Author: nina hovnanian

MEDIAS-FOOTBALL
Worldsport.ge « les Géorgiens, les Ukrainiens et les Russes n’ont pas
un joueur du niveau d’Henrikh Mkhitaryan »

« Dans le club allemand, Henrikh Mkhitaryan évolue sous le maillot
numéro 10 qui appartenait à Mario Götze transféré au Bayern de Munich
» écrit le site Worldsport.ge dans un article consacré à
l’international arménien Henrikh Mkhitaryan qui évolue au Borussia
Dortmund. « Trois ans sont après la rencontre entre les espoirs de
l’Arménie et de la Géorgie qui s’est terminée avec la victoire des
Arméniens sur le score de 3-2. Henrikh Mkhitaryan devenait un an plus
tard le capitaine de l’équipe d’Arménie et évoluait au Chakhtior
Donetsk en devenant le meilleur joueur du club. Il été transféré cet
été au Borussia Dortmund finaliste de la Ligue des Champions » écrit
le site géorgien et poursuit « dans le club allemand il porte le
maillot numéro 10 qui appartenait à Marion Götze transféré au Bayern
de Munich ( …) dans la famille de Mkhitaryan on accordait beaucoup
d’importance à l’éducation. Sa s`ur, Monika, est la secrétaire de
Michel Platini (…) Henrikh parle à 24 ans 4 langues. L’anglais il
l’a appris à l’école, le français en France, et le portugais lors de
son stage de 4 mois au club de Sao Paulo. Le père de Mkhitaryan était
également un bon footballeur. Dans les années 1980 très peu de joueurs
l’égalisaient. Son père, à part le football aimait lire et il força
Henrikh à aimer la lecture. Les Géorgiens n’ont pas aujourd’hui un
footballeur du niveau de Mkhitaryan (…) et cela ne concerne pas que
les Géorgiens, il en est de même pour les Russes et les Ukrainiens ».

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 16 novembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

NIKOL PASHINYAN ON THE SOLE ‘OPTIMISTIC’ POINT IN ARMENIA’S 2014 BUDGET

11.14.2013 20:29 epress.am

During discussion of the 2014 state budget in parliament today,
Armenian National Congress (HAK) MP Nikol Pashinyan once again spoke
about the penalties for traffic violations.

“How is it that we pay a lot, but very little goes into the budget?

Because entered in the press and in public consciousness is [the idea
that Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan’s brother Alexander Sargsyan
commands that money, and this year, again according to the media,
4.2 billion dram [about $10,347,600 USD] was collected,” he said.

The opposition MP said he cannot vote for a document “which states that
the number of military recruits has declined and continues to decline,
the number of students has declined and will continue to decline,
and the number of births has declined and will continue to decline.”

“This is simply a desperate budget, Mr. Prime Minister. Now a question
might arise: is there not a single point in that 1,200-page budget
that inspires optimism today? There is perhaps a small point that
includes it and that is that the government has considered possible
internal political instability among its risks. It’s true, political
instability, to be honest, is not such a good thing, but when some
swampy situation is widespread, people try to look for hope in such
places. This is why the activities of Shant Harutyunyan and his friends
elicited a positive reaction from some circles of society, because
people see that this government, these authorities have blocked all the
roads to change. I want to say that this places a special obligation
on the opposition because the opposition is obliged to lead the people
not to desperate actions but to calculated actions and lead them to
civic, economic, and political victories. I want to believe that in
the near future in Armenia an alliance of such political and civic
forces will be formed that will finally help the people overcome this
element of despair not with words but with deeds,” he said.

MPS DISAGREE WITH ARMENIA’S JUSTICE MINISTER OVER VISITS TO DETAINEES

21:09 ~U 15.11.13

Not only opposition MPs, but also Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
parliamentary group member Davit Harutyunyan is critical of Armenian
Minister of Justice Hrair Tovmasyan’s comment on the reasons why the
MPs Nikol Pashinyan and Zaruhi Postanjyan were not allowed to visit
Tseghakron (Race religion) party leader Shant Harutyunyan, as well
as others, detained after the riots in Armenia’s capital on November 5.

Explaining the reasons for the ban, Minister Tovmasyan noted that
the investigator banned all the visits to Shant Harutyunyan except
for his personal lawyer’s visits, according to the law.

“I held an opinion similar to that of Minister Tovmasyan. But I have
come to realize it is wrong,” Harutyunyan said.

As regards the way of resolving the problem, he said that it may be
either a court ruling or an amendment to the law.

Crossbencher Edmon Marukyan told Tert.am that there may be different
reasons for the ban, including violence against the detainees.

However, no one can restrict the MPs’ right to visit detainees. As
a lawyer and MP he states that the law grants MPs the right to visit
penitentiaries.

As regards Minister Tovmasyan’s statement that the ban applies to MPs
as well, Mr Marukyan said that the ban is only applied to detainees’
relatives and friends.

“But it cannot be applied to MPs, the president, the prosecutor
general, the ombudsman,” Mr Marukyan said.

He disagrees with Mr Harutyunyan over amendments to the law.

“We must demand that the law serve its purposes. According to the law,
high-ranking officials can meet any detainee in penitentiaries.

Moreover, they can study his case with his consent,” Marukyan said.

The Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary group member Gagik
Jhangiryan believes that Mr Pashinyan’s demands are legal.

“The law grants MPs the right to visit not only penitentiaries proper,
but even individual wards, medical stations, canteens. It is not up
to investigators to decide,” Mr Jhangiryan said.

He believes that Minister Tovmasyan made an arbitrary decision.

“We should specify the law to rule out such arbitrary decisions,”
he said.

HEAD OF DSEGH FOREST ENTERPRISE: ‘ILLEGAL LOGGING CAN’T BE RULED OUT’

Larisa Paremuzyan

12:18, November 15, 2013

An interview with Dsegh Forest Enterprise Director Vahe Karyan.

Today, I was told that you and your staff rarely show up for work at
the Enterprise offices. What’s your response?

In fact, we provide a report of our activities every month to the
HayAntar SNOC. Today was just that day. Our Chief Forestry Warden
and the accountant have gone to Yerevan, That’s why our offices
were closed.

What about you and the others? Isn’t there anyone else working at
the Dsegh Forest Enterprise?

It makes no sense for me to be sitting behind a desk at the office
all day. I’m at the office only when needed. I live in Vanadzor. They
can telephone me on matters that need my attention. What’s so wrong
with that? The regions under our watch are huge. I spend most of my
time in the field and not in the office. We have three wardens and
14 forestry rangers on staff. I have my deputy. These aren’t office
positions, per say. We are tasked with monitoring around 12,000
hectares of forested land. We do the best we can given our resources,
but we can’t rule out illegal tree felling.

What was the extent of such illegal logging that you discovered
this year?

I don’t remember the numbers but I can tell you the exact figures
tomorrow.

Residents of the Modkor villages say that if the present rate of
illegal logging continues, there won’t be any forest left in the area.

No… who told you that? In reality, our annual plan involves the
sanitary cutting of 3,000 cubic meters. It’s not an insignificant
amount. At first glance, it would seem that illegal logging is taking
place, but it’s all included in the forestry plan. We still have 10%
to go to meet this year’s sanitary cut plan.

Mr. Karyan, how would you explain the fact that whenever we want to
see the financial documents when timber is being transported out of
the forest, thos edrivers never seem to have such papers?

Who, for example?

I am speaking in general terms. But, as an example, we recently saw
a huge pile of timber next to the home of Marts Village Mayor Robert
Galstyan.

I do not know why they failed to show you any documentation. But the
mayor’s son is on record as removing wood from our facility.

At what price do you sell one cubic meter of wood?

Our price is 7,200 AMD. It’s the cost of one cubic meter of that tree
over there, plus the cost of transportation. A buyer can then resell
the wood. Nothing in the law prohibits it.

So, the son of the Marts Mayor can purchase timber from you at 7,200
AMD and then turn around and resell it?

Naturally.

What’s your reaction to press reports about illegal cuttings? Are
there cases when you have to agree that such things happen?

Of course they happen. We can’t rule such things out all together.

Is it possible that your forestry wardens are engaged in the timber
trade without your knowledge?

That’s why I’m saying that we are constantly in the field. But,
I again say that such things can’t be ruled out. Individuals and
business can buy timber from us, but only from the 3,000 cubic meters
that we legally cut down every year.

The Dsegh Forest Enterprise, a branch of “Hayantar” SNCO is located
in Armenia’s Lori Province. It covers 13,790 ha, of which 12,128
is forested. The enterprise consists of 4 forest districts with 14
sub-districts. The Enterprise engages in forest fund protection,
defense, reproduction, logging and forestry.

EXPERT: NEW KARABAKH WAR THROUGH THE “DOMINO EFFECT” WILL BLOW UP RUSSIAN REGIONS UP TO VOLGA

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Friday, November 15, 18:43

The new Karabakh war through the “domino effect” will blow up Russian
regions up to Volga, an expert of the Armenian Centre for Political
and International Studies, Ruben Mehrabyan, said during today’s public
debates “Karabakh conflict: dynamics and prospects” held in Yerevan
and organized by the Caucasus Institute.

“The point is that in today’s realities one can just formally consider
the Karabakh conflict as a local one, as the clash of the global
and often contradictory interests has turned it into a thick ball
of disagreements linked with these interests. On the other hand,
the possibility of transformation of the conflict into a new stage
reduces much because of its conservation, which was partly implemented
by Turkey in its own interests as it had blockaded Armenia”, – he said.

Meanwhile, the OSCE MG co-chair states have a consensus viewpoint only
regarding the Karabakh conflict. They have been striving not to let a
new war in the region, their viewpoints differ in all other issues,
he said. The availability of the unsettled Karabakh conflict is a
strong factor which promotes preserving of peace and the growth of
Russia’s presence in the region, while on the contrary, the Karabakh
conflict hinders the West to increase its presence in the region.

ARMENIA’S SECURITY SYSTEM LINKED TO RUSSIA WILL NOT BE DESTROYED – ARF MEMBER

November 15, 2013 | 12:14

YEREVAN. – ARF Dashnaktsutyun member Armen Rustamyan said Armenia’s
security system is linked to Russia, and he believes the system will
not be destroyed.

“It is time to implement subtle diplomacy. We should not cross the
limits not to fall from both sides. I think we have an opportunity to
raise the issues in the right way, on both directions. Armenia has
vitally important problems, and therefore has a right to strengthen
ties with different states irrespectively of relations between the
states,” Rustamyan said during the Friday briefing.

He is convinced that solving the security problem is a priority for
Armenia, and the country must be in the place where the security
is ensured.

“We must tell Europe that they were wrong by making Armenia choose,”
ARF member said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT OBSERVES MILITARY EXERCISES IN KARABAKH

Interfax, Armenia
Nov 13 2013

YEREVAN. Nov 13

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian attended Karabakh Defense Army
exercises during his working visit to the unrecognized republic.

A source in the Karabakh presidential press service told Interfax that
Sargsian and Karabakh leader Bako Sahakian attended a conference of
Karabakh Defense Army commanders dedicated to the results of the
exercises in Stepanakert, the Karabakh capital city, on Tuesday
evening.

“Sahakian stressed the importance of the constant improvement of the
combat readiness of the Defense Army as one of the most efficient
elements contributing to Karabakh security and regional peace and
stability,” the press service said.

The Armenian and Karabakh defense ministers were also present at
the conference.

Te cm

DR. TSUGIO MAKIMOTO GAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AND MET WITH BUSINESS IT COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES AT VIVACELL-MTS HEADQUARTERS

14-11-2013 15:40:14 | Armenia | Science and Technology

VivaCell-MTS undertakes the sponsorship of the Global IT Award of the
President of the Republic of Armenia for Outstanding Contribution
to Global Information Technology for the fourth time Today retired
CEO of Hitachi Electronic Devices Group and Senior Executive Managing
Director of Hitachi Tsugio Makimoto visited VivaCell-MTS headquarters
where he gave a press conference, followed by a presentation ‘Impacts
of Semiconductor Innovations to our Societies’ for the business IT
community representatives.

Dr. Tsugio Makimoto is on a special visit to Armenia to receive the
prestigious golden Global Award of the President of the Republic of
Armenia for Outstanding Contribution to Humanity through IT 2013
(Global IT Award 2013). The awarding ceremony will take place on
November 15, at the Presidential Palace. Inaugurated on July 6, 2009,
by the decree of the President of Armenia, the Global IT Award honors
individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to humanity
through advancing the world of IT. It is granted on an annual basis to
individuals whose internationally acclaimed contributions to IT have
resulted in near-revolutionary or revolutionary developments that have
positively impacted or hold the potential to positively impact the
humanity. Tsugio Makimoto is the fourth GIT Award laureate. Previous
laureates include retired CEO/ Chairman of the Board of Intel
Corporation, Craig Barrett in 2010, co-founder of Apple Computers,
Inc. Steve Wozniak in 2011 and Chairman Emeritus of Synaptics, Inc.

Federico Faggin in 2012.

As in previous years, for 2013 also, the award is being financed by
Armenia’s Leading Telecommunications Operator VivaCell-MTS through
‘Hayastan’ All Armenian Fund. For this purpose the Company provided
22 million drams.

“In today’s world, where nations’ competitive edge is its technology
and economic strength, IT is considered to be one of the key factors to
our country’s economic growth. Working in the ICT sector, witnessing
the everyday achievements of Armenian specialists, we know for sure
that Armenia has a huge unrealized potential for national achievements
in the sphere of high technologies, and for the economic growth, as
its outcome. Therefore, it is our duty to support important national
projects encouraging further development of this sphere,” noted
VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian. “VivaCell-MTS supports
the Global IT Award as it is an excellent tool for strengthening
Armenia’s positive image in the sphere of IT in the world.”

The award is an opportunity to encourage the development of information
technologies in Armenia and is very important in terms of positioning
Armenia on the world map as a country with potential for higher
achievements in the sphere of high-tech. VivaCell-MTS is sure that the
Armenian youth is talented and has huge potential of self-development,
and they just need support to realize that potential, to express
oneself and find the true path. The GIT award has a potential to
attract young Armenians attention to the IT sphere.

The Company is sure that everything should be done in order to provide
Armenia’s progress in the sphere of information technologies.

VivaCell-MTS… You are connected!

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading mobile operator,
having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a wide
range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best
of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July
2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build
a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS
drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any
development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. For
more information, visit * * * Mobile TeleSystems OJSC
(“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS,
offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content
and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest growing
regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 100
million mobile subscribers. The Group has been awarded GSM licenses
in Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Belarus, a region that
boasts a total population of more than 200 million. Since June 2000,
MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can
be found at

Dr. Tsugio Makimoto Retired CEO of Hitachi Electronic Device Group
and Sr. Managing Director of Hitachi Currently, the President of SSIS
and Techno Vision (A brief CV)

Dr. Makimoto has been one of the most effective visionaries of Japan’s
IT industry. He has pushed the technology limits to bring the building
blocks that have included advance semiconductors & display devices.

These building blocks have enabled the electronics industry to develop
and launch most of the electronics products that have changed the
world, and impacted almost all aspects of our lives since 1970’s,
and continue today and going forward. Last fifteen years, we have seen
many paradigm shifting products and platforms, e.g. Smart Card, Smart
Phones, e-books, Tablet PC’s, GPS navigation systems, Servers, PC’s,
HDTV, Telecommunications, Robotics and Automation, Electronic Games,
Mobile Products, Internet, Social Networking, and others yet to come.

His visionary models and projection let him to discover and publish
the famous “Makimoto Wave” that relates to the cyclical nature of
semiconductor industry.

Prior to his retirement from Hitachi, Dr. Makimoto has served as the
CEO of Hitachi Electronic Device Group and Senior Executive Managing
Director. Since then, he has stayed active in various distinguished
positions in the high tech multinational and industry groups. These
have included: Sr. Corporate Advisor of Sony Corporation, Member of
Advisory Panel of National Science & Technology Board of Singapore,
Board Director of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in Singapore,
Member of Industry Advisory Board of UC Berkley, Chairman of PDF
Solutions, also he was instrumental in establishing WSC (World SC
Council).

Currently he is the president of SSIS (Society of Semiconductor
Industry Specialists) and the founder & President of Techno Vision. He
also holds senior advisory positions with several multinational
companies: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp, Micronics Japan Corp and Nantero
Corp. in USA.

Dr. Makimoto holds a BS in Applied Physics from University of Tokyo,
MS in EE from Stanford University as well as Ph. D from University of
Tokyo. He has been nominated and been an IEEE Fellow since 1997. He has
been the recipient of many international awards, e.g. IR-100 Award,
Ichimura Award and Bellwether Award. He is the author of several
visionary books and other publications.

– Science and Technology News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan –
See more at:

ARMEN MARTIROSYAN: SHANT HARUTYUNYAN’S ACTIONS ARE HIS HEART CRY

ARMINFO
Thursday, November 14, 21:20

Neither foreign nor domestic forces were behind Shan Harutyunyan’s
actions. It was his heart cry, Armen Martirosyan, Deputy Chairman of
the Heritage Party, said at a press conference in Yerevan, Thursday.

“I feel big respect for Shant Harutyunyan. By his actions he wanted
to show that he cannot stand the situation in the country any more”,
said Martirosyan. He added that Harutyunyan’s initiative was doomed
to failure but he was able to make people understand his idea.

The politician stressed that the radical sentiments in the Armenian
society are increasing. He recalled that during Heritage Leader Raffi
Hovannisian’s visits to Armenia’s provinces they met citizens who were
disappointed in the political fight and thought that rallies would
give nothing and that only weapons would solve the problems. “There
are different methods of struggle. As for me, I advocate the citizens’
active participation in the political processes. They should join
forces to overthrow the incumbent power”, he said.

To recall, dozens of policemen and activists were injured as a result
of the clashes that followed a demonstration organized in the center
of Yerevan in support of activist Shant Harutyunyan, on 5 November.

Over 20 activists have been detained. Fourteen activists are charged
with Article 316.2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (violence against a
representative of the authorities) and are facing 5-10 years in prison.

ARMENIAN MP ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF WASTING MONEY ON ‘ABSURD’ PROJECTS

YEREVAN, November 14. / ARKA /. Vahan Babayan, an Armenian parliament
member from the Prosperous Armenia Party, has accused today the
government of mocking his country fellows by earmarking money in the
2014 draft budget for what he called ‘absurd’ expenditures.

According to him, the 2014 draft budget earmarks 346 million drams
(up from 295 million drams in 2013 budget) for supporting a series
of consulting services to farmers. “It is not clear how the money
was used this year and who got the consulting services,’ he said.

Babayan also said 279 million drams are earmarked in next year’s
budget for purchase of stationery and clothing for the judiciary,
106.9 million drams for research to evaluate the performance of the
government, the quality of life and the needs of communities.

He said some 20 million drams are to be released for promotion of the
aesthetic education of juvenile offenders, up from 7 million drams
this year.

“Either the number of juvenile delinquents has increased dramatically
or their artistic taste,” he said.

He said another 17 millions are projected for rehabilitation of
victims of trafficking, up from 6.6 million drams in 2013 budget.

Babayan said he had repeatedly asked the government to release
8 million drams for reconstruction of kindergarten in the border
village of Vahan, but the government said it should be financed by
the community, which does not have that money.

He also accused the Yerevan municipality of spending billions of drams
on asphalting roads in downtown Yerevan, which he said is absolutely
not necessary.

In conclusion, he said these absurd expenditures prove that “the main
problem is not lack of funds but the inefficient government.” -0-

– See more at: