Author: Toneyan Mark

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.

RA Foreign Minister appreciates the cooperation with CoE on issues of
human rights

armradio.am
08.05.2008 15:51

On May 7 RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had meetings with the EU
Commissioner for Human Rights Tomas Hammarberg and the President of the
European Court of Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa.

During the meeting with Tomas Hammarberg Edward Nalbandian expressed
appreciation for the level of cooperation with the Council of Europe on
issues of human rights. He noted that the Armenian Government takes
note of the suggestions the EU Commissioner made during his recent
visit to Armenia.

The Minister informed that a working group has been formed upon the
instruction of RA President to coordinate the implementation of the
suggestions included in PACE Resolution #1609. The group has been
instructed to present suggestions on the future steps within a short
period of time.

During the meeting with the President of the European Court of Human
Rights Rights Jean-Paul Costa Minister Nalbandian reconfirmed that
Armenia is ready to continue deepening the cooperation with the
European Court of Human Rights.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS CALLS ON THE WORLD’S COUNTRIES TO RECOGNIZE
THE GENOCIDE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 08, 2008
Armenia

In his yesterday’s speech delivered in Vatican, Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II appealed to all the countries of the world to
recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Addressing the thousands of believers who were present at the meeting
with Pope Benedict XVI, the Supreme Patriarch called on `all the
nations and countries to join their efforts to condemn all the
genocides that have occurred in the course of history.’

`The renunciation of such heinous crimes is as unfair as committing
them. Many countries of the world have recognized and condemned the
Genocide of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire,’ the Catholicos of All
Armenians mentioned.

At yesterday’s meeting with the believers, Benedict XVI spoke about the
ordeals of the Armenian Christians, `especially those that occurred in
the course of the past century.’

THIRD INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHER ARMIK OPENS IN UNESCO’S HALL

BEIRUT, MAY 8, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN.

The third individual exhibition of photographer Armik entitled
"Biological variety in the Lebanon forest" opened in the UNESCO’s hall
in Lebanon on May 5. Exhibited were different photos, which depict the
different sorts of the creatures living in the forest, which are not
often paid attention to, however, it is impossible to see them with the
naked eye. According to the Daily Azdak, Armik has performed
professional work and has managed to penetrate into the depth of the
forest with a great patience and consistency introducing to the
observer the imperceptible creatures existing in nature.

The exhibition was sponsored by Khaled Kabani, the Minister of Culture.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 7 2008

Elmar Mamedyarov: "We are two neighboring countries and we can not
just scamper away"

07 May 2008 [10:33] – Today.Az

A meeting of Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia Elmar
Mamedyarov and Edward Nalbandyan was held in the permanent
representation of the Council of Europe in France, in Strasbourg.

According to APA, the meeting was attended by OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs: Bernard Fassier (FRance), Matthew Bryza (United States) and
Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), as well as permanent representative of OSCE
Minsk Group chairman-in-office Andjey Kaspshik.

As is reported considering the recent appointment of the Armenian
Minister, the meeting was mostly of acquaintance.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov called the meeting
constructive. He said consultations were held on meetings of
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. According to the Minister, there
are several variants of organization of the said meeting.

"The organization of the meeting in June of this year is discussed. We
will inform the presidents about the results of the meeting and they
will pass a decision on meeting on their level".

According to the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, the decision on the
meeting of the Presidents will be passed depending on the reaction on
the meeting of the Foreign Ministers. If the Presidents consider it
necessary to arrange one more meeting of the Foreign Ministers, such
meeting will take place".

According to Mamedyarov, there are chances to continue talks. "We are
two neighbors and to can not just scamper away. We should find a
decision and a way out of this situation".

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbadyan also called the meeting
constructive and of acquaintance. "We once more voiced positions of
the sides. And, the most important, we came to an agreement to
continue talks. I am very optimistic. And we should live in peace. I
think we will be able to settle the problem between our countries".

It should be noted that OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov was
also satisfied with the meeting.

/APA/

URL:

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA

Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]

7 May 2008

40TH DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY MEETS IN THE PARISH OF SYDNEY

Sydney, Australia – The Diocesan Assembly of 29 delegates was hosted this
weekend by the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection in Sydney,
also the location of the offices of the Diocese of Australia. The Assembly
was presided by His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the
Diocese and chaired by Mr Bedros Zorlu. Miss Sonia Berberian was appointed
Armenian Secretary and Mrs Laura Artinian, English Secretary.

The meeting commenced with prayer and the reading of the message of His
Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The
Primate then presented his 2007 annual report and message to the assembly
thanking and encouraging clergy and all councillors, Church and Diocesan.
He gave specific commendation to outgoing Diocesan Councillors Messrs Armen
Baghdasarayan and David Alexander who had completed two terms of office, for
their long-standing and devoted service to the church both as Diocesan and
Church Councillors.

The 2007 Diocesan annual report was tabled by Mr Armen Baghdasarayan
outlining the activities of the Council and was followed by a presentation
of the financial statements and 2008 budget by Mr David Alexander.

With three vacating positions on the Diocesan Council, Mr Jack Hotakorzian
of Melbourne was re-elected for a second term in office and Dr Hagop
Paltikian and Mr Vahe Boyadjian elected as new members.

Prior to the start of general business, Mr Megeurditch Ansourian of the
Sydney West Church Council tabled a report on the 2007 acquisition of a
property in Wentworthville to be developed into the Armenian Church of
Sydney West. General discussions ensued on matters facing the three
parishes represented at the assembly and reflection on the need for greater
focus on community-building.

Earlier the same day, the annual general meeting of the Diocese Properties
Limited was convened. The meeting was chaired by Mr Loris Kanjian and the
appointed Secretary was Mr Dickran Fabricatorian.

The assemblies of the Diocese and Properties Ltd were attended by delegates
from Sydney and Melbourne and included both clergy and laymen.

At the first Diocesan Council meeting of Sunday, 4 May, 2008 the appointment
of office bearers were determined as follows:

Dr Peter Ansourian (Syd) – Chairman

Mr Vahe Boyadjian (Syd) – Secretary

Mr Jack Hotakorzian (Melb) – Assistant Secretary

Dr Hagop Paltikian (Syd) – Treasurer

Mr Tony Ghazarian (Melb) – Assistant Treasurer

Mr Krikor Soghomonian (Syd) – Councillor

PanARMENIAN.Net

UN Sec Gen: people of Armenia confirmed desire to
strengthen democratic institutions
06.05.2008 18:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
sent a congratulatory address to Tigran Sargsyan on
his appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of
Armenia, the RA government’s press office reported.

The message says in part,

"I extend to you my congratulations on your
appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of
Armenia and wish you every success with the discharge
of your new duties.

During the past few months, the people of Armenia
confirmed its desire to strengthen democratic
institutions in your country in a bid to achieve
prosperity and social equality. I am convinced that
under your guidance the government of Armenia will
meet its goals through democratization and
implementation of social and economic programs.

I look forward to close cooperation with your
government and yourself with a view to developing the
regional cooperation in South Caucasus.

Rest assured that the whole body of the United Nations
will join me in an effort to support you along this
path."