Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS LOST TO AZERIS BUT KEPT LEADER TITLE

news.am
Oct 27 2011
Armenia

ANKARA. – In the sixth round of the World Youth Chess Olympiad in
Turkey Armenia’s National team lost Azerbaijan’s team with a score
of 1.5:2.5 but kept its leader title.

The official website of the tournament was the source of the mistake,
during the live translation the Armenian chess player was announced
as winner on the fourth board.

Armen Mikayelyan played on the fourth board. Karen Grigoryan, Hovhannes
Gabuzyan and Tigran Harutyunyan ended their matches in a draw..

MOSCOW HOSTS WEEK OF NANSEN IN MEMORY OF NORWEGIAN DIPLOMAT

ITAR-TASS
October 26, 2011 Wednesday 02:52 PM EST
Russia

Visitors to the Week on Nansen exposition in Moscow will learn new
facts from the biography of an outstanding Norwegian scientist,
Polar researcher and diplomat, Fridtjof Nansen, see photographs of
the legendary man unknown to the general public and listen to his
favorite music.

Deputy head of the Norwegian diplomatic mission in Moscow Bord Ivar
Svendsen said that the Norwegian side highly appreciates a big interest
in their compatriot and a legendary man displayed in Russia.

He was a unique person, a man of broad interests, a good scientist and
an excellent diplomat who made a great contribution to the development
of humanitarian projects in Russia, Ukraine and Armenia, the Norwegian
diplomat said. He praised the exposition devoted to Nansen, saying
its program is diverse and rich in content.

Natalia Budur, the Russian author of Nansen’s biography, said in her
book that Nansen skied across Greenland, sailed through Arctic ice to
the North Pole and after being an ambassador got down to humanitarian
activities and signed a very important document on the territorial
integrity of Norway.

A conference held at the Sakharov Center in Moscow on Wednesday
in the framework of the “Week of Nansen” is being attended by
scientists from Russia and Norway and other visitors. Later in the
day an exposition of photographs dedicated to Hansen will open to
show Hansen’s activities in the field of repatriation of prisoners
of war, assistance to the victims of famine in Samara and Saratov,
the activities of Nansen Committee in Kharkov, his work at sessions
of the League of Nations in which Nansen took part, a book published
by the Nansen mission in bid to raise funds in aid to Russia, Nansen
passports and other photographs.

In 2011 the world celebrates the 150th anniversary of Nansen’s birth.

Since 1919 after a period of scientific research in the North and
until 1930 when Nansen died he fully devoted himself to humanitarian
activities.

During a horrible period of famine in the Volga region in Civil War
Nansen made heroic efforts to ensure food and financial aid to Russia
from Europe and the United States and contributed his own funds,
helped solve refugee problems. In 1922 Nansen became a first ever
High Commissioner for refugees.

On the initiative of the International Red Cross the name of Fridtjof
Nansen was given to passports issued to refugees from Russia. This
widely used document gave a new lease of life in the West to Igor
Stravinsky, Sergei Rakhmaninov, Mark Shagal, Anna Pavlova and other
bright representatives of Russian art and culture.

The name of the bright man was given to a lunar crater, islands
of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, mountain peaks in Antarctica,
Tien -Shan and Canada, an island in the Kara Sea. Many streets in
world cities were named after the celebrated man. His name crowns an
annual prize in the field of human rights awarded by the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Nansen Refugee Award was created in 1954 in honor of Fridtjof
Nansen, the legendary Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and
politician.

WORLD’S MILESTONE 7 BILLIONTH BABY TO BE BORN IN ARMENIA

ArmeniaDiaspora

Oct 27 2011

Epress.am — According to the State of World Population 2011,
a report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
the world’s population will officially hit seven billion on Oct. 31,
2011, when the 7 billionth baby will be born – in Artik, Armenia.

The UNFPA office in Armenia and the National Institute of Reproductive
Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology will be organizing
a press visit to the Artik maternity ward to greet the milestone baby.

According to a press release, the child will be born between 10 am
and 3 pm.

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR US AMBASSADOR TO RA JOHN HEFFERN

National Assembly of RA

Oct 27 2011
Armenia

RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan received the newly appointed US
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to RA John Heffern.

Welcoming the guest the NA President has congratulated him on the
occasion of the appointment and has expressed conviction that at
present the Armenian-American relations being at high level will more
develop during his tenure. The NA President has highly appreciated
all the programmes that have been implemented by the USA in Armenia
and has addressed words of acknowledgement to the former US Ambassador
to Marie Yovanovitch for her contribution in them.

Hovik Abrahamyan particularly highlighted the Millennium Challenge
Corporation Armenian program, thanks to which a number of issues of
vital importance for our country had been solved. He expressed hope
that the Ambassador Heffern would make efforts in continuing the
programs pertaining to Armenia.

Thanking for reception the newly appointed US Ambassador also has
ensured that the Armenian-American relations are at the highest level,
and recently the high-ranking American officials’ visits to Armenia
are the evidence of it.

In the meeting the sides also touched upon the regional problems. The
US Ambassador highly appreciated the proposed aid from Armenia to
Turkey after the earthquake occurred there. Considered also as an
important step proposing aid to Turkey from Armenia. RA NA President
Hovik Abrahamyan noted that with that proposal an opportunity was given
once again to the Turkish authorities begin negotiations with Armenia.

Presenting the Armenian side’s view on the NK conflict Hovik
Abrahamyan once again noted that it should be settled through peaceful
negotiations and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, and
other dimension is inadmissible,

In the Ambassador Heffern’s words, the NK problem cannot be solved
in military way.

The interlocutors also discussed other issues of bilateral interest,
highlighted the activation of relations between the RA National
Assembly and US Congress, considering the need of fostering the
inter-parliamentary relations.

ARPA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 14TH YEAR

Published: Thursday October 27, 2011

Giulia and Fiammena Wegner, granddaughters of Armin T. Wegner, and
Filmmaker Bryan Single.

Hollywood, Calif. – The 14th annual Arpa International Film Festival,
presented by AT&T YP.com, captivated the hearts and minds of audiences
over three days at the glamorous Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art’s (AFFMA) signature event kicked
off with the Opening Night Los Angeles premiere of Braden King’s
“HERE” on September 22nd. The film, starring Ben Foster and Lubna
Azabal, was shot entirely in Armenia.

The Festival’s Centerpeiece film “My Uncle Rafael” headlined an
exquisite program of films on Friday, the 23rd of September.

Writer/Producer/Actor Vahik Pirhamzei, director Marc Fusco,
co-screenwriter Scott Yagemann, actress Missi Pyle and other cast
and crew attended the sold out North American Premiere.

This year, the Festival screened over 30 films from 15 countries.

Closing Night featured the North American premiere of Mahsun
Kirmizigul’s action drama “Five Minarets in New York,” sending the
Festival out with a bang and a record crowd over three days.

The Festival’s prestigious Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award was
presented to Bryan Single for his documentary ” Children of War,”
which was filmed in Uganda and tells the story of a group of former
child soldiers as they escape the battlefield and undergo a remarkable
process of trauma therapy and emotional healing. Two of Wegner’s
grandchildren, Giulia and Fiammena, were on hand to co-present the
annual award.

Festival Presenting Sponsor AT&T’s Award for Environmental Conservation
and Stewardship was awarded to Susan Edwards for “Marion Stoddart:
The Work of 1000,” a documentary short about a remarkable woman who
transformed herself from a 1960s housewife to a citizen leader and
environmental hero honored by the United Nations.

Other notable award recipients included Eric Nazarian, Best Short
winner for “Bolis,” Arman Yeritsyan and Inna Sahakyan, Best Documentary
winners for “The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia,” screenwriters
Vahik Pirhamzei and Scott Yagemann and director Marc Fusco for “My
Uncle Rafael,” and Ahmad Zahra, producer of Best Feature Film winner
“Three Veils.”

Vahik Pirhamzei was also awarded the Festival’s 2011 Breakthrough
Artist Award. During the festival, the international distribution
company Slater Brothers acquired the rights to distribute My Uncle
Rafael.

The jury consisted of industry veterans Ara Keshishian and Jeff
Speich, both motion picture talent agents at Creative Artists Agency,
and Owen Ward, producer and marketing executive.

The Arpa International Film Festival committee wishes to thank its
patrons for their continued support as it embarks on preparations
for its jubilee 15th year.

YOUNG WOMAN COMMITS SUICIDE IN YEREVAN

Tert.am
27.10.11

A young woman has committed suicide in Yerevan, according to the
website of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The woman identified as Y. Minasyan, 28, jumped from Kievyan Bridge
in Yerevan at around 15:35 on Thursday.

It is not clear what triggered the move.

LEADERS OF ITT TO DISCUSS IT DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS IN ARTSAKH

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 27, 2011
YEREVAN

The Union of Information Technology Enterprises continues its
efforts addressed to the promotion of the development of technology
in Armenia. With that aim “ITT Leaders’ Meeting” conference will
be conducted in Artsakh October 28-30 dedicated to the issues of
technology development in Artsakh. The event is supported by the RA
Ministry of Economy and NKR Economic Development Ministry.

An official from the Union told Armenpress the agenda issues of the
conference are development of education and working staff of the
Information Technology sphere, technology solutions for the industry
of NKR, the present and future of the NKR technology development, etc.

The event will be opened by the NKR President Bako Sahakayan. About
60 representatives of the Armenian ITT companies, state, public and
international organizations will partake in the event.

For the first time this event was conducted in Nagorno Karabakh
October 9-10 2010 dedicated to the issues of development of technology
entrepreneurship in Armenia and Artsakh.

CHIEF OF THE POLICE SAYS ACTIVITIES OF POLICEMEN LEGAL

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 27, 2011
YEREVAN

The activities of the Armenian policemen in front of the Government
building are legal, chief of the police Alik Sargsyan said at a
briefing with reporters, pointing out that during the previous
incident he understood that “part of the protesting people does
not have ability to think sensitively”. “They need serious help,”
the chief of the police said.

In his words the activities in front of the building of the Government
and insults addressed to a number of people are out of all norms.

“No matter who comes out of the Government building they allow them
different offensive expressions. I think it is impossible to allow
such situations,” Alik Sargsyan said, stating that the police officers
implement his instructions.

“If the participants of the rallies continue displaying such behavior,
I will apply other means,” Alik Sargsyan said.

In response to the remark of a reporter that the actions of the
policemen violate human rights, Alik Sargsyan said: “Aren’t we humans
too. Who will protect our rights?” In this respect Sargsyan said
that activist of the Armenian National Congress Vardges Gaspari,
who was arrested during the last rallies, has injured a policeman.

“The activities of the police are legal, no illegal step is being
taken,” the chief of the police said.

TENSIONS FLARE AT ONGOING DER BOGHOSSIAN SEX TRIAL
Larisa Paremuzyan

hetq
01:04, October 27, 2011

Heightened tensions were in the air at yesterday’s ongoing trial
of Serop Der-Boghossian, American-Armenian businessman and owner of
Metal Prince Ltd, indicted on paedophilia charges.

Two witnesses, one now serving in the Armenian military, gave
testimony.

Emotions flared when Vahram Parsadanyan, who had made a statement
charging Der-Boghossian with paedophilia to Armenia’s National Security
Service, took the witness stand.

Reporters in the waiting room outside could hear the heated exchanges
taking place inside between the defense and prosecution attorneys.

When asked about the flare-ups, Prosecutor Aram Amirzadyan told
reporters that he was only trying to maintain objectivity in the
courtroom.

Reporters also heard the witness allege that homosexual acts had been
going on in Akhtatla in the past as well.

When asked if this might lead to other individuals being subpoenaed,
Prosecutor Amirzadyan answered that it wasn’t likely given the lack
of any substantive evidence backing up such a claim.

Vahram Parsadanyan, who works at the mining facility owned by the
accused Der-Boghossian, told Hetq after the trial that he feared
being laid off due to his testimony.

“The judge told me I could take the company to court if I get sacked,”
he said.

Parsadanyan denied accusations that he had blackmailed Der-Boghossian
and had demanded money for the return of video tapes showing the
middle aged businessman engaging in homosexual acts with minors.

LA CULTURE FAIT SA PLACE A GYUMRI
Ara

armenews.com
vendredi 28 octobre 2011

Ce mardi a eu lieu a Gyumri l’inauguration du Centre International
pour la Paix et le Developpement. Rien que le nom apparaît demesure et
ambitieux lorsqu’on connait les difficultes que rencontre la deuxième
ville d’Armenie. Et pourtant, les initiatives de quelques-uns
ont permis l’implantation de cet organisme charge d’accueillir
des artistes, des intellectuels internationaux et d’organiser des
manifestations culturelles, aspect encore peu developpe dans cette
ville. Ce fut l’occasion, pour les principaux bâtisseurs de ce projet,
d’evoquer leurs motivations et leurs futures actions, tout ceci dans
la bonne humeur, la simplicite et… la fumee des khorovadz !

La creation de ce centre est avant tout liee a une rencontre. D’un
côte, la famille Pamokdjian qui après avoir tente, avec un succès
relatif, dans les annees 1990 d’attirer les investissements francais en
Armenie, se sont diriges vers l’aspect culturel a faire renaître dans
le pays. D’un autre côte, Antonio Montalto, consul honoraire d’Italie,
arrive en Armenie avec son ONG, Family Care, après le tremblement de
terre de 1988, qui s’est depuis enormement investi auprès des orphelins
notamment. Antonio Montalto a donc reussi a degager des fonds pour
developper ses projets en organisant des ventes et des expositions
de ceramiques directement realisees lors des travaux pratiques dans
les orphelinats, ce qui lui a valu l’attention des Pamokdjian qui
recherchaient des initiatives a soutenir auprès des acteurs prives.

La diaspora francaise, italienne, mais aussi parfois allemande et
britannique soutient alors leurs actions, Antonio Montalto monte de
nombreux projets, comme celui de ce centre culturel a Gyumri. Tandis
que Fineco, l’entreprise des Pamokdjian specialisee dans le financement
de la recherche et developpement, apporte un soutien financier,
mais aussi une aide a travers un reseau d’investisseurs, d’artistes,
ou d’intellectuels qui apportent leur pierre a l’edifice.

Tout ce petit monde s’agite alors pour participer au dynamisme culturel
de l’Armenie.

Ainsi, le Centre International pour la Paix et le Developpement a
pu etre inaugure malgre le pari risque qu’il representait, a savoir,
decentraliser l’activite culturelle pour sortir un peu du microcosme
de Erevan autour duquel se concentre l’integralite des initiatives
habituelles. L’aspect ” Developpement ” du projet est alors le debut
d’un mecenat de la part de Fineco pour soutenir les entreprises de la
region, comme ” Fishfarm “, un elevage de poissons. En ce qui concerne
le volet de la ” Paix “, la ville de Gyumri est tout naturellement
designee pour devenir l’emblème des liens renaissants avec la Turquie.

De par sa proximite avec la frontière ainsi que sa gemellite historique
et architecturale avec la ville de Kars, en Turquie, Gyumri est la
ville de la reconciliation par excellence. Un des objectifs principaux
du centre est alors d’accueillir les artistes et intellectuels turcs
qui militent dans leur pays pour la reconnaissance du genocide. Un des
premiers partenariats que l’on espère prolifique, sera ainsi la pièce
de Bruno Freyssinet, ” Les Descendants “, actuellement a Erevan et
donc prochainement a Gyumri. La troupe, au complet a l’inauguration,
a presente son ~uvre qui fait un parallèle entre les relations
armeno-turques et la reconciliation franco-allemande.

C’est donc le debut d’un nouveau dynamisme pour Gyumri car les
Pamokdjian et Antonio Montalto ont d’autres projets pour les annees
a venir, a savoir un centre culturel europeen qui proposerait des
expositions, des concerts et une bibliothèque. Cela devrait voir
le jour a la fin de l’annee 2012, puis etre suivi par la creation
d’une fabrique de tapis artisanaux et de ceramiques, dans la pure
tradition armenienne, qui, en plus de creer près d’une quarantaine
d’emplois, beneficierait du savoir faire d’experts internationaux qui
se chargeraient de la formation. On peut donc esperer le meilleur de
la part de ces initiatives qui se deroulent entièrement independamment
des pouvoirs publics et qui creent pourtant des resultats admirables.

Pour NAM et armenews.com Hugo Ruher a Erevan