Author: Zargarian Hambik

ARMENIA HAS TO BE RECOGNIZABLE TO ARMENIAN YOUTH WORLDWIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.09.2009 17:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
met with the participants of the "Ari tun" (Come back home) program
in the ancient temple of Garni. As the press service of the RA
government reports, Tigran Sargsyan discussed main priorities of
country’s development, prospects of strengthening the Armenia-Diaspora
ties. Tigran Sargsyan presented gifts to winners of the Ari Tun
intellectual game.

The purpose of the Ari Tun program is to make Armenia recognizable
for the Armenian youth scattered in the world, to foster a feeling of
fatherland, national values, awareness of national identity among the
Armenian Diaspora youth, to familiarize young people with traditions
and customs of Armenia, to promote spiritual, educational and cultural
convergence between Armenia and Diaspora.

Welcoming the representatives of the Armenian youth of Diaspora, the
prime minister noted that our relations with Diaspora are continuously
strengthening and the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation is one of the
priorities of the government. He also noted that young people have
the honor to become new ambassadors of their motherland.

Tigran Sargsyan expressed his special thanks to those families who
hosted youth representatives and shared with them the warmth of their
homes. The Prime Minister recalled that their real homeland is located
in this corner of the world, Armenia, and called upon them to return.

HAIG NARGIZIAN, 66, RESPECTED STAMP DEALER

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Thursday August 27, 2009

New York – Haig Nargizian, a lifelong member of the New York Armenian
community, died on July 25, 2009, at the age of 66.

He was a highly respected stamp dealer, one of the few who could look
at a collection and calculate its value.

His brother Ray remembers him as a gentle person who always welcomed
you with a smile. "Haig was a kind, generous family man who loved
life. He had a lot of compassion, loved to laugh and was always a
gentleman, but he also liked to speak his mind," Ray said.

"Haig had a collection of over 500 Armenian books and was a walking
encyclopedia of Armenian history. He taught himself how to play the
oud, dumbek, and piano. He wanted to make sure our family continued our
Armenian heritage so he sent his nephew and niece to Camp Nubar. Both
my children married Armenians and now we have three grandchildren
who speak Armenian, which made him very proud."

At his wake he was remembered by his nephew, Steve Nargizian, as a
source of joy to the family with his great sense of humor, forgiving
spirit, and patriotic fervor. "Haig just loved being Armenian,"
said Steve. "He was always going to picnics, Armenian restaurants,
and dances. He devoured Armenian books, periodicals, and lectures,
took several trips to Armenia, and frequently wrote opinions in
the Armenian Reporter. He religiously marched and fought for the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and was banned from entering
Turkey, which he wore as a badge of honor."

Bobby Ruchala, his longtime friend and assistant, said, "Haig had a
big heart and was always interested in educating people about Armenian
history. He would make copies of the latest Armenian CDs and videos
for anyone he met. He was considered a force in the stamp business
and many people relied on him."

Haig’s father, Albert, was a devoted member of Holy Martyrs Church in
Bayside, N.Y. Its pastor, the Very Reverend Father Vahan Hovanessian,
said that even though Haig had taught himself Armenian, he would
still come to all the Armenian classes and do all the homework. Haig
learned a lot about the Armenian Genocide from the Genocide survivors
who visited his family. A devoted son, he provided the best of care
when his mother, Alice, was ill.

Haig was blessed with a close, loving family for whom he felt great
affection. He is survived by his brother Ray and his wife Theresa,
his nephew Steven and his wife Karen and their children Alex, Gregory,
and Michael, and his niece Diane and her husband Douglas and their
children Nicholas, Julia, and Andrew.

During his illness, to which he succumbed on July 25, 2009, Haig said,
"If I go, don’t be sad. I have lived a happy and full life." The family
has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Armenian Church
of the Holy Martyrs, 209-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Bayside, NY
11364 or Camp Nubar, c/o AGBU, 55 E. 59th St., New York, NY 10022-1112.

WB REGISTERS GROWTH IN ARMENIAN ECONOMY
Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"
31.08.2009 17:58

According to the forecasts of the World Bank, economic decline in
Armenia following the results of the year will make 12-14%.

As the Head of WB Yerevan Office Aristomene Varoudakis stated at a news
conference today, in July, as compared to June, growth was registered
in a number of spheres, particularly, the fields of construction,
industry, power generation.

"One gets the impression that decline in Armenian economy is
stopping and the growth of world prices for copper and molybdenum
also contributes to this", Aristomene Varoudakis stated.

According to WB forecasts, inflation in Armenia will make 6% following
the results of the year.

BANK ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE AND AMERICAN EXPRESS SIGN A COOPERATION AGREEMENT

ArmInfo
2009-08-31 17:47:00

ArmInfo. Bank ACBA-Credit Agricole and American Express have signed a
cooperation agreement, reports the press service of Bank ACBA-Credit
Agricole.

The bank will be the first and exclusive representative of American
Express in Armenia.

By the end of this year the bank will offer American Express
cards. Today such cards are accepted by just 24 trade and service
organizations on the basis of direct contracts. ACBA-Credit Agricole
is planning to involve more entities in this network and to issue
American Express cards and travellers checks.

ACBA-Credit Agricole is the leader of Armenia’s plastic card market:
almost 82,000 ArCa and Visa cards, 92 bancomats, 700 POS-terminals.

The shareholders of the bank are Credit Agricole – 16%, SJSC Sacam
International – 12.44%, 10 regional agricultural cooperation unions
and one individual (resident of Armenia).

NICOL’S DETENTION WAS PROLONGED

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11:35:08 – 28/08/2009

On August 27 the district court of Center and Nork Marash communities
decided to prolong the detention of the editor-in-chief of the Haykakan
Zhamanak newspaper Nicol Pashinyan till November 1.

LEADERS OF THREE ARMENIAN DIOCESES OF NORTH AMERICA MEET IN CANADA

Noyan Tapan
Aug 28, 2009

MONTREAL, AUGUST 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The leaders
of USA Eastern and Western Diaceses and the leader of Diocese of
Canada, Archbishop Oshakan (Eastern Diocese), Archbishop Mushegh
(Western Diocese), Archbishop Khazhak (Diocese of Canada) had their
next special meeting at Armenian National Primacy of Canada (Montreal).

According to the Horizon newspaper, three leaders have discussed
public problems worrying the Dioceses, have searched new ways of
strengthening the relations and have made programs touching upon
spiritual, administrative, economic, organization, relative problems
which concern the life of the Dioceses. They have also discussed
ritual, educational, domestic and development problems of the churches
of the Dioceses. Those problems should be discussed in November at the
National Religious and Political meetings of Great House of Cilicia
with three Dioceses being held in Antelias.

AAA: U.S. SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY RENDERED INVALUABLE HELP TO ARMENIAN PEOPLE

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.08.2009 19:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) mourns the
loss of U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family," said Assembly
Board President Carolyn Mugar. "Throughout his career, Senator Kennedy
embodied the principles we hold dear – promoting democracy, championing
civil rights and human rights, and standing up for those in need. His
support of the Armenian people and contributions to reaffirm the U.S.

record on the Armenian Genocide are invaluable. We thank him for his
extraordinary service to this great nation and the cause of freedom
and democracy around the world. Senator Kennedy will be greatly missed,
" Assembly Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar.

For decades, Senator Kennedy led by example when it came to support
for the Armenian people. Just after the devastating 1988 earthquake,
Senator Kennedy appealed to many private companies for donations to
assist Armenia in its time of need. In early 1990, he initiated a
letter urging then Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney to authorize
airlifts to Armenia. These airlifts provided bedding, electric heaters,
winter clothing and other desperately needed items for the influx
of refugees coming from Azerbaijan and to those still suffering as a
result of the earthquake. Senator Kennedy’s leadership was instrumental
and helped save lives during a critical time.

Senator Kennedy pressed for a variety of programs to help Armenian
refugee communities across the globe, including those who fled
from Iran after the fall of the Shah and those who rebuilt their
communities after being caught in the civil war in Lebanon. He also
worked to facilitate the exit of Armenian refugees from the Soviet
Union in the 1980s. His long-standing support of the Armenian cause has
earned Senator Kennedy accolades from the Armenian-American community,
including the "Friends of the Armenians" Award from the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America.

In addition, Senator Kennedy was a staunch supporter of Karabakh’s
right to self-determination and supported Section 907 of the FREEDOM
Support Act, which restricts U.S. aid to Azerbaijan because of its
hostile actions and blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Senator
Kennedy helped champion the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, prohibiting
U.S. assistance to any country which restricts the transport or
delivery of U.S. humanitarian aid to other countries. As an original
cosponsor of that bill, Senator Kennedy remarked, "The efforts by
any nation to block U.S. humanitarian aid are unconscionable. The
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act is a responsible measure that is designed
to ensure that individuals in great need will receive U.S. assistance."

Kennedy also cosponsored S.1557, a bill to authorize the extension
of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment)
to the products of Armenia.

In regard to the Armenian Genocide, Senator Kennedy was a relentless
advocate for affirming this historical fact and the proud chapter
in U.S. humanitarianism. During the 85th Commemoration in Boston,
Assembly President Mugar had the distinct honor of introducing the
senator at Copley Square’s Trinity Church the day after Easter with
two thousand in attendance. When His Holiness Karekin I, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and the first President of
Armenia Levon Ter Petrosian, both visited the U.S., Senator Kennedy
hosted them together with the New England Armenian American Community
at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Throughout his tenure, he was an ardent supporter of resolutions
affirming the Armenian Genocide and vigorously defended the truth in
the face of Turkish denial. In his numerous speeches, Kennedy made
it clear that "It is time for all governments, political leaders and
peoples everywhere to recognize the Armenian Genocide. These annual
commemorations are an effective way to pay tribute to the courage and
suffering and triumph of the Armenian people, and to ensure that such
atrocities will never happen again to any people on earth."

JAN.-JULY 2009 ARMENIAN ECONOMY REPORT

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Aug 28 2009
Armenia

18.5% recession in Armenian economy as of Jan.-July 2009 is of no
surprise for Armenian authorities, RA Finance Minister Tigran Davtyan
said at the August 28press conference.

He links this process and the budget performance with economic
crisis. Davtyan declared budget revenue for the reported period
making 359bn AMD, whereas expenditures – 426.5bn AMD. The current
budget deficit was set at 4.5%.

According to the Minister’s forecast, budget deficit by end of the
year will not exceed 7.5% mark reaching about 6.5%, while in 2010 it
will be fixed at 5.5% with further reduction to 3% in next years.

Davtyan said 18.5% decrease in Armenian Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
was conditioned by the boosted rates in 2008, that is the reason
of this drastic difference compared to this year. He forecasted the
stabilization of situation by 4th quarter.

On the whole, the Minister was positive pointing out that the world
economy is being normalized. "There are signs that global crisis
is receding and U.S. and European countries (particularly Germany)
already got out of recession," RA Finance Minister said emphasizing
that this tendency will reach Armenia too.

OFFICIAL SAYS CHANGING POLICY WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF GEORGIA

Panorama.am
16:20 28/08/2009

"The Georgians and Georgian authorities are completely wrong straining
relations with Armenians. Armenia never puts them under threat. Quite
the opposite, the more they found good relations with Armenia, the
more economic relations will be improved and Armenia could take the
role of mediator and do in favour in Russian-Georgian relations," Rafik
Petrosyan, member of NA Republican fraction told at news conference.

Official says Georgia rules an anti-Armenian policy voting against
Armenia in international organizations.

Republican deputy says Georgia adopted wrong policy on borders also,
for example at Ninotsminda checkpoint.

"Armenians of Djavakhq are not determined to turn face from Georgia
and join Armenia, they wish better life, improved roads, jobs, they
want to feel as real citizens," Petrosyan said and added that Georgia
would do in favor to them if they have changed they policy.

TO LIVE WITH OPTIMISM AND BLESSING IN OUR HEARTS

Aysor, Armenia
Aug 26 2009

Today in the village Qaghtsrashen (Marz Ararat) on the occasion of the
opening of new water supply tube His Holiness Garegin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholics of All Armenians performed the Water Blessing.

The Lord’s Prayer was performed and the water in the traditional
pitcher was blessed. His Holiness Garegin II made a gratifying prayer
to the God.

"We prayed for this water to become a faith might and a gratifying
prayer to the God. Let the God bless the Armenian nation, our land
for us to go on living with optimism and blessing in our hearts", –
said His Holiness Garegin II.

His Holiness Garegin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholics of All
Armenians blessed the benefactors and the supporters, emphasizing
the importance of the water supply tube for the local people.

"We prayed to the God to make our country more blessed and especially
to bless the water of Armenia and to make this water healing",- blessed
His Holiness Garegin II and distributed the water to those present.