Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

PAPA IS COMING. GREET HIM!
S. Haroutyunyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

Judging by all, ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has decided to
start the return match of the Armenian pan-National movement with
the knight’s move. That’s to say, to do something that might be least
expected within the frames of political logic.

First, the great dumb unexpectedly broke his oath of silence,
announcing that he had not made up his mind to nominate his candidacy,
since he "saw" the solution to all the problems but hadn’t yet
revealed the solution to the greatest problem, the Karabakh issue,
which is the only impediment to Armenia’s development.

However, a few days later he moved his knight again, at least with
regard to the Karabakh issue, although there were no changes in this
process. Faithful to the slogan saying, "There are neither eternal
enemies nor eternal friends; there are eternal interests", he turned
to Dashnaktsutyun and asked Hrant Markaryan, member of the ARFD Bureau
for a meeting. And he agreed to remain comply with the rules of a
"civilized campaign": speak about his own programs and approaches,
instead of washing dirty linen in public.

Thus, Mr. Ter-Petrosyan killed two birds with one stone.

First, he stated that he had made up his mind to urgently nominate
his candidacy, setting aside his torments of "studying, weighting
and examining" the things because this was something dictated by the
political interest.

At the same time, he disagreed (at least tried to disagree) with the
opinion expressed by Robert Kocharyan and the overwhelming majority of
the politicians that by returning to "active politics" Ter-Petrosyan
would become an ordinary activist with all the consequences deriving
thereof. Agree that the considerations of political expediency wouldn’t
make any ordinary activist go and squeeze hands with the leaders
of a traditional party that suffered the greatest losses a result
of the "democratic freedoms" granted by the Armenian pan-National
Movement. And this happened in a situation when he had accused that
party of keeping "terrorist structures" inside and outside Armenia and,
what’s more – orchestrating Genocide against the Western Armenians.

Third, the ex-President appeared to public as the "papa of the nation";
a broad-minded political figure devoid of complexes. And despite
having a most serious problem with one of his sons, he is not vengeful;
he is ready to "forgive" and even remit the sins of the errant.

Fourth, he was granted a political "indulgence" for his own sins, thus
deserving the benediction of Dashnaktsutyun, the sworn ideological
rival, in order to stand in peer-to-peer competition with the
political factions not accused of disorganizing and dismantling
a country that used to be prosperous and requesting the people’s
consent to sell Karabakh.

Fifth, he succeeded in his commitment to breed hostility between
Dashnaktsutyun and RPA, since it is quite possible that the
"Republican" will, nonetheless, be jealous of the political maneuvers
of its former ally which has signed a partial cooperation agreement
with the coalition.

In short, it is possible to state that at the current stage of the
official campaign Levon Ter-Petrosyan managed to settle the problems
he was faced with.

In such situation the following question comes up: what did
Dashnaktsutyun gain, apart from the golden opportunity of publicizing
its approaches on a "civilized debate"? It isn’t as if it had never
been deprived of such opportunity.

KAREKIN II LEAVES ON PONTIFICAL VISIT

A1+
[08:03 pm] 01 October, 2007

His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians left for the United States on a pontifical visit.

Karekin II will visit the Western Diocese from September 30 to
October 3. He will preside over the celebrations dedicated to the
80th anniversary of the Diocese.

The Armenian Pontiff will also consecrate the Main Altar of the newly
constructed St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Pasadena, and preside
over the inauguration ceremony of the Daghlian Cultural Center of
the Armenian community of Hollywood at the St. John Armenian Church.

The Catholicos of All Armenians will visit the Eastern Diocese from
October 3 to November 2. During this pontifical visit His Holiness
will visit different Armenian communities and parishes throughout the
Eastern United States. Karekin II will meet with the Parish Leadership
and Youth Groups. Additionally, he will hold meetings with various
ecumenical and inter-church organizations and individuals, government
heads and officials.

This is the Catholocos’s second visit to the U.S. Eastern Diocese.

Episcopal News Service, NY
Sept 29 2007

Anglican Peace and Justice Network meets in Rwanda, Burundi

Conflict transformation focus of nine-day gathering
September 29, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] Hosted by the Anglican Provinces of Rwanda
and Burundi, the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN) began its
triennial meeting September 25 in Kigali, Rwanda, with a welcome from
Rwandese Archbishop Emmanuel Mbona Kolini, who greeted the
representatives from 17 provinces (list below) of the Anglican
Communion, many of them from conflict regions.
The meeting, which concludes October 3 in Bujumbura, Burundi, is
focusing on conflict transformation and exploring the role of
violence in societies throughout the world. Bishop Pie Ntukamazina of
the Diocese of Bujumbura is host to the Network and a leader of its
steering committee. Dr. Jenny Te Paa of Aotearoa, New Zealand and
Polynesia is the Network’s convener.

In his welcome address, Kolini told the APJN members that their
gathering "is a sacramental moment," noting that such a group of
international visitors recalls memories of "Rwanda of 1994, a time
when the world abandoned us." From April-June of that year more than
800,000 Rwandans were slaughtered in what was later acknowledged as a
genocide. Citing Genesis 12:2-3, Kolini read of God’s call to Abraham
to be a blessing to the nations, and asked how the Church and
individuals can now be a blessing to the earth in the wake horrific
acts against humanity by other human beings.

He noted that Rwanda is 90 percent Christian, and that the genocide
occurred amidst a failure of the Church to prevent it. "How could
this genocide have happened?" he asked. "It is easy to be religious,
but very difficult to be the people of God. What went wrong was a
problem of the soul. The Lord is calling us to be a blessing." The
Archbishop then offered a blessing over the APJN participants.

The members visited the Rwandan genocide museum with its graphic
depictions of the 1994 massacres. The museum also features reminders
of other genocides, including the Holocaust, Armenian, Balkan and
Namibian tragedies from the 20th century. The group visited a
Catholic Church where 5,000 people were slaughtered after taking
refuge. The site now serves as a sober memorial to the dead.

The Network also met with a group from the International Anglican
Women’s Network, made up primarily of women from the Great Lakes
region of Africa under the leadership of Priscilla Julie of the
Seychelles. Two women survivors of the genocide shared moving
accounts of their experiences. One woman recounted being hacked by a
machete and lying amidst bodies all night only to be kicked by her
victimizers the next day to make sure she was dead. Assistant Bishop
Micah Dawidi of Juba, Sudan, led a prayer for the two women before
Kolini offered a spontaneous reflection.

"For justice to be done in Rwanda, two things are required:
repentance and forgiveness," said Kolini. "There must be both, but,
up to now, there has not been enough repentance. We have a long way
to go." He also returned to the failure of the Church as well as the
United Nations, the colonial history of the country and Rwandans
themselves. "The Church must confess its sins first," he said. "Hope
begins there."

The Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, director of Peace and Justice
Ministries for the Episcopal Church, and long-time APJN secretary,
said: "Archbishop Kolini could not have been more gracious and
welcoming. He guided us through a very difficult experience in his
country with sensitivity and compassion."

Te Paa also expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the APJN to
Kolini and his diocesan staff for their "abundant hospitality." She
noted the importance of the two networks working cooperatively "on
the critical issues of God’s mission in the world" and joined her
voice with the women present giving thanks to those church leaders
"who are giving urgent and justified priority at this time in the
life of the Communion to the needs of those who are suffering so
disproprotionately in God’s world."

Provinces represented at the APJN gathering include: Aotearoa, New
Zealand & Polynesia, Burundi, Canada, Central America, Congo,
England, Japan, Korea, Malawi, North India, Philippines, Rwanda,
Scotland, Southern Africa, Sudan, Uganda, and the U.S.-based
Episcopal Church.

HALF OF UNEMPLOYED IN ARMENIA PEOPLE WITHIN 35-50 YEARS OLD

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2007

YEREVAN, September 28. /ARKA/. Almost half of the unemployed in Armenia
are people within 35-50 years old, said Consultant of Armenian "Ameria"
Company Karen Martirosyan, when presenting the results of the research
on the country’s labor market.

"According to the Company’s research, people within 35-50 years old
are 51% of citizens who have the status of unemployed. 55.7% fell to
citizens of this age who have been looking for job over 3 years, 33.5%
– disabled, and 31.7% – people who look for work for the first time,"
he said.

Martirosyan said that the research was conducted in seven so-called
risk groups that these people belong to: those who seek work for the
first time, disabled people, previous prisoners, demobilized from army,
children that reached labor age and are left without parents’ care,
people who have the status of unemployed over 3 years, unemployed,
registered in the territorial employment centers.

According to the data provided by Martirosyan, 45.9% of citizens
involved in risk groups had secondary education, 28.7% – specialized
secondary education, 12.6% – higher education, 0.1% – scientific
degree, 2.1% – had no education.

"17.5% of citizens of the risk group have working experience of 10-15
years, 16.3% – 15-20 years, 15.4% – 5-10 years, 14.2% – 20-25 years.

The majority were citizens with the working experience 30-35 years
(5.6%), another 5.5% – over 35 years," the expert said.

According to the Armenian National Statistical Service, the
average number of unemployed in Armenia was 84,900 people (7.3%)
in January-August.

The research of "Ameria" was conducted in February-March 2007
in Yerevan and all the regions of Armenia. 1,200 citizens, 520
organizations and 25 experts participated in the survey.

"Ameria" is a group of companies providing complex professional
services. It specializes in four main sectors of professional activity:
consulting management, audit, bookkeeping and tax consulting, legal
consulting, investment-banking services.

The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected]
Website:

September 27, 2007

NCI Looks at the Influence of Foreign Films

Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a
public hearing to examine the growing presence of dubbed foreign
movies in Armenia. The meeting brought together movie actors, theatric
performers, men and women of the arts and letters, social activists,
leading analysts, government officials, MPs, and media
representatives.

NCI associate Davit Hakobian welcomed the audience with opening
remarks. "Since the dubbing of foreign films into Armenian is a
societal demand and a fact, a comprehensive discussion of this matter
becomes all the more imperative," he said.

In his intervention, film critic Zaven Boyajian focused on the
negative and positive aspects of dubbing motion pictures into
Armenian. In his view, the practice of dubbing has not yet taken shape
in Armenia, but this gap is being filled–and at least an attempt is
being made–by the television companies and H1 public television in
particular. According to Boyajian, H1 is now dubbing all foreign
movies into Armenian and thus is breaking the stereotypes left behind
>From the Soviet era when only Russian-language dubbing was deemed
acceptable. The speaker also emphasized that the dubbing process is a
chain of sequences, and if any one of the sequences is faulty it will
be impossible to receive a good-quality product. "Personally, I am
against dubbing because such intrusion into a work of art damages its
integral structure," he argued. This notwithstanding, Boyajian also
considered the dubbing of movies into Armenian a necessity since a
large cross-section of the population prefers to view foreign motion
pictures, including poor-quality and second-rate productions. In
Boyajian’s firm belief, an unsophisticated language is used in dubbed
films and its root cause is the lack of professional translators.

In her turn, NCI colleague Voskehat Isakhanian spoke about the impact
which the dubbing of foreign films has on Armenian culture. She
expressed a deep concern specifically with respect to the poor-quality
dubbing of such movies which, in her view, are for the most part alien
to the traditional Armenian mindset. According to Isakhanian, these
motion pictures depict events and practices that are unacceptable for
the Armenian people and could be detrimental to the education of the
young generation. "Aside from the simplistic scenarios, improper and
vulgar language has likewise become an ordinary thing nowadays," she
maintained. On the other hand, Isakhanian noted that films such as
"Carlito’s Way," "Julius Caesar," "The Youngest Godfather," and
"Spartacus" are productions of great family value.

The remainder of the session was dedicated to an exchange of views and
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were interventions by Heritage MP Stepan
Safarian; prominent actors Karen Janibekian, Varuzhan Manukian, Arthur
Karapetian, Luiza Ghambarian, and Satenik Hakhnazarian; director and
producer Haik Ordian; NCI coordinator Hovsep Khurshudian; film critic
Siranush Galstian; journalists Ruzanna Poghosian and Ruzan Zakarian;
NCI media relations director Lilit Sarukhanian; and several others.

Who is thinking about the ethical, social, and psychological
consequences of airing poor-quality films? Are the country’s
authorities prepared to assume responsibility for overcoming the
adverse effects of such movies, perhaps through a program of support
for domestic film production? How can we prevent the apparent retreat
of spiritual values? These were the primary civic concerns expressed
by the roundtable participants during the exchange of opinions and
recommendations.

The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association
founded in December 2001 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign
Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow citizens with
the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall improvements in
the state of the state, society, and public institutions. The National
Citizens’ Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which
includes individual citizens and representatives of various public,
scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law
and State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy,
Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the
vehicles for the Initiative’s work and outreach.

For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected]; or visit

ACCORDING TO ARMEN ASHOTIAN, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS INTERESTED IN PRESERVATION OF STATUS QUO IN NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM
Petrosian Susanna

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 26 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. "Irrespective of international
diplomatic developments proceeding around the Nagorno Karabakh problem,
we should state that the whole international activity is aimed at
not settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as it is declared
publicly, but at giving an international status, recognition to already
settled problem." Armen Ashotian, a member of the RA National Assembly
RPA faction, stated at a discussion dedicated to regional problems.

According to him, the international community has finally realized that
all possible plans of NKR’s return under Azerbaijan’s jurisdiction have
no prospects. A. Ashotian said that the international process around
Nagorno Karabakh is aimed at preservation of the current NKR status:
"all roads lead to status quo."

According to him, there are several preconditions for such an approach:
necessity of "peaceful co-existence" of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and a number of energy projects, first of all Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline, absence of new regional megaprojects, NKR’s being secondary
as a bridgehead in case of possible operations against Iran, the
circumstance of being intercommunicated with neighboring regions.

It should be mentioned that the discussion was organized by the
Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation and the
Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

ALL RUSSIA MAIN AIRPORTS READY TO RECEIVE SUPERJET-100-IVANOV

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
September 26, 2007 Wednesday

Russian First Vice Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov told journalists after
a presentation of the new plane Sukhoi Superjet-100 here on Wednesday
that all main Russian airports are ready to receive the plane.

"All main airports of Russia are ready to receive such a plane
even now," the first vice prime minister said. He added that the
national transport strategy envisages reconstruction of certain
regional runways.

"Indeed, it is necessary to reconstruct some runways. Funds for this
have been allocated and such work is underway," Ivanov indicated.

The Sukhoi Superjet-100 plane is to replace the outdated Tu-134 and
Tu-154 planes on Russian short and medium-range routes and enter the
world market.

Ivanov held a meeting devoted to the progress and prospect for the
Sukhoi Superjet-100 project implementation. The airliner was wheeled
out of the shops of the plant where the jet will be assembled. It
was a presentation of the first readymade aircraft before flight tests.

The first vice prime minister said earlier the tests will be carried
out in two-three weeks.

There are already 73 confirmed orders for this plane – Russian
companies have placed 61 orders and foreign – 12. Aeroflot – Russian
Airlines was the first company to order the new plane – in 2005 it
concluded a contract for 30 planes. The financial leasing company
ordered 10 liners, AirUnion Alliance – 15, Dalavia – six, ItAli
(Italy) – 10 and Armenia’s Armavia ordered two planes.

Ivanov said earlier that the "Sukhoi Superjet-100 project is a
matter practically of state importance, because with the creation of
such planes the country will be able to a large extent liquidate its
transport inequality." According to him, first of all it will be done
in the Far East region.

The beginning of the plane supply to customers is expected in late
2008. A total of nine planes will be assembled next year, in 2009 –
30 and in 2010 – 60 planes, after which the annual output will reach
70 aircraft.

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin assesses the cost of the new
plane at 25 million dollars, which is by 15 percent lower the cost of
the main competitor of Sukhoi Corporation on the market of regional
planes – Embraer.

Among plane’s unique characteristics for civil planes is its service
life of 70,000 hours with the average world indicator of 30,000
hours. The project is being implemented in cooperation with Italian
companies and with Boeing Corporation.

LUJKOV DISSATISFIED WITH PROGRESS OF TRADE RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

Panorama.am
21:27 26/09/2007

Moscow mayor Yuri Lujkov is satisfied in general with the state of
relations with Armenia, but sees unused resources in their trade
relations. This information was relayed by the prime minister’s
office as to announcements made at the meeting between Lujkov and
Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan.

"When one goes to Yerevan and sees the products being produced,
he understands that there could be great demand for these products,
including in the city of Moscow," the mayor of Moscow stated. He said
that the current situation had to change. To achieve better results,
he said, a wholesale trade center should be established. Lujkov
informed the Armenian prime minister that the city of Moscow is now
studying the issue of migration, especially those arriving in Russia
from other countries and searching for employment, and their everyday
concerns such as living accommodations and similar issues.

Prime Minister Sarsyan assuredly announced that the "2005-2007 program
for cooperation between ruling bodies of Yerevan and Moscow" will
improve relations between the two cities, raising relations to a new
level, while also placing importance on a 2008-2011 program between
the cities.

We remind that the official visit of the delegation led by the prime
minister ends today.

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme Armenia
Community Development Project
14 Petros Adamyan Str., Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Contact: Zara Amatuni
Tel: 374-10-56-60-73
Fax: 374-10-54-38-11
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

September 26, 2007

*Gas Network Construction Project Completed in Rural Community of
**Kornidzor, **Syunik marz*

*Yerevan**. Armenia. *On September 22, 2007, the United Nations
Development Programme Armenia (UNDP) jointly with the International Fund
of Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Kornidzor community of Syunik
marz officially marked the completion of the project on construction of
a gas main and an intra-community gas network. Owing to the project the
population of Kornidzor which makes over 200 households has been
provided with the natural gas. The ceremony was attended by RA Prime
Minister Serzh Sargsyan, RA Minister of Agriculture Davit Lokyan, UNDP
Deputy Resident Representative Alexander Avanessov, IFAD Armenia Project
Director Gagik Matevosyan, Syunik marz Governor Suren Khachatryan,
Kornidzor Mayor Suren Simonyan as well as representatives of IFAD, UNDP
and the community.

The newly built low-pressure gas network is 8.3 kilometers long and
covers the entire territory of the community which never had gas before.
IFAD has carried out laying of a 4-kilometer gas main from neighboring
Tegh village to Kornidzor.

This economic infrastructure rehabilitation project has been identified
as a priority in the 2006-2008 integrated development plan elaborated
and approved by the Kornidzor community with overall guidance and
assistance from UNDP Armenia. The intra-community gas network
construction has been co-sponsored by UNDP and the Municipality of
Kornidzor having made 90% and 10% of the total project cost accordingly.

/UNDP is the UN’s global development network. It advocates for change
and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help
people build a better life. We operate in 166 countries, working with
them on their own solutions to global and national development
challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of
UNDP and our wide range of partners.///

IRAN, ARMENIA HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING TIES: MP

Mehr News Agency, Iran
Sept 25 2007

TEHRAN, Sept. 25 (MNA) – Iran and Armenia have many potentials for
expanding relations, Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy
Committee Chairman Ala’edin Boroujerdi said here in a meeting with
the Armenian ambassador on Tuesday.

Boroujerdi and Armenian Ambassador Garin Nazarian insisted on an
all-out expansion and consolidation of relations between the two
countries.

"Deepening parliamentary ties would have a major role in strengthening
bilateral ties in all fields," Boroujerdi stated.

The Armenian ambassador emphasized Armenia’s determination for
strengthening relations with Iran.

In order to strengthen bilateral ties, the Armenian parliament has
formed an Iran-Armenia parliamentary friendship group, he stated.

Garin Nazarian said the Armenians living in Iran could be "a bridge"
for mutual relations.

The Armenian ambassador also delivered the message of the Armenian
parliament speaker to his Iranian counterpart Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel,
stating that the Armenian parliament is ready to enhance parliamentary
ties with Iran.