3985.2 TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID BROUGHT TO ARMENIA IN JANUARY-AUGUST
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. 3985.2 tons of goods of general
cost of 33.7 mln U.S. dollars were brought to Armenia as humanitarian
aid in January-August of the current year. 4650.4 tons of goods of
general cost of 24.8 mln U.S. dollars were brought in the same period
of 2005. According to data of the RA National Statistical Service,
products of chemistry and industrial branches connected with it made
44.4% of the got assistance, devices and apparatuses made 22.9%,
textiles made 6.7%, machines, equipment and mechanisms made 6.5%.

AVERAGE MONTHLY DUST DENSITY EXCEEDS PERMITTED NORM 3.8 TIMES IN
AUGUST IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Air basin was observed in RA
towns of Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Hrazdan, Alaverdi and Ararat in
August. According to the data of RA National Statistical Service,
density of contaminants was determined with 3356 samples of air taken
in the above mentioned populated areas.
So, in August, average monthly dust density in Ararat exceeded the
permitted norm 4.8 times, in Yerevan 3.8 times, in Hrazdan and Gyumri
2.8 times and in Vanadzor 1.3 times.

ADVISER OF RA PRESIDENT POINTS TO NECESSITY TO CREATE INSTITUTION IF
INTERCOMMUNAL GOVERNMENT
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. “Issue of dispersion of local
self-government bodies is sharply set today in Armenia.” RA
President’s Adviser, Seyran Avagian, said this at the October
20 seminar organized by the European Integration NGO with the
support of F.Ebert fund, dedicated to European experience in the
sphere of local self-government. In his words, Lithuania has only
64 local self-government bodies, while their number in Armenia is
900, at that only 50 or 100 people live in some communities. This
circumstance, in S.Avagian’s opinion, impedes effective governance
in communities. Solution to the problem of intercommunal government
acquires importance in this respect. He said that determination of
Yerevan status also remains one of the most important problems. The
President’s Adviser expressed the hope that the adopted constitutional
amendments will create new possibilities and resources, which will
make possible to solve both of these problems. Despite of unsolved
problems, in S.Avagian’s words, Armenia’s legislative field regulating
the activity of local self-government sphere has been almost formed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LAKE SEVAN LEVEL FALLS BY 8 CM IN AUGUST
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. In August, Lake Sevan level fell
by 8 cm and as of August 31, made 1898.47 m, which is more by 27 cm
than the same day index of 2005. According to the data of RA National
Statistical Service, during the month, leakage of water from Lake
Sevan made 53.982 mln c/m. In August, in the majority of country’s
rivers average monthly outflow of water made 70-90% of the norm.

ONE-SIDED COVERING OF EVENTS BECOMES USUAL EVENT FOR ARMENIAN MASS
MEDIA, “A1+” EDITOR SAYS
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The last draft to the law on
television and radio proves that nothing essencial is done in Armenia
in the sense of strategy in the direction of supporting improvement of
the freedom of information. RA Ombudsman Armen Haroutiunian expressed
such an opinion during the October 20 round table on the theme
“Armenian Mass Media on the Eve of 2007 Parliamentary Elections.” The
event was organized by the Armenian representation of the “Article
19” international public organization. In A.Haroutiunian’s words,
every new draft relating to this sphere must become a stable step of
progress in the issue of securing the freedom of information. But,
the draft put in circulation is not capable to become such one. The
Ombudsman mentioned that it is not enough to touch upon the theme
of the freedom of expression only on the eve of elections, it is
necessary to do everyday work in that direction.
A.Haroutiunian also expressed opinion that it will be possible to raise
the level of public awareness only in the case of securing variety of
political opinions. In words of Mesrop Movsisian, the editor of the
“A1+” electronic newspaper, “if the freedom of press is much spoken
about in any country, it means that the country has serious problems
in that sphere.” In his words, the “sad experience” of mass media
showed during the 2003 elections that variety of opinions in Armenia
is of formal character: one-sided covering of events became a usual
event.” M.Movsisian emphasized that according to his observation,
today the Armenian society “believes romour heard in the market more
than an official information broadcast on TV.”

COLLECTION OF FASHION DESIGNERS TARLOYAN BROTHERS RESIDING IN FRANCE
SHOWN FOR FIRST TIME IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. October 19 showing of splendid
collection of clothes of Tarloyan brothers residing in France was among
the series of cultural events organized in Yerevan in connection with
Year of Armenia in France. These collections on subjects “Inquisition”
and “Escape” including 150 clothes were shown in Paris before this. In
the collection Gevorg and Vardan Tarloyans tried to present the history
of the medieval period through showing of medieval clothes. “We try to
show not only the clothes, but also by means of models to present some
historic period, literary or opera creations that are accompanied by
music making the show perfect,” the brothers emphasized. The Tarloyans
expressed the hope that very soon they will again appear before the
Armenian spectator with a new collection. Vardan and Gevorg Tarloyans
graduated from Art College after P.Terlemezian and later, from Yerevan
Art Academy. They profoundly studied Armenian miniature painting and
got specialized in this branch of art. In 1991 they left for Holland,
then for Belgium and in 1993 settled in the capital of France where
they graduated from Paris Fashion Higher School. The brothers had
their training practice at Chanel, Christian Dior and other fashion
houses. Currently they work independently and soon production of the
clothes designed by them will start.

FRENCH ARMENIAN DESIGNER KARINE ARABIAN’S COLLECTION PRESENTED IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Karine Arabian already having
a unique place in the world of the French fashion and promoted
cooperation with leading fashion firms of many countries of the world
started to work from 2000 with Armenian artisans: woodworkers,
silversmiths and jewellers who make adornments and different
accessories. K.Ararbian’s goal is to newly reveal Armenia.
Karine Arabian stated about it at the October 18 press conference
taken place in the S.Parajanov’s house-museum. The display of her
lustre collection of bags, adornments and shoes entitled “Mineral”
took place on the previous day.
Accessories made of wood, silver and Armenian agate predominate at the
display. In K.Arabian’s words, the collection exhibited in Yerevan
is the result of her cooperation with Armenian artisans in 2000. It
was displayed in 2003 in France as well. “The main goal of creation
of that collection is to present the Armenians abroad as creators
as foreigners very often know the Armenians either as ones having
unhappy fate or as a whining people,” Mrs.Arabian mentioned.
Famous actors and singers like Isabel Adjani, Julie Delpy, Adrey
Tautou, Scarlet Johanson, Madonna, etc. make use of K.Arabian’s
collections.

IN ANM BOARD CHAIRMAN’S WORDS, LEVON TER-PETROSIAN WILL NOMINATE HIS
CANDIDATURE AT NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. RA first President Levon
Ter-Petrosian is going to nominate his candidature at the next
presidential elections.
Armenian National Movement (ANM) Board Chairman Ararat Zurabian said
this at the October 20 meeting with journalists presenting his personal
opinion. Assuring that L.Ter-Petrosian will return to political life
soon, which, in A.Zurabian’s words, will fully change the situation
in Armenia, he mentioned: “I am sure that L.Ter-Petrosian’s return
and a few words to be said by him will be more weighty than the
whole activity of a number of current forces.” In response to the
question, did he discuss this intention with L.Ter-Petrosian, as ANM
was also convinced of the same before the 2003 elections, the party
Board Chairman said: “My personal impression is that L.Ter-Petrosian
will nominate his candidature.” In A.Zurabian’s words, in any case,
ANM will nominate his own candidate at the coming presidential
elections. “If Vano Siradeghian returns to the country today and
nominates his candidature, I think he will gain a brilliant victory,”
ANM Board Chairman declared. In his words, every second person he
meets says that “a Vano is needed in this country.”

ARARAT ZURABIAN: MOST OF ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN RALLIES IN
1988 WILL GIVE THEIR VOTES FOR ARMENIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The purpose of the current ruling
regime in Armenia is its reproduction, while the opposition’s main
objective is not to allow such reproduction – be it in the version
of Vartan Oskanian or Serge Sargsian. Ararat Zurabian, Chairman of
the Armenian National Movement (ANM) Board, expressed this opinion
at a press conference on October 20. “I think that if in 2003 the
opposition had taken a more resolute steps, everything would have had
a normal outcome,” he said. According to him, in order to participate
in the parliamentary elections, the party will try to form an alliance
with several political forces. He indicated the Republic Party and
the Liberal Progressive Party as possible allies. A. Zurabian said
that the ANM will not unite with the Aylntrank (Alternative) social
political initiative that has the same ideological principles. In his
words, there are no serious disagreements between the two bodies, but
some problems exist. That is why some members left the ANM and formed
the organization Armat later reorganized into Aylntrank. A. Zurabian
noted that the current authorities never received more than 10-15%
of votes at elections – the rest was added. According to him, at the
time when ANM was in power, elections were never rigged, and if such
a thing happened, it was done by people like the defence minister
Serge Sargsian and the prime minister Andranik Margarian who were
in power at that time too. As regards the current rating of ANM,
in A. Zurabian’s words, the party’s electorate are those who were
participating in rallies in 1988. Some of them who left Armenia or
changed their views will be replaced by those who did not yet have
the right to vote at that time. Noting that many people boycotted the
referendum on Constutitional amendments in response to the ANM’s calls,
A. Zurabian added: “I think that in Armenia there is an environment
where we have our votes.”

Italian film honour for Meadows
BBC News, UK
Oct 21 2006
Meadows’ previous films include A Room for Romeo Brass Director Shane
Meadows has picked up the special jury prize at the inaugural Rome
Film Festival for This Is England. The film, set in 1983, is about an
impressionable young boy who becomes involved with a gang of skinheads.
“I thank the jury because the subject matter of the film is not
something easy to vote for,” Meadows told the AFP news agency.
Russian film Playing The Victim, a modern-day version of Shakespeare’s
Hamlet, won the best film prize.
Emotional
The films were judged by a popular jury of 50 film fans chosen from
the public.
The director of Playing the Victim, Kirill Serebrennikov, gave an
emotional speech after the winner was announced.
“This film is a film for Russia and for Russians. Because we
still believe that cinema can change people’s way of thinking and
consciences,” he said.
France’s Ariane Ascaride was named best actress for her role in Robert
Guediguian’s poignant drama Armenia.
Italy’s Giorgio Colangeli was judged best actor in the film L’Aria
Salata (The Salt Air) by Alessandro Angelini.
The film follows the story of a father and son who are reunited in
unusual circumstances after years of estrangement.
Sir Sean Connery was honoured with a lifetime achievement award on
the eve of the festival earlier this month.