Author: Kanayan Tamar

50-STOREY MIXED-USE BUILDING TO BE BUILT NEXT TO MOSCOW CINEMA, LOCAL DAILY ASSERTS

epress.am
11.17.2011

According to local opposition newspaper Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian
Times”), it’s quite likely that a 50-storey building will soon be
built adjacent to Moscow Cinema and Golden Tulip Hotel in Yerevan.

According to news the paper has received, this plan is secretly being
discussed in the corresponding departments at Yerevan City Hall and
several design agencies.

The building, according to the daily, will be called Persia Tower and
it will be a mixed-use development with several floors set aside for
commercial use; others, residential; and more than 10 floors to be
designated as a hotel.

The newspaper’s sources in city hall have stated that the Iranian
party in the deal has already taken specific steps in getting the
interest of the necessary officials. Yerevan’s chief architect Narek
Sargsyan, through his assistant, conveyed to Haykakan Jamanak that
he is familiar with this project, but he will not comment at this time.

The newspaper concludes that if the chief architect avoids providing
an honest assessment of this project, it means that the possibility
of allowing such a structure in the heart of Yerevan is not ruled out.

ZHOGHOVURD: GAS SUPPLY OF NO CONCERN TO ARMENIA?

Tert.am
17.11.11

A parliamentary task group formed to study the gas supply situation
in Armenia has not so far held a single meeting.

The group was formed on the initiative of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), with the consent of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

Vardan Bostanjyan, head of the group and member of the Prosperous
Armenia Party, told the newspaper that the ARF-D that is responsible
for the situation.

However, he said, the ARF-D is not much concerned. Through the
newspaper, the ARF-D proposed that the parliamentary majority delegate
headship of the group to it.

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: SECURITY OFFICER ‘SCAPEGOAT’ FOR NOT REPORTING ‘COUP’

Tert.am
17.11.11

Chief of the Department for Constitutional Order and Terrorism Control,
Armenia’s National Security Service, Tigran Barseghyan was dismissed
and transferred to the reserve the other day.

According to the newspaper, the department is engaged in bugging and
collecting information on opposition political figures.

According to some information, Barseghyan was dismissed for not
reporting a “coup” to his superiors.

According to other reports, Barseghyan is just a “scapegoat”. He
informed Chief of the National Security Service Gorik Hakobyan, who,
however, did not report to President Serzh Sargsyan.

ARMENIA: SIRUSHO BACK ON EUROVISION STAGE!

ESCToday.com
Nov 15 2011

Yes its true Sirusho will be back on the Eurovision stage again! This
time she’ll be gracing the 2011 Junior Eurovision stage as a guest in
her hometown Yerevan. Sirusho is one of Armenia’s most sought after
and recognized artists. She had the honour of representing Armenia
at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest Contest with the heart beating
and melodious Qele Qele, achieving Armenia’s best placing in Europe’s
favourite television show, scoring 4th.

Sirusho enjoys fame, name, glory and popularity in her homeland
Armenia and is among the most successful artists in Armenia today.

Eurovision fans are in for a treat, as Sirusho will be performing
as a special guest at the forthcoming Junior Eurovision Song Contest
scheduled to be held in Yerevan on the 3rd of December.

RUSSIAN BASE IN ARMENIA WILL BE INVOLVED, BUT WON’T INTERVENE IN CASE OF WAR: ANALYST

epress.am
11.16.2011 14:30

The Russian military base in Armenia, one way or another, will be
drawn into the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russian
political analyst and professor of international law Oleg Kuznetsov
told Baku-based news agency Vesti.az.

“As they say in such cases in the world of theater, if a gun appears
on the stage in the first act then it must be fired in the following
act. That is, once a war breaks out, the Russian military in Armenia
will be involved in the war for two reasons: First, the Russian
military will be forced to protect its military assets from attempts
by Armenia to grab it. Second, in the event of a successful offensive
by Azerbaijan’s army, the Russian forces will be forced to protect
themselves from the Azerbaijanis,” he explained.

In addition, Kuznetsov pointed out that Azerbaijan supported Georgia
in military and technical terms in the August 2008 war. “And Moscow
remembers this quite well. But, nevertheless, I don’t think Russia
will move toward direct military intervention. In any case, nothing
threatens the security of the Russian citizens on the military base
in Gyumri,” he said.

AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MARKETING EXCELLENCE TO BE LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA
Anna Balyan

Radiolur
16.11.2011 14:19

Armenia may become a pivotal component of a world marketing program.

Professor of Marketing Philip Kotler intends to open a regional center
for marketing excellence in Armenia, one of the 2-3 similar centers
in the world.

“Kotler Impact” CEO Dr. Fahim Kibna says Professor Kotler ascertained
that being close both to the Arab World and Europe, Armenia possesses
great business opportunities. Armenia has a strong financial sector
and a developed IT sphere. Besides, from the demographic point of view,
there are many young people here.

Specialists from Georgia, Iran and other countries of the region will
come to study here, Fahim Kibna said at an international marketing
conference in Yerevan.

The center will boost the cooperation with research institutions and
provide advice to business groups.

“The center will become a unique incubator, which will later generate
ideas that will contribute to the development of different spheres,”
President of the Armenian Marketing Association Aram Navasardyan said
in an interview with “Radiolur.”

Organization of a world marketing summit is another idea suggested by
Philip Kotler. He intends to convene it in Bangladesh, as a country
bordering several others. The ideas brought to the summit will be
tested in the research incubators opened in different countries.

The international marketing center will be opened through private
investments, the terms are not yet known. Aram Navasardyan suggests
opening it in one of the distant regions of the country to promote the
development of marzes. The idea has been supported by the President
and Prime Minister of the republic. “By intensifying the cooperation
with neighbor countries, this initiative will contribute to the
reinforcement of regional peace, as well,” he said.

ARAVOT: GOVERNOR’S CASE IS TOUCHSTONE

Tert.am
11:42 16.11.11

The case of Syunik Governor Suren Khachatryan is a touchstone to
prove the authorities are serious.

If reforms should have been launched three years ago, they should
have got rid of Mr. Khachatryan long ago. They should not have allowed
one official to terrorize and humiliate an entire region for 12 years.

The governor’s “deeds” have repeatedly been highlighted by the media,
with government officials turning a deaf ear to the reports. It
was not until the latest act of violence that the Armenian premier
announced an administrative investigation. However, he has proved
unable or unwilling to have it completed.

A precedent is available. Yerevan mayor Gagik Beglaryan had to
resign after committing violence against a staffer of the Armenian
presidential protocol. Mayor is an elective office, and it is much
easier to dismiss a governor.

If what should be done is not done this time, the previous instance
may be considered nothing but a “court intrigue” rather than a
principle-based decision.

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: EX-CHIEF OF ARMENIA’S POLICE FACING TRIAL

Tert.am
10:52 16.11.11

The case of the ex-chief of Armenia’s traffic police, Margar Ohanyan,
will soon to be sent to court.

Ohanyan is charged with abuse of office and embezzlement of property.

He has been in custody for three months, since Aug. 30.

If found guilty, Ohanyan will be sentenced to 12 years of
imprisonment. His lawyer informed the newspaper that Ohanyan does
not plead guilty.

AMAYA TO OPERATE NEW NATIONAL LOTTERY IN ARMENIA

Gaming Intelligence Group
Nov 15 2011

Canada’s Amaya Gaming Group has signed an exclusive ten-year agreement
with the Republic of Armenia to implement a new national lottery
which will be deployed through traditional sales channels as well as
via Short Message Service (SMS).

Under the agreement, Amaya will implement a national lottery and
provide central reporting and integrity services.

The company will install and deploy the Amaya Central Reporting
Module (Amaya CRM) on all electronic gaming devices operating in the
Republic of Armenia for the next ten years. The Amaya CRM provides the
government with real-time reporting tools to capture and monitor gaming
transactions, improve tax efficiency and promote gaming integrity.

Amaya said that the agreement represents a significant milestone as it
includes the company’s first mandate to install its Amaya CRM system.

“We are very pleased to begin a mutually beneficial long-term
relationship with the Government of Armenia,” said David Baazov,
president and CEO of Amaya Gaming Group. “Our lottery and integrity
solutions are providing us with a platform to expand our technology
footprint and grow our relationships with customers in new
jurisdictions.”

The agreement follows a collaboration first announced late last month
by Armenian finance minister Vache Gabrielian between the Armenian
Government and Amaya to create Amaya Armenia, a joint company on
a parity basis with the income from the lottery being distributed
equally between the principals.

Gabrielian said at the time that he expects the partnership to secure
several billion drams annually in additional revenue, with AMD2 billion
([email protected]) expected in 2012, and AMD7 billion ([email protected]) in 2013.

The minister also announced that the Government will collaborate
with Amaya on the establishment of a centralized system of control
and accounting to prevent fraud, money laundering and other forms of
economic crime.

Shares in Amaya Gaming Group Inc (Co. Profile) (TSX:AYA) will commence
trading at CAD$2.14 per share in Toronto later today.

PHOTO EXHIBITION DEVOTED TO ARMENIA OPENS IN FRANCE

news.am, Armenia
Nov 15 2011

YEREVAN. – Professional photographer Jean-Michel Berts’ photo
exhibition entitled “Light of Armenia” opened, on November 12, in
Fontenay-le-Comte city, which is considered the center of France’s
Vendee department.

The event was devoted to 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence,
and it was an initiative of the Vendee-Armenia Association. Armenia’s
Ambassador to France, Vigen Chitechyan, and Fontenay-le-Comte’s Mayor,
Hugues Fourage, also attended the photo exhibition’s official opening,
MFA Press Service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

And an official reception was held, on the evening, during which
Ambassador Chitechyan addressed those present and expressed a hope
that cooperation between Armenia and Vendee would further develop
and expand.