Author: Toneyan Mark

POLITICAL PRISONERS’ DAY OBSERVED ON OCTOBER 30

Noyan Tapan
Oct 29, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Political Prisoners’ day was first
observed in 1974 in Soviet labor camps, honoring those who had been
unjustly imprisoned and remembering those who had lost their lives
to political repression.

On the occasion of this day, a number of human rights and
non-governmental organizations of Armenia issued a joint statement
which reads:

"It is deplorable that today, thirty years later in independent
Armenia, there are seventeen political prisoners, and there has been
no justice for the victims of March 1, 2008.

In the course of the fraudulent presidential election of February 2008
and the government’s March 1 crackdown on peaceful protesters, ten
people were killed, hundreds of opposition supporters were arrested,
and many more were forced into hiding.

The election and its aftermath represented an attack on democracy;
what followed was the ruin of the judicial system. Rather than trying
to discover what really happened on March 1, and why so many people
lost their lives, the government launched a program of smear campaigns
and show trials. The sordid partial amnesty, in which many of the
political prisoners were released, was no substitute for justice.

Worse, it left seventeen men in prison. All of these men have been
convicted unjustly, many solely on the basis of police testimony. Yet
they face sentences of up to nine years in prison.

Regional developments and geopolitical concerns seem to have
overshadowed the fact that so many political prisoners remain, but
we must not allow them to be forgotten. Every day these men spend in
jail brings with it additional risks to their health and additional
hardship for their families.

On the occasion of October 30, Political Prisoners’ Day, we join
the families of the seventeen political prisoners in calling for the
immediate release of their husbands and fathers, sons and brothers. We
join the families of the victims of March 1 in calling for justice
for their loved ones so tragically lost. We demand an end to political
repression in Armenia".

The statement was signed by Armenian Helsinki Association; Helsinki
Assembly, Vanadzor; Socioscope Democracy Today; Armenian Helsinki
Assembly, Yerevan; Jurists against Torture; Public Information and
Need of Knowledge (PINK); Journalist Club, Gyumri region and some
other organizations.

ARMENIAN RETAILER STAR TO OPEN A RENOVATED SUPERMARKET IN YEREVAN ON OCTOBER 28

ArmInfo
2009-10-27 15:57:00

ArmInfo. The largest retailer of Armenia – STAR company will open
a renovated supermarket in 21, Davit Anhaght Str., Yerevan, on
October 28.

The STAR press-service told ArmInfo that the given supermarket was for
the first time opened in July 2006 and became the third store of the
company’s trade network. In September 2009 the company’s leadership
made a decision on reconstruction of the store to bring it in complete
compliance with the modern standards of retail trade. The trade area
of the supermarket is 360 sq.m., about 50 employees work there. 6
point-of-sale terminals are installed at the store, 2 of them being
"quick tills" which will allow providing high-quality services to
the customers.

To save the time of customers, the supermarket will operate under
the 100% self-service system , it is equipped with the newest system
of illumination and conditioning. The first floor accommodates the
supermarket, a drugstore, pawnshop, and a dry-cleaner’s, and the
second floor accommodates an AFC cafe. "The new strategy of STAR
supermarket is based on the unique combination of three important
factors of trade: wide assortment, low prices and European level of
service",- the press-release says.

According to the source, the assortment of the store is considerably
widened: it has about 10 thsd names of commodities, 75% of them
and food commodities and 25% are non-food items. The departments
of "Fruit/vegetables", "Household products", "Home furnishing"
are enlarged.

The service options of the supermarket include: discounts by
StarCard; points of inverse relationship with customers, opportunity
of calculation by bank cards and payment via special terminals of
communal services, as well as mobile and internet communication. In
addition, aiming to serve customers of various social groups, the
store will provide low prices for residents of Armenian regions. The
low prices will be ensured due to regular price promo-actions and
special promo-program "Always low price".

The STAR network of supermarkets, which has been operating since
1998, numbers 13 supermarkets (12 in Yerevan, 1 in Hrazdan). One
of the shareholders of the STAR network is the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with 28.3% share of
participation.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV HOLDS HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS IN LUXEMBOURG

APA
Oct 27 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visited
Luxembourg to attend the tenth meeting of the European Union –
Azerbaijan Cooperation Council, Foreign Ministry’s press service told
APA. The plenary meeting of the Cooperation Council was preceded by
a joint ministerial working breakfast with participation of Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Carl Bildt, Spanish State Secretary for
European Affairs Diego López Garrido, EU High Representative for the
Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, representatives
of the European Commission, foreign ministers of the three South
Caucasian countries. During the meeting the parties discussed the
current state and prospects of the relations between the European
Union and the South Caucasian countries, cooperation within the
framework of the Eastern Partnership, particularly preparation of the
association agreements with EU, resolution of the conflicts in the
South Caucasus. Elmar Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan is interested in
deepening cooperation with EU in various spheres and attaches great
importance to the Eastern Partnership Initiative. Touching on the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Elmar Mammadyarov said in
order to achieve improvement in the settlement, Armenia must withdraw
its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands.

The next meeting was held with EU High Representative for the Common
Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. They exchanged views
on the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, regional issues, particularly
on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Elmar Mammadyarov
gave information about the negotiations on the settlement of the
conflict, our country’s position on the problem. Foreign Minister
said withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani
lands will pave the way for the restoration of all communications in
the region, establishment of peace and security, regional development
and cooperation. Javier Solana underlined the importance of dynamics
in the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict and said the
European Union is ready to take possible steps for the improvement
of the process.

The tenth meeting of the European Union – Azerbaijan Cooperation
Council was held after the meetings. The EU delegation was led by Carl
Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy
represented the Commission and Diego López Garrido, State Secretary
for European Affairs represented the incoming Spanish Presidency. The
participants underlined the importance of improving EU-Azerbaijan
relations basing on the countries’ sovereignty, territorial integrity
and respect for the inviolability of the internationally recognized
borders. It was noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Brussels
gave impetus to Azerbaijan-EU cooperation. Eastern Partnership
Initiative was welcomed and it was noted that this program will give
an impetus to the development of the relations between the EU and
Azerbaijan. The importance of the association agreement was also
underlined.

The most recent state of the process of settlement of
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict was discussed at the meeting. Elmar
Mammadyarov said opening of the borders and restoration of
communications without the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the
occupied territories wouldn’t bring peace and stability to the region
because the essence of the problem – the fact of occupation of the
Azerbaijani territories is not solved. EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation
was also discussed at the meeting and the sides underlined the role of
Azerbaijan in the European energy security and diversification of the
energy resources. EU noted that it supports the draft resolution on
the "Transnational Eurasian super information main line" proposed by
Azerbaijan to the UN General Assembly and it was agreed to establish
European Research Center at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. The participants of the meeting
also emphasized the significant role of democratic reforms in the
strengthening of sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Following the meeting, representatives of EU Presidency, European
Commission, as well as foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Armenia held joint press conference.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov held a meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They held discussions around the meeting
of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Chisinau, current round of
the talks and next visit of the co-chairs to the region.

Elmar Mammadyarov also met with the chairman of Luxembourgian Chamber
of Deputies Laurent Mosar and discussed with him the current state and
development prospects of Azerbaijan-Luxembourg relations. The foreign
minister informed about the process of development in Azerbaijan,
strategic projects where Azerbaijan is an initiator and one of the
participants, as well as regional significance of the country. Mosar
said he closely watched the development processes in Azerbaijan and
welcomed its right direction and high achievements.

Elmar Mammadyarov held his last meeting within the visit with
the foreign minister of France Barnard Kouchner. The ministers
discussed current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-French
cooperation, regional situation, particularly settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan-EU cooperation as well.

BRITISH BISHOP FINED FOR HOLOCAUST DENIAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.10.2009 20:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ October 26, the administrative court of the German
city of Regensburg ruled to fine a member of the ultra-conservative
"Brotherhood of St. Pius X" Richard Williamson for inciting ethnic
hatred. Known for his Holocaust denial a British bishop was sentenced
to pay a fine of 12 thousand Euros. As the German lawyer Matthias
Williamson Losman stated, his client will possibly try to overturn a
decision of the court. Thus, according to German law, he has a period
of two weeks. In this case, the administrative court of Regensburg
will begin a trial, Deutsche Welle reports.

NKR AND TRANSDNIESTRIAN REPUBLIC PARLIAMENTS TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.10.2009 16:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On October 27, NKR National Assembly External
Affairs Committee Chairman Vahram Atanesyan met Transdniestrian
Moldavian Republic (TMR) delegation, led by Foreign Minister Vladimir
Yastrebchak.

The parties discussed current situation and NKR-TMR interparliamentary
collaboration perspectives.

The meeting was attended by Chairmen of Motherland and ARF Movement -88
NKR Parliamentary Factions: Artur Tovmasyan and Armen Sargsyan, as well
as NKR NA External Affairs Committee Deputy Chairman Ararat Danielyan,
NKR Deputy FM Vardan Barsegyan, NKR NA press service reported.

ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA: ARMENIAN-TURKISH AND NAGORNO KARABAKH PROCESSES DIFFER BY DYNAMICS

ArmInfo
2009-10-27 14:09:00

ArmInfo. Establishment of good-neighbourly relations between Armenia
and Turkey is a positive step in the context of stability in the South
Caucasus region, as well as improvement of Armenia’s economic system,
Italian Ambassador to Armenia Bruno Scapini told ArmInfo.

According to the Italian diplomat, two closed borders out of four
is a negative factor. So, he thinks that opening of the border with
Turkey will contribute to development of Armenia’s economy. He also
said this is in the interests of all the countries of the region,
as well as Turkey.

When speaking about the degree of fairness of involvement of the
Nagorno Karabakh issue by Turkey in the process of normalization
of its relations with Armenia, he said that normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
are different issues. B. Scapini thinks that progress should be fixed
in both processes. He also thinks that a good foundation has been
laid today for an optimistic look at what is happening. According to
the ambassador, each country has its own attitude, system and sources
for response to the public opinion inside the country, however, he
thinks that each process should have its own dynamics. He emphasized
that it would be desirable to see progress in both process, even
if simultaneously.

POMEGRANATE SEED FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF TUMANYAN’S 140TH ANNIVERSARY

Tert
Oct 26 2009
Armenia

The 9th Nran Hatik ("Pomegranate Seed") child and youth theatre
festival began on October 24 at the Yerevan Metro Theatre and will
run till November 1. This year, the festival is devoted to the 140th
anniversary of the well-known and much-loved Armenian writer Hovhannes
Tumanyan.

The 2009 Pomegranate Seed Theatre Festival features 25 theatre troupes
from Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the Georgian town of Javakhq. The
festival opening was marked by a performance titled "We Play Tumanyan"
by the Isahakyan theatre troupe of the central library named in honour
of Avetik Isahakyan.

The festival’s founder and organizer is Nakhabem Cultural and
Educational Association NGO and Avetik Isahakyan library.

=3Dwh
Securing Against BotNets
By Kevin Coleman

August 3, 2009 07:05 AM

BotNets have become a critical problem that must be addressed. They
have evolved to the point where evidence suggests they are now
targeting and affected cell phones. A BotNet is a collection of
compromised computers that have been infected with software that
allows the computer to be controlled remotely by the BotMaster. Each
computer represents a node on the BotNet that is often referred to as
a zombie.

Last year the Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC)
reported that 10 percent of online computers were part of
BotNets. This year GTISC researchers estimate that BotNet affected
machines may comprise 15 percent of online computers- a fifty percent
growth in one year. Based on that number, there are 34 million
computers in the United States that have been compromised and are now
part of a BotNet. According to the CIA World Fact Book, there are
about 1.5 billion internet users. When you factor in multiple devices
per user and shared computers we estimate there are about 1.3 billion
user devices connected to the Internet currently. Using the GTISC 15
percent compromise factor that translates to an estimated 195 million
bots. According to one report some 150,000 computers become infected
every day and join the millions of zombies that make up the BotNets.

This is not just thrown together software. The software used to
establish Bots and control BotNets has now risen to professional
status. Multiple automated propagation vectors are used to spread
various payloads that include worms, viruses and Trojans that allow
remote control of the infected computer. Another alarming trend is the
use of rootkits. The malicious code that turns the PC into a Bot is
being hidden in a rootkit and this is making it exceptionally
difficult to defend against, detect and eradicate the Botware. These
compromised computers are under the total control of a BotMaster and
form a BotNet that can be tasked with bombarding a web site with so
much traffic it crashes. That is what is known as a distributed denial
of service attack (DDoS). Two relatively new trends have
emerged. Malware writers have begun to offer malicious software as a
service to those who control BotNets and BotMasters are selling the
services of the BotNets they control on a traffic generated by their
BotNet basis. BotNets that are specifically created for DDoS attacks
can be leased with costs ranging from $50 to $2,500 depending on the
capacity used and the length of the attack. International law
enforcement and militaries around the world are aware of and concerned
about the widespread availability of cyber mercenary or BotHerders
(those who operate and sell BotNet capacity), and the fact that they
have been hired by countries to do espionage and other dirty deeds.

It has now been recognized that unprotected computers pose a threat to
every other computer or device connected to the Internet. One industry
leader I spoke with that did not want to be identified said,"It is
just a matter of time until laws are passed that mandate computer
security software and updates on every computer that uses the
Internet." That was not the first time I have heard that comment and
the frequency of that topic arising in conversation is significantly
increasing. What do you think, should there be mandatory computer
security capabilities installed and updated in every computer and
device connected to the Internet?

INTEL: Armenia recently accused neighbor Azerbaijan of buying BotNets
to cripple Armenian access to the Internet.

INTEL: According to a report from Kaspersky Labs, BotNets, not spam,
viruses, or worms, currently pose the biggest computer security
threat.

INTEL: One research study found that some of the largest BotNets are
comprised of corporate machines.

INTEL: On average it takes corporations nearly three months to apply a
Windows patch across all devices. That means malware and BotNets
continue to take advantage of known vulnerabilities within enterprise
environments during that unpatched period.

INTEL: Researchers predict that by 2012 there will be approximately 17
billion devices connected to the internet.

INTEL: BotNet growth is also the main driver of spam. Spam now equates
to 92% of all email. Spam grows roughly 33% each month that means Spam
increases by over 117 billion emails every day.

INTEL: According to the security firm Network Box, the number of
viruses sent over email has increased by 300 per cent in the last
three months.

ANKARA CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA: TURKISH PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN

Today.Az
45.html
Oct 23 2009
Azerbaijan

Turkey’s goal is to reach peace in Nagorno-Karabakh problem as soon
as possible, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations
Ertugrul Apakan said.

Speaking about the recent developments in South Caucasus which also
involves Turkey, the Turkish diplomat said the ongoing processes lay
additional responsibility on all countries in the region.

"Turkey’s responsibility is to play either the role of mediator or to
ease the processes of conflict resolution. Armenia’s responsibility
is to make more steps towards peace in the current situation",
Apakan said.

Apakan is confident that Turkey will be able to solve problems between
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

He said Turkey seeks to bear responsibility not only in Caucasus,
but also other neighborhood regions, including Middle East and Balkans.

"We never had any other intentions. Especially while speaking about
Azerbaijan, we never leave our brothers alone on half of the way",
he said.

Turkish ambassador again stressed that Turkey looks forwards the
soonest resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The countries of the region should make steps towards each other,
he said.

COMMANDER OF FRONTIER TROOPS OF ARMENIA CALLS ABSURD A NUMBER OF ARTICLES IN THE AZERI PRESS

ArmInfo
2009-10-23 17:14:00

ArmInfo. Commander of the Frontier Troops of Armenia, Maj. Gen. Armen
Abrahamyan has called absurd the Azeri media reports saying that
"Armenian border guards and criminal groups kidnap Azeris living in
the villages neighboring on Georgia."

These reports are one more trick by the Azeri propaganda machine.

The charges against Armenian border guards have been spread by APA
news agency. The agency quotes some Georgian "expert" Mamuka Areshidze
as saying that "Armenian border guards and criminal groups kidnap
Azeris." In response to ArmInfo’s inquiry, the Embassy of Georgia in
Armenia has promised to find out if Areshidze has actually made such
a statement and what "proofs" he has.