YEREVAN GRATEFUL TO RIGA FOR REASONABLE APPROACH TO KARABAKH ISSUE
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.12.2009 15:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yerevan is grateful to Riga for reasonable approach
to the Karabakh issue, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said after
a meeting with his Latvian counterpart Valdis Zatlers.
"We discussed regional issues and came to a unified opinion that
conflicts require a peaceful diplomatic settlement, in the framework
of international law," the Armenian leader said.
SISTER PARTIES CLASH IN PARLIAMENT
NEWS.am
14:49 / 12/11/2009
Toward the end of this year, the Armenian parliamentarians, who are
"a bit tired" of "vigorous" law-making activities, have had a nervous
breakdown.
Well, at a special sitting of the RA Parliament, which discussed
and adopted the 2010 draft budget, representatives of the Executive
and Legislature, filled with emotions, gave vent to their feelings,
which resulted in two clashes at a time – one between the "sisters"
forming the ruling coalition, Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and the
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), and the other between the RPA and
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
Parliament Vice-Speaker, RPA member Samvel Nikoyan severely criticized
the RA Ministry of Health headed by Harutyun Kushkyan (PAP). In
his turn, Minister Kushkyan made several vain attempts to take
the floor to justify himself, but Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan (RPA),
did not allowed him to. Following the sitting, Minister Kushkyan,
filled with anger, tried to "set matters straight" with his "offender"
in the room for Government members. Passions ran high, but the PAP
member Naira Zohrabyan said that "nothing special happened": the two
just had high words.
However, the Taregir newspaper reports: "Even RPA members cannot keep
silent about the disgraceful practices in the public health sector
despite the fact Harutyun Kushkyan, a member of a sister party, is
in charge of it. The Minister, who decided to ‘set matters straight’
with Nikoyan, called his a liar executing orders and then burst out
spearing, whereupon the two started a hand-to-hand fighting. It was
only Naira Zohrabyan who was calm the two down. We would remind the
reader that at a PACE session Ms. Zohrabyan was able to calm down
a whole ‘battalion’ of Azeri women, so that a couple of hot-blooded
Armenian guys was not a problem for her."
Another incident occurred between RA Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan
and the ARF faction, after the Minister said that there was no need for
considering the Opposition’s proposals. Vahan Hovhannisyan, Chairman
of the ARF faction commented on the Minister’s statement. He defined
the Minister’s position as unacceptable and severely criticized the
2010 budget. He stressed that RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s
attempts to "slur over" the Minister’s blunder failed.
"Everything is clear to everyone. We all have understood the
Government’s principles of dealing with the Opposition," Hovhannisyan
said. He also made comments on the statements on oligopolies in
Armenia by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Parliament Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan. "Yes, we have oligopolies in Armenia, which, however, be
easily put an end to provided political will is displayed, without
populist statements being made. The only thing to be done is to
expose those behind the oligopolies and take necessary measures,"
Hovhannisyan said. He stressed that the 1998-99 elections and the
second and the 2003 run-off afforded opportunities for that. "But,
unfortunately, it was not done. I do not know whether it can be done
now, the power actually is based on the oligopolies amid widespread
poverty – and poor people are easy to control," Hovhannisyan said.
Naira Zohrabyan too was severely critical of Minister Davtyan. "All
the proposals made by the Opposition must be considered and, if it is
advisable, approved, as well as the one made by the ruling majority,"
she said. Speaking of oligopolies in Armenia, Zohrabyan said that
PAP will do its best to put an end to them. "We will vote for all
the bills and documents aimed at putting an end to this phenomenon,"
she said. Zohrabyan stressed that none of PAP members is behind
the oligopolies.
ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF LATVIA
ARMENPRESS
Dec 11, 2009
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan met today in Yerevan with President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers.
Governmental press service told Armenpress that during the meeting the
parties discussed issues on development of Armenian-Latvian relations,
passing from political dialogue to active economic cooperation and
possible ways of partnership in different spheres.
In that pre-context the interlocutors highlighted the establishment of
mutual contacts and business ties, activation of steps directed toward
conducting encouraging policy, expressed hope that the Armenian-Latvian
business forum will create good prerequisites for the development of
trade-economic relations.
As prospect for launching cooperation the sides singled out the
spheres of trade, tourism, nature protection, information technology,
pharmaceutics. They also highlighted activation of cultural ties which
will be a good basis for giving a new impetus to the warm relations
between the two peoples.
ARTHUR ABRAHAM – GERMANY’S BEST SPORTSMAN FOR 2009
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.12.2009 19:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ IBF middleweight world champion of Armenian decent,
Arthur Abraham won 2009 Best Sportsman title, receiving 9851 votes.
The 29-year sportsman ran ahead of renowned boxers like Robert Harting
(3037 votes) and Andre Hennie (1090 votes). "I feel pretty happy for
the award," the boxing king said at Estrel Convention. "This is my
fans’ victory, and I am thankful to them,"he noted.
Abraham’s coach Willy Wagner won Best Manager Trainer title, receiving
6036 votes.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION BECAME A TRADITION"
A1+
December 10, 2009
"Violation of human rights has become a tradition in our society,"
Leader of the People’s Party of Armenia (HZhK) Stepan Demirtchyan
told A1+ today.
"It is not a secret that human rights have always been and are still
violated in Armenia Violation starts from election tampering. Rigged
elections are a grave crime common in our country. Unable to get
accustomed to the given situation, our society continues the struggle
for lawfulness and justice. I don’t doubt that the struggle will
finally be crowned with victory," said Stepan Demirtchyan.
The Chairman of the Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh), Ararat
Zurabyan, wishes to see Armenia as a democratic and independent state.
"The steps we are taking today will triumph one day and will lead to
the formation of values we have longed for," said Mr. Zurabyan.
PAUL KREKORIAN WINS CITY COUNCIL RACE
Asbarez
Dec 9th, 2009
Candidate Paul Krekorian with his son Andrew, 4, votes Tuesday in
the special election for the Los Angeles City Council 2nd District
seat in the library at Ulysses S. Grant High School in the Valley
Glen neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Photo by: Brian Vander
Brug of the Los Angeles Times
NORTH HOLLYWOOD-Voters in the San Fernando Valley sent a resounding
message throughout Los Angeles Tuesday night as Paul Krekorian won
the special election in the Second Council District, defeating his
opponent Christine Essel by a margin of more than 13%.
"Today, the voters of CD2 demanded profound change and soundly
rejected the domination of this city by Downtown insiders," Krekorian
said. "This victory is the beginning of a fundamental transformation
of the government of Los Angeles, and it sends a strong signal that
the people of the San Fernando Valley are not satisfied with business
as usual."
Krekorian spoke to about 200 campaign volunteers, supporters, staff
and family members who jammed his North Hollywood campaign office to
celebrate the victory.
"The task now ahead is for us to build a city government that will
work for the people and that is marked by integrity, honesty and
accountability," he said. "To succeed, we need to start healing the
divisions that have resulted from this campaign and begin bringing
our community together."
More special interest money-$910,877.91 in so-called independent
expenditures -was spent to elect Essel than any candidate in L.A.
history. According to the unofficial results from the City Clerk’s
office, Krekorian received 10,810 votes (56.56%), while Essel gathered
8,304 votes (43.44%).
ARMENIA HAS 26 LICENSED AUDIT COMPANIES AND 8 PRIVATE AUDITS OPERATING ON ITS TERRITORY
PanARMENIAN.Net
09.12.2009 18:09 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Over the past months of 2009, Armenia’s Ministry
of Finance granted license to 13 audit companies, Ministry’s press
service reports. In the same period, 10 licenses were terminated,
6 – suspended and 7 restored.
Fines imposed on auditing companies in the reporting period totaled
AMD 1.250 million.
In January-November 2009, the entities above AMD 7.78 state duties in
manner prescribed by law. Of this sum, AMD 6. 78 million was collected
from audit companies and AMD 301 500 – from private audits.
As of December 1, 2009, there are 26 licensed audit companies and 8
private audits operating on the territory of Armenia.
AYF PUSHES SOCIAL JUSTICE WITH MUSIC; JOINS VISA, LA MISSION TO FEED HOMELESS ON THANKSGIVING
Asbarez
Dec 9th, 2009
VISA at the Troubadour singing to feed the needy on Thanksgiving.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.,-The Armenian Youth Federation last month
teamed with experimental-fusion rock band Visa and a host of local
socially-conscious artists to put-on a special benefit concert that
helped feed the less fortunate on Thanksgiving Day through the Los
Angeles Mission, a non-profit serving the homeless of Downtown Los
Angeles.
The concert, held at the Troubadour on November 25, came to life with
the help of up ‘n’ coming local artists R-Mean, MadStory, Red Snow,
and Cahn & Yang. The AYF sponsored the evening, working in the days
and weeks leading up to the packed-house holiday event to promote
the collaborative endeavor.
"The AYF is very proud to have been a part of an event that gave back
to the community, and shed light on an issue that not only affects
our own communities here, but millions of people around the world,"
said Arek Santikian, the AYF’s Chairman. "Our organization’s founding
principle, and driving force till this day, is social justice. And
we are always looking to work with as many groups and people toward
that end."
One of those groups is the AGBU’s GenNext youth mentorship program,
which helped promote the event. "They’re a great band. They’ve
got great music, and they attract a great crowd," Luiza Baloyan of
GenNex said, explaining how the concert gave GenNext an opportunity
to promote her organization’s mission and recruit new mentors to serve
as role models for underprivileged community youth. "When it comes to
helping our kids, people don’t think in terms of political persuasion,
country of origin or ideological tilt; they just say, "sign me up."
When it comes to helping our youth, we can all be on the same page."
When it comes to working with community groups on social issues,
Visa is "all about action," according to band member and AYF
alumnus Antranig Kzirian, who described the band as an eclectic
mix of individuals who appreciate the importance of helping the
less fortunate.
"Working with socially conscious community organizations to be
civically active is very important," said Kzirian. "The AYF sets a
strong example for today’s youth by doing more to make sure social
justice issues such as genocide recognition and feeding the hungry
are addressed properly in the public eye and Visa looks forward to
working together again in the future."
According to Santikian, the Visaconcert was first among many such
events the organization is planning for the coming months. "Over
the years we have come to realize that music can be used to not only
bring people together but to amplify the stretch of causes focused
on positive issues," he explained.
"The ayf has a couple more projects in mind for the rest of year that
fuse music with socially conscious projects," Santikian said, adding
that the AYF plans to work with popular local artists to help raise
awareness of human rights violations, past, present and future. "One
of our focuses for the next year will be to work with artists to raise
awareness to connect a diverse cross-section of people with social and
humanitarian causes working to end the ongoing cycle of genocide, which
began with the Armenians in 1915 and continues to rage on in Darfur."
For more information about the AYF and collaboration opportunities,
visit: AYFwest.org or email: [email protected]
MOURNING CEREMONY IN CONNECTION WITH 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF SPITAK EARTHQUAKE HELD IN MINSK
Noyan Tapan
Dec 7, 2009
MINSK, DECEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. A mourning ceremony in connection with
the 21st anniversary of the 1988 Sitak earthquake was held in the yard
of Saint Alexander Nevski Church in Minsk, at the khachkar in memory of
the earthquake victims. Members of the local Armenian community and the
staff of the Armenian embassy in Belarus participated in the ceremony.
In his speech, the Armenian Ambassador to Belarus Oleg Yesayan spoke
about the 1988 tragic disaster, underlining the Armenian people’s
inflexible will-power to revive and build their future.
According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, the
participants laid flowers at the khachkar and observed one minute’s
silence in remembrance of the victims of the Spitak earthquake. The
priests held a requiem ceremony.
APARTMENT CONSTRUCTION IN EARTHQUAKE ZONE PROCEEDS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Dec 7, 2009
GYUMRI, DECEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
on December 7 visited Gyumri in connection with the 21st anniversary
of the 1988 earthquake. He went to Surb Amenaprkich Church damaged
by the earthquake and currently under repair, laid a wreath at the
Memorial to Innocent Victims and Kind Hearts built in the yard of that
church on the 20th anniversary of the earthquake, and attended the
requiem service dedicated to the 21st anniversary of the devastating
earthquake.
Then the president familiarized himself with the construction process
of a sugar refinery in Akhurian community. Invetsments of 90-92 million
dollars have been made so far. It is envisaged putting the sugar
refinery into operation in mid April 2010 and starting sugar production
in mid May. The refinery’s capacity will be about 180 thousand tons
of white sugar produced on the bases of raw material to be imported
from South American countries. In case of working at full capacity,
the sugar refinery can produce 220 thousand tons of white sugar,
whereas the demand of the domestic market makes about 90 thousand
tons. The operation of the sugar plant will allow creating some 1,000
jobs, while in case of increasing the cultivation of sugar beet to
300 thousand tons, 20 thousand people will be provided with jobs.
S. Sargsyan took part in the ceremony to mark the start of gas supply
of 21 communities in Ani, Artik, Ashotsk, and Amasia regions of Shirak
marz (province). The project was implemented with 13.5 million dollars
under the loan agreement signed between Armenia and the OPEC’s Fund
for International Development, and also with the Armenian government’s
co-financing.
The natural gas supply systems have been repaired or constructed in
25 communities of Shirak marz in 2009 under the project. Construction
work in 21 out of 25 communities has already been completed, work
in the remaining 4 communities will finish by late 2009. As a result,
over 21 thousand people in 25 communities will have gas supply. A total
of 2.1 billion drams (about 5.45 million USD) has been invested in the
marz. Deputy Prime Minister of the RA Armen Gevorgian told reporters
that the gas supply problem will be solved in 59 communities of Shirak
marz by the end of this year.
He said that construction of 1,050 apartments will finish in Gyumri by
late 2009, and another 1,980 apartments will be built in the city in
2010. Construction of 520 houses in rural areas of the earthquake zone
will finish this year, and 500 houses will be constructed next year.
Representatives of the opposition such as Chairman of "Republic"
party Aram Sargsyan and Chairman of People’s Party of Armenia Stepan
Demirchian also visited Shirak marz to pay their tribute to the
earthquake victims.