BRILLIANT SUCCESS ACHIEVED BY VAHE MUSOYAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIAD IN INFORMATICS
Azad-Hye, United Arab Emirates
Sept 7 2005
The 17th annual International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) took place
in Poland in August 2005 with the participation of about 270 school
children from 72 countries. According to the regulations students up
to 20 years old (who have been in school at least for the last six
months) can participate.
During its 10 years of participation Armenia for the first time
achieved gold medal. Vahe Musoyan was the star of the team and he
succeeded in gathering 511 units out of a total of 600.
Is one medal enough? Based on the regulations some 12 percent of the
participants get gold medals, which amounts to a total of 24 medals.
Each country has the right to participate with four contestants,
regardless of its size. There are countries, such as China, USA,
Russia and Republic of Korea, etc, that aspire to get gold medals for
all their four participants. In those countries favorable conditions
have been set to meet the requirements of the contestants, through
organizing training sessions, granting University admissions and the
least to say by enjoying facilities, such as training locations and
the opportunity to meet other people and to diversify their knowledge
and abilities.
Having in mind the above mentioned basic requirements we can consider
Vahe Musoyan’s gold medal as a great achievement.
Does this medal reflect the level of the Informatics as a subject
taught in Armenian schools? Armen Andreasyan, the head of the Armenian
delegation answers in one word: NO. Read More
He says to , “the medal is the result of the talent,
abilities and the efforts of Vahe Musoyan himself. He has aimed to get
this medal through had work for the last four years, getting every year
better in solving algorithmic problems. He has already participated
in the Olympiads for the last three times acquiring two bronze medals”
(see last year’s correspondence in our website).
Mr. Armen Andreasyan has been training the Armenian team in the
special school call Kvant for the last 3 and half years. He says that
unfortunately the subject of Informatics is neglected in Armenian
schools. The number of teachers is not enough and the knowledge base
of the existing ones is not sufficient. Informatics is not one of the
subjects required to enter University. Therefore it has been pushed
away from the main stream subjects.
On the question, why the other participants did not get medals, Mr.
Andreasyan admits that results of the other members of the team were
below the expectations and they should be considered to be low. Vahe
Gulyan for example gathered 240 units, which were not enough to get
a bronze medal. Armen Mnatsakanyan scored 228 units. The reason seems
to be the level of the preparation. In many countries special summer
sessions take place to develop the abilities of the students. There are
Olympiad centers, summer and winter courses, internet training sites,
but in Armenia these conditions are available only in few places.
There is another problem. The participants of the International
Olympiad of Informatics in Armenia have two choices: either to
prepare themselves to University entry level general examinations or
to devote their time to IOI trainings. It is becoming hard to achieve
good results in both. Therefore those who are opting for the first
one are not finding enough time to train for the Olympiad and are
consequently scoring humble results.
We congratulate the Armenian team and their training teacher and hope
that this year’s achievement will inspire them all to have better
results next year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHICH DIRECTOR WOULD MAKE THE BETTER GODFATHER?: EGOYAN V. CRONENBERG
by J. Kelly Nestruck, National Post
National Post (Canada)
September 8, 2005 Thursday
Toronto Edition
At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, two of Canada’s
top directing dynamos are facing off. Atom Egoyan’s Where the Truth
Lies and David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence are both getting gala
presentations, and the men behind them are vying for the (unofficial)
title of Greatest Canadian Director at the Festival After Deepa Mehta.
The timid critics are quiet as to who is the better filmmaker, but
the Canadian people aren’t shy about saying what’s what. Each day
during the festival, we will show three filmgoers pictures of Atom
and David and ask them to choose. In the end, there will only be one
dude standing (behind Deepa).
Today’s question: Which of these two men would you rather be the
godfather to your child?
Location: Outside the SilverCity movie theatre at Yonge and Eglinton.
– Meghan, a 24-year-old publicist, chose Atom. “He looks younger. His
hair isn’t going grey, and he looks more friendly. This other guy
looks kind of scary. Skeleton-like.”
– Edie, a psychologist, chose David. “Probably it’s because he’s
older, and older people tend to be godfather types. I don’t think
I’d pick either one, really. You think about godfather attributes,
like caring and responsible. I think they’re very creative, but …”
– Beata, mother of Patrick, 2, and Eryk, 9 months, chose Atom. “He
looks younger. He looks like he would be bigger fun to play with for
my children.”
Winner of Round 1: Atom Egoyan. The lean, mean Armenian takes an
early lead thanks to youthful good looks and a fun-lovin’ attitude
that bowl the ladies over. Lock him up, Arsinee, or he may end up
with a gaggle of “god”children!
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GREEK PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT RECALLING 1955 RIOTS ATTACKED IN ISTANBUL
Agence France Presse — English
September 6, 2005 Tuesday 9:24 PM GMT
Ultra-nationalist Turkish militants attacked an exhibit in Istanbul
of rare photographs of violent anti-Greek incidents that occurred in
the city 50 years ago, ripping photos off the walls and throwing eggs
at the display.
Shouting “Turkey is Turkish and will stay that way,” the assailants
burst into the exhibit on its opening night, scuffling with the guests.
Riot police arrived and roughly rounded up the militants, arresting
three of them, police said.
“I’m merely defending my country,” one militant told AFP.
Serious riots that broke out in Istanbul on the night of September 6,
1955, led to looting in Greek neighborhoods and the destruction of
many of the city’s churches and synagogues.
More than 5,000 shops belonging to the Greek minority were looted
by an emotional crowd of several thousand people reacting to rumors
of a bomb attack at the birthplace of the founder of modern Turkey,
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in Salonika, northern Greece.
The army had to intervene to quell the violence.
Turkey is officially 99 percent Muslim. Its 45,000 Armenians, 35,000
Jews, 20,000 Syrians and 4,000 Greek Orthodox faithful live primarily
in Istanbul.
Known as Constantinople under Greece’s last great empire, Istanbul
remains the seat of the Eastern Orthodox patriarchate, the highest
authority in the Orthodox world.

CZECHS CRUISE PAST ARMENIA 6:0
Reuters
Aug 8 2005
Jan Polak scored twice to lead the Czech Republic to a 4-1 win over
Armenia in their World Cup Group One qualifier overnight.
The Czechs, who have 24 points from 10 games, leapfrogged Romania
(22 points) into second place in the table.
Marek Heinz opened the scoring for the Czechs in the 47th minute
when his shot from 18 metres took a deflection off Armenia defender
Sargis Hovsepjan.
Polak struck five minutes later when his 25-metre drive took another
ricochet before finding the back of the net.
Milan Baros made it 3-0 when he swept home Jan Koller’s rebound in
the 58th minute before Polak notched his second with 14 minutes left.
Ara Hakobian pulled a goal back for Armenia in the 85th minute.
“We only started to play after the break. In the first half, we were
like Sleeping Beauty,” Czech coach Karel Bruckner told reporters.
The Czechs needed maximum points after a 2-0 defeat by Romania on
Saturday.
“If we could have got ahead, the Czechs would have had a very
difficult task. But after they scored the second goal, it was pretty
well decided,” said Armenia’s Dutch coach Henk Wisman.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CZECH REPUBLIC 4 ARMENIA 1
Sportinglife.com, UK
Aug 8 2005
Czech Republic maintained the pressure on Group One leaders Holland
on Wednesday night with an emphatic defeat of Armenia in Olomouc.
The Czechs ran out comfortable winners despite a poor first-half
performance.
They picked up the tempo after the break though and cruised into
a 4-0 lead thanks to goals from Marek Heinz and Milan Baros and a
double from Jan Polak.
Ara Hakobyan grabbed a late consolation but the Czechs had already
done enough.
Without influential playmaker Tomas Rosicky through injury, the home
side struggled to find any fluency in the early stages with several
passes going astray.
They still dominated possession, Heinz forcing visiting keeper Roman
Berezovsky into an early save and Baros mis-hitting his effort from
in front of goal.
But Armenia held their own for the opening half-hour and even had
the best chance of the first period.
Hakobyan robbed Tomas Galasek on the halfway line and ran unopposed
to the Czech penalty area only for home keeper Jaromir Blazek to
block his shot with his legs.
It was a rare foray forward for Armenia and their attacking threat
dried up completely after the break with substitute Vladimir Smicer
proving dangerous down the right following his introduction.
Smicer almost made an immediate impact but Berezovsky blocked his shot
while Tomas Ujfalusi came close to giving the hosts the lead with a
clever lob which Robert Arzumanyan did well to head off his own line.
The Czechs finally made the breakthrough after 48 minutes, Heinz’s
volley deflecting off Armenia skipper Sargis Hovsepjan and into
the net.
Luck deserted the visitors again four minutes later when Berezovsky
was undone by another deflection, this time off Karen Dokhoyan,
which allowed Polak’s shot to find the net.
Baros made it 3-0 after 58 minutes, tapping in after Berezovsky saved
a Jan Koller header, and Polak capped a fine individual display by
hammering home from long range 18 minutes later.
Hakobyan netted from close range with five minutes to go.
Teams
Czech Republic: Blazek, Grygera, Polak, Galasek, Poborsky, Koller,
Skacel (Smicer 46), Baros (Jun 80), Heinz, Ujfalusi, Rozehnal
(Sivok 70).
Subs Not Used: Kinsky, Zelenka, Hubschman, Pospech.
Goals: Heinz 47, Polak 52, Baros 58, Polak 76.
Armenia: Berezovsky, Hovsepyan, Arzumanian, Dokhoyan, Tadevosian
(Melikian 64), Valeri Aleksanian, Khachatryan (Tigranyan 71),
Karen Aleksanian, Mkrtchian, Aram Hakobian (Artur Petrosian 57),
Ara Hakobian.
Subs Not Used: Kasparov, Baghdarasian, Voskanian, Voskanyan.
Booked: Tadevosian, Hovsepyan.
Goals: Ara Hakobian 86.
Att: 12,015
Ref: Martin Hansson (Holmsjo).

CBA STARTED WORKING ON SOVEREIGN RATING OF ARMENIA
ARKA News Agency
Sept 7 2005
YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
started working on the sovereign rating of the country, Chairman of
the CBA Tigran Sargsyan told journalists. He reported that receiving
of the sovereign rating will create a new environment in Armenia not
only for local, but also for foreign investors. To reach this goal
the CBA has already applied to the IMF for technical assistance. “We
should conduct joint work to make it possible for Armenia to receive
a sovereign rating, which will create more favorable conditions for
the Armenian commercial banks, which also will be able to receive
their ratings” , Sargsyan said. He also reported that currently the
Armenian banks have some problems in cooperation with foreign partners
due to the lack of such international rating. A.A. -0–

ARMENIA, THAILAND TO SIGN JOINT ACTIONS PROGRAM THURSDAY IN YEREVAN
ARKA News Agency
Sept 7 2005
YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. Program of joint actions is to be
signed by Armenia’s and Thailand’s Governments Thursday in Yerevan.
According to Armenian Foreign Ministry’s press service, from Armenian
side the document will be signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Armen
Baiburdyan and from the opposite side his Thai counterpart Virachai
Virameteekul. M.V. –0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OMBUDSMAN CAUTIOUSLY CONDEMNS
A1+
| 17:35:53 | 08-09-2005 | Politics |
Human rights defender Larissa Alaverdyan has issued a special report on
violations of human rights of the residents being expelled from their
houses over the construction project of Yerevan. Today the Ombudsman
met with journalists to tell that the report will be placed at the
website
Without mentioning any names or state structures infringing the rights
the residents L. Alaversyan diplomatically noted, “The violations can
be observed n the government resolution, the programs worked out by
the city administration and in the course of performing pleas.” The
forcible expelling and the amount of compensation aroused indignation
of the Ombudsman.
During today’s’ press conference L. Alaverdyan stated that the report
in not called to condemn the incumbent or the construction works
carried out in the capital. After attending Buzand Steet 23 and seeing
the expelled residents the Ombudsman concluded that the program caused
serious social tension, which, in her opinion can cause emergency
situation. “The authorities have to settle this issue”, she said.

OPPOSITION SET TO END PARLIAMENT BOYCOTT
Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep.
Aug 8 2005
The Armenian opposition confirmed on Wednesday its reported plans to
put a permanent end to its 18-month boycott of parliament dominated
by President Robert Kocharian’s supporters.
The more than two dozen deputies representing the Artarutyun bloc and
the National Unity Party (AMK) walked out of the National Assembly
in February 2004 after its pro-presidential majority refused to
consider calling a “referendum of confidence” in Kocharian. The move
precipitated a bitter confrontation between the government and the
opposition that deepened political polarization in the country.
The Armenian authorities and the Council of Europe have since
repeatedly urged the opposition minority to return to the parliament.
The two opposition groups suspended the boycott last week to attend
parliament debates on constitutional reform not least because it was
broadcast live by state television. That gave opposition leaders a
rare opportunity to spread their message to TV viewers across Armenia.
“Deputies from the National Unity Party tentatively discussed that
issue and after analyzing the results of the extraordinary parliament
session arrived at the conclusion that they should return to the
National Assembly,” AMK leader Artashes Geghamian told RFE/RL. “Only
in that case will the failings of the coalition become obvious to
the people.”
Geghamian added that the AMK faction’s decision is likely to be
endorsed by the party’s governing board on Saturday and that he and
eight other deputies representing it could return to the National
Assembly on Monday.
A similar decision is expected to be made by Artarutyun. “The people
are asking us to participate in the work of the National Assembly
and expose the real face of the regime,” one of its leaders, Victor
Dallakian, said after Wednesday’s meeting of the bloc’s governing
board.
The end of the boycott continues to be strongly opposed by
Hanrapetutyun, the most radical of the nine parties aligned in the
bloc. “I personally won’t go to the parliament,” its leader Aram
Sarkisian told reporters.
Sarkisian, who has still not attended a single parliament session,
against stated that he does not fear being stripped of his mandate
by the parliament majority because of absenteeism. “If they are such
law-abiding and honest guys, let them expel me,” he said. “I am openly
challenging them to expel me. I have no problem with that.”
The outspoken oppositionist also downplayed the decision by
several prominent members of his party to leave Hanrapetutyun. The
dissenters led by former Yerevan Mayor Albert and former Defense
Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian cited Sarkisian’s growing pro-Western
orientation and readiness to ignore the opinion of other opposition
forces.
“The Hanrapetutyun leader is promising a quick democratic revolution
but his real actions are having opposite effects,” Harutiunian charged
on Tuesday. “We believe that regime change is possible only through
the consolidation of the opposition camp.”
Harutiunian, who has a reputation of a pro-Russian politician, also
claimed that at least half of the Hanrapetutyun chapters across the
country have decided to split from the party. “Those figures are very
far from reality,” responded Sarkisian.
Sarkisian claimed that the discord, heavily publicized by pro-Kocharian
media, is only helping his party attract new and mostly young
members. He said he will outline Hanrapetutyun’s plans at a conference
which will take place later this month or early next.

AUSTRIA INTENDS TO BE MEDIATOR IN KARABAKH CONFLICT PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8. ARMINFO. Austria intends to be a mediator
between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the process of Karabakh conflict
peaceful settlement, Turkish “Milliet” newspaper informs.
According to the source, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plasnik
stated at a press-conference after a meeting with Azeri Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamedyarov. She reminded on Vienna’s efforts in
Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement process within both the OSCE
Minsk Group and the UN frameworks. Plasnik stressed that Austria in
future also will continue to contribute to the quickest settlement
of Karabakh conflict.