Author: nina hovnanian

SCOTLAND 19S DESTROY ARMENIA, SWISS AND ROMANIA TIE IN GROUP 9 EURO QUALIFIERS

90 Minutes Soccer Magazine
Oct 10 2012

Scotland’s young guns were in action tonight in the first of a series
of three matches on home soil, and left no-one in doubt about their
intentions in group 9 of the UEFA Euro qualifiers.

Goals from Chalmers 48′, Kennedy 54′, McKay 65′ and MacLeod 68′ gave
the Scottish under 19s lads a tremendous start to the week against
Armenia and with the other group game between Switzerland and Romania
ending 1-1, the Scots can take huge confidence as they move forward
into Thursdays match v Romania.

Romania played very well in tonight’s game against the Swiss and
should have walked away with the three points but failed to finish off
the chances they had after dominating the game. Couple this failure
to finish off a game after taking the lead and Scotland’s confident
approach to offensive play, the Scot’s could be looking at having the
opportunity of departing Falkirk on Thursday evening with the Group
already in the bag without the need of playing on Sunday.

Ricky Sbragia can perhaps sleep easier tonight knowing that his
players were outstanding in tonight’s match but also that both their
other group opponents failed to deliver when they had the chance to
impose themselves on the early group opener.

Thursday sees Scotland face Romania at Falkirk with a 7.30pm ko,
Switzerland will face Armenia at New Douglas Park also with a
7.30pm ko.

Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Examiner.com, Football Speak,
Global Football Today, 90 Soccer, Yardbarker, OurGameMagazine and
various online & published sports outlets across the globe. All quotes
are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. You can follow Marc
on Twitter @myscottishfitba

CSTO IS GETTING READY FOR PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
October 8, 2012 Monday

Collective defense of the CIS countries may be demanded in the
post-Soviet space very soon

The first joint peacekeeping exercise of member states of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the post-Soviet
history named Indestructible Brotherhood 2012 will start today, on
September 8, in Kazakhstan not far from Alma-Ata. Official sources
in the CSTO report that the exercises will last for ten days. More
than 1,000 servicemen of airborne assault, mountain rifle and other
units and command bodies of the armed forces of Russia, Armenia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will participate in the
exercises. According to the plan, the exercise is aimed at preparation
and conduction of peacekeeping operations in the collective security
region. CSTO has never participated in peacekeeping operations before.

Along with this, officials of this organization say that CSTO forces
are going to participate in the peacekeeping activity in the future
including peacekeeping operations of the UN.

It is quite clear that first of all peacekeepers of the CSTO will
fulfill tasks in the territory of the former USSR. For example,
Secretary General of the organization Nikolai Bordyuzha already
announced this. These statements were released after the short war of
Russia against Georgia. Nothing prevents this formally. The agreement
“On peacekeeping activity of the CSTO adopted at the summit in
Dushanbe in 2007 was ratified by all CSTO member states. Fortunately,
there are no such conflicts in the post-Soviet space yet. Along with
this, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko advocated the use of
peacekeepers for resolving of the conflict with the armed opposition
in Mountain Badakhshan at the end of July of 2012. The CSTO did not do
this and the conflict in Tajikistan was resolved by the local special
forces between July and August of 2012. But this does not mean that
the CSTO member states including Tajikistan ignore the probability of
appearance of big-scale uncontrolled conflicts similar to those that
have happened recently in some Arab countries. Peacekeeping aid will
be simply necessary in this case. For example, after breakup of the
USSR the local authorities could not cope with the armed opposition
in Tajikistan. Collective Peacekeeping Forces were formed for its
neutralization and military contingents of Russia, Uzbekistan,
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were included into them. It seems that
top-ranking officials of the CSTO do not rule out repetition of such
events not only in Tajikistan but also in other CIS countries.

For example, some Kazakh mass media have said that Indestructible
Brotherhood 2012 exercises are organized in Kazakhstan to
work out the peacekeeping tasks for prevention of mass disorder
similar to that in Kazakh city of Zhanaozen (former Novy Uzen) last
year. Some commentators already called the actions of the oil workers
“continuation of the Arab spring in the post-Soviet space.” Use of
peacekeepers of the CSTO is quite likely in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, for example, if Azerbaijan unleashes a new war to take
Nagorno-Karabakh again like the Soviet time. Peacekeepers may be
demanded in Kyrgyzstan where there is a possibility of inter-ethnic
conflicts similar to those of summer of 2010 in Osh and other cities of
the Fergana Valley. In response to the request of aid by the official
authorities the CSTO refused to provide it. Now when the peacekeeping
contingents are formed it is quite likely that peacekeepers of the
CSTO will start fulfillment of certain tasks.

Meanwhile, they are learning. Personnel of the Collective Peacekeeping
Forces of the CSTO operating in Kazakhstan will have to fulfill
training tasks for separation of the conflicting parties, escorting
of humanitarian cargoes, parrying of attacks at peacekeeping columns,
mine clearance of the terrain, guarding and defense of the entrusted
objects, counteraction to mass unrest etc.

At the initial stage of the exercises the united command of the
multinational peacekeeping units of the CSTO will be formed in seven
days and a peacekeeping operation will be organized. In the remaining
three days the peacekeeping operations will carry out an operation
with occupation of the zones of responsibility and fulfillment of
peacekeeping tasks.

AZERBAIJAN FM: ARMENIA WILL TRY TO USE KHANKENDI AIRPORT FOR MILITARY PURPOSES

APA
Oct 8 2012
Azerbaijan

Elman Abdullayev: “Realization of flights from this airport means
continuation of Armenian occupation”

Bakı. Viktoriya Dementyeva – APA. “Re-opening of Khankendi airport
by Armenian side contradicts international norms and is estimated as
a provocation by Azerbaijani, said Spokesman of Azerbaijan Foreign
ministry Elman Abdullayev to journalists. APA reports

Elman Abdullayev noted that Armenia’s action on opening of Khankendi
Airport will affect negotiations processes seriously. He reminded
that Armenians committed genocide to Azerbaijanis in Khojaly and this
airport has great symbolic importance for Azerbaijani People.

“This action by Armenia is disrespect to the Khojaly victims. This act
caused anger and serious dissatisfaction in society and especially
for IDPs. Opening of Khojaly airport means continuation of Armenian
aggression and occupation. It is obvious that Armenia will try to use
this airport for military purposes. Sending military planes to air
territory of Azerbaijan is an action against territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan.

E. Abdullayev also reminded that opening of this airport is against
Chicago convention.

Azerbaijani FM official called international society to make Armenia
avoid such dangerous plans.

He also added that according some information some foreign companies
are cooperating with Armenia on installation of some equipments. One
of them is TALEYS company. Azerbaijan contacts with this company
continuously and demands stop this cooperation immediately. Otherwise
Azerbaijan will take adequate measures,” said Elman Abdullayev.

DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT: WINNERS ANNOUNCED

EurasiaNet.org
Oct 8 2012
NY

OSF’s Documentary Photography Project recently announced the winners
of the 2012 Production Grant for photographers from Central Asia,
the South Caucasus, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Pakistan.

Inna Mkhitaryan’s project looks at the underlying economic, social,
and psychological factors that give rise to human trafficking in
Armenia and seeks to challenge the stigma against trafficking victims
who are often blamed for their own plight.

Arthur Lumen Gevorgyan’s project on the human costs of landslides
in Armenia addresses government negligence toward people who live in
landslide zones. To help policy makers plan for and prevent disasters
in the future, Gevorgyan will provide visual documentation detailing
how people who live in landslide zones are affected.

Sitara Ibrahimova’s project will call attention to the practice of
selective abortions of girl fetuses in Azerbaijan, which reflects a
prevalence of gender inequality and discrimination against girls and
women that persists in much of the region.

Elyor Nematov’s project focuses on the severe living and working
conditions that migrant laborers from Kyrgyzstan face when they seek
better economic opportunities in Russia.

Dina Oganova’s project on Roma communities in Georgia will portray the
everyday life of Roma women with the goal of dispelling stereotypes
about, and intolerance for, the Roma community.

Daro Sulakauri’s study of the Samtske-Javakheti region of Georgia
will look at both the ethnic Armenian and Georgian communities of
this historically isolated, tense area.

Darya Komleva’s project seeks to challenge stereotypes of people with
disabilities in Kazakhstan by profiling the daily lives of children
with disabilities and their families, as well as their experiences
with alternative education programs.

Fraidoon Poya will address the rampant problem of suicide through
self-immolation in Afghanistan. An issue that is well known but
considered taboo, this project will allow for a more complete
understanding of why women attempt suicide in this region and what
happens to them after so as to prompt much-needed dialogue and change.

Fardin Waezi’s project will portray the resilience of Afghan civilians
after decades of war by providing a unique view into the varied
experiences of people in Afghanistan.

For more on the winners, other ongoing and archive photo projects, and
Moving Walls, visit: the OSF Documentary Photography Project Web site.

ARMENIA SEES FAST ICT DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT YEARS
By Thomas Whittle

NZ Week
Oct 9 2012

YEREVAN, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) – Armenia has seen noticeable development
of information communication technology (ICT) in recent years, the
local media Armenpress quoted an official as saying on Monday.

Bagrat Yengibaryan, chairman of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation,
said the ICT sector has maintained an average annual growth rate of
20 percent to 30 percent in recent years, and there are plenty of
related programs being developed in the country.

According to the reports of Armenpress, 47 percent of Armenians were
Internet users in 2010, while the figure was only 0.1 percent back
in 2001.

The country now has 400 ICT firms, with altogether 10,000 employees.

Some 80 percent of these companies are export-oriented, and are mainly
operating in the capital city. Their annual turnover is close to 200
million U.S. dollars, said the reports.

Armenpress also said Armenia is well ahead of Azerbaijan and Georgia
in the ICT industry.

Currently, Georgia only has some 10 ICT companies, while Azerbaijan
produces no high-tech products at all.

Meanwhile, the reports also indicated that the country’s ICT
accomplishment so far has been investment-driven, and the lack of
experts and specialists would hamper the sector’s future development.

The country’s ministry of science and education and the U.S. Agency
for International Development have been working together to inject
6 million dollars into a specialist-grooming program, Armenpress said.

If the program could help train some 2,000 specialists per year,
Armenia’s ICT industries would witness an even more remarkable boost.

“I WOULD LIKE THE “SETTLERS” OF KARABAKH CONFLICT TO LOOK INTO THE EYES OF THESE CHILDREN”

Monday, 08 October 2012 12:24

Within the framework of the “Land and Technology” festival of modern
art that commenced in Shoushi on October 1, photographer German Avagyan
exhibited his photoline under the title “Those born after death”.

In his interview to Karabakh-open.info German Avagyan described his
photoline in the following way: “The heroes of this project are the
young girls and boys born after the war, those who were born after
their fathers’ deaths. I intended to photograph them long ago, I have
just been waiting for them to grow up to the age of 16-18 years old.

This is the perfect age when they begin to look like their fathers
whom they, however, have never seen before.”

The photographer suggests that those who have been engaged in Karabakh
conflict settlement should first ask these children deprived of their
fathers before examining the issue and seeking for possible solutions
to it. “I would like the “settlers” of Karabakh conflict to look into
the eyes of these children.”

G. Avagyan initiated his photoline “Those born after death” in 2009
and completed it only a month ago involving into his project a group
of children from the RA and NKR different regions whom he photographed
together with the photos of their fathers killed in the war.

“I feel awkward for being unable to photograph all of them as the
number of heroes has been prearranged. If I had taken photos of all
the children who do not remember their fathers their number would have
exceeded 1,000. I apologize for this as there are families where one
of the children was 1 year old and the other was born only after their
father’s death. It would have been unjust to photograph only one of
them,” G. Avagyan notes with regret and adds that the photoline is
the upper layer of the project only under which we can see the women
who became widows 4-5 months after their marriage”.

“After this all they managed to save their child’s life and bring him
up suffering so many hardships. We must always remember that each of
these children’s photos has a woman standing behind,” the photographer
underlined once more.

The exhibition of German Avagyan’s photos was opened at the art gallery
of Shoushi on October 5 at the completion of which the photographer
took photos of the families that had victims during the war together
with the perished liberty soldiers’ photos.

EDUARD MIRZOYAN WILL REMAIN A PURE SOUL IN THE MEMORIES OF COMPOSER TIGRAN MANSURIAN

ARMENPRESS
8 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: The funeral repast of National Artist
of USSA and Armenia renamed composer Eduard Mirzoyan took place in
Aram Khachatryan philharmonic concert hall.

President Serzh Sargsyan, First Lady Rita Sargsyan, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Armenian Premier Tigran
Sargsyan, NA President Hovik Abrahamyan and other senior officials,
cultural figures were present at the funeral repast of the great
composer.

Armenian Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan assures that Eduard
Mirzoyan was one of the most remarkable and outstanding figures of our
music. “The greatest legacy that we are left with is Eduard Mirzoyan’s
music” the Minister said.

Eduard Mirzoyan will remain a pure soul in the memories of composer
Tigran Mansurian. “Eduard Mirzoyan was the last forefather of the
centuries – old Armenian music. Optimism and wisdom have always been
the part of his music” highlighted the composer. Eduard Mirzoyan will
be interred in the Pantheon of Park after Komitas.

After succumb to an illness remarkable Armenian composer Eduard
Mirzoyan died on October 5.

TSARUKYAN DONATED 15 MILLION AMD TO ‘HELP YOUR BROTHER’ FUND

17:50 – 08.10.2012

We have already informed you that “Help your brother” fund has opened
a bank account for helping syrian Armenians. Press secretary of the
president of Prosperous Armenia party Iveta Tonoyan informed Yerkir.am
that Gagik Tsarukyan has donated 15 million AMD to “Help your brother”
foundation today.

HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN HOSTED THE CHAIRMAN OF FRG BUNDESTAG GERMANY-SOUTH CAUCASUS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

ARMENPRESS
8 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: President of Armenian National
Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan hosted Wolfgang Byornzen, the Chairman of
FRG Bundestag Germany-South Caucasus parliamentary group, on October
8. As Armenpress was informed from the public and media relations
department of NA issues related to Armenian-German relations and
regional tension have been discussed during the meeting. Both sides
stressed the need to deepen cooperation in all spheres. Interlocutors
highly evaluated the latest interparliamentary developments, the
deepening of its cooperation and the friendly contacts between groups.

They also referred to the “International Parliamentary Scholarship”
program which has been operating in Armenia from 1988 and has shown
positive results. Many Armenian students have undergone paractical
training in Budenstag and applied their knowledge in different
spheres. Due to the agreement of two NA presidents German students
will have an opportunity to undergo practical training in Armenian
National Assembly. Other issues of bilateral interests have been
discussed during the meeting.

EXPERT: SYRIAN ISSUE IS A BURR IN THE SADDLE OF U.S. AND NATO

ARMINFO
Monday, October 8, 17:25

The Syrian issue has become a burr in the saddle of the Arab spring
scriptwriters, turcologist Anush Hovhannisyan said at the Oct 8 press
conference in Yerevan.

She said that the U.S. and NATO expected no such protraction of the
Syrian conflict, as according to their scenario, the problem should
have been settled within the shortest possible period of time, like
in the case of Egypt and Libya. In addition, the Kurdish factor,
specifically, the creation of autonomy has not been taken into
consideration. “The U.S. and NATO have reached a deadlock, they cannot
start military actions, because the presidential elections in the USA
are in the offing; they cannot step back, as this will demonstrate
NATO’s infirmity. So, they only have to wait, but nobody knows how
long”, she said.

In the meantime, the turcologist thinks that NATO is trying to change
the situation by means of Turkey, which failed to receive any support
after the first blow on Syria and suffered essential losses.

Hovhannisyan said that when delivering blows on Syria, official
Ankara hoped to benefit from the current situation, however, it
came across three problems: the extremely long resistance of Bashar
al-Assad’s regime in Syria, which may freeze the situation; the lack
of the allies’ support; and the protest of the Turkish people. The
expert thinks that in case of creation of Kurdish autonomy in Syria,
Turkey will by all means start military actions, because official
Ankara cannot admit the increase of the Kurdish influence.

To recall, on October 4 NATO held an extraordinary session in
connection with the incident on the Turkish-Syrian border. Brussels
qualified it as an outrageous violation of the international law. NATO
demanded that Damascus should stop any aggressive actions against
Turkey immediately. Turkey made target attacks in Syria.