Author: Nargizian David

SIMON VRATSIAN CENTER: ARMENIAN PEOPLE SHOULD REJECT ANY CONCESSION IMPOSED ON THEM

Noyan Tapan
Aug 28, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, NOYAN TAPAN. September 2 is Day of the Declaration
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR). Reminding about this, the
ARF "Simon Vratsian" Center announces that it will hold a rally in
Yerevan’s Charles Aznavour Square on September 2, at 6:30 pm. The
center calls on everybody "to display a willingness and resolution
regarding the issue of defending the independence and security of
the NKR and to prevent the dangerous process of normalizing the
Armenian-Turkish relations".

The report in partucular says: "Winning the war imposed by Azerbaijan
and expressing the will of the whole Armenian nation, Artsakh declared
and defended its independence. Today, under conditions of an activation
of the negotations, we must:

– stand up for the victory won by our people and make others respect
the independence of Artsakh,

– reject any concession imposed on us,

– demand the return to the negotiation format with the participation
of Arstakh as a full-fledged party,

Taking into account the fact that the serious dangers of the current
process of normalizing the Armenian-Turkish relations have not been
eliminated, we again demand before the expected football match that:

– the negotiations serving the Turkish interests should be stopped,

– in honoring its international obligations, Turkey should not be
allowed to impose any concessions on Armenia,

– the foreign minister directly responsible for diplomatic failures
should resign".

TSARUKYAN CALLS TO ARMENIAN ATHLETES’ PATRIOTISM

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Aug 26 2009
Armenia

16:19 / 08/26/2009Gagik Tsarukayn, the Armenian National Olympic
Committee (NOC) President called all Armenian sportsmen to be
patriotic.

"I call all Armenian athletes form Diaspora to participate in the
competitions under the colours of Armenia. All famous and professional
sportsmen joining Armenian national team will be provided with an
apartment, vehicle and with a good pay, assuming all the necessary
conditions," NOC statement reads.

DRODUSKI, SIMONIYAN SHARE LEAD JAMES JOSE

Khaleej Times
w.asp?xfile=data/sports/2009/August/sports_August6 74.xml&section=sports&col=
Aug 27 2009
UAE

27 August 2009 ABU DHABI – It is a battle between Ukraine’s Droduski
and Simoniyan of Armenia for the International Master’s crown in
the chess event of the 13th Armed Forces Officers Club Open Sports
Festival.

Droduski and Simoniyan are in joint lead with six points each.

Droduski defeated Armenia’s Zafin in the seventh round and followed
that up with a win over Georgia’s Zorab in the eighth round. He had
earlier drawn the game against Malcomiyan of Armenia. Meanwhile,
Simoniyan defeated Egypt’s Basim Samir. In the earlier rounds, he
was held to draws by Armenia’s Malcomiyan and Ukraine’s Shevchenko.

In the women’s event, Georgia’s Maya continued her match towards
retaining the title, sitting comfortably at the top spot with five
points after adding a point and a half to her credit following a
draw game against compatriot Khoryatsa and a win against Russia’s
Yulia Riganova.

At second spot lie two other Georgian contestants Jurriella and
Khoryatsa–with four points apiece. This follows Jurriella’s draw
game with Serbia’s Monakova and Khoryatsa’s draw against Maya.

Meanwhile, Renelson of the Philippines continue to increase the gap
at the top of the Open Chess event, having defeated UAE’s Abdullah
Al Marzouki and played two draw games against UAE’s Ahmed Khoory and
compatriot, Robert Ariliano, to take his total accumulated points
to seven.

Rahman forced to withdraw UAE’s Grand Master Salim Abdul Rahman
has been forced to withdraw from the championship because of sudden
ill-health which struck him midway in the seventh round.

Abdul Rahman had to be whisked away to hospital where, after thorough
medical check-up, the doctor advised him not to further part in the
event. Abdul Rahman’s withdrawal came at a time he was in a better
position to be a major contender.

CHARLES PUCHIKIAN APPOINTED JUDGE OF COURT OF APPEAL IN CALIFORNIA’S FIFTH REGION

Noyan Tapan
Aug 25, 2009

LOS ANGELES, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. According to
the August 20 report of Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger’s
office, the Governor appointed Charles Puchikian the judge of Court
of Appeal in California’s fifth region.

60 years old Puchikian has been a member of California Senate
(1998-2006), as well as a member of state perliament (1994-1998),
he has served in the governments of California’s Governors George
Dokmejian and Pete Wilson (1981-1990).

Thus, Republican party member Puchikian will replace judge Thomas
Harris who has died lately.

ARARATBANK ACQUIRES 100 PER CENT OF STOCK OF IZMIRLIAN-EURASIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.08.2009 17:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An agreement on purchasing by the Araratbank the
universal credit organization Izmirlian-Eurasia was signed today by the
bank’s chairman of the board Ashot Osipyan and director of the Yerevan
branch of Izmirlian Swiss Foundation Ara Hamazaspyan. According to
the agreement the bank will become the sole member of the organization.

According to Ashot Osipyan, the bank acquires 100 per cent
participation in the capital of the credit organization.

SENATOR COGDILL APPLAUDS GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENT OF CHUCK POOCHIGIAN TO FIFTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL

AZG Armenian Daily
26/08/2009

Diaspora

Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) issued this statement after Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed former State Senator Chuck Poochigian
as associate justice of the Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District:
"I applaud Governor Schwarzenegger for appointing Chuck Poochigian to
the bench. The Governor truly could not have picked a better candidate
for this job. Chuck has been long admired for his unmatched integrity,
pragmatic problem solving skills and willingness to tackle complex
issues. He has dedicated his career to public service and he will
undoubtedly exercise sound judgment in the courtroom."

Senator Cogdill succeeded former Senator Chuck Poochigian in
representing the 14th Senate District.

Senator Cogdill proudly represents part or all of the counties
of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne,
MaryAlice Kaloostian, District Director of the Office of Senator Dave
Cogdill reports.

IF NOT THE CRISIS…

Aysor
Aug 25 2009
Armenia

Small and mid enterprises (SME) comprise 41.7 % or 1110323.5 million
drams in the Gross Internal Outcome in 2008, compared with 41.0% or
926188.1 million drams in 2007, i.e. 0.7 % or 184135.4 drams more. The
analysis of these numbers states that the increase in Gross Internal
Outcome recorded for the past years is stable.

The SME results for 2009 will be fixed next year. Karen Gevorgyan, head
of the Information Department of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship
Development National Center of the Republic of Armenia, informed
the reporter of Aysor.am that if this year there were no crisis,
it would have been possible "to investigate the results of the past
5 years and to make predictions".

According to the reference book "SME in Armenia 2006-2008", which
was published lately, on January 1, 2009, the number of registered
commercial juridical persons and individual entrepreneurs comprised
133405, i.e. 124.2% more as compared with the same period in 2008. The
increase is due to the official registration of those trading in
markets and fairs.

In UNO SME investigations "The index of SME development" comprises
544.0, in 2008, as compared with 398.6 in 2007 and 237.2 in 2006.

K. Gevorgyan stated that by 2009 among the most active functioning
SME in Armenia are registered in the areas of trade, industry,
cultivation of farming goods, service and construction.

CBA ISSUES 100.000 DRAM BANKNOTES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
24.08.2009 17:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On August 24, CBA board adopted a decision on
introducing a new banknote with a nominal value of AMD 100.000,
CBA board member Vakhtang Abbrahamyan told today a press conference
in Yerevan. Such decision, he said, was made after studying many
countries’ experience aimed at facilitating transactions for big
enterprises and promoting transactions in national currency.

Recent two years’ studies, especially those in the sphere of 50.000
Dram banknotes, show there is high demand for new, 100.000 Dram
banknotes. "CBA estimates 3% circulation for new banknote, and such
rate is deemed quite satisfactory," CBA board member said, adding
that new banknote’s circulation will not contribute to the growth
of inflation.

Referring to the history of creating the banknote, CBA expert Gevorg
Nubaryan said it was related to the ideology of disseminating
Christianity in Armenia. The new banknote depicts King Abgar V,
the first Armenian king to adopt Christianity. The front of the
banknote depicts him pointing at a canvas of the royal flag with a
lively portrait of Jesus Christ. The reverse of the banknote depicts
disciple Thaddeus handing the canvas to King Abgar V and his consequent
miraculous healing.

Three Armenian sportsmen rank among top 10 boxers in AIBA rating list
21.08.2009 22:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ For the first time in history, International Amateur
Boxing Association – AIBA – has published a rating list of world’s
boxers representing all 11 weigh classes.
Three Armenian boxers were included in the top 10 list of their weight
classes. Thus Hovhannes Danielyan (w/c 48 kg., 1150 points), Hrachik
Djavakhyan (w/c 60 kg. 1250 points) and Edward Hambardzumyan (w/c 64
kg, 1200 points) rank as the eighth, sixth and ninth sportsmen
respectively.
Besides, 7 Armenian representatives were included in the list of best
100 boxers.
Their position in rating list is represented as follows:
Hovhannes Danielyan (w/c 48 kg.) – 8 (1150 points)
Derenik Gizhlaryan (w/c 51 kg.) – 51 (400)
Karen Ayvazyan (w/c 51 kg.) – 64 (337,5)
Arthur Hambardzumyan (w/c 54 kg.) – 64 (250)
Azat Hovhannisyan (w/c 57 kg.) – 97 (100)
Hrachik Djavakhyan (w/c 60 kg.) – 6 (1250)
Edward Hambardzumyan (w/c 64 kg.) – 9 (1200)
Samvel Matevosyan (w/c 69 kg.) – 51 kg. (400)
Andranik Hakobyan (w/c 75 kg.) – 17 (750)
Tsolak Ananikyan (w/c 91 kg.) – 14 (850)
Let’s note that all above-mentioned sportsmen except Karen Ayvazyan
and Arthur Hambardzumyan will represent Armenia in upcoming world
championship due on September 1-12, 2009 in Milano.
AIBA’s rating list is drawn up based on boxers’ results in Olympic
Games, world championships, youth world championships, Olympic Games
qualification tournaments and AIBA tournaments. Highest points are
granted in Olympic Games and world championships.
With the number of boxers and best results, Cuba ranks as the first
country in rating list. Top boxer here are Anri Hernandez (51 kg.),
Yanikel Alarkon (54 kg.), Yordanis Hernandez (60 kg.), Roniel Sotolong
(64 kg.). Carlos Suarez (69 kg.), Emilio Bayo (75 kg.) and Osmai
Duarte (91 kg.).

DEMAND TO STOP THE CRIMINAL CASE INSTITUTED AGAINST MARIAM SUKHUDYAN

yan/
2009/08/19 | 17:20

Society

Statement of NGO’s of Armenia

The authorities of Armenia relying on law enforcement bodies and
judicial system freely carry out any order and continue the policy
of intimidation and violence towards the disagreeable citizens.

Arrests, beatings and judicial punishment of journalists and human
rights defenders, disgraceful trials related to the events of March
1, 2008 over oppositional leaders of Armenia, arrests and beatings
of youth movement members struggling for their rights are sanctioned
by provost regime of Armenia.

The commencement of a criminal case instituted against Mariam
Sukhudyan, one of the leaders of ecological movement is another vivid
manifestation of policy of impatience towards the dissidence.

We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations of Armenia which
are members of South Caucasian Network of Human Rights Defenders

-demand the competent bodies to stop the criminal case instituted
against Mariam Sukhudyan, -demand the competent bodies to punish
the ones who instituted the criminal case -address the international
organizations with a request to support our demands and exert pressure
on the authorities of Armenia.

Helsinki Association Socioscop Helsinki Citizen Assembly Journalist
Club "Asparez" Women Resource Center Vernatun- Wives of Political
Prisoners PINK Armenia Democracy Today Helsinki Citizen Assembly
of Vanadzor