Author: Kalashian Nyrie

LEVON ARONIAN TO TAKE PART IN 21-ST CLASS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT IN CHINA

Noyan Tapan

Dec 2, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. An International Chess Tournament of
the highest, 21-class with the participation of 6 grand masters will be
held in the city of Nanjing, China on December 10-22. Vesselin Topalov
(Bulgaria), Vasily Ivanchuk (the Ukraine), Pyotr Svidler (Russia),
Bu Kianji (China), Sergei Movsisian (Slovakia), and Levon Aronian
(Armenia) will take part in the competitions to be held in two rounds.

"TURKEY PLAYS TO ALLAY AZERI REACTION"

Panorama.am
20:52 26/11/2008

Turkey will start diplomatic relationship with Armenia, if they agree
to investigate "1915 case" together with Turkey, this is a statement
spread by Turkish mass media. According to American Armenian politician
Richard Kirakosyan, such position is a play in theatre and is directed
to Azerbaijan. Turkey is willing to start relations with Armenia but
they play to allay the reaction of Azerbaijan, expressed his view
point Mr. Kirakosyan.

"That play staged by Turkey is a lie and it gives me basis to think
that Turkey will open borders as a first step and then think of more
difficult steps – diplomatic relations, Genocide," said the politician.

To the question, if Turkey opens the borders with those terms, should
Armenia accept them? The politician answered: "I don’t agree with that,
as forming a group of historians is to put Genocide under doubt."

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA THANKS THE CHESS OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS FOR THE GREAT HOLIDAY

armradio.am
27.11.2008 12:07

Congratulatory speech by President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of
the gold victory of the men’s national chess team at the World Chess
Olympiad in Dresden

Dear Compatriots, I congratulate all of us on the occasion of the
brilliant victory of the Armenia’s national team at the World Chess
Olympiad.

It is a celebration for all of us, for me it’s a triple celebration. I
would like to speak as the President of Armenia, as the President
of the Armenian Chess Federation and as a chess devotee, who was
waiting yesterday, just like everybody else, for our team to win. I
am confident that had there be such a chance all the Armenians would
have gathered in Dresden to support our guys. This sense of national
unity is, probably, our greatest victory.

It is difficult to become the champion; it is even more difficult
to defend the title. For fifteen days we were holding our breath and
following the battles unfolding on the chess boards in Dresden. Right
before our eyes another unforgettable page of the Armenian chess
history is being written.

The Armenian chess players through their splendid performance,
talent and will power proved once again that our country is a chess
superpower.

Dear Compatriots, Here you see members of the team which defended the
honor of our country an d our colors. It wouldn’t be too much to say
that we see here celebrated sons of our nation. Any country in the
world would be proud to have such a team, even the largest and the
most powerful ones. However, this celebration, the second in a row,
they have brought just for us.

Today, I recall the fervor with which you greeted the winners of the
Turin World Chess Olympiad two years ago. I recall the excitement at
the Opera’s courtyard. I remember how joy and tears of the fans came
together when the members of our gold team appeared on the stage. Karen
Asrian was among them, and today too he should have been here. This
victory is also his victory.

On that day we promised you new victories. The promise was
fulfilled. We are witnessing a new victory which proved that the
previous one was only natural, it proved the gold standard of our
chess school.

Through its talent and resolve, Armenia’s national team has been able
to subdue the teams which are considered to be stronger and have a
higher rating.

All the international commentators unanimously noted the team spirit
of our players. Every member of our national team is an exceptional
individual, however together they are a team: one willpower, one goal,
one flag.

The flag which was waving in Dresden in honor of our defending
champions, the flag which will also be there at the next Olympiad.

We can and must achieve team victories.

Dear Compatriots, You have already made a huge step forward, you have
already wiped out the stereotype that we are a nation of individuals
and can win only individually. You have been able to win as a team
in the game of individuals.

We should rely on this victorious force of unity in all the spheres
of our life. When we are together we can overcome any obstacle. This
has been proved by our millennia long history, and today it is proved
by the guys of our national team. We are together once again, we are
united in our victory and in our joy. Victory and unity – these are
eternal values.

In sport nobody is exempt from mistakes and slip-ups. There was
a painful slip-up. However this is the difference between the
champions and the others: the true champions are able to find enough
strength at the crucial moment to come up with their best qualities –
cold-bloodedness, purposefulness, and the unwavering belief in the
ultimate win.

That unwavering belief engulfed and took in the whole Armenian nation
and up to the last move in the last game, up to the last minute we
believed in our guys, in their genius, in their invincibility. Our
hearts were with them, and they knew it, they felt it.

Dear Compatriots, Now you see in front of you those who not only
today but also tomorrow will be the role models as the Armenians
and the Armenian athletes. These people are the heroes of today’s
Armenia: patriotic, gifted and victorious. Our society needs this
type of heroes.

I am confident that today, in this hall and in front of TVs there
are children who are making their first steps in chess playing, those
who are Levon Aronians and Vladimir Hakopians, Gabrieal Sarkissians
and Artashes Minasians of tomorrow, just like the Olympian champion
Tigran Petrossian junior carries the name of the first Armenian world
champion Tigran Petrossian.

On behalf of all of us I want to thank our chess players, the head
coach of the team Arshak Petrossian, the Armenian Chess Federation and
all those who have to a different extent brought their contribution
to the common cause.

Thank you for this great holiday.

It is always gratifying to win, but it is twice over so to win in the
oldest and the most intellectual game of all. This is not arrogance;
we have something to be really proud of. And today we are really proud.

Well done, guys, we are proud of you.

Long live the Armenian chess playing!

Long live the Armenian nation!

Armenia, forward!

MP IS HOSPITALISED

A1+
[03:54 pm] 24 November, 2008

Armenian MP Hakob Hakobyan detained in connection to the March 1 events
suffers from dysbacteriosis. He is presently receiving feeding in the
central hospital for convicts, Hakobyan’s Advocate Melanya Arustamyan
told A1+.

Hakobyan has been in a grave state for a few months. But he was
hopitalised only four days ago, before the arrival of the Council of
Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg.

Melanya Arustamyan doesn’t know whether Hakobyan’s relatives are
allowed to visit him as the hospital acts under the same rules as
penitentiary institutions.

Melanya Arustamyan says she filed a petition to change the Hakobyan’s
restraint by a written undertaking not to leave the place before the
latter was taken to hospital. She is going to do it again.

Remind that the NA MP is charged under Article 300 of the Crimninal
Code /attepmts to usurp power/ and Article 2225 /calls for public
disorder/. Hakob Hakobyan was detained on March 3.

ARMENIAN MEN’S CHESS TEAM AGAIN WINS THE TITLE OF OLYMPIC CHAMPION

ARMENPRESS
Nov 25, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian men’s chess team again won
the title of Olympic Champion in the 38th World Chess Olympiad and
preserved the title won in Turin in 2006. The tournament was held in
the town of Dresden, Germany.

During today’s last 11th round the Armenia-China match ended with
2.5:1.5 score.

Thus, Armenia gained 19 points during the 11 rounds of the Olympiad
and topped the list.

Armenian President, Head of the Armenian Chess Federation Serzh
Sargsian and head of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov played the first steps
of Armenian and Chinese chess teams.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov thanked the Armenian President S. Sargsian for
visiting Dresden.

The president had met and talked with Armenian chess players inspiring
them and wishing successes.

COMPACT DISK OF GRIGOR NAREKATSI’S BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS POEM IN ENGLISH AND ARMENIAN RELEASED

Noyan Tapan

Nov 25, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. A compact disk of the Book of
Lamentations poem in English and Armenian created by the project
of Anahit Davtian, a doctor by speciality, thanks to joint work
of composer Nerses Margarian and sound director Armen Toroyan has
been already released. This idea born as early as in 1998, on the
occasion of the 1700th anniversary of adoption of Christianity in
Armenia was failed to be fulfilled. Later, in 2003, on the occasion
of the 1000th anniversary of the Book of Lamentations poem compact
disk’s release again failed. Finally, the compact disk was released
with the assistance of the Sharm Holding company.

As Anna Avanesian, Sharm Holding company’s Public Relations
executive, said during the event dedicated to disk’s presentation,
the grandfather of project’s author Anahit Davtian, physicist and
chemist Hovhannes Davtian has dedicated all his life to Narekatsi
studies. He scientifically grounded Narekatsi’s word in his two large
scientific works, Narekatsi’s World Outlook and Fundamental Field
Review. His love for Narekatsi and his poetry was also inherited by
his granddaughter. Anahit is also the editor of disk’s text.

According to Anahit Davtian, Narekatsi is not purely a poet, his
words to the God are a guideline for the mankind. In her words, the
choice of the person reading the text was also too important: after
long searches they decided to choose RA People’s Artist Sos Sargsian.

The work has been translated from Old Armenian into New Armenian by
Mkrtich Kheranian.

ARMENIA, TURKEY HAVE MORE IMPORTANT TASKS THAN BAKU PROBLEM

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.11.2008 13:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia has been trying to use the potential of
its complementary policy as regards Turkey, an Armenian expert said.

"In late 1990-ies the Armenian political elite formed a concept of
‘historical responsibility’ to exploit the fact of the Armenian
Genocide as unconventional weapon to open the border and normalize
relations with the neighbor," Sergey Minasyan, the head of political
studies department at Caucasus Institute said during "Turkey-Armenia
Dialogue Series: Breaking the Vicious Cycle" seminar in Yerevan.

The point is that the Karabakh factor is not urgent in Turkey while
the Armenian Genocide still remains a very sensitive issue there,
according to him.

"It’s hard to say to what extent the goals and interests of Ankara
and Yerevan can coincide. But the fact is that our Turk fellows
arrived to participate on our today’s event; the fact is that Turkish
President Abdullah Gul paid a visit Armenia. All this inspires hope
for a possibility to reach an agreement," Mr. Minasyan said.

RA SECURITY COUNCIL SECRETARY TO LEAVE FOR IRAN ON NOVEMBER 23

Noyan Tapan

Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. A delegation led by National
Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasarian will leave for the
Islamic Republic of Iran on a two-day official visit on November
23. According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, meetings with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, Majlis Chairman Ali Larijani, Secretary of the National
Security Higher Council Sayid Jalili are planned during the visit.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, November 21, 2008

AGBU Young Professionals Bring Smiles and a Fresh Coat of Paint to New
York’s Armenian Home

On Sunday, October 26, 2008, over 15 volunteers visited the New York
Armenian Home in Flushing, Queens to visit the residents and, for the
first time, offer their assistance in sprucing up the facility. The trip
was organized by the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York
(YPGNY) and included a number of local Armenian-American volunteers.

A day at the Armenian Home has become a YPGNY tradition each autumn as
volunteers visit with the residents, bringing joy to them with games,
stories, and performances. In addition to the usual activities, this
year the volunteers also painted the residents’ dining room, outdoor
benches and a bird bath.

Aggie Ellian, executive director of the Armenian Home, was extremely
grateful to the YPGNY group, which volunteers not only each fall, but
also in the summer when the AGBU New York Summer Intern Program is in
session. During their summer event, YPGNY coordinates a dance and
musical performance by the interns for the residents.

"For another consecutive year, this fall visit provided a great
opportunity for Armenian youths to volunteer their time to help the
local community," said YPGNY co-chair Danny Abajian. "Personally, it was
a pleasant and constructive way to spend my Sunday and demonstrated the
positive impact of volunteerism."

Now that the Armenian Home has a fresh coat of paint, next time YPGNY
hopes to return to Queens simply to socialize with the residents.

"The Board of Directors, residents and staff are still complimenting the
wonderful job the YPs did painting our dining room," said Ellian.

Many volunteers are eager to go back again after seeing the happiness
their faces bring to the residents. "It was truly gratifying spending
the day at the Armenian Home," said Michelle Adanalian, a first-year
volunteer. "The newly painted dining room and the smiles on the seniors’
faces were priceless to see."

AGBU YPGNY is part of a growing network of YP Groups and supporters
around the world who are committed to preserving and promoting the
Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural, and
humanitarian programs. For more information on YPGNY, email
[email protected].

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

REPRESENTATIVES OF "TOGETHER" MOVEMENT PRESENT THEIR PROGRAM OF ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT TO T. SARGSIAN

ARMENPRESS
Nov 20, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsian met today in the government with more than five dozens of
young people from "Together" movement.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that according to the
arrangement reached during the previous meeting the young people
presented today their program of anti-corruption in the education
system to Armenian prime minister as a support to the government in
the implementation of the program of fighting against corruption.

The Armenian prime minister greeted the aim of the movement and
stressed the importance of formation of atmosphere of intolerance
in the society towards vicious phenomenon including the corruption,
to set up a consistent fight against such phenomenon and with it to
support the major reforms implemented in the country.

Tigran Sargsian assured that the government will support the "Together"
movement in such initiatives expecting close and efficient cooperation
for ensuring positive changes in our state and public life.

During the meeting the Armenian prime minister also answered to
numerous questions the youth young people were concerned with connected
with fighting against corruption.

An agreement has been reached to meet again after starting
anti-corruption program in the higher educational establishments and
to sum up the first results and the existing issues.