Author: Toneyan Mark

ORPHANAGE LEAVERS FACE SERIOUS PROBLEMS

A1+
[01:09 pm] 19 May, 2008

Six leavers of the "Huys" Orphanage, Gyumri, have been involved in
the "Programme of Orphanage Seniors" of the RoA Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs.

The director of the orphanage Ruben Markossian says that the programme
covers two phases. Some leavers will get flats by July, others –
by the turn of the year.

The programme of providing the orphanage leavers with dwelling
places was passed long ago but so far only one senior got a flat. The
orphanage after Fridtjof Nansen has got six leavers but they still
live in the building which, according to the director, arouses
problems between children of various ages in view of communication
and dwelling space. The director says that the children’s fate is
also most concerning.

Three of them go to college, the other two have finished a
hairdresser’s course. 17-year-old Samvel Bernetsian works in the
orphanage as an educator.

The orphanage will have seven more leavers next year and they will
face more problems, say the director.

COE DEPUTY SEC. GEN. ARRIVING IN ARMENIA MAY 20

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.05.2008 16:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Deputy Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, will visit Yerevan to participate in a
conference on domestic violence, organized by the Armenian Ministry of
Labor and Social Affairs on 20 May, reported the OSCE Yerevan Office.

During her visit, Ms de Boer-Buquicchio is due to meet with the
President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Tigran Torosyan, the
Prime Minister, Tigran Sargsyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Edward Nalbandian, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arman
Kirakossian, the Minister of Justice, Gevorg Danielian, the Minister of
Labour and Social Affairs, Aghvan Vardanian and the Armenian Ombudsman
Armen Harutyunyan.

ARMEN ASHOTYAN: "PARLIAMENTARIAN CRISIS COMMON TO WORLD"

Panorama.am
18:15 16/05/2008

Today a meeting discussion was organized devoted to 18 anniversary
of parlamentarism in Armenia. In the meeting Republican Armen
Shotyan agreed with his opponent’s view point that "in general
there is no parlamentarism in Armenia". According to him the only
reason to it could be the historic preview when in 1995 the role
of the parliament has been annulated by the constitution. Whereas
the reformed constitution gives more rights and flexibility to the
parliament and its role.

A. Ashotyan said that the parliament is considered less reliable than
any other state institution. It is the executive body who presents
projects to parliament. He also added that the crisis of parlamentarism
is common to the world and Armenia just can not ignore those notions.

Ashotyan signified the role of opponent leaders in the parliament
and said that though international organizations keep talking about
increasing the role of parliament in the political field they cooperate
and make projects at least not with the parliament.

FINANCING OF EDUCATION INCREASES BY ABOUT 30% IN 2007

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 15, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The state budgetary financing of the
education and science sector grew by about 32% or 22.9 billion drams
in 2007, the RA chief treasurer Atom Janjughazian said at the May 14
joint sitting of the RA National Assemly standing committees. According
to him, 95.8 bln drams was spent instead of 91.8 bln drams envisaged
by the state budget for education and science.

The share of science and education made 2.7% of GDP in 2006 and 3%
of GDP in 2007. The financing of science remained at the same level
making 5.9 bln drams, while the financing of education grew. Sums
given to secondary education (76.8%) made the largest share of the
allocations to education.

The minister of education and science Levon Mkrtchian said that in
2007 the budget of science and education had a programmed basis. In
his words, the ministry has already developed detailed programs for
up to 2015 and is cooperating under these programs with the World
Bank and several other international financial structures.

Last year some changes were made in the credit programs: in particular,
15 thousand teachers underwent training instead of the envisaged 8
thousand ones. The training of head masters finished in 2007. Besides,
a radical reform of the specialized secondary education system has been
prepared under the European Neighborhood Policy. Its implementation
is envisaged in 2008.

LEBANON CLOSELY WATCHES ARAB LEAGUE MEDIATIONS

Yerkir
14.05.2008 16:07

Yerevan (Yerkir) – "Currently, entire Lebanon is closely watching the
Arab League mediation mission works that is likely to be followed
by a cabinet special meeting. This night could be decisive and the
civil disobedience may stop," Shahan Gantaharian, the chief editor
of the Azdak newspaper published in Beirut, has told Yerkir.

He said that the commission of the Arab League has arrived in the
Beirut airport and a land road has been opened for them to get to the
Lebanese parliament speaker’s office. The roads were earlier blocked
by the opposition forces.

"The commission is headed by Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa.

Meetings are scheduled with the prime minister, top army commanders
and other officials. According to non-official information, a special
meeting of the cabinet is likely to be held to discuss the suspension
of two earlier decisions that led to the opposition discontent. There
are reports in the media that the cabinet is likely to take those
steps," Gantaharian said. He added that there are rumors that a
temporary port could be opened in Lebanon’s Christian districts.

"There will be ship connections between Cyprus and Lebanon. Cyprus
leadership took a decision to waive entry visas to make it easier
for Lebanese citizens to temporarily reside in Cyprus," he said.

MAIN PLANNING CONFERENCE OF "COOPERATIVE LANCER/LONGBOW – 2008" EXERCISES KICKS OFF IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
May 14, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: The main planning conference of the
"Cooperative Lancer/Longbow – 2008" Exercises kicked off today in
Yerevan and will last until May 16.

Overall 110 militaries of 30 nationalities are taking part in the
conference: 37 from various NATO headquarters, 63 representatives
from 21 countries who will participate in the exercises.

The following states have sent their officers to Armenia: 7 from NATO
member states (Canada, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, UK and USA),
13 from Partnership for Peace (PfP) program (Albania, Armenia, Austria,
Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Switzerland and
Ukraine) and 1 from Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (United Arab
Emirates).

During the conference the plan of military exercises will be
developed, legal issues will be agreed, programs of the events will
be coordinated.

The Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces,
Major General Arshaluys Paytyan greeted the participation of the
representatives of more than 20 countries which witnesses the
importance of the event.

The Major General said the works of planning commission will pass in
warm atmosphere and during it all the organizational issues will be
discussed and solved. In the fall of the running year the exercises
will take place on a high organizational level.

"We have always expressed readiness to host such like events and
I assure that we are ready to openly receive all the participants
trying to ensure the utmost convenient conditions for them. This
will be the first exercise of such volume in this region and it
is an honor and responsibility for us and we must get ready to
it properly. " "Cooperative Longbow – 2008" is a NATO/PfP Command
Post Exercise (CPX) with Rapid Crisis Response Operations elements
for a Multinational Brigade (MB) on the planning and management of
peacekeeping operations. It is expected to have approximately 350
officers, warrant officers, and NCOs as participants.

"Cooperative Lancer – 2008" is a NATO/PfP Field Training Exercise
(FTX) with participation of a Multinational Battalion. The Exercise
will consist of three stages and as a result of the exercise the
involved troops will obtain skills in peacekeeping operations and
develop infantry skills in a realistic operational environment. This
exercise is expected to have 800 officers, warrant officers, NCOs
and privates as participants.

ALTERNATIVE TELECOMMUNICATION NET IN ARMENIA WILL HAVE LOW RETURN FOR GENERAL UNDERPOPULATION IN COUNTRY

arminfo
2008-05-13 18:51:00

ArmInfo. An alternative telecommunication network in Armenia will
have low return for the general underpopulation in the country,
ARMENIAN DATACOM COMPANY (ADC) General Director Harald Grytten says
in an interview with ArmInfo when commenting on the possibilities
of liquidating the natural infrastructure monopoly in the country’s
telecommunication market. He believes that creation of an alternative
net is unprofitable. It is possible to return investments only in the
capital city, in regions it is impossible. As a result, the potential
field of activity will be sharply reduced, H. Grytten says. He is sure
that despite the alternative nets of optic and wireless technologies,
DSL communication has always been dominating, and the statistics of
European countries is an evidence of it. Cable net users exceed the DSL
user only in the USA due to the wide penetration of IP-television,
which is just being launched in Armenian, he says. As a result,
telecommunication net and the terms of access to it are becoming of
special importance. In this conditions, ADC Director General believes
that state regulatory agencies must elaborate stricter rules of
activity in the telecommunication market.

In such situation the company attaches a special importance to
negotiations and considers the readiness to conduct talks a good sign,
he says.

Speaking about the terms of using the net, suggested by ArmenTel,
ADC director says they cannot radically change the situation in
the telecommunication market. He also added that the problem of
subscriber’s tariff differentiation known in Europe as Local Loop
Unbundling, (LLU), continues being one of the vexed problems at the
Armenian market. ArmenTel gave access to the DSL lines to the companies
interested but only subject to buying the "port", i.e. preserving
total control over the telecommunication net. But even such partial
introduction of LLU is a step forward by ArmenTel. Let’s wait for
further developments, H.Grytten says.

To recall, in April of the current year ArmenTel
changed internet-communication tariffs for final users and
internet-providers. For this reason representatives of ArmenTel said
there was a chance of creation of alternative communication nets
by the interested companies if they are not pleased with ArmenTel
net services.

CISCO ACADEMY TO BE FOUNDED IN ARMENIA

ARKA
May 12, 2008

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Cisco Academy is to be established in Armenia,
the Operations Director of ArmenTel Company (Beeline brand) Alexander
Birman told journalists. ArmenTel initiated the foundation of Cisco
Academy in Armenia and undertook to settle all organizational issues,
including search for sponsors, Birman said.

According to him, the graduates from the Academy will receive
international certificates. He said that negotiations for cooperation
are being held with Armenia’s State Engineering University.

A special program Third Generation is to be started next year. Under
the program young specialists will major is various fields at the
Cisco Academy, Birman said.

He pointed out that these specialists will be in demand on the Armenian
market as almost all telecommunication mains are Cisco products,
and respective experts are required to serve the mains.

Cisco Systems Inc, is world’s leader in the field of Internet
networking technologies.

Giving Form to Faith: Art @ the Cathedral
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral
630 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) presents Giving Form
to Faith: Art @ the Cathedral, an exhibition of work by major 20th and 21st
century Armenian-American artists. The exhibition opens on June 19, 2008 at
5:30 p.m. at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, New York,
N.Y. A concert featuring renowned Armenian-American artists Lucine Amara,
soprano, Sahan Arzruni, piano, and Ani Aznavoorian, cello, will begin in the
sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.

The exhibition will remain on view until June 24, 2008. Hours are 11 a.m. to
7 p.m. June 20-23, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 24. The exhibition is free
and open to the public, but the opening night concert carries a fee.

The exhibition will highlight the collection of the Cathedral and include
works by established and emerging artists. It will be professionally curated
and installed in a unique format, taking the viewer on a spiritual journey
beginning in the sacred spaces of the Cathedral, and proceeding in a
cultural and physical journey within the exhibition spaces: an edifying and
uplifting experience of the works of prominent as well as emerging figures
in the Armenian-American pantheon.

Through a display of writings and works, the exhibition will explore the
role of Armenian artists in their wider contexts and the influences they
have had upon other luminaries. It will include the works of contemporary
and emerging talents who have never before been exhibited under the aegis of
the Armenian Church.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the consecration of St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral. It is organized by order of His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and chaired and
curated by Vicki Hovanessian, with curatorial committee members Nishan
Kazazian, Ani Boyajian, Aileen Agopian and Rachel Goshgarian.

Since its consecration in 1968, St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral has served as
the spiritual center for Armenians in the Diocese. In addition, it has been
a vibrant social and cultural center in the neighborhood and in the
tri-state area, home to numerous art exhibitions, concerts and lectures. It
was home to the One World Festival, a joint venture with the City of New
York celebrating the richness of New York’s multiculturalism for some 20
years. For more information on St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, please visit

Featured Artists: Arshile Gorky, Reuben Nakian, Hovsep Pushman, Raoul Hague,
William Saroyan, Krikor Khanjian, Sarkis Khatchadourian, Vava Sarkis, Simon
Simonian, Soss Melik, Khoren Der Haroutiunian, Salpi Mavian, Atom Egoyan,
Lina Bertucci, Kardash Onnig, Shanoor, Jackie Kazarian, Peter Sarkissian,
Varujan Boghosian, Nishan Kazazian, Ani Boyajian, Vasken Kalayjian, Melissa
Dadourian, Linda Ganjian, Robert Ohnigian, Haik Kocharian, Aram Jibilian and
others.

WAC AND UAR-ORGANIZED INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AIMS TO PROMOTE
PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PAST OF ARMENIAN PEOPLE

YEREVAN, MAY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. It is the 4th year that the World Armenian
Congress (WAC) and the Union of Armenians in Russia (UAR) are holding
"We Were, We Are, We Will Be" writing competition for pupils of the
senior school and students. The theme of this year’s competition is "We
are Strong When We are Together". Pupils and students from Armenia,
Artsakh and the Diaspora can participate in it. The deadline for bids
is late May, while the results will be summarized in June. The
award-giving ceremony will take place in October, during Days of the
WAC and the UAR in Armenia. 6 award winners will receive computers.

The head of the WAC Armenian branch, vice president of the UAR Vladimir
Aghayan said at the May 8 press conference that the main purpose of
this annual competition of the best literary work is promote knowledge
of pupils and students of Armenia, Artskah and Diaspora about the
historical past of the Armenian people and to instill faith in the
future into them. Besides, the competition contributes to the further
development of Armenia-Diaspora relations and the formation of national
unity, promotes the preservation of the national identity and the
dissemination of the Armenian culture, language and literature.

According to V. Aghayan, the implementation of another initiative will
continue this year. It is the initiative "pedagogical readings as a
methodological help to Diasporan Armenian teachers" which was launched
last year. The best works of pedagogical readings were published in a
separate collection in late 2007 and distributed to Diasporan
educational institutions. V. Aghayan said that the number of Armenian
Sunday schools is growing in the Diaspora year by year. Prior to the
foundation of the UAR, there were 30 Sunday Armenian schools in Russia,
whereas last academic year their number made 350.