Armenian News
DEFENCE MINISTRY OF ARMENIA: ANY ATTEMPT OF ADVERSARY
TO VIOLATE BORDER WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED
NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 24, 2010
YEREVAN
The Azerbaijani mass media yesterday qouted the spokesman for the
Azerbaijani defence ministry as accusing Armenia of violating the
cease-fire and firing at Azerbaijani positions.
In connection with these provocative statements about the Armenian
army, the Defence Ministry of Armenia reports that the Armenian
military units strictly observe the cease-fire and take retaliatory
actions only in response to encroachments of the adversary.
The ministry of defence declared at the same time that the Armenian
military units are watchful and alert, and any attempt of the adversary
to violate the border will be severely punished.
NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 24, 2010
YEREVAN
The Azerbaijani mass media yesterday qouted the spokesman for the
Azerbaijani defence ministry as accusing Armenia of violating the
cease-fire and firing at Azerbaijani positions.
In connection with these provocative statements about the Armenian
army, the Defence Ministry of Armenia reports that the Armenian
military units strictly observe the cease-fire and take retaliatory
actions only in response to encroachments of the adversary.
The ministry of defence declared at the same time that the Armenian
military units are watchful and alert, and any attempt of the adversary
to violate the border will be severely punished.
RFE/RL Report
Armenian Region Reports Serious Damage From Hail
Armenia -- A strawberry crop in the Armavir region damaged by hail, 20
May 2010.
20.05.2010
Hovannes Shoghikian
Authorities in Armenia's Armavir region reported on Thursday serious
damage to local agriculture from violent rain and storm that battered
the fruit-growing area south and west of Yerevan earlier this week.
The hailstorm destroyed a significant part of crops grown by local
farmers. The regional governor, Ashot Ghahramanian, expressed hope
that they will be at least partly compensated by the government. He
said he has already discussed the matter with President Serzh
Sarkisian.
`The extent of the damage will be ascertained and presented to the
Ministry of Agriculture so that we can see how people could be
compensated,' Ghahramanian told RFE/RL's Armenian service.
The scale of the devastation was visible in one provincial village,
Aragats. `Eighty percent of my [expected] harvest is gone,' said Misha
Hambardzumian, a villager growing grapes, apricots, cabbage and other
vegetables on less than three hectares of land.
`And I must pay land tax and water fees,' Hambardzumian told RFE/RL
grimly. He said he is also under a contractual obligation to supply
five tons of grapes to a local brandy distillery.
Another farmer, Aram Abrahamian, said he too will have little to
collect from his two-hectare plot mainly covered by a vineyard and
apricot trees. `I have loans falling due and don't know how I am going
to repay them,' he said.
`We haven't done monetary calculations [of the damage] because we
don't know yet what the prices of anticipated agricultural produce
will be this year,' Aram Hakobian, an agriculture specialist in the
village administration, told RFE/RL. `According to our estimates, 30
to 50 percent of crops have been destroyed.'
Both the regional authorities and farmers hope that the central
government will somehow make up for the loss. Deputy Agriculture
Minister Samvel Galstian indicated, however, that they should not
count on large-scale assistance.
`If there are available funds in the budget, assistance will be
provided,' Galstian told RFE/RL. `But this will not be a
compensation.'
Armavir and the neighboring Ararat region, which essentially make up
Armenia's fertile Ararat Valley, were already hit hard by a brief cold
snap in March. Agriculture Ministry officials estimated that it
destroyed at least 20 percent of the country's apricot and other fruit
yields anticipated in 2010.
Armenia -- A strawberry crop in the Armavir region damaged by hail, 20
May 2010.
20.05.2010
Hovannes Shoghikian
Authorities in Armenia's Armavir region reported on Thursday serious
damage to local agriculture from violent rain and storm that battered
the fruit-growing area south and west of Yerevan earlier this week.
The hailstorm destroyed a significant part of crops grown by local
farmers. The regional governor, Ashot Ghahramanian, expressed hope
that they will be at least partly compensated by the government. He
said he has already discussed the matter with President Serzh
Sarkisian.
`The extent of the damage will be ascertained and presented to the
Ministry of Agriculture so that we can see how people could be
compensated,' Ghahramanian told RFE/RL's Armenian service.
The scale of the devastation was visible in one provincial village,
Aragats. `Eighty percent of my [expected] harvest is gone,' said Misha
Hambardzumian, a villager growing grapes, apricots, cabbage and other
vegetables on less than three hectares of land.
`And I must pay land tax and water fees,' Hambardzumian told RFE/RL
grimly. He said he is also under a contractual obligation to supply
five tons of grapes to a local brandy distillery.
Another farmer, Aram Abrahamian, said he too will have little to
collect from his two-hectare plot mainly covered by a vineyard and
apricot trees. `I have loans falling due and don't know how I am going
to repay them,' he said.
`We haven't done monetary calculations [of the damage] because we
don't know yet what the prices of anticipated agricultural produce
will be this year,' Aram Hakobian, an agriculture specialist in the
village administration, told RFE/RL. `According to our estimates, 30
to 50 percent of crops have been destroyed.'
Both the regional authorities and farmers hope that the central
government will somehow make up for the loss. Deputy Agriculture
Minister Samvel Galstian indicated, however, that they should not
count on large-scale assistance.
`If there are available funds in the budget, assistance will be
provided,' Galstian told RFE/RL. `But this will not be a
compensation.'
Armavir and the neighboring Ararat region, which essentially make up
Armenia's fertile Ararat Valley, were already hit hard by a brief cold
snap in March. Agriculture Ministry officials estimated that it
destroyed at least 20 percent of the country's apricot and other fruit
yields anticipated in 2010.
CROSS TO BE FIXED ON HOLY CROSS CHURCH IN AKHTAMAR
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 24, 2010 - 13:49 AMT 08:49 GMT
Turkish authorities permitted to fix a cross on the dome of Holy
Cross Armenian Church in Akhtamar island.
"The decision was made by the organization for nature and cultural
monuments of Van," Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Erturgul
Gunay said. "The information was not made public yet but the cross
will be fixed before September 19, 2010.
Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Constantinople Patriarchate of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan said the
Patriarchate has not been informed of the decision but "inauguration
of the cross will afford pleasure for Turkish Armenians."
Permission to fix a cross on a Christian church was issued for the
first time in the history of the Turkish Republic.
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 24, 2010 - 13:49 AMT 08:49 GMT
Turkish authorities permitted to fix a cross on the dome of Holy
Cross Armenian Church in Akhtamar island.
"The decision was made by the organization for nature and cultural
monuments of Van," Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Erturgul
Gunay said. "The information was not made public yet but the cross
will be fixed before September 19, 2010.
Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Constantinople Patriarchate of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan said the
Patriarchate has not been informed of the decision but "inauguration
of the cross will afford pleasure for Turkish Armenians."
Permission to fix a cross on a Christian church was issued for the
first time in the history of the Turkish Republic.
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN NAGORNO KARABAKH TOOK PLACE
Arminfo
2010-05-24 10:45:00
ArmInfo. Parliamentary election in Nagorno Karabakh took place. As
ArmInfo's correspondent in Stepanakert reports, the voting held at
8:00 AM, competed at 8:00 PM by local time.
According to the NKR CEC Chairman Sergey Nassibyan, the preliminary
data say the voter turnout made up a bit more than 70% of the total
number of citizens registered in electoral lists (95 thsd 303 people).
Upon the results of processing of about 50% of ballot papers, Free
Motherland Party, headed by NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan, leads
with 45,8% or 17 thsd 537 votes. It is followed by Democratic Party of
Artsakh, headed by NKR Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan, with 11 thsd
744 votes (30,7%). ARF Dashnaktsutyun gathered 6 thsd 966 or 18,2%
votes, NKR Communist party - 2 thsd 46 (or 5,34%) votes. According
to the republic's Central Election Committee, no serious violations
have been fixed during the election. Two written complaints were
just received.
To recall, these are the fifth parliamentary election in the NKR in
succession. The election were held by the proportional and majority
systems. Lists of 4 parties: Free Motherland, Democratic party of
Artsakh, Communist Party of NKR and ARF Dashnaktsutyun were advanced
for 17 places by the proportional system. Party lists included 82
people, and 40 candidates fought for 16 mandates by the majority
system. Final voting results will be summed up during 5 days, and in
case of complaints - during 7 days.
About 120 international observes from France, Russia, USA, Italy,
Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Argentine, Czech, Denmark, Iran,
Netherlands, Canada, Slovakia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, etc., as
well as a large group from Armenia monitored the election. About 60
foreign and local journalists gave coverage to the election.
Arminfo
2010-05-24 10:45:00
ArmInfo. Parliamentary election in Nagorno Karabakh took place. As
ArmInfo's correspondent in Stepanakert reports, the voting held at
8:00 AM, competed at 8:00 PM by local time.
According to the NKR CEC Chairman Sergey Nassibyan, the preliminary
data say the voter turnout made up a bit more than 70% of the total
number of citizens registered in electoral lists (95 thsd 303 people).
Upon the results of processing of about 50% of ballot papers, Free
Motherland Party, headed by NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan, leads
with 45,8% or 17 thsd 537 votes. It is followed by Democratic Party of
Artsakh, headed by NKR Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan, with 11 thsd
744 votes (30,7%). ARF Dashnaktsutyun gathered 6 thsd 966 or 18,2%
votes, NKR Communist party - 2 thsd 46 (or 5,34%) votes. According
to the republic's Central Election Committee, no serious violations
have been fixed during the election. Two written complaints were
just received.
To recall, these are the fifth parliamentary election in the NKR in
succession. The election were held by the proportional and majority
systems. Lists of 4 parties: Free Motherland, Democratic party of
Artsakh, Communist Party of NKR and ARF Dashnaktsutyun were advanced
for 17 places by the proportional system. Party lists included 82
people, and 40 candidates fought for 16 mandates by the majority
system. Final voting results will be summed up during 5 days, and in
case of complaints - during 7 days.
About 120 international observes from France, Russia, USA, Italy,
Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Argentine, Czech, Denmark, Iran,
Netherlands, Canada, Slovakia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, etc., as
well as a large group from Armenia monitored the election. About 60
foreign and local journalists gave coverage to the election.
US State News
May 22, 2010 Saturday 5:27 PM EST
HIGH REPRESENTATIVE CATHERINE ASHTON ISSUES STATEMENT
May 22, 2010 Saturday 5:27 PM EST
HIGH REPRESENTATIVE CATHERINE ASHTON ISSUES STATEMENT
ON NAGORNO KARABAKH
BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 21 -- The European Union's European Council
issued the following statement:
Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has today made the following
statement:
"I would like to recall that the European Union does not recognise the
constitutional and legal framework within which the "parliamentary
elections" in Nagorno Karabakh will be held this Sunday. This event
should not prejudice the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. I reiterate our firm support to the OSCE Minsk-Group, and
the work of the three Co-chairs and their efforts towards a settlement
of the conflict, and call on the parties to redouble their efforts to
find a negotiated solution to the conflict. I recall the EU's
readiness to offer further support to this end. "
BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 21 -- The European Union's European Council
issued the following statement:
Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has today made the following
statement:
"I would like to recall that the European Union does not recognise the
constitutional and legal framework within which the "parliamentary
elections" in Nagorno Karabakh will be held this Sunday. This event
should not prejudice the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. I reiterate our firm support to the OSCE Minsk-Group, and
the work of the three Co-chairs and their efforts towards a settlement
of the conflict, and call on the parties to redouble their efforts to
find a negotiated solution to the conflict. I recall the EU's
readiness to offer further support to this end. "
Marco Brey
Eurovision.tv
May 21 2010
Oslo, Norway - The Armenian rehearsal today saw some changes compared
to the first one. Shining bubble chains were hanging above the stage,
and more pyrotechnical effects were used to enhance the performance.
The Armenian delegation had made some changes in the choreography to
Apricot Stone: During the song, the three backing vocalists approached
the artificial waterfall on stage and took water from it with their
hands. There were also some notable changes in the staging. This time,
shining white bubbles were hanging from the ceiling, and only when the
large apricot stone in the back opened and the tree started growing
out of it, the bubbles were lifted up. During the last chorus, all
artists moved close to each other and raised their hands.
The pyrotechnical effects, orange flames in the background, were used
every time the chorus started. Before the last chorus, single shots in
different colours were added. All artists were wearing their Semi-Final
costumes today. While Eva Rivas wore an long apricot-coloured dress
and white trousers underneath, the backing artists were dressed in
black and dark shades of brown.
Looking onto the TV screens, the Armenian entry started with a close-up
on the duduk player, who was again replaced by an extra as the famous
83-year-old Jivan Gasparyan had still not arrived in Oslo.
Then the camera moved to another close-up on Eva Rivas, showing a
pendant in the shape of an apricot stone which she held on her palm.
The warm and elaborate stage act really told a whole story in itself!
"The whole universe united on stage" In the press conference,
the delegation confirmed that they were very happy with the
second rehearsal, and some initial sound problems could be easily
resolved. The head of delegation, Diana Mnatsakanyan, stated that
some changes had been made to the stage act to make it more colourful,
with more pyrotechnical effects, flashes and different lighting. They
wanted to see "the whole universe united on stage", as she added. The
whole team was very happy with the changes that have been implemented.
Eva Rivas gave more details on her dress, which consists in fact of
white jeans and an apricot-coloured corset, which she described as
an "unusual combination." She also said she would perform on stage
barefoot. Eva went on to sing a short part of a song of hers in
the Armenian language, which had the same theme as Apricot Stone -
people from diaspora returning to their roots.
Diana Mnatsakanyan finished the press conference by thanking all
journalists and fans for their feedback, support and promotional
efforts.
Watch videos and read comments at
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=15523&_t=Eva+Rivas+sets+the+stage+on+fire
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