CONSUMER BASKET COMPONENTS’ WEIGHTS AND BASIS YEAR FOR CALCULATION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDICES CHANGED IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
May 03 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Statistical Service
included another 70 goods and services (91 goods and service
representatives) in the consumer basket, thus increasing the number of
goods and services used for calculation of price indices from 400 in
January 2006 to 470 (560 goods and service representatives). NT was
informed from the RA National Statistical Service that 2005 instead
of 2002 has been taken as a basis year for the calculation of price
indices in 2006. A research of Armenian households’ standard of living
was conducted in the period of March 31, 2004 to April 1, 2005, as a
result of which considerable changes in the consumer basket components
were registered. Taking into account the price changes in the calendar
year of 2005, the National Statistical Service made a recalculation
of specific weights of the goods and service representatives included
in the consumer basket.

NOR ZHAMANAKNER PARTY PRESENTS ITS CONDOLENCES AND EXPRESSES SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AND RELATIVES OF AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 03 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Nor Zhamanakner
(New Times) party Chairman Aram Karapetian, the party board and
thousands of party members deeply mourn over the May 3 tragedy that
happened to the Yerevan-Sochi plane, present their condolences and
express support to the families and relatives of more than a hundred
victims. This was said in the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the
party’s press service.

RA OMBUDSMAN EXPRESSES HIS DEEP CONDOLENCES TO RELATIVES OF VICTIMS OF AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 03 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Ombudsman Armen
Haroutiunian sent a message of condolence on the occasion of
the accident of the Yerevan-Sochi plane. “I deeply grieve for the
accident of the Yerevan-Sochi plane. I present my deep condolences to
the relatives of the passengers and the plane crew that died in the
accident. I hope all possible means will be undertaken for alleviating
the grief of the relatives of the victims,” the message read.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NDI IMPLEMENTS PROGRAMS OF WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICAL AND PUBLIC SPHERES
Noyan Tapan
May 03 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Women from more than 20 Armenian parties
have been already involved in the Actions Plan “Let’s Win Together With
Women” being implemented by the U.S. National Democratic Institute
(NDI). Lilit Ohanian, coordinator of NDI programs, informed about
it at the May 3 press conference. According to her, the Actions Plan
“Let’s Win Together With Women” is aimed at increasing the number of
women on the ruling posts and at encouraging their participation in
electoral processes. Lilit Ohanian informed that women members of
the Hanrapetutiun (Republic), Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law), ARF
Dashnaktsutiun, National Unity, Women of Armenia and other parties
have expressed willingness to take part in this process during the
recent months. A Woman-Leader forum has been also established on the
initiative of the NDI. The forum includes women representing NGOs,
political parties and the business sphere. According to Lilit Ohanian,
both the implementation of the plan and the processes relating to
the forum are continual.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

For Immediate Release
ACWD PRESS OFFICE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 3, 2006
Burbank, CA, United States
Condolence Statement from Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of
the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
On behalf of Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
and its faithful, we extend our heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the
families and relatives of the 113 passengers and crew of the Armavia
passenger plane which today crashed on its way from Yerevan to Sochi.
It is with great sorry and pain that we mourn the tragic loss of the
innocent lives that fell victim of this deadly crash and pray that God
Almighty console the pain and suffering of their families and loved
ones and grant them the strength to overcome this calamity. May God
accept the souls of those who perished in the illuminated heights
of Heaven.
With Prayers,
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate
The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, providing
spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic community,
is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of 47
churches in 16 western states. The Western Diocese was established in
1898 as the Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire
United States and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to
better serve the growing Armenian population of the western United
States.

RA AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT VISITS SOUTH AFRICA TO HAND CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND TO HAVE OFFICIAL MEETINGS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 03 2006
PRETORIA, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ambassador of Armenia
to Egypt Ruben Karapetian was in South Africa on April 17-26 to hand
credentials to the President of the country and to hold official
meetings. The official ceremony of handing credentials took place
in Pretoria on April 18. Ambassador of Armenia Ruben Karapetian and
President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki exchanged greetings during
what the President appreciated appointment of the RA Ambassador to
the Republic of South Africa for the first time, expressing a hope
that development of bilateral relations will be of a more practical
and successive character from now on. Then a private conversation
took place between the Ambassador of Armenia and the RSA President,
during which the necessity of activizing cooperation in all directions
was bilaterally emphasized, those long-lasting spheres were mentioned
where a great potential exists, particularly, in the spheres of diamond
manufacturing, information technologies, agriculture, wine-making,
food industry as well as health care, tourism and education. Ruben
Karapetian presented Thabo Mbeki the fundamental principles and primary
tasks of the foreign policy of Armenia, relations of Armenia with
countries of the region and the present stage of settlement process
of the Nagorno Karabakh problem. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the
RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, in Pretoria
the Ambassador had meetings with the Health Care Minister, Deputy
Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Industry, Agriculture,
the Chairman of the Commerce and Industry Chamber and businessmen. The
Ambassador participated and had a speech in Johannesburg on April
23 in the event dedicated to the memory of the Genocide victims. The
event was organized by the newly founded Armenian Association of South
Africa. Ruben Karapetian visited Cape Town on April 24-26 where he met
with the Chairman of the Western Cape Investment and Trade Promotion
Agency (WESGRO), the Director of the Center for Agricultural
Researches. The Ambassador visited wine-making regions out of Cape Town
and had practical discussions with heads of big companies of the sphere
of wine-making, concerning possibilities of implementing technological
investments, exchange of exprience and joint researches. During his
visit to South Africa, Ambassador Ruben Karapetian gave two interviews
to Pretoria and Cape Town dailies with the biggest print run.

WORKING COMMISSION CREATED AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO ASSIST FAMILIES OF PEOPLE DIED IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 03 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A consultation took
place at RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian’s Office during which it was
decided to create a working commission to show necessary assistance to
families of people died in the accident of the aircraft implementing
the Yerevan-Sochi flight on May 3. The working commission will be
created with the following staff: Hovhannes Margarian (“Orinats Yerkir”
(Country of Law) party), Hovik Abovian (RPA), Vostanik Marukhian
(ARF), Aghasi Arshakian (“Azgayin Miabanutiun” (National Unity),
Mnatsakan Petrosian (ULP), Vladimir Badalian (“People’s Deputy”),
Edmund Tsaturian (“Ardarutiun” (Justice). Again expressing condolence
to relatives of victims, members of the NA group and factions expressed
confidence that reasons of the accident will be found out. NA deputies
will organize gathering of money to assist families of victims. As
Noyan Tapan was informed by the NA Public Relations Department, it
was proposed during the consultation not to hold a NA sitting on May 4.

ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS OF JAVAKHK PROPOSES TO GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES TO DISCUSS ISSUE OF SECURITY GUARANTEES OF JAVAKHK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 03 2006
AKHALKALAK, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Representatives
of the Samthkhe-Javakhk Armenian Public Organizations Council had a
meeting on April 28 with Artur Yeremian, the head of the region of
Akhalkalak, during which they raised the issue of security guarantees
arising among Armenians of Javakhk on the occasion of removing the
Russian military bases from Akhalkalak. According to the “A-Info”
agency, the council representatives turned to the head of the region,
asking to negotiate with high-ranking responsible officials of
Georgia in the affair of organizing a meeting and discussing the
issue. A.Yeremian, sharing anxiety of the council representatives,
promised to assist initiatives of the council within the borders of
its possibilities.

MEMORY-EVENING DEDICATED TO MEMORY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS TAKES PLACE IN NUBARIAN ARMENIAN NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CAIRO
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 03 2006
CAIRO, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A memory-evening dedicated
to memory of the Armenian Genocide victims took place on April 28
at the Blktanian hall of the Armenian Nubarian National School of
Cairo. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s
Press and Information Department, RA NA Deputy, historian Levon
Mkrtchian made a report at the event. L.Mkrtchian spoke about the
Armenian Cause, different aspects of international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide as well as about Armenia-Turkey relations. The
speaker presented approaches of the Republic of Armenia in the issue
of establishing relations with Turkey. Numerous representatives of
the Armenian community of Egypt, political and cultural figures were
present at the event.

DEAD BODY OF CITIZEN LOST TRACELESS IN 2005 FOUND OUT
Noyan Tapan
May 03 2006
ASHTARAK, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. An information was got on May 2 from
the Police of the marz of Aragatsotn that the dead body of Mnatsakan
Gevorgian died in 1958 who was lost traceless still from November 17,
2005, was found out in Kasakh gorge, in the territory near Aparan,
called “Berd”. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by the Rescue Service
of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration.