Author: Kamalian Hagop

RASCO WILL START TO PROVIDE MEDICAL INSURANCE SERVICES IN ARMENIA

ARKA
March 2, 2010

YEREVAN, March 2 /ARKA/. Armenian insurance company RASCO will start
introducing medical insurance services, said Ara Karyan, Executive
Director of the company.

The company has license of provision of medical insurance services
and plans to introduce the service in the upcoming 2-3 months.

We have already signed contracts with different medical institutions
which will allow to provide broad scale services and give chance of
selection to the clients", he said.

The company will develop three packages which will vary by the price
and rendered services. The second package assumes higher tariffs and
broader specter of services. VIP-package including all expenses and
heart operation is also envisaged.

DINK FAMILY WINS REPARATIONS FROM TRT FOR INSULTING THE MURDERED JOURNALIST

ArmInfo
2010-03-03 20:14:00

ArmInfo. Turkey’s state broadcaster has been ordered to pay reparations
to slain journalist Hrant Dink’s family for a documentary it broadcast
that implied he was a perpetrator in a 1978 massacre in southern
Turkey.

Hurriyet Daily News reports that "Sahlar?n Labirenti" (The Labyrinth
of the Shahs) was a Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, or TRT,
documentary that originally aired in December 2008 and investigated
the Kahramanmaras massacre of 1978, in which more than 100 people
died in clashes between local Alevis and Sunnis. Turkey’s infamous
"deep state" was later alleged to have played a role in organizing the
clashes. Okkes Sendiller, who was one of the suspects in the massacre
before becoming a Kahramanmaras deputy, alleged in the documentary
that Dink was one of the perpetrators of the killings. The film
showed Dink’s photograph while Sendiller said Dink and the leftist
organizations he founded with his friends initiated the incident.

Dink’s family opened a case against TRT, Sendiller and production
company Bey Yap?m, alleging Dink had been insulted. As a result of
the case concluded last week, all suspects have been ordered to pay
20,000 Turkish Liras in reparations. "Hrant had dedicated his life to
brotherhood and the friendship of people, it was unacceptable that he
would be considered responsible for such a massacre," said Dink family
lawyer Fethiye Cetin. "Those allegations have caused the family so
much suffering." The family was expected to donate the reparations to
a foundation, as they have done in the past for other similar cases
in which the family opened cases for insults against Dink.

To recall, Dink was a prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist and the
editor in chief of the multi-lingual weekly Agos. In January 2007, he
was shot and killed in front of his newspaper’s office in Istanbul’s
central Sisli district.

The confessed murder suspect, Ogun Samast, was arrested within a couple
of days. Dink’s family alleges that police intelligence officers failed
to act on many pieces of intelligence that nationalist circles were
planning to kill Dink long before the actual murder.

Although there have been official inspection reports detailing police
and military negligence prior to the murder, the officials allegedly
responsible have not yet been brought to justice. With the journalist’s
murder case ongoing, Cetin said threats against Agos were continuing
but added that authorities were increasingly taking their complaints
into consideration.

THREE SPRING EXHIBITIONS IN YEREVAN

Aysor
March 2 2010
Armenia

The spring gives energy not only for creating but also for presenting
the created works to the wider society. Probably it is due to this
fact that today in Yerevan there will be open three exhibitions in
three different styles.

The exhibition will launch at 15:00 in Academy showroom in Yerevan.

Here Zaven Khachikyan will present its photos. Besides that he will
present also his book.

In the National Arts Museum Nelli Gev orgyan will present her
compositions and collages dedicated to the day of Maternity and
Beauty. N. Grigoryan is philologist by her profession. At the same
time she is creating and is presenting her own creations in spring.

At 16:00 the Union of the Armenian Painters will present the works
of Anush Yeghiazaryan. The experts think her works of tapestry are
in a vanguard style. Her works are being shown in Yerevan, Moscow,
Paris, Arabic Emirates and other places.

ARMENIA HAS TO PRODUCE OWN TECHNOLOGIES, EXPERTS BELIEVE

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.03.2010 19:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia has to refuse from outsourcing and produce
own technologies instead, IT experts believe.

"IT-education and creation of new technological companies are declared
as high priority with the Union of IT Enterprises," UITE director
Karen Vardanyan said at Armenian IT industry leaders’ forum.

"Working with foreign customers has become disadvantageous," Microsoft
Armenia director Grigor Barseghyan said. "Technological implementation
takes up only 20% of product cost, while idea generation, technology
development and marketing pay at 80%."

"Armenia is engaged in technical implementation only, yet the
situation could change should RA government agree to invest in IT
sphere. Armenia has over 6000 professional software developers; the
government could gain significantly, creating new jobs to receive
more accessible production."

Armenian IT industry leaders’ forum, initiated by the Union of IT
Enterprises (UITE) was held February 26-28 in Aghveran. The meeting
focused on the use of IT technologies in finance, transportation,
healthcare and tourism.

ARMENIA EXPANDS EXPORT MARKETS FOR POTATO

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.03.2010 14:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia succeeded in selling the whole of last
year’s potato crop, chairman of Agrarian-Peasant Union of Armenia,
Hrachya Berberyan stated.

"500 tons of potato was exported to Iran last year. Export to Georgia
is also possible," he told a news conference in Yerevan. "I hope the
tendency will be continued into the next year."

Mr. Berberyan emphasized the necessity of cost reduction plan on the
way to winning new markets, noting that recent potato harvest was
increased through seed and fertilizer quality improvement. "Over the
last 7 years potato crops grew from 8-10 tons to 15 tons per hectare,"
he said.

Agrarian-Peasant Union NGO, incorporating farms and agricultural
enterprises, was founded in 1996. The union collaborates with state
structures and international organizations. It aims to develop
agriculture in Armenia though tutoring, technical assistance and
strategic studies. Presently the Union lists 32000 members.

NYC YP fundraiser brings YP endowment to over $100,000
Programs support children’s centers in Yerevan

Published: Tuesday February 23, 2010
icle/2010-02-23-nyc-yp-fundraiser-brings-yp-endowm ent-to-over–100000&pg=2

New York – The AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY)
kicked off 2010 with its most popular fundraiser held on January 9,
2010.

Close to 200 Armenian Americans from the New York metropolitan area
gathered at 206 Spring Street for the 9th Armenian Christmas Cocktail
& Silent Auction, welcoming the new decade with new hope and vision.

Holding true to the sentiment "Christmas is for the children," the
sold-out event raised $17,500 for the AGBU Children’s Centers in
Armenia. Once again defying the bitter economic climate, YPGNY
continues to rock in Armenian Christmas with impressive fundraising
efforts.

"As we all know, the US economy has seen one of the worst economic
recessions since the Great Depression. What’s more upsetting is that
in times like these, we are still more fortunate than a majority of
the children in Armenia. It’s a great feeling to be able to help them
out, all while having fun at the AGBU Silent Auction," said volunteer
Aram Babikian. "Through efforts like these, I see how AGBU’s
investments in improving Armenia’s infrastructure truly come to
fruition. I’m proud to increase my involvement with YPGNY more and
more each year because of it."

The three-floor townhouse in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo district
offered a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, inviting guests to mix
and mingle with friends, old and new, while enjoying a memorable
evening of food, fun, music, and continuous excitement generated with
each new bid until the conclusion of the silent auction.

Hailing from Dubai, Arly Tuysuzian is already looking ahead to
attending more YPGNY events.

"Since I’m new to New York, the Silent Auction was really my first
AGBU event in the city. I was so impressed with the venue, the
impressive variety of items for auction, and the number of Armenians
that came together to support the Children’s Centers. I had a great
time meeting new people, helping the committee organize the night, and
learning how I could be involved in more of these events."

The evening included a stylish silent auction with items donated from
some of the city’s leading businesses and generous individuals. Silent
auction items included restaurant and beauty gift certificates from a
plethora of New York City hotspots, roundtrip airline tickets from New
York to Los Angeles, technological novelties such as the Amazon Kindle
and netbook computers, fashion products from the likes of Alex and
Ani, Hermes, Juliette Jake, Movado, Prada, and Tiffany & Co., sports
and Broadway show tickets, items from designer Michael Aram, and
several pieces of fine jewelry.

Among the most coveted pieces available for auction were works of art
from the AGBU Children’s Centers that exhibited the skills of the
children and highlighted their role in continuing the artistic
heritage of Armenians. Additional raffle prizes, including more
restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, baskets of scents, and a
personal oil painting studio portrait, were also offered to guests
eager to donate to the cause.

YPGNY chair Aline Markarian is grateful for the outpouring of support.
"Each year, as the popularity of the event grows, so does the amazing
kindness of the Armenian and especially non-Armenian communities
alike. Our donors generously open their hearts, wallets, and
businesses so that we can, in turn, fill the hearts and souls of the
children in Armenia with hope," she said.

Catering for the evening’s festivities was provided by local food
emporiums Al Bustan Restaurant, Bread & Olive, Delmonico Foods, Hayat
Catering, Krichian Foods, as well as the eternal hearths of the
kitchens of YP members and their families. A special thanks to chef
Lina Markarian for adding professionalism to the culinary flair of the
evening. Glasses were plentifully filled with wine and spirits very
generously donated from a number of individuals and venues, including
Clovis Point Winery and Manhattan Beer Distribution. A generous number
of community supporters contributed their time and services to enhance
the Armenian Christmas event.

Event chair Sheila Kahyaoglu was excited by their accomplishment and
highlighted the many individuals who contributed to the evening’s
success. "Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Sandra and Perssy
Mergeanian for their overwhelming support, to Onnig Djingueuzian, our
honorary YP, always young at heart, for his unparalleled enthusiasm
and spirit, and to the entire team at BR Guest Restaurants for
embracing our cause and making this a truly successful evening," she
said.

In support of Yerevan children’s centers
Since 2000, YPGNY has hosted the Armenian Christmas Reception as an
enjoyable and unique way to raise funds for the three Centers in
Yerevan. Despite being so many miles away, they are so close to our
hearts.

YPGNY vice chair, Alexis Halejian, knows the wonder of the Children’s
Centers first hand, "My first interaction with the Children’s Centers
was in 2007. I was in Yerevan as an AGBU intern and had the
opportunity to ‘sharpen’ my Armenian dance skills. Far from perfection
(as many know), I was sent to the best teachers for help — the
students at the AGBU Nork Children’s Center. After weeks of practice,
these kids finally let me and my friends perform in their final show
of the school year. Believe it or not, we got a standing ovation.
Being up on the same stage with these students made us all feel like
one of them … but the truth is, the way they are growing up is so
much different than the way we did in America."

Back in 1993, AGBU joined forces with the Holy See of Etchmiadzin to
establish the AGBU Children’s Centers in the Nork, Arapkir, and
Malatya sections of Yerevan. Providing a constructive after-school
environment to over 3,500 students ages 6 to 16, the Centers cultivate
the talents of young Armenians by broadening their knowledge in
courses unavailable to them at overcrowded public schools.

With an administrative staff of 300, the Centers provide four hours of
daily instruction in music, dance, arts & crafts, gymnastics, martial
arts, computers, language, history, as well as developing other
practical real-life professional skills. Throughout the years, over
15,000 students living in low- to middle- income homes have benefited
from this very important program.

Making a global commitment to support the AGBU Children’s Centers,
YPGNY established the AGBU YP Endowment in 2002 for their benefit.

Now a pan-YP endeavor, YPGNY makes its share of the global
contribution through monies raised at the Armenian Christmas
Reception, as well as from the annual HALO (Helping Armenia’s Little
Ones) campaign. Suitable for recipients of all ages, the YPGNY HALO
campaign allows individuals to give a gift from the heart and
simultaneously help children of Armenia during the holiday season.

Donations made in honor of another loved one, family, or friends are
transformed into personalized gift cards by YPGNY’s group of Santa’s
helpers. This year, close to 100 certificates spread holiday cheer to
mailboxes worldwide. Together with YPGNY’s 2010 donation, the AGBU YP
Endowment now totals over $100,000.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

AGBU YPGNY is part of a growing network of over two dozen YP groups
around the world run entirely by volunteers who actively engage young
Armenians between the ages of 22 and 40 in the mission of AGBU. To
learn more about YPGNY and how you can be part of the network, email
[email protected].

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please
visit

Turan News Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 25 2010

Iran can influence fair settlement to Karabakh conflict – Azeri official

Baku, 25 February: Iran has borders both with Azerbaijan and Armenia
and is interested in the settlement of Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
press secretary of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Elxan Poluxov told
Turan news agency in a comment on a statement by Iranian ambassador to
Azerbaijan Mohammad Baqer Bahrami, who said the Azerbaijani
authorities approved Tehran’s involvement in the settlement process.

Part of Azerbaijani territories bordering Iran are under Armenian
occupation and from this point of view Iran shows interest in the
settlement [of the conflict]. Considering Iran’s close economic ties
with Armenia, Tehran has mechanisms to influence on the fair
settlement of the conflict, Poluxov said.

It should be noted that Bahrami also dismissed the statement by the
Iranian ambassador in Yerevan who, according to Armenian media, said
that Iran bordered Nagornyy Karabakh.

Iran’s attempts to mediate the settlement to the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict failed in 1992 and had negative consequences for Azerbaijan.

On the next day after signing of the cease-fire agreement between
Azerbaijan and Armenia in Tehran, Armenian forces occupied a strategic
point in Nagornyy Karabakh – the town of Susa.

CBS TELEVISION’S NEWS PROGRAM WILL BROADCAST A SEGMENT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.02.2010 19:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ February 28, the award winning American news
program 60 Minutes (CBS Television) will broadcast a segment on the
Armenian Genocide: "BATTLE OVER HISTORY". Bob Simon reports on what
the Armenians call their holocaust – the 1915 forced deportation
and massacre of more than a million ethnic Armenians by the Turks –
an event that the Turks and our own government have refused to call
Genocide, Armenian Council of America (ACA) told PanARMENIAN.Net

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic
destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during
and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres, and
deportations involving forced marches under conditions designed to
lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths
reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the
Genocide survivors.

To date, twenty countries and 44 U.S. states have officially recognized
the events of the period as genocide, and most genocide scholars and
historians accept this view.

The Armenian Council of America (ACA) is a grassroots organization
dedicated to work with all political leaders, offering Armenian related
news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and
activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The
Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S.

– Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting
sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while
promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

THE LETTER OF THE FACE TO THE US CONGRESSMEN

Aysor
Feb 26 2010
Armenia

Today the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe released the letter
of the ACE chairmen addressed to the Representatives of the Congress.

The Presidency of the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe had
written last April to HE Mr. Barack Obama, The President of the United
States of America, with the following request.

"In the name of the representatives of the Armenian communities in
Europe please allow us to express our deepest and utmost gratitude
for your stance on the Armenian Genocide during your pre-election
campaign. We feel confident that your continuous efforts will
contribute to the adoption of the resultant resolution on the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the US Congress.

Honorable President, Armenian communities have hitherto contributed
to the adoption of similar resolutions by the Parliaments of a number
of European countries in faith that this will aid to the development
of Turkish-Armenian relations and their neighborly cooperation. By
helping Turkey to reconcile with its past and enhance working relations
with its neighboring country, we will naturally contribute to the
development of Turkey’s democracy and create an opportunity for it
to earn its right for its future integration into the European Union.

The adoption of the resolution recognizing and condemning the
Armenian Genocide by the United States will greatly contribute to this
historical process and will help the Turkish authorities to ‘cross
Rubicon’ and rid itself of the heavy burden inherited from its past."

15TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLEX

973.html
11:19:42 – 26/02/2010

On February 25, 2010, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the Armenian
Ministry of Science and Education, American Councils/ACCELS, and
program alumni commemorated the 15-year anniversary of the Future
Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program in Armenia. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
Marie L. Yovanovitch and Armenian Minister of Science and Education
Armen Ashotyan delivered keynote remarks.

In her remarks, Ambassador Yovanovitch noted that, ‘The FLEX program is
an example of the strong educational partnership that has flourished
between the United States and Armenia. Both countries recognize that
international education and cultural exchanges are an investment
in global understanding and peace. Both countries also know that
the exchange of people and ideas is essential to the promotion
of democracy, economic prosperity, international cooperation, and
security around the world.’

Established by the U.S. Congress in 1992 to encourage long-lasting
peace and mutual understanding between the U.S. and countries of
Eurasia, FLEX is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. In Armenia it is administered
by American Councils. The program provides opportunities for high
school students (ages 15-17) to spend a year in the United States,
living with a host family and attending an American high school.

Nearly 700 high school students from Armenia have studied in the U.S.

under FLEX since its inception. Program alumni from Armenia are
leaders in their fields, working in local government, international
organizations, civil society, and business.

For more information about the FLEX program, please visit