Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

PEACE TALKS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT INTENSIFY, AZERBAIJANI FM

Today
Nov 12 2009
Azerbaijan

The negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have intensified
again, said Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov on Nov.
11.

The Minister noted Azerbaijani side’s major demand during discussions
is the soonest withdrawal of Armenia’s troops from the occupied
territories.

Mammadyarov said during the latest visit to the region, OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs were told again about Azerbaijan`s stance.

"Armenia wants the status of Nagorno-Karabakh to be defined before
the troops are pulled out."

"This non-constructive position bring already agreed matters back to
the negotiating table," he said.

"First and foremost, the status may be defined only after Armenia
leaves occupied Azerbaijani lands, IDPs return to their homes with
peace and stability restored."

According to him, Azerbaijan is ready to grant the high status to
Nagorno-Karabakh.

"However, the status will be determined within the framework of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity," the minister added.

The Minister noted that the sides are expected to meet during the
upcoming meeting of OSCE Foreign Ministers in Athens.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES CONCEPT FOR SHIFTING TO DIGITAL TELEVISION

ARKA
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, November 12, /ARKA/. The Armenian government has approved
today the national concept for shifting to digital television,
which is supposed to be completed in 2015. Economy Minister Nerses
Yeritsian said the analogue broadcasting puts a brake on further
development of the sector, while transition to digital television
opens new development prospects.

The minister said as a result of transition to digital television
radio frequencies will be vacated which can be used later for further
advancement of information technologies.

Transition to digital television will ensure high quality broadcasting
and protect it against interferences. Nerses Yeritsian said the experts
did not calculate the cost of transition yet, but according to some
preliminary estimates it may cost from $20 million to $200 million.

He added that the government will have to secure funding for transition
which may be implemented in cooperation with private sector. He
said introduction of digital television will not affect vulnerable
segments of the population for whom a special social package will be
developed. In his words, transition to digital television will not
cause problems because 99 percent of TV sets bought in the last 5-6
years are able to receive digital signals

The minister said transition will be implemented in several stages,
to be preceded by public debates and o be followed by amending the
relating legislation. The technical stage is supposed to be completed
in 2013.

LEVON TER-PETROSSYAN: THE POLITICAL FORCES THAT BACKED UP KOCHARYAN DURING HIS RULE ARE NOW TRYING TO ACT AS OPPOSITION AND THEREBY TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY

ArmInfo
2009-11-11 19:01:00

ArmInfo. Unlike the Armenian National Congress (ANC), which
has presented political arguments against the signing of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols, the other objecting parties (ARFD,
Ramkavar-Azatakan, Heritage) have given this problem an ideological
(Hay Dat) implication, which has nothing to do with real politics
and Armenia’s interests, the first president of Armenia Levon
Ter-Petrossyan said at ANC meeting today.

The ANC objects to the terms enabling Turkey to set up a committee
of historians and to link its rapprochement with Armenia with the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. The other parties have more objections:
particularly, they mention the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by Turkey, the historical rights of the Armenian people, the material
compensation claims of western Armenians. They accuse the ANC of
passivity and lack of principles but in fact they have ignored the
key threat of the protocols: the committee of historians. By their
irrational claims they have unwillingly helped Presient Serzh Sargsyan
to raise his international image.

Even though Sargsyan faced personal humiliation during his Pan-Armenian
tour, the nationalist hysteria helped him to improve his positions on
the international arena and to appear as a pragmatic and decisive
politician, who can take courageous steps for the sake of his
principles. No coincidence that after the signing of the protocols
he was proclaimed as "European of the Week." Now he is just one step
away from the Nobel Prize and everybody knows what this step implies.

As regards ARFD’s protest against the recognition of the border,
Ter-Petrossyan stressed that this party has no right to raise
such a question as in its time ARFD itself concluded the Treaty of
Alexandropol stipulating the current state of the border. "It is unfair
to blame Serzh Sargsyan for the sins he did not commit. It was not
Sargsyan but ARFD and Bolsheviks that recognized the Armenian-Turkish
border, it was not Sargsyan but Robert Kocharyan that renounced the
territorial claims. It was not Sargsyan but Robert Kocharyan and Vartan
Oskanian that demanded recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey
and instead received a proposal to set up a commission of historians,
it was not Sargsyan but Kocharyan, Oskanian and Arkady Ghukasyan
that ousted Nagorno-Karabakh from the peace process. Sargsyan also
"inherited" the Madrid Principles from Kocharyan",- Ter-Petrossyan
said. According to him, in these issues Sargsyan is as guilty as the
rest of the forces that backed up Kocharyan during his rule and are
now trying to act as opposition thereby avoiding responsibility.

SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN STRATEGIC COOPERATION IS NOT A TEMPORARY POLITICAL STATE OF AFFAIRS, BUT REFLECTION OF NATURAL SITUATION IN THE TWO COUNTRIES’ RELATIONS

ArmInfo
2009-11-11 18:50:00

ArmInfo. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan participated in the
ribbon-cutting ceremony of Armenian Cultura Center in Kaliningrad
region of Russia.

ArmInfo correspondent reports from Kaliningrad that Governor of
Kaliningrad region Georgy Boos, Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan, Armenian Agriculture Minister Gerasim Alaverdyan and Mayor
of Yerevan Gagik Beglaryan also attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Armenian president made a speech before the Armenian Diaspora
representatives. "I am glad to be in Kaliningrad, especially taking
into account such an important event as the opening of the Armenian
Cultural Center. Creation of such a center shows that strategic
cooperation between Armenia and Russia is not a temporary political
state of affairs and not a mercantile intention, but reflection of
the natural situation in the mutual relations between our states
and two peoples",- Sargsyan stressed and added that only by means
of direct communication it is possible to make everyone understand
the extremely important postulate repeated during the meetings with
Armenian Diaspora for many times: "If you want to be a good Armenian,
be a worthy citizen of the country you live in".

S.Sargsyan thanked the Russian leadership in the person of President
Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for the support in
implementation of such undertakings as creation of Armenian cultural
spiritual centers in Russia. Sargsyan thanked Governor of Kaliningrad
region Georgy Boos for the consistency in his actions and development
of ties between Armenia and Kaliningrad region. The president expressed
hope that Boos will shortly visit Armenia, and they will sum up the
results of the work done in 2009 and outline the new plans.

The president also thanked Honorary Consul of Armenia to Kaliningrad
region, Director General of "Lukoil", Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the Armenian Regional National Cultural Autonomy Yuri
Khojoyan. "Not everyone can build a church – a spiritual cultural
center. This is not a matter of money, a lot of people have huge
resources but don’t do that",- Sargsyan said.

To note, the president brought for the new center collected books
and art albums published in Armenia over the past two years. Serzh
Sargsyan instructed the Armenian ministers of Culture and Diaspora
to take this center under their patronage.

To recall, this is the president’s third visit to the regions of
Russia. Earlier Sargsyan visited Orenburg and Rostov.

To note, today Serzh Sargsyan laid wreaths at the Armenian khachkar
(cross-stone). On behalf of Governor of Kaliningrad region Georgy Boos,
an official dinner party will be given in the Armenian president’s
honor. Nov 11 evening the Armenian delegation headed by Serzh Sargsyan
will return to Yerevan.

LUKASHENKO: THE KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD BE SOLVED BY THE PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

armradio.am
11.11.2009 14:05

The Nagorno Karabakh issue should be solved by the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenoko
said in an exclusive interview with Trend News. "I have always told the
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia that this problem should be solved
by the two Presidents. One should not rely on any intermediaries,
although there is the OSCE Minsk Group. If Minsk as the center of this
group can contribute to resolution of the conflict, we will be happy
to do it. But only the two presidents can solve this issue," he said.

According to the President of Belarus, the involvement of
intermediaries may be good, but it binds the opinions of the third,
fourth and fifth parties. "Everyone will try to build a policy for
itself. If I reason correctly and you agree with this, then you must
agree upon the fact that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
can solve this problem. How to solve? First of all, it should take
place based on interests of people residing there. They cannot live
in such situation and conditions. Smart people will always find a
way to resolve it, or at least, they must find."

"Therefore, we support the process in the direction that this issue
should be resolved by the two countries, two presidents and two
peoples. Sit down, be determined and resolve. And people will always
be grateful for it," Lukashenko said.

RESULTS OF GRENSHAN 2009 FONT CONTEST SUMMED UP

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.11.2009 16:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Grenshan 2009" international font contest was
held this year for the second time. Armenia participated in contest
in 6 nominations – "Armenian Typewriter", "Armenian Textbook Font",
"Latin Typewriter", "Cyrillic Typewriter" and "Freestyle Font". Prize
winner in contest was Edik Gabuzyan, Head of the Font Development
and Maintenance Department at National Book Chamber.

Contest is aimed at developing Armenian electronic fonts and achieving
their recognition on international level.

This year’s contest attracted 54 applications from 12 countries,
including Armenia, Great Britain, Germany, United States, Mexico,
Equator etc. All works, except those submitted for "Freestyle Font"
nomination, conformed to the standards established by RA Government.

"It’s very appreciable for us that Rowan Casto from Equator and Iko
Miller from Germany submitted Armenian alphabet fonts. That testifies
not only to interest in our alphabet and language but also increasing
international recognition of ‘Granshan’ contest," Edik Gabuzyan said.

"Arial, Times and other fonts used currently cannot be considered
Armenian as they are based upon the Latin alphabet. The contest marked
the start of using the huge reserve of purely Armenian fonts," said
one of contest winners Ara Baghdasaryan, Head of Graphic Art Chair
at RA Academy of Arts.

To use Armenian fonts on the Internet, it is necessary to obtain
consent from several international companies, with Microsoft being
the first. Armenia is currently negotiating with the company, Edik
Gabuzyan said.

IPHONE VS. BLACKBERRY: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN ARMENIA’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET

Tert
Nov 11 2009
Armenia

The competition between telecommunications operators in Armenia in
providing mobile and internet services might expand into the cell
phone product market beginning as early as next year.

The level of permeability in Armenia’s mobile communications market
is 80%, forcing telecommunications operators to come up with new
solutions in retaining and attracting customers.

For instance, Armenia’s newest telecommunications operator, Orange
Armenia, announced that it will be the official supplier of the iPhone
in Armenia. This means that after some time, those phones will become
available for customers for a cheaper price in the marketplace,
of course on the condition that those individuals buying the phone
become their customer by signing onto their plans.

Already Orange Armenia has begun to sell mobile phones that are cheaper
than the market price to its customers. The company, it turns out,
has exclusive contracts with a number of mobile phone manufacturers.

It’s no surprise then that iPhone’s competitor, Blackberry, will be
represented by VivaCell-MTS in the Armenian market. MTS has already
begun to sell these smartphones to individual customers in the
Russian marketplace.

In Russia, for instance, MTS sells the Blackberry Curve 8520 smartphone
for around $440 USD — about $100 USD cheaper than the price offered by
(other) retailers. Customers who purchase the Blackberry Curve 8520
receive other free services provided by MTS.

Russia’s VimpelCom (ArmenTel’s sole proprietor) sells Blackberry
phones in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and it’s not entirely unlikely
that those will be offered in Armenia as well.

Thus, the competition in the telecommunications market in Armenia
could, quite soon, move to the retail sector. As for what effect this
will have on importers of these products, only time will tell.

V. KHACHATRYAN: "NO MOTIVATIONS FOUND"

Aysor
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

The Armenian authorities present a non existing budget, today said
the ANC representative former Mayor of Yerevan Vahagn Khachatryan,
on the press conference.

"You can call it whatever you want but not a budget", – the speaker
said adding that many important motivations are absent from the
budget project.

"For example there are no explanations how they are going to make
Armenia tourism center, Dilijan financial center, and Gyumri a
techno-park", – mentioned he.

According to the speaker there is a basis only for the two projects
the future of which he finds unrealistic too. It is Armenia – Iran
railway and the North – South highway.

"Unfortunately the Armenian – Iranian railway project can not come true
because of the political and economic reasons. I have doubts concerning
the North – South highway as I think it will also not come true,
as the geographical conditions will not allow making contributions
in the project to make it come true", – mentioned Vahagn Khachatryan
mentioned and added that the economy of Armenia can find the solution
being in the middle of these two programs.

EQUIPMENT DELIVERY TO HRAZDAN-5 TO FINISH BY YEAR END

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2009 17:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the frameworks of Hrazdan-5 project, energy bloc
under reconstruction is being supplied with technological equipment,
including GT13E2 Alstom equipment set (total weight: about 1350 tons)
for gas turbine and 4 equipment settings for main power transformers,
ArmRosgazprom CJSC’s press service reports.

Equipment delivery is to finish early in December. Delivery of 400
Mwt power transformer (260 tons) and 5.3 Mwt gas turbine transformer
is expected between November 25 and 29, 2009, and the second stage
of delivery of gas turbine supplies is to finish by December 10.

Shipping is carried out by SCR CJSC and its specialized subcontractor
Rail Gas Service on competitive bases. Supplies are delivered to Batumi
port (Georgia) by special sea vessels and then moved to Hrazdan-5
construction site by railway transportation means and automobiles.

Work on creation of a School of Restoration in Armenia to start in 2010

2009-11-07 16:14:00

ArmInfo. The work on creation of a School of Restoration in Armenia
will start in 2010.

Armenian Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan said at today’s
press-conference that Italy has already officially confirmed its
willingness to provide its support in this matter. France is expected
to join this project in 2010.

Poghosyan said that today it is necessary to pay much attention to
training of a new generation of specialists who will not yield to
their foreign colleagues in this respect. The best pupils of the
School will receive an opportunity to be retrained in Italy. The
project on creation of the School of Restoration will be implemented
within 2 years.