Author: Kanayan Tamar

Government assists Argentinean-Armenian businessman’s viticulture program

news.am
August 20, 2012 | 14:58

YEREVAN. – The Government of Armenia on July 26 had made additions in
one of its previous decisions, whereby the list of grape varieties
permitted to produce Armenian brandy and grape vodka was specified.
And with the Government’s decision, several new grape varieties were
included in this list.

And these additions went into force on August 18.

In line with these additions, several other grape varieties are
included in the list of grapes used for producing brandy and grape
vodka, Pasinfo informs.

These additions are connected with the activities of `Tierras de
Armenia’ Company, which is established by Argentinean-Armenian
businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, specifically considering the need to
assist in the purchase of Armenia’s grape harvest.

To note, the `Tierras de Armenia’ Company started its operations in
Armenia in November 2004, and it acquired a 2,300-hectare brown land.
And with the Company’s fifteen-year development program, at least 80
percent of this land is envisioned to become cultivable.

Around 300 hectares of vineyards are planted along the lines of this program.

Expert says Turkey’s military intervention in Syrian conflict unlikely

August 20, 2012 – 16:13 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Representative of the Institute of Oriental Studies
at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences believes Turkey’s
military intervention in Syrian conflict to back rebels hardly
probable.

As Vahram Ter-Matevosyan told a press conference, Turkey may break
into Syria only to stop the activity of the outlawed Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK).

`Kurdish problem may serve the only reason for Turkey to transform
Syria into arena of hostilities,’ the expert said, adding that Foreign
Minister Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu’s stance on Syria is often slammed in Turkey.

I felt proud for being Armenian citizen – mountaineer

news.am
August 20, 2012 | 14:05

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Emergency Situations Minister Armen Yeritsyan on
Monday received mountaineer Andranik Miribyan, who had found himself
under a difficult situation while climbing Mount Ushba in Georgia.

The Emergency Situations Ministry’s Crisis Management Center was in
constant contact with its counterparts in Georgia and Russia for
several days, and it assisted in the search and rescue activities.

`Each and every citizen [of Armenia] must know that the state is at
his side, that we always stand ready to lend a helping hand to our
compatriots, irrespective of where they are in the world,’ noted
Yeritsyan.

In his turn, Andranik Miribyan extended his gratitude to the Minister,
and noted that he never thought that an entire system would be
mobilized for an ordinary citizen – and abroad, in that.

`All through that time I sensed a great assistance, attention and care
toward me. At that time I felt proud for being a citizen of Armenia,’
said Miribyan.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, the Crisis Management
Center of Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations had received a
call, on August 9 at 2.35pm Yerevan time, informing that an Armenian
citizen, namely Andranik Miribyan, had climbed Georgia’s Mount Ushba
but could not descend due to lack of equipment. And the situation was
deteriorating because of heavy snow while his food and water were
running out. It took the rescuers three days to finally reach
Miribyan.

Suren Sirunyan Dies, Daughter Attempts Suicide

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:16:04 – 20/08/2012

On August 18, Suren Sirunyan, head of security of the fugitive former
Armenian minister of interior Vano Siradeghyan, died of a heart
attack. He was 41 years old. Sirunyan was an active member of the
oppositional Armenian National Congress but left the bloc because of
the policy of the Congress. His name has been lately mentioned for
many times in relation to rumors relating to Vano Siradeghyan’s
possible return.

Later on the same day, learning about her father’s death, Sirunyan’s
16-year-old daughter Diana Sirunyan jumped out of the window of their
apartment and was taken to hospital with severe injuries. She
underwent a surgery. After surgery it was announced that the girl
needs transfusion to save her life. Announcement on Facebook helped
find a donor to save her life. Diana’s state of health remains in
danger.

Kocharyan Proposing His Agenda

Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:05:02 – 20/08/2012

One week is left until the end of the summer holidays of the Armenian
political forces, but, apparently, it will be intense.

A very short time is left for the nomination of candidates for
president, but nothing is known about the intentions of the potential
candidates. In particular, the second president Robert Kocharyan has
yet said nothing about his plans, but, judging by the information
intensification, evidently, active PR is carried out. Groups calling
Kocharyan almost the savior of the nation appeared, which affirm that
during Kocharyan’s term, the Armenian economy prospered.

Various media means which are under Serzh Sargsyan’s influence report
materials criticizing Kocharyan’s economic model and affirming that
the main `shadow’ was formed during Kocharyan’s rule and he `left’
taking along his `shadow’.

This means that a covert fight between Serzh Sargsyan and Robert
Kocharyan is underway, though the larger part of the population does
not see any difference between these two figures. In order to justify
the competition, Sargsyan and Kocharayn need to show a difference in
favor of each of them.

Serzh Sargsyan’s political scientists put forward the geopolitical
track of fight. They affirm that Sargsyan supports the Western way of
development, while Kocharyan is taking Armenia to the Russian
imperialism.

Kocharyan’s team which either does not want to enter this quarrel or
does not have arguments, proposes its own track – economy and social
condition, where Kocharyan, at first sight, has evident advantages
taking into account the current critical situation.

Judging by the fact that materials discrediting Kocharyan’s economic
achievements appeared, we should conclude that Sargsyan’s team
accepted the rules they propose although it has obvious advantages on
the geopolitical path.

Around what will the election campaign unfold? What will be the
priorities of the candidates? Who will make concessions accepting
someone else’s rules? This will determine not only the outcome of the
election, but also the composition of candidates. If Serzh Sargsyan’s
team fails to `prove’ that they chose the `progressive’ European way,
and Kocharyan advocates a return to the Soviet Union, then Sargsyan
may have to abandon the intention to run. More so, if his team does
not refuse to enter economic disputes with Kocharyan.

Otherwise, Kocharyan will have to prove: he will either have to state
that he does not have anything contrary to the European path, hence he
will lose the difference with Sargsyan, or to prove that Russia is the
most reliable partner.

Sargsyan and Kocharyan have very little time. They will have to voice
their intentions very soon. Depending on who will manage to promote
the election competition agenda the `joint candidate’ will be decided.
It is hardly likely that both Sargsyan and Kocharyan will stake all
and will run both of them. Rather, they will compete before the
election and then will support the one stronger.

ARMENIE
Tensions au sein de l’opposition

Un associé de premier plan du chef de l’opposition Levon
Ter-Petrossian a déclaré vendredi 17 août 2012 que Gagik Tsarukian
(parti Arménie prospère (BHK)) a toujours fait partie de la direction
politique du pays malgré le fait qu’il se soit retiré de la coalition
au pouvoir en mai dernier.

« Il est impossible de posséder une grande fortune sans faire partie
du gouvernement », a déclaré Hrant Bagratian, un député du parlement
du Congrès national arménien de Ter-Petrosian (HAK), répondant aux
questions des utilisateurs de Facebook dans un studio de RFE / RL à
Erevan. Ces remarques contrastent avec les déclarations faites par
Levon Ter-Petrossian ces derniers mois. S’adressant à des milliers de
partisans à Erevan en juin dernier, le leader du HAK a insisté sur le
fait que le BHK peut aujourd’hui être considéré comme un parti de
l’opposition, car il n’est plus représenté au cabinet de coalition du
président Serge Sarkissian. G. Tsarukian a quitté la coalition après
les élections législatives du 6 mai qui ont été remportées par le
parti républicain de Serge Sarkissian (HHK). Le BHK, ainsi que le HAK
et les autres principaux groupes d’opposition ont remis en question la
légitimité des résultats officiels des élections.

Ter-Petrossian a commencé à tendre la main au BHK à l’automne dernier
alors que des signes d’une rupture entre Sarkissian et Tsarukian
étaient déjà perceptibles. L’opposition a critiqué cette ouverture,
affirmant que, coopérer avec le BHK revenait à aider l’ancien
président Kotcharian à revenir au pouvoir. Levon Ter-Petrossian a
qualifié cette critique de « démagogique » le 26 juin dernier.

lundi 20 août 2012,
Laetitia ©armenews.com

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE NEW REGIONAL COMMITTEE
OF THE ARMENIAN RELIEF CROSS (ARC)

On Thursday 16 August 2012, the members of the women’s organization the
Armenian Relief Cross regional committee visited His Holiness Aram I in
Bikfaya. During their mandate assisting Armenian schools and needy students
and their families will be their priority.

His Holiness Aram I commanded the work of the ARC in serving the community
since its establishment more than one hundred years ago and said, “Only
through the collective effort between the church and community organizations
like the ARC, will we be able to respond the aspirations of our youth and
help the weak and the poor in our community.” He then spoke to them of the
urgency to assist the Armenian community in Syria.

APA, Azerbaijan
Aug 17 2012

Armenian Armed Forces start large-scale military trainings in occupied
territories of Azerbaijan’s Aghdam region

[ 17 Aug 2012 11:28 ]
Aghdam. Teymur Zahidoglu – APA. Armenian Armed Forces started
large-scale military trainings in the occupied territory of
Azerbaijan’s Agdam region.

APA’s Karabakh bureau reports that the artillery and armored vehicles
are used in the trainings in Shahbulag and Uzundara areas that have
started today in the morning at 09:30.

Strong explosion sounds are heard nearest the frontline of Aghdam.
Armenian armed forces carry out periodical military trainings in the
above mentioned territories.

Mediamax, Armenia
Aug 17 2012

Fundamental changes to be made in the Armenian conscription system

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Spokesman for the Armenian Defense Minister Artsrun
Hovhannisyan stated today that the system of military conscription
will undergo fundamental changes in near future.

“The current system has mechanisms inherited from soviet times and
they don’t prove their value. For another thing, parents of soldiers
do hundreds of new tricks every year which violates the principles of
fair military conscription”, he said.

According to Artsrun Hovhannisyan, the conscription wasn’t smooth this
year and the reforms will be started by dismissing Chief Military
Commissioner of Armenia.

He noted that the growth of fighting capacity was the major
achievement this year. “Moderateness of the rival is the index of our
fighting capacity: their subversive acts were adequately responded”,
said the spokesman for the Minister of Defense.

SKRIN Market & Corporate News
August 16, 2012 Thursday 1:20 PM GMT

Armavia has not settled account for the first SSJ-100 yet

Armenian carrier Armavia has been operating Sukhoi SuperJet-100
aircraft since April 2011 and still the airline owes about $4 mln to
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC).

“They still have to pay about $4 mln more for the first jet. Moreover,
they have not paid for non-warranty work and spare parts. Finally,
they have not paid for planned maintenance”, – SCAC noted.

The Russian company also said that Armavia is unable to return the jet
automatically. “The jet is under encumbrance by one of Armenian banks:
if they want to return the jet they would have to release the
encumbrance first”, – SCAC stated.

“Sukhoi Civil Aircraft has not received any documents from Armavia
regarding termination of contract yet”, – the company noted.

SSJ-100 aircraft are operated by Armavia and Aeroflot. Armavia
declared in June that it refuses to take the delivery of second
SSJ-100. The carrier did not specify any reasons for this decision.
The administration of SCAC said that Armavia is facing financial
difficulties.

Later the airline stated that it would abandon the operated SSJ.
Armavia’s press-service said that the carrier abandons the jet taking
into account that it required repair within a year. At that SCAC said
that it was a planned maintenance.

Prime-minister Dmitry Medvedev has already taken interest in the
situation. He has instructed Ministry of Industry and Trade and
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to go into the issue in cooperation with
United Aircraft Corporation, Enhanced Coverage LinkingUnited Aircraft
Corporation, -Search using:Company ProfileNews, Most Recent 60
Daysprepare a report and present it to the government by September
15th.

SCAC noted that the commission will be carried out. Ministry of
Industry and Trade denied any comments regarding this instruction. /
Russian Aviation