CONSTRUCTION GROWS BY 42.8% IN JANUARY-JULY 2006 ON SAME MONTHS OF 2005
Noyan Tapan
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-July 2006, construction
work of 240 bln 302.1 mln drams (over 546 mln USD) was done in
Armenia, including production facility construction of 86 bln 190.7
mln drams. In the indicated volume of work, building and assembly work
amounted to 207 bln 154.5 mln drams, including building and assembly
work of production facilities making 56 bln 151.2 mln drams. According
to the RA National Statistical Service, the volume of construction in
January-July 2006 exceeded the index of January-July 2005 by 42.8%,
and the volume of building and assembly work exceeded the respective
index of last year by 36.6%. In the period of January-July 2006, 308
new residential buildings of the total area of more than 188 thousand
square meters was delivered for use at the expense of humanitarian aid,
and financial resources of organizations and citizens. Particularly,
one residential building of the total area of 37 sq.m. was constructed
in Yerevan at the expense of humanitarian aid, and 8 residential
buildings of the total area of 36 thousand 120 sq.m. were constructed
with organizations’ funds. 299 residential buildings of the total area
of 151 thousand 913 sq.m. were constructed with citizens’ resources
in Armenia, including 173 residential buildings of 124 thousand 250
sq.m. in Yerevan. In the period under review, 2 new comprehensive
schools for 250 pupils (one school for 200 pupils in Chambarak region,
and another for 50 pupils in Tashir region) were put into operation
in Armenia with credit resources of the World Bank. 21 comprehensive
schools were repaired in Armenia in January-July 2006. Particularly,
15 comprehensive schools were repaired with state budget resources,
including 7 schools in Ararat marz, 5 in Armavir marz, one in Syunik
marz, one in Tavush marz and one school in Yerevan. 6 comprehensive
schools were repaired with the WB credit resources, including 2 schools
in Shirak marz, 2 in Armavir marz and 2 – in Yerevan. In the indicated
period, construction of 8 bln 256.8 mln drams or 3.4% of the total
construction in the country was done in the earthquake zone at the
expense of all sources of finance for construction, restoration and
repair of residential buildings, social and production facilities,
including production facility construction of 4 bln 182.5 mln drams
(4.9%). In the period under review, 45 new residential buildings of
the total area of 8,990 sq.m. or 4.8% of the area put into operation
in Armenia were delivered for use with the population’s resources in
the earthquake zone.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PERSIAN FAMOUS POET AND TRANSLATOR, ARMENOLOGIST AHMAD NURIZADE AWARDED MEDAL OF WRITERS’ UNION OF ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “One of famous
and modern poets of Iran, Ahmad Nurizade, irrevocably tied his life
with the Armenian literature, Armenian culture,” Levon Ananian, the
Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Armenia mentioned at the September 8
event dedicated to the 40th anniversary of Persian poet and translator
Ahmad Nurizade’s literary activity.
Levon Ananian mentioned that Nurizade’s translations from Armenian
into Persian make dozens of volumes. In his words, according to
Persian mass media, the Armenian literature and culture are better
known in Iran than the Chinese ones, owing to Nurizade’s works. In
words of the Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, Ahmad Nurizade
is today being recognized as founder of the Armenology in the Persian
language in Iran. He is also the only non-Armenian poet in the world,
who writes in Armenian, and Nurizade’s “Masis is not a Mountain”
poem has been involved in Armenian text-books. In words of Reza Atufi,
the Culture Advisor of the IRI Embassy to Armenia, Nurizade is one of
those best literary figures who make great efforts in the literary
spheres of both Armenia and Iran. R.Atufi appreciated and attached
importance to Nurizade’s role in the affair of establishing friendship
between the two countries. In Ahmad Nurizade’s words, poetry of no
nation is published in Iran with such a volume and number as the
Armenians’ poetry. “The Armenian people deserves it as this people
is owner of centuries-old and rich culture and occupies its special
place in the world civilization,” the poet mentioned. At the end of
the event Levon Ananian awarded Ahmad Nurizade medal of the Writers’
Union of Armenia for the literary contribution.

STATE IS CALLED TO SECURE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGAL GUARANTEES FOR MEDIA ACTIVITY, YOUTH STRUCTURES OF A NUMBER OF PARTIES STATE
Noyan Tapan
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The blameworthy act of violance
taken place towards “Iravunk” newspaper editor Hovhannes Galajian
is continuation of not enough steps taken by corresponding state
bodies in the direction of revealing and undertaking balanced actions
towards authors and organizers of similar acts of violance, cases
of violences committed towards journalists, threats, obstracting
of professional activity or fulfilment of not balanced punitive
measures. It is mentioned in the joint statement of the youth
structures of the “Orinats Yerkir” (Country of Law), NDU, ARF, ANM,
ANA, “Hanrapetituin” (Republic) parties, Democratic Party of Armenia
and a number of public organizations. The statement was made public
at the September 8 press conference.
OYP youth wave chairman Samvel Farmanian mentioned that if men
commiting acts of violence remain unpunished this time as well,
and corresponding bodies display inactivity, the wave of violences
will grow larger during the coming elections. The statement authors
are anxious with the fact that in parallel to approach of the coming
parliamentary elections, they become evidences of a new wave of acts
of violence and threats towards journalists. They are sure that “the
atmosphere in which the coming state elections will be held, will be
considerably provided by the circumstance to what extent corresponding
state institutes will be able to keep the public-political life and
democratic institutions of the country from assaults and violences
of criminogenic elements.”
According to the statement, media freedom and legal guarantees for
journalists’ professional activity are important preconditions on the
way of improvement of democracy, and the state is called to secure
indubitable implementation of those legal guarantees. And “those
violences, threats and pressures are committed and put and encouraged
by those people and forces who are against improvement of a democratic
and free society in Armenia as well as are anxious with the fact that
some aspects of their activity will become the society’s property with
the help of media.” The press conference organizers stated that they
are going to pass the joint statement to the RA Prosecutor’s General
Office, at the same time expressing confidence that they will not
receive any response from the prosecutor’s office. S.Farmanian menioned
that they will be consistent and, in the case of not getting a response
from the prosecutor’s office, they will organize an action of protest.

WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM OF ARMENIA TAKES 2ND PLACE IN TEAM STRUGGLE OF EUROPEAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Noyan Tapan
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Youth Weightlifting
Championship finished in the city of Palermo, Italy, on September
10. Representative of Armenia Sevak Sahakian (94 kg, Kasakh) took the
2nd place with 350 kg result of biathlon. He was awarded silver medal
in the pull exercise with 158 kg, gold medal in the push exercise with
192 kg, and won silver medal in biathlon. The 4-people team of Armenia
took the 2nd place in the team struggle with the number of medals.

NEXT TO LAST TRAIN WITH RUSSIAN MATERIEL PREPARED TO LEAVE GEORGIA THIS YEAR
Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
September 11, 2006 Monday 11:00 AM MSK
This year’s last but one train, carrying arms and materiel of the
Russian 62nd military base, deployed in Akhalkalaki, is ready to
leave for Russia.
“The train, expected to leave on Tuesday, will transport nine Taran
reconnaissance systems and 195 tons of munitions,” a military base
official told Interfax-AVN on Monday.
According to him, this year’s last train will leave for Russia in
a week.
Deputy Commander of the Russian Task Force in Transcaucasia Colonel
Vladimir Kuparadze told Interfax-AVN earlier that this year a total
of six trains had transported 179 pieces of materiel and 217 tons of
various cargo from the Russian 12th military base in Batumi to the
Russian 102nd base in Gyumri, Armenia.
A total of 358 pieces of materiel and 1,671 tons of cargo will be
transproted from Akhalkalaki to Russia.
The withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia will be resumed
next year, with the deadline slated for 2008.

8 OF 16 DELEGATES OF ARMENIA START EUROPEAN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH VICTORY
Noyan Tapan
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Youth Chess
Championship started in the city of Herzeg Novi on September 10. From
16 delegates of Armenia, Tigran Haroutiunian (10), Robert Aghasarian
and Zohrak Apresian (12), Samvel Ter-Sahakian (14), Aghasi Inants
(16) among boys and Susanna Gaboyan (10), Marine Gevorgian (12)
and Shoushanna Sargsian (14) among girls had victories at the first
stage. Meetings of the second stage are held on September 11.

HAYPOST TO BE PASSED TO DUTCH COMPANY ING FOR TRUST MANAGEMNT
Noyan Tapan
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The company Haypost will be passed
to the company ING (Netherlands) for trust management, NT correspondent
was informed from a reliable source. The above mentioned company is
engaged in postal and banking activity. The spokeswoman for Haypost
Astghik Martirosian declined to comment on the matter. To recap,
since 2005, Haypost has been passed to the international company
Converse Invest for trust management a 5-year period.

PORTERFIELD AND GYULBUDAGHYANTS IN BERLIN CONFERENCE
A1+
[06:52 pm] 11 September, 2006
On September 11 – 13 Yan Porterfield, chief coach of the Armenian
national team and Armen Gyulbudaghyants, chief coach of the national
team under 19 will participate in the joint conference titled “2006
and future” organized by FIFA and UEFA presidents for national chief
coaches in Berlin.
The conference is aimed at discussing the highlights of the 2006
football and the 2006 World Cup with the participation of chief
coaches and making conclusions on the bases of these discussions.
Reminder: Scottish Yan Porterfield was appointed the chief coach of
the Armenian national football team on August 16.

OSKANIAN TO MEET WITH THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS
A1+
[07:52 pm] 11 September, 2006
Today RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian left for Paris. He will
meet with the OSCE Minsk group Co-chairs in the evening.
On September 12 Vartan Oskanian will meet with his French counterpart
Philippe Douste-Blazy. Hasmik Poghosyan, RA Minister of Culture and
Youth will meet with Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, the French Minister of
Culture and Communication and they will render joint press conference
on the year of Armenia in France.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPEAKER OF IRANIAN MAJLIS CONSIDERS ARMENIAN-IRANIAN INTERSATE RELATIONS AS EXEMPLARY FOR REGION
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The
centuries-old neighbor Iran has beeen the most effective partner,
especially in Armenia’s difficult time when a blockade was imposed
on the country. The Speaker of the RA National Assembly Tigran
Torosian stated that during a tete-a-tete talk with the Speaker
of the Iranian Majlis Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel on September 11. The
NA Speaker expressed his satisfaction that Iran’s majlis speaker
is paying a visit to Armenia for the first time since Armenia’s
independence. In terms of bilateral relations, the parliamentary
speaker attached importance to the cooperation in the energy sector,
highlighting the programs on construction of the gas pipeline and the
hydropower plant on the River Arax, and the third high-volatge power
transmission line. Tigran Torosian expressed his gratitude to majlis’
speaker for his favorable treatment of the Iranian Armenians. In
connection with the developments related to Iran’s nuclear program,
Tigran Torosian expressed a hope that further problems will be solved
through negotiations. Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel considered the interstate
relations as exemplary for the region, saying that these relations
have entered a new stage after the mutual visits of the two countries’
presidents. He said that the Armenians have always been treated with
respect in Iran, as evidenced by the Armenian deputies’ presence
in the majlis. After the tete-a-tete talk, a meeting took place
between the delegation headed by the Iranian Majlis’ Speaker and the
RA National Assembly Speaker, the NA Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian,
as well as representatives of the NA standing committees, factions and
groups. Tigran Torosian expressed confidence that the current visit
provides a basis for deepening the interparliamentary relations. The
majlis’ speaker underlined the importance of Iran’s balanced and
discreet position on the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The
NA Speaker also spoke about the careful treatment of the Armenian
cultural monuments in Iran, unlike another neighbor that desproys
these monuments. Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel noted that his country’s
foreign policy is based on Islam which does not allow to form its
foreign policy in the interests of one group at the expense of other
groups. He pointed out the importance of strengthening the relations
with Armenia, of further cooperation in the energy sector and said
that his country is in favor of the peaceful settlement of the Nagono
Karabakh conflict and continuation of the negoatiations between the
two countries’ presidents. According to the RA National Assembly PR
Department, the memebers of the delegation headed by Iran’s majlis
speaker met in the parliament with the Armenia-Iran Frienship Deputy
Group. Galust Sahakian, head of the Armenia-Iran Friendship Deputy
Group, noted that the political and economic links between the two
countries are strengthening, the interparliamentary friendship is
deepening. It was mentioned that the year 2006 was a fruitful one
in terms of cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments:
a group of Armenian MPs paid a working visit to Iran recently and
had several important meetings there. Gevorg Vardan, co-chairman
of the Iran-Armenia Friendship Deputy Group, also highlighted the
cooperation between the two countries and parliaments, noting that
interparliamentary links have reached the level of economic relations.