Author: Kanayan Tamar

IFC GRANTED $70 MILLION TO ARMENIA

news.am
Aug 1, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – International Finance Corporation (IFC) granted $70
million to Armenia in the last financial year (July 1st, 2010 –
June 30th, 2011), IFC reports. IFC is a structure of the World Bank,
which is responsible for investments in the private sector. IFC made
investments in 11 projects for the last year. Currently IFC investment
Armenian portfolio is $102 million in the form of loans and capital
investments in the financial system and economy.

The organization considerably increased loans for small and
medium businesses, granting the banks with credit lines including
agro-industry enterprises.

Armenia is a member of IFC since 1995. So far IFC granted $147
million for 28 projects in Armenia. Besides the investments, IFC
provides consultations for the private sector and the government in
the areas of financial sector, stabile energy, and improvement of
the investment climate.

GALVIN ACCUSES MAN OF RIPPING OFF ARMENIAN-AMERICAN INVESTORS.

The Patriot Ledger

Aug 1, 2011

BOSTON – Secretary of State William Galvin has filed a complaint
against a West Boylston man, alleging that he defrauded three investors
of nearly $800,000 by selling them stakes in real estate ventures in
Leicester and Sutton and then using their money to pay for trips to
the Foxwoods casino in Connecticut and the French Riviera.

Galvin said Edward Kooyomjian Sr. targeted investors who had ties
with the Armenian-American community in central Massachusetts in an
apparent case of affinity fraud. Galvin also accuses Kooyomjian of
selling unregistered securities and acting as an unregistered agent.

“Not only did these investors lose their money on what they thought
to be an investment, but they were betrayed by someone they had every
reason to trust,” Galvin said.

Worcester Probate Court has has ruled that Kooyomjian used investors’
money for gambling, and ordered him to repay $381,200, but he is
presently in default on that judgment. He had been sued by the daughter
of a widow whose husband had been a close friend of Kooyomjian’s.

ARFD STILL PUSHES FOR ARMENIAN FM’S RESIGNATION

news.am
Aug 1, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Armenian FM Edward Nalbandyan’s resignation remains a
topical issue on the agenda of ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the head of the
Hay Dat (Armenian Cause) office, Giro Manoyan told a press conference
on Monday.

Manoyan explained that ARFD stands for systemic change of power in
Armenia, which also implies resignation of the foreign minister.

“The main responsibility for Armenia’s current foreign policy falls on
the President. Demand for resignation of foreign minister is a message
to President Serzh Sargsyan to change his policy. If he succeeds at
the same time retaining the minister, let it be so,” concluded Manoyan.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun is one of the
oldest Armenian political parties. Presently ARFD has 16 seats in
the 131-member Armenian parliament.

ARMENIAN MUSIC SCHOOLS DO NOT PROVIDE PROPER KNOWLEDGE – CONDUCTOR

news.am
Aug 1, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Armenia will not have another Narek Hakhnazaryan, who
won XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, during the
coming 60 years, conductor of Armenian state philharmonic orchestra
Edward Topchyan told the journalists on Monday.

The participation and victory in the contest paved way for many
outstanding musicians. There are many children in Armenia who have
the potential of becoming outstanding musicians. However, the schools
do not provide proper knowledge, the conductor said.

Armenia’s Narek Hakhnazaryan won XIV International Tchaikovsky
Competition in Moscow. Hakhnazaryan won a gold medal and a prize
of EUR 20,000, and also took the audience award for an incredible
performance on the cello.

FORMAT OF OSCE MINSK GROUP ON KARABAKH CANNOT BE ALTERED – ARMENIAN POLITICIAN

news.am
Aug 1, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – The head of the Hay Dat office and ARF Dashnaktsutyun
on political issues Giro Manoyan considers the statements that the
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan goes on pursuing the policy of his
predecessor Robert Kocharyan on the Karabakh issue incorrect.

“Serzh Sargsyan did not come to power with the slogan “No piece of
land,” Manoyan told a press conference on Monday.

According to him, Sargsyan adhered to this position in his capacity
as a defense minister.

“Meanwhile, Kocharyan had never spoken about possible territorial
concessions. Maybe it was on his mind, but he never made such public
statements,” Manoyan noted.

With regard to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the ARFD member
stressed the only possible change in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group
is Karabakh’s return to the negotiating table. However, it is possible
only with the corresponding position of the Armenian authorities that
will oblige this to the Minsk Group co-chairs, he stated.

Concerning the format of international negotiations, Manoyan stressed
that neither the format of OSCE Minsk Group (co-chaired by U.S.,
Russia, and France) is possible to alter, nor one of the co-chairs
can be changed.

AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY LINKED BY DEEP HISTORICAL ROOTS – MP

news.az
Gun.Az
Aug 1, 2011
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan and Turkey are linked by deep historical roots.

Azerbaijan and Turkey are strategic allies and this factor plays an
important role in development of ties.

The talks held during Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
visit to Azerbaijan once again showed that the ties between the
countries are based on principles of friendship and fraternity. These
relations are still on the rise.

The remarks came from Nizami Jafarov, member of the Azerbaijani
Parliament, head of the Azerbaijan-Turkey parliamentary working group.

The head of the Turkish government gave a fitting response to Armenian
leader’s new land claims in Baku, he said.

Turkey gave certain chances to Armenia so far. Sargsyan revealed
the position and claims of Armenia and it turned out that Armenians
still live in a dream world and therefore it is impossible to give
them any chance, MP noted.

NO ARMENIANS AFFECTED BY SYRIAN UNRESTS

news.am
August 1, 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN.- No Armenians were affected by unrests in Syria as of Monday
morning, spokesperson for Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan
told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Violent clashes broke out in the city of Hama on Sunday. “Dozens of
armed people are firing at civilians in the city of Hama, over 95
were killed,” foreign press writes. Hama is one of the centers of
anti-government forces.

Syria has a large Armenian community. Many of its members have dual
Armenian and Syrian citizenship.

HAY DAT: YEREVAN, BAKU GAVE NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO MEDVEDEV’S PROPOSALS ON KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 1, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – The director of the ARF bureau’s Hay Dat and
political affairs office Kiro Manoyan predicted no change in Karabakh
settlement talks’ format before the oncoming elections.

As he told a news conference in Yerevan, the change in negotiation
format is only possible if Setepanakert becomes involved in settlement
talks.

Mr. Manoyan was skeptical over a possibility of progress in Karabakh
settlement, blaming Baku for stalling negotiations.

Dwelling on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s proposals on
conflict settlement, as well as Yerevan and Baku’s response for
proposals advanced, Manoyan characterized the response of both sides
as negative. At June 24 meeting in Kazan, the Presidents of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Russia failed to sign an agreement on basic principles
of Karabakh conflict settlement. As Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian noted later, despite the OSCE MG co-chairs’ efforts,
Azerbaijan was not ready to accept the final version of basic
principles, presenting ten new amendments at the last moment. On July
8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov handed over a personal
message and proposals of RF President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenian
and Azerbaijani leaders Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev, who later
submitted their responses for proposals advanced.

YEREVAN MAYOR INVITES CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO VISIT ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 1, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian delegation led by Yerevan Mayor Karen
Karapetyan met with Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong on the sidelines of a
visit to China’s capital.

At the meeting, the parties stressed the importance of active
cooperation between the two capitals.

Possibilities of cooperation were discussed with Yerevan Mayor briefing
the meeting participants on investment programs implemented, offering
Chinese side to participate.

Further expansion of business and cultural ties were focused on,
with Armenian side extending Mr. Jinlong and Chinese entrepreneurs
an invitation to visit Yerevan.

A memorandum of understanding envisaging cooperation between Yerevan
and Beijing Mayor’s Offices was singed as a result of the meeting.

LA PRESS CLUB, LA PACIFICA RADIO STATION PRESENT MARIA ARMOUDIAN’S UPCOMING BOOK

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 1, 2011 – 17:57 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Los Angeles Press Club and Los Angeles’
Pacifica radio station KPFK 90.7 FM present the official launch of
public official, political scientist, radio host, and journalist
Maria Armoudian’s upcoming book Kill the Messenger: The Media’s Role
in the Fate of the World.

The event occurs at 7:30pm August 11, 2011 at the Los Angeles Press
Club, in the Steve Allen Theater.

With the book set for release on August 23, by noted independent
publisher Prometheus Books, In Kill the Messenger, Armoudian shows
concretely what happens when ethical journalism is absent while bad
media proliferate.

In its final case study, Kill the Messenger explores the media’s
role in the fate of the world, as journalists disentangle the issue
of climate change for the public.

“It is time for ethical media professionals worldwide to assert
themselves against the degradation of their profession by unethical
and corrupt forces, and to retake their professions from the
ill-motivated,” Armoudian notes. “I hope that Kill the Messenger
shows how vital it is to preserve and promote great journalism and
begin to explore how. My book offers some places to start.”

Kill the Messenger’s forward was written by author and political
leader, Senator Tom Hayden.

The book emerged from Armoudian’s studies into the causes of genocide,
war, peacemaking, democratization, and the protection of human
rights and the environment, while she was working on her Ph.D. at
the University of Southern California, as well as during her work as
a public official and journalist.

Armoudian continues to dig into these and other sociopolitical issues,
both through her academic research and her current radio program, the
Insighters and the Scholars’ Circle, which airs in 11 cities. The KPFK
broadcast airs on Sundays from noon to 1 PM, according to Azbarez.com.