REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIA FAIL IN UNDER-20 CHESS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Noyan Tapan
Nov 4, 2009
BUENOS AIRES, NOVEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The under-20 Chess World
Championship finished on November 3 in Argentina. Representative of
Armenia Avetik Grigorian shared the 6-9th places with 8.5 points and
Anna Hayrapetian 28-33rd places with 6 points.
MODERNIZATION OF 5TH POWER UNIT OF HRAZDAN THERMAL POWER PLANT UNDER WAY
Noyan Tapan
Nov 3, 2009
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Under conditions of the financial
crisis, ArmRusgazprom CJSC is continuing the project on modernization
of 5th power unit of the Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant. The necessary
esquipment is being imported into Armenia and transported to the
building site.
The press service of the company reported that a transformer with
a capacity of 40 thousand kilovars, which was purchased from the
Zaporozhye Plant, has been brought to Hrazdan 5 on October 30. Another
transformer with a capacity of 200 thousand kilovars has reached the
Gyumri railway station and will be delivered soon to Hrazdan 5. The
delivery of other equipment is proceeding by the schedule.
About 376 million USD was invested in 2006-2009 for construction and
modernization of the 5th unit of Hrazdan TPP, including 248.8 million
USD for the purchase of property. Equipment involving unprecedented
technical solutions is being imported and assembled for the plant’s
reconstruction, which will make it unique not only in the region,
but also in the world.
The work at the 5th power unit is scheduled to finish in 2010, after
which ArmRusgazprom plans to export power.
ERDOGAN HAS SOMETHING TO DISCUSS WITH U.S LEADERSHIP: POLITICAL EXPERT
Today
157.html
Nov 3 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with renowned Azerbaijani political expert Rasim
Agayev.
Day.Az: What do you expect from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s upcoming visit to the United States?
Rasim Agayev: I am confident that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
has something to discuss with the United States leadership. In fact,
Turkey did what the United States and Europe demanded by giving
rise to improvement of Turkish-Armenian relations, which will have
far-reaching processes for the entire South Caucasus region and for
a large geopolitical area, called Greater Middle East in the U.S..
Therefore, it is expected that all issues related to this process
will be addressed during Turkish prime minister’s visit to the
United States.
Q: Given Erdogan recent visit to Iran, can you say that issues related
to Iran will prevail during the U.S. visit?
A: Of course. Turkey has undertaken task of mediator in talks between
Iran and the West. I am convinced that if Turkey’s peacekeeping
mission is not provided with forward movement, I do not exclude the
possibility that at some point Israel might resort to force or Iran
may stiffen its stance. Such developments should be prevented.
Q: Due to what Turkey, that undertook mediator task, plans to achieve
forward movement and prevent undesirable developments in relations
between Iran and the West?
A: I think, on one hand Turkey is a country which transit energy
resources from Central Asia and the Caspian region to Europe. Besides,
recently it was reported that Turkey buys Iranian energy resources.
Therefore, energy factor could become a model for dealing with Iran’s
withdrawal from isolation that saves face for both Iran and the U.S.
and Europe.
Q: Given importance of the Iranian problem, will resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict be discussed during
Erdogan’s visit to the U.S.?
A: I am convinced that a solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed during Turkish prime
minister’s visit to the United States. Because, without explaining
Turkey’s position on this issue is impossible to develop country’s
position on future Turkish-Armenian relations. Of course, Iranian
issue will be main topic of discussions during the visit. I also
believe that the visit will help to improve Turkish-Israeli relations.
ARMENIAN COGNAC PRODUCTION DROPS 40% IN 9 MONTHS
Interfax
Nov 2 2009
Russia
The Armenian cognac production dropped by 40.4% to 6.801 million
liters in January-September 2009 compared to the same period in 2008,
the national statistics service said in a report.
Cognac production growth rates started to decrease, reaching a peak
of 50.4% in the first half of 2009.
The main reason for this slump is the global financial crisis which
led to a reduction in Armenian cognac consumption on its traditional
markets, Russia and Ukraine.
Domestic production of liqueurs and spirits in the first nine months
of 2009 dropped by 1.4% to 8,299,400 liters. Wine production rose
by 12.7% to 2,330,700 liters, sparkling wines dropped by 9.4 % to
144,800 liters.
Beer output remained the same in the reporting period and totaled
26,413,800 liters.
ARMENIA’S REPRESENTATIVE HIGHLIGHTED THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE OF KARABAKH AT THE 64TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ARMENPRESS
Nov 4, 2009
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The 64th session of the UN General
Assembly continues in New York. Recently the UN Second Committee
conducted discussions on the "Right to Self-Determination" during which
delegations of about 50 countries and representatives of international
organizations delivered speeches which reconfirms the timeliness and
importance of this principle.
This year the discussions were hotter than usual as a result several
times Russia and Georgia, India and Pakistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan,
Iran, Syria, Palestine and Israel voiced response speeches.
Armenian Foreign Ministry’s Media and Information Department told
Armenpress that Azerbaijan as usual tried to superior the principle of
territorial integrity from the other international rights and Armenia’s
representative, on his part referred to one of the basic principles
of human rights – the implementation of right to self-determination
of nations and highlighted the choice of the people of Karabakh.
Azerbaijan tried to confront the Armenia’s representative and on his
part the latter noted that the current situation in the region is the
result of ethnic cleansing of peaceful people of Nagorno Karabakh,
mass killings and military aggression and war by the Azerbaijani
authorities.
Interfax, Russia
Oct 30 2009
Armenia cuts electricity output 13% in 9M
YEREVAN Oct 30
Armenia reduced electrical power generation 12.6% year-on-year in
January-September to 4.152 billion kilowatt-hours, the National
Statistics Service said.
Coal-and gas-fired power plants reduced output 47.9% to 644.7 million
kWh, hydro-plants increased it 5.1% to 1.523 billion kWh and the
country’s nuclear plant reduced it 4.1% to 1.981 billion kWh.
Wind farms boosted output 2.9-fold year-on-year to 2.9 million kWh.
Armenia generated 553,400 Gcal of heat, down 54.9% year-on-year.
Armenians in Spain, an Inteview with Arthur Ghukasian by Azad-Hye
T hursday, 22 October 2009
Few decades ago there were no more than few hundred Armenians in
Spain, mostly students or businessmen. The situation however has
changed now and the number of Armenians is more than 50 thousand. They
have concentrations in certain areas. The first Armenian Church was
opened in a small town near Barcelona in August 2009 (a chapel leased
to the Armenian Apostolic Church for thirty years).
Arthur Ghukasian is an intellectual and a reporter based in Valencia.
He knows the diaspora very well, as he has lived in several countries
before settling down in Spain.
We had the following interview with Arthur Ghukasian, tracing the
development of the Armenian community in Spain through his own
personal story.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I came to Valencia, Spain in 2002. I chose the city because a big
number of Armenians had already settled there and in this very city
there is the only Armenian honorary council in Spain.
Soon afterwards I became the only Armenian member of Valencia’s (and
Spain’s) reporters’ union and hence I have exerted my efforts to bring
up the Armenian issue. It suffices to say that my first article in the
`Periodistas’ was entitled `we are all Hrant Dink`.
Nevertheless, my biggest achievement was becoming a member of the
International Press Club where I had the opportunity to introduce
Armenian topics to non-Armenians, for example I wrote about the
atrocities of the Azeris who tried to destroy the cross-stones, a
topic which can be found in the club’s website.
Having come from Armenia and having lived here for over seven years,
was is it easy to understand the Diaspora mentality?
Well, before settling down here, I had lived in Greece for a long
period of time and had the privilege of contacting with the Armenians
of Alexandroupolis (a city in Northern Greece, not far from the
Turkish borders), who have coexisted with different people and yet
maintained their Armenian identity.
And what about the Armenians of Spain?
Most Armenians in Spain today have mainly migrated from Armenia. They
are about 50 thousand in number, living mainly in Valencia. They work
in different fields like construction, agriculture, artwork etc. Some,
naturally, have their own businesses. Nevertheless, we do not have a
commuity that can be compared with the ones in Greece or Syria (for
example), although there have been several occasions where we proved
to be an active community. I remember on the 92 anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, a march was organized in Madrid where 4 thousand
people from all around the country participated. Another serious act
was inaugurating the first cross-stone in Alicante, in the presence of
hundreds of attendants. The Armenian Catholicosate of Echmiatzin has
appointed a pastor for Spain and we are all hopes that with his
presence we will be a much stronger and organized community.
Recently, writer Gonzalo Guarch published his second book about the
Armenians. What can you tell us about that?
Well, after his first book `The Armenian pedigree’, whenever he went
to the doctor for any complaint, the doctor used to tell him `you have
an illness and that’s called the Armenian People, let it aside and go
on with your life", but he – on the contrary – every time researched
more about the Armenians and eventually wrote his second book titled
`The Armenian Will’. It is indeed a brilliant book about the shocking
events that took place between the years 1885-1920 in Armenia. I
believe it should be translated immediately, at least to French and
English.
I should also mention that the first Spanish writer to talk about the
Armenian issue was Jose Antonio Gurriaran whose second book `The
Armenians: A forgotten Genocide’ was a success, and here in Madrid,
we have had nine presentations for the book so far.
In your opinion, how is it possible to spread news and topics about
Armenia and the Armenians in European countries?
Via the Press. For example, recently there has been an agreement with
the Vega Media Press news service to publish articles about Armenia
and the Armenian nation. They have given us a special section in their
website called Armenia Press and appointed me as its manager, to
speard Armenian topics.
Arthur Ghukasian with Yves Ternon during Genocide negation conference
(Brussels, October 2009)
What about your still-to-be-published works?
Presently, I am writing my book about Artsakh (Karabakh) from my point
of view as a witness, who in 1987 was still a student collecting
signatures in favor of reuniting Artsakh to Armenia. There’s another
book in hand, the idea of which occurred to me back in Armenia. It is
a series of conversations with men of letter, musicians, etc., like
Kevork Emin, Dikran Mansourian, Hamo Sahian… to mention a few. I am
hopeful that it will appeal to many and the readers will appreciate
its value.
A sample of Arthur Ghukasian’s reporting in Vega Media Press: The
Genocide negation conference in Brussels (in Spanish)
Translated by Nanor Mikayelian
INDIA’S AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO THE PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA
armradio.am
30.10.2009 15:15
The newly appointed Ambassador of India to Armenia, Achal Kumar
Malhotra, presented his credentials to the president of Armenia,
Serzh Sargsyan.
Congratulating the Ambassador on appointment, President Serzh Sargsyan
said: "It’s true that our friendly relations are developing well
and we wish to deepen those as far as possible. Our peoples have
known each other for five hundred years now, and the current level
of relations indicates that we have never had serious problems."
According to Serzh Sargsyan, the Indian Armenian community is one
of the most influential ones, and it’s not accidental that the first
Armenian newspaper was published in India."
"The deep historic roots and the absence of problems between the two
countries provide a good basis for being optimistic about the future
of our relations," the President stated.
Ambassador Malhotra noted, in turn, that the Indian government was
willing to deepen the relations with Armenia in both bilateral and
multilateral formats.
Serzh Sargsyan attached importance to the reinforcement of political
relations through development of economic ties.
Wishing success to the newly appointed Ambassador, President Sargsyan
voiced hope that he would contribute to the further expansion and
deepening of bilateral cooperation.
ARA ABRAHAMIAN: IN SPITE OF CONCERNS, NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS FROM PROTOCOLS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 16, 2009
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Today the Armenian-Turkish
protocols are one of the most important issues, and all Armenians
worldwide are concerned with it. Ara Abrahamian, the Chairman of
the Union of Armenians in Russia (UAR) and World Armenian Congress
(WAC) declared at an October 16 press conference. According to him,
everybody, including Armenians in Russia, the number of which is
nearly 2.5 million, is very much interested and concerned with this
issue. He said that many discussions on protocols were organized and
many approaches were presented in Russia, which is natural.
In A. Abrahamian’s opinion, in spite of concerns, nevertheless, there
are positive expectations from the protocols. "The Armenian-Turkish
border will be opened and Armenia will have an additional road. This,
in its turn, will contribute to development of small and medium-sized
business in the country," he said.
In A. Abrahamian’s words, it is the problem we should not speak
against or for but everybody should combine their efforts and try
not to be mistaken.
SCR TO LAUNCH REGULAR ELECTRICAL TRAIN BETWEEN ARMAVIR AND ARAGATS
ARKA
Oct 27, 2009
YEREVAN, October 27, /ARKA/. The South Caucasian Railways (SCR)
company will launch a regular electrical train between Armavir and
Aragats towns.
A press release by the company said the train will start running
between the two towns on November 1.
The train will leave for Aragats at 12.40 pm and arrive at 13.57 pm
and will set off back to Armavir at 14.20 pm., the press release said.
The fair for one way trip will be 300 Drams. Students will pay
150 Drams.
In 2007 the Armenian government called a tender for a 30-year
concession to modernize and operate Armenian Railways. An Indian
RITES and Russian Railways companies qualified to bid, but the Indian
company withdrew later.
The Russian Railways was the only bidder and has set up South Caucasian
Railway as a subsidiary to run the Armenian Railway. On the 1st of
June 2008 South Caucasus Railways has officially started commercial
operations under a concession agreement.
In that connection, by 1 June 2008, SCR, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Russian Railways, received the property owned by Armenian Railways
consisting of 2,000 freight cars, 58 passenger coaches, 85 locomotives
and 30 electric trains. The concession agreement was concluded for
30 years, with a right of extension for another 20 years after the
first 20 years of operation.