Author: Toneyan Mark

CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TROIKA DIALOGUE: CONSTRUCTION OF A SCHOOL-COMPLEX IN DILIJAN TO START IN 2010

ArmInfo
2009-11-12 22:10:00

ArmInfo. Construction of a comprehensive school-complex in Dilijan will
start in 2010, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Troika Dialogue
Group of companies, Head of the Board of Directors of AMERIABANK
Ruben Vardanyan said in Yerevan on November 12 when responding to
ArmInfo’s question.

To recall, in summer, 2009, R. Vardanyan introduced a project of
construction of a school- complex in Dilijan to Armenia’s Prime
Minister Tigran Sarkisyan. The latter highly appreciated the programme
and assured that it will be in the center of the government’s
attention.

"The project of construction is under implementation. The plan of
construction of the school, which meets the international standards and
where the children not only from Armenia but also from other countries
may study, is ambitious and interesting. We think that the future in
the XXI century is in the educated persons. If our educational system
does not improve, we shall lose many competitive advantages available",
R. Vardanyan emphasized.

Earlier, it was scheduled that 550 schoolchildren will study
in this school. The lessons will be conducted in English by
foreign specialists. The school graduates will be well prepared
for continuation of education in the leading higher educational
establishments of the world.

EVENT DEDICATED TO KOMITAS’ 140TH ANNIVERSARY HELD IN GEORGIA

Noyan Tapan
Nov 13, 2009

TBILISI, NOVEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. An event
dedicated to great Armenian composer, author of songs Komitas took
place on November 12 at the Caucasian House Georgian Center for
Cultural Cooperation. Event’s organizers were the Caucasian House,
the Embassy of RA in Georgia, the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church in Georgia.

Applying to those present Ambassador of RA to Georgia Hrach Silvanian
emphasized the importance of preservation of Komitas spirit and keeping
his values in Armenian culture. Head of the Georgian Armenian Diocese
Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian touched upon the invaluable heritage of
Komitas, music critic Mara Kirakozova told about different episodes
of Komitas’ creative life and historian Karen Hovhannisian presented
a brief picture of Komitas’ era.

The choir of the Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese, actor of Tbilisi
Petros Adamian Armenian State Dramatic Theater Samvel Elbakian,
string quartet, pianist Yesayi Abovian, violinists Galina Bandurian
and Anatoly Danielian performed pieces by Komitas during the event.

An exhibition was also organized within the framework of the event
where Georgian painter Nino Pirtskhalaishvili’s works on the subject
of Franz Werfel’s novel 40 Days of Musa Dag were presented.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
diplomats accredited in Georgia, cultural figures, many Georgian
Armenians were present at the event.

THE ARMENIAN PRESIDENT VISITED "ARMPRODEXPO-2009" EXHIBITION

Aysor
Nov 13 2009
Armenia

Today in Yerevan finished the 9th international exhibition called
"ARmprodexpo" on which were present around 65 foreign and local
enterprises involved in the food production business. They have
presented the spheres of wine-making, canning industry, meat, milk
industry, coffee, dry fruit, oil production and other areas as well.

On the exhibition were presented both Armenian and Karabakh big,
middle and small business enterprises and the best food goods of
Armenia.There were also goods from Russia, Byelorussia, Austria,
England, Cyprus, France, Lebanon, Cuba and Germany.

The Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan today visited the "ARmprodexpo-
2009" exhibition. The head if the country approached all the pavilions
got acquainted with the assortments presented by different enterprises.

During the direct conversation with the participants of the
exhibition President Sargsyan expressed his impressions concerning
the presented assortments and production, listened to the problems
of the entrepreneurs and their suggestions.

The organizres of the "ARmprodexpo- 2009" exhibition launched on
November 10, are the RA Agricultural Ministry, the RA Foreign Ministry,
Yerevan Municipality, the "Center of Agrobusiness development".

RATIFICATION OF THE PROTOCOLS NOT ON THE AGENDA

armradio.am
12.11.2009 17:55

Ratification of the protocols signed by Turkey and Armenia in Zurich
on October 10 does stand on the agenda of the Turkish parliament’s
foreign relations commission," member of Turkish parliament from AKP,
member of the parliament’s foreign relations commission Zeynep Daghi
said, APA reports.

"I know for sure that the protocols are not on the commission’s
agenda," she said.

The Turkish parliament sent the Armenian-Turkish protocols to the
foreign relations commission on October 21.

SENATOR MCCAIN CLAIMS ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’

AzerNews Weekly
Nov 10 2009

US Senator John McCain, a former presidential candidate, reportedly
claims Turkey committed genocide against Armenians during World War
I and that this is proven with documents.

Armenians say Ottoman Turks killed 1.5 million people in 1915,
a claim strenuously denied by the modern Turkish state.

In an interview with Voice of America, McCain said he supports the
process of rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia.

McCain welcomed progress that has been achieved in Turkey-Armenia
reconciliation. "For the first time, the parties are making steps in
the same direction."

"On the other hand, the Turkish and Armenian people and states cannot
forget their past. Especially Armenians can’t. Because of that they
consider that they should develop the relations with Turkey step by
step," the senator said, adding that he favors this approach.

Senator McCain, who stood in the presidential elections on November 4,
2008 as a nominee representing the Republican Party, lost to his rival
from the Democratic Party Barack Obama. While on the campaign trail,
he was said to have vehemently rejected the "genocide" claims. The
Atlantic Monthly magazine then reported that McCain was committed to
a firm stance on the issue and has repeatedly opposed the allegations.

As for Obama, despite pledging during his pre-election campaign to
recognize the "genocide", he did not deliver on the promise after
being elected president.*

SOME 21.2 BILLION DRAMS EARMARKED FOR TREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS AND CLINICS IN 2010

ARKA
Nov 11, 2009

YEREVAN, November 11, /ARKA/. Armenian health minister Harutyun
Kushkian said Tuesday the draft 2010 budget has earmarked 21.2 billion
Drams for treatment of patients in hospitals and clinics. Speaking at
a news conference he said this will be enough to ensure 215,00 berths.

In his words, the average cost of a one-day treatment of a patient
will rise by 8% from 2009 to 12,400 Drams. He said also the average
salary of senior medics next year will not changed and will remain
62,00 Drams and that of lower staff will remain 49,000 Drams.

The minister said also his agency will continue next year
implementation of a project designed to modernize the sector, backed
by a World Bank loan. The project will kick off in December this
year and run throughout next year. The funds, 4.3 billion Drams,
will be used for compete reconstruction of hospitals in Hrazdan,
Ijevan, Armavir, Aparan, Goris and Gavar.

He said next year the ministry will launch also construction of a
new building for the central hospital of Gyumri and in 2-3 years the
second largest town of Armenia will have a modern hospital furnished
with up-to-date equipment and trained personnel.

The 2010 draft budget has earmarked a total of 55.1 billion Drams as
healthcare spending.

($1 – 387.72 Drams).

SWINE FLU REACHES ARMENIA
Nelly Danielyan

"Radiolur"
10.11.2009 18:02

Armenia did not avoid the H1N1 virus. Three swine flu cases have been
confirmed in Armenia. Armenian Health Minister Harutyun Kushkyan told
reporters today that although the virus has been identified by local
laboratories, it still has to be confirmed by the London laboratories.

The Minister said the lab tests of two Armenian and one Iranian citizen
have proved positive. The Iranian citizen later left Armenia, but the
two Armenian citizens are still in hospital and will be discharged
in two or three days. The final results will be available in a month.

"There is no reason for panic. We simply have to be cautious in
order to be able to resist the disease. The symptoms do not differ
form those of ordinary flu. They include high temperature, headache,
muscle pain, reddening of eyes," the Minister said.

The preventive measures against swine flu are now restricted to
propaganda. As offor the prevention of seasonal flu, Armenia has
enough of Tamiflu vaccine.

The World Health Organization has promised vaccine to Armenia next
year. "The Ministry of Health is currently negotiating with the WHO
to change the terms of supply, as the first swine flue cases have been
registered in Armenia," Kushkyan said. The Minister added that special
vaccines, with minimum side effects, would be purchased for children.

AZERI MP: TURKEY DEMANDS GUARANTEES ON AZERBAIJAN’S OCCUPIED LANDS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA

news.az
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

Fazil Mustafa "Today Turkey is in an awkward situation and it does
not know what to do with the protocols it signed with Armenia.

If the ruling party ratifies these protocols, it may face the prospect
of losing powers, as the nationalistic forces in Turkey will use
these protocols against Erdogan’s government. But if it does not
ratify them, it will face pressure of superpowers", parliamentarian
Fazil Mustafa said.

"Currently, the Turkish government must attain the liberation of at
least a part of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

It is obvious that Turkey attempts to get guarantees from Russia and
the United States regarding this issue. It is not ruled out that the
hasty organization of the meetings of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents by OSCE’s Minsk Group co-chairs in late November is also
related to these processes.

Let’s see the schedule of all these processes to judge. First comes
the meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia and then
on December 7 Erdogan will leave to Washington. The link between
these processes is evident. But it will depend on Armenia’s conduct
during the talks. I do not see any softening in Armenia’s position
yet. But let’s wait for the meeting of the presidents and we will see
what position Armenia and superpowers will take regarding all these
processes around the Karabakh conflict", he said.

AYDIN MIRZAZADE: ARMENIA WILL SEE ITS CONDITIONS WORSENING BEFORE WINTER WITHOUT OPENING OF BORDERS WITH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN

news.az
Nov 9 2009
Azerbaijan

Aydin Mirzazade "We are grateful to all political powers of Turkey
for support to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Turkey are natural and
historical allies so this step was expected", parliamentarian Aydin
Mirzazade has said.

He noted that "Azerbaijan’s importance for Turkey’s political life
is great and it is no accident that all political parties of this
country, including ruling and oppositional ones, support the just
position of Azerbaijan".

"I think Turkey’s principal position on the Karabakh issue will make
Armenia soften its position at the upcoming meeting of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian presidents. Armenia should understand that borders
with Turkey will not open without the Karabakh conflict settlement",
he said.

"Now Armenia has the only path to life – via Iran. But this path is
also unstable considering the state which this country is now in.

Moreover, in winter the road between Iran and Armenia is difficult to
pass. Thus, Armenia will see its state worsening without the opening of
borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan before this winter. Today everything
depends on the position of its leadership and how it behaves during
talks. If it wants the development of its country and its people,
it should denounce its nonconstructive policy as it leads Armenia to
nowhere", the deputy said.

"In 1991 Armenian and Azerbaijani budgets were equal and totaled
4 bn former Russian rubles, while now Azerbaijan’s budget is 12.5
bn and Armenia’s is nearly 2bn. Thus we can make a conclusion that
Armenia’s policy of aggression against neighbors led it to the current
state and if it does not understand it, it will see worse times",
the deputy said.

ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS NOT INTRODUCED TO RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT YET

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.11.2009 10:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has not sent the
Armenia-Turkey protocols to the Constitutional Court yet, CC spokesman
Hovhannes Papikyan told PanARMENIAN.Net.

It’s not known when the protocols will be submitted to the CC.