Opening ceremony of the SME DNC of Armenia to be held June 2 in Yerevan
ArmRadio.am
29.05.2006 17:56
The opening ceremony of the SME DNC of Armenia (Small and Medium
Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia) Central
office will take place on June 2, 2006 in Yerevan. The Minister of
Trade and Economic Development of the Republic of Armenia, as well as
the UNDP and OSCE Armenian representatives will be present among the
other guests.
IFC TO GIVE LOAN TO SIL CONCERN FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF AYRARAT CINEMA
YEREVAN, MAY 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The Ayrarat Cinema will be turned into a
trade and recreational center with trade and cinema hall, cafes,
etc. Executive Director of SIL Concern Arman Zargarian said at the May
29 press conference that the total cost of the reconstruction will
make 12 mln USD, with 5.2 mln USD of this sum to be provided as a loan
by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank. The
Ayrarat Cinema (formerly the Rossia Cinema) located in downtown
Yerevan is currently used as a fair. According to IMC Armenian Office
Director Nerses Karamanukian, the loan is repayable over 10 years,
while the construction work will last 4 years in the maximum. He said
that athough the fair will not stop functioning during the project’s
implementation, some new modern buildings will be constructed in its
place. It was pointed out that the exterior of the cinema will remain
the same. The archtectural work is being done by Hrachia Poghosian,
who was one of the architects of the Rossia Cinema.
PanARMENIAN.Net
CNN to Broadcast Trailer on Armenia
27.05.2006 14:13 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The CNN will daily broadcast a trailer, which
represents Armenia as a country of tourism, Armenian Deputy Minister
of Trade and Economic Development Ara Petrosyan told journalists.
In his words, Armenia and Second Channel TV Companies won the contest
of making trailers of 30 and 60 seconds. The cost of 1 minute’s
advertisement on the CNN is $800-1000. `An agreement is reached with
CNN leadership that these trailers will be broadcast 7 times a week,
i.e. daily, and a large number of people worldwide watch CNN,’ he
remarked. The Deputy Minister also reminded that each tourist during
4-5 days of his stay in Armenia, leaves about the same amount of money
in the country as that of 1-minute advertisement on the CNN, reports
IA Regnum.
UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES GENERAL STAFF CHIEF ARRIVES IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, MAY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by Colonel General
Sergey Kirichenko, the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff of
Ukraine – the Armed Forces Commander General, arrived in Armenia on
May 24, on a two-days official visit. Colonel General Mikayel
Haroutiunian, the Chief of the RA Armed Forces Headquarters General –
the First Deputy Minister of Defence, met Sergey Kirichenko in the
“Erebuni” airport. In the interview to journalists, S.Kirichenko
expressed gratitude to his Armenian partners for the invitation,
mentioning that he attaches much importance to this visit. “This is a
visit of friednship for me, one addressed to development of bilateral
relations in the sphere of military cooperation of Ukraine and
Armenia,” he said and mentioned that though then I had met with
Mikayel Haroutiunian many times, but this is the first meeting in the
Armenian land. “We have numerous general themes for discussion, issues
related to reforms and bilateral cooperation,” S.Kirichenko
emphasized, adding that within the framework of the visit, they will
continue with M.Haroutiunian the discussion aimed to deepening
cooperation of the Armenian and Ukrainian Armed Forces started
before. “It will be beneficial for the two countries’ Armed Forces and
our republics,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff Chief
mentioned. As Noyan Tapan was informed by Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian,
the RA Defence Minister’s Press Secretary, the delegation’s visits to
the Armenian Genocide memorial complex, Mine Clearing Philathropic
Center, Military Institute after RA Defence Minister Vazgen Sargsian
are envisaged. Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians will also
receive guests at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Turkish premier in Berlin, meets Turkish citizens living in Germany
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
25 May 06
Text of report in English by Turkish news agency Anatolia; subheadings
inserted editorially
Berlin, 25 May: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met
Turkish citizens living in Germany at Urania Hall in Berlin on
Thursday [26 May].
Touching on importance of economy, Erdogan said, “today, especially in
developed countries, economy directs politics. Economy shapes politics
in the countries which have strong economies. Turkey aims to be among
top 10 countries in terms of national income in 2012.”
“Today there is stability and confidence in Turkish economy. In
previous periods, only 1 billion dollars of foreign capital was
flowing into Turkey, but this amount rose to 9 billion dollars last
year. We have made important privatization within 1.5 years, which
were not fulfilled in 20 years. We have repaid an important part of
our debt to IMF. Now our debt to IMF is 11.5 billion dollars. Also we
attach great importance to education, and we allocated the largest
part of the budget to education.”
Turks in Europe, EU issue
Regarding the condition of Turkish citizens living in Europe, Erdogan
said: “Turkish citizens in Europe should use their right to vote and
be elected in the best way. They should use citizenship
rights. Turkish government will give necessary support to
them. Currently 2.7m Turks are living in Germany, and 700.000 of them
are citizens of Germany. Turkey’s EU process is still
continuing. Screening process is under way. We hope it will be
completed this year.
Turks in Europe should lobby for Turkey in this process.”
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met representatives of
Turkish non-governmental organizations in Germany on Thursday.
Erdogan said that he will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel
tomorrow and discuss regional issues as well as EU related matters.
Erdogan recalled that first meeting of Turkish-German Economy Congress
had been held in Turkey, adding that they would like to hold the
second meeting in Germany and to speed up the process.
Noting that Turkey hopes to complete screening process within the
scope of EU talks by the end of this year, Erdogan said that meetings
on this issue have been pursued successfully so far.
Islamophobia, “alliance of civilizations”
When a representative said Islamphobia has spread in Germany, Erdogan
said, “we declared anti-Semitism as a humanity crime, and asked
officials to declare Islamphobia as a humanity crime too. You cannot
use the words Islam and terrorism together. The word Islam means
peace. You cannot reconcile such a religion with terrorism.”
“The last summit of Alliance of Civilizations will be held in
Istanbul, and a report will be prepared, and it will be submitted to
other countries.
Alliance of Civilizations is very important. Establishment of
communication between peoples is very important. We should improve the
communication. We should introduce Turkish people in Germany in the
best way,” Erdogan added.
Armenian issue
When a participant said Armenian issue is a problem for them too,
Erdogan said, “500,000 Armenians in France cause chaos. But we feel
comfortable with the issue. We do not have any doubt about our
ancestors. We have opened our archives. Scientists shall prepare a
report, and then we discuss the issue. One million documents are open
in Turkey (about Armenian issue), and anyone can read them.”
ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 26 2006
Experts deciphering A-320 flight recorders’ data
MOSCOW, May 26 (Itar-Tass) — Experts are deciphering information
from flight recorders of the Armenian A-320 that crashed offshore
Sochi on May 3, a source at the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC)
told Itar-Tass on Friday.
The technical commission has finalized the first phase of
investigation at the crash scene, the source said.
`Commission members, including Armenian and French specialists, are
deciphering information from flight recorders, which may be useful
for the investigation,’ the source said.
The flight recorders were delivered to the IAC on Thursday.
Meanwhile, IAC head Tatiana Anodina had doubts about intactness of
the flight recorders. She said the information would be deciphered in
Russia with the use of French equipment, as France is the
manufacturer of the A-320.
Flight recorders monitor flight parameters and conversations in the
cockpit.
The Armavia plane fell down into the Black Sea when landing. The
crash killed 113 people onboard.
EDWARD O”HARA’S VISIT TO THE REGION POSTPONED DUE TO HIS LACKING NECESSARY INFORMATION TO MONITOR CULTURAL MONUMENTS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 25 2006
The postponing of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly member
Edward O”Hara’s visit to Baku scheduled for 29 May was due to his
lacking necessary documents and materials to study cultural monuments
in Azerbaijan and Armenia.
APA”s Europe bureau reports quoting the PACE culture and education
department that the latter was not informed about Armenia’s disagreeing
the PACE member’s visit. The date of Edward O”Hara’s visit to the
region has not yet been fixed. The British parliamentarian wanted a
shot period to prepare for the visit. He is due to visit the region
soon.
SPEAKER OF MILLI MAJLIS MEETS STATE SECRETARY OF VATICAN
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
May 23 2006
Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic (Azerbaijan
Parliament) met with the State Secretary of Vatican for Relations
with States archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, 22 May.
Speaker of Azerbaijan said Vatican is one of the first states, which
have recognized independence of Azerbaijan. ‘We are interested in
development of communications with this European country. Azerbaijan
by the geopolitical position historically was a place of coexistence
of religions, cultures. Here always dominated tolerance, respect to
representatives of various religions. The first Catholic communities
in Azerbaijan have appeared in the middle of XIX century. And in
beginning of 20th century in Baku has been constructed the first
Catholic Church. The Catholics have all rights and freedoms, given to
citizens of Azerbaijan by the Constitution. The negotiations lead by
the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham
Aliyev during meetings with heads of the State of Vatican, have created
favorable circumstances for development of our communications. We very
highly estimate mutual visits from the point of view of expansion of
our relations’, the Speaker stressed.
Chairman of Milli Majlis has informed, that during visit of the Pope
of Rome John Paul II to Azerbaijan in May 2002 has been consecrated
a stone to be in the base of the Baku Catholic temple, also held a
number of meetings with figures of religion, science and culture. And
official visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Vatican
in February 2005 has given a new impulse to development of cooperation
between two countries.
Then, Ogtay Asadov has in detail told about the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has stopped on the decisions accepted by the
authoritative international organizations and the resolutions connected
with the given problem, disclosed fair position of Azerbaijan which
is based on international law. The State of Vatican always condemned
all forms of terror, he noted.
Chairman of Milli Majlis has expressed confidence that the State of
Vatican will condemn the Armenian terror and take a fair position in
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Giovanni Lajolo has expressed gratitude for warm reception and
detailed information. ‘We are satisfied with the level of friendly
communications between Azerbaijan and Vatican’, he underlined.
‘Azerbaijan really is a place of merge of religions and cultures. We
highly estimate tolerance existing here. And we are very glad
with intensive development of Azerbaijan. Vatican is interested in
expansion of relations with Azerbaijan, and the purpose of my visit to
Baku consists in carrying out of exchange by opinions on the further
development of our ties.
At the meeting, also took place wide exchange of opinions on other
questions representing mutual interest.
JUSTICE FACTION PROPOSES SETTING UP AD HOC COMMISSION ON AVIATION ISSUES
Noyan Tapan
May 22 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA NA Justice faction made a
proposal to set up a National Assembly ad hoc commission to examine
the current situation in the Armenian civil aviation and the causes of
the Armenian plane’s crash near Sochi on May 3. Secretary of Justice
Victor Dallakian at the May 22 sitting called on other deputies to join
the signature collecting campaign for convening a special session to
discuss the issue. The signature collection started on May 22 at 1:30
pm. According to V. Dallakian, in July 2003, the faction proposed
setting up a NA ad hoc commission to examine the RA government’s
activities in the civil aviation sector. In his words, this initiative
was torpedoed by the parliamentary majority. The deputy said that now
the matter concerns not only the general sitiation in civil aviation
but also the”mysterious circumstances” of the May 3 plane crash. In
case of availability of signatures of 44 deputies within 24 houres
after the signature collection has started, the draft law shall be
put on the agenda of the session and a four-day session. Then the
parliament will set about creating an ad hoc commission at a special
sitting scheduled for June 12. At around 6:00 pm, about 20 deputies
joined the Justice faction’s initiative.
PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
SPECIAL ISSUE OF CROSSROADS
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN RE-ELECTED
BY ACCLAMATION AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America, was re-elected to a third four-year term by
acclamation at the National Representative Assembly which took place at Sts.
Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, last week. The election of the
Prelate took place on Friday, May 19. Following the election, the clergy,
delegates and guests escorted His Eminence into the sanctuary of Sts.
Vartanantz Church where a special service of thanksgiving took place.
Earlier His Eminence expressed his thanks for the confidence shown in
his leadership and thanked the delegates for their unanimous support. He
pledged to guide the Eastern Prelacy during the next four years to greater
horizons and growth. “There is much work to be done,” he said, “work that we
must do together for the greater glory of our beloved church and nation.”
Elected to serve on the Religious Council was Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian,
pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. Re-elected to serve on
the Executive Council were: Dr. Dertad Manguikian, Steve Hagopian, Michael
Hagopian, and Hagop Khatchadourian. In its first meeting the Councils
elected the following officers: Religious Council: Rev. Fr. Nerses
Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
chairman; Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, secretary; Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian,
pastor of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, advisor.
Executive Council: Jack Mardoian, chairman; Michael Hagopian, vice chairman;
Steve Hagopian, secretary; Bedros Givelekian, treasurer; Dr. Dertad
Manguikian, Noubar Megerian, and Hagop Khatchadourian, advisors.
The Assembly, which convened from May 16 to 19, came to a conclusion
with a banquet Friday evening at the Hilton of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Besides
the sessions with full agendas, the delegates and guests had the opportunity
to attend two book presentations, as well as visits to St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, the Prelacy offices, and the Hovnanian School.
The Executive Council expresses its hearty congratulations to the
Prelate and pledges to work with him during the coming years with renewed
dedication under his visionary leadership and direction.
REGULAR WEEKLY ISSUE OF CROSSROADS
WILL BE SENT THURDAY, MAY 25
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