Author: Zaminian Bedik

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL FORMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE MAINLY SPREAD IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Jul 02 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. All forms of violence exist in Armenian
families, but its phychological and physical forms are mainly
spread. Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed about it by Arusyak
Avagian, the Vice-Chairwoman of the Armenian Maternity Fund. She
added that cases of economic violence are also registered lately
(for instance, when the husband does not give money to his wife). In
her words, the "victims" of family violence in Armenia in most cases
do not wish to speak about that.

More than 1000 people have applied to the Huys (Hope) crisis center
so far.

The center was created in 2002 on the initiative of the fund and for
the purpose of assisting those who suffered from family violence. The
latters have received psychological, legal, medical and social
assistance at the center.

In the words of the fund’s Vice-Chairwoman, a Mother and Child house
also functions attached to the fund. It gives shelter to those who
suffered from family violence. That house is intended for settling
12 people for 2-3 months’ term. In A. Avagian’s words, currently
the Mother and Child house does not work due to serious financial
problems. At the same time, she said that it is envisaged to provide
money to the center by the 2010 mid-term program of the RA government.

REPRESENTATIVES OF ROSATOM VISIT YEREVAN

arminfo
2007-06-29 20:17:00

Today Armenian Ecology Minister Aram Haroutyunyan met with Deputy
Director of All-Russian Research Institute of Technical Physics of
the Federal Agency for Nuclear Energy of Russia Haroutyun Pogossyan
and Deputy Director of Techsnabexport company Vladimir Servetnik.

The Ecology Ministry of Armenia reports that the guests presented
their plan of action for 2007 under the agreement on uranium deposit
development in Armenia. Techsnabexport exports products and services
produced by Rosatom companies and imports modern technologies and
medical and other equipment.

That company provides full range of products and services of the
nuclear fuel cycle.

The Ministry does not give the details of the talks. They just say
that the cooperation is developing according to the schedule.

To remind, during the recent visit of head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko
to Armenia the Armenian authorities expressed wish to take part in the
international uranium enrichment center project in Angarsk. Kiriyenko
said that Armenia may have 1.5-2 times more uranium than reported
during the Soviet times. The country’s confirmed reserves total
60,000 tons. Meanwhile, the Russian side is ready to invest in uranium
prospecting as much as necessary. Uranium mining in Armenia will be
started in 2008. The Russian side is also ready to take part in the
constitution of a new NPP in Armenia.

BILL ON MAKING AMENDMENTS TO RA LAW ON "TELEVISION AND RADIO" ADOPTED BY FIRST READING

Noyan Tapa
Jul 2, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly adopted the
parcel of bills on making amendments and addenda to the RA Law on
Television and Radio with 79 "for", 16 "against", and 1 "abstaining"
votes at the special session held on June 29.

According to this parcel of bills, the activities of other broadcasting
organizations are unequivocally prohibited by the channels of Public
Television. A state duty of 70 thousand drams (about 200 U.S. dollars)
is defined for each broadcast of the programs of the national editorial
staff and service of foreign mass media by the television and radio
company operating in the RA territory.

Zharangutiun (Heritage), Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) factions,
as well as independent MPs, non-party Khachatur Sukiasian and Viktor
Dalakian, and Martun Grigorian, a member of Dashink (Alliance) party,
voted against this parcel of bills. Davit Haroutiunian, a member of
the RPA, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on state-legal
issues, and the former MInister of Justice, abstained from voting.

During the session the National Assembly also adopted three bills
discussed during the last three days by the first reading. These
three bills envisage to make amendments and addenda to the RA Laws on
"Simplified Tax", "Internatinal Treaties", and "The 2007 State Budget."

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND SLOVAKIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY’S STATE SECRETARY
ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO POSSIBILITY OF ARMENIA’S USING SLOVAKIAN
EXPERIENCE OF MEMBERSHIP TO EU

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Foreign Minister, Vardan
Oskanian, on June 29, received the delegation led by the State
Secretary of the Slovakian Foreign Ministry, Olga Algaerova, being in
Armenia on the occasion of the opening of the Slovakian Consulate of
Honor.

During the meeting, the sides touched upon Armenian-Slovakian bilateral
relations mentioning the necessity to develop bilateral political
dialogue, as well as activization of economic relations and expansion
of economic cooperation. Both sides attached importance to the
possibility to use Slovakia’s experience of membership to EU.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, the interlocutors also discussed the
possibilities of bilateral cooperation with Slovakia within the
framework of the joint Actions Plan attaching importance to the
necessity of elaboration of concrete programs.

RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSES IN FIRST READING BILL ON AMENDMENTS AND
ADDITIONS TO LAW ON 2007 STATE BUDGET

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN. At the June 29 special session, the RA
National Assermbly passed in first reading the bill on making
amendments and additions to the RA Law on the 2007 State Budget.
According to the bill, the total sums of revenues and expenditures
determined by the current law will be increased by 25 billion drams.

The government explains the necessity for the indicated amendment by
the revision of some main macroeconomic indices on economic growth in
2007. By new forecasts, in 2007, real GDP growth will make about 11% or
by 2% more than the forecast index, while its nominal value will make
3,076.5 bln drams or by 58.1 bln drams more than the forecast index.

By the government’s estimates, in 2007 the total programmed amount of
tax revenues and state duties of the state budget will make 467.7 bln
drams or by 8.9 bln drams more than the forecast index. Besides, the
government expects some extra budgetary revenues in the amount of about
15.8 bln drams from alienation of lands representing state property in
Yerevan – against 4 bln drams envisaged by the 2007 state budget.

As a result, the total programmed amount of the 2007 state budgetary
revenues will increase by 5.1% and make 515.2 bln drams or 16.7% of
GDP. The total programed amount of expenditures will make 583.7 bln
drams or 19% of GDP. The extra budgetary revenues will be distributed
as follows: current expenditures will increase by 19.1 bln drams,
capital expenditures – by 5.2 bln drams, net crediting will grow by 0.7
bln drams.

ARAM Z. SARGSIAN RELIES ON CONSOLIDATION OF OPPOSITION FORCES

Noyan Tapan
Jun 28, 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN. "I am an active supporter of the
opposition parties running for the presidential elections with a common
candidate: thanks to this consolidation we will manage to change the
regime, which becomes stronger and stronger day by day and is based
on arbitrariness," Aram Sargsian, the Chairman of the Hanrapetutiun
(Republic) party and the ex-Prime Minister of Armenia, stated in his
interview to a Noyan Tapan correspondent.

In his words, the consolidation of the opposition, in its turn, will
contribute to the maximum participation of the people in political
processes, which is the only possibility to achieve changes in the
country.

"I have been in power and I am well-aware of its resources and, in
particular, of the fact that it is always possible to struggle and
to defeat democracy with brute force, if the authorities so wish,"
A. Sargsian stated.

In his opinion, the participation of a great number of people in
political actions will make those giving orders to use force think.

At the same time, as the Hanrapetutiun party’s leader said, the whole
opposition field cannot unite, as some opposition candidates have
already declared their intention to run for the presidential elections.

Aram Sargsian said that political consultations about nominating a
common candidate are being held at present with participation of a
number of opposition parties. "These are, in particular, parties,
the leaders of which have not declared yet their being candidates
for presidency, and at the same time, these political forces take a
serious part and seriously influence the political processes."

A. Sargsian emphasized that Armenian society attaches the most
importance to the presidential elections considering that the
situation in the country can change thanks to this or that
personality. "Our society does not attach a special importance
either to the parliamentary or the local self-government elections
considering these bodies adjunct of executive power and, unfortunately,
this corresponds to reality."

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
June 28, 2007
Contact: Dzovak Kazandjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

MAHTESIAN PROVIDES INSIGHTS ON 110th CONGRESS;
2008 ELECTIONS TO ANCA LEO SARKISIAN INTERNS

— Editor of "Almanac of American Politics" Speaks
as Part of ANCA Summer Lecture Series

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
interns got an insider’s view of the 110th Congress and 2008
election prospects this week, as Charles Mahtesian, Esq., the
highly regarded editor of the "Almanac of American Politics",
joined the team of summer lecturers for the ANCA’s "Leo Sarkisian"
internship program.

Mahtesian discussed the impact of California’s decision to move
their primaries up to February, making the state a front-runner in
the Presidential nomination process. He also addressed Armenian
Genocide legislation before Congress (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106) and
the electoral significance of Armenian American voters in Southern
California and across the nation. More broadly, he provided a
comprehensive overview of the political landscape leading up to the
2008 elections.

"The information that Charlie Mahtesian shared with us was
invaluable, and his ability to explain a complex political dynamics
in an easily understandable manner was truly outstanding," said
Christopher Yemenidjian, a summer intern at the ANCA. "I truly
enjoyed listening to him speak, and I look forward to utilizing
what I learned here in Washington when I return home."

Mahtesian is the editor of the "Almanac of American Politics,"
which is often referred to as "the bible of American politics." He
is also a contributing editor to National Journal and Executive
Government magazines.

Prior to joining the Almanac, he spent eight years as a national
correspondent for "Governing" magazine, where he covered state
legislatures, governors, and urban politics. He began his career
reporting on elections and congressional redistricting for
Congressional Quarterly, where he was also a contributing writer to
the reference books, Politics in America and Congressional
Districts in the 1990s.

Mahtesian has served as an election night analyst on National
Public Radio and appeared on numerous radio and television
programs, including NPR’s All Things Considered, C-Span’s
Washington Journal, and on CNN and the BBC. He has written for a
variety of newspapers, journals, and magazines including The Weekly
Standard, Campaigns and Elections, and Congress Daily. Mahtesian
earned his bachelor’s degree in politics from Catholic University
in Washington D.C. and his J.D. from American University.

The ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, now in its 23rd year, is
an eight week intensive program designed to give student leaders
and activists the tools necessary to effectively advance Armenian
American concerns on campus and in their communities. It is an
integral part of the ANCA Capital Gateway program, a year-round
internship /job placement service which provides Armenian Americans
greater opportunities to explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the
U.S. Foreign Service and key Washington, DC foreign policy think
tanks. To learn more about the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit:
w.php

#####

Photo Caption: 2007 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Interns with Almanac of
American Politics Editor Charles Mahtesian (from l to r): Chris
Yemenidjian, Dzovak Kazandjian, Capital Gateway Program Coordinator
Serouj Aprahamian, Alex Der Alexanian, Alidz Oshagan, Charles
Mahtesian, Esq., Shant Hagopian, Paul Ternamian and Nyree Naljian.

AROMATIC PRESERVES
Laura Compton, W. Blake Gray, Karola Saekel, Amanda Gold, Alex Malamud

San Francisco Chronicle
Wednesday, June 27, 2007

( Discovery ) Aromatic preserves

As the summer approaches with blooming roses and ripening fruits,
their powerful fragrance hangs in the air — and locked in a jar
of Harvest Song preserves. These flavor-packed, potent concoctions
range from Tea-Rose Petal to the award-winning preserves. Harvest
Song’s products are made in the valley of Mount Ararat in Armenia
and imported by a New York-based company that bills the ingredients
as only "sun, seed and soil."

Food and Wine staffers tried the Tea-Rose Petal variety with a creamy
blue cheese; one staff member liked them best "slathered on toast."

The apricot preserves were deemed "not too sweet, with a rich texture,"
and pair nicely with spicy, salty charcuterie and sharp-flavored
cheeses.

And for a sweet breakfast alternative, the apricot preserves taste
quite nice mixed with a tart Greek-style yogurt such as Fage.

Harvest Song Artisanal Preserves are $5.99 for a 10-ounce jar at
Bi-Rite Market (3639 18th St., S.F.), and $7.49 for an 18.9-ounce
jar at Cheese Plus (2001 Polk St.; S.F.) and Sur La Table, various
locations.

IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE HOLDS NEW TRANSIT POSSIBILITIES
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

The Messenger, Georgia
June 28 2007

Armenian Prime Minister Serj Sarkisian says the key aim in building a
second section of the Iran-Armenia natural gas pipeline is to increase
capacity, although it will also open up possibilities for new transit
routes. If transit proposals come, his government will be ready to
implement them, the news agency Regnum reports Sarkisian as saying.

The prime minister’s statement reads as an offer to the Georgian
government, which has long searched for an alternative to Russian
gas supplies.

The official opening ceremony, attended by the Armenian and Iranian
presidents, of the 140 km Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was on March 19
this year. The pipeline’s capacity is 1.1 billion cubic meters a year.

The pipeline, in a political concession to Moscow, is controlled by
ArmRosGazprom, a joint Russian-Armenian energy company.

The company plans to increase capacity by building another 197.4 km
section in Armenia, running from Kajaran to Ararat. USD 149 million
is to be invested in the project.

The completed pipeline, under a 20-year contract, would provide
Armenia with 2.3 billion cubic meters a year of Iranian gas starting
in 2009. In partial compensation for Iran’s building costs, Armenia
will send 3 kilowatts of electricity from its nuclear power plant
for every cubic meter of Iranian gas, writes Regnum.

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Buzand Street, 0010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
162 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900,
New York, NY 10010, USA
Contact: Erin A. Hagopian
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8234
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

Children of Armenia Fund and Armenian Dental Society of California

Bring Back Smiles to Children from Armavir

Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, June 26, 2007 ¾ The Children of
Armenia Fund (COAF) continues to upgrade and expand the healthcare
component of its Comprehensive Rural Development Program in the Model
Cluster of six villages of Armavir District of Armenia. In close
partnership with COAF for more than three consecutive years, the
Armenian Dental Society of California (ADSC) recently completed dental
screening and treatment in the communities of Dalarik, Lernagog,
Myasnikyan and Shenik. Implemented on a cost-share basis, the project
continues to be very productive in terms of preventive care and
considerable number of beneficiaries.

This year, 195 schoolchildren from the Model Cluster villages benefited
from this partnered initiative. In a series of scheduled stops on the
school grounds of each of the mentioned communities, these children were
diagnosed and treated in the mobile dental clinic. The availability of
two experienced dentists, a qualified nurse and up-to-date equipment and
medicine on board of the ADSC mobile clinic enabled quick action and
high-quality performance. A total of 88 boys and 107 girls were
provided with needed screening and treatment.

In the words of Tigranuhi Harutyunyan, a thirteen-year-old student from
Dalarik, "… the doctor’s friendly and caring attitude changed my
discomfort with dentists", she said with a smile. Another student, Aram
Ghazaryan from Lernagog, expressed his delight when he spoke about his
visit with the doctor. "Thanks to the interesting stories the doctor was
telling during the screening and treatment, I hardly noticed how quickly
two hours flew by".

Aside from the children’s satisfaction, the dentists’ professionalism
and caring attitude also impressed their parents. They all unanimously
stated that not a single child left the clinic unhappy. "We are so
grateful to COAF for initiating these important visits, and we are also
very impressed with dentists who brought back smiles to our children,"
said Vardges Azizyan, one of the parents from Myasnikyan. "It is so
convenient to have the dentists come to our village, so we do not have
to take our children elsewhere. We truly appreciate this project and
realize how it makes our lives much easier", he concluded. COAF plans
to continue this partnered program with ADSC.

# # #

The Armenian Dental Society of California (ADSC) was founded in 1993 and
since its inception has undertaken various projects both in the US and
Armenia. One of ADSC’s major undertakings for the past few years has
been its Sponsor a Smile Project. With the aim to address the lack of
access to dental care in Armenia and through the acquisition and
conversion of a bus to a mobile dental clinic, ADSC has been able to
reach out to distant communities in Armenia providing dental care to
thousands of schoolchildren.

Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) was founded in 2000 with the aim to
reduce poverty through the revitalization of rural Armenia and the
realization of projects that are instrumental for the revival of
communities. With the introduction of its novel approach to clustering
in February 2006, COAF is currently implementing the Model Cluster
working in six villages in Baghramyan Region of Armavir District. The
key components of COAF’s Model Cluster project comprise Infrastructure
and Economic Development Programs, and Community Development including
Health, Social and Educational Programs. Since early 2006, besides its
Model Village Karakert, COAF is also working in Argina, Dalarik,
Lernagog, Myasnikyan and Shenik.