Author: Nahapetian Samvel

MGM Mirage credit draw sends shares, bonds lower

Fri Feb 27, 2009

LOS ANGELES, Feb 27 (Reuters) – Casino operator MGM Mirage said on
Friday it had drawn down the remaining $842 million of its revolving
credit facility, raising fears that the Las Vegas-based company is
close to violating debt restrictions.
MGM shares dropped 14.8 percent to $3.79 on the New York Stock Exchange early
Friday afternoon. MGM’s 7.5 pct notes due in 2016 fell to 40.5 cents on the
dollar from about 45 cents on Thursday, according to MarketAxess. Its 6.625
pct notes due in 2015 fell about 7 cents to 39 cents.
"While the move maximizes options, it implies that leverage covenants are
either already in breach or likely to be so in the very near future," Bank of
America Merrill Lynch analyst Shaun Kelly said in a research note.
MGM, a major holding of billionaire Kirk Kerkorian’s Tracinda Corp, has been
hit hard by slower consumer spending and stalled credit markets, which have
prevented the casino operator from finalizing funding for its massive
CityCenter project on the Las Vegas Strip.
The company cited continued instability in global financial markets and the
uncertain state of the global economy as motivating factors behind the
drawdown.
Kelly estimated that, with the latest draw, MGM would end the first quarter
with a total debt of $14.5 billion to $15 billion, depending on whether or not
there were debt repurchases in the 2008 fourth quarter or earlier this year.
MGM has not yet announced when it plans to release its fourth-quarter
results. (Reporting by Deena Beasley; Additional reporting by Dena Aubin in New
York; Editing by Richard Chang)

Al-Manar Television website, Lebanon
Feb 26 2009

Al-Manar website posts reports on elections; opposition to announce
unified list

Beirut Al-Manar TV Online in English was observed on 26 February to
post the following reports on the Lebanese parliamentary elections
slated for 7 June 2009:

Funaysh to Al-Manar: Opposition to Announce Soon Unified Lists

Labour Minister Muhammad Funaysh reiterated on Thursday that the
national opposition forces were united, denying rumours about
differences and conflicts emerging among the opposition’s constituents
ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Speaking to Al-Manar, Minister Fneish announced that the opposition
was intensifying its efforts to declare unified electoral lists
soon. He said that having differing views regarding the formation of
electoral lists was acceptable, but noted that, at the end, the
opposition would run united in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Fneish noted that the worries expressed by some of the opposition
poles over holding the elections on a single day were justified. He
pointed out that the major reason for such worries was the security
situation, given that the elections come after a series of security
incidents that happened during the previous period all over
Lebanon. Fneish pointed out that such incidents might have
repercussions on the whole picture and mainly on the election process.

Meanwhile, the Hezbollah minister called on the Ministry of Interior
to remove all obstacles and difficulties that were obstructing the
issuance of the IDs operation and correct the mistakes in the
distribution lists.

In another interview with Lebanese daily Ad-Diyar, Fneish said that
meetings between Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah,
Speaker Nabih Berri and the head of Change and Reform parliamentary
bloc MP Michel Aoun would continue, but he refused to provide any
additional information. Fneish asked that all political parties,
despite their differences, avoid provocative political language in
their speeches.

Jumayyil : Whoever Wins in Metn Wins the Elections

The head of the Phalange Party Amin Gemayel declared that the party
that wins the Metn district poll in the upcoming parliamentary
elections would win the whole election and get the parliamentary
majority.

The battle in the Metn district, located in Mount Lebanon, is
considered to be one of the fiercest all over Lebanon. There,
yesterday’s allies became today’s competitors and all surprises seem
to be possible.

Speaking to Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, Gemayel said uncovered that an
agreement for an equal share in Metn has so far been reached between
him and MP Michel Murr, his ally in elections.

Gemayel said his Maronite share would go to his son, Sami who is in
charge with negotiations with Murr, while the other to former Phalange
Party chief Elie Karami, a Catholic. He noted that the other seats
would be left for his allies in the March 14 coalition.

The former President warned that failing to reach an understanding
with the Tashnaq party would lead to the formation of a closed
coalition list, noting that he discussed with Murr alternative
Armenian names for the Metn list and stressing that this possibility
is under consideration with Murr.

He pointed out that his allies in the constituencies are "the ones who
need the Phalange Party more than we need them," adding that the
upcoming elections would be a test, and March 14 aimed to win as a
team rather than as separate candidates.

Paqradounian: Murr Will Not Nominate Any Armenian on His List

Member of Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Hagop Paqradounian
said that he was sure MP Michel al-Murr would not include any Armenian
candidate on his electoral list in the Metn district, adding that the
alliances in the upcoming elections were clear.

The battle in the Metn district, located in Mount Lebanon, is
considered to be one of the fiercest battles all over Lebanon. There,
yeterday’s allies became competitors and all surprises seem to be
possible.

Speaking to New TV on Thursday, Paqradounian said that his party, the
Tashnaq, was comfortable with Free Patriotic Mov ement leader MP
Michel Aoun, adding that the relation between the two parties was
built on honesty.

He also said that Murr sought to arrange a meeting between the Tashnaq
party and Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri, adding that he did
not object to such a meeting. He said he requested several
appointments with Hariri, which were not granted, and he did not know
why.

The Tashnaq MP recalled that there is a semi-settlement in the second
electoral district in Beirut, noting that this is a sacrifice made by
the Armenians for the sake of coexistence. "I do not know why they do
not understand our position; they want to interpret it as they
wish. We honestly say that we want to revive the Armenian
parliamentary bloc," he emphasized.

Phalange, LF Delegations Meet to Discuss Elections

Representatives from the Phalange party met Thursday with their
Lebanese Forces counterparts to discuss the formation of electoral
lists and overcome conflicts and differences emerging within the March
14 bloc in the residence of Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan.

Following the talks, Adwan told reporters that LF and the Phalange
were both aware of the current phase "because of their shared history
of struggle." He said that ties between the two parties are connected
to "the main headlines that serve the homeland."

For his part, the head of the Phalange delegation Albert Costanian
described Thursday’s meeting as "very good and comes as part of honest
and natural rounds (of discussion) with the primary ally, the Lebanese
Forces."

He said the parties were deliberating "the best choice for candidate
to run in the elections. We are considering the best option to engage
in the battle together and win together for all of Lebanon."

He said that the lists will be announced at the end of the discussion
rounds.

Berri Says Lebanon Cannot Be Governed without Consensus

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday that Lebanon’s fate is
to always be governed through political consensus regardless of which
force wins or loses in the elections.

"Lebanon is sentenced (to be governed through) consensus," Berri told
a delegation from the Chouf and Alley. "We are sentenced to consensus
for the best of this country, whether we win the elections or lose or
whether March 14 win the elections or lose."

He called for "the kind of national unity that would achieve victory."
Lebanon "cannot handle a policy of elimination. The history of Lebanon
is fraught with exclusions, but the result was the breakout of
revolutions," Berri said.

The Speaker renewed calls for voters to "elect the programme not the
person."

He also said that the outcome of the Israeli elections shows an urgent
need for "Arabs to unite and intensify cooperation and coordination
among them."

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS CALLS POLICE FOR ENSURING MARCH 1 RALLY’S NORMAL AND LEGAL PROCESS

Noyan Tapan

F eb 27, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Declaring that a civilized rally
and a march in memory of the citizens perished on 2008 March 1 will
take place on March 1, the Armenian National Congress calls the RA
Police for ensuring the above mentioned events’ normal and legal
process. ANC Coordinator Levon Zurabian reported at the February 27
press conference adding that the Movement Participant Booklet printed
on the reverse side of the leaflets spread by the opposition clearly
mentions how a demonstrant should behave during the mass action
and what he should not do. For instance, as L. Zurabian emphasized,
a demonstrant should never contact with a policeman.

The ANC representative expressed confidence that their co-thinkers
will be guided by those rules, while policemen’s behaviour is too
condemnable already today. L. Zurabian told that the day before,
during the action held parallel with the trial on the "case of the
seven," Karen Movsisian, the head of the Kanaker-Zeytun community
patrol service, provoked those gathered.

L. Zurabian also said that according to their information, on March 1
the Police will close all roads from the regions to Yerevan, and the
regional authorities will intimidate the drivers, will stop petrol
sale. All that, according to him, is evidence of the authorities’
fear. "However, they should not be afraid of the people," L. Zurabian
said.

NORTHERN EU COUNTRIES ARE DISPLEASED WITH THE FLOW OF THE MONEY TO THE EAST

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.02.2009 00:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Union countries have declared an
unwillingness to pledge financial support for the ‘Eastern Partnership’
cooperation project that Poland and Sweden have proposed, thenews.pl
reports.

The project is meant to strengthen cooperation with the EU’s eastern
neighbours – especially focused on former Soviet bloc countries such
as the Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and, potentially,
Belarus. The Partnership was meant to be a step towards EU membership.

While all EU members voted last year upon supporting the
Eastern Partnership, a debate has heated up in parliament over
details. Yesterday’s meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels
brought up the question of money.

The European Commission has proposed that between 2010-2013,
the Partnership project will receive 600 million euro. However,
the looming economic recession has raised questions about where the
funds will come from. The French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner,
has proposed a budget cut to only 250 million over the same time span
– coming out at 15 million euro per year per country involved. "I
am convinced that there will be additional money and, in the end,
there will be an agreement for about 350 million euro," stated Benita
Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs.

Northern EU countries have raised the question that too much money
is flowing east from the Union and too little is flowing to southern
neighbours. The German Forieng Minister claims that his country does
not want to increase the project’s budget. Yet, Polish Foreign Minister
Radoslaw Sikorski, after his meeting with the German Frank-Walter
Steinmeier, stated that Germany will financially support the project.

The final decision on the budget for the project will be made at the
EU Summit on 19-20 March.

OBAMA WILL NOT USE THE TERM ‘GENOCIDE’

Sabah
Feb 23 2009
Turkey

The recent developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan may influence US
President Barack Obama’s stance on the ‘Armenian genocide.’ During the
election process, Obama had put forth that he would acknowledge the
‘Armenian genocide’ however according to Professor Ruben Safrastyan,
Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian National
Academy of Sciences, Afghanistan has now gained key importance for
the Obama Administration’s foreign policy, which means Washington will
need to further depend on Turkey. Safrastyan explains: "Barack Obama,
acting on national interests, will not use the term ‘Armenian genocide’
during his speech on April 24th." Emphasizing that, "Washington will
need Ankara’s support," Satasyan, referred to a trip to Ankara made
by the US Chief of Intelligence as being an attempt to establish a
potential US base in Turkey.

NANOTECHNOLOGY: REPORTS FROM K.G. DVOYAN ET AL HIGHLIGHT RECENT RESEARCH IN NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology Weekly
February 23, 2009

According to recent research from Yerevan, Armenia, "Energy level
structure and direct light absorption in a cylindrical quantum dot
(CQD), having thin falciform cross section, are studied within the
framework of the adiabatic approximation. An analytical expression
for the energy spectrum of the particle is obtained."

"For the one-dimensional "fast" subsystem, an oscillatory dependence
of the wave function amplitude on the cross section parameters
is revealed. For treatment of the "slow" subsystem, parabolic and
modified Poschl-Teller effective potentials are used. It is shown that
the low-energy levels of the spectrum are equidistant. In the strong
quantization regime, the absorption coefficient and edge frequencies
are calculated," wrote K.G. Dvoyan and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "Selection rules for the corresponding
quantum transitions are obtained."

Dvoyan and colleagues published their study in Nanoscale Research
Letters (Electronic States and Light Absorption in a Cylindrical
Quantum Dot Having Thin Falciform Cross Section. Nanoscale Research
Letters, 2009;4(2):130-137).

For additional information, contact A.A. Tshantshapanyan, Russian
Armenian State University, Dept. of Applied Physics & Engineering,
123 Hovsep Emin Str, Yerevan 0051, Armenia.

Publisher contact information for the journal Nanoscale Research
Letters is: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA

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

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE SEMINARY STUDENTS
COMMEMORATES THE ST. VARTANANTS MARTYRS

On Wednesday, 18 February 2009, the seminarians of the Armenian Orthodox
Church commemorated the eve of the Vartanants feast, which is celebrated
every year on the Thursday one week before Lent. At the epic battle of
Avarayr in 451, General Vartan Mamiguonian and his army, accompanied by the
prayers and support of the clergy, laity, women and men, young and old,
fought to defend the Christian Faith of the Armenian people.

The Vice Dean of the Seminary Rev. Magar Ashkarian told the students that
the Feast of St. Vartan and all those who fell with him is a message of
recommitment. He went on to say that it is a reminder to all generations to
live the Armenian Christian Faith by rooting themselves firmly in the
history and teachings of the church, and by inviting their neighbors of
other faiths to dialogue and respect for difference. The students concluded
the evening by reciting poems and singing spiritual songs from the Armenian
literature honoring the martyrs.

##
View the photo here:
tos359.htm#2
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Panorama.am
12:26 21/02/2009

AZNAVOUR AMBASSADOR AND SINGER

French Armenian famous singer Charles Aznavour who has been recently
appointed as the Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland says he is going
to sing also. `Once I used to have 130 concerts, now I manage only
50-60,’ says Aznavour adding that he does have time for diplomatic
activities but he will also manage to write in Geneva.

Source: Panorama.am

ISRAEL ARMY CHIEF REGRETS GENL’S REMARKS ABOUT TURKEY

EasyBourse.com
Feb 20 2009
France

ANKARA (AFP)–Israel’s army chief has said he "regrets" remarks made
last week by a top general about Turkey which fanned tensions between
the two countries over the Gaza conflict, Anatolia news agency quoted
a Turkish army spokesman as saying Friday.

Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi called his Turkish counterpart,
Ilker Basbug, Monday to say that "he values relations with the Turkish
armed forces, that the remarks did not represent the views of the
Israeli army…and that he regrets them," spokesman Metin Gurak
told reporters.

Ashkenazi also sent Basbug a letter along similar lines, he said.

The head of the Israeli army headquarters, Avi Mizrahi, said earlier
this month that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who
harshly criticized Israel’s war in Gaza, "should first look in the
mirror" and spoke of Ottoman massacres of Armenians during World War
I and the Kurdish conflict in Turkey.

Turkey rejected the remarks as "unacceptable claims and nonsenses"
and demanded an urgent explanation.

The Gaza conflict has strained relations between Israel and Turkey, a
predominantly Muslim non-Arab nation which has been the Jewish state’s
main regional ally since the two signed a military co-operation accord
in 1996.

In January, Erdogan stormed out from a heated debate on the Gaza
war at the World Economic Forum in Davos after clashing with Israeli
President Shimon Peres.

Before walking off, he said Israel committed "barbarian" acts in Gaza,
told Peres that "you know well how to kill people" and lashed out at
the audience for applauding the Israeli president’s emotional defense
of the war.

HOVHANNES TUMANYAN’S TBILISI HOUSE CLOSED FOR HIS DESCENDANTS AND ADMIRERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.02.2009 19:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Feb. 18, festivities were held to celebrate
the 140th birthday of outstanding Armenian poet and writer Hovhannes
Tumanyan.

The celebration started with the wreath laying ceremony and memorial
liturgy in Tumanyan’s pantheon.

"The celebrations were expected to be continued in Tumanyan Public
Library. But the current owner of the rooms, where the writer’s
cabinet, and later on, the library were located holds the doors
shut," Hovhannes Tumanyan’s great granddaughter Yelena Kolesnikova
told PanARMENIAN.Net.

The festivities were attended by the representatives of the Armenian
community in Georgia, and Armenian delegation including ex-Minister
of Science and Education Sergo Yeritsyan, Armenian Social Security
Fund representative Vazgen Khachikyan and Tumanyan expert Susanna
Harutyunyan.