Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIA’S NAIRIT RUBBER FACTORY HAS BECOME PROPERTY OF CIS INTERSTATE BANK

news.am
February 16, 2012 | 17:09

YEREVAN. – Today Armenia’s Nairit Rubber Factory is the property of
CIS Interstate Bank, and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen
Movsisyan confirmed this on Thursday.

To note, the offshore Rhinoville Property Limited, which is Nairit’s
primary owner, had taken a US$ 70-million loan from the aforementioned
Bank in 2006, and it had put up the Factory as collateral. The loan
was received for the Factory’s upgrading and for investments, but it
was not used for its proper purpose.

Armen Movsisyan, however, informed that several leading companies
continue to show an interest in Nairit.

The Minister also noted that there will be downsizing at the Factory,
once the new administrator is confirmed. This concerns the laying
off of 400 employees, which, as per Armen Movsisyan, is not a great
number, considering the total of 3,000 employees.

Also, a five-month salary debt has accrued at present.

SEMINAR IN TEHRAN DEDICATED TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND IRAN

armradio.am
16.02.2012 17:52

A seminar dedicated to the 20th anniversary of establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Iran was held at the Tehran
State University.

In his opening remarks Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan congratulated the attendees on the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the
two countries.

The speakers at the event highly appreciated the relations between
the two countries, noting that the comprehensive cooperation and
implementation of joint programs has reached a high level, and the
trend continues.

The book titled “Armenia-Iran relations are 20” by Armenian envoy
Garnik Badalyan and the Persian edition of Western Armenian poet
Zahrat’s works translated by Iranian Armenian writer, poet and
translator Khachik Khachen were presented at the event.

NISHAN KAZAZIAN’S BEIRUT: VIRTUAL AQUARIUM PROJECT IS INCLUDED IN THIS EXHIBIT

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS / NEW YORK

ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING IN THE MIDDLE EAST: 2000-PRESENT / AND / CITY
OF MIRAGE: BAGHDAD, 1952 – 1982 and related activities.

February 22 – June 23, 2012
OPENING RECEPTION:
PLEASE RSVP

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Where: At The Center

The Center for Architecture
536 LaGuardia Place
NY, NY 10012
(212) 683-0023
[email protected]

Join us for the opening of two related exhibitions: Change: Architecture
and Engineering in the Middle East, 2000-Present, New York City’s first
exhibition on contemporary architecture and engineering in the middle east;
alongside the U.S. debut of City of Mirages: Baghdad, 1952-1982.
6pm doors open 7pm performance by Heather Raffo and Salaam, Iraqi maqam
and jazz

Cost: free

Architectural production in the Middle East ranges from the preservation of
heritage, social housing, governmental buildings, and tourist resorts to
mega theme parks, supertall towers, knowledge cities, sustainable cities,
and artificial islands. CHANGE: Architecture and Engineering in the Middle
East, 2000-Present shows how architects and engineers have participated in
the rapid transformation of the region, translating the rich geographical,
cultural, and economic resources of the Middle East into contemporary form.

RELATED PROGRAMMING

Opening Reception
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 6-9pm

Change in the Middle East: Preserving the Past, Inventing the
Future
Saturday, February 25, 2012, 11am-5pm

LIVE FEED: Middle East Collaborations
2005-2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 6-8pm

Culture and Climate: Contemporary Architectural Responses in the Middle
East
Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6-8pm

Guided Exhibition Tour
@theCenter
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 6-7:30pm

Iraqi Culture Pre- and Post- Invasion: From Secular to Sectarian

Thursday, March 15, 2012, 6-8pm

Building ANew: Noor Theatre Presents A Reading of Short Plays by
Award-Winning Middle Eastern
Playwrights
Friday, March 16, 2012, 7pm

Faster and Bigger: Building in the Middle
East
Monday, April 2, 2012, 6-8pm

FamilyDay@theCenter
Saturday, April 14, 2012

Architecture in Baghdad, Then and
Now
Thursday, April 26, 2012, 6-8pm

The National Mosque of Baghdad Competition: A Conversation Between Denise
Scott Brown, Renata Holod and Frederic
Schwartz
Friday, May 4, 2012, 6-8pm

IRAQ FILM SERIES
Fridays throughout the exhibition duration starting at 6:30pm
February 24, 2012: About Baghdad
(2004) – Q&A
with Iraqi poet and writer Sinan Antoon and Pedro Azara, curator of Baghdad,
1952-1982
March 2, 2012: Nice Bombs
(2006)
March 9, 2012: Son of Babylon
(2010)
March 23, 2012: Daily Baghdad
(2004)
April 13, 2012: 16 Hours in Baghdad
(2004) – Q&A
with Iraqi actor Abbas Noori Abbood

back to exhibitions list

SARDARAPAT MOVEMENT: ONE CAN’T OUTPLAY CASINO WHEN IN CASINO

arminfo
Friday, February 17, 16:56

In our country few people realize that one cannot outplay a casino
when in a casino. Today, almost all of our parties are playing by
the rules set by the regime and cannot resist its pressure, member
of the action group of the Sardarapat movement Garegin Chugaszyan
said during a press-conference on Friday.

“In its turn, the regime is trying to become even stronger by adopting
laws like the one concerning the legal status of the state of emergency
– a law than has proved once again that in our country we need a
democratic movement rather than political parties,” Chugaszyan said.

He said that the law is aimed against civil society and guarantees the
regime’s impunity in any action against its people. “The authorities
are leading us to encirclement where they are the rulers,” Chugaszyan
said.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH SITUATION STABLE NOT BECAUSE OF BUT IN SPITE OF MEDIATORS’ EFFORTS-OPINION

news.am
February 17, 2012 | 14:32

STEPANAKERT. – Nagorno-Karabakh may become a part of Azerbaijan only
due to full-scale war and ethnic cleansings, head of Yerevan State
Linguistic University Suren Zolyan said on Friday at the international
scientific conference in Stepnakert.

Conflicts in the South Caucasus are considered as key factors hampering
development of the region. Not only the conflicts, but approaches to
their solution are frozen, he said.

“Everything what was told so far was not effective, while change
in regional situation is not taken into account, in particular,
recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is ignored. In parallel,
Azerbaijan continues military build-up, which is similar to a budget
of war times,” Zolyan said.

He stressed that the wall around Karabakh, which Azerbaijan intends
to build, testifies to its unwillingness to reasonable cooperation
with Karabakh.

“Despite many other differences in case of South Ossetia, Abkhazia
and Kosovo the mediators on Karabakh continue to show rare unanimity
claiming they cannot serve a precedent for Karabakh,” the Chancellor
said.

In this context, Zolyan believes the settlement lies in negotiations,
without mediators. Integration problem should not be settled without
tackling cooperation problems. He pointed out implementation of
joint projects between Armenia-Georgia, Georgia-Azerbaijan, as well
as possible cooperation of an Assembly between local and regional
authorities, possibility to establish similar territorial structures,
excluding political and economic issues from the agenda.

Touching upon the political status of Karabakh, Zolyan said that he
would like to address the West: “What would happen if member states of
Yugoslavia realized their right to self-determination within not even
Yugoslavia but Serbia?” The answer is clear, however, it is unclear why
it cannot be applied for Karabakh as well. Moreover, exclusion Karabakh
from negotiation processes makes the whole process even more unclear.

Karabakh participation in negotiations is important, but it should
not be an end to itself. Stability in Karabakh is not because of but
in spite of mediators’ efforts, he concluded.

BORDER SECURITY ISSUES IN THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION OF RA PRESIDENT AND NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
Artak Barseghyan

“Radiolur”
17.02.2012 15:28

The interdepartmental committee monitoring the process of
implementation of the programs envisaged by RA border security strategy
convened a sitting today chaired by Secretary of the National Security
Council of Armenia Arthur Baghdasaryan.

Arthur Baghdasaryan noted in his opening remarks that the issue of
ensuring border security is always in the focus of attention of the
Armenian President and the National Security Council.

“We have registered positive developments in the sphere after the
adoption of the border security strategy. We have reached agreements
on modernization of the Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Iran state borders.

We are effectively cooperating with the European Union, as well towards
modernization of the Armenia-Georgia state border. Our works have
entered a decisive stage, and we’ll soon have border infrastructures
corresponding to international standards at Bagratashen, Bavra and
Gogavan checkpoints,” Arthur Baghdasaryan said.

According to Baghdasaryan, the Council I snow negotiating with
EU corresponding structures on issues of methodical and technical
support. The Security Council will sign an agreement on cooperation
with FRONTEX – European Union’s Border Management Agency, which
envisages exchange of experience, preparation of specialists,
participation in joint actions and technical support.

TURKISH TRUCK RAVAGES ARMENIANS’ HOUSE IN GEORGIA

Tert.am
16.02.12

An Armenian family in Georgia’s Akhaltskhe region has been left
roof-lorn after a Turkish truck invaded their house.

According to the Georgian news website Gruzia-Online, the truck
completely ravaged the Muradyan’s house in Nuakrebi village, and the
family are now call upon the driver to repair the damages, claiming
that they have no shelter to hide from winter cold.

But the Turkish driver has reportedly said that an ice-covered roadway
had caused him to lose vehicle control.

An inquest has been launched into the circumstances of the incident.

ARE POLICE ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL?

hetq
12:56, February 16, 2012

A Hetq reporter snapped this picture of a truck with no visible
license plates loaded to the brim with cut timber. It was on the
Goris-Kapan road.

Another suspicious truck carrying questionable goods.

One wonders if the police driving up and down this stretch of highway
ever notice such violations, or if they even care.

ARMENIA’S INTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY WILL BE REESTABLISHED – NEWSPAPER

news.am
February 15, 2012 | 09:43

YEREVAN. – After the upcoming parliamentary elections, Armenia’s
President Serzh Sargsyan will reestablish the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun daily writes.

“According to the rumors in circulation, the Internal Affairs Minister
will be a political figure, and the Police Chief likewise will be
his subordinate. This means the Police Chief will not be dismissed,
but rather he will have a superior,” Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun writes.

TBILISI APARTMENT OF GREAT ARMENIAN POET TUMANYAN TO BE PURCHASED AT 145 THOUSAND US DOLLARS

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 15, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: The transaction on purchase and sale
of the Tbilisi apartment of all Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan is
scheduled for the coming week. Chairman of the Writers Union of Armenia
Levon Ananyan told Armenpress the owner of the apartment Archil Lezhava
said the cost of the apartment is 145 thousand US dollars. Mayor of
Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan and his brother agreed to buy the apartment at
that price. “The preliminary arrangement on purchasing the apartment
has already been reached and the transaction will be conducted next
week. After it, the apartment will pass to the Armenian party,”
the chairman of the Union said. Levon Ananyan noted that after the
conduction of the transaction the renovation issue of the apartment
will be solved. The function of the territory will also be decided.

The delegation that departed for Georgia for talks comprised of
the Chairman of the Writers Union of Armenia Levon Ananyan, nephew
of Gyumri’s mayor, MP Artyem Ghukasyan and Armenia’s ambassador to
Georgia Hovhannes Manukyan.

Ghukasyan brothers expressed wish to purchase the apartment of the
great poet when the danger of losing it has come forth.