made to maintain this rate.

Also, most importantly, Armenia is able to use socialist mechanisms,
which, we think, is not done," Vahan Hovanisyan stated.

He stated, however, that the ARF Dashnaktsutyun supports fundamental
reforms but is against jeopardizing stability. "We are for guaranteed
changes which do not harm stability," says the presidential candidate.

PRESIDENT CONFERS WITH ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

Emirates News Agency
December 12, 2007 Wednesday 2:53 PM EST

President confers with Armenian President WAM WAM Abu Dhabi, Dec. 12th,
2007(WAM):President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held talks
here today with Robert Kocherian, President of the Republic Armenia,
who is on a state visit to UAE leading a high-level delegation. General
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and
Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces was present at the
talks held at Al Mushrif Palace.

At the outset, Sheikh Khalifa welcomed the Armenian President and the
accompanying delegation and wished them success in their visit which,
he hoped, will pave the way for enhancing bilateral relations between
the two countries in various avenues.

During the talks, they reviewed the standing cooperation between
UAE and Armenia and explored ways for expanding its horizons serving
the interests of both countries in various fields, especially in the
fields of economy, investment and tourism.

Sheikh Khalifa and Kocherian also exchanged views on a number of
regional and international issues of mutual concern.

On his side, the Armenian President expressed his happiness over
the opportunity to visit UAE and meet Sheikh Khalifa and stressed
the keenness of Armenia in enhancing the relations between the two
countries especially in the avenues of economy and investment.

Kocherian said that the progress UAE has achieved has made it one
among the best countries of the developing world, thanks to the
prudent leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa.

Kocherian also expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and
hospitality he and the accompanying delegation has found, adding that
his visit comes as part of the efforts of the leadership of both the
countries to build bridges of cooperation and joint coordination,
benefiting the common interests of UAE and Armenia.

Sheikh Khalifa held a lunch banquet in honour of the Armenian President
and the accompanying delegation.

The talks and the banquet were attended by FNC Speaker Abdul Aziz
Abdullah Al Ghurair, Ruler’s representative to the Eastern Region
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior Lt. General
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
of Zayed Foundation for Humanitarian and Charitable works Sheikh
Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs Sheikh
Mansur bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a number of Sheikhs, Ministers and senior
military and civilian officials in the country.

UAE’s non-resident Ambassador to Armenia Khalifa Shaheen Al Marri and
Armenian Ambassador to UAE Vahagn Melikian also attended the talks
and the banquet.

NKR CONVEYS TRESPASSER TO AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.12.2007 18:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ December 12, as a goodwill gesture, Nagrono Karabakh
authorities conveyed Aliyev Anar Maharif ogly, 29, to the Azeri side.

Simultaneously, the Azeri side transferred Valery Suleymanyan,
resident of Martuni, who had been kept hostage since April 2007.

The exchange took place at the contact line near Aghdam,
KarabakhOpen.com reports.

Aliyev Anar Maarif ogly was detained when crossing the Karabakhi
border August 2, 2007.

The NKR state committee on POWs, hostages and missing said that given
frequent visits of the ICRC representatives, Aliyev kept correspondence
with his relations in Azerbaijan.

DEPUTY MINISTER WAS GETTING DROWNED

A1+
[08:23 pm] 12 December, 2007

David Avetissian, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of the
Republic of Armenia, was rescued while swimming in the Pacific Ocean
near Chili.

According to a local newspaper, David Avetissian, had gone into a
stormy sea where swimming was banned. He then witnessed the horror
of the huge waves approach the beach. Avetissian was taken to deep
waters. The deputy minister took great pains to struggle the waves. He
swam to rescuers the moment a helicopter was sent for.

David Avetissian was immediately taken to hospital,Radio Free Europe /
Radio Liberty reports.

David Avetissian also coordinates the Millennium Challenge Account –
Armenia Foundation.