Author: Tumanian Talar

Panorama.am

20:15 28/12/2007

SUCCESSFUL YEAR TO COLLABORATE WITH INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS

`This year is important for strengthening and
enlarging our relations and collaboration with
international organizations,’ said Hasmik Poghosyan,
the minister of culture in a press conference, today.
According to her 2007 was very successful and
promising year, as the ministry managed to authorize
four international contracts and prepared nine to be
signed. `We signed contracts with Russia, Bulgaria,
China, Iran and Syria during this year, and we suppose
to continue our collaboration and sign contracts with
Croatia, Ukraine and Belarus,’ she said.

She signified the importance of passing Armenian
Cultural days in Belarus, Italy, China; and also
having Brazilian, Italian, German, Egyptian, Korean
cultural days in Armenia. `The opening of Armenian
cultural center in Venice is rather bug achievement.
We should try to make it not only Armenian-Italian
cultural center, but also European-Armenian center,’
Said H. Poghosyan.

Note that Armenian artists’ exhibitions were organized
in France, Russia, China, Bulgaria, and in other
countries in 2007. Totally, 3200 people took part in
cultural ceremonies in 2007. `Those events not only
aimed to present Armenian culture abroad, but they put
basis for other new cooperation,’ said the minister.

Source: Panorama.am

7TH SHIFT OF ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPES TO LEAVE FOR IRAQ IN MID-JANUARY

armradio.am
24.12.2007 17:16

The seventh shift of Armenian peacekeepers will leave for Iraq
in mid-January of 2008. Armenpress was told from the Peacekeeping
Division of RA Armed Forces that after the New Year it will become
clear when the 6th shift will return to Armenia. Let us remind that
the division consisits of 46 servicemen.

Recently the National Assembly of Armenia recently adopted the decision
to extend the term of the memorandum of understanding onManagement
of the multinational division within stabilization forces in Iraq
and regulation of similar issues" for one year. Therefore, Armenian
peacekeepers will carry out mission in Iraq until January 2009.

FIRST ARMENIAN PRESIDENT COMPARES STRUGGLE AGAINST ARMENIAN
AUTHORITIES TO NATIONAL LIBERATION STRUGGLE

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. "The authorities will do everything
by means of a propaganda blockade, intimidations, economic pressure and
finally large-scale election rigging in order to retain their
robber-state system. The continuation of this situation means another
ten years of slavery, misery and national humiliation," the first
Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosian stated at the December 22
republican congress of forces supporting him.

He compared the popular movement which has formed in the country to the
national liberation struggle in 1988-1991: "The current Armenian
authorities are no more insurmountable than the authorities of the
Soviet Union. Taking into account the reality that the current Armenian
authorities treat their own people as strangers, violating all their
rights and dignity, the struggle against such authorities will also be
a national liberation struggle," he said. He assured those present that
the consolidation of the majority of democratic forces is "one of the
most important guarantees of getting rid of this regime".

Appreciating the contribution of all political and social forces
supporting him in the first stage of the pre-election struggle, L.
Ter-Petrosian underlined the necessity of mobilizing voters for the
further stages. Among the most crucial steps to be taken are, according
to him, the creation of his pre-election headquarters and a political
council to be composed of the leaders of the political parties
supporting him, and the creation of territorial pre-election
headquarters. L. Ter-Petrosian said that headquarters must be set up in
all communities of Yerevan, as well as in Gyumri, Vanadzor and other
Armenian cities. In his words, meetings in all marzes and all Yerevan
communities will be of great importance.

ARMENIA TO HOST PROMINENT MUSICIANS NEXT YEAR

ARMENPRESS
Dec 20 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: An acclaimed composer Krzsistof
Penderetski, a famous conductor Kristoff Eschenbach and the World Youth
Symphonic Orchestra will play for Armenian music lovers next year.

They will come here within the frameworks of 21-st Century Perspective
musical festival.

The festival presidnet Stepan Rostomian, said on Wednesday they
are planning also to invite the famous Madrid Quartet and violinist
Kolia Blacker.

Stepan Rostomian commended prime minister Serzh Sarkisian for his
sponsorship of the festival.

AZERI MPS CRITICIZE JOURNALISTS FOR VISITING ARMENIA

ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Dec 18 2007

Two pro-government members of Azerbaijani parliament have criticized
a group of journalists for their recent visit to Armenia. Speaking
in parliament, the MPs said that the parliament should express its
attitude to such visits, Azerbaijan’s ANS TV has reported.

MP Zahid Oruc said that people’s diplomacy which involves Azerbaijanis
is a reflection of the "anti-popular and anti-official policy". "I
think the parliament should adopt a serious law to clearly identify
the framework of these actions and the sanctions they entail in order
not to leave these issues to public will," Oruc said. "We cannot limit
this issue only to moral responsibility," he said while addressing
the parliament.

In turn, MP Azay Quliyev said that "any contact with Armenia is
unacceptable until Azerbaijani territories are liberated from
occupation".

He said that Armenians are not sincere in their actions. "They are
using such contacts and events in order to present themselves as
a peaceloving nation to the world community, and this is a complete
lie," Quliyev said.

Addressing the chairman, he urged the parliament and public to clearly
identify their position on the issue. "How can we tell our neighbour
Turkey after all this not to open its border and not to cooperate
[with the Armenians] because they have invaded our territory?" he said.

"I think we have to express a clear position on this issue so that
everyone can follow it," he said.

WHO IS "AGAINST" IS OPPOSITE
Anahit Danielyan

KarabakhOpen
17-12-2007 10:37:21

The word "against" has been out of fashion since the line "against
all" was excluded from the ballot on the eve of the presidential
election. Since then the word against has almost officially been
extracted from the word stock. The climate is such that when a person
wants to oppose to the general opinion, he is treated as an enemy.

The notion of against came out of use when on the eve of the
presidential election all the political parties united around
one, even the ARF Dashnaktsutyun. Since then it is a shame to be
against. Even the members of parliament seldom vote against. At best
they abstain. Over the past half a year the only bill against which the
members of parliament voiced an opinion was the law on restrictions
of sale and use of tobacco. During the first reading 3 members of
parliament voted against the bill.

The reason is that the bill bars smoking in educational, medical and
cultural establishments, in transport, as well as buildings of offices.

Apparently, the three members of parliament voted against the bill
because they are against the restrictions of smoking. Although it is
not clear whether they will be against selling cigarettes to children
under 18, barred by the bill.

They say the "nay" buttons in the parliament are out of order –
they have covered with rust.

VARDAN GHUKASYAN DECIDED TO MAKE SOME MONEY

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 17 2007

Today at 1 pm the head of the department of information of the City
Hall of Gyumri L. Aghekyan said in a telephone talk with L. Barseghyan
that the City Hall expects 200 thousand drams per month, runs the
release of the Headquarters for Freedom of Speech and Gala TV. The
total sum for the past 27 months (August 2005 – October 2007) is 5.4
million drams. Meanwhile, it is possible to build 2-4 towers on this
sum. The Headquarters for Freedom of Speech and Gala TV states that
this sum is exaggerated and has nothing to do with the prices for
similar services, and partner TV companies pay 120-140 thousand drams
a month, including the bills of energy, maintenance of the transmitter
and aerial at a height of 140-150 meters, while the aerial of Gala
TV was installed at a height of 50 meters, and it would be fair to
charge 25-30 thousand drams per month.

The headquarters thinks the fee offered by the City Hall is not an
expression of good faith but a small ruse to reject the three-party
agreement. They say the rent for the tower should be 30 thousand
drams a month and 1 million drams for the past 27 to 28 months,
runs the release of the Headquarters for Freedom of Speech and Gala TV.

85 state vocational educational establishment operate in Armenia

armradio.am
15.12.2007 14:18

Eighty-five state and twenty-three private vocational educational
establishment operate in Armenia. Respectively 29 500 and 1 800
students study in those establishments.

Armenpress was told from the Vocational Education Department of RA
Ministry of Education that as compared to the indices of 1991, the
number of state vocational educational establishments has increased
with 20%, while the number of students has decreased with 27.3%.

Currently 4 300 teachers work at vocational educational establishments.

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN TO MEET WITH LOS ANGELES YOUTH

ON=Content&articleId=vahan_hovhannisyan_2008_c andidate
December 14, 2007

ENCINO, CA – On Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 5pm, the Shant Student
Association will be participating in a Town Hall Meeting with Vahan
Hovhannisyan, a front-running presidential candidate in Armenia and
Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament.

This unique event will take place at Ferrahian High School, which is
located at 5300 White Oak Avenue in Encino, California.

Mr. Hovhannisyan will talk about a variety of topics and field
questions from the audience. The event is open to all youth and
students and is sponsored by the Armenian Youth Federation.

ARMENIA STANDS FOR KARABAKH SETTLEMENT BASED ON GUARANTEES OF PEOPLE’S SECURITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.12.2007 14:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s goal is to resolve the Nagorno Karabkah
conflict via peaceful talks basing on the guarantee of Karabakhi
people’s security and recognition of their right to self-determination,
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian said at an
Preventive Diplomacy and International Cooperation international
conference held in Ashkhabad.

In his speech Mr Kirakossian stressed the importance of preventive
diplomacy and constructive activities of international and regional
organizations.

At that he noted that the speech made by the Azerbaijani representative
is not in line with the spirit and tasks of the conference. "It
questions the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group," Mr Kirakossian said.

The conference was dated to establishment of UN Center for Preventive
Diplomacy in Ashkhabad.