ARONYAN TO PARTAKE IN AN INTERNATIONAL BLINDFOLD AND RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT IN NICE
armradio.am
10.03.2008 16:56
March 15-27 Armenian Grand Master Levoon Aronayn will participate
in the "Amber" International Blindfold and Rapid Chess Tournament in
Nice, France.
The tournament will feature also Wishvanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik,
Vesselin Topalov, Alexander Morozevich, Peter Leco, Vasily Ivanchuk,
Boris Gelfand and others.
2008-03-07 11:34:00
ArmInfo. RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and Special Representative of
the European Union to South Caucasus Peter Semneby discussed the
internal political situation in Armenia. As the Armenian governmental
press-service told ArmInfo, the delegation of the European Union
includes Head of the European Commission delegation to Armenia Raul de
Luzenberger, advisors for EU Special Representative on political
affairs Andrey Didenko and Rasa Ostrauskayte, as well as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia Serge Smessow.
During the meeting, Peter Semneby said that he has been inspired by S.
Sargsyan’s speech at today’s governmental session and hopes that the
accents and the call, made in the statement, will become a basis point
for consolidation of the society, mitigation of the tension and
establishment of stability in the country. The parties also discussed
the issue of the state of emergency, declared in Yerevan, and the
current certain limitations under these conditions, as well as the
importance of pre-term lifting of the state of emergency. The prime
minister emphasized again that he is ready for cooperation and
establishment of a political dialogue with all those people and the
political forces who recognize the state’s laws and show readiness for
such a dialogue. "Those who violated or violate the law, will be
responsible for that. We are decisive in active continuation of
fulfillment of reforms in Armenia and are ready to
cooperate in this process with any constructive force", S. Sargsyan
said.
The recent cease-fire violation on the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh
and Azerbaijan was also discussed during the meeting. RA PM introduced
these events in details and expressed hope that further it will be
possible to avoid such situations under assistance of the relevant
international organizations.
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 8 2008
Chairman of Caucasian Muslims Office meets Vatican Secretary of State
[ 08 Mar 2008 14:16 ]
Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev-APA. Chairman of Caucasian Muslims Office
Sheikhulislam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh has today received Vatican
Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
APA reports A. Pashazadeh called the inauguration of `Virgin Mary’
Catholic Church in Baku within the framework of Cardinal’s visit as a
remarkable event. `Inauguration of this church reconfirms that
Azerbaijan is a tolerant country’, said the Chairman of Caucasian
Muslims Office. Sheikhulislam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh emphasized
that all religions were respected in Azerbaijan and added that
all-round conditions had been created in the country for free
activity of all religions. Touching upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno Karabagh, A. Pashazadeh stated that put forward
groundless claims on so-called Armenian genocide. `Nevertheless
Armenians armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s
territories. All religious monuments have been razed to the ground
and devastated. To the Chairman of Caucasian Muslims Office, several
days ago Azerbaijani people marked the 16th anniversary of Khojaly
Genocide – one of the world’s gravest crimes committed by Armenians
against humanity. `There are nearly 5 thousand bishops in the world’,
said A. Pashazadeh and underlined that they could also be involved in
bringing Azerbaijan’s realities to the notice of the international
community. Providing detailed information on major repair and
rehabilitation operations carried out in `Taza Pir’ Mosque, Sheikh
invited Vatican Secretary of State to attend the inauguration of the
Mosque.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in return
expressed his satisfaction with favorable conditions created for all
religious communities and highly estimated Sheikh’s role in this
direction. Recalling the visit of Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan,
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone stated that visit played a very significant
role in the further enhancement of the relations between Azerbaijan
and Vatican. In the end, Sheikh and the guest exchanged gifts.
Representatives of religious confessions operating in Azerbaijan also
delivered speeches at the event and highly assessed the tolerance
atmosphere in the country.
LEVON TER-PETROSIAN PRESENTED HIS ARGUMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF ARMENIA
Mediamax
March 5, 2008
Yerevan /Mediamax/. Ex-President of Armenia Ter-Petrosian made a
statement today at the session of the Constitutional Court (CC),
where his application on nullifying the results of presidential
elections is being considered.
Mediamax reports that the Ex-President singled out a few legal aspects,
according to which he considers the elections illegitimate. Among
such, Levon Ter-Petrosian noted the illegality of Serzh Sarkisian’s
participation in the elections, who, according to him, was to resign
from the position of the Prime Minister after the nomination of his
candidature for the position of the President. Another reason for
nullifying the results of elections, according to the presidential
candidate, is the introduction on a state of emergency in Yerevan.
Yet another reason for the discontent of the Ex-President is the
detention by the law-enforcement bodies, many witnesses, who,
according to him, can present valuable information on violations
during the elections. According to him, because of that, "a deficit
of legitimacy of CC decision may appear, and I do not know how this
fact will be perceived by the people and the international community".
Levon Ter-Petrosian refused to answer the questions of the
journalists, stating that in the nearest future he will call a
news conference. Right after the speech, he left the hall of the
Constitutional Court of Armenia.
HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
P.O.Box. 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Tel: 01-353010/1/2
01-349230/1
Haigazian University: A Thanksgiving chapel service in tribute to the
AMAA’s 90th Anniversary
Beirut, 05/03/2008- On the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the
Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), Haigazian University
organized a special Chapel Service, paying tribute to its co-founder and
long time financial supporter. A number of students and University
Registrar Roubina Artinian participated in the leadership of the
service.
University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, introduced the audience
with the AMAA’s vast array of ministries in 22 countries, and its
leading role in supporting the Armenian community worldwide, schools,
churches, and communities.
Initially, the AMAA was founded in 1918, as a reaction to the Armenian
Genocide, to support a whole nation to reclaim its life.
Today, after 90 years of its foundation, the AMAA’s span of help
outreaches needy Armenians in the homeland and the Diaspora, even
serving non-Armenian victims of disasters.
Haidostian shared with the audience two humble lessons from his personal
experience with the AMAA:
First, is the discrete method by which funds are provided to the needy.
Second, is the significant number of donors and supporters, thousands of
them, who annually contribute only small amounts that are available to
them. This proves that the human and spiritual capital is the
cornerstone on which the AMAA’s mission is built.
In conclusion, Haidostian considered the AMAA as a blessing to people in
many corners of the world, including Haigazian University in Beirut,
thanking God for people whose vision is for the benefit of others.
PRESS RELEASE
SOCIETY FOR ARMENIAN ORPHANED RELIEF (SOAR-LA)
P.O. Box 69361
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Contact: Peter Abajian
Tel: 818-921-7173
Cell: 310-400-9061
E-mail: [email protected]
web:
PHILADELPHIA BASED SOCIETY FOR ARMENIAN ORPHANED RELIEF ESTABLISHES
LOS ANGELES CHAPTER (SOAR-LA)
Local Board Raises Awareness of Orphanage Needs and Unveils Goals at
First Successful Event
Glendale, CA – On Saturday, February 9, more than 50 people, including
family and friends, gathered at the home of SOAR-LA Vice-Chair Annet
Arakelian to officially celebrate and launch the Los Angeles Chapter
of the Society for Armenian Orphaned Relief (SOAR-LA), as well as
learn more about SOAR-LA.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, please allow me to thank all of
you for your support and enthusiasm this evening," said Peter Abajian,
SOAR-LA Chair. "Working together we hope to be able to provide needed
supplies to the children in Armenia’s orphanages."
Abajian along with Board Members Kevin Avetikyan and Manushak Amzoyan
presented a short video regarding SOAR’s involvement with Armenia’s
orphanages and discussed a new project SOAR-LA is considering to
sponsor. This project would entail the construction of a residential
group home on the grounds of the Kharpert Orphanage to provide
semi-independent living opportunities for the adults with mental
and/or physical disabilities when they are too old to live in the
orphanage.
SOAR-LA Board Secretary Kohar Mardiros Pelter took the initiative to
help establish the Los Angeles Chapter. "My father, Mardiros
Mardiossian, ended up in an orphanage following the Armenian Genocide.
My personal involvement in helping establish SOAR-LA is in his honor
and I am hopeful that together we will make a difference in the lives
of some of the children living in orphanages in Armenia today."
SOAR-LA is actively looking for partners (individuals and
organizations) to work with on the group home project as well as
collecting new humanitarian supplies to send to Armenia. For more
information and to get involved, please visit the SOAR website at
Established in 2006 in Philadelphia, SOAR has provided much needed
humanitarian assistance to 14 orphanages throughout Armenia. SOAR
collects and distributes new clothing, shoes, school supplies, diapers
and other humanitarian supplies from individuals and corporations in
the United States and delivers them through the UAF and its trusted
network of partners in Armenia. Financial contributions are used to
purchase and distribute needed supplies locally in Armenia.
PA NATO CONDEMNS CEASEFIRE BREACH BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA
Trend News Agency
March 5 2008
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, 5 March / corr TrendNews K.Ramazanova / The
Parliamentary Assembly of NATO condemns the violation of the ceasefire
regime on the frontline of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"This is a negative situation and we regret it," Jose Lello, the
President of PA NATO, stated in Baku on 5 March.
Starting in the early hours of 4 March, shooting began on the frontline
of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the occupied territory
of Azerbaijan in several directions.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that during the gun fire with
Armenia, 12 Armenian soldiers were killed and 15 more were injured,
whereas four Azerbaijani soldiers were killed and injured.
NATO supports a peaceable resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. "I hope the international community will assist in the
establishment of stability in the region," he said.
During his visit Lello will participate in the 68th Rose-Roth
workshop. He is expected to meet with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani
Parliament Ogtay Asadov, the First Vice Speaker, the head of
the Azerbaijani delegation to NATO PA Ziyafat Askarov, members
of Parliament’s standing committee for security and defence, and
political parties represented in Parliament.
They will discuss enhancement of cooperation between Azerbaijan
and NATO PA, preparations for a workshop to discuss security in the
Caspian region and Central Asia, the military-political situation,
energy security, and relationships between the West and Central Asia.
Representatives from international organizations and from over 25
countries cooperating with NATO will be in attendance.
HEAD OF RA PRESIDENT’S STAFF MEETS WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZERS AND AMBASSADORS OF OSCE MEMBER STATES ACCREDITED IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
March 3, 2008
YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the message received from
the RA President’s Press Office, "Armen Gevorgian, the Head of the
President’s Staff, has met with the Ambassadors of the OSCE member
states accredited in Armenia and representatives of international
organizations today by the letter of recommendation of RA President
Robert Kocharian. The situation created on March 1 evening in Yerevan
was introduced during the meeting.
Clarifications were introduced to the diplomats on the activities of
the authorities, in particular, on the circumstances of declaring
a state of emergency. The diplomats were informed that the RA
authorities have taken all the necesssary measures envisaged by law
in the direction of halting the illegal actions and establishing
rules in Yerevan in the created situation.
The Head of the Presiden’s Staff stressed that the authorities are
resolute in submitting the organizers, instigators and perpetrators
of the disorders to reponsibility."
EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO VISIT YEREVAN
TREND News Agency
March 3 2008
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 March /Trend News corr K. Ramazanova, E. Huseynov/
The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby
will visit Armenia due to the on-going situation in the country which
occurred after the presidential elections, Semneby told Trend News
on 3 March.
"The visit will began today because of the announcement of an emergency
situation in Yerevan," Semneby said in a telephone conversation from
Brussels. He did not go into details about his visit.
On the morning of 2 March, the President Robert Kocheryan declared
an emergency situation in Armenia. This has been caused by continuous
demonstrations by the supporters of the presidential candidate Levon
Ter-Petrosian, who accuses the authorities of gerrymandering during
the elections.
On 1 March, the dispersal of demonstration by the police resulted in
confrontation. According to the Armenian Health Ministry, the number
of victims of the riots which took place in Yerevan on 1 March totalled
131, and eight of them have died from gunshot wounds.
On 2 March, the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and
Security Policy Javier Solana said EU countries are concerned about
the emergency situation in Yerevan. He called on all sides to show
restraint in order to normalize the situation. "Talks with the
opposition should be resumed, for that is the only way forward,"
he said.
On 1 March Semneby said that the EU is concerned about the
confrontation involving the part of the opposition which protests
against the results of the elections. "We are concerned about the
tensions. In such a situation there is always the threat of one wrong
step followed by escalation," Semneby said.
According to the EU Representative, the EU’s position is that
differences should become the subject of serious discussions, and
the issues should be solved through dialogue.
"Responsibility and prevention of further escalation is important
for both sides in this situation," he said.
ALMOST 90 PEOPLE SEEK MEDICAL AID IN VIOLENT PROTESTS IN YEREVAN
ITAR-TASS
March 2 2008
Russia
YEREVAN, March 2 (Itar-Tass) – A total of 89 people have sought
medical aid since violent protests began in Yerevan on Saturday.
There are 57 police and troops among them, Armenian Healthcare Minister
Artyom Kushkyan said on Sunday.
According to the minister, they have different injuries, including
gunshot wounds, fragmentation wounds, fractures and other injuries.
Two people are in a grave condition, he said. Kushkyan confirmed that
eight people had been killed in riots.
He said all injured people get medical care. Acting President Robert
Kocharyan has visited the hospital where policemen wounded in clashes
are undergoing medical treatment.
Robert Kocharyan declared the state of emergency on Saturday night,
following a day of clashed between police and demonstrators demanding
to invalidate the results of the February 19 presidential election.