Author: Tigranian Ani

IRAN-ARMENIA PLANE CRASHES: 168 REPORTED TO BE KILLED

armradio.am
15.07.2009 15:10

A passenger plane heading from Tehran to the Armenian capital Yerevan
crashed near the village of Jannatabad outside the city of Qazvin,
around 75 miles northwest of Tehran, state television said.

The Qazvin emergency services director Hossein Bahzadpour tells the
IRNA news agency that the plane was completely destroyed and shattered
to pieces, and the wreckage was in flames. "It is highly likely that
all the passengers on the flight were killed," Bahzadpour said.

Iranian Civil Aviation Organization spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh had
told state television that 153 passengers and 15 crewmembers were
on the Russian-made Caspian Airlines jet that had been headed from
Tehran to the Armenian capital yerevan.

A Caspian Airlines representative told AP in Yerevan that most of the
passengers were Armenians, and that some Georgian citizen and other
nationalities were on board.

Caspian Airlines is a Russian-Iranian joint venture founded
in 1993. Iran has frequent plane crashes, which it blames
on U.S. sanctions on the country that prevent it from getting
spare parts for aging airplanes. Caspian Airlines, however, uses
Russian-made aircraft whose maintenance would be less impaired by
American sanctions.

ALENE TERZIAN RECEIVED ARMENIA’S HONOR AWARD

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.07.2009 21:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On July 14, President Serzh Sargsyan received
Alene Terzian, Head of the Union of French Film Producers, Chairman
of French Academy of Cinema Art and Cesar award ceremony.

Handing over Armenia’s highest state award to world-famous
director, President said, "By fate of irony, the major part of our
people are scattered worldwide. In some way, however, it is our
advantage, and I often say that Diaspora helps shape our image as a
nation." Armenian people, he said, are proud of having compatriots like
Terzian. President Sargsyan also welcomed Alene Terzian’s participation
in Golden Apricot festival.

"I am enormously happy and proud to be in Armenia, my historical
homeland. This is something that can be realized only by an Armenian
who, after dreaming all his life to be in Armenia, finally sees his
dream come true," Alene Terzian said, adding that he was impressed
by the festival, RA President’s press service reports.

NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIA-TURKEY TIES TO BENEFIT NOT ONLY TWO COUNTRIES, BUT ALSO WHOLE REGION: U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE

Today.Az
53730.html
July 13 2009
Azerbaijan

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan stressed
U.S. administration’s significant role in normalizing Armenia-Turkey
ties.

"I want to emphasize efforts by President Obama and Secretary of State
Clinton in this respect," Nalbandyan said at a joint news conference
with first U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in Yerevan.

The minister said Armenia has consistently stated that it is ready
to normalize ties and open borders without any conditions.

"We expect Turkey to take practical steps," Nalbandyan said.

Steinberg said normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations will benefit
not only the two countries, but also the whole region.

Armenian National Committee Professional Network
104 N Belmont St. Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91206

Lecture Series: The Real Estate Market

Join the ANC-PN for the next installment of their lecture series,
"The Real Estate Market" taking place on Thursday, July 23,
2009, at Woodbury University, located at:

Hansell Hall (Building #2) Second Floor
7500 Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
The event begins at 6:30pm

No admission fee
Light refreshments will be served.

Learn all about today’s turbulent real estate market. Prices have
dropped, so has interest, but is it the right time to buy? Where is the
real estate market headed in the next several years? Have all your
questions evaluated by industry experts.

Speakers include:

Thomas Atamian – Dilbek Realtors

Tara Kaprielian – Atara Appraisals

Michael Misak Nalbandian – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Eric Rustigian – Glen Oaks Escrow

We hope to see you at this educational which may be vital to your
financial future.

Fund for Armenian Relief
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
Press Office
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
email: [email protected]
web:
_________________________

FAR Honors Armenia’s Distinguished Healthcare Professionals
On Wednesday evening, July 3, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese and the FAR board of directors hosted a dinner at the Diocese to honor the
service of a distinguished group of Armenia’s healthcare professionals, most of
them former FAR Medical Fellows.
During the 1990s, FAR organized and funded a special program that brought 89 young
doctors from Armenia to study in leading hospitals in the United States. The program
was initiated by FAR Board members: Dr. Edgar Housepian, Dr. John Nercessian and
Professor Annette Choolfaian. Dr. Aram Chobanian, then-Dean of the Boston University
Medical School and a current FAR board director, contributed to the success of this
program significantly.
The FAR Medical Fellowship Program was a wise and strategic investment for the Armenian
healthcare field. Most of the 89 fellows are now leading healthcare experts in Armenia
and are also leaders in the healthcare reforms in Armenia. In addition they are
working closely with FAR to support their junior colleagues in the provincial hospitals
by volunteering as mentors for FAR’s Continuing Education program.
The FAR family came together on July 3 to celebrate FAR fellows’ achievements, their
contribution to the advancement of medical service and medical education in Armenia,
and to say thank-you to the fellows who are now giving back to their communities
in remote provinces of Armenia.
Among those who received FAR Distinguished Service Award were – Dr. Harutyun Kushkyan,
the Minister of Health; Dr. Ara Babloyan – the Chairman of Healthcare Committee
of the National Assembly; Dr. Gohar Kyalyan – Rector of Yerevan State Medical University;
Dr. Ara Minasyan – Director of "St. Grogor Lusavoritch" Medical Center; Dr. Ara
Ter-Grigoryan – Director of the State Health Agency; Dr. Manushak Yeritsyan – Director
of "Arabkir" healthcare Center; Dr. Gevorg Yaghjian – Vice Dean of the Yerevan State
Medical University; Dr. Hambartzum Simonyan – Coordinator of FAR healthcare programs
in Armenia; Mrs. Anna Shirinyan – Director of the National Medical Library.
FAR also presented a Distinguished Service Award to the Board of the American Armenian
Health Professionals Organization (AAHPO) for their leadership in organizing the
10th Armenian Medical World Congress in New York City.
"Fund for Armenian Relief started its mission in our motherland with healthcare
programs and with relief to the victims of the1988 earthquake. However, even at
that critical time, our medical team saw the core problems in Armenian healthcare
and decided to concentrate its assistance to medical education," said Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, welcoming the participants to the Tribute Dinner. "We are happy
to see that the seeds planted ten to fifteen years ago by the FAR Medical team and
one of our cofounders, Dr. Edgar Housepian, are now bringing such powerful results."
"FAR Fellows are among the pioneers of volunteerism in Armenia" said FAR Chairman,
Mr. Randy Sapah-Gulian. "They are selflessly and enthusiastically giving back to
their communities, serving their less privileged brothers and sisters. This is
a call from their heart, and for that we express today our appreciation and honor
their service."
While presenting the awards, Dr. Edgar Housepian, Dr. Aram Chobanian, and Professor
Annette Choolfaian shared memories of the FAR Fellowship Program. They spoke highly
of the honorees and their individual contributions to the advancement of Armenia’s
healthcare and medical education, and praised their continuing partnership with
FAR in supporting the progress of the healthcare services in remote Armenian provinces.
"Armenian healthcare has gone a long way from the early 1990s until now," said Dr.
Edgar Housepian. "The achievements are noticeable. However, there is still a long
way to go. We are optimistic about the future and believe Armenia is well positioned
to become a regional Center of healthcare in the Caucasus and beyond. FAR is committed
to make this dream come true, we will continue supporting you."
# # #

About FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served hundreds of
thousands of people through more than 220 relief and development programs in Armenia
and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265 million in humanitarian assistance
by implementing a wide range of projects including emergency relief, construction,
education, medical aid, and economic development.

For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630 Second Avenue,
New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849; ;
e-mail [email protected].

Fund for Armenian Relief | 630 Second Avenue | New York | NY | 10016

EBRD SUPPORTS PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA

ENP Newswire
July 3, 2009 Friday

$ 5.5 million loan for construction of quality affordable housing
in Yerevan

The EBRD is supporting the property sector in Armenia with a loan
for the construction of a new residential and commercial complex in
the Armenian capital Yerevan.

In the Bank’s first transaction under the EBRD Direct Lending Facility
in Armenia’s property sector, the EBRD is providing $ 5.5 million
to Elite Group, one of the leading real-estate companies in the
country, to build a new modern development in the popular Arabkir
area of Yerevan.

Despite the negative impact of the financial crisis on the luxury
property sector, the demand for competitively-priced apartments in
Armenia is still robust. This project will enable Elite Group to
meet the demand of middle-class and Diaspora Armenians for affordable
housing.

The new complex, called Northern Ray, will consist of two 16-storey
symmetrical towers, 14 of which will be used for residential purposes,
while the first two floors will be offered for commercial use. The
development will have three underground parking levels.

Due to special construction techniques, including mono-block reinforced
concrete frames, the building will have a high earthquake resistance
of up to 9 on the Richter scale.

The EBRD loan is complemented by grant funds of EUR260,000 from the
Bank’s Shareholder Special Fund, which will be used to assist Elite
Group in implementing energy efficiency measures.

Northern Ray will benefit from well insulated windows, low energy
consumption light bulbs and heating system, which will ensure lower
operating costs and reduced bills to future residents.

‘This is an important project for the EBRD’, says Paul-Henri Forestier,
the EBRD Director for Caucasus, Moldova & Belarus. ‘We are especially
pleased to introduce the energy saving component and work with
Elite Group, which is committed to implementing new technologies in
construction and design. I hope this project will set a precedent
for high quality standards in the construction industry.’

‘We are delighted that the EBRD has extended their trust in our company
while brining its expertise, assistance and cooperation. The Bank’s
support gives us an opportunity to enhance our skills to international
standards. This cooperation is not only a new boost to the property
sector, it is also a great motivation and confidence for our future
development in the regions of the country’, said Armen Mkoyan, Elite
Group CEO.

The EBRD is the largest single investor in Armenia. To date the Bank
has committed over EUR240 million in 64 projects in all major sectors
of the economy. Over the past four years, the EBRD’s investment in
Armenia has more than quadrupled and reached EUR125 million across
43 projects.

Press contact:

Loretta Martikian, London – Tel: +44 20 7338 7805; E-mail:
[email protected]

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

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA SUSPENDS RATING OF RUSAL ARMENAL COMPANY

ArmInfo
2009-07-10 16:41:00

ArmInfo. Central Bank of Armenia has suspended the rating of Rusal
Armenal CJSC.

According to the Armenian CB press service data, the rating, assigned
to the company in September, 2005, at "D" level (the fourth letter
of the Armenian alphabet), was suspended on the initiative of Rusal
Armenal Company.

According to the data of the National Statistical Service of Armenia,
Rusal-Armenal CJSC increased production of aluminum foil in Jan-May,
2009, as compared to the similar period of 2008, by 52,2% to 7388
tons. The USA is the main purchaser of the Armenian foil. The markets
of the Near East and South Asia are in the perspective. As the Company
told ArmInfo, production of foil has a tendency to further growth.

RESOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH, G8 LEADERS SAY

United Press International
July 11 2009

L’AQUILA, Italy, July 10 (UPI) — Azerbaijan and Armenia should
adhere to agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh in an effort to resolve
their differences, U.S., French and Russian leaders said Friday.

The presidents of the United States, Russia and France issued a joint
statement on the sidelines on the Group of Eight summit in L’Aquila,
Italy, expressing their commitment to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict as outlined in a November 2007 agreement in Madrid.

The Madrid agreement calls on Azerbaijan to assume control over
territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, demands the rights of return
for displaced persons and proposes an international security guarantee
that could include a peacekeeping operation.

"We urge the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve the few
differences remaining between them and finalize their agreement on
these basic principles, which will outline a comprehensive settlement,"
the joint statement read.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a bitter military battle over
Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s, and the regional fallout from
disputes over the territory remains tense despite a 1994 cease-fire.

Armenia is asking for self-determination over the region, while
Azerbaijan demands Armenian troops leave and allow Nagorno-Karabakh
to remain Azeri territory.

A conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh has the potential to pit Turkey
and Russia against Europe and the United States in a row that has a
distinct possibility of spilling over to the regional energy sector.

GROWTH OF ARMENIA’S ECONOMY MAY RESUME IN 2010: WB REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS

ArmInfo
2009-07-07 14:53:00

ArmInfo. Growth of Armenia’s economy may resume in 2010, World Bank
Regional Director for the South Caucasus Asad Alam told journalists
today during a three-day Forum ‘Impact of the lobal Financial Crisis
on Armenia: Short- and Long- run Perspectives’ in Yerevan.

He positively assessed the government’s measures on counteracting
the crisis. ‘The most important factors here include, first of all,
the necessity of maintaining the financial sector stability and,
second, creation of new jobs. At last, it is necessary to make efforts
to attract new funds for the social programmes, as the crisis will
mostly affect the exposed population strata’, A. Alam said. He also
emphasized the necessity of activating the Armenian export, as entry
in the foreign markets for Armenia is one of the main opportunities
to overcome the crisis consequences. ‘Along with it, it is necessary
to refrain from a shortfall policy of home protectionism, as well
as develop long-term changes in the state economic policy in the
area of diversification, that will make the economy more flexible’,
he said. Moreover, he added, it would be more correct to control the
budget expenditures and not to increase them further without increase
of the tax levies.

FOOTBALL TEAMS OF ARMENIA DEFEATED AT FIRST ROUND MATCHES OF EUROPEAN LEAGUE QUALIFICATION

Noyan Tapan
July 3, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. First matches of the first round of
the Football European League Qualification started on July 2.

Mika was defeated by Helsing Borg with the score of 1 to 3 in Sweden.

Banants was defeated by Siroki Brijeg of Bosnia with the score of 0
to 2 in Yerevan.

The return games are scheduled for July 9.