Armenian New ... A Topalian
Do read the attached Global Competitiveness Report analysis by
Areg Gharabegian. It shows that Armenia trails Azerbaijan and
Georgia in nearly all assessed business indicators.
It also quantifies why Armenia is classed as a 'poor country'.
RFE/RL Report
Armenian Government `Not Responsible' For Energy Sector
Armenian Government `Not Responsible' For Energy Sector
Corruption
Hovannes Shoghikian
18.08.2015
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian has insisted that his government bears
no responsibility for alleged corruption in Armenia's troubled power
distribution network which was widely blamed for a recent rise in the
electricity prices in the country.
The more than 17 percent price hike triggered two-week street
demonstrations in Yerevan that forced the government to subsidize the
energy tariffs for households.
Young civic activists leading the "Electric Yerevan" movement
dismissed state regulators' assurances that the unpopular measure is
needed for ending massive losses incurred by the Electric Networks of
Armenia (ENA), the national power utility. They believe that those
losses result from a widespread embezzlement of ENA funds allegedly
condone and even overseen by the Russian-owned company's management.
"Is there corruption in the ENA?" Abrahamian said late on
Monday. "It's a Russian company. Let it be audited. If corruption is
detected, then those responsible for it will be held accountable. That
has nothing to do with the Armenian authorities."
Critics have accused the authorities of turning a blind eye to the
ENA's mismanagement. They also see close ties between senior ENA
executives and high-ranking Armenian government officials.
Abrahamian urged "Electric Yerevan" leaders to take part in an
upcoming special audit of the ENA meant to determine whether the
company is indeed mismanaged. "It would be good if those people who
took to the streets and demanded justice participated [in the audit.]
If that was the reason for staying on the street, then they must
participate," he told reporters during a visit to a pro-government
youth camp in the resort town of Tsaghkadzor.
It remains unclear, however, when that audit will get underway and
which foreign company will conduct it. Abrahamian said last week that
the government is still discussing the matter with "the Russian side."
Artak Manukian, an economist monitoring the Armenian energy sector,
deplored on Tuesday a lack of official information about those
discussions. He also complained that the government has not even
clarified whether the audit will probe the corruption allegations or
merely scrutinize the ENA's balance sheets.
RFE/RL Report
Soviet-Era Leader's Family Opposes Yerevan Casino
Narine Ghalechian
18.08.2015
The wife of the late Karen Demirchian spoke out on Tuesday against the
planned opening of a casino at Yerevan's main sports and concert arena
bearing the name of Armenia's longtime Soviet-era leader.
The sprawling arena commonly known as Hamalir (Complex) was built in
1983, becoming one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the
Soviet Union. Demirchian, Soviet Armenia's top Communist leader from
1974-1988, was instrumental in its expensive construction. This is why
it was named after Demirchian shortly after he was assassinated in
October 1999, just a few months after becoming parliament speaker.
According to Demirchian's widow Rima, he cried when Hamalir was
seriously damaged by a fire in 1984. "Hamalir was a piece of his soul
and his body. It was his brainchild," she told RFE/RL's Armenian
service (Azatutyun.am).
The complex consisting of two large halls was sold in 2005 to the
Moscow-based construction firm BAMO belonging to an Armenian-born
Russian businessman. The Armenian government controversially
renationalized it last year, citing BAMO's failure to repay a $25
million government loan.
The government announced last week that it has decided to sell Hamalir
to an obscure private firm for $30 million. It said that the new owner
has pledged to invest $100 million in expanding the facility and
turning it into a big entertainment center that will have not only
concert halls but also a hotel, water park, stores, restaurants and a
casino.
The deal has been denounced by some opposition politicians and
prominent public figures critical of the government. They have
objected, among other things, to the planned casino, citing Hamalir's
proximity to the Tsitsernakabert Armenian genocide memorial.
Rima Demirchian also expressed serious concern over the casino, saying
that it would be an affront to her husband's memory. "I have no doubts
that if they open a casino it will become an ugly version of Las
Vegas," she said.
Demirchian said she still hopes that the government will amend the
deal to ban any gambling sites at Hamalir. She warned that failure to
do so would lead her and other members of the Demirchian family to
demand that Hamalir no longer bear the late leader's name.
"I will remain categorically against the casino," she stressed. "For
all my understanding and respect [for government decisions,] this is
an issue on which I will be uncompromising."
Shortly after Karen Demirchian was gunned down along with seven other
officials in a terrorist attack on the Armenian parliament, his
younger son Stepan became an opposition politician. He was the main
opposition candidate in a 2003 presidential election widely believed
to have been rigged in favor of then President Robert Kocharian.
Stepan Demirchian is currently a parliament deputy representing the
opposition Armenian National Congress. He has not publicly commented
on the Hamalir controversy yet.
hetq.am
SUMMER VACATIONING IN ARMENIA REMAINS AN EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION
August 17, 2015
By Lilit Tadevosyan
Come summer and many are faced with the perpetual dilemma of choosing
a place to vacation.
Residents in Armenia must decide whether to stay or travel outside
the country. Oftentimes, it comes down to a matter of cost.
A cursory perusal of what's available in Armenia for a vacationing
family reveals that the options are quite pricey. The resorts in
Dilijan, Tzaghkadzor and Sevan are way beyond the reach of the
average vacationer.
For example, the daily double room rate at a mid-level hotel at
Dilijan or Tzaghkadzor is 35,000 AMD (US $73), and 40,000 AMD at Sevan.
People choosing Sevan as Armenia's substitute for the sea must also
contend with paying for entrance to the beachfront since the few
public beaches cannot handle the summer rush.
No wonder why so many decide to vacation outside Armenia - Georgia,
Egypt, Europe - at less cost.
One can get a package deal for seven days in Greece for 470 Euros;
and that includes airfare and accommodations.
One week in Batumi on the Georgian Black Sea will set you back 76,000
AMD. The price includes transportation, hotel and three meals daily.
You can also rent a clean and comfortable room in Batumi for 20,000
AMD a day and for 7,000 a day in neighboring Kobuleti.
Simple arithmetic proves that Armenia's domestic tourism sector needs
a major overhaul in order to compete with the outside world.
asbarez.com
AN ARMENIAN OPERA HITS THE LONDON STAGE
17/08/15
REVIEW WRITTEN BY CAROLIN KOPPLIN
The Grimeborn Festival at the Arcola Theatre is back for its
ninth year. Offering reimagined classics, obscure masterpieces,
and interesting new work, Grimeborn is one of the summer festival
highlights in London, taking opera aficionados on a journey of
discovery. One of the productions definitely worth seeing is Gariné
by Dikran Tchouhadjian, the first opera composer of the Ottoman
Empire and known during his lifetime as "the Armenian Verdi" and
"the Oriental Offenbach".
Fusing oriental and European styles, Gariné is an opera buffa
containing elements of comedy, satire, and farce. Since its composition
in Turkish as Leblebici Horhor Aga (Master Hor Hor the Chickpea Vendor)
in 1875, Gariné has been adapted three times for film (for example
by Nazim Hikmet), and has delighted audiences all over Europe and the
Middle East. The production at the Arcola is an English adaptation by
Gerald Papasian who directs a semi-staging, the full version of which
was previously performed in French at the Théâtre de Saint-Maur,
Paris and the Théâtre de l'Odéon, Marseille.
Armen dreams of creating the first great theatre company in
Constantinople. He intends to open with an ambitious production based
on "Arabian Nights". Yet on opening night, disaster strikes - his
leading actress defects to a rival troupe. Armen is desperate and even
considers casting his baritone as a soprano but then Gariné appears
in a boat singing a lovely tune. Armen is inflamed with passion for
her voice, but her father Hor Hor is strongly opposed to his daughter
singing in the theatre. Can Armen's production be saved?
The stage is bare except for a large trunk and a piano, which will
be the orchestra for this evening, conducted by Musical Director
Kelvin Thomson. Gerald Papasian, the Director of the show, who has
also written the adaptation and translated it into English, informs
us that this will be a semi-staged production and his task is to
explain the elements of the show that we are not going to see. He
then apologises that the cast will tonight be reduced to the chorus
because the real soloists have been held up at Heathrow due to a
tube strike. As the Prompter and the Chorus, all dressed in black,
take the stage, the play within the play begins with Armen's dilemma -
who is going to play his Fatime on opening night?
When Markar appears with a group of street performers as an alternative
to the threatened show, Armen almost resorts to violence.
His goal is forming a great theatre company to provide art for
the culture starved citizens of Constantinople, not to cater to
commercialism. Markar retorts: "What will the critics say? That we
only turn out shows that the public likes?" The street performers are
quickly dismissed. Suddenly, Armen hears the most beautiful voice
as Gariné arrives by boat. Armen is convinced that he has found
his Fatime but Gariné's father, a chickpea vendor, will not have
his daughter dishonour him by performing on a stage. Whilst Armen
is desperately trying to save his show with the help of Markar, Hor
Hor as well as two slapstick baddies named Sneak 1 and Sneak 2 try to
thwart his efforts. Of course Armen soon finds that there he has got
more than a professional interest in the attractive Gariné and his
feelings seem to be reciprocated. But what about Armen's relationship
to dance instructor Shoushan?
Papasian's witty and clever modernised version is highly entertaining
and peppered with misquotes from Shakespeare and other classics as
well as references to current events. The fusion of oriental elements
with western opera is intriguing. I could also detect a resemblance
to Gilbert and Sullivan's work. A meta operetta with a play within
a play that is framed by another play, this funny and original work
provides many laughs, romance, and beautiful arias, expertly sung by
the ensemble and skilfully accompanied by Kelvin Thomson. Danae Elini
is lovely as the gifted Gariné and Edward Saklatvala convinces as the
inspired director Armen. Giles Davies shows true swashbuckling spirit
as Markar and Leon Berger gives an outstanding comic performance as the
chickpea vendor Hor Hor. Katie Grosset is confident and professional
as dance instructor Shoushan. 4/5
Gariné was shown at the Arcola Theatre from Friday 14th to Saturday
15th August as part of this year's Grimeborn Festival.
Hovannes Shoghikian
18.08.2015
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian has insisted that his government bears
no responsibility for alleged corruption in Armenia's troubled power
distribution network which was widely blamed for a recent rise in the
electricity prices in the country.
The more than 17 percent price hike triggered two-week street
demonstrations in Yerevan that forced the government to subsidize the
energy tariffs for households.
Young civic activists leading the "Electric Yerevan" movement
dismissed state regulators' assurances that the unpopular measure is
needed for ending massive losses incurred by the Electric Networks of
Armenia (ENA), the national power utility. They believe that those
losses result from a widespread embezzlement of ENA funds allegedly
condone and even overseen by the Russian-owned company's management.
"Is there corruption in the ENA?" Abrahamian said late on
Monday. "It's a Russian company. Let it be audited. If corruption is
detected, then those responsible for it will be held accountable. That
has nothing to do with the Armenian authorities."
Critics have accused the authorities of turning a blind eye to the
ENA's mismanagement. They also see close ties between senior ENA
executives and high-ranking Armenian government officials.
Abrahamian urged "Electric Yerevan" leaders to take part in an
upcoming special audit of the ENA meant to determine whether the
company is indeed mismanaged. "It would be good if those people who
took to the streets and demanded justice participated [in the audit.]
If that was the reason for staying on the street, then they must
participate," he told reporters during a visit to a pro-government
youth camp in the resort town of Tsaghkadzor.
It remains unclear, however, when that audit will get underway and
which foreign company will conduct it. Abrahamian said last week that
the government is still discussing the matter with "the Russian side."
Artak Manukian, an economist monitoring the Armenian energy sector,
deplored on Tuesday a lack of official information about those
discussions. He also complained that the government has not even
clarified whether the audit will probe the corruption allegations or
merely scrutinize the ENA's balance sheets.
RFE/RL Report
Soviet-Era Leader's Family Opposes Yerevan Casino
Narine Ghalechian
18.08.2015
The wife of the late Karen Demirchian spoke out on Tuesday against the
planned opening of a casino at Yerevan's main sports and concert arena
bearing the name of Armenia's longtime Soviet-era leader.
The sprawling arena commonly known as Hamalir (Complex) was built in
1983, becoming one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the
Soviet Union. Demirchian, Soviet Armenia's top Communist leader from
1974-1988, was instrumental in its expensive construction. This is why
it was named after Demirchian shortly after he was assassinated in
October 1999, just a few months after becoming parliament speaker.
According to Demirchian's widow Rima, he cried when Hamalir was
seriously damaged by a fire in 1984. "Hamalir was a piece of his soul
and his body. It was his brainchild," she told RFE/RL's Armenian
service (Azatutyun.am).
The complex consisting of two large halls was sold in 2005 to the
Moscow-based construction firm BAMO belonging to an Armenian-born
Russian businessman. The Armenian government controversially
renationalized it last year, citing BAMO's failure to repay a $25
million government loan.
The government announced last week that it has decided to sell Hamalir
to an obscure private firm for $30 million. It said that the new owner
has pledged to invest $100 million in expanding the facility and
turning it into a big entertainment center that will have not only
concert halls but also a hotel, water park, stores, restaurants and a
casino.
The deal has been denounced by some opposition politicians and
prominent public figures critical of the government. They have
objected, among other things, to the planned casino, citing Hamalir's
proximity to the Tsitsernakabert Armenian genocide memorial.
Rima Demirchian also expressed serious concern over the casino, saying
that it would be an affront to her husband's memory. "I have no doubts
that if they open a casino it will become an ugly version of Las
Vegas," she said.
Demirchian said she still hopes that the government will amend the
deal to ban any gambling sites at Hamalir. She warned that failure to
do so would lead her and other members of the Demirchian family to
demand that Hamalir no longer bear the late leader's name.
"I will remain categorically against the casino," she stressed. "For
all my understanding and respect [for government decisions,] this is
an issue on which I will be uncompromising."
Shortly after Karen Demirchian was gunned down along with seven other
officials in a terrorist attack on the Armenian parliament, his
younger son Stepan became an opposition politician. He was the main
opposition candidate in a 2003 presidential election widely believed
to have been rigged in favor of then President Robert Kocharian.
Stepan Demirchian is currently a parliament deputy representing the
opposition Armenian National Congress. He has not publicly commented
on the Hamalir controversy yet.
hetq.am
SUMMER VACATIONING IN ARMENIA REMAINS AN EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION
August 17, 2015
By Lilit Tadevosyan
Come summer and many are faced with the perpetual dilemma of choosing
a place to vacation.
Residents in Armenia must decide whether to stay or travel outside
the country. Oftentimes, it comes down to a matter of cost.
A cursory perusal of what's available in Armenia for a vacationing
family reveals that the options are quite pricey. The resorts in
Dilijan, Tzaghkadzor and Sevan are way beyond the reach of the
average vacationer.
For example, the daily double room rate at a mid-level hotel at
Dilijan or Tzaghkadzor is 35,000 AMD (US $73), and 40,000 AMD at Sevan.
People choosing Sevan as Armenia's substitute for the sea must also
contend with paying for entrance to the beachfront since the few
public beaches cannot handle the summer rush.
No wonder why so many decide to vacation outside Armenia - Georgia,
Egypt, Europe - at less cost.
One can get a package deal for seven days in Greece for 470 Euros;
and that includes airfare and accommodations.
One week in Batumi on the Georgian Black Sea will set you back 76,000
AMD. The price includes transportation, hotel and three meals daily.
You can also rent a clean and comfortable room in Batumi for 20,000
AMD a day and for 7,000 a day in neighboring Kobuleti.
Simple arithmetic proves that Armenia's domestic tourism sector needs
a major overhaul in order to compete with the outside world.
asbarez.com
AN ARMENIAN OPERA HITS THE LONDON STAGE
17/08/15
REVIEW WRITTEN BY CAROLIN KOPPLIN
The Grimeborn Festival at the Arcola Theatre is back for its
ninth year. Offering reimagined classics, obscure masterpieces,
and interesting new work, Grimeborn is one of the summer festival
highlights in London, taking opera aficionados on a journey of
discovery. One of the productions definitely worth seeing is Gariné
by Dikran Tchouhadjian, the first opera composer of the Ottoman
Empire and known during his lifetime as "the Armenian Verdi" and
"the Oriental Offenbach".
Fusing oriental and European styles, Gariné is an opera buffa
containing elements of comedy, satire, and farce. Since its composition
in Turkish as Leblebici Horhor Aga (Master Hor Hor the Chickpea Vendor)
in 1875, Gariné has been adapted three times for film (for example
by Nazim Hikmet), and has delighted audiences all over Europe and the
Middle East. The production at the Arcola is an English adaptation by
Gerald Papasian who directs a semi-staging, the full version of which
was previously performed in French at the Théâtre de Saint-Maur,
Paris and the Théâtre de l'Odéon, Marseille.
Armen dreams of creating the first great theatre company in
Constantinople. He intends to open with an ambitious production based
on "Arabian Nights". Yet on opening night, disaster strikes - his
leading actress defects to a rival troupe. Armen is desperate and even
considers casting his baritone as a soprano but then Gariné appears
in a boat singing a lovely tune. Armen is inflamed with passion for
her voice, but her father Hor Hor is strongly opposed to his daughter
singing in the theatre. Can Armen's production be saved?
The stage is bare except for a large trunk and a piano, which will
be the orchestra for this evening, conducted by Musical Director
Kelvin Thomson. Gerald Papasian, the Director of the show, who has
also written the adaptation and translated it into English, informs
us that this will be a semi-staged production and his task is to
explain the elements of the show that we are not going to see. He
then apologises that the cast will tonight be reduced to the chorus
because the real soloists have been held up at Heathrow due to a
tube strike. As the Prompter and the Chorus, all dressed in black,
take the stage, the play within the play begins with Armen's dilemma -
who is going to play his Fatime on opening night?
When Markar appears with a group of street performers as an alternative
to the threatened show, Armen almost resorts to violence.
His goal is forming a great theatre company to provide art for
the culture starved citizens of Constantinople, not to cater to
commercialism. Markar retorts: "What will the critics say? That we
only turn out shows that the public likes?" The street performers are
quickly dismissed. Suddenly, Armen hears the most beautiful voice
as Gariné arrives by boat. Armen is convinced that he has found
his Fatime but Gariné's father, a chickpea vendor, will not have
his daughter dishonour him by performing on a stage. Whilst Armen
is desperately trying to save his show with the help of Markar, Hor
Hor as well as two slapstick baddies named Sneak 1 and Sneak 2 try to
thwart his efforts. Of course Armen soon finds that there he has got
more than a professional interest in the attractive Gariné and his
feelings seem to be reciprocated. But what about Armen's relationship
to dance instructor Shoushan?
Papasian's witty and clever modernised version is highly entertaining
and peppered with misquotes from Shakespeare and other classics as
well as references to current events. The fusion of oriental elements
with western opera is intriguing. I could also detect a resemblance
to Gilbert and Sullivan's work. A meta operetta with a play within
a play that is framed by another play, this funny and original work
provides many laughs, romance, and beautiful arias, expertly sung by
the ensemble and skilfully accompanied by Kelvin Thomson. Danae Elini
is lovely as the gifted Gariné and Edward Saklatvala convinces as the
inspired director Armen. Giles Davies shows true swashbuckling spirit
as Markar and Leon Berger gives an outstanding comic performance as the
chickpea vendor Hor Hor. Katie Grosset is confident and professional
as dance instructor Shoushan. 4/5
Gariné was shown at the Arcola Theatre from Friday 14th to Saturday
15th August as part of this year's Grimeborn Festival.
FROM WHALE'S MOUTH
August 17, 2015
Sydney Morning Herald - The whale seemed to stare straight at him.
Fisherman Ivan Iskenderian watched it swim within a metre of his boat
in Sydney's Middle Harbour. As the whale rose from the water, he saw
a plastic bag and some fishing line stuck near its enormous mouth. He
reached out his hand and snatched them away. His friend Michael Riggio
snapped a photograph of the close encounter, near Roseville Bridge,
calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime" selfie.
Watch Video
August 17, 2015
Sydney Morning Herald - The whale seemed to stare straight at him.
Fisherman Ivan Iskenderian watched it swim within a metre of his boat
in Sydney's Middle Harbour. As the whale rose from the water, he saw
a plastic bag and some fishing line stuck near its enormous mouth. He
reached out his hand and snatched them away. His friend Michael Riggio
snapped a photograph of the close encounter, near Roseville Bridge,
calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime" selfie.
Watch Video
Mr Iskenderian, 20, of Forestville, said he did not stop to think
before touching the head of the massive mammal.
"It was a bit daunting but the whale was very calm," he said.
"He came up to the boat a couple of times, putting his head out of
the water. There was a plastic bag and fishing line sitting on the
side of his mouth, and it seemed like he wanted it taken off. So I
dropped my phone, reached over and just grabbed it."
The young southern right whale then repeatedly slapped its fin on
the water, he said.
"Apparently that's what they do when they're relaxed. It seemed quite
happy. It could have been a kind of thank you."
Whale expert Geoff Ross said the mammal - weighing about 65 tonnes
and roughly the length of a single-decker bus - deliberately came
looking for a helping hand.
"It is bizarre, really unique behaviour for a wild animal, particularly
for its size. But they are quite intelligent," he said.
"It approached the vessel from the stern, diving and looking at the
boat before lifting its head out of the water to allow the fishermen
to remove the entanglements from its lower jaw.
"It's an extraordinary animal and all the more reason why it's
important to welcome large animals like this in our waterways."
The chance meeting occurred about 3.30pm on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Iskenderian, who works in a fishing tackle shop, was returning
early to Roseville boat ramp after a fruitless fishing trip for tuna
beyond the heads.
He had seen the whale in the harbour several times recently. But this
time it swam close to his boat and other vessels idling in the water,
coming within 50 centimetres of his stern.
"He was just hanging around, bringing his eye out of the water and
looking directly at us," he said.
The sound of its breathing was "immensely loud", he said.
He spied the rubbish on its head and, when it lifted its head from the
water a third time, he whipped it away. Its head felt hard, he said.
"I was pretty stoked I actually got it. It was pretty good, a couple of
people were clapping. That's my good deed done for the day, I guess."
before touching the head of the massive mammal.
"It was a bit daunting but the whale was very calm," he said.
"He came up to the boat a couple of times, putting his head out of
the water. There was a plastic bag and fishing line sitting on the
side of his mouth, and it seemed like he wanted it taken off. So I
dropped my phone, reached over and just grabbed it."
The young southern right whale then repeatedly slapped its fin on
the water, he said.
"Apparently that's what they do when they're relaxed. It seemed quite
happy. It could have been a kind of thank you."
Whale expert Geoff Ross said the mammal - weighing about 65 tonnes
and roughly the length of a single-decker bus - deliberately came
looking for a helping hand.
"It is bizarre, really unique behaviour for a wild animal, particularly
for its size. But they are quite intelligent," he said.
"It approached the vessel from the stern, diving and looking at the
boat before lifting its head out of the water to allow the fishermen
to remove the entanglements from its lower jaw.
"It's an extraordinary animal and all the more reason why it's
important to welcome large animals like this in our waterways."
The chance meeting occurred about 3.30pm on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Iskenderian, who works in a fishing tackle shop, was returning
early to Roseville boat ramp after a fruitless fishing trip for tuna
beyond the heads.
He had seen the whale in the harbour several times recently. But this
time it swam close to his boat and other vessels idling in the water,
coming within 50 centimetres of his stern.
"He was just hanging around, bringing his eye out of the water and
looking directly at us," he said.
The sound of its breathing was "immensely loud", he said.
He spied the rubbish on its head and, when it lifted its head from the
water a third time, he whipped it away. Its head felt hard, he said.
"I was pretty stoked I actually got it. It was pretty good, a couple of
people were clapping. That's my good deed done for the day, I guess."
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