Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Armenia purchases drones from Russia – PHOTO

[ 29 December 2012 14:50 ]

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. Russia’s military industry has started
to sell drones to the post-Soviet republics.

APA reports that various firms of Russia taken several steps in this
direction in 2012. This year, the agreement was reached with the two
post-Soviet republics – Armenia and Kazakhstan on sale of drones.

According to the agreement, Russia delivered 4 Ptero-55 drones to
Armenia in 2012. These drones produced by the AFM-Service firm are
being used by Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations. Russia’s
Aerokon firm has also signed an agreement with Armenia on sale of
drones.

According to the agreement with Kazakhstan, 4 Irkut drones are planned
to sell to this country.

Development of Armenian economy must be tangible for every family.
Tigran Davtyann

11:39, 29 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenia deserves and wants to have a
more developed economy, greater prosperity and prompt solution of
social issues. Armenpress quoted Minister of Economy of Armenia Tigran
Davtyan. He assured that everything possible would b done during 2013
to make the economic development more tangible for every family and
citizen of Armenia. He also noted that Armenia had a really good
economic growth in conditions of not optimistic global economy.

`Armenia is one of the rare countries in the world which managed to
have such economic growth this year. Naturally we must not be
satisfied with our achievements, because we are not glad with the
level of economy,’ Minister noted.

A number of ratings of the Armenian economy for January-November, 2012
have grown if compared with the same period of the previous year.
National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia informed
“Armenpress” that economic activity for January-November of the
current year raised for 7,1 percent if compared with the same period
of the previous year, the amount of agricultural production has grown
for 8,3 percent, trade circulation for 3,4 percent.

In the same period the production of energy in the Republic of Armenia
grew for 9 percent. Also there is a palpable growth in the sphere of
services which equals to 11,1 percent (without trade). The sphere of
construction also became more active, but in comparison with the same
period of the previous year the rating of the current year fell back
for 0,7 percent.

Also average pay for January-November of the current year recorded
growth of 5,1 percent in comparison with the same period of the
previous year. Presently average pay equals to AMD 118,4 thousand.
Export and import for the aforesaid period also recorded a growth for
6,7 and 2,5 percent respectively.

ARTISTES D’ORIGINE ARMENIENNE
Filipp Krikorov chateur Russe d’origine arménienne offre à Cher une
couronne précieuse

La chanteuse américaine d’origine arménienne Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian
La Pierre) a reçu un cadeau précieux d’un de ses meilleurs
admirateurs, le chanteur de variété russe d’origine arménienne Filipp
Krikorov. Ce dernier a offert à Cher une couronne similaire à celle
des impératrices de Russie lors du séjour de Cher à Moscou. Selon le
mensuel russe « 7 jours », Filipp Krikorov avait rencontré Cher il y a
quelques années aux Etats Unis lors de la World Music Awards. Il n’a
pas hésité à la rencontrer une nouvelle fois lors de son passage à
Moscou. La couronne offerte par Krikorov est évaluée à plus de 600 000
roubles. Elle fut commandée auprès de Swarovski. Cher resta très
surprise de ce cadeau d’une grande valeur.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 29 décembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Recognition of Armenian Genocide is a priority. 20 officials from
different countries paied tribute to Tsitsernakaberd

11:00, 29 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Recognition of Armenain Genocide,
terrible crime commited against mankind, is a ontinuous and purposeful
process. Despite recognition, 20 officials from different countries
paied trubute to Tsitsernakaberd during 2012. Armenia is grateful for
their willingness to share the sorrow of Armenian people. With unique
photoes Armenpress presents the visit of high rank officials to
Tsitsernakaberd during 2012.

José Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission who arrvied
in Armenian on ivitation of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited
Tsitsernakaberd and paid tribute to Armenian Genocide victims by
laying flowers at the Eternal Fire in the memory of the victims.

The President of the Chamber of Representatives of the Oriental
Republic of Uruguay Jorge Orrico arrived in Armenia on November 12 at
the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan. The delegation headed by Jorge Orrico
visited Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of
the Armenian Genocide. Uruguay recognized the Armenian Genocide in
1965.

During official visit to Armenia the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Latvia Edgars RinkÄ`viÄ?s visited Tsitsernakaberd to pay
tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

On September 18 the members of the Coordinating Conference of the
Chairmen of the Standing Committees on Defense and Security of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Member States’
Parliaments adjunct to the Parliamentary Assembly Council of the CSTO,
accompanied by Koryun Nahapetyan, Chairman of the RA NA Standing
Committee on National Security and Internal Affairs, visited
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and laid flowers at the monument of
1915 Genocide victims, bowed and honored with silence the memory of
one and half million innocent victims.

The guests were in the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, got
acquainted with the documents ensuring the Armenian Genocide, and left
notes in the Commemoration Book.

The delegation headed by Jean Asselborn Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Affairs Minister of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg paid a visit to
Tsitsernakerb on September 11. As Armenpress reports the top ranking
official laid a wreath at the monument of the innocent victims. Jean
Asseborn walked over Museum-Institute and got acquainted with the
exhibits of 20th century’s greatest crime. Deputy Prime Minister
posted in the Museum Book ” The anguish caused to Armenain people
must never be forgotten. The memory of the innocent victims should be
kept alive and be passed it from generation to generation” . Over
two dozen countries, 40 United States recognized and condemned
Armenian Genocide.

On September 4, the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of
Argentina Héctor Marcos Timerman visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial
Complex.

The Foreign Affairs Minister of Argentina put a wreath at the memorial
of the Armenian Genocide victims after which the members of the
delegation put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored the memory of
the innocent victims with a minute of silence.

Ashot Hovakimian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of RA, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Argentina to Armenia Diego
Ernesto Alvarez Rivera and other delegate members accompanied
Timerman.

The Foreign Affairs Minister of Argentina and his accompanying
delegation also visited Armenian Genocide Museum where they get
acquainted with the temporary exhibition titled `Book as a witness of
the Genocide’ dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Armenian
printing and proclamation of Yerevan as 2012 World Book Capital City
by UNESCO. Afterwards Héctor Marcos Timerman left a note in the
Commemoration Book.

It should be noted that still in 2006 Argentina passed a bill
recognizing the fact of the Armenian Genocide.

Héctor Marcos Timerman arrived in Armenia at the invitation of the
Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandian.

The Minister of Information and Diaspora of Israel Yuli Edelstein
visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. The Minister put a wreath at
the memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims after which the members
of the delegation put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored the
memory of the innocent victims with a minute of silence.

The Minister of Information and Diaspora of Israel Yuli Edelstein and
his accompanying delegation also visited Armenian Genocide Museum
where the director of the Armenian Genocide Museum – Institute Hayk
Demoyan introduced the guests to the temporary exhibition titled “Book
as a witness of the Genocide” dedicated to the 500th anniversary of
the Armenian printing and proclamation of Yerevan as 2012 World Book
Capital City by UNESCO. Afterwards Chairman of the State Duma of the
Russian Federation left a note in the Commemoration Book.

It should be informed that Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and
Jerusalem Holocaust Museum intend to establish cooperation.

`I offered the Genocide Museum-Institute administration to cooperate
with Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. Both our nations have
become victims of a horrible crime against humanity. I think the two
institutions will cooperate quite effectively in terms of selection of
exhibits and organization of pavilions,’ Yuli Edelstein told during
the press conference.

He further noted that cooperation program between Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute and Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum is being developed.

Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly Valentina
Matviyenko accompanied by Vice President of the National Assembly of
the Republic of Armenia Hermineh Naghdalyan visited Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial Complex.

Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly put a
wreath at the memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims after which
the members of the delegation put flowers at the Eternal Fire and
honored the memory of the innocent victims with a minute of silence.

The high-ranking official and her accompanying delegation arrived from
Russia visited Armenian Genocide Museum where the director of the AGMI
Hayk Demoyan introduced the guests to the temporary exhibition titled
`Book as a witness of the Genocide’ dedicated to the 500th anniversary
of the Armenian printing and proclamation of Yerevan as 2012 World
Book Capital City by UNESCO. Afterwards Chairwoman of the Federation
Council of the Federal Assembly Valentina Matviyenko left a note in
the Commemoration Book.

The delegates from the Russian Federation had a tour of the Memorial
Alley where Mrs. Matviyenko watered the fir which she had planted
during her previous visit.

President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy, within the
framework of his official visit to South Caucasus arrived to the
Republic of Armenia and accompanied by the Armenian Foreign Minister
Eduard Nalbandian, visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

President of the European Council put a wreath at the memorial of the
Armenian Genocide victims after which the members of the delegation
put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored the memory of the innocent
victims with a minute of silence.

Afterwards President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy and
delegation accompanying him visited Armenian Genocide Museum where the
director of the AGMI Hayk Demoyan introduced the guests to the
temporary exhibition titled `Book as a witness of the Genocide’
dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Armenian printing and
proclamation of Yerevan as 2012 World Book Capital City by UNESCO.

On September 30, Wolfgang Thierse, the Vice President of the Bundestag
of the Federal Republic of Germany, accompanied by NA Vice President
Eduard Sharmazanov visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

The Vice President of the Bundestag and the members of his delegation
put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored the memory of the innocent
victims with a minute of silence.

The delegates arrived from Germany also visited Armenian Genocide
Museum, where the director of AGMI Hayk Demoyan presented the
temporary exhibition titled `Book as a witness of the Genocide’
dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Armenian printing and
proclamation of Yerevan as 2012 World Book Capital City by UNESCO.

The Vice President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Thierse left following
note in the Commemoration Book: `We condemn the Genocide and are under
an obligation to secure peace and defend human rights’.

Wolfgang Thierse noted during the talk with journalists: `The German
people remember the crimes committed against different nations in the
20th century. In 2005 the Bundestag of Germany by its decision has
condemned the Armenian people’s massacres and expressed its stance in
relation to those historical events. We believe that such historical
events should be worth an assessment and be condemned.’

Mir Mira Tahsin beg, religious leader of the Yezidis of the Federal
Republic of Iraq, and his accompanying delegation visited
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

Yezidi deputies of the Kurdish and Iraqi parliaments as well as
representatives of primacy were included in the delegation. The
leaders of the delegation put wreaths at the memorial of the Armenian
Genocide victims after which the members of the delegation put flowers
at the Eternal Fire and honored the memory of the innocent victims
with a minute of silence. The aim of the delegation’s arrival is the
consecration of the first Yezidis sanctuary in the Republic of
Armenia.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian
Federation Sergey Naryshkin arrived in Armenia at the invitation of
President of the National Assembly of RA Hovik Abrahamyan for a
two-day official visit. Sergey Naryshkin and his accompanying
delegation accompanied by Vice President of the National Assembly of
the Republic of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov visited Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial Complex.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation put a wreath at
the memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims after which the members
of the delegation put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored the
memory of the innocent victims with a minute of silence.

The high-ranking official and his accompanying delegation also visited
Armenian Genocide Museum where they get acquainted with the temporary
exhibition titled `Book as a witness of the Genocide’ dedicated to the
500th anniversary of the Armenian printing and proclamation of Yerevan
as 2012 World Book Capital City by UNESCO. Afterwards Chairman of the
State Duma of the Russian Federation left a note in the Commemoration
Book.

The delegates from the Russian Federation had a tour of the Memorial
Alley where Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the
Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin planted a fir.

President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer, within the
framework of his official visit to Armenia, and first lady Margit
Fischer visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex accompanied by
Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, Yerevan Mayor Taron
Margaryan and RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to
Austria Arman Kirakosyan. President of Austria laid a wreath at the
memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims after which the members of
the Austrian delegation put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored
the memory of the innocent victims with a minute of silence. President
of Austria Heinz Fischer and his accompanying delegation visited
Armenian Genocide Museum where the director of AGMI Hayk Demoyan
introduced the guests to the museum exhibition. Afterwards President
of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer left a note in the
Commemoration Book.

The delegation from Austria also had a tour of the Memorial Alley,
where President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer planted a
fir.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, within the framework of his official visit
to Armenia, visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and Armenian
Genocide Museum accompanied by John Heffern, the U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia.

The U.S. senator put flowers at the Eternal Fire of the Armenian
Genocide victims after which he visited the Armenian Genocide Museum,
where he got acquainted with the temporary exhibition dedicated to the
memory of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and a
great humanitarian.

The U.S. Senator Dick Durbin left a note in the Commemoration Book.

Senator Durbin talked about his visit to the Genocide memorial and
Clara Barton exhibition he visitited during a Senate floor speech.

German Minister of State Cornelia Pieper, who is in Armenia at the
invitation of the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, visited
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and put a wreath at the memorial of
the Armenian Genocide victims. The members of the German delegation
headed by Minister Cornelia Pieper put flowers at the Eternal Fire and
honored the memory of the innocent victims with a minute of silence.

Minister of State Cornelia Pieper, accompanied by Director of Armenian
Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan, took a guided tour of the
museum. Afterwards Cornelia Pieper left a note in the Commemoration
Book noting that she is too impressed by the museum exhibition and
remembers Armenian victims in1915-1916 with deep sympathy.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel Orit Noked
visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and put a wreath at the
memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims. The members of the Israeli
delegation headed by Orit Noked put flowers at the Eternal Fire and
honored the memory of the innocent victims with a minute of silence.

Minister of Agriculture Orit Noked, accompanied by Director of
Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan, Minister of
Agriculture of RA Sergo Karapetyan, took a guided tour of the museum.
Afterwards Orit Noked left a note in the Commemoration Book: “As a
woman, as a Jewish and as a human being, I am shocked at what I see in
the photos, I am shocked at the murders of innocent Armenian
families”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audronius Ažubalis, within
the framework of his official visit to Yerevan, visited
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and put a wreath at the memorial of
the Armenian Genocide victims. The members of the Lithuanian
delegation headed by Audronius Ažubalis put flowers at the Eternal
Fire and honored the memory of the innocent victims with a minute of
silence.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithunia Audronius Ažubalis and his
accompanying delegation visited Armenian Genocide Museum and took a
tour of the museum. Deputy Director of Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute Suren Manukyan presented the history of the Armenian
Genocide to the guests. Afterwards Audronius Ažubalis left following
note in the Commemoration Book: `Only keeping such memory we can
create a world where repetition of such tragedy would not be
impossible neither to Armenian nor to any other people’.

It should be noted that on December15, 2005, the Seym of Lithuania
passed a resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman
Empire.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Erkki Tuomioja visited
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex within the framework of his official
visit to Armenia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja put a
wreath at the memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims. The members
of the Finnish delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Erkki
Tuomioja put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored the memory of the
innocent victims with a minute of silence.

Deputy Director of Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Suren Manukyan
was accompanying the Finnish delegation. The members of the Finnish
delegation also had a tour of the Memorial Alley, where Erkki Tuomioja
planted a fir.

Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Dr Erato
Kozakou-Marcoullis, who is in Armenia at the invitation of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, visited
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Erato
Kozakou-Marcoullis put a wreath at the memorial of the Armenian
Genocide victims. The members of the Cyprus delegation headed by Dr
Erato Kozakou put flowers at the Eternal Fire and honored the memory
of the innocent victims with a minute of silence.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Cyprus Dr Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis and her
accompanying delegation visited Armenian Genocide Museum and took a
tour of the museum after which Dr Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis left a note
in the Commemoration Book.

The members of the Cyprus delegation also had a tour of the Memorial
Alley, where Dr Erato planted a fir.

The delegation of the German Foreign ministry headed by the Foreign
minister of Germany Guido Westerwelle, as apart of his official visit
to the Republic of Armenia, visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.
German foreign minister put a wreath and flowers at the memorial of
the Armenian Genocide victims and honored the memory of the innocent
victims with a minute of silence.

The Balkanization of Armenian Theater

Friday, December 28th, 2012

Vahik Pirhamzei’s “Honest Liars” was an exemplar of hybridity

BY ARAM KOUYOUMDJIAN

After two dismal years, Armenian theater in Los Angeles managed an
uptick in both the quantity and quality of productions that graced
area stages in 2012. Even when productions were flawed, several were
ambitious in reach. Vahe Berberian delivered a new Armenian-language
play of substance, `Gyank’ (Life); Lilly Thomassian braved the
challenge of `Komitas’; Vahik Pirhamzei displayed his superior comedic
talents (yet again) in `Honest Liars’; and a troupe of young upstarts,
under the direction of Tigran Kirakosyan, served up a delicious
rendition of the absurdist satire `Galank’ (Confinement).

The year’s bounty, however, made me fully appreciate a phenomenon I
had been sensing for some time – namely, the balkanization of Armenian
theater. In this massive Armenian community, which is fragmented into
units of Armenians from Armenia, from Iran, and from various countries
of the Middle East, theater caters to niche subgroups, often to the
exclusion of others.

For the opening night performance of `Gyank,’ for instance, Armenians
with roots in the Middle East comprised the vast majority of a crowd
400 strong; an audience of comparable size for `Honest Liars,’
however, was made up almost exclusively by Armenians from Iran and, to
a lesser extent, Armenia; and when the Organization of Istanbul
Armenians presented a revival of `Mernile Vorkan Tjvar E’ (Dying Is So
Difficult), the matinee I caught seemed as much a bolsahai reunion as
an afternoon of theater.

Why such fragmentation? A key reason is the Armenian language. The
split of the Armenian vernacular into Eastern and Western dialects in
the 19th century extended to the language of drama. Although the
dialects are foundationally similar, Armenians fluent in one are not
necessarily conversant in the other. In addition, each dialect is
peppered with foreign words and idioms that make comprehension a
struggle. Impurities in Eastern Armenian tend to have Russian or
Farsi as their source, while elements of Turkish, Arabic, French, and
English have infiltrated Western Armenian.

Vahe Berberian’s “Gyank” was performed in Western Armenian

Dialect, however, is not the only mark of distinction between Eastern
and Western Armenian drama. Plays written in Eastern Armenian, which
developed under Russian – and, later, Soviet – rule reflect concerns
and themes that differ significantly from writings in Western
Armenian, which evolved under Ottoman rule and, in the post-Genocide
era, became the language of diaspora.

Nowhere do transplants from the Armenian homeland and from diaspora
countries converge like they do in Los Angeles, where both Eastern
Armenian and Western Armenian figure prominently in educational
curricula, cultural production, and media. In the realm of theater,
Armenians from Armenia account for the most output. Indeed, they
boast actors and actresses who were professionally trained in Yerevan,
and who have name recognition and a loyal following, thanks to their
achievements and accolades in the homeland. Their productions tend to
favor larger venues (such as the Alex Theatre in Glendale and its
inferior neighbor, the Beyond the Stars Palace) and, far too often,
commercially motivated – and groan-inducing – farces. Offerings this
year included the insipidly titled `Harsnasu Milionateri Hamar’ (A
Bride for a Millionaire) and a sequel to `Pahanjvume Stakhos 2′ (Liar
Wanted 2) for those who apparently did not have enough of the
original.

Gurgen Khanjyan’s “Galank” was performed in Eastern Armenian

I wish these establishment forces would balance their commercial
endeavors with higher-caliber work. But the mantle of that challenge
may have to be picked up by younger talents, such as Tigran Kirakosyan
and the gifted players he had assembled to tackle Gurgen Khanjyan’s
`Galank’ – a work of heft and gravitas that managed to remain wildly
entertaining. Significantly, that production had crossover appeal,
drawing a mixed crowd of Armenians from different subgroups.

Theater in Western Armenian depends on all-too-few producers. Vahe
Berberian remains the only purveyor of new plays that enrich the
canon, with the Ardavazt Theatre Company – recently renamed the Krikor
Satamian Theatre Company – occasionally dusting off classics or
staging works in translation. This year, a revival of Moushegh
Ishkhan’s `Mernile Vorkan Tjvar E’ was imported from Toronto, but the
production by the Hrant Dink Theater Company proved wanting.

So where will the balkanization of Armenian theater in Los Angeles
lead? If the community’s command and use of Armenian steadily fades,
`Armenian’ theater may actually be created and performed entirely in
English; such a shift is already in progress, though its outcome is
neither pre-ordained nor assured. For the time being, theater artists
will likely explore (and, indeed, should be exploring) forms of
hybridity – or multiplicity – both within the dialects of Armenian,
and between Armenian and English. Vahik Pirhamzei did exactly that in
`Honest Liars,’ pairing its barsgahai characters with hayasdantsi ones
and reaching a wider audience in the process.

Collaboration between Armenian theater artists of different origin
will be imperative to bridging gaps between subgroups of the
community. Of course, theater needs to continue being a reflection of
the all niche groups within the community and should not ignore their
unique concerns, struggles, and desires. In doing so, however,
theater must not lose perspective – that is, sight of a broader
community rich in diversity, complexity, and resources; otherwise, it
risks devolving into provincialism. Striking this balance will be no
easy task, but it will be imperative to turning the tide of
balkanization.

Aram Kouyoumdjian is the winner of Elly Awards for both playwriting
(`The Farewells’) and directing (`Three Hotels’). His latest work is
`Happy Armenians.’ You can reach him or any of the other contributors
to Critics’ Forum at [email protected]. This and all other
articles published in this series are available online at
To sign up for a weekly electronic version of
new articles, go to Critics’ Forum is a
group created to discuss issues relating to Armenian art and culture
in the Diaspora.

Pictures in the News | December 28, 2012

Posted By: Marc Martin

Posted On: 9:22 a.m. | December 28, 2012

Friday’s Pictures in the News begins in Armenia, where runners dressed
as Father Christmas participate in a Santa Run fun run in the capital,
Yerevan. Keeping the festive spirit, a man dressed as Grandfather
Frost performs during a visit to a children’s hospital in Minsk and
people enjoy the traditional Els Enfarinats festival in eastern Spain.
More photos

In Asia, a group of young Nepalese Newari girls wearing costumes
representing various deities participate in a Jyapu Day procession in
Kathmandu; the sun sets on Ngapali beach in Myanmar; and Kashmiri
Muslim woman mourn during a funeral in Pulwama, India.

Elsewhere, participants hold their laptops in front of an illuminated
wall at the annual Chaos Computer Club computer hackers’ congress in
Hamburg; members of a pro-Kurdish party stage a protest against the
Turkish government in Ankara; and a Palestinian armed with a slingshot
tries to avoid a tear gas canister fired by Israeli soldiers during
clashes in the West Bank village of Nabi Salah.

Activity of Armenian Army declined Azerbaijani belligerent rhetoric. expert

20:43, 28 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Thanks to active counteraction of
Armenian army Azerbaijani military maniac machine is in oppressed
situation. Armenpress quoted Levon Shirinyan as saying during December
28 meeting with journalists.

`This is the great success of our army and military leadership,’
Shirinyan said. Political expert assured that Azeri people are silent
because of acknowledgement of their unpreparedness for the war.

Shirinyan reminded Azerbaijani former belligerent rhetoric and
comparing it to the current position of Azerbaijan highlighted the
changes.

PRICES OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND MEDICINES TO BE REGULATED

15:11, 27 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. During the final session of the
current year of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, which
was held under the leadership of the Prime Minster of the Republic of
Armenia Tigran Sargsyan a special interdepartmental commission has been
created for regulation of coordinating prices of medical services and
medicines included in the main package of health insurance. Within
the framework of the staff and order of activity of the commission
was approved. The Government of the Republic of Armenia undertook
this step taking into consideration the experience of all developing
countries and as well as a number of developed countries regarding
the methods of direct and indirect methods of regulation of prices of
medicines and sometimes that of medical services. The Department of
Information and Public Relations of the Government of the Republic of
Armenia informed “Armenpress” that the aforesaid commission headed
by the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Armenia will have a
capacity for solution of the abovementioned problems, to provide
similar prices for the medical services in the medical institutions
of the same level, exercise transparent mechanisms for accounting
prices, make more public the arousal of prices of medical services and
medicines, provide availability of the medicines and medical services,
and perform many other functions.

“SOCIETY COULD RESOLVE SOME ISSUES THROUGH PRESSURE”, VAZGEN MANUKYAN CLAIMS

Thursday 27 December 2012 14:57

Chairman of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Chairman of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan
said today that “the Armenian civil society is actively developing”.

According to Vazgen Manukyan, struggle for saving the Trchkan
preserve and Mashtots park in Yerevan as well as indignation wave on
the incident in “Harsnakar” restaurant became vivid examples of the
activity of the civil society.

“The society with its pressure managed to solve many issues”, said
Vazgen Manukyan,

Chairman of the Public Council noted that integration to the
European structures, high level of youth development as well as
“certain tolerance of the authorities” contribute to the civil
society development.

GEORGIAN PM TAKES BACK HIS WORDS ON BAKU-TBILISI-KARS RAILWAY

news.am
December 27, 2012 | 10:45

During his visit to Azerbaijan, Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili decided
to “edit” his earlier statement about the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway,
and said he had rushed in this matter.

“I had said earlier that the goods turnover of the currently operating
Georgian Railways will drop once the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is
put to operation. But this was a rushed statement,” Ivanishvili told
Georgian news reporters, on Wednesday in Baku, at the end of the
formal talks.

In fact, there is no problem in connection with this matter, he said,
Novosti Gruzia News Agency reports.

In the Georgian PM’s words, he confessed, during his talk with
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, that “he rushed a bit on this
matter.”

To note, the Armenian party has repeatedly criticized the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway construction, since it is basically yet
another project-by Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia-that aims to
isolate Armenia.