Author: Khondkarian Raffi

USA REPORTER CALLS FOR SETTING FREE SILVA HARUTYUNIAN ARRESTED IN IRAN

NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 30, 2009
PARIS

PARIS, JUNE 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. USA reporter Roxsanna
Saberi called Iranian authorities for setting free worker of IREX NGO
Silva Harutyunian who was arrested in Tehran a year ago. According to
the PanArmenian.net, at the press conference of Silva Harutyunian’s
defence in Paris Saberi declared that the Iranian authorities keep
Harutyunian under arrest illegally.

"I know that Silva is not guilty, I have seen the court’s finding and
the "accusatory documents," the director of International Campaign
for Human Rights in Iran Khadi Haemi declared at the press conference.

EC WELCOMES INDUSTRY’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE A COMMON CHARGER FOR MOBILE PHONES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.06.2009 15:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Incompatibility of chargers for mobile phones
is a major inconvenience for users and also leads to unnecessary
waste. Therefore, the Commission has requested industry to come forward
with a voluntary commitment to solve this problem so as to avoid
legislation. As a result major producers of mobile phones have agreed
to harmonise chargers in the EU. In a Memorandum of Understanding
("MoU"), which was submitted to the Commission today, the industry
commits to provide chargers compatibility on the basis of the Micro-USB
connector. In addition new EU standards to ensure continued safe
charger use will be developed to facilitate the implementation of
the MoU. The first generation of new inter-chargeable mobile phones
should reach the EU market from 2010 onwards.

Vice-President Gunter Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and
industrial policy, said: "I am very pleased that industry has
found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers
. They will be able to charge mobile phones anywhere from the new
common charger. This also means considerably less electronic waste,
because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying
new phones. I am also very pleased that this solution was found on
the basis of self-regulation. As a result, the Commission does not
consider it necessary to introduce legislation."

Today there is a plethora of chargers for mobile phones in the EU. Many
of them can only charge a particular mobile phone. Almost every
household has a collection of chargers that have become superfluous
over time. Old chargers currently generate several thousands of tons
of waste a year.

In intensive and constructive negotiations with the European
Commission, the producers of mobile phones have agreed to settle
the problem. In a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") handed over
to the Commission, industry takes a self-commitment to ensure the
compatibility of new data-enabled mobile phones on the basis of the
Micro-USB connector as the interface to provide charging support. It
is expected to enable good charging capability. In the future: Users
will enjoy an easier life with their mobiles.

The number of chargers will be reduced There will be a positive
environmental impact.

The MoU will be accompanied by a new EU standard. With the new
standard, safe use of new mobile phones as well as avoidance of radio
interference problems will be guaranteed. The European Commission
continues to work closely with industry to ensure that the MoU will
be operational quickly. It expects that the first generation of new
inter-chargeable mobile phones will reach the EU market from 2010
onwards. The following companies have signed the MoU: Apple, LG,
Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research in Motion (RIM), Samsung,
Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments.

The Commission welcomes that the MoU will not preclude innovation in
the fast moving mobile phone market by fixing a certain technology
forever. Therefore, when the time has come, the MoU will adapt to
future charging technologies, EC website reported.

ZARUHI POSTANJYAN’S CONDUCT MARKED HER CRUCIAL DEFEAT IN PACE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.06.2009 18:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Zaruhi Postanjyan has suffered crucial defeat in
PACE, RA National Assembly’s European Integration Committee Chair
Nayira Zohrabyan told a news conference on June 29. "I am unwilling
to make any comments on Postanjyan’s conduct either now or any time
in future," Armenian parliamentarian stated.

Zaruhi Postanjyan, member of Armenian delegation in PACE, called
on Turkish and Azerbaijani delegations to sign in favor of making
amendments in PACE Resolution on Armenia. Proposed amendment
included call for releasing detainees accused of March 1 disorders
and re-establishing the fact-finding group with the involvement of
independent international experts.

IRAN RECALLS AMBASSADOR FROM BAKU FOR TALKS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.06.2009 20:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran has recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan
for consultations after a visit by Israeli President Shimon Peres to
the Islamic Republic’s northwestern neighbor, an Iranian news agency
reported on June 29.

Quoting an informed source, ISNA said the envoy was recalled to
Tehran after Peres’ visit to Azerbaijan on June 28 and "threats"
which it said the Israeli ambassador in Baku had voiced against Iran,
without elaborating.

The semi-official Fars News Agency carried a similar report.

Iran does not recognize Israel, which it refers to as the "Zionist
regime." Israel has not ruled out military action if diplomatic
efforts fail to resolve Tehran’s nuclear row with the West. Tehran
says its nuclear work is peaceful.

On June 21, Peres, commenting on post-election unrest in Iran, said
he hoped the current Iranian government would disappear.

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, who officially won the disputed
June 12 election, has sparked outrage in the West by questioning
the Holocaust and predicting the imminent demise of Israel, Reuters
reported.

HEAD OF RUSSIAN TROIKA DIALOG TO BECOME ONE OF BIGGEST INVESTORS IN TATEV MONASTERY RESTORATION PROJECT WORTH $20 MILLION

ArmInfo
2009-06-29 15:06:00

ArmInfo. One of the largest Russian entrepreneurs, Armenian by origin,
Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Troika Dialog Group,
Ruben Vardanian will become one of the key investors in the Tatev
Monstery Restoration project in Armenia. Minister of Economy Nerses
Yeritsyan told media during the government’s visiting session in
Syunik region. The project is estimated at $20 million and provides
for restoration of the monastery and its historical and cultural
value (including reconstruction of the Gladzor University (Middle
Age) located in the area of the monastery) as well as for a plan of
development of the nearing villages and tourist infrastructure, the
minister said. He highlighted the construction of bed and breakfast
inns. The minister said that R. Vardanyan will invest in construction
of a ropeway via the gorge of the River of Vorotan to the monastery
as well as in repair of the monastery complex, the minister said. The
government of Armenia will raise investment in infrastructure projects
in particular to ensure high-quality highway to the airport in the town
of Goris. In future the area from the resort Jermuk to Tatev Monastery
may be declared tourist development zone and relevant projects may
be implemented for the given area, the minister said. The model of
tourism development in Jermuk will be presented to the public shortly.

‘This will help us get a full picture of the necessary infrastructures,
engineering constructions and resort facilities in the town and the
nearby area’, the said. In future a model for Tatev complex development
will be created as well.

[ 2009/06/28 | 01:27 ]

Body of Slain American-Armenian Businessman Flown back to Los Angeles;
Further DNA Tests Scheduled

The body of Nazareth Hagop Berberian, the Armenian-American
businessman who was turned up missing on April 25th and whose body was
found murdered on May 15th has been returned to Los Angeles today.

The body was received at LAX by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s
office where a second and much more detailed autopsy will be conducted
to determine the actual cause of death, all injuries inflicted, traces
of poisoning and the approximate date of Berberian’s murder.

A second DNA test will also be conducted. The results of the first
test that reportedly determined Berberian’s identity was inaccurate
since it showed traces of DNA belonging to someone other than
Berberian.

According to Ara Manoogian, the Berberians’ legal representative in
Armenia, `the police claims of the date, method, place and motives of
the murder do not add up.’ Manoogian who has personally examined the
body further added: ‘The body was clearly tortured prior to being
murdered, and the murder probably took place outside of Nazareth’s
home in the first or second week of May. These observations are based
on the initital information provided by the Armenian police, the
condition of the body when I examined it, the weather conditions at
the location where the body was found, the way it was buried and the
method of storage chosen by the morgue in Yerevan prior to my initial
examination of the body.’

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is awaiting the findings of the
Los Angeles County Coroner’s office. If it turns out that their
findings do not match with those provided by the Armenian Authorities,
appropriate measures will be implemented to launch an investigation
with the purpose of revealing all the facts pertaining to the case,
finding all those responsible for Berberian’s murder and bringing them
to justice.

`Though we can’t bring Nazreth back if, in fact, this turns out to be
his body, we sure can and have to work hard to make sure that those
who committed this heinous crime don’t get away with it. But if they
do, then no Diaspora Armenian doing business in Armenia has a better
chance to avoid the same fate,’ said Manoogian.

ARMENIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN REGIONAL ENERGY PROJECTS POSSIBLE DUE TO EASTERN PARTNERSHIP

ARKA
June 26, 2009

YEREVAN, June 26. /ARKA/. The EU Eastern Partnership program will
allow Armenia to be involved in regional energy projects , said
Richard Giragosyan, Director of the Armenian Center of National and
International Studies.

"In other words, debarring countries from participating in regional
energy projects creates energy security problems," Giragosyan said
at the international conference on Eastern Partnership and prospects
for building democracy in the South Caucasus.

He stressed that not only Russia and Turkey, but also Iran should
be considered for the approaches to Eastern Partnership to be more
realistic.

Early this May, in Prague, the capital of the EU chairing country,
a founding summit of the Eastern Partnership program was held, its
aim being closer relations between the EU and Azerbaijan, Armenia,
Georgia, Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine.

The program provides for the allocation of â~B¬600mln to the countries
before 2013 for consolidating state institutions, border control and
support to small businesses.

ECONOMIC FORUM – INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION

NKR Government Information and Public Relations Department
June 22, 2009

>From June 20-21, an economic forum "Bridge Artsakh" ("Artsakh Kamurj")
under the high patronage of the NKR President and the assistance
of the Government took place. The opening ceremony of the forum was
conducted in Stepanakert Officers’ House, where before thousands of
Artsakhi, Armenian and foreign businessmen spoke with the welcoming
address the NKR President Bako Sahakyan, the Head of the official
delegation from the RA, the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, and Arsen
Ghazaryan Chairman of the RA Union of Industrialists (employers) and
Businessmen. Karen Yesayan, Chairman of Artsakh Investment Fund had a
speech about the economic environment of the NKR. The first speeches
contained practical proposals a part of which received immediate
responses. The RA Prime Minister T.Sargsyan, in particular, stated
that the RA Government can render direct assistance to development
of Artsakh tourism sphere, providing the holiday rest of the RA
state employees in the NKR. According to T. Sargsyan’s words economic
development of Artsakh in comparison with that in Armenia must proceed
in more quick rate, here higher living standards for the population
than in the RA must be provided, as by the favourable state of Artsakh
the main interest of the Armenian people is pursued.

"State and Business: from Dialogue to Cooperation" was the main issue
of the economic forum. After the plenary sitting the businessmen had
conducted round table discussions on different themes.

On June 20, within the frame of the forum the NKR Prime Minister Ara
Haroutyunyan and the RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan had a private
talk, during which issues of socio-economic development indices of
Artsakh and strengthening of ties between the two Armenian countries
were touched upon.

Welcoming the guests, the NKR Prime Minister A.Haroutyunyan noted
that in difficult conditions of the existent financial and economic
crisis the many-sided assistance of Armenia to Artsakh is maintained
and nearly all agreements reached between the two governments are
successfully implemented.

In this connection A.Haroutyunyan addressed words of gratitude
to T.Sargsyan for his consecutive efforts. During the meeting,
the representatives of the RA Executive introduced the programmes,
which are implemented together with colleagues from Artsakh.

The same day the RA delegation was received by the NKR President
B.Sahakyan as well.

BRYZA’S STATEMENTS ARE USUALLY EITHER EDITED OR REFUTED, ARMENIA DEPUTY FM SAYS

armradio.am
24.06.2009 11:06

US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza said in an interview
with "Reuters" that he did not rule out the opportunity of signing
a peace agreement on the Karabakh issue by yearend.

Commenting on the statement, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia,
Shavarsh Kocharyan, said: "Everybody has already got used that Bryza’s
statements are usually edited or refuted either immediately or in
some time. Time will show what Mr. Bryza really meant or wanted to say.

As for Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov’s statement
that a framework agreement could be signed by yearend, but it did not
depend only on Azerbaijan, Shavarsh Kocharyan said: "It’s the fault
of the Azerbaijani side that the agreement has not been signed so far."

"Armenia continues the talks, since it does not rule out that
Azerbaijan will demonstrate a constructive approach sooner or
later. However, Mr. Mammadyarov’s statement proves the opposite:
Azerbaijan tends to continue the non-constructive policy and tries
to put the blame on Armenia," Shavarsh Kocharyan said.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN, YEREVAN CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS

US State News
June 22, 2009 Monday 5:25 PM EST

YEREVAN, Armenia, May 27 — The U.S. Embassy issued the following
press release:

This Warden Message alerts American citizens that political opposition
supporters intend to stage a protest rally at the Matenadaran
manuscript museum followed by an unauthorized march in Yerevan on
Friday, May 29 starting around 6:30 pm. The march is expected to start
near the Matenadaran, proceeding through Republic Square and ending on
Northern Avenue, but could spread to other areas downtown. This rally
is associated with the Yerevan City Council elections on Sunday,
May 31, which will be the first time that voters elect the Mayor
of Yerevan.

While the U.S. Embassy does not have specific information about any
planned political rallies and demonstrations on or after Election
Day, past experience has shown that disorder or violence related
to elections can take place before, during or after the holding of
elections. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid polling
stations on Election Day, and any political demonstrations or
marches that may take place in the days leading up to or following
the election. Demonstrations take place in Armenia from time to
time in response to world events or local developments. We remind
American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful
can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence without
warning. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas
of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution when in the
vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current
with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings
at all times. Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor
the U.S. Embassy’s website, and the U.S. Department of State’s
Bureau of Consular Affairs website, ,
where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts,
and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also
encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found
at 1747.html
, which includes valuable security information for those both
living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the
Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security
conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and
Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is located at 1 American
Avenue, tel. 10-46-47-00 and fax 10-46-47-42. The Consular Section is
open from 9:00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m., with time reserved for American
citizen services from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except for official U.S. Embassy holidays. For more information,
see the Embassy’s website at http://yerevan.usembassy.govFor
more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:-
[email protected]