Author: Kanayan Tamar

SPANISH FIRM CONTRACTED FOR ARMENIAN HIGHWAY UPGRADES
Sargis Harutyunyan

27.04.2012

Armenia – Transport and Communications Minister Manuk Vartanian (L) and
the chief executive of the Spanish company Corsan Corvian Construccion,
Francisco Garcia Martin, at a news conference in Yerevan, 27 Apr 2012.

A Spanish company will rebuild and expand more than 90 kilometers of
major Armenian highways as part of a multimillion-dollar project to
upgrade the country’s road infrastructure, officials said on Friday.

The company, Corsan Corvian Construccion, signed a $280 million
contract with the Armenian Ministry of Transport and Communications
in Yerevan in the presence of a senior executive from the Asian
Development Bank (ADB). The Manila-based bank will finance the bulk
of the construction work from a $500 million loan which it pledged
to provide to Armenia in 2009.

The ADB loan is designed to support the implementation of the
so-called North-South Project envisaging the reconstruction of some
550 kilometers of highways stretching from the Armenian-Iranian border
to one of the three Armenian-Georgian border crossings. The Armenian
government says a key aim of the $1.5 billion project is to enable
Iran to use Armenian and Georgian territory for large-scale freight
shipments to and from Europe.

Work on the project was initially due to start in 2010. But it was
delayed ostensibly because of the government’s failure to find foreign
contractors offering reasonable prices.

Under the contract signed by Transport and Communications Minister
Manuk Vartanian and Corsan Corvian Construccion’s chief executive,
Francisco Garcia Martin, the Spanish firm will upgrade highways
running south and northwest of Yerevan. The construction is due to
start within two months and take up to three years.

“A motorway of this quality will be built in our country for the
first time ever,” Vartanian told journalists at the signing ceremony.

The government has yet to indicate external sources of funding for
the rest of what would be the single largest road project in the
country’s history.

NO ARMENIANS INJURED IN UKRAINE BLASTS (VIDEO)

April 27, 2012 – 18:33 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – No Armenians were reported among those injured in
Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk blasts, Foreign Ministry said citing Armenian
Embassy in Ukraine.

Twenty seven people, including nine children, were injured in four
successive bomb attacks that took place on Friday April 27 in the
city of Dnepropetrovsk, eastern Ukraine, the emergencies ministry said.

According to other sources, there were 10 explosions.

Between three and seven people were hurt when an unidentified explosive
device went off at a tram stop in central Dnepropetrovsk.

The second blast came about an hour later outside a cinema, injuring
seven. The third explosion took place near a railway terminal and
the fourth in a public park. Several people were hospitalized with
fragmentation wounds.

The traffic in the central part of the city has been brought to
a standstill.

CAPITOL HILL GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE INSPIRES LEGISLATORS, ENERGIZES COMMUNITY

asbarez
Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) with New Jersey natives including ANCA
Legislative Director Raffi Karakashian, Sarine Arzoumanian and Kyle
Movsessian

Record turn-out reflects renewed drive for truthful and just resolution
of Turkey’s Crime against the Armenian Nation

WASHINGTON-More than twenty Senators and Representatives addressed
a highly-motivated, standing-room-only crowd of Armenian Americans
this evening during an inspiring Congressional remembrance ceremony
marking the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America.

The energetic program, held in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room on
the Senate side of Capitol Hill, featured sharp criticism of the
Obama Administration’s refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide,
and impassioned calls for Congressional action to properly condemn
and commemorate this crime. The reach of the program was multiplied
by social media, with Senators and citizens alike, posting photos,
tweeting impressions, and emailing updates throughout the event.

ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian with Armenian American members of Congress
Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA

“The strong community turn-out and the energy of the principled stands
staked out this evening by legislators really speak to the strength
of our renewed drive to overcome the remaining obstacles being thrown
up by Ankara and its allies to a truthful and just resolution of the
Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “We look forward
to building on this enthusiasm, here in Washington and in communities
across our country, to finally end the outsourcing to Ankara of U.S.
policy on the Armenian Genocide.”

As in years past, the observance was hosted by the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues – co-chaired by Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA)
and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) – in conjunction with Armenian American
organizations, and with the support of the Embassy of the Republic
of Armenia and the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

The Master of Ceremonies was the Honorable Ardashes Kassakhian,
Clerk of the City of Glendale, California, who drew on his broad
understanding of Armenian history, his long experience working for
the Armenian Cause, and his expert, first-hand understanding of the
dynamics of Capitol Hill to inform and inspire legislators and all
in attendance.

Congressional Armenian Caucus Ed Royce (R-CA) with ANCA Western Region
Executive Director William Bairamian (right) and Orange County natives
Alex Der Alexanian and Eleeza Agopian.

Among the U.S. legislators participating in the remembrance were
Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. Jack
Reed (D-RI) and Representatives Joe Baca (D-CA), Howard Berman
(D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Robert Dold
(R-IL), Elliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ),
Janice Hahn (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Frank Pallone
(D-NJ), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Ed Royce
(R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA),
and Bob Turner (R-NY).

In addition to remarks by legislators, powerful speeches were offered
by Armenia’s Ambassador to the U.S., Tatoul Markarian, and Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan. Both spoke forcefully
about the importance of the annual Capitol Hill commemoration and
ongoing international efforts to secure justice for the Armenian
Genocide. Ambassador Markarian announced that Armenian Government’s
highest civilian honor, the Mkhitar Gosh Award, was to be bestowed on
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Brad Sherman for
their years of service in promoting justice for the Armenian Genocide
and a stronger U.S.-Armenia relationship.

Also invited to speak was special guest Tom Andrews, a former
Congressman from Maine who now serves as President of United to
End Genocide, the leading group behind the growth of a national,
grassroots anti-genocide movement. In a stirring speech, he thanked
Armenian Americans for working against all genocides and crimes
against humanity. Former Senator Paul Sarbanes was invited to the
podium and received a standing ovation for his praise of Armenian
Americans as a true American lobby for American values. Also receiving
a standing ovation was former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans,
whose term in office was cut short because he spoke honestly about
the Armenian Genocide.

The observance’s opening prayer was offered by Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern U.S.,
who, earlier in the day, gave the opening prayer for the U.S.

Senate. Archbishop Choloyan, during a busy day on Capitol Hill, met
personally with over a dozen U.S. legislators. The closing prayer was
offered by Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, representing His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America.

Obama Administration officials who handle Armenian-related foreign
policy related issues were individually invited to attend the
observance. Those who responded each explained that they were “unable
to attend,” reflecting, by all accounts, a policy-level decision
to appease Turkish government sensitivities by prohibiting foreign
policy officials from participating in Armenian Genocide remembrance
events in the United States.

Complete coverage of Congressional statements and guest speakers will
be provided in upcoming days.

ARMENIANS WILL CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT IN RECLAIMING JUSTICE TILL ANKARA RETURNS THE HISTORICAL HERITAGE IT HAS STOLEN FROM ARMENIA

11:58 . 27/04

“The reconciliation process with Turkey may be succeeded only in
case when Turkey admits the truth and puts an end to its policy of
denialism,” the leader of Liberal Party of Canada Bob Rae has said at
the end of the remembrance gathering before the Canadian parliament
on April 24 on the occasion of the Armenia Genocide anniversary.

More than 1 000 Armenians came to Ottawa from different cities of
Canada to participate in the gathering organized by Hay Dat. Once
again they jointly voiced about their rights of reclaiming justice.

Numerous members of that country’s parliament and representatives of
national minorities have participated in the remembrance ceremony.

The director of Hay Dat Commission Paris Office Hrach Varjapetyan,
in turn, stated in his speech that despite Turkey’s years-long policy
of denialism, the new Armenian generation is resolute in continuing
its fight in reclaiming justice till Ankara returns the rights and
historical heritage stolen from Armenia.

Simone Dinnerstein to perform on Aram Khachatryan stage

10:56 28/04/2012 » Culture

Aram Khachatryan concert hall will host on May 2 state youth
orchestra concert headed by artistic director and conductor Sergey
Smbatyan. Speaking to Panorama.am the orchestra press service said
pianist Simone Dinnerstein, member of IMG Artists Ö? Sony Classical
Artists, Astral Artist National Auditions Ö? Classical Recording
Foundation title-holder will be the soloist.

Music pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Michael Kokzhaev and Edward
Mirzoyan will be performed.

Source: Panorama.am

Israel ‘not yet’ decided on attacking Iran

Thu 26 April 2012 06:36 GMT | 7:36 Local Time

Max Singer
News.Az interviews Max Singer, an independent consultant on public
policy and a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and Bar Ilan
University’s BESA Institute in Israel.
How serious are media reports about Israeli plans to attack Iran?

My understanding is that Israel is actively considering the
possibility of attacking Iran’s nuclear program, but I think any
stories about specific plans are just rumours. I don’t believe that a
decision has yet been made.

What can you say about rumours that Israel is going to use Azerbaijani
territory to bomb Iran?

I think there is no chance that Israel would use Azerbaijan as a base
for bombing Iran.

May the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to
Azerbaijan be linked with Iran, as Tehran thinks?

As you know, Israel and Azerbaijan have been building up their
relationship for some years for a variety of reasons. Iran is
certainly not the prime factor in the Israel-Azerbaijan relationship.
But Iran is important enough for both countries that they must take it
into account.

Avigdor Lieberman said in Baku that Israel and Azerbaijan could
cooperate in the US Security Council. What kind of issues may the two
countries cooperate on?

Both countries have particular interests in energy policy. Israel,
which has been an energy importer, will in the future become an energy
(gas) exporter, like Azerbaijan. Both also have strong interests in
economic development issues. Of course both countries are interested
in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

F.H.
News.Az

Hraparak: Dear deceased, please don’t participate in elections

Saturday,
April 28 Politics

According to Hraparak, Meruzhan Abrahamyan, HAK candidate for
parliament in constituency No. 20, Armavir, said that voter lists are
exaggerated in their constituency.

`In 1990 Metsamor had a population of around 12,000. However, the
population has been gradually decreasing since and currently the
maximum number of people must be 9,000, while voter lists show the
number of voters reaches 9,000. Why don’t they remove the names of the
deceased from the voter lists?’ the candidate said.

Meruzhan Hakobyan told the paper that he visited a cemetery with his
friends a few days ago, where they announced through a megaphone:
`Dear deceased, please, don’t participate in elections.’

TODAY, 14:00
Aysor.am

Another Armenian Soldier Dies From “Mysterious” Gunfire

hetq.am
13:25, April 28, 2012

Hovhannes Nikoghosyan, a private in the Artsakh Defense Forces,
reportedly died from gunfire wounds sustained yesterday.

The Artsakh Defense Forces’ Press Service says that an investigation
into the incident has been launched.

The Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire about 500 in the past week

armradio.am
28.04.2012 14:39

According to the data of the NKR Defense Army, the Azerbaijani side
violated the ceasefire about 500 times at the line of contact between
the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan in the past week.

The rival fired more than 2 600 shots from weapons of different
caliber in the direction of the Armenian positions.

More intensive firing was registered on April 23 and 24. The ceasefire
was violated 220 times, more than 1 300 shots were fired.

Divisions of the NKR Defense Army refrained from responding to the
provocative actions of the rival and confidently fulfilled their
military duty all along the line of contact.

Three servicemen did not have weapon for self-defense: no comment from
Defense Ministry

tert.am
12:32 – 28.04.12

Armenia’s Defense Ministry’s Investigation Department and the Ministry
do not comment on the information that the three Armenian servicemen
killed from gunshots in a territory between Aygepar and Movses
villages did not have opportunity for self-defense because of not
having weapons with them.

Both senior officer of Investigation Department’s public relations
agency Mary Sargsyan, and acting spokesman for the defense minister
Mushegh Aghekyan told Tert.am that investigation is under way, the
comments will be given after it.

A criminal case under Article 104 (murder) of the Criminal Code has
been opened.