Author: Zaminian Bedik

HONORABLE AWARD GRANTED TO MICHEL LEGRAND

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.09.2009 13:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President Serzh Sargsyan granted an honorable
award to the world known composer and pianist Michel Legrand for
significant contribution to world’s musical art.

Yerevan will host joint concert of Michel Legrand and RA State Youth
Orchestra under the guidance of Sergey Smbatyan. Maestro’s spouse,
famous harpist Catherine Michelle and his sister, Christine Legrand,
soprano, ex-soloist of The Swingle Singers popular vocal ensemble,
will also perform at the concert.

ARMENIAN FM: ARMENIA TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN CO-OP WITH CHINA

Xinhua

Sept 14 2009
China

BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) — Armenia is very interested in the
comprehensive development of its friendly relationship with China in
all possible fields, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan said
here Monday in an interview with Xinhua.

"During the negotiations in Beijing, I had a chance to discuss ways
to further strengthen and deepen cooperation in bilateral format and
multilateral frameworks," said Nalbandyan, who was in China for a
five-day official visit.

"The first records about an Armenian presence in China date to the
second century," Nalbandyan said, " In the times of the Great Silk
Road, which passed through Armenia, Armenian merchants were playing
an active role in bridging East and West."

Armenia became independent in 1991 and China was among the first
countries that recognized Armenia’s independence and among the first
ones to open an embassy in Armenia.

"We are proud of our enduring and time-tested friendship," Nalbandyan
said.

He said Armenia and China maintained a high-level political dialogue
at the level of highest leadership. The two countries had similar or
close positions on the international scene.

"Cooperation between the parliaments is also on the rise," he said,
adding there was a solid legal base for bilateral relations.

The two countries implemented many joint economic projects, Nalbandyan
said, noting Chinese companies participated in the modernization and
reconstruction of Armenian energy sector, such as mining, particularly
copper-molybdenum extraction.

In north China’s Shanxi Province, Armenia and China jointly built
a chloroprene rubber producing plant and the construction would be
completed this autumn, he noted.

The absence of direct flights between Armenia and China has had a
certain negative impact on economic relations. Nalbandyan said he
was glad that Armenia’s national air carrier Armavia intended to
establish a direct air connection with China.

Apart from economic cooperation, the two countries cooperated on a
wide range of sectors from education and science to IT, healthcare
and sport.

"Cultural exchanges between us are intensifying, in November Armenia
will host Chinese cultural days, and we are planning to organize
Armenian cultural days in China," he said.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of
China, Nalbandyan conveyed the congratulatory message of the Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan to the Chinese people.

During his visit, Nalbandyan met with Chinese Vice President XiJinping
and had "substantial" and "very productive" discussions with his
Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

TATEV ROPEWAY CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN

Asbarez
atev-ropeway-construction-to-begin/
Sep 14, 2009

YEREVAN (ArmRadio)-The longest rope-way in the world will be built in
Southern Armenia connecting a 5.7km stretch from the Halidzor village
deep into the mountains of the country’s ancient Syunik regin to the
historic Tatev Monastary, the Director of the National Competitiveness
Council, Bekor Papazyan told "Radiolur."

The ropeway, which will operate year-round, is set to significantly
ease travel to the Monastery. An agreement has been signed between
the Armenian National Competitiveness Council and Garaventa Doppelmayr
Swiss Company to construct the ropeway as part of a three-year program
begun in February called the "Rebirth and reconstruction of Tatev."

Located 280 km South of Yerevan, the 9th century monastery is
considered a national treasure and a popular site for tourists. But
access to the monastery, is limited to one windy and highly damaged
25 km road that is for the most part unpaved.

The Tatev reconstruction program will seek to revitalize the monastery
complex and leverage its historical, cultural, and religious value
to help boost Armenia’s tourism industry.

WHAT WILL BE PROVED?

s15142.html
12:20:51 – 11/09/2009

When an Armenian seriously thinks that Turks are idiots, creates
serious grounds to doubt about his seriousness or wisdom. And such
kind of Armenians exists who proceeding from the cult of football
diplomacy do not say directly that Turks are idiots but it is
difficult to think anything else when an Armenian says that we do not
have to be afraid of studying historical facts because they are in our
interest and discussing them with Turks will prove the fact of
genocide.

So these people really think that Turks are so idiots that do not
realize that the facts are in the favor of Armenians and decide to
discuss them without thinking that afterwards they will be forced to
recognize the genocide. Even if the Turks have never thought about it
before, so now when they hear the wise observations of the Armenian
apologists that we Armenians do not need to be afraid of historical
facts, will surely renounce the historical discussion proposed by
them.

But we see that they do not renounce even after hearing all this which
means that they are either completely idiots or we are idiots not to
understand that Turks cannot be idiots and if they propose historical
discussions this means that they have already calculated and clarified
something. And in result of this calculation it maybe found out that
there was not a genocide but just a fight during which Armenians
killed Turks.

And we do not have to be sure about the might of the Armenian
historians. They are of course powerful but not in convincing the
Turks but in washing the brains of the Armenian society. They are able
to convince the Armenian society that a certain person is a hero and
the other one is a betrayer. But the historical discussions with the
Turks will not be held on heroism or betrayals. The discussion will be
based on historical documents which, by the way, the society does not
have, consequently, when an Armenian historian tries to convince an
Armenian citizen that a certain person is a hero, the citizen does not
demand a certification of heroism. And in the discussion with the
Turks no one knows what documents and certifications they are going to
present to the Armenian side: document, the existence of which has
never occurred to the Armenian side because Armenians are led by the
opinion that Turks are idiots. And in this case, Armenians during
discussions with Turks will not prove the fact of genocide but their
own silliness.

HAKOB BADALYAN

ANCA to honor Robert Menendez with Freedom Award
12.09.2009 02:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Eastern Region will be honoring United States Senator Robert Menendez
with its highest honor, the prestigious Freedom Award, at the Third
Annual ANCA Eastern Region Banquet hosted by the Armenian Cultural
Association of America on Oct. 3 in New York City, The Armenian Weekly
reports.

`We are proud to be honoring Senator Menendez,’ said ACAA Board Member
George Aghjayan. `The Senator from New Jersey acted with distinction
when he placed a hold on Richard Hoagland’s nomination and has
repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the Armenian American
community.’

For over 16 years, Menendez has been an ardent advocate of Armenian
American concerns in the state of New Jersey and nationally. From
ensuring that the United States honestly addresses the issue of the
Armenian Genocide to speaking out on the right of self-determination
for the people of Nagorno-Karabagh, Menendez has championed truth,
justice, and the principles of freedom so cherished by the Armenian
American community.

During the 109th Congress (2005-06), Menendez received nationwide
attention after making history by placing a hold on the appointment of
Ambassador designate to the Republic of Armenia, Richard Hoagland.

When asked about his motivation for placing a hold, Menendez stated,
`I believe that the United States, Armenia, and all who are committed
to human rights should support an ambassador to Armenia who recognizes
the genocide that took place there more than 90 years ago.’

Turkey and Azerbaijan’s blockades of Armenia, Karabagh, and foreign
aid to Armenia. Several months later, in September 2008, Menendez led
the effort in questioning the administration’s nominee, James Jeffrey,
to serve as U.S. ambassador to Turkey during his confirmation hearing.

Most recently, in January 2009, Menendez questioned President Obama’s
nominee, Senator Hillary Clinton, to serve as secretary of st
ations Committee confirmation hearing. During the nationally televised
hearing, Menendez said, `I hope that the support that you gave while
you were a Senator to the question of the Armenian Genocide, that the
president-elect has himself supported, recognition of that. You know,
if we are to say never again, part of that is ultimately the
recognition of what has happened so that we can move forward. And I
hope that you will be an advocate of having us get off of where we
have been and move forward to a recognition of that part of history
that is universally recognized so that we can move forward in that
respect.’

Trend, Azerbaijan
Sept 11 2009

Turkish Foreign Minister to discuss protocol Ankara-Yerevan in
parliament

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu proposes to hold discussions
on the protocol signed under Switzerland’s mediation between Ankara
and Yerevan in Turkish Grand National Assembly (Parliament), ANADOLU
Turkish information agency said.

Turkish foreign ministry said in August that the agreement was reached
at the talks with Armenia under Switzerland’s mediation. The agreement
concerns launching of internal political consultations on ‘Protocol on
establishment of diplomatic relations’ and ‘Protocol on development of
bilateral relations’.

Political consultations are planned to be completed within six
weeks. Afterwards, two protocols will be signed. These protocols will
be submitted for signing and approval to the parliament of both
countries, Turkish foreign ministry said.

"At present, Turkey does not plan to open the border with neighboring
Armenia," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said.

There are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia. The
border between the countries has been closed since 1993.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Davutoglu is also expected to meet with leaders of political parties,
ANADOLU agency said. The protocol Ankara-Yerevan will be discussed at
the meeting.

ARMENIAN-FINN BILATERAL POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS HELD IN THE ARMENIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Armenian-Finn bilateral political
consultations were held September 9 in the Armenian Foreign Affairs
Ministry on the level of heads of departments of the Foreign
Ministries.

The sides have discussed a wide range of issues referring to the
political dialogue, encouraging trade relations and investments,
bilateral cooperation in the international organizations,
implementation of development programs as well as Armenia-EU relations.

Media Relations department of Armenian Foreign Ministry told Armenpress
that the high level of bilateral political relations and the necessity
of their continuation have been with gratification noted and the
importance of parliamentary diplomacy in the issue of bringing the
two nations closer to each other has been stressed as important.

An agreement has been reached about conduction of steps towards the
activation of business links in the future. A refer has been made to
the concept of "A more extended Europe" development program worked
out by Finland. The sides have reached an agreement on study of the
best Finn experience in the local self-governance and a number of
other spheres and launching of cooperation.

The Finn delegation was also received by the Armenian Deputy Foreign
Affairs Minister Karine Ghazinian. Thoughts have been exchange on the
cooperation within the frameworks of EU Eastern Partnership initiative
as well as on the importance of encouraging human links in bilateral
and multilateral formats. On the request of the Finn side the latest
developments in the Armenian-Turkish relations have been presented.

The sides agreed to give a regular character to the bilateral
political dialogue; the Finn side proposed to hold the subsequent
round of consultations in 2010 in Helsinki.

RA NA EXPRESSES ITS WILLINGNESS TO SUPPORT COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES AND WB

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. National Assembly Speaker Hovik
Abrahamian received Aristomene Varoudakis, Head of World Bank (WB)
office in Armenia on September 8. According to the RA NA Public
Relations department, NA Speaker highly estimated WB’s cooperation
with Armenian authorities and expressed willingness of NA to support
that cooperation. In that context, he attached importance to the
control activities of the parliament reserved by the RA Constitution,
particularly, effective use of credits allocated to Armenia for
country’s economy. During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed
issues concerning world financial-economic crisis and its impact
on Armenia’s economy. They also touched upon prospects of possible
cooperation with the World Bank support in the sphere of developing
parliament’s professional and technical abilities. NA Vice-Speaker
Arevik Petrosian also took part in the meeting.
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From: [email protected]
Subject: RA NA expresses its willingness to support cooperation between Armenian
authorities and WB

RA NA expresses its willingness to support cooperation between
Armenian authorities and WB

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. National Assembly Speaker Hovik
Abrahamian received Aristomene Varoudakis, Head of World Bank (WB)
office in Armenia on September 8. According to the RA NA Public
Relations department, NA Speaker highly estimated WB’s cooperation with
Armenian authorities and expressed willingness of NA to support that
cooperation. In that context, he attached importance to the control
activities of the parliament reserved by the RA Constitution,
particularly, effective use of credits allocated to Armenia for
country’s economy. During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed
issues concerning world financial-economic crisis and its impact on
Armenia’s economy. They also touched upon prospects of possible
cooperation with the World Bank support in the sphere of developing
parliament’s professional and technical abilities. NA Vice-Speaker
Arevik Petrosian also took part in the meeting.

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited "SOS-Children’s Village" relief fund-supported SOS children’s village, which is located in Kotayk village of Kotayk marz of the Republic of Armenia

Tues day, 8 September 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited "SOS-Children’s Village"
relief fund-supported SOS children’s village, which is located in
Kotayk village of Kotayk marz of the Republic of Armenia. The Prime
Minister was accompanied by Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan,
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Gevorg Petrosyan, National
Director of the Fund Ashot Kocharyan, other dignitaries.

In 1990, the first group of orphans from the earthquake zone came to
SOS children’s village, which has since hosted and fostered around
200 such youngsters.

At this point of time, 56 homeless orphans are being provided board
and lodging in this village. Fund National Director Ashot Kocharyan
briefed the Prime Minister on their pupils’ daily needs, as well as
on the Fund’s achievements and mission priorities. The Prime Minister
walked round the village, talked to its residents and was introduced
to their everyday life. During a consultative meeting held in the
village, Tigran Sargsyan suggested that the representatives of the
Fund and the heads of government agencies should draw upon the Fund’s
experience in extending car e under State-administered programs.

The head of the Armenian government said to be highly appreciative of
the Fund’s achievements and know-how and expressed hope that enhanced
program efficiency could be achieved with cooperation and adequate
co-financing available from State structures.

The Prime Minister also called at the Fund-supported kindergarten
as stationed in the village and hosting children not only from SOS
children’s village, but also from the neighboring rural communities. In
conclusion, the Prime Minister donated a musical center to the inmates
of the village.
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RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited â??SOS-Childrenâ??s Villageâ??
relief fund-supported SOS childrenâ??s village, which is located in
Kotayk village of Kotayk marz of the Republic of Armenia

Tues day, 8 September 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited â??SOS-Childrenâ??s Villageâ??
relief fund-supported SOS childrenâ??s village, which is located in
Kotayk village of Kotayk marz of the Republic of Armenia. The Prime
Minister was accompanied by Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan,
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Gevorg Petrosyan, National
Director of the Fund Ashot Kocharyan, other dignitaries.

In 1990, the first group of orphans from the earthquake zone came to
SOS childrenâ??s village, which has since hosted and fostered around 200
such youngsters.

At this point of time, 56 homeless orphans are being provided board and
lodging in this village. Fund National Director Ashot Kocharyan briefed
the Prime Minister on their pupilsâ?? daily needs, as well as on the
Fundâ??s achievements and mission priorities. The Prime Minister walked
round the village, talked to its residents and was introduced to their
everyday life. During a consultative meeting held in the village,
Tigran Sargsyan suggested that the representatives of the Fund and the
heads of government agencies should draw upon the Fundâ??s experience in
extending car
e under State-administered programs.

The head of the Armenian government said to be highly appreciative of
the Fundâ??s achievements and know-how and expressed hope that enhanced
program efficiency could be achieved with cooperation and adequate
co-financing available from State structures.

The Prime Minister also called at the Fund-supported kindergarten as
stationed in the village and hosting children not only from SOS
childrenâ??s village, but also from the neighboring rural communities. In
conclusion, the Prime Minister donated a musical center to the inmates
of the village.

RA -RF SECURITY SERVICES COLLABORATION IS AT A HIGH LEVEL

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.09.2009 20:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today RA President Serzh Sargayn met Head of RF
Security Service Alexander Bortinkov, who arrived in Yerevan to
participate in joint discussions of RA and RF security service leaders.

RA President gave high assessment to Armenian-Russian strategic
partnership and political dialogue, testifying to developing
collaboration between the two countries.

Head of RF Security Service expressed his satisfaction over RA -RF
security services collaboration.

The parties exchanged views on regional security problems. The
President highly assessed stabilizing role of Russia in the region.