Author: nina hovnanian

Iran Book News Agency
Aug 15 2012

Precious Armenian Quranic manuscript displayed

15 Aug 2012 11:28

A Precious Armenian Quranic manuscript belonging to Armenia was
displayed at the 20th International Quran Exhibition, which wrapped up
on Tuesday, August 14.

IBNA: The work was exhibited at the pavilion of the National Library
and Archives of Iran at the 20th International Quran Exhibition by
Armenian researcher and translator Erdardov Hagh verdian.

Hagh verdian had been invited by the National Library and Archives of
Iran and he had presented the work which was had translated into
Armenian himself.

Negotiating with the manager of the National Library, Salahi, the
Armenian researcher will render Nahjolbalaghe (The Peak of Eloquence)
into Armenian.

Moreover, the cultural experts of Pakistan and Georgia attended the
international exhibition displaying their countries’ Quranic
manuscripts.

Iran’s National Library and Archives Organization had for the first
time exhibited Quranic manuscripts of the Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO) member states.

A number of exquisite and unique Qur’anic manuscripts of Islamic
countries and ECO member states had been put on display at the
pavilion.

Turkey, Georgia, Tajikistan, Tunisia were among the countries whose
works were exhibited.

CBS Local, CA
Aug 15 2012

Federal Court Employee Charged With Leaking Confidential Information
To Armenian Gang

August 15, 2012 6:25 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A federal courts employee and her husband have been
charged with accessing and leaking confidential information to tip off
suspected criminals before their arrest, including the takedown of an
Armenian gang last year, authorities said Wednesday.

Nune Gevorkyan, 35, and Oganes Koshkaryan, 40, both of Los Angeles,
were each charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. If convicted,
they face up to 20 years in prison. Phone messages left for their
attorneys were not immediately returned.

Federal authorities said they believe Gevorkyan looked at sealed
indictments before raids across Southern California in February 2011
that led to the arrests of more than 70 people associated with the
Armenian Power gang. Most of the charges filed in those cases dealt
with white-collar crimes.

One of the defendants, who is seeking a reduced sentence, told FBI
agents that information about the takedown was known to some of those
arrested.

`The cooperating defendant said that, as a result of this information,
he/she fled his/her home the night before the arrests and stayed with
family in another city,’ according to court documents. The defendant
later surrendered.

Authorities said Koshkaryan acted as an intermediary who promised he
could get confidential information from the court system in exchange
for cash. On at least two occasions, Koshkaryan delivered information
from sealed court records to an FBI informant, authorities said.

Last month, the informant asked Koshkaryan for information related to
a person who is currently under investigation, according to court
documents. During a recorded conversation, Koshkaryan told the
informant the person was going to be arrested soon, authorities said.

In another related instance where information was provided regarding
another person, the informant paid Koshkaryan $2,000, an affidavit
said.

A court records search by FBI agents revealed that a log-in assigned
to Gevorkyan had accessed sealed court documents pertaining to the two
ongoing investigations.

Last week, the informant told Koshkaryan the details obtained from the
sealed documents were `gold.’

`Based on the information that Koshkaryan had provided to the
informant, Target Two had already fled for his/her safety,’ court
documents showed.

Gevorkyan worked as a clerk where criminal documents are filed in
downtown Los Angeles for the past two years. Her employment status is
currently pending review.

Interfax, Russia
Aug 14 2012

Armavia owes about $4 mln for SSJ-100 airliner

MOSCOW. Aug 14

Armavia owes about $4 mln for SSJ-100 airliner
Armavia, Armenia’s national air carrier, owes some $4 million for its
first Sukhoi SuperJet 100 (SSJ-100) to Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, an
official Sukhoi representative told Interfax.

In addition, Armavia owes for technical services for the airliner, the
source said. “At the present time, the aircraft is in Zhukovsky.”

The company representative said that the first aircraft is encumbered
at an Armenian bank, so Armavia cannot forward official documents
rejecting it.

Early this month it was reported that Armavia had decided not to fly
the SSJ-100 it acquired from Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, as the aircraft
required repair in just the first year of usage. Even earlier, the air
carrier decided not to buy a second, which was due for delivery in
June.

Instead of the SSJ, Armavia wants to buy Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Sukhoi had at one point been planning to clinch a firm contract to
supply Armavia with six of the SSJ-100s.

Cf

Apricot Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization Project
continues in Armenia

arminfo
Wednesday, August 15, 18:45

A three-day seminar dedicated to the Apricot Genetic Resources
Conservation and Utilization Project started in Yerevan on August 15.
The event was organized by the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture and
the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Representation in Armenia.
Scientists, farmers and employees of the agrarian sphere attended the
seminar.

The press service of the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture told ArmInfo
that the Apricot Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization
Project is being implemented on the margins of FAO’s project on
economic cooperation with Armenia and will be over in 2013.

The project assists the Ministry of Agriculture in its effort to
contribute to sustainable development through establishing the basis
for the improvement and modernization of the apricot production sector
which will lead to a significant increase in food security, employment
opportunities and income generation. The main outcome of the project
will be to reinforce the foundations of a solid apricot industry
through the collection and preservation of apricot genetic
resources and the introduction of suitable varieties and rootstocks
and appropriate technology for fruit and planting materials
production.

It was mentioned during the seminar that surveys were conducted in all
regions of Armenia to reveal genotypes. There are numerous types and
clones among them, which have not been studied and have no names. Seed
Agency SNCO held debates on registration of their names. Seed pieces
were prepared from the apricot sorts revealed in 2011 and the young
plants will be planted in a selected garden in autumn 2012.

The project takes into account the factor of altitudinal zonality of
Armenia’s territory. The apricot sorts will be grown in Armenia from
early May till October. Relevant territories for gardening have
already been selected in Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn, Lori and
Gegharkunik regions.

Earlier Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Armenia Robert Makaryan said
that within the frames of the project 6 selected apricot gardens would
be planted and regional assignment will be made.

According to the Armenian Agriculture Ministry, as of 10 July 2012
over 8.4 thsd tons of apricots were exported against nearly 5.3 thsd
tons as of 10 July 2011 and 7.3 thsd tons throughout 2010. The
aggregate procurement of apricots by the processing enterprises of
Armenia totaled 4 thsd tons as of 10 July 2012 against 615.8 tons over
the same period of 2011.

More than 100 children study Armenian language at Moscow multicultural school

tert.am
13:05 – 15.08.12

In 1989 Ofelya Arakelyan has founded `Moscow’ multicultural school, in
Russia’s capital Moscow and heads it till today. Initially 30 children
of different nationalities learnt their mother tongue, national songs
and dances.

Today children of 15 nationalities are attending the school.

`Currently, 200 children are studying here. More than 100 of them are
Armenians. Two hours per week they are studying Armenian language and
history,’ she said, adding that it is not enough for having good
knowledge of the language. She said many of the pupils are attending
private classes to improve their knowledge.

The multi-cultural school is financed by the state. Arakelyan said
previously the state was funding cultural clubs as well but refuses to
do so now.

Arakelyan said the graduates of the school receive same certificates
like the ones graduating from Russian schools.

About 80% of residential houses in Yerevan are not earthquake
resistant: seismologist

YEREVAN, August 15. /ARKA/. About 80% of residential houses in Yerevan
are not earthquake-proof and may collapse in case of a strong
earthquake, a seismologist Vladimir Balasanian said today.

Earlier head of a unit of the National Seismic Protection Service of
the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Valery Arzumanyan, told in an
interview with ARKA news agency that Yerevan may become an epicenter
of a quake if the so-called Yerevan gab, which is still poorly
investigated, becomes active. However, the seismic activity of this
gap has not been confirmed, he said.

“Most of the buildings in Yerevan were built during the Soviet period.
Over time, they had deteriorated, and if, God forbid, a strong
earthquake happens, about 80% of the housing will completely destroy,”
Balasanian told a news conference.

According to him, the foundations of many buildings in the capital
have weakened because of remodeling carried out in different years
either by tenants or as a result of construction of shops and
restaurants in basements.

Balasanian also said that the recently built buildings will not
withstand possible quakes either due to the excessive density of their
arrangement. According to the seismologist, in such a situation, any
earthquake in the capital could become a national catastrophe. To
avoid this Balasanian proposed to reinforce the residential buildings.

“There are special rubber shock absorbers that are put into the
foundation of the building and in the event of an earthquake they can
weaken the effect of seismic waves,” he said.

On December 7, 1988 the devastating earthquake hit Armenia’s northern
parts nearly destroying two cities – Spitak and Leninakan (now Gyumri)
and over one hundred villages.. In t the epicenter of the earthquake –
in the city of Spitak (North Armenia), the force of the earthquake was
10 points on a 12-point scale. The quake, according to official
figures, killed 25,000 lives and left 140,000 disabled and half a
million people homeless. -0-

It was calm in Aleppo last night – source

news.am
August 15, 2012 | 13:07

YEREVAN.- Armenians of Alppo say it was calm in the city last night.
The situation in Armenian districts is returning to normal. Shops are
working, food and water is supplied.

However, there are problems with communication, Internet and mobile
communication is almost unavailable. `Situation in other districts is
much more difficult,’ a source in Aleppo told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

As to the Damascus blast, the source said reports on multiple victims
have been received.

`According to rumors, the blast occurred near the building of the
defense ministry,’ he added.

Syria is home to 50-60 thousand Armenians. Several thousands Armenians
have recently come to Armenia because of deteriorating situation in
the country.

Fresh dismissals in Armenian Defense Ministry – newspaper

news.am
August 15, 2012 | 06:50

YEREVAN.- The posts of military commissar and deputy chief of staff of
the Armenian Armed Forces are still vacant, Hraparak newspaper writes.

`Our source said there are no candidates for this post. The issue will
be discussed after Serzh Sargsyan is back from vacation. The source in
Defense Ministry said the reshuffle continues.

Discontent with the ministry is connected to the second stage of the
military draft. According to rumors, the results of the first stage of
2012 spring draft were satisfactory, but the second phase showed that
`the method of bribes’ still exists. This is the reason for inevitable
personnel changes,’ the daily writes.

Military sports camp opens in NKR

arminfo
Wednesday, August 15, 12:31

Traditional military sports camp has opened at Gandzasar Monastery,
Martakert region, NKR. The organizer is the Motherland Defender youth
organization, ArmInfo’s correspondent to Stepanakert reports.

The camp involves 120 young people from NKR and 15 compatriots from
Stavropol region, Russia. The program includes military games, sport
competitions, visits to military units, training voyages, lectures
etc.

The event organizers say camping is a good opportunity to unite the
youth and promote communication with army, as well as to introduce the
combat efficiency and morale of the Armenian soldier.

Arthur Haroutiunyan, Head of the NKR Rescue Service, says such camping
educates patriotic youth, develop various skills necessary for army
service.

The participants from Russia say they have got new impressions and
friends in Nagorno Karabakh.

Atrpatakan Diocese historical twin churches did not suffer from Tavriz
earthquake

10:40, 15 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS: Saint Taden and Saint Stepanos twist
churches belonging to Atrpatakan Diocese of Armenian Apostolic church
have not suffered losses by earthquake hit Northern Iran. As Tavriz
National Primacy told Armenpress, Supreme Lord Archimandrite Grigor
Chiftchyan commissioned a special investigation to determine the
condition of the churches assuring a contact with monasteries
archeological officials as well as with Iran Islamic Republic UNESCO
responsible Sherly Avetyan. The results have shown that the earthquake
has not damaged the twist churches.
Armenian Diocese in Atrpatakan has undertaken accommodating works of
rooms , aimed at making them pleasant for pilgrimage.
6.6 magnitude earthquake was registered in Iran on August 11, 16: 23
pm., 16 kilometers away from Ahar city, 9 magnitude is recorded in
the epicenter.