“HEALTHY START” DANISH PROGRAM ENGAGED IN ISSUES OF INVALID CHILDREN’S TREATMENT FUNCTIONS IN ARMAVIR
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
ARMAVIR, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Invalid children’s medical researches
started in Armavir on June 20, within the framework of the “Healthy
Start” public program. This program has functiones in Armavir already
for 6 months and is implemented by the Danish “Mission East” public
organization. The “Arabkir” medical center of Yerevan shows medical
assitance to the program.
As Anna Avetisian, the responsible for the “Healthy Start” program
informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, the program is addressed to
early discoveringof invalid children, early medical interference and
the process of their integration into the society. A rehabilitation
center for children is envisaged to build in Armavir within the
framework of the program what will make easier the process of treatment
and rehabilitation of children.
“Mission East” NGO representative Alfred Worldstay considers important
children’s researches in 11 communities of Armavir. According to him,
400 forms were already completed which are based on data allocated
by invalid children’s families, involve great information and are
seriously analyzed now.
“The pivot of our activity is a child and his family, and we hope
that we shall create a brighter future for them,” “Mission East”
representative emphasizes.

160 ARMENIAN CHILDREN UNDERGO COURSE OF MEDICAL TREATMENT IN GERMANY UNDER PATRONAGE OF “FRIEDENSDORF” CHARITY ORGANIZATION
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
VANADZOR, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. A group of Armenian children undergoing
a course of medical treatment under the patronage of the German
“Friedensdorf” international charity organization will leave for
Germany in August. Children’s removal is implemented by a specially
rented plane expenses of which are incured by the “Friedensdorf.” The
minimal duration of the treatment is 6 months, the maximal one is
3 years.
In total, 160 Armenian children already underwent a course of medical
treatment under the patronage of the “Friedensdorf” organization. This
organization has implemented continuously for 14 years a wide-spread
program of free medical service for children who need it. They are
mainly children up to 13 years old, whose treatment is possible to
implement only in European countries.
The organization implements its mission in different marzes of Armenia.
As Varuzhan Sedrakian, the Chairman of the “Children’s Association of
Armenia” public organization mentioned in the interview to the Noyan
Tapan correspondent, medical examinations were held in the Lori marz
during the previous years only for children living in the city of
Vanadzor. Children of different regions of the marz as well will be
involved in medical examinations this year. Expenses of taking them
to the center of the marz were covered by the Health Care Department
of the Lori Regional Governor’s Office. Those children who will be
taken to Germany for treatment are chosen by doctors after medical
examination and diagnosis of disease.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REFUGEES OF LORI MARZ ARE PROVIDED WITH DWELLINGS, BUT THERE ARE STILL FAMILIES REMAINED HOMELESS AFTER EARTHQUAKE
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
VANADZOR, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Armenian PR Association” joint
with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees organized journalists’
visit to the marz of Lori on June 19. It was dedicated to the World
Refugees Day.
This was the third visit being implemented by the NGO within the
framework of the “Public Awareness Program” dedicated to social issues
of the country.
Visits were organized before that to the marzes of Kotayk, Ararat
and to Yerevan.
Lori Regional Governor Henrik Kochinian informed that refugees living
in villages of the marz of Tashir and the region of Tumanian have
no flat problem: they either directly exchanged flats or settled
in flats remained free of Azeris. There is flat problem in Spitak,
Vanadzor and neighboring territories suffered from the 1988 earthquake.
According to the Regional Governor, more than 230 families suffered
from the earthquake got flats by the UN resources and with the direct
assistance of the Norwegian Refugee Council, other 34 families were
given certificates for buying flats on the account of the state
budget. According to H.Kochinian, flats like cottages with 400 square
km personal plot were built in Stepanavan for 52 families. The Regional
Governor mentioned that about 200 families as well have flat problem
in the marz, mainly in the city of Vanadzor.
According to H.Kochinian’s estimation, in the sense of employment,
refugees are less protected as an individual enterprizing employer
first of all gives job to his relatives and friends. According to
the official data, the number of unemployed people increased in the
marz in 2005 by 3 thousand compared with the previous year and it
made 18.5 thousand people. At the same time the Regional Governor
finds that those people who work without official registration make
a considerable part among the unemployed people.
According to the Governor, there is little or much stable profit
in cattle-breeding. Big companies store up huge quantity of milk,
and it means that “the market problem is gradually being solved for
a villager. … There are families in the villages of the territory
of Tashir, Stepanavan populated with refugees who have 10-30 cows,
it is a serious profit,” H.Kochinian said.
Though the Regional Governor is not very satisfied with speeds of
development of small and meddium-sized entrepreneurial activity,
however it started to move at present in Vanadzor, Spitak, Stepanavan,
Alaverdi. According to H.Kochinian’s estimation, in this issue Vanadzor
“is some 3 year behind Yerevan, and villages – even more.”
The Regional Governor of Lori finds that it is important for
development of business to differ the agricultural production, thus,
to produce different goods (in the case, when numerous villagers
often sow the same cultured plants, irrespective of the demand). The
Regional Governor also considered important that amalgamation of
lands is implemented for an effective usage of technics.
Participants of the visit were in the villages of Saramej and Ayrum
as well where houses were given to two needy families by the UN High
Commissioner’s Office for Refugee. And in total, the number of families
provided with private houses and cottages by the 2005-2006 financing of
the office will make 31 in the marz of Ararat, and 9 in the Lori marz.

ARMENIAN GDP GROWS BY 10.5% IN JANUARY-MAY 2006
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-May 2006, Armenia’s GDP
made 566 bln 577.5 mln drams (about 1 bln 263 mln USD), exceeding by
10.5% the respective index of last year. According to the RA National
Statistical Service, GDP index-deflator made 1.8%.
In January-April 2006, the total amount of industrial production made
242 bln 235.4 mln drams, declining by 1.9% compared with the same
period of last year, that without diamond production – 240 bln 877.8
mln drams, growing by 1.3%. The gross agricultural output amounted to
84 bln 56.8 mln drams, increasing by 1.8% on January-April 2005, while
construction amounted to 104 bln 524.4 mln drams, growing by 41.7%.
In January-May 2006, the Armenian foreign trade made 1 bln 107.4 mln
USD or by 9.7% more than in the same period of last year. These indices
without diamond trade made 919.8 mln USD and 19.2%. Exports amounted
to 339.1 mln USD, declining by 4.6%, exports without diamonds – to
248.8 mln USD, growing by 2.2%. Imports made 768.3 mln USD, growing
by 17.4%, imports without diamonds – 671 mln USD, growing by 27%.
Retail trade amounted to 261 bln 389.9 mln drams, exceding the
respective index of last year by 13.5%, the services delivered –
to 164 bln 540.6 mln drams, growing by 18.2%.
The concumer price index made up 99.3% in January-May 2006 compared
with the same period of last year, the index of manufacturers’ prices
– 95.5%.
In January-May 2006, the average monthly salary made 58,745 drams in
Armenia or by 20.2% more than in the same months of last year. These
indices with respect to employees of the budget sector made 41,632
drams and 24.8%, and employees of non-budget organizations – 71,721
drams and 16.9%. The monetary incomes of the population made 555 bln
137.3 mln drams or by 17% more, the monetary expenditures – 564 bln
616.9 mln drams or by 20.2% more.
The average exchange rate of the Armenian dram against the US dollar
made 448.51 drams in January-May 2006 compared with 457.69 drams in
January-December 2005.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS DEPARTS ON PONTIFICAL VISIT TO ISTANBUL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 21 2006
ETCHMIADZIN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians departs
for Istanbul, Turkey for a seven-day Pontifical Visit. His Holiness
is traveling to Turkey upon the joint invitation of His Beatitude
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople; and
His All Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information Services of the Mother
See, during this first Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to
Turkey, the Catholicos of All Armenians will visit Armenian churches
and holy shrines, extend his pontifical blessings to the Armenian
community of Istanbul, and meet with Armenian intellectuals and young
men and women. On Sunday, June 25, His Holiness will celebrate a
Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Patriarchate’s Cathedral
of the Holy Mother of God.
For two days during the trip, His Holiness will also be the guest of
the Ecumenical Patriarch in a fraternal visit. His Holiness will have
a number of ecumenical meetings in the Armenian Patriarchate as well.
A meeting is also planned between the Pontiff of All Armenians and
the Governor of Istanbul.
His Holiness’ return to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is scheduled
for June 28.
Accompanying the Catholicos of All Armenians during the journey is His
Eminence Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese
of Romania and Bulgaria; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America; His Eminence Archbishop Karekin
Bekdjian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany; His Eminence
Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, Director of the Publications Department
of the Mother See; His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar
General of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; His Grace Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, Diocesan Legate for the Eastern Diocese (USA); His Grace
Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See; His Grace
Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus;
and Rev. Fr. Vasken Nanian, Staff-Bearer for His Holiness.

ARMENIAN DRAM APPRECIATES 2.3% AGAINST US DOLLAR IN MAY
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. In parallel with a 2.4% price growth on
Armenia’s consumer market in May 2006, the Armenian dram appreciated
by 2.3% against the US dollar.
According to the RA National Statistical Service, a 5.6% growth in
consumer prices was registered in May 2006 on December 2005, with
the settlement exchange rate of the US dollar declining 2.1% in the
indicated period. A similar tendency was registered in the same period
of last year: a 2.9% rise in consumer prices was accompanied by a 7.6%
depreciation of the dollar. The average settlement exchange rate of
the US dollar made 439.73 drams in May 2006, which was lower by 2.1%
than the respective index of May 2005 (449.25 drams).

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE HELD IN STEPANAKERT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 21 2006
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. An international
conference dedicated to the 15th anniversary of proclaiming
independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh opens on June 21
in Stepanakert. About 110 reporters from Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia,
Germany, France, Italy participate in the conference. The goal of
the conference is to thoroughly present Nagorno Karabakh to the
international community.
According to Radio Liberty, participants of the conference will
make reports concerning history, policy, economy, culture of Nagorno
Karabakh in Martakert, Martuni and Gandzasar as well.

ARKADY GHOUKASYAN CONVINCED THAT “FUTURE IS TALKS BETWEEN NKR AND AZERBAIJAN”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 21 2006
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Last fifteen years
showed to the world that the Nagorno Karabakh people are entitled to
have the independent state of their own declared pursuant to the former
USSR’s legislation and the international law’s basic rules. This
was said in NKR President’s message to the participants of the
international conference titled “Nagorno Karabakh Republic: Yesterday,
Today, Tomorrow” that started on June 21 in Stepanakert. The message
was provided to Noyan Tapan from NKR Foreign Ministry Information
and Analytical Department.
“Although the NKR has not been recognized by the international
community yet, however, by the level of conformity to the European
society’s standards our Republic noticeably outstrips Azerbaijan,
which endeavored to dispose of the Nagorno Karabakh’s Armenian
population having enforced a war on us. However, our nation has not
only survived in an unequal sanguinary armed confrontation, but it
managed to mainly cure the war’s wounds, stage an economic recovery,
restore social sphere, inspire new life to the region’s cultural and
spiritual development,” the NKR President mentioned in his message.
Arkady Ghoukasyan emphasized that an efficient army equipped with
modern weaponry, “which is the safest guarantor of the security and
prosperity of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and our nation”, has been
formed in the NKR.
“At present Azerbaijan exerts efforts to reverse history, deprive our
nation of freedom and independence gained at the cost of irreplaceable
losses. It is an unpromising way. I am convinced: the future is the
talks between the NKR and Azerbaijan on the search for the ways of the
problem’s advantageous solution and the establishment of cooperation
between the two states,” the NKR President’s message read.
A.Ghoukasyan expressed the hope that the conference will promote deeper
comprehension of the realities of the region, which is difficult to
imagine without the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s existence. He wished
a successful and fruitful work to the conference.

ROAD BYPASSING BAGRATASHEN CUSTOMS-HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
IJEVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The construction of a road, which
links the village of Bagratashen with the motorway by bypassing the
Bagratashen crossing point, started in May. Levon II LLC (Noyemberian)
is carying out the construction work. Ladik Mamyan, chief engineer of
the company, told NT correspondent that it is envisaged to complete
the construction of this 1,310-meter road by mid July.
The company is repairing the road from the interstate motorway to
Deghzavan with state funds. A 1,620-meter section of this 4,960-meter
road was repaired last year, while the repairs of the remaining
part will be completed this year. The company is also repairing a
800-meter section of the road connecting the city of Noyemberian to
the border settlement Dovegh (the work is also being done with the
RA state budget resources).

SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS DEVELOPS ACTIVELY, ROBERT KOCHARIAN SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to development of small
and medium business were discussed during the June 21 meeting of Robert
Kocharian and a number of representatives of the sector. According
to the RA President’s press service, the ministers of agriculture,
trade and economic development also participated in the meeting.
R. Kocharian noted that small and medium business is developing
actively, which is evident from the fact that it accounts for 40% of
GDP and 16% of exports of Armenia. The President called on more than
20 businessmen representing all the Armenian marzes to hold an open
discussion to identify the obstacles to SME development and based on
it, to decide what new steps the Armenian government should take to
secure a favorable climate for SME activities.
The meeting participants noted that the sector’s development has
entered a new stage characterized by an increase in the number of
small and medium enterprises and the process of their technical
re-equipment. However, there are still problems to be solved,
particularly, the need to conduct fewer check-ups at small and medium
enterprises, provide regional businessmen with business advice, to
train personnel with special education, as well as some legislative
flaws.
The problem of long-term credits with low interest rates and the
need to extend leasing services were also discussed in detail. The
regional businessmen said that they have difficulty meeting the terms
of pledged security for receiving a credit, because the value of land
and property in Armenian marzes is much lower than in Yerevan.
R. Kocharian informed them that in order to deal with the situation,
the cost of the state budget-financed program on provision of credit
guarantees will be increased this year. He welcomed that fact that
the number of entrepreneurs engaged in small and medium business who
are in need of credit resources is on the increase.
The meeting participants also addressed the problem of foreign currency
fluctuations. In this connection, the President noted that this problem
affects the business circles in the whole world, and when signing
contracts, our businessmen should try to insure themselves against it.
R. Kocharian said the problems raised at the meeting will be discussed
once again at a special consultation to be held soon in order to find
final solutions.