Author: Kanayan Tamar

THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE FACEBOOK USERS IN ARMENIA GROWS 10 PERCENT IN ONE MONTH TO ALMOST 400,000

YEREVAN, February 7, /ARKA/. The number of active Facebook users in
Armenia over the past month has increased by 10 percent to 396,000,
according to a cyber security expert Samvel Martirosian. He said a
week ago there were 392,000 Facebook users.

He said the increase was due to objective reasons proceeding in
parallel with the growth of Facebook users in the world, as people
are forced to join Facebook not to break away fr om their friends
who have profiles on the social network.

He said everyone knows that Facebook is a place where one can
communicate with different people, including journalists and political
figures, wh ere one can apply personally to specific people, read
and get exclusive information.

He said the number of Facebook users in Armenia will continue to grow,
although in some countries their number is reducing, in particular,
in the U.S. and UK.

According to the statistics unveiled by Facebakers last September,
the penetration of social networks in Armenia was about 97.42%,
while the most active social networks users were women (53%). With
regard to age, the most active were the younger generation aged 13-
35 years (83% of users), the bulk were young people aged 18-24 years
(37% of users). Representatives of older generation – 35 years and
older- made only 17%. -0-

HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN SENT CONDOLENCES ON HOVHANNES GRIGORYAN’S DEATH

14:18, 7 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. The Chairman of the National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan sent his condolences on
the occasion of the death of the Secretary of the Writers’ Union of
Armenia Hovhannes Grigoryan. As reports “Armenpress” the Chairman
of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia posted on the
wall of his facebook profile: “I was deeply grieved to hear about
the untimely death of prominent writer, Secretary of the Writers’
Union of Armenia Hovhannes Grigoryan. The Armenian literature lost a
talented poet, who always preserved and continued the rich traditions
of the Armenian poetry.”

Among other things Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the works by Hovhannes
Grigoryan became an inseparable part of the Armenian cultural heritage
and spiritual treasury. Also he stated: “I offer my deepest sympathies
to Hovhannes Grigoryan’s family and friends and share their grief.”

After a long illness prominent modern Armenian writer Hovhannes
Grigoryan died in the morning on February 7.

Hovhannes Grigoryan was born in the city of Gyumri, Armenia, on August
7, 1945. He graduated from the Yerevan State University, department of
Mathematical Linguistics. He was the editor-in-chief of WUA ‘Serund’
electronic magazine and “Mihr” magazine. He wrote numerous articles on
publicity and critique, translated and published in separate editions
of several works of Russian, English and Spanish writers. His own
works were translated into English, French, Russian, Spanish, Persian,
Arabian etc. Among his collected works are “Songs without Music”,
“Quite Different Autumn”, “Rain on a Sad Occasion”, and many others.

He was awarded with literary prize after Avetik Isahakyan, Movses
Khorenatsi Medal, Vahagn Prize, and the State Prize of Artsakh.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE MOUNTAINOUS KARABAGH REPUBLIC

20:09, February 7, 2013

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement, Raffi
Hovannisian left today for the Mountainous Karabagh Republic. In an
official meeting with President Bako Sahakyan, Hovannisian conveyed
his admiration for the citizens and soldiers of Artsakh, expressing
confidence that Stepanakert would soon enjoy the recognition of Armenia
and the international community. Hovannisian and Sahakyan discussed
issues of strategic and diplomatic importance to the Mountainous
Karabagh Republic.

Hovannisian also visited the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi,
after which he toured the frontlines of the Artsakh defense. There he
spoke at length with the Armenian soldiers, answering many questions
concerning the Republic’s borders, and wished them strength and
courage in the defense of the homeland.

Raffi Hovannisian will return to Yerevan this evening.

Heritage Party Press Service

ANTIMONOPOLY BODY OF KARABAKH GETS COMPUTER ROOM

NEWS.AM
February 07, 2013 | 18:26

Chairman of Armenian State Commission for the Protection of
Economic Competition (SCPEC) Artak Shaboyan, during his visit to
Nagorno-Karabakh, met with the chairman of Commission on regulating
public services and economic competition Hakob Ghahramanyan and the
commission staff.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am was informed at the press service of SCPEC,
a computer room was opened in the building of the Commission, also
a new database was enabled. The latter will provide information on
the joint administrative proceedings with colleagues from Armenia,
market research and international prices.

As Kagramanyan noted, the database will be useful not only to the
specialists of the Commission, but also to the general public –
anyone can visit the Commission and obtain the necessary information
from the database.

A. Shaboyan also noted that SCPEC will continue to promote the
participation of experts from Karabakh in various seminars and forums.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSUMERS ALLOWS SOME ARMENIAN COMPANIES TO USE ITS LOGO ON THEIR PRODUCTS AS SIGN OF QUALITY

YEREVAN, February 7. / ARKA /. An Armenian non-governmental
organization, called the National Association of Consumers, has
allowed some companies to use its logo on their products as sign of
high quality. Speaking at a news conference, the organization’s head,
Melita Hakobyan, said it gives the permission only to companies which
have cooperated with the organization for years.

She said the permission is issued by a panel of 21 experts, including 3
academicians, four doctors and professors. The permission is preceded
by a thorough study of products, monthly survey of consumers in shops
selling these products.

Asked whether the companies pay for the permission she said the amount
is symbolic, and some manufacturers do not even pay it.

The logo of the organization is used already by meat products companies
Bari Samaratsi, Razmik 92, Father and Son Galstyan, Ar Delicacy,
Chanakh dairy company and Elbat Armenian-German company manufacturing
car batteries. The logo is to appear also soon on some chocolates of
Grand Candy company

Ms. Hakobyan said many manufacturers had asked for the permission to
use the organization’s logo on their products but after studies they
were denied the right.

Babken Pipoyan, a press officer for State Food Safety Agency of the
Ministry of Agriculture, told ARKA that placing the organization’s
logo on their products is the matter of the companies, and the ministry
does not regard it s a guarantee of quality.

By the way, last December the State Commission for Protection of
Economic Competition (SCPEC) imposed the maximum penalty prescribed
by law – 1% of annual revenue – against 21 meat companies, including
Ar Delicacy and Father and Son Galstyan, which were allowed by the
National Association of Consumers to use its logo on their meat
products as sign of high quality.

According to the SCPEC chairman, Artak Shaboyan, the percentage of soy,
semolina, starch, flour, nitrite, phosphorus and other substances
were extremely high in their meat products apparently to increase
the weight of the products, making them more appetizing. He said meat
percentage was below 16 percent in violation of standards.-0-

PRESS RELEASE
Glendale Public Library
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale CA 91205
Tel: 818-548-2030
Web:

FB:

Central Library Will Screen Hayk Hambartsum’s Two Most Recent Short Films

GLENDALE, CA on Friday February 22, 2013, writer/director Hayk
Hambartsum will screen two of his short films Metzarents and Pheasant
(Mirhav), followed by a discussion. The program will began at 7pm at the
Glendale Central Library Auditorium, 222 East Harvard Street in
Glendale. Both films are in Armenian language with English subtitles.
Admission is free; seating is limited. Library visitors receive 3 hours
FREE parking across the street at The Market Place parking structure
with validation at the Loan Desk.

Pheasant (Mirhav) is based on a short story by Aksel Bakunts. Amidst the
autumn of his life, Dilan remembers the love of his life, Sona, and how
she got away from him long ago.The film was shot in Goris, Armenia, the
birthplace of Aksel Bakunts. The running time is 17 minutes.

Metzarents is the story of Vahag, a struggling actor living in the heart
of Hollywood. Vahag is offered the role of a deceased Armenian poet
Misak Metzarents in a play. His new role as Metzarents brings him into
conflict with Hanna, his Korean girlfriend.The film was shot in and
around Los Angeles and was premiered at the Arpa Film Festival. The
running time is 33 minutes.

Hayk Hambartsum received his BFA from the California Institute of the
Arts in 2008. Since graduating he has been travelling to and from
Armenia doing research, screenwriting and directing films. Hambartsum’s
motivation in making Armenian films is to create a new wave in cinema
that is distinctly Armenian originating with the history and culture of
the Armenian people. Currently Hayk is working towards completing two
projects in Armenia, a documentary set in Artsakh and a film set in
Shirak.

LES OBSERVATEURS DE L’OSCE EXPRIMENT LEUR PREOCCUPATION SUR LA PRESIDENTIELLE

Les fonctionnaires armeniens utilisent les ressources des Etats pour
favoriser la reelection du President Serge Sarkissian en forcant les
employes du secteur public a assister a ses meetings de campagne,
ont declare jeudi les observateurs de l’Organisation pour la securite
et la cooperation en Europe.

” Bien que les autorites de l’Etat aient declare leur intention
d’organiser des elections conformes aux engagements de l’OSCE, la
distinction entre les activites de la campagne et les fonctions
de l’Etat semble etre floue, meme si les responsables ont pris
formellement des conges afin de participer a la campagne “, a estime
une mission de surveillance de l’OSCE dans un rapport interimaire.

Selon le rapport, neuf des dix gouverneurs des provinces d’Armenie
ainsi que de nombreux maires de villes et de villages se sont mis en
conge provisoire pour aider Sarkissian a remporter un second mandat
lors du scrutin prevu pour le 18 fevrier. Ces agents travaillent dans
differends bureaux de la campagne de Sarkissian a travers le pays.

Le rapport de l’OSCE indique que certains de ces bureaux sont situes
dans les edifices gouvernementaux etatiques ou locaux, en violation
de la loi armenienne. Il enumere au moins sept de ces cas.

Les observateurs occidentaux ont egalement donne credit aux rapports
des medias relatant que des enseignants et autres agents publics sont
contraints de participer a des rassemblements Sarkissian notamment le
23 janvier a Kapan, le 25 janvier a Erevan et le 30 janvier a Vanadzor.

Le rapport indique que des injonctions similaires ont egalement ete
delivrees au personnel d’une institution medicale anonyme a Vanadzor.

L’utilisation illegale des ressources administratives a egalement
ete signalee par des observateurs de l’OSCE et des medias locaux
lors des precedentes elections armeniennes. Raffi Hovannisian et
les autres adversaires de Sarkissian denoncent une pratique qui se
poursuit sans relâche. Ils affirment que les autorites ont commence a
recueillir des donnees sur les passeports des travailleurs du secteur
public qui s’engagent a voter pour Serge Sarkissian sous la pression
du gouvernement.

Le rapport note que l’OSCE la presidentielle, marquee par
la non-participation de plusieurs grands groupes d’opposition,
etait morne et manquait d’un debat anime. Il demande egalement a
la Commission electorale centrale de continuer a travailler “d’une
manière ouverte et transparente.”

vendredi 8 fevrier 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN DEMANDS EXPLANATION FROM AXEL FISCHER

12:29, 8 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. The Chairperson of the Standing
Committee on European Integration of the National Assembly of the
Republic of Armenia, member of the Armenian delegation to PACE Naira
Zohrabyan demanded an explanation from the Deputy of German Bundestag,
the PACE co-rapporteur on Armenia Axel Fischer. In a conversation with
“Armenpress” Naira Zohrabyan stated that she has sent a letter to the
German Deputy, in which she particularly dwelt on a recent report of
the Azerbaijani APA news agency. In accordance with the news agency
the Deputy stated that Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories, that
the Armenian troops should immediately leave that territories, that
the destiny of the Azerbaijani refugees depends upon the liberation
of the occupied territories and the exploitation of the Stepanakert
Airport is inadmissible.

Naira Zohrabyan stated: “By all means, I do not take for granted
the authenticity of the information stated in the Azerbaijani
media, notwithstanding I would like You to comment on these
statements personally. Are the statements attributed to You by
the given media really belong to You and have you uttered such
assessments? If You really consider the internationally recognized
right of self-determination of the Nagorno Karabakh people to be
an infringement upon the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, if
the statements put down in the article really belong to You, than I
shall raise the question of the expediency of your staying the PACE
co-rapporteur on Armenia. Notwithstanding I am hopeful that this is
a misinformation by the Azerbaijani media.”

MYANMAR ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH ARMENIA

Published on February 7, 2013 by SAReporter ·

Yangon, Feb 8 (IANS) Myanmar has established diplomatic ties with
Armenia, official media reported Friday.

Armenia is the first country that Myanmar forged links in the new
year of 2013 after Malawi, Bhutan, Luxembourg, Latvia, Estonia and
Iceland in 2012, reported Xinhua.

A joint communique was signed between Myanmar’s permanent
representative to the UN and counterpart of Armenia in New York Jan 31.

The diplomatic establishment with Armenia has brought the total number
of countries in the world with which Myanmar has such links to 111
since it regained independence in 1948.

According to the foreign ministry, Myanmar has so far set up embassies
in 30 countries and two permanent missions in New York and Geneva,
and four consulates-general in Hong Kong, Kunming and Nanning, and
India’s Kolkata, respectively.

Meanwhile, 28 countries have their embassies in Myanmar. In addition,
China and India have respectively set up consulates-general in
Myanmar’s Mandalay, the second largest city, while Switzerland in
Yangon and Bangladesh in Sittway.

IANS 2013-02-08 13:24:01

THE FAMILY OF THE AZERBAIJANI WRITER IS SUBJECTED TO PRESSURE AND ARBITRARINESS

Wed, 02/06/2013 – 17:56

“The publications in the mass media that I have left the country
or plan to do so, is a provocation and a fairy tale. I am not going
to do that”-the famous Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli said in the
interview to the “Turan” agency.

At the same time he confirmed the information that his wife and son
were fired from work.

The son of the writer is a coronel-general of the tax service, and
has been serving in the position of the head in one of the financial
department of state tax servicefor the last 12 years.

And his wife for many years was the director of the Nazim Hikmet
library in the Sabailian region of Baku.

“This everything is being done to put a pressure on me. This is a
revenge for my “Stone dreams” novel”-said the writer.

“Stone Dreams” is the second part of the trilogy published by him. The
first part called “Yemen” was published back in 1990. The third part
of the trilogy “The Huge Plug” is not published yet. “I disseminated
30 copies of the manuscript to my literary critic colleagueÕ½ and I’m
waiting for their opinion; I plan to review the work. After that the
book will be published”- said the writer without telling about the
content of the book.

It should be noted that the novel of the writer -“The Stone dream”-
caused a stir in Azerbaijan and the writer is accused of being
pro-Armenian, anti-Azerbaijaniposition. The book represents
the thoughts and reflections of Baku intellectuals about the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and relations between the two nations.

Author: Factinfo