ARMENTEL DEPRIVED OF YET ANOTHER MONOPOLY

Noyan Tapan
Dec 18 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The company ArmenTel has been
deprived of some of its exclusive rights. The RA Public Services
Regulatory Commission on December 18 took a decision to make an
amendment in ArmenTel’s licence No 60, liberalizing the international
transmission of the mobile phone connection and the Internet. The
two mobile phone operators in Armenia – ArmenTel and K-Telecom were
instructed to discuss and submit to the commssion an agreement on
mutual provision of international voice services until February
1, 2007.

It was announced at the sitting that after consulting with the
companies Vympelkom and ArmenTel, the commission will again amend
the licence until March 1, 2007, taking into account the necessity
to abolish the exclusive rights reserved for ArmenTel. It was noted
that Vympelkon has repeatedly stated its intention to renounce the
exclusive rights reserved for ArmenTel in case of acquiring 90%
of ArmenTel’s shares.

ARMENIAN PARTICIPANT OF EUROVISION-2007 CONTEST TO BE DETERMINED ON BASIS OF SMSs SENT BY TV VIEWERS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 18 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. 30 bids have been already received
for participation in the Eurovision-2007 contest. As Hrach Keshishian,
producer of the Public Television of Armenia, said at the December
18 press conference, not only singers creating in Armenia, but
also beginning Armenian singers living in various colonies of the
Diaspora have expressed willingness to take part in the contest. In
H.Keshishian’s words, public hearings will be held by the Public
Television from 2007 January 15 to February 15 and the singer to
represent Armenia at the Eurovision-2007 will be determined on the
basis of TV viewers’ SMSs.

CRINGO HOLDS WEEK OF REFUGEE PROBLEM-RELATED NEGOTIATIONS ON DECEMBER 18-22

Noyan Tapan
Dec 18 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The Cringo network of NGOs of
Caucasian refugees and internally displaced persons is holding
on December 18-22 a week of negotiations, during which problems of
refugees will be addressed. Ashot Hakobian, Co-ordinator of the Cringo
Board, stated this at the December 18 press conference. According to
him, a number of events dedicated to the housing problem of refugees
and internally displaced persons will be organized this week in Russia,
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said that within the framework
of this move, a contest of journalistic reports was announced in
these 4 countries, with results to be summarized on December 22. The
authors of three best works on refugees’ housing problem will receive
monetary prizes.

Besides, a photo exhibition on the same subject will open at the UN
Armenia Office on December 22. The Cringo network unites over 70 NGOs
working with refugees, internally displaced persons and those having
an equal status in the Caucasus.

PREMIERE OF ROBERT GEDIKIAN’S FILM TAKES PLACE IN AUSTRIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Dec 18 2006

VIENNA, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Austrian
premiere of the film "Return to Armenia" by the French Armenian
film-maker Robert Gedikian took place at Vienna’s Burg Cinema
on December 12. The premiere was organized by the Austria’s
Armenian Apostolic Church Council (Chairman Hayk Asenbauer),
as well as the management of the French Institute and the Burg
Cinema, under the honorary sponsorship of the Armenian and French
ambassadors to Austria. According to the RA MFA Press and Information
Department, the film’s author Robert Gedikian was also present at the
premiere. Welcoming the film’s demonstration in Austria, the Armenian
Ambassador Ashot Hovakimian noted in his speech that it represents an
opportunity to become acquainted with the art of the famous Diasporan
Armenian filmmaker and to discover the spirit of the Year of Armenia in
France. The event was attended by Austrian officials, public figures,
art workers, reporters and members of the Austrian Armenian community.

EXHIBITION "12 CAPITAL CITIES OF ARMENIA" OPENS IN PARIS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 18 2006

PARIS, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The exhibition "12 Capital Cities
of Armenia" opened at Conciergerie Hall in Paris on December 15
and will last until March 18. According to the RA MFA Press and
Information Department, the opening ceremony was conducted by the
French Minister of Culture and Communication Renaud Donnedieu de
Vabres and the Armenian Ambassador to France Eduard Nalbandian. In
his opening address, the French minister of culture attached special
importance to the exhibition, considering it as one of the key
events of the Year of Armenia in France that provides the best idea
of Armenia’s rich history and civilization. Ambassador Nalbandian
said that the large number of Armenian capital cities reflects the
stormy and eventful history of the Armenian people that has preserved
its unique cultural legacy as the only time-dictated guideline over
centuries. Information about 12 capital cities of historical Armenia
(from Van to Artashat, from Tigranakert to Dvin, from Vagharshapat
to Ani, fron Sis to Yerevan), old and new photos, ornaments, national
clothes, old carpets and khachkars from the collections of the Yerevan
History Museum are on display at Conciergerie Hall covering an area of
about 1,200 square meters. La Conciergerie is located in the center
of Paris. In ancient times it was the residence of Roman rules, in
the 12-13th centuries it was re-built into a royal palace. Today it
is managed by France’s National Center of Monuments and open to the
public: about 300 thousand people visit it annually. The exhibition has
been organized by the French Ministry of Culture, the National Center
of Monuments, La Conciergerie, the Armenian embassy to France and the
Yerevan History Museum. Its authors are architect Narek Sargsian and
the head of the architecture department of the Institute of Arts of
the RA National Academy of Sciences Murad Hasratian.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST REPUBLICAN CONTEST EXHIBITION OF PHOTO ART OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 18 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The first republican
contest-exhibition of photo art opened at the People’s Art Museum
in Yerevan on December 18. 116 works of young photographers from
various Armenian marzes and students of Yerevan State University are
displayed at the exhibition organized by the RA Ministry of Culture
and Youth Issues. In the word’s of the exhibition organizer Sahak
Troyan, photography is gradually undergoing considerable development
in Armenia. "Our aim is to show the current state of photo art in our
country to the Armenian public," he said. In his opinion, technological
advances in the 21st centure have contributed to further development
of photo art as well.

He is convinced that thanks to modern eqipment, works of Armenian
photographers will win recognition both in Armenia and abroad. It
was noted that the exhibition will last until December 21, and the
winners will receive awards.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI CAPTIVE DOESN’T WANT TO RETURN TO HOMELAND FEARING OF SAVAGE PUNISHMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.12.2006 14:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Vusal Magomed ogly Garacheyev, captured on
December 7, upon return to Azerbaijan will be sent to prison to spend
a long time there," NKR President Arkady Ghukasian said in Yerevan
December 17. In his words, ‘the Azeri soldier knowingly crossed the
border in a grave health state, since he was constantly beaten by
his fellows.’ "There is no necessity to investigate the incident,
it’s clear."

Ghukasian remarked adding that ‘the captive does not want to return
to Azerbaijan fearing of savage punishment.’

The NKR President also informed that ‘within a day after capturing
an appeal was sent to the International Committee of the Red Cross
and presently technical issues are being settled.’ At the same time
President remarked that ‘if the Azeri soldier keeps on saying that he
does not want to return the Karabakhi side will not insist.’ "However,
to all appearance, pressure will be exerted upon his family and it
will make him return," he said reminding that unlike Azerbaijan the
NKR authorities always timely convey the captives to the ICRC while
Baku carries out investigation during several months and tries to
recruit the captives, reports IA Regnum.

DISCUSSION OF ROLE OF KURDS IN ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN AMSTERDAM

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.12.2006 14:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A meeting initiated by the Kurdish Dutch Cultural
Center Amsterdam (KNCCA) for a discussion on the Armenian Genocide of
1915, whereby the Kurds also played a role, will be held in Amsterdam
December 21. As a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter came to know from ‘Abovyan’
Armenian cultural center in Amsterdam, the goal of the meeting is to
start a dialogue with each other based on the facts of the Armenian
Genocide and to try to come to reconciliation. Haydar Isik, a Kurdish
writer from Germany, from Noebar Sipaan, the chairman of FAON’s 24
April committee representing the Armenian side will take part in
the discussion. Haydar Isik who comes from Dersim is an alevite. He
translated a book about the Armenian genocide into Turkish.

VARTAN OSKANIAN AND PETER SEMNEBY DISCUSSED KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.12.2006 15:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met
with EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby,
reports the RA MFA press office. The parties discussed the EU-Armenia
relations, specifically the implementation of the Action Plan within
the European Neighborhood Policy.

Besides, Vartan Oskanian and Peter Semneby referred to the upcoming
parliamentary election and noted the importance of its accordance with
international standards. The Armenian Minister confirmed the stance
of the RA leadership to sent invitations to international observers
in the near future.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on Armenia’s relations with
neighbor states. Touching upon the Armenian-Turkish relations Mr
Semneby represented the EU’s position quoting the October report
of the European Commission on Turkey’s progress, which stresses the
necessity of opening the border with Armenia. Mr Semneby briefed on
the outcomes of the meeting with NKR President Arkady Ghukasian after
what the interlocutors focused on the current stage of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement. German Ambassador to Armenia Heike Renate
Peitsch was also present at the meeting. It’s worth mentioning that
Germany will assume presidency in the EU January 1, 2007.

NKR WATCHES ACTIVITIES OF PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF UNRECOGNIZED REPUBLICS

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.12.2006 15:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sitting of the Parliamentary Assembly of
unrecognized republics – Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnistria –
is being held in Moscow.

Three unrecognized republics are discussing prospects of expansion of
cooperation. Representatives of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic are also
present at the sitting. The Parliamentary Assembly of unrecognized
republics was formed September 30 in Sukhumi with headquarters in
Moscow, reports GHN.