Panorama.am
18:03 14/04/2007
HIGH FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF IN ARMENIA
Today, high football championship kicked off in
Armenia with the participation of 8 local football
teams, Shirak, Piunik, Kilikia, Banans, Mika, Ararat,
Ganzasar, Ulis. The championship will run until
November 10. Yezerj and Hay Ary teams, which played in
last year championship, submitted no applications for
participation.
Source: Panorama.am
ARMENIANS BANNED TO BUY HOUSES
A1+
[02:52 pm] 12 April, 2007
30 Russian families will leave Gorelovka village, Ninotsminda
region. The initiative IS under superintendent of RF president
VladimirPutin.
Though a number of Armenians living in Javakhk are willing
to buy Russians’ houses, any property trade was banned with
Armenians. According to the officials, Russian houses will be given
to Georgian new-comers.
YURI MERZLYAKOV: FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING CANNOT BE ARRANGED DUE TO THEIR WORKING SCHEDULES
Azeri Press Agency
April 10 2007
The co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group, which is mediating in the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, are analyzing the working schedules
of Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers, OSCE Minsk co-chair
Yuri Merzlyakov told the APA exclusively.
He said that current working schedules of the ministers do not allow
arranging their meeting.
The co-chair said he is not sure the ministers will meet in April.
Yuri Merzlyakov also commented on UN Secretary General’s Representative
for Human Rights of IDPs Walter Kalin’s statement "It does not look
like there will be peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
in the very near future". He said that he met with Walter Kallin and
underlined that he does not know what his statement is based on.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT HOSTS AGBU REPRESENTATIVES
Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 9 2007
YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan received
Friday members of Central Administrative Assembly of Armenian General
Benevolent Union, AGBU, presidential press service reports.
The president congratulated the guests on 100th anniversary of their
union and expressed appreciation of its contribution to Armenian
nation identity preservation.
Kocharyan and AGBU representatives discussed the union’s initiatives
and said ties between Armenia and Armenian communities worldwide
should become closer.
The president pledge support for all AGBU’s initiatives.
Kocharyan also awarded Mkhitar Heratsi Medal to three members of
the union’s board – Sargis Demirchyan, Garnik Yakubyan and Nazar
Nazaryan.
MARGARYAN IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, BY WINNIE
Story by NATION Reporter
Daily Nation , Kenya
April 5 2007
Ms Winfred Wangui, daughter of businesswoman Mary Wambui, is in love –
with deported Armenian Artur Margaryan. And, according to her, their
wedding bells will be ringing any time.
In an exclusive interview with Easy FM Wednesday morning, Ms Wangui
defended Mr Margaryan and his alleged brother, Mr Artur Sargsyan,
saying they were not criminals but "good and honest businessmen". The
interview was to be aired by NTV last evening.
Winnie, as she is popularly known, admitted that she has been having
a love affair with Mr Margaryan and was optimistic that they will
settle down and raise a family once they are married.
She said the two brothers were "innocent" of all the charges leveled
against them and expressed confidence that they will eventually be
cleared. The two were hastily deported last year after a serious
security breach at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when
they allegedly manhandled security officers and drew guns at customs
officers to avoid their luggage being checked.
President Kibaki subsequently appointed a commission of inquiry
headed by former police commissioner Shedrach Kiruki to investigate
the brothers and their dealings in Kenya.
The airport incident was the final straw in a series of incidents
revolving around the brothers who first came to the limelight when
Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga claimed they were mercenaries brought in to
assassinate key opposition leaders.
Ms Wangui, who at the time was a ministry of Foreign Affairs official,
was one of the civil servants interdicted in the wake of the airport
drama. During the inquiry, she was alleged to have used her office
to get protocol officers at the airport to offer VIP treatment to
the Artur brothers.
Other officials suspended included police and customs officials who
were caught up in the airport saga, as well as the deputy managing
director of the Kenya Airports Authority, Ms Naomi Cidi, who was
accused of procuring airport security passes for the brothers.
In the Easy FM interview, Ms Wangui said that her full name was
Winfred Wangui Mwai. But she declined to discuss her relationship
with the First Family, saying that "those who know the truth will
stay with the truth."
And she revealed that she was still a civil servant as she has never
been relieved of her duties. However, she spends most of her time
travelling and trying out her hand in business. She did not disclose
whether she is still drawing a Government salary.
For the first time since the Artur saga broke, Ms Wangui reveals how
she met the brothers through a mutual friend during a 2005 holiday
in Dubai. They got to know each other, went into business together –
which she described as "general trading" – and the working relationship
eventually blossomed into a love affair with Mr Margaryan.
And according to her, the airport gun drama and the alleged fracas
at the Panari Hotel either did not happen or were misreported and
blown out of proportion.
The Kiruki commission, however, did find in its report – which was
presented to President Kibaki last August – that the brothers were
suspicious characters of uncertain nationality and identity who should
have been arrested. In his evidence before the Inquiry, Immigration
minister Gideon Konchellah described them as international criminals.
When receiving the report, President Kibaki promised swift action on
the recommendations. But nothing has been done so far and the report
has never been made public.
The following are excerpts from yesterday’s interview:
EASY FM: Are you still working for the civil service?
WANGUI: I’ve never seen a letter of sacking.
You’ve never been sacked?
I’ve never been sacked. Of course last year we were all suspended and
everybody keeps getting their letter at different times. So that is
what we are waiting for.
But you’ve never bothered to go and check?
No.
Where did you first meet (the Armenians)?
In Dubai. When I was on holiday, year 2005.
Margaryan has been gone for nearly a year. Do you still keep in touch?
Of course.
Are you dating him?
Yes. I see him.
Is he your boyfriend?
Yes he is.
You and Margaryan are not planning to get married?
We will one day.
Who will give you away?
Somebody always gives the bride away.
But you will have children with him
Of course if we get married we will have children, God willing.
mgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=95269
HENCEFORTH ARMENIAN AIRLINES HAVE TO INSURE THEIR PASSENGERS
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Staring from April 7, the amendments
to the RA Law on Aviation will take effect, according to which
the airlines operating in Armenia have to insure their passengers,
which will not affect ticket prices. Head of the RA Civil Aviation
Main Department Artyom Movsesian stated this at the April 6 press
conference. According to him, the above mentioned amendments also
solved the problem of passenger rights protection. Particularly,
in case of a flight delay for two hours, the airline must provide
passengers with food, in case of over 4 hours’ delay, passengers must
be provided with communication means, and in case of over 8 hours’
delay, they must be provided with accomodation.
A. Movsesian said that there have been numerous cases when passengers
had no place in their plane, which is mainly due to lack of control
over activities of airlines. In the words of the department head, this
problem has been solved as well: henceforth the RA Civil Aviation Main
Department will consider as legal the operation of an agent which is
a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The
work of other air agents will be examined by the department, after
which a license will be granted.
A. Movsesian noted that as a result of amendments to the RA Law on
Administrative Infringements, the amount of fines have been increased
for violation of rules of passport and facility control, as well
as rules of specially protected zone entry: henceforth a fine in
the amount of 50-1,000 minimal salaries (1 mln drams or about 2.7
thousand dollars) will be imposed instead of the previous fine of
10-30% of salary.
The fine for using radiotechnical devices by passengers of the plane
have also been increased. The Civil Aviation Main Department will
fine passengers for smoking in the plane immediately after the landing.
A. Movsesian said that from now on airlines will not pay 10 mln drams
for operation of non-regular flights, which will facilitate their
entrance into the Armenian market.
The speaker noted that 12 airlines have the right to operate planes in
Armenia. In general, over 20 airlines operate in the Armenian market.
TWO MEMBERS OF CALCUTTA CHURCH COUNCIL GIVEN "PATRIARCHAL CONSECRATION WRITING"
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 05 2007
CALCUTTA, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The "Patriarchal
Consecration Writing" given by His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of
All Armenians was given on April 1 with great solemnity to two members
of the Calcutta Church Council, Sunil Sobti and Susan Ruben. By it
the Patriarch of All Armenians highly appreciated their services
beneficial for the nation and church building. By it Karekin II also
expressed satisfaction on the occasion of the fact that the Armenian
life is gradually come to life in India, churches are restored and
the Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta functions with success, giving
Armenian education and bringing up to dozens of sons of Armenians.
FAIR ‘HRAZDAN’ IS AT STRIKE
A1+
[07:24 pm] 05 April, 2007
Today workers in ‘ Hrazdan ‘ fair organized demonstration in front
of the Government House and spoke out against the illegal actions
towards them.
The owner of the fair RPA member Ashot Aghababyan gave 3 days for the
employees either to pay taxes or to quit the jobs. ‘The employers hire
only 20-26 year old applicants. The best and experienced teachers
and doctors are dismissed from their jobs. They are not allowed to
do even this job to keep their families,’ the strikers complained.
At present they have to pay 225.000 AMD for a booth.
The administration used to pay the taxes, but now the employees have
to do it. ‘90% of the population is in debts. They are unable to
earn their living. Even the Turk was not able to humiliate Armenians,
but they managed to do it in our country,’ the strikers told.
In fact, a dozen of strikers were regulated by the same amount of
policemen who did not allow them to make a step forward.
Several demonstrators were received by some government employees and
promised to raise the question for consideration at tomorrow’s meeting.
CONSTANTINOPLE ARMENIAN PATRIARCH HOPES THAT DIVINE SERVICE TO BE HELD IN AKHTAMAR SURB KHACH CHURCH AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 03 2007
ISTANBUL, APRIL 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Constantinople
Armenian Patriarch Archbishop Mesrop Mutafian, Van Governor Cakacak
and Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Atilla Goc made speeches
at the March 29 ceremony of opening the Surb Khach (Saint Cross)
church of the Akhtamar Island of Lake Van as a museum. According to the
Istanbul Marmara daily, the Patriarch expressed his satisfaction with
the re-opening of the church the restoration of which was implemented
with the principle of remaining faithful to the original.
Expressing gratitude to the Turkish Ministry of Culture, Van Governor’s
Office and Gevash Governor, he mentioned that the fact of re-opening
of the church proves the government’s good faith torwads the monuments
of art, and that he is sure that this good faith will tomorrow sprout
with efforst of other well-wishing persons as well. "This building
is finally a church, and this church may be used as a holy place
of belief and tourism," the Patriarch said. He proposed to every
year organize a festival in Akhtamar with different people’s games,
exhibition of handicraft works and other events. In the Patriarch’s
words, such an initiative "will also help that the dialogue which
we still find difficult to create today will be created between the
peoples. I believe that the government will make a decision in future
that a divine service is held here at least once a year," Archbishop
Mesrop summed up his speech. After the Armenian Patriarch’s speech,
the Van Governor made a speech who mentioned that the state of Van
is a crandle of different civilizations. "It is not important to what
civilization the monument belongs, it is necessary that we care of it,"
Ozdemir Cakacak said and invited the whole world to see the natural
and historic beauties of Van. The Minister of Culture of Turkey made
a speech at the end. He reminded all the guests arrived in Van on
the occasion of opening the church that during the long period of
time of the history Eastern and Western values embraced here with
one another and that one of the richest heritages of the world is on
those lands. "The government considers one of its main obligations
to make live the heritages remained from different cultures and pass
them to the next generations. A building was saved and started living
for the next generations," Atilla Goc summed up.
Armenian Assembly Executive Director testifies before Congress
ArmRadio.am
02.04.2007 12:28
Testifying before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State,
Foreign Operations Appropriations and Related Programs, which decides
assistance levels to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, Assembly Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny urged the Subcommittee to continue funding for
Armenia at `not less than’ $75 million and to allocate $10 million for
Nagorno Karabakh.
`It is essential that significant assistance to Armenia be maintained
in the face of the fourteen-year blockades by its neighbors, Turkey
and Azerbaijan,’ said Ardouny, and also noted the `compelling
humanitarian and development needs’ in Karabakh. `We also urge the
Subcommittee to institute new report language requiring a full
accounting of the steps the U.S. has taken and the responses therein
to eliminate these blockades,’ he continued.
With respect to regional cooperation, Ardouny stressed that `ongoing
attempts to isolate Armenia, such as the Azeri-proposed rail bypass of
Armenia, run counter to U.S. policy goals,’ and urged the
Subcommittee to build upon legislation (H.R. 3361) introduced last
Congress by Subcommittee Member and Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) to combat such attempts and look for opportunities
to promote regional cooperation. `For example, funding should be made
available to provide for minor repairs needed to open the existing
Kars-Gyumri rail link between Turkey and Armenia.’
Ardouny also expressed the Armenian Assembly’s extreme concern with
the ` inclusion of counterproductive language’ in State Department
reports and noted that language `labeling Armenia as an occupier is
not only patently false, but also directly contradicts the U.S. role
as a mediator and undermines’ U.S. credibility. Ardouny’s testimony
urged that it be `corrected post haste.’
While noting that the Armenian Assembly supports the purpose of the
Millennium Challenge Act (MCA) to improve democracy and good
governance in Armenia, Ardouny shared the concerns raised by many
Members of the Subcommittee, including Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY),
that MCA funds `should not be used as a substitute’ for other funding
priorities. Specifically, it should not be used as a justification to
cut the Freedom Support Act (FSA), which provides critically important
assistance programs to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Ardouny drew attention to Azerbaijan’s ongoing war rhetoric, `despite
U.S. demands to cease such provocative actions,’ and called on the
Subcommittee to carefully monitor U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan `to
ensure that the principle of military and security parity’ envisioned
with the conditional waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act
`is maintained throughout all funding areas.’ Further, should Baku
continue its anti-Armenian rhetoric, Ardouny urged the Subcommittee
`to suspend the waiver authority it granted and reinstate Section 907′
of the Freedom Support Act.
Ardouny also underscored the importance of Armenia’s energy security
and ` urged the Subcommittee to utilize the tools at its disposal to
pave the way for Armenia’s full inclusion in, and contribution to,
existing and future energy and development projects.’