MEMORIAL-KHACHKAR TO PLANE ACCIDENT VICTIMS ERECTED IN BAGRATASHEN
Noyan Tapan
Jun 14 2006
IJEVAN, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN. A memorial-khachkar (cross-stone) to the
victims of Armavia airline’s A-320 plane crashed on May 3 was erected
on June 13 in the village of Bagratashen, Tavush region. 29-year-old
Armenuhi Kirakosian, a resident of Bagratashen, was also among the
victims. Her corpse was not found. The memorial was erected by her
relatives.

FOREIGN COMPANIES TAKE INTEREST IN ARMENIAN SEISMIC INSULATORS AND THEIR USE TECHNOLOGIES
Noyan Tapan
Jun 14 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Negotiations on sale of rubber-metal
seismic insulators made in Armenia and their use technologies are
underway with companies from the US, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey,
Iran, India and Nepal.
Mikael Melkumian, chief expert of the engineering research center of
the American University of Armenia, Chairman of the Armenian Seismic
Resistant Construction Association, stated this at a press conference
on June 13.
According to him, so far Armenia has sold seismic insulators in the
US and Syria. Seismic insulators are produced in many countries, with
each manufacturer having its own technology secrets. M. Melkumian noted
that despite their high quality, the price of Armenian insulators is
lower: a complete set of seismic insulators produced at 4 Armenian
plants costs 550-750 dollars. At the same time, these plants do not
yet intend to transfer their production technologies.

CBA TO EXAMINE IMPACT OF RUBLE-DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS ON AMOUNT OF REMITTANCES FROM RUSSIA
Noyan Tapan
Jun 14 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) is
taking steps for examination of the impact of Russian ruble-US dollar
exhange rate fluctuations on the amount of remittances from Russia to
Armenia. IMF Resident Representative to Armenia James McHugh stated
this on June 14 during a seminar “The Role of IMF in Transitional
Economies” organized by the CBA.
He said that the Armenians currently working in Russia often exhange
their incomes in Russian roubles for dollars and then transfer these
amounts to Armenia. According to him, during surveys, those receiving
remittances from Russia usually do not provide correct information
about the amount of remittances.
It is noteworthy that according to experts, a large share of
remittances of over 1 bln USD that those Armenians received from abroad
in 2005 was from Russia. Remittances have a considerable impact on
Armenian dram – US dollar fluctuations.
J. McHugh noted that based on the data of an IMF’s analysis published
in late 2005, the exchange rate of the dram was undervalued in the
past few years, whereas today there is a tendency to value it higher.

LITTLE POSITIVE MOVEMENT IN OHAN DURIAN’S HEALTH STATE
Noyan Tapan
Jun 14 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The health state of conductor Ohan
Durian moved to the “Nairi” medical center with heart apoplectic
stroke at night, June 1, is estimated stably grave. As Siranush
Martirosian, the Deputy Chief Doctor of the center informed the Noyan
Tapan correspondent, there is a little positive movement. According to
her, artificial breathing apparatus is still connected to the patient.

RA AMBASSADOR PRESENTS ESSENCE OF POLITICAL REFORMS IMPLEMENTED IN ARMENIA TO PRESIDENT OF AUSTRIAN NATIONALRAT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 14 2006
VIENNA, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues relating to
the home political situation in Armenia were discussed at the the June
13 meeting of Armenian Ambassador to to Austria Ashot Hovakimian with
President of Austrian Nationalrat Andreas Khol.
Ambassador Hovakimian presented the essence of the political reforms
implemented in the country through constitutional amendments,
the current interrelations between Armenia and its neighboring
countries. The Ambassador expressed bewilderment that Turkey –
a country intending to become a EU member, keeps in a blockade a
country cooperating with EU within the framework of the European
Neighborhood policy.
A.Hovakimian attached importance to the role of Austria in the issue
of further development of EU-Armenia cooperation within the framework
of the European Neighborhood policy.
RA Ambassador also touched upon the issue of recognition of the
Armenian Genocide mentioning that the international community gradually
moves towards this.
A.Khol mentioned that Armenia has a good reputation in the Austrian
public perception, which is partly conditioned by Franz Werfel’s
contribution, as well as the activity of the Mechitarist Congregation
of Vienna.
According to RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
on June 9, RA Ambassador was also received by President of Austrian
Bundesrat Sissy Roth-Halvax. Armenian-Austrian interparliamentary
relations, as well as prospects of establishment of cooperation among
Armenian marzes and Austrian regions were discussed at the meeting.

BUILDERS OF BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE REFUSE TO COMPENSATE DAMAGE INFLICTED TO ARMENIAN VILLAGE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 14 2006
AKHALKALAK, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The
SPI-Capag-Petrofac company carrying out the construction of the
Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline in the territory of Georgia has inflicted a
land damage to the village of Ghado, Akhalkalak region, for using sand
necessary for the construction and has been refusing to compensate
the damage up to this day.
According to the A-Info agency, at the construction company they
explain that the land used by them belongs to the state and they
have the respective licence for using it from the Ministry of Nature
Protection.
The residents of Ghado insist that the sand used for the oil pipeline’s
construction is taken from the territory belonging to them and they
have the respective certificate of public ownership. Besides, the
residents of Ghado mention that a compensation in a large amount was
given in other regions when the territories of Georgian villages were
used for the same purposes. For the present, the inhabitants of Ghado
hope for the justice of the Georgian law-enforcement bodies. The
case made up on the basis of their complaints has already reached
the Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office.

TSALKA AND NINOTSMINDA CONSIDERED PROBABLE REGIONS FOR RESETTLEMENT OF MESKHETIAN TURKS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 14 2006
AKHALKALAK, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. In the opinion of
Teymuraz Lomsadze, Adviser on Issues of Repatriation of Meskhetians
of the Georgian State Minister on Issues of Conflict Settlement, the
most part of the territories where the Meskhetian Turks lived have
become ruined and their restoration will require large exenditures.
The State Minister’s Adviser mentioned that besides turning into ruins,
these territories are not rich in land, either, and the Turks should
be resettled in more convenient territories. According to the A-Info
agency, Georgians from different Georgian regions were resettled in
the most part of the Meskhetians’ territories and the lands of the
ruined territories were also given to them.
By the way, according to unofficial data, Tsalka and Ninotsminda are
considered as probable regions for resettlement of Meskhetians as
part of the houses of Greeks and Russians who have left these regions
are vacant.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EVENT DEDICATED TO 25th ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION OF HOVHANNES SHIRAZ SATURDAY ARMENIAN SCHOOL TAKES PLACE IN VIENNA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 14 2006
VIENNA, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A solemn event
dedicated to the 25th anniversary of foundation of the Hovhannes Shiraz
Armenian Saturday school was held on June 10 at the hall of the Park
Hotel Schonbrunn of Vienna. About 250 guests took part in the event.
According to RA Foreign Ministy Press and Information Department, RA
Ambassador to Austria Ashot Hovakimian and RA Resident Representative
to international organizations in Vienna Jivan Tabibian made greeting
speeches at the event. They solemnly gave graduation certificates to
the 11 leavers of the school.
The Armenian Ambassadors wished further development and success
to the school mentioning the school’s exclusive role in the issue
of preservation of the Armenian nation and its contribution to the
consolidation of the community.
They especially stressed the contribution of school headmaster Aghavni
Baroyan, lecturers, school founders and benefactors to education of
Austrian Armenians in the Armenian spirit.

ARMENIA PARTICIPATES IN BUSINESS FORUM IN SWITZERLAND ON JUNE 12-13
Noyan Tapan
Jun 14 2006
ZURICH, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN. A business forum Swiss Forum & Current
Investment Hotspots in Emerging Regions was held in Zurich (Switzerlan)
on June 12-13. The Armenian delegation headed by the RA Minister of
Trade and Economic Development Karen Chshmaritian participated in
the forum.
According to the press service of the ministry, during the forum K.
Chshmaritian made a speech, in which he presented the overall
description of the Armenian economy, economic indices registered in
recent years, and the liberal investment climate. He spoke about the
activities of the Diaspora, noting the important role the Diaspora
plays in the establishment and development of business links. The
minister underlined Armenia’s willingness to extend its business
relations with Switzerland.
The Armenian delegation was received by Ambassador of the Swiss
Ministry of Economy, Special Representative Oscar Knapp. He pointed
out Armenia’s active participation in the business forum and expressed
confidence that it will help Armenia with raising its business rating
in Switzerland.
Armenia had its pavilion at the exhibition held within the framework
of the forum. The priority sectors of the Armenian economy and
the country’s business opportunities were displayed by the Armenian
Development Agency, the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the National
Center of SME Assistance and other organizations.
The Armenian community of Switzerland took an active part in the
business forum and exhibition.

A-320 CRASH CAUSED BY HUMAN FACTOR
Yerevan, June 14. ArmInfo. The inter-state air committee has finished
to decode the black boxes of Armavia’s A-320 crashing near Sochi May 3.
One of the experts has told MK (Russia) that it is already known that
the crash was caused by “human factor” rather than some equipment
failure. The decoding has shown that the equipment was in good order
and that there was no lack of fuel. The main cause might be the
loss of orientation by the crew – i.e. when a pilot confuses the
sky with the earth. This can happen because of either distraction
or bad weather. The experts tends to think that in this particular
case it was bad weather. When the air controller sent the plane for
the second turn the crew flew it manually. The heel was too big –
one more possible cause. Now the committee is trying to find more
or less evasive wordings so as not to blame the crew – it is always
hard to blame people, especially when they are already dead. Still
the black boxes have shown that the equipment is out of suspicion.
To remind, A-320 with 113 people onboard fell into the Black Sea when
flying from Yerevan to Sochi May 3.