Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DECLINES ARF-D-PROPOSED BILL

tert.am
25.10.12

Armenia’s government declined on Thursday the bill on minimum monthly
wages proposed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun
(ARF-D).

Minister of Finance Vache Gabrielyan informed Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan that, according to the bill, from 2013 the minimum monthly
wages are to meet the following criteria: they are not to be less
than last year’s minimum monthly wages, with the annual price rise
considered.

Secondly, the minimum monthly wages cannot be less that 80% of the
minimum consumer budget or less that 30% of the average monthly wages
for 2013. Also, in 2014, the minimum monthly wages cannot be less
than 40% of the average monthly wages. From 2015 onward, they cannot
be less than 50% of the average monthly wages.

Thirdly, the wages of persons holding political and civil posts,
government officials, employees of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
cannot be less than 120% of the minimum monthly wages.

The premier stressed that the government and the ARF-D agrees that the
rates incorporated in the bill will become the government’s targets.

“We object to making the rates statutory, but the government must
have them in store,” the premier said.

Tigran Sargsyan instructed Minister Vache Gabrielyan to consider the
proposed rates in presenting the 2013 draft budget.

The minister said the rates will be incorporated in the mid-term
expenditure program.

HOLOCAUST-DENYING BISHOP BOOTED FROM RELIGIOUS ORDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 25, 2012 – 17:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Bishop Richard Williamson, who has denied the
Holocaust, was expelled from a radical Catholic sect for disobeying
his superiors, Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported.

Williamson was expelled from the Society of Saint Pius X, which
opposes Church reforms decided by the second Vatican Council, the
society said Wednesday, Oct 24. The British bishop is opposed to
recent society efforts to reintegrate into the Catholic Church.

Williamson gave an interview just before the rehabilitation to
the Swedish SVT broadcaster in which he called the murder of Jews
in gas chambers during the Holocaust “lies, lies, lies.” He also
allegedly denied that any Jews were murdered in gas chambers during
the Holocaust and insisted that not more than 300,000 European Jews
were killed in total.

300 ARMENIAN CUSTOMS OFFICERS IMPROVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

news.am
October 25, 2012 | 18:13

YEREVAN. – Around 300 customs officers of Armenia have improved
their professional skills at the State Revenue Committee (SRC)
TrainingCenter, where special courses are conducted for the customs
officers.

Experts from the European Union Twinning Project have commenced a
long-term cooperation with SRC. And ever since the establishment of
the TrainingCenter, specialists from the World Customs Organization
member states lecture there on regular basis.

Also, the customs officers receive theoretic and practical knowledge
at the center, where specialized terminology English and Russian are
taught as well.

ARMENIA AND CHINA TO DEEPEN COOPERATION

news.am
October 26, 2012 | 14:25

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s National Security Council (NSC) Secretary Arthur
Baghdasaryan wrapped up his working visit to China with his meetings
with Meng Jyanzu, the Minister of Public Security and State Councilor,
and Cheng Guoping, the Vice FM.

The interlocutors discussed the current state of and the prospects for
Armenian-Chinese ties, the avenues for developing these relations,
and regional security matters, NSC press service informed Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

Also, they made concrete arrangements on deepening bilateral
cooperation.

NEW GYUMRI MAYOR FUMES OVER “HUGE DEBT” FROM PREDECESSOR

News | 26.10.12 | 10:59

The new administration of Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri has
accused former managers of running into huge and mostly unreasonable
debts as newly elected mayor Samvel Balasanyan met with Municipal
Assembly members on Thursday.

Enlarge Photo Samvel Balasanyan, Vardan Ghukasyan

At the meeting Balasanyan said the administration of his predecessor
Vardan Ghukasyan spent the money earmarked for the whole year of its
operations within just nine months, at the same time accumulating
a debt of about 827 million drams (more than $2 million) only for
utility services.

Balasanyan, a member of the Prosperous Armenia Party, took over as
Gyumri mayor earlier this month after winning in September elections
in which Ghukasyan, a longtime mayor of the city and member of the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia, did not seek reelection.

Balasanyan, who also enjoyed the support of the Republicans during
the election, made it clear to Municipal Assembly members that the
onus was on their successors – due to assume power on November 12 –
to clear up the mess and deal with the debt problem.

“There are debts for natural gas supply, electricity, communication
services, salaries, advertising, publication as well as to a number
of construction companies,” state-run news agency Armenpress quoted
Balasanyan as saying.

The newly elected mayor, in particular, fumed over the arrears on
account of salaries for August and September that, he said, amount
to 209 million drams (more than $500,000).

“With such utility debts the municipality wouldn’t be able to breath.

There are even some organizations that have threatened to take the
matter to courts,” said Balasanyan.

Remarkably, among such “organizations” is also the recently built
posh hotel Alexandropol that belongs to ex-mayor Ghukasyan.

Meanwhile, as proof of his intent to keep the city expenses down, new
mayor Balasanyan said he would refuse to avail himself of bodyguards’
services.

”TENNIS ARK 2012″ INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT LAUNCHED IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS: “Tennis ark 2012” international
tournament was launched in Yerevan “Orange Tennis Club”. People
of various specialty, political and public figures, businessmen,
cosmonauts, doctors, journalists, representatives from the fields of
arts and sports from Armenian Republic and Russian Federation will
compete at the event. The tournament is held under the high patronage
of Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia.

President Sargsyan delivered a speech refer to “Tennis Ark 2012”
competition. “Love towards Armenia unites you and I am sure you are
well aware of its history, culture and traditions. In the course of
these days you will be enabled one more chance to feel the spirit
of Armenia and jointly create your future achievements. I warmly
welcome friends of Armenia in capital Yerevan, celebrating its 2794
anniversary.”Tennis ark ” tournament is being held for those people
who are not indifferent towards noble struggle of sport, which will
turn a real holiday not only for the participants but also for the
audience. I honestly wish you a wonderful mood, sport spirit, success
in the court and nice days in Armenia”.

Konstantin Zatulin, the director of the CIS Institute underscored much
efforts have been invested for the launch of this tournament. “The
people gathered here are sure that their second homeland is Armenia.

Armenian and Russian peoples for centuries long have fought for each
other and had sympathy towards each other” Zatulin stated.

“Tennis ark 2012” friendly meeting was organize by the efforts of
Tennis Federation of Armenia, “Orange Tennis” club, CIS Institute,
” Big hat ” tennis club and ” Cosmonauts tennis club”.

The awarding and closing ceremony of the tournament will take place
on October 27.

IN A LETTER TO CHANCELLOR MERKEL THE GERMAN-ARMENIANS WARN HER ABOUT THE DANGER OF THE POLICY OF MUSLIMIZATION ADOPTED BY THE TURKISH SIDE

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 26, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS. Insidious steps of the Turkish
side for muslimization and unpredictable political developments
in the Middle and Near East are very dangerous. This was expressed
in a persuasion letter of the German-Armenians to Chancellor Merkel
before the official visit of the Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip
Erdogan to Berlin on October 30-31.

As the Chairman of the Central Committee of the German-Armenians Azat
Ordukhanyan informed “Armenpress” in a letter to Angela Merkel was
particularly emphasized that the West must consider the continuous
growth of radical muslimization initiated by the Turkish side.

Among other issues in his letter Azat Ordukhanyan mentioned the
following: “We are actually facing a dangerous turnover of the Turkish
politics. Ankara turned its back to the West and has focused on a
generally Pan Turkism ideology, which is aimed to the restoration of
the influence of the former Ottoman Empire.

Erdogan’s speech at the session of his “Justice and Development”
party few weeks ago caused the recent anxiety of the Armenians and
other migrants from the Turkey.

Turkish Prime Minister envisaged the future destiny of his country
that must undoubtedly accepted by his people. Its final goal is the
so called “2071”. This is said to be a drastic year. In 2071 the Turks
will celebrate the massacre of Manzikert, which initiated the triumph
of Seljuk Turks over the Byzantium Empire and the Christian people.”

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UNE FONDATION ARMENIENNE CHERCHE A REGAGNER LES DROITS DE PROPRIETE D’UNE ECOLE
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 26 octobre 2012

Une fondation armenienne cherche a regagner les droits de propriete du
terrain qui accueille l’Ecole primaire Bomonti Mihitaryan, placee dans
le district de Sisli a istanbul qui a ete saisi par une municipalite
de la province d’Ankara en 1982.

La fondation armenienne, la fondation de l’Ecole et du monastère
Catholique armenien Mihitaryan Surp Gazar avait ete depossedee du
terrain en 1982 après avoir rencontre des obstacles legaux imposes a
la vente de terre aux fondations des minorites. La fondation a lutte
pour reacquerir le terrain depuis.

S’expliaunt dans le journal Zaman, le president de la fondation, Rita
Nurnur, a dit qu’ils ont essaye de resoudre le problème par des moyens
bureaucratiques auparavant intentant un procès, ajoutant qu’ils ont
poursuivi en justice la municipalite d’Ayas selon les conseils d’Adnan
Ertem, le chef de la Direction generale des Fondations (VGM), un corps
autonome qui traite avec les proprietes des fondations musulmanes et
non-musulmanes. ” Nous sommes sûrs que cette injustice de 33 ans sera
bientôt resolue ” a note Rita Nurnur.

Une directive a ete presentee en Turquie en 1936 qui a interdit
aux fondations dirigees par des minorites d’acheter la moindre
propriete en Turquie, après que le gouvernement turc ait ordonne a
toutes les fondations de minorite de declarer tous leurs actifs et
leurs proprietes.

La fondation armenienne a achete un terrain a une femme Turque,
Emine Tevfika Ayasli, en 1958 pour etablir une ecole. La fondation a
dû vendre un terrain dans Moda, place dans le district de Kadikoy,
pour acheter le terrain dans Sisli. Selon la directive de 1936,
une fondation dirigee par des minorites peut acheter une propriete
a condition qu’en retour elle vende une propriete qu’elle possedait
avant la sortie de la directive.

La fondation n’avait jamais rencontre de difficultes jusqu’a la mort
en 1979 d’Ayasli.

La femme a legue trois quart de ses proprietes a la municipalite
d’Ayas dans la province d’Ankara et les droits de propriete ont ete
officiellement transmis a la municipalite en 1982. La bataille de
la fondation pour acquerir la propriete de ce terrain est en cours
depuis 1982.

La municipalite a au commencement voulu force la fondation armenienne
a quitter le terrain et fermer l’ecole bien que la fondation ait un
acte de propriete. La municipalite plus tard a permis a la fondation
de payer un loyer pour l’ecole. La fondation a intente un procès pour
regagner les droits de propriete del’ecole et le procès a commence
l’annee dernière. La cinquième audience aura lieu prochainement.

ARMENIAN PRESS DISTORTS AUSTRALIAN STATE’S RESOLUTION ON “NAGORNO KARABAKH” – UPDATED

APA
Oct 25 2012
Azerbaijan

The resolution adopted by legislative body of New South Wales state
does not contain an item on recognition of independence of separatist
regime

Baku. Anakhanim Hidayatova – APA. Armenian press distorted the
resolution adopted by the legislative body of Australia’s New South
Wales state on the occasion of 20th anniversary of “Nagorno Karabakh
Republic”. According to APA, although Novosti Armenia Agency noted
the recognition of independence of separatist regime by the state in
the resolution, the document does not contain such item.

The resolution in the website of Armenian National Committee of
Australia (ANC Australia) also does not contain an item on recognition
of independence of “Nagorno Karabakh”.

The resolution introduced by the Pro-Armenian member of Legislative
Council Marie Ficarra acknowledges recognition of right to
self-determination of “Nagorno Karabakh people”.

The Council supports and promotes the representation of “Nagorno
Karabakh” in the community and calls “Nagorno Karabakh” to mutual
cooperation with the international community for ensuring peace in
the world and region and solution of regional problems.

The MPs called Australian Government to recognize separatist regime
NKR officially and strengthen Australia’s relationship with the
“Nagorno Karabakh” and its citizens.

Along with this, the Council considered important to continue
humanitarian and economic support to “Nagorno Karabakh Republic”.

ARMENIA AND IRAN TO CONSTRUCT HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATION OVER ARAZ RIVER

APA
Oct 25 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Anakhanim Hidayatova – APA. Construction of hydroelectric power
station over Araz River in Armenian Mehri village bordering on Iran,
will start within next 10-15 days, said the Armenian Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan, APA reports quoting
Armenian website.

The Minister said that Armenia and Iran would construct HPSs in the
both sides of the border. One of them will be constructed in Mehri,
other – in Garachilar village. Carrying out the construction works
the same time will cause reduction of expenses by 10-15%.

Every station will produce 793 mln kVt/hour in a year. Mehri HPS’s
capacity will make 130 MVt. Construction works will last 54 years,
project is valued at $323 mln and this will be financed by Iran
Investment Company.

After completion of construction, Mehri HPS will be exploited by
Iranian Farat-Sepasat Company for 15 years and produced energy will
be transported to Iran. So, Armenia will repay Iran’s investment.

Thereafter, the station will be exploited by Armenia.