Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am , Armenia
Sept 19 2009

Turkey has four positions on the issue: Prosperous Armenia

14:03 / 09/19/2009Turkey should explain why it has four different
positions on Armenia-Turkey relations’ normalization, Naira Zohrabyan,
Prosperous Armenia Party MP told NEWS.am, commenting on Nalbandyan’s
statement, that `Attempting to link Armenian-Turkish and Karabakhi
processes, Turkey might fail both’.

`It is absolutely clear that currently Protocols do not contain any
preconditions and they should not say so at any stage, including
signing. If Turkish Government representatives pursue their policy of
four positions, that is: 1) for international community; 2) for talks
with Armenia; 3) for Turkish society and 4) for Azerbaijan, then it is
Turkish authorities’ problem. They have to explain why there are
several viewpoints on one matter,’ Zohrabyan said.

According to MP, relations’ normalization is equally advantageous both
for Armenia and Turkey. Asked whether Serzh Sargsyan will go to Turkey
October 14 if the border is not open, Zohrabyan replied: `It is not a
good start. Not everything should be turned into practicality. I
consider crucial RA President’s statement that he would go to hear out
Diaspora’s opnion.’

FAMOUS MUSICIANS ARE PERFORMING AT YEREVAN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL

Aysor
Sept 17 2009
Armenia

An Italian conductor, Aldo Sisillo, and State Philarmonic Orchestra of
Armenia performed yesterday at the Third Yerevan International Music
Festival in the Concert Hall aft. Aram Khachatryan. The soloists were
Anahit Chushyan from the UK and German clarinetist Wolfgang Meyer,
both the well-known performers.

The Third Yerevan International Music Festival is held under the
high patronage of Armenia’s first lady Ms Rita Sargsyan and Ministry
of Culture. The Festival’s artistic directors are Edward Topchyan,
Chief Conductor of Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra, and cellist
Alexander Chaushyan from the UK.

There have been sounded Overture to The Flying Dutchman by Wagner
and La forza del destino by Verdi, Clarinet Concerto â~D-1 by Weber,
Variations for Clarinet by Rossini and Piano Concerto by Haydn.

Recall that the clarinetist Wolfgang Meyer and pianist Anahit Chushyan
will perform today. The program will include works by Brahms and
Schumann.

THE MOST ABSURD DECISION IN THE HISTORY OF EBU

Aysor
Sept 17 2009
Armenia

Today was published European Broadcasting Union’s decision on scandal
around interrogations at Azerbaijan’s National Security Ministry of
those who voted in "Eurovision-2009" for Armenia.

In particular, the published decision says:

"The EBU committee responsible for running the Eurovision Song Contest,
the so-called Reference Group, examined the matter at a meeting in Oslo
on 11 September 2009 and decided to amend the rules of the Eurovision
Song Contest to hold the participating broadcaster strictly liable for
any disclosure of information which could be used to identify voters.

The new rule aims to ensure that voters’ privacy is respected, and
if it is not the EBU will be in a position to impose appropriate
sanctions on the offending broadcaster.

The regulations governing the previous editions of the Eurovision
Song Contest imposed an obligation on the telecom companies involved
in the televoting to respect the privacy of the voters. However, the
EBU does not have an ability to impose sanctions on them, therefore
the new rule was developed."

At the first onset some logical questions arise.

1. If EBU has to adopt new rules which will provide voters’ privacy
it just confirms that Azerbaijan’s voters’ privacy was strongly
violated. Nonetheless, the country-organizer of Eurovision Dance
Contest 2010 and large petrodollars owner has not been penalized. Why?

2. Why broadcaster must be responsible for breach of privacy and
be sanctioned?

3. Why EBU which guarantees fair, open voting for television audiences
hasn’t yet taken care of appropriate sanctions regarding breach rules?

4. On what basis EBU cooperate with private Digame mobile company
which carries out the counting of votes not being able to prevent
the arbitrary and illegality of voting?

It seems all these questions will remain unanswered.

Nonetheless, such absurd decisions will give a start to a new round
of proceedings and perturbations all around Europe.

ARMENIAN LEADER, BRITISH BARONESS DISCUSS KARABAKH, TIES WITH TURKEY

Armenian Second TV Channel
Sept 17 2009

[Presenter, referring to previous report] Immediately after this
meeting [with heads of political parties] [Armenian] President [Serzh]
Sargsyan met with Baroness Caroline Cox, a member of the House
of Lords of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and
the chairperson of the Armenian-British parliamentary council. The
president of the republic said that the process of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish ties was the most discussed issue in Armenia these
days and that in the coming days numerous discussions would take
place in Armenia in various formats. He said that he would visit a
few countries that have Armenian communities in the coming days.

[Sargsyan speaking at a meeting] I would like to use the occasion and
to say that today the most discussed topic in Armenia is our latest
initiative – establishing relations with the Turks, establishing
relations without any precondition. Discussions of various formats
are being held in Armenia and I believe that the series of these
discussions will continue with greater intensity. These series also
include consultations with our friends, the opinion of our friends is
extremely important for us. Of course, the series of these discussions
include, and maybe will even occupy the central place in my meetings
with representatives of the diaspora. I intend to meet our brothers
and sisters in various centres in the coming weeks and to try to learn
their opinion as well. You understand that this is a hard process,
this is a complicated process; to some extent a painful process with
objective grounds, but a necessary process.

[Presenter] Caroline Cox also showed interest in the recent
developments in negotiations on the Karabakh settlement. President
Sargsyan gave detailed explanations regarding those. Under a 16
September decree of the Armenian president, Caroline Cox was awarded
a decoration of honour for her significant personal input into the
strengthening and development of Armenian-British relations and for
many years of selfless humanitarian activities.

TURKISH NEWSPAPER WRITES OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Aysor
Sept 18 2009
Armenia

In a very rare news article published by one of the top newspapers
in Turkey Today’s Zaman the author openly speaks about the Armenian
Genocide and how they were orchestrated.

In the beginning it was total silence and denial. Then in the recent
two years we started seeing phrases like "so called Armenian Genocide,"
"Armenian claims of genocide," and so on. In any case the word genocide
was always written in quotation marks. Yet today, one of Turkey’s
premier newspapers Today’s Zaman published a rare story about how
the Armenian Genocide was organized and orchestrated by the ruling
elite of the Turkish government in 1915.

Orhan Kemal Cengiz, a human rights advocate writes that the "Massacres
of Armenians were orchestrated and organized by the Committee of Union
and Progress (CUP) — which came to power through a military coup —
while the Ottoman Empire was falling apart. After these massacres
and as a result of the lack of confrontation with our past, the CUP
and its gangs changed their format and turned into the "deep state"
in Turkey. These deep state elements continued their massacres and
manipulations and drenched Turkey with blood during the Republican
era. We have these deep state elements, but we also have many people
fighting against them with or without knowing the history."

True the word genocide is not used in that paragraph. Instead
Cengiz is using the phrase Massacres of Armenians. However, in the
5th paragraph he openly talks about the Armenan genocide in the
following way. "I was in Toronto last year attending an extremely
interesting course on genocide. For two weeks we went into all the
details of different genocides that took place in various parts of
the world. All lecturers gave exemplary presentations, and I felt I
had really learned something. However, I also realized that there was
a fundamental difference in the way in which the Armenian genocide
is being handled. When we spoke about the Holocaust, we spoke of the
Nazi regime; when we discussed the genocide in Cambodia, we talked
about the Khmer regime; when it came to the Armenian genocide, though,
we only heard the word "Turks."

While his sincerity is most appreciated he does have a point that
when the world refers of the Jewish or Cambodia national tragedies
we do refer to regimes. However, we speak of the Armenian Genocide
Turks are indeed pointed. But why is this?

It is the 90 years of the denial of the truth and the fear to face
its own history that has made things come to this place, where a Turk
is pointed when speaking of the Armenian Genocide. Why is it taking
Germany only 20 years to face the Jewish Holocaust, say thank you and
compensate, but when it comes to the Armenian Genocide even the past
90 years are not enough?

It is believe that if Turkey had earlier recognized the genocide and
condemned it the following generations would have blamed it to the
ruling regime of the time not the nation. In fact, I have heard many
stories that many Turkish families have risked their lives hiding
the Armenian families, their neighbors from massacres and killings
in and around 1915.

A historic moment is upon us. Today the president of Armenian,
meeting with the leaders of various Armenian parties and discussing
the pre-signing of the Turkey Armenia normalization protocols, despite
much criticism, said that "we want to show that even the nation that
has fallen a victim to a genocide can be the first to offer a hand
of normalization of relationship." Arming themselves with sincerity,
honesty and the sense of fairness and justice the Armenian, Turkish
and Azerbaijani nations should look to a new South Caucasus, building
a better future for their children and themselves.

EUGENE KASPERSKY DOES NOT THINK INTERNET SPAMMING HAS REACHED CRITICAL LEVEL

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.09.2009 18:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I am both optimistic and pessimistic about
spamming," Kaspersky Lab, major computer security company owner Eugene
Kaspersky said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"I am optimistic because there are relevant technical methods and
anti-spam filters which work very effectively, clearing traffic of
overload. Today it’s very common to speak about the so-called "Green
IT". That’s the reason our company is praised, and we confirm that
those filters and anti-virus products lessening traffic overload are
designed by us. As to why I am pessimistic is because legislation
in many countries, such as Russia does not currently envisage proper
methods for fighting spams.

As regards early detection of viruses, the filter immediately
detects and renders harmless the programs containing a virus code
with well-known origins. That makes up about 90-95% of viruses. All
other viruses not recognized by computer, they be found later, after
detection and registration of its virus code," Eugene Kaspersky said.

"I don’t think the problem of spamming has already become so serious
and critical. If it posed threat to global network operation, I
believe its delivery would be immediately sanctioned."

REDUCTION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY COMPULSORY RESERVE RATES WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR LOCAL BANKS TO REDUCE INTERESTS ON FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT: HSBC BANK ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-09-15 19:24:00

ArmInfo. Reduction of foreign currency compulsory reserve rates would
make it possible for local banks to reduce foreign currency deposit
interests. As a result, the population would exchange their foreign
currency deposits into national currency deposits, HSBC Bank Armenia
CEO Tim Slater told media on Tuesday. He said that compulsory reserve
rate in Armenia is 12%.

T. Slater welcomed the Central Bank’s policy on reduction of
refinancing rate that resulted in deflation in the consumer market
of Armenia over the last months.

The National Statistical Service of Armenia reported 1.5% deflation
in June, 5.7% in July, 1.5% in August and 4.1% for Jan-Aug 2009.

‘ALMAST’ OPERA FINALLY COMES TO THE STAGE

Tert.am
Sept 16 2009
Armenia

The premiere of the opera "Almast" will be held at the National
Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre (named after Al. Spendarian) on
September 18 and 19. The premiere, initially scheduled for June 2009,
was delayed in order to present Spendarian’s work in a more completed
form for the new theatre season.

The art director of the new "Almast" is "Honored Art Worker of the
Russian Federation," state prize winner Georgy Isahakyan, the conductor
is People’s Artist of Armenia Yuri Davtian. Stage and costume design is
by Vyacheslav Okunev from Russia, and the dance director is Armenia’s
people’s artist Vilen Galstyan.

Al. Spendarian wrote "Almast" opera in the last year of his life,
in 1928. The opera is based on the poem "Tmbkaberti Arum" (Conquering
of the Drum Castle) by famous Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. The
opera was performed for the first time in 1930 in Moscow. In Yerevan,
it was first performed in 1933. "Almast" was the first performance
at the National Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre.

ARMENIA USES IT TO GROW TOURISM BY 92%

HULIQ
Sept 16 2009
SC

Tourism was declared a priority in Armenia in 2001 when the country was
celebrating the 1,700 anniversary of its proclaiming Christianity as
state religion. In the following years the number of foreign visitors
to Armenia grew by 92%. In January 2001 the US and Armenian governments
set up an Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA).

In September 2001 sponsored by the International Executive Service
Corps ATDA opened "ARMENIANInformation," the first information
center in the South Caucasus. Armenia possesses vast cultural and
historical treasures but they can hardly make the country a tourist
attraction unless given an appropriate information frame. Experts say
that to become a developed tourist country Armenia needs a strong
information backing. It’s here that Armenia’s second priority,
information technologies, come in helpful. ARMINFO’s correspondent
has asked ATDA Deputy Executive Director Angela Sax to specify how
ITs are used in tourism.

Q: Could you please tell about ATDA?

A: Our key objective is to present Armenia abroad and to shape its
image of a developed tourist country. We work in three directions:
first, to get involved and to involve other tourist companies
in international exhibitions; second, to actively cooperate with
foreign journalists and tourist operators; and third, to arrange
various events, like the "Kenats" festival, and to ensure their broad
coverage in the foreign press. The number of tourists visiting Armenia
has redoubled in the last three years. I am not saying that this is
our exclusive accomplishment but we have quite a big share in it.

Q: What do you think about ITs’ role in the tourism development?

A: ITs are simply indispensable for Armenia, a country almost unknown
by the world in terms of tourism. It has long become a lifestyle
with people abroad to work in the internet. They even grasp the
information easier when it is presented electronically. That’s why
internet-promotion is so important for shaping the country’s image.

Quite recently we opened a web-site complying with all the modern
standards. Of course, we had some on-line information before but it was
rather scanty. The web-site was sponsored by USAID
and technically supported by IESC and the Armenian company T.I.B.. It
presents Armenia’s sights, cultural and historical values, national
parks, art galleries. All this will make the tour unforgettable. The
site has merged "high tech" interface with "high art" aesthetics,
utilizing both ancient and modern Armenian motifs. From interactive
maps of cultural landmarks to a comprehensive and easily accessible
database of tour agents, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies
and so much more, the ATDA site has become the web’s one- stop,
on-line, Armenian tourism venue. Much like the ATDA’s now famous
ARMENIAInformation visitor’s information center, at 3 Nalbandyan
Street in the heart of Yerevan, the new ATDA website is a virtual,
full service concierge facility and an expansive compendium of useful
information and resources–whether that be for travelers and tourists
or history lovers and the arts literati. Sections are thoughtfully
organized with easy access navigation bars; graphics and photos are
vibrant and compelling; maps are easy to read and truly interactive,
providing details on any given point in Armenia with the click of a
mouse. Background information and helpful travel hints are available
at every turn; shopping and recreation sites are explored side by
side with cultural centers, museums, concert halls and art galleries;
Armenia’s vast array of architectural monuments and sacred sites are
finally presented in such a way that travel planning is almost as fun
as the actual visit. The site also provides a thorough and constantly
updated calendar of weekly events, available either online or via
e-mail subscription. With this new site, the ATDA has really given
both the interested traveler and the tourism industry professional–no
matter their point of origin–a place on the web to fulfill, as well
as provide for every type of Armenian tourism and travel need.

Today we enjoy wide contacts abroad established mainly through
international exhibitions. The first question we are always asked is
whether we have a web-site. Quite natural as in five minutes we cannot
tell everything about ATDA and Armenia while those concerned want to
know the most of the country they are going to visit. Nowadays ITs
are the most effective and the cheapest way to give information and
to keep in touch with people.

Q: What achievements have been made in Armenian tourism in the
last years?

A: We have already founded an association for coordinating tourist
camps all over Armenia. This is an opportunity for tourists not only
to leave Yerevan for the country but also to stay, go shopping and buy
services there and thereby to boost the economic development of the
regions. Foreign tourist love comfort and road restoration project
by the Lincy Foundation came in quite handy. One of our greatest
accomplishments is the recent amendment of article 34 of the law On
VAT exempting from VAT home tourism as well as the services provided
by Armenian travel agencies abroad. This change will make it cheaper
for foreigners to come to Armenia. We hope it will cover the hotel
business as well.

Q: What can you say about the work of the local travel agencies?

A: All our tour operators are professionals but some of them still keep
to the methods of the Soviet times when the key emphasis was laid on
historical and cultural values (pageant and Christian cathedrals). But
after visiting two-three churches a tourist begins to lose his interest
in the country. And so we need new technologies – ethnic tourism and
adventure tourism. .

Q: Are there any projects to develop extremal tourism in Armenia?

A: The country has all the natural conditions for developing extremal
tourism. But this type of business needs an appropriate infrastructure
– hotels, restaurants, services – and this all needs big money. The
construction of one ski route is not a way out of the situation. Here
we can only advise. The solution is in investments. There are many
businessmen who are ready to invest money in Armenia. Why not to
spent it on developing extreme?

Q: Drawing parallels between the two Armenian priorities, IT and
tourism, what can you say about the attention the government pays to
the spheres?

A: I would not separate the spheres as they complement each other. Both
of them have big infrastructure problems which though very slowly but
are being solved. NOTE: The web site is designed
and developed by TIB on OpenSource technologies which provide robust
services, stable work and security. The system makes it possible
for the administrator to manage the content of the site quickly and
easily. Few interactive sections like Interactive Map of Armenia,
Airline Map, and Virtual Tour are created by joint use of Macromedia
Flash, PHP and MySQL database server. The web site has a search engine,
which makes it possible to make a search within the site as well
as from Travel Agencies/Tour Operators’ web sites and other Armenian
tourism related resources. Developer company (TIB) also took care about
the mirror page which is located in the USA and automatically detects
the closest server to redirect users making the view of the web site
as fast as possible independent from the user’s location. The website
was developed in UNIX family OS (FreeBSD, Linux, etc.) using web server
Apache 1.x and higher. Dynamic pages were scripted in PHP with MySQL
database backend. XHTML (also DHTML) was used as a markup language.

DO ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN COORDINATE PROCEDURES OF LIBERATING FIVE REGIONS AROUND KARABAKH?

Today.Az
ics/55623.html
Sept 15 2009
Azerbaijan

Armenian and Azerbaijani special services have launched an informal
coordination of technical parameters and procedures of liberating five
regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh which, according to settlement
formula, must be returned to Azerbaijan, Regnum news agency reported
quoting diplomatic sources as saying.

A source said "the very question of return of the five regions to
the control of Azerbaijani authorities is not questioned and fate
of the remaining two regions around Karabakh – Lachin and Kalbajar –
is subject of controversy. Armenian side would like to exclude return
of these two regions and, in any case, to leave Lachin corridor under
its control."

The key matter of dispute is status of Nagorno-Karabakh for which
Baku offers "the largest autonomy" within Azerbaijan while Yerevan
insists on its independence.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov commented
on the afore-said reports.

"Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry does not comment on all sorts
of speculation and unconfirmed facts. Our position remains
unchanged. Azerbaijan is ready to open its borders with Armenia
only after Armenia liberates occupied territories of Azerbaijan,"
Polukhov said.

"The key terms of Azerbaijan is withdrawal of Armenia’s occupying
forces from the five occupied regions of Azerbaijan as a first step
and fixing specific dates for the return of the remaining two –
Kalbajar and Lachin," he added.