Author: Nalbandian Albert

EXTENSION COURSES TO BE ORGANIZED FOR 200 FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS OF HIGH SCHOOL

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.06.2009 17:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 16, State Linguistic University after Brusov
will start extension courses for foreign languages teachers of high
school. 200 teachers from all 10 regions of Armenia will participate
in the training organized by Ministry of Education and Science and
Armenian Centre of Educational Programs.

The courses will focus on 3 aspects: foreign language and methodology,
testing methodology and information and communication technologies.

Turkish journalist tried for insulting officials

Associated Press Worldstream

June 10, 2009 Wednesday 8:03 AM GMT

A Turkish journalist says he is going on trial for claiming an
intelligence cover-up over the murder of ethnic Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink.

Nedim Sener, speaking on his way to the opening hearing in Istanbul
Wednesday, said he is facing up to 28 years in prison if convicted in
two cases on charges of obtaining classified documents and insulting
government officials.

Sener’s book, "Dink Murder and Intelligence Lies," says police and
military officials ignored tips about the 2007 murder. The government
has launched an investigation into the allegations.

Sener says "this case is aimed at intimidating journalists."

Dink had angered Turkish nationalists with assertions that the mass
killings of Armenians around the time of World War I was genocide.

ENP Newswire
June 12, 2009 Friday

Annual Meeting 2008 of Armeconombank OJSC held on June 12, 2009, at
‘Tigran Mets’ hall of Armenia-Mariott hotel

The outcomes of Armeconombank’s accounting year evidence the Bank’s
steady position as a system builder in Armenian banking circles, and
the 24.3% growth of average market price of bank shares against the
previous year is one of the vivid proves to this fact.

The efficient strategy of the bank’s development in accordance with
corporate governance principles, was marked by a number of important
achievements, essential qualitative movements and significant
expansion of cooperation with International financial Institutions.

Among notable events of the accounting year the most important are:

EBRD recognized the Bank as the most active issuer Bank in the
Republic of Armenia in the sphere of documentary operations under
EBRD’s TFP.

AmRating/GlobalRating rating agency assigned the Bank a ‘BB+’ credit
rating by presage of ‘possible rise’.

For the first time in the Republic of Armenia The Bank along with
ArmenTel opened a customer phone service centre (call center).

A specialized microfinance centre was opened.

‘Zeytun’ branch began functioning.

Armeconombank joined ‘Blizko’ payment system.

The Bank and the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank signed a USD
5.0mln. Loan Agreement, which was on-lended to small and medium-size
business.

As during the previous 5 years this year too the bank has paid
dividends to its shareholders. In accordance with the bank’s adopted
dividend payment policy implies dividends payment from 2008 annual
proceeds by 10% profitability per annum.

During 2008 the bank’s key development indicators in their average
have grown against the same of 2007:

Total equity by 12.2%, amounting to AMD 8.6bln.

Loan investments by 10.1%, amounting to AMD 26.5bln.,

Net income from rendered services by 4.9%, amounting to AMD 969.3mln.

The accounting year was more efficient for expansion of plastic card
services. With significant niche in the ArCa plastic cards’ market the
Bank has extended its customers around 20.150 local and International
cards, thus the aggregate number of extended cards reached 62.895. As
to current year development trends of the Bank the Bank management
states with pleasure that nothwithstanding the International
Financial-economic crisis and the tension of the country’s political
and economic environment, the confidence of customers towards the Bank
continues to grow, and this is evidenced by significant increase in a
number of the Bank’s indicators recorded during the first 5 months of
2009. Particularly the following indicators have increased:

Time deposits attracted from Individuals by 8.3%, forming AMD 5.4bln.,

Deposits attracted from legal entities by AMD 1.5bln. or 54.8%,
forming 4.3bln.,

The number of local and International plastic cards by 6,370n or
10.1%, forming 69.265 cards,

As a result of above mentioned developments the number of customers
has increased by 18,501 or 34.8%, forming 71.680 customers, against
53.179 at the end of 2008.

[Editorial queries for this story should be sent to
[email protected] ]

EUROPEAN UNION INFORMATION CENTERS TO BE FOUNDED IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
12:41 10/06/2009

The Secretary General of Armenian National Security Council and the
chairman of the committee on coordinating cooperation of Armenia with
the European institutes Arthur Baghdasaryan received Hannes Rumm,
the deputy of Estonian Parliament, Aleksey Makarev, the chairman
of AEPLAC, Kate Casemets the Assistant chairwoman of the center and
expert Tigran Chorokhyan, the NSC press service reports.

According to the source, the parties have discussed a wide range of
questions, including European Neighborhood Policy "Armenia-European
Union activities" project, forming and founding of European Union
informative centers in Armenia.

Arthur Baghdasaryan said that according to the President’s decree
several working groups have been already formed to draft procedures
covering various directions.

The guests signified the foundation of EU informative centers in
Armenia and emphasized their support and contribution to bring them
to life.

PRESS RELEASE
June 8, 2009
Contact: : 818-231-0937
[email protected]

THE LILLIAN & VARNUM PAUL
2009 SCREENWRITING AWARD
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

LOS ANGELES, California (June 8, 2009) – The Armenian Dramatic Arts
Alliance (ADAA) is pleased to announce the three finalists of the 2nd
Biennial Lillian & Varnum Paul 2009 Screenwriting Award: "Music for
Strangers" by Eric Nazarian (U.S), "Moskvitch, My Love" by Levon
Minassian (France), and "The Bedouin" by David Deranian and Anthony
Zanontian (U.S).

Screenplay submissions were received from across the United States,
Europe and Armenia.

Entries were required to be full-length, unproduced film scripts
written in English and based on Armenian themes. The screenplays
submitted this year were of high quality, which made the selections
difficult for the eight first round judges, all of whom are industry
professionals.

The three finalist plays will now be evaluated by an honorary jury
including award-winning filmmaker, Atom Egoyan; Producer and
Vice-President of Development at Alcon Entertainment, Steve Wegner;
and legendary literary agent (William Morris, CAA) turned director
Michael Peretzian.

The winner of the $10,000 award will be announced at a private
ceremony in Los Angeles the weekend of August 28-30. This year’s
ceremony will include a screening of an outstanding new film by an
Armenian filmmaker and will be followed by a cocktail reception.
Tickets will be available for this exclusive event by invitation only

The Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance’s mission is to make the Armenian
voice heard on the world stage through the dramatic arts of theatre
and film. The organization accomplishes this mission by supporting
playwrights and screenwriters and providing production opportunities,
research tools, networking resources and writing awards.

In addition to the $10,000 Lillian and Varnum Paul Screenwriting
Award, ADAA administers the William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting, the
deadline for which is February 15, 2010.

For more information about ADAA, its activities and how to contribute
to its important mission, please visit the website at

ARMENIAN PREMIER: ARMENIA IS GOING TO PREPARE SERIOUS INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES WHICH WILL INTEREST EURASEC COUNTRIES

Arminfo
2009-06-10 18:16:00

ArmInfo. Armenian government along with its partners should prepare
serious investment programmes of mutual interest, and is going
to submit it to the Anti-crisis Fund to get financing, Armenian
Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan replied to ArmInfo correspondent’s
question and added the programmes should be of the regional nature
as well. EurAsEC Economic Policy Council has adopted an anti-crisis
action plan and set up an Anti-crisis Fund, the authorized capital of
which is $10 mln. EurAsEC member states coordinated their aggregate
contribution to the EurAsEC anti-crisis. Russia will contribute USD
7.5 billion, Kazakhstan will allocate $1 billion, the rest USD 1.5
will be allocated by other members.

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia are pledged to contribute USD1
million each. The fund will start working in three month, as soon
as the relevant agreement is ratified. "This means that the given
institution is formed for us to prepare the relevant programmes on the
governmental level", – Armenian premier said. He also added that at the
initial stage the countries have to give 10% of their allocation. "For
the rest 90% we shall be able to issue securities or bonds, and in
this way we shall prove Armenia’s responsibility for implementation
of this payment", – Sarkisyan said and added that financing will be
implemented on the basis of repayment, financial solvency and risks
assessment principles. "From this point of view Russia is also an
interested party as the funds allocated by Russia will not lose,
on the contrary, they will be provided with earning capacity. On the
other hand, economical potential will be extended and opportunities
for economical development created",- Sarkisyan assured.

At the same time, Armenian premier said that according to the
regulations, the Council will adopt decisions by simple majority
of votes, but the decisions regarding the financial problems
and obligations the Fund will adopt according to the volume of
allocations of the member-states of the Fund. Sarkisyan also said that
the programmes about turning Armenia into the regional financial,
tourist and healthcare centre within the frames of the Anti-crisis
Fund will get new stimulus. "These financial resources may also be
used for development of the given programmes. It is clear if we have
programmes at the regional level, this creates opportunities for our
partners as well, to make use services of these centres", – Armenian
premier emphasized.

RA PM MEETS BUSINESSMEN IN MOSCOW

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.06.2009 10:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in Moscow, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan met with entrepreneurs in the Armenian Embassy, where he gave
a report titled "Armenia: strategy of the future, three months later."

The Armenian delegation participated in the 23rd session of EurAsEC
economic council. The participants approved a plan of joint measures,
including creation of a fund, to combat the ongoing global financial
crisis. The charter capital of the anti-crisis fund, which will be
launched later this year, will be $10 billion. The measures to be
taken will facilitate integration processes.

Armenia holds the status of an observer in the organization.

HRAYR KARAPETIAN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF NA STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS

NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 8, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 8, the RA National Assembly
by secret ballot elected ARFD faction member Hrayr Karapetian as
Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defence, National Security
and Internal Affairs. H. Karapetian headed the same committee at the
NA of the previous convocation.

According to Ad-hoc Calculation Commission Chairman Gagik Melikian,
95 of 131 NA deputies took part in voting. 91 deputies voted for the
only candidate, 3 against. One ballot paper was invalidated.

VARDAN AYVAZYAN SAYS HE IS DISAPPOINTED OF ARMENIA’S STRATEGIC PARTNER

Panorama.am
16:18 08/06/2009

The chairman of the National Assembly economic affairs committee Vardan
Ayvazyan says he has some disappointments from the strategic partner
of Armenia – Russia. The chairman says the agreement to extend the
15-year loan at LIBOR plus 3% is high enough.

It’s worth mentioning that Moscow grants Yerevan $500 million loan
to contribute to the improvement of the Armenian economy amid the
ongoing economic crisis.

Today LIBOR is 1,22% and LIBOR+ is 3%, hence the total sum is 4,55%,
the chairman explained. "In the case of economic active policy LIBOR
can reach 5-6%. In 1995-97 it was 5,2-5,8%," said Ayvazyan and added
that a definite figure should be fixed.

Hrag Hamalian To Head New Charter Middle School In San Fernando Valley
lian-to-head-new-charter-middle-school-in-san-fern ando-valley/

By Asbarez Staff on Jun 5th, 2009 and filed under Community, News.
Tuition-free Valor Academy now accepting applications for next year’s
5th graders

LOS ANGELES – Following 18 months of planning and preparation,
educator Hrag Hamalian has earned the approval of the Los Angeles
Unified School District (LAUSD) to launch a charter middle school in
the San Fernando Valley.

The new school, Valor Academy, will open its doors this fall with a
class of 5th-graders. It will add a grade each year until it becomes a
full-fledged, 5th-8th-grade middle school. With plans to be located on
Woodman Avenue, Valor Academy is a tuition free, public charter
school, which will serve North Hollywood, Arleta, and Panorama
City. Although any California resident may apply, seats are limited to
120 5th grade students in 2009.

`We believe that our children are our most precious resource, and that
top-notch education is crucial to preparing a generation of achievers
and exemplary citizens, especially in a time of economic uncertainty,’
stated Hamalian, who will lead the school as its principal. `Valor
Academy is being established to address the longstanding educational
crisis in the Arleta-Panorama City-North Hollywood area, which is also
home to a growing number of Armenian families,’ he continued. `We are
launching the area’s first-ever charter middle school, and our goal is
to put every one of our students on a clear path to college.’

According to Hamalian, Valor Academy will place equal emphasis on
educational excellence and character-building. Toward this end, he
explained, the academy will feature a longer school day, a highly
qualified corps of teachers, free tutoring, a disciplined school
culture that aims to foster self-respect and initiative, frequent
communication with parents, and an overarching focus on literacy and
math.

A former member of the Teach for America Corps, Hamalian was
associated with Locke High School in Los Angeles, where he served as a
biology teacher, department head, and co-founder of the School of Math
and Science. He has spent the past two years working in a
school-leadership residency with Building Excellent Schools, a
nationally recognized incubator for new schools. Studying and
analyzing over 25 of America’s highest performing urban charter
schools, Hamalian has drawn from the country’s best practices to lay
the foundations of Valor Academy. Many of his achievements as an
educator are chronicled in the book Relentless Pursuit: A Year in the
Trenches with Teach For America.

In fulfilling his vision for Valor Academy, Hamalian worked closely
with Valor Board chair William Ryan and community leaders, elected
officials, and the LAUSD. `I would like to express my deep gratitude
on behalf of the entire Valor Academy Board of Directors to all those
individuals and organizations that have been so supportive,’ Ryan
said. `As a result of their incredibly generous work, we have reached
this milestone and are poised to open our doors in a few short
months.’

Ryan continued: `As a charter school, Valor Academy is a tuition-free
public school that the LAUSD permits to operate with more freedom
compared with a conventional public school, in terms of innovative
teaching methods and curriculum. Valor’s mission is to provide
middle-school students in Arleta, Panorama City, and North Hollywood
with a rigorous education that will prepare them for top-flight high
schools and colleges.’

Valor Academy is currently accepting student applications for the
2009-2010 school year. If more than 120 5th grade children are signed
up, a lottery will be held at the end of the sign-up period to
determine admission, Ryan said. Applications and further information
are available at the school’s website ().

Although Valor Academy has secured core public funding to open the
school, a mix of additional and ongoing assistance is needed to ensure
the envisioned quality and full range of its services, Hamalian
said. `Opening a successful charter school designed to produce the
strongest academic outcomes is an all-encompassing effort that cannot
be realized by a small team,’ he explained. `It takes the dedication
of many like-minded people bound by a commitment to improving the
lives of our children.’

To meet this goal, Hamalian said, community members can help in a
variety of ways. They can make donations (Valor is approved by the IRS
as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit); volunteer to sign up families
for the school, attend fairs, pass out flyers, and spread the word;
become community partners to provide the school with in-kind products
and services such as uniforms, printing, and afterschool programs; or
invite Valor Academy personnel to community events where there might
be families interested in the school.Valor Academy is also hiring
employees, including teachers and various staff members. For more
information, visit or call (818) 528-5467.