"Control Diabetes, Live a Full Life"

22 YEARS The Noah’s Ark #41 (1081) 9 November 2015 Published Since 1993

Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³μ³Ã³Ã»ñÃ (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) "Control Diabetes, Live a Full Life"

On November 3 at the Opera and Ballet Theatre the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia conducted by Sergey Smbatyan, under the auspices of the First Lady Rita A. Sargsyan, performed Cartoon Non Stop charity concert for children that announced the start of "Control Diabetes, Live a Full Life" program See page 12

In This Issue Turkmenistan’s Pipeline Strategy: Ruling Party Plans 2,000 Referendum Building a Diversified Export Campaign Offices p.5 Infrastructure. Shirin Akiner EU official looks forward to new deal Turkmenistan has huge mineral from Turkmenistan through with Armenia p.6 wealth, including reserves of natu- Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Russians and Armenians Die within ral gas that are estimated to be the Russia and the other Soviet "the Week of Catastrophs" p.10 fourth largest in the world. republics. Consequently, in the However, when the country became early 1990s the main customers for Yevgeny Kaspersky is the Sixth independent, it lacked an export Turkmenistan gas were still former GIT Award Laureate p.11 Infrastructure. The existing gas Soviet republics. Armenian Genocide movie pipelines formed part of the Central ‘The Cut’ to screen in Tbilisi p.17 Asia-Centre network, which ran continued on page 2

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 2 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights Turkmenistan’s Pipeline Strategy: Building a Diversified Export Infrastructure. Shirin Akiner Turkmenistan-Iran a pipeline from the Caspian region, to Shirin China, to terminate at a port on the Akiner, Pipeline Yellow Sea; from there the gas could be transported by tanker to Japan and, even- Professor of This was the first cross-border tually, the Republic of Korea. In 1997, Cambridge pipeline project to be implemented and the Mitsubishi Group, Exxon and CNPC University, initially, was the Turkmen Government’s formed a consortium to develop a pilot UK favored option for an export route. The project to connect gas fields in intention was to construct a pipeline that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan via would run across Iran to Turkey and Kazakhstan to China’s eastern seaboard - thence to Europe (a distance of some an estimated distance of some of 6,000 1,400 km.). Construction of the first seg- From page 1 km. However, although the benefits of ment, from Korpeje in western Most of these new states, especially opening up Central Asian hydrocarbon Turkmenistan to Kord Koy in northern Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine, were in resources to Pacific markets were consid- Iran, commenced in 1994 and the pipe the midst of a severe economic recession erable, the cost of such a pipeline was became operational in December 1997. and were frequently unable to meet pay- deemed too high to be commercially There were hopes at this time that the US ments, thereby falling deeply into arrears. viable. Government was no longer as vehement- By the end of 1995, Turkmenistan was The project languished until April ly opposed to Iranian involvement in the owed close on US $2 billion. 2006, when President Niyazov visited project as had been the case previously. It was against this background that Beijing. While there, he signed an agree- Accordingly, international energy com- the Turkmen Government made plans to ment with President Hu on the supply of panies such as Royal Dutch/Shell and the create a multi-vectored network of export Turkmenistan gas to China, to be trans- French company Sofregaz bid for the routes to Europe, the Middle East and ported via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. contract to carry out the next phase of South Asia. It was a bold, ambitious idea. Thereafter, progress was rapid. In 2007, construction. Yet it soon became clear The distance to world markets and the President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, that this was premature: there were still technical problems of constructing Saparmurad Niyazov’s successor, visited too many political and commercial obsta- pipelines across difficult terrain would China and oversaw the signing of a cles for Western companies to participate make such projects inordinately costly. Production Sharing Agreement between in the project. Undeterred, Turkmenistan Moreover, political factors, notably US CNPC and the Turkmen authorities to and Iran continued to expand bilateral sanctions against neighboring Iran, and develop the massive Bagtyyarlyk con- energy ties. In 2000, a second cross- bor- regional instability, particularly in tract territory. Located on the right bank der pipeline, from Artyk to Luftabad, was Afghanistan, would hinder the trans of the Amu Dar’ya, this previously unde- inaugurated and in January 2010, a third, boundary transportation of hydrocarbons. veloped area was known to contain sever- much larger pipeline was launched, run- In the face of such obstacles, many com- al large gas fields. The deal was signifi- ning from Dovletabat in south-eastern mentators doubted the feasibility of these cant not only because of the territory’s Turkmenistan (a field previously schemes. Yet the Turkmen authorities rich reserves, but because it was the first reserved for deliveries to Russia) to were not deterred: the new pipelines were major contract to be concluded with a Khangiran. These three pipelines togeth- vital to the country’s independence and to foreign company for the development of er would, at peak capacity, enable its economic development. Moreover, the Turkmenistan’s on-shore hydrocarbon Turkmenistan to make annual deliveries pipelines were a form of ‘energy diplo- reserves. The Chinese partners lost no to Iran of up to 20 billion cubic meters macy’, strengthening ties with regional time in launching the project: the follow- (bcm). states and laying the foundations for ing year CNPC signed bilateral deals strategic partnerships. Thus, despite the with the national gas companies of frustrations of protracted negotiations, Turkmenistan-China Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and memoranda of intent and feasibility stud- Kazakhstan, giving them 50 per cent ies that were mothballed, and the frequent Pipeline (Trans-Asian) stakes in their respective segments of the hiatuses, slowly and determinedly the pipeline. Work on the pipe commenced Turkmens pursued their objectives. The Another vector of Turkmenistan’s concurrently in all the participating states twists and turns that punctuated this energy export strategy was the construc- and, less than two years later, was com- process mark the course of tion of a Trans-Asian gas pipeline. This pleted in record time. On 14 December Turkmenistan’s pipeline strategy, but project got off to an early start: in 1992 - 2009, in the presence of the Presidents of they also chart the complexities of scarcely a year after independence - Turkmenistan, China, Uzbekistan and regional relationships and the changing Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation and the Kazakhstan, the formal valve-opening priorities of international actors. China National Petroleum Company ceremony was held. It was the first phase (CNPC) undertook feasibility studies for of what would become a major ‘gas cor-

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 3 ridor’ to the east. Over the following pipeline (estimated at $10 billion) were Turkmenistan- years, additional branches were con- beginning to look promising. It was structed. In 2015, the fourth branch, beginning to attract interest from region- Azerbaijan Pipeline known as ‘D’, was nearing completion; al states such as Bangladesh and China. (Trans-Caspian) initial shipments via this new pipeline The Ashgabat agreement, concluded would total 5 bcm, increasing annually to between the participating states in 2010, The fourth, and in many ways the reach 25 bcm within five years. Total addressed the practicalities of the under- most challenging scheme was the con- Turkmen gas exports to China by 2020 taking. Russia expressed support for the struction of a pipeline under the Caspian were expected to reach 65 bcm per year. project. So, too, did the USA - primarily Sea. The objective was to deliver because it regarded TAPI as preferable to Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan for on-ship- Turkmenistan- the rival scheme to construct a gas ment via Turkey to Europe. The idea was pipeline from Iran to the Indian sub-con- first put forward by US officials in 1996. Afghanistan-Pakistan- tinent (the Iran-Pakistan- India pipeline). In 1999, Royal Dutch/Shell became a India Pipeline (TAPI) American interest in Turkmen energy ‘strategic energy partner’ of was underlined by notable visitors such Turkmenistan, with the aim of develop- An even more ambitious scheme was as Neil Bush, head of the energy compa- ing the various gas deposits that would be the proposal to construct a pipeline link- ny South Oil Texas (and youngest broth- the main source of supply for the subsea ing Turkmenistan to the Indian sub-conti- er of former US President George W. pipeline. Concurrently, the US conglom- nent via Afghanistan. The first step Bush), who had a meeting with President erates General Electric and the Bechtel towards the realisation of this project Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Group carried out a feasibility study for came in May 1997, when the US petrole- Ashgabat in February 2010. the pipeline. The possibility of transport- um company Unocal and its strategic International investors, however, ing Turkmen gas to Romania was also partner, the Saudi Arabian company were reluctant to commit to TAPI as the being considered. However, that same Delta Nimir, signed a memorandum of security situation in Afghanistan was still year the large Shah Deniz gas field was agreement with the Turkmenistan unstable. Once again, it seemed as though discovered in the Azerbaijani sector of Government for the construction of oil the project would be postponed indefi- the Caspian Sea. This dramatically and gas pipelines from hydrocarbon nitely. Yet the partner states were not only changed the situation. Azerbaijan was deposits in eastern Turkmenistan to convinced of the commercial viability of still prepared to act as a transit country Pakistan via Afghanistan. However, the the pipeline, but understood that it would for Turkmen gas, but was understandably deteriorating security situation in be of immense benefit to local eager to prioritize its own gas exports. Afghanistan made the implementation of economies, boosting industrial develop- Hence the terms and conditions that it this route impractical at that time. ment and creating employment opportu- offered to Turkmenistan were less favor- Five years later, following the US-led nities. This would contribute to the cre- able than had originally been anticipated. military intervention in Afghanistan in ation of a virtuous circle of increased Little progress was made as negotiations October 2001, the outlook was more prosperity and regional security. became mired in disagreements over promising. Hence, in May 2002 the Consequently, in order to avoid further share-holdings and quota allocations. In Presidents of Afghanistan, Pakistan and delays, the partner states decided to use 2003, Royal Dutch/Shell decided to Turkmenistan agreed to revive the proj- their own resources to launch the project. reduce its activities in Turkmenistan and ect. The Asian Development Bank pro- In August 2015, Turkmenistan’s state gas the project was shelved. vided funding for a feasibility study and company, Turkmengas, was selected to By this time, the ‘Nabucco Pipeline’ facilitated negotiations. There was, how- lead the TAPI consortium. Work was was receiving strong support from the ever, no firm commitment to the project scheduled to begin in December, with a European Union (EU) and the USA. This and little solid progress was made. This provisional completion date in 2018. continued on page 4 changed when India formally joined the steering committee in April 2008. The Noyan Tapan Printing House route of the pipeline, now renamed the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan- is offering coloured and black and white offset and digital printing India pipeline (TAPI), would extend from of books, brochures, booklets, journals, etc with high quality and Turkmenistan’s giant Galkynysh field low prices Tel: 060 27 64 62 (previously known as South Yolotan- Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 Osman) to Fazilka on the Indo- Pakistan border-a distance of some 1,800 kilome- tres. The annual pumping capacity of the Noyan Tapan Press-Center pipeline would be 33 bcm, of which 14 Noyan Tapan Press Center holds different discussions, press confer- million cubic metres of gas a day would ences, round tables, teleconferences, seminars each week which be supplied to Afghanistan and the are broadcast live on the Internet. We invite you to take advantage remainder divided equally between India of the Center, as well as to place your banner in our Press Room. and Pakistan. Tel: 060 27 64 62. Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor Prospects for the construction of the

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 4 www.nt.am Turkmenistan’s Pipeline Strategy: Building a Diversified Export Infrastructure. Shirin Akiner From page 3 posed extending CAC by the construction Caspian subsea pipeline. project, first mooted in 2002, envisaged of a new pipeline that would traverse transporting Caspian gas via Turkey to Turkmenistan from east to west, then turn Conclusions Europe, bypassing Russia and Iran. The north along the Caspian coast via principal sources for Nabucco were Kazakhstan to Russia, in parallel to an In the early 1990s, Turkmenistan’s expected to be Azerbaijan and older CAC branch. This new pipeline plans for creating a network of export Turkmenistan, with additional contribu- Caspian Coastal branch, to be built by the pipelines seemed fanciful: there were too tions from Kazakhstan. The optimal route Russian company Gazprom, would to many hurdles to be overcome. By 2015, for transporting Turkmen and Kazakh gas carry up to 20 bcm of natural gas per the picture was very different. to Azerbaijan would entail the laying of a year, with approximately one-half com- Turkmenistan was now recognized as a 300-kilometre gas pipeline on the bed of ing from Turkmenistan and the remainder major source of energy supplies for inter- the Caspian Sea. However, disagree- from Kazakhstan. In 2007, Russia, national markets. Some large-scale ments between the participating states Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed an pipeline projects had already been imple- (over transit fees etc.) were compounded intergovernmental agreement to implemented, others were moving towards the by the failure of the EU to demonstrate ment this project. Negotiations between point when engineering works could real commitment to the scheme. There Turkmenistan and Russia limped along begin in the foreseeable future. The most were some attempts to modify the route, until early 2009 when, without warning, impressive achievement was the launch but in 2013 the Nabucco pipeline was Russia drastically reduced the volume of of the Trans-Asian gas pipeline from finally rejected. Despite this setback, Turkmen gas imports. The abrupt change Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan and however, the EU was already beginning in pressure caused an explosion that Kazakhstan to China. At the time of writ- to lobby for a similar, but larger project - severely damaged the pipeline infrastruc- ing, it had already been expanded and the Southern Gas Corridor (SCG). ture. Supplies were suspended while upgraded several times. The subsea Like Nabucco, it aimed to enhance repair work was carried out; accusations Trans-Caspian pipeline was still under European energy security by diversifying of blame were traded by both sides. The discussion. However, the extension of the the routes and sources of energy supply. pipeline was eventually fixed, but deliv- Turkmen-Iranian pipeline complex was To this end, it envisaged the transporta- eries to Russia were not resumed until beginning to appear more feasible. The tion of gas from the Caspian region early 2010; the delay cost Turkmenistan nuclear agreement concluded between through Georgia and Turkey to Europe. an estimated USS1 billion in monthly Iran and major world powers in July 2015 Meanwhile, Turkey and Azerbaijan losses. Any prospect of implementing opened the way for the lifting of interna- were developing their own plans to build this project evaporated in February 2015, tional sanctions against Tehran. This in the Trans-Anatolia Pipeline (TANAP), when Gazprom announced that within the turn meant that the Turkmen-Iranian which would run via Turkey to the EU year it would decrease Turkmen gas pur- pipeline network could be extended to border to feed into the proposed SCG. chases from 10 bcm to four bcm. Turkey and beyond, raising the possibili- Turkmenistan was favourably disposed to Meanwhile, the Turkmen ty that Turkmen gas might eventually be the idea of a subsea pipeline and was Government had decided to finance the transported to Europe overland along this ready to participate in this undertaking. In construction of its own segment as an route. Finally, some eighteen years after November 2014, during the visit of internal East-West pipeline that would the idea of a gas pipeline from Turkish President Erdogan to Ashgabat, a link the Shatlyk compressor station in the Turkmenistan to the Indian sub-continent framework agreement was signed east of the country to Belek in the west. had first been proposed, the TAPI project between Turkmengas and the private Work commenced in 2012, and by seemed to be making real progress. Turkish firm Atagas for the purchase and autumn 2015 was nearing completion. It The chief success of Turkmenistan’s sale of Turkmen gas destined for TANAP. was a timely undertaking. pipeline strategy during these years was This was an encouraging development, Turkmenistan’s natural gas deposits are to shift the country away from dependen- but it was still too early to predict if, and dotted around the country - an area of cy on the needs and whims of a single when, the project would be realized. over 488,000 sq. km. The export customer by developing a diverse range pipelines carry supplies from particular of export options. This proceeded in step Turkmenistan’s fields to international destinations. with the development of massive gas However, to realize the full potential of East-West Pipeline deposits at the Bagtyyarlyk territory, the country’s gas resources greater flexi- Galkynysh and Dovletabad. The combi- bility was required. The new East-West nation of these two approaches - pipeline Russia had long been Turkmenistan’s pipeline would unite Turkmenistan’s construction and exploitation of hydro- main partner for gas exports, receiving up main gas fields into a single gas trans- carbon reserves - allowed Turkmenistan to 70 per cent of total output. As men- portation system, thereby significantly to respond more effectively to regional tioned above, this was transported via the increasing the country’s export capacity. conditions, to global economic crises, Central Asia-Centre (CAC) pipeline net- In the future, it could ensure stable sup- and to shifting patterns of global con- work. In 2003, President Niyazov pro- plies of gas to the proposed Trans- sumption.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 5 Ruling Party Plans 2,000 Referendum Campaign Offices The ruling Republican Party of that the authorities are committed to hold- the referendum in a proper way," Armenia (HHK) said on Wednesday that it ing the referendum in a way that "will boost Baghdasaryan said in this regard. will open around 2,000 campaign offices our country's international standing." Baghdasaryan revealed that the ruling across the country to help President Serzh Opposition forces campaigning against party will also form many teams of "Yes" Sargsyan enact his constitutional changes a the constitutional reform are certain to dis- campaigners that will seek to raise public through referendum next month. miss these assurances. They have already awareness of the proposed amendments to The figure will roughly match the num- protested against the fact that the HHK's the Armenian constitution. "We do have a ber of nationwide electoral precincts where "Yes" campaign is led by Prime Minister problem: the public is not sufficiently Armenians will vote for or against the con- Hovik Abrahamyan and six other senior informed about what's going on and what is troversial changes on December 6. As state officials acting as his deputies. They being proposed to them," he said. many as 400 offices of the "Yes" campaign include the chief of Sargsyan's staff. The reform opponents say that the sole will be located in Yerevan alone. Late last month, Abrahamian met with purpose of the amendments is to enable Vahram Baghdasaryan, the HHK's par- the governors of Armenia's ten provinces Sargsyan to retain the reins of power after liamentary leader, insisted that the planned and instructed them to set up Yes campaign the end of his second and final presidential vast network is not a further indication that offices in their respective communities. term in 2018. HHK representatives dismiss Serzh Sargsyan and his political allies will None of these officials will take a leave of these claims, pointing to Sargsyan's pledges heavily use their government levers to try to absence during the referendum campaign. not to become prime minister or parliament expedite Armenia's transition to the parlia- "We have appointed people who have speaker if Armenia is transformed into a mentary system of government. He claimed organizational experience and can organize parliamentary republic. President Sargsyan meets Dominik Armenia, EU Cardinal Duka, Czech Primate and commited to raising Archbishop of Prague bilateral cooperation President Serzh Sargsyan received on At the meeting, the parties placed to a new level November 5 Dominik Cardinal Duka, importance on the cooperative climate Czech Primate and Archbishop of Prague. between the Armenian Apostolic Church Armenian Foreign Minister Edward The president welcomed the guest, and the Czech Catholic Church, in which, Nalbandian received Herbert Salber, the who, according to the president, is one of according to the president, Cardinal Duka EU Special Representative for the South the Armenian people's best friends and is has played an invaluable role. Armenia's Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia. always a welcomed guest in Armenia. president expressed his satisfaction with Minister Nalbandian and the EU Serzh Sargsyan warmly recalled his previ- the allocation of Prague's Church of the Special Representative Salber emphasized ous meeting with Cardinal Duka and Holy Spirit to the Gregory the Illuminator the importance of the mandate given by expressed satisfaction with the fact that parish community of the Armenian the Council of the European Union to the Armenian-Czech meetings at various lev- Apostolic Church, considering that step a European Commission to negotiate the els give a fresh impulse to bilateral rela- great event in the life of the Czech- formation of a new legal framework of tions, and they continue to develop dynam- Armenian community from the perspec- relations with Armenia. ically. tive of preserving their faith and identity. Minister Nalbandian expressed hope, According to Serzh Sargsyan, the "I am delighted that I have had the that as a result of the negotiations a docu- opening of the Czech embassy in Armenia chance to visit Armenia, a country which ment will be drafted, which will reflect the in pursuance of the agreement made during was not only the first to adopt Christianity joint commitment to raise mutually bene- his meeting with President Zeman will as a stat religion, but also has a rich ancient ficial Armenia-European Union coopera- greatly contribute to the strengthening of history and culture and a people which rep- tion onto a new level and will outline the friendship between the Armenian and resent all of that and command high comprehensive cooperation in the areas of Czech peoples and to the reinforcement of respect," said the Czech Primate and the mutual interest. The sides discussed relations between the two countries. "As a Archbishop of Prague. efforts exerted by Armenia and the OSCE first country of the world to adopt Noting that the Czech people are well Minsk Group Co-Chair countries aimed at Christianity as a state religion, we greatly aware of the crime committed against the moving forward the negotiation process of value the broadening of spiritual ties and Armenian people at the beginning of the the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution. relations with the peoples sharing similar last century, Cardinal Dominik Duka The EU Special Representative Salber worldviews. Undoubtedly, the Czech peo- stressed that he is confident the close rela- mentioned, that there is no alternative to ple belong to that group. In that context, I tionship and collaboration between the two the peaceful settlement of the issue, and attach great importance and value to your friendly peoples, states and churches reaffirmed EU's support to the negotia- visit to Armenia," said President Serzh should be also aimed at promoting peace in tions held in the format of the OSCE Sargsyan. the world and at eliminating intolerance. Minsk group Co-Chairs.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 6 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights ECONOMY EU official looks forward to new deal with Armenia A senior European Union official stressed on November 4 the importance of a new accord planned by the EU and Armenia, confirming that it will contain many provisions of the Association Agreement which they nearly signed two years ago. "It will be an important agreement because it will have a very wide scope and good depth," Gunnar Wiegand told reporters in Yerevan. "I don't see any significant changes [compared with the Association Agreement] in terms of foreign policy, domestic policy, home and justice or even economic and sectorial cooperation." "But there will be a different approach on trade and investments because it is not a preferential agreement and because we are adapting to the policy choice which was made by Armenia expected to open official negotiations on the deal before the end to join the Eurasian Economic Union," Wiegand said during a of this year. regular session of the EU-Armenia Cooperation Committee co- Wiegand, who represented the EU's executive European chaired by him and Economy Minister Karen Chshmarityan. Commission in the association talks, would not be drawn on Wiegand referred to the most important segment of the possible dates for its signing. "It took us three and a half years Association Agreement that would have given Armenia perma- to negotiate the previous agreement and after that we didn't nent tariff-free access to the EU markets in return for its com- sign," he said. "This time we want to negotiate and sign." pliance with the EU's complex commercial rules and regula- A senior Russian diplomat made clear late last month that tions. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Russia does not object to the new legal framework for ran counter to Armenia's unexpected decision to join the Armenia's closer ties with the EU. He said Yerevan is "well Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). aware" that it must not contradict membership in the EEU. President Serzh Sargsyan announced that decision in Wiegand was confident that Moscow will not seek to block September 2013, less than two months after his government the planned deal. "I don't anticipate this because we know that completed association talks with the EU. The U-turn, widely Armenia is consulting with its partners in the Eurasian attributed to Russian pressure, precluded the signing of the Economic Union as much as Kazakhstan does, with whom we Association Agreement. have negotiated an agreement," he said. The new EU-Armenia deal is meant to serve as a less far- "We are not in a situation of 'either or,'" added the EU nego- reaching alternative to that agreement. Yerevan and Brussels are tiator. New loans add to Armenian debt burden The Armenian government has Last week the government secured it will be spent on boosting "financial sta- obtained more than $450 million in fresh two loans worth a total of $153 million bility" in the Armenian energy sector, loans from multinational lending institu- from the World Bank and the Asian making "management of state finances" tions over the past week, raising Development Bank. It formally approved more efficient, and improving the domes- Armenia's total foreign debt to over $4.5 on Thursday a deal with the Moscow- tic business environment. billion. based Eurasian Development Bank The statement gave no other details. The combined debt incurred by the (EDB) that will lend it $300 million in The government's press office did not government and the Central Bank of three installments. immediately clarify just how the money Armenia (CBA) stood at well below $2 A government statement said that the will be used by the government. It prom- billion before a severe recession in 2009. EDB's "budgetary support loan" will be ised to clarify the matter in the coming It is now equivalent to more than 40 of repayable in 20 years, with a 10-year days. the country's Gross Domestic Product. grace period. It said the low-interest cred- Even before the latest loans, opposition politicians and other critics of the government expressed concern at the increased foreign debt, saying that Armenia may have trouble servicing it in the future. They have also accused the authorities of wasting more than $2 billion that has been borrowed by them during President Serzh Sargsyan's rule. Economy Minister Karen Chshmarityan dismissed those concerns after Thursday's cabinet meeting in Yerevan. He insisted that the debt burden remains manageable.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 ECONOMY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 7 Government Sees No Economic Betterment In 2016 domestic manufacturers and foster exports." The grim economic outlook prompt- ed strong criticism from an outspoken opposition lawmaker, former Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan. He accused the government of lacking the ambition to improve the lives of ordinary Armenians. Bagratyan also dismissed Abrahamian's pledges to facilitate job creation, saying that it will be hampered by domestic oligopolies led by government-linked individuals."Our problem is that only 10 people invest," he claimed. "We don't let the economy decentralize The socioeconomic situation in my will grow by 2.2 percent in 2016. itself so that its benefits trickle down to Armenia is unlikely to markedly Although the government expects everyone." improve next year due to slower GDP faster growth this year, Abrahamian cited "Only 7.5 percent of the population is growth anticipated by the government, "authoritative economists and interna- self-employed," complained the opposi- Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said tional structures" as saying that the wider tionist. "It should have been 45 percent." on November 2. region is now facing even more serious Abrahamian and some members of "In the context of tense geopolitical economic challenges than during the his cabinet, notably Finance Minister developments, promising an immediate 2008-2009 global financial crisis. He Gagik Khachatryan, have extensive busi- betterment of all aspects of social wel- singled out the collapse in oil prices, ness interests which critics say make fare would be a populistic but not honest which has plunged Russia into recession them disinterested in genuine reforms. approach," Abrahamian told lawmakers and cut vital remittances from Armenian Khachatryan insisted on Monday that as he presented his cabinet's draft 2016 migrant workers. the scale of government corruption and budget. "In the face of such deterioration, our economic monopolization is grossly The proposed budget envisages only sole path to social welfare is to create exaggerated by Armenian media critical a marginal increase in government jobs by means of stimulating invest- of the authorities. "The public buys into spending, which will not translate into ments and ensuring economic growth," what you, the media, spread," he told increases in public sector salaries, pen- the premier told members of the parlia- reporters. "Because of you and us, the sions and poverty benefits. It is based on ment committees dealing social and eco- public, as a rule, accepts bad news more the assumption that the Armenian econo- nomic issues. "It is essential to stimulate easily than positive news." Eugene Kaspersky to receive Armenian President's 2015 IT Award Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of the Kaspersky Lab is the 6th recipient of the Armenian President's annual IT Award. He will receive the prize on November 16 in Yerevan, the Head of Staff of Presidential Administration, Chairman of the Award Commission Vigen Sargsyan told reporters on November 3. Every year the prize is awarded to renowned persons for global contribution in the field of information technologies. On a three-day visit to Armenia, Kaspersky will have meetings with the Armenian leadership, representatives of the IT sphere and students. The President's IT prize has previously been awarded to Mario Mazzola, Chief Development Officer at Cisco Systems Corporation, the former Executive Director General of Intel Corporation, Chairman of the Board Craig R. Barrett, co- founder of the Apple Computer Corporation Steve Wozniak, Chairman Emeritus of Synaptics Company Federico Faggin and former CEO of Hitachi Company Tsugio Makimoto.

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Price: 350.000 USD. 3739.Nork Marash Land- 2000sq.m, two separate 1715- Sayat Nova Ave., 5/4, 70sq.m, stone bld, PREMISES houses, total bld-600sq.m,capitally repaired, swim- h-4m, 1 bedroom, capitally repaired, heating system. ming pool, sauna, guard house. 2 car parking, gar- Price: 110.000 USD 1789.Charents str. Land-1270sq.m,5 storied build- den. Price: 950.000 USD 1680- Mashtots Ave., 5/4, 68sq.m, 1 bedroom, ing, each floor-400sq.m.,basement, capitally 3348.Blur, Barbyus str. Land - 800 sq.m, 3 storied old repair, possibility of gas. Price: 86.000 USD. repaired, parkings. Price:4.000.000 USD negotiable bld.-700 sq.m, 4bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, capitally 1674. Abovyan str., 2nd floor,70sq.m., 1 bedroom, 1598.Komitas, Nairy Zaryan str., 1000 sq.m., repaired, climate control. Price: 1.2 million USD capitally repaired, heating system. Price: 135.000 working restaurant,1st line, capitally repaired. Price: 3146.Aygestan, Land-500 sq.m., 5 storied bld-765 USD negotiable. sq.m.,each floor-180 sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 1698-Aram str., Newly built, 14/5, 62sq.m, 1 bed- 1603.Northern Ave., Ground floor of the building, study, capitally repaired, hjeating system,elevator. room, capitally repaired, AC, security system, parking. 160 sq.m.,zero level, window glasses. Price: Price: 2.300.000 USD. Price: 120.000 USD. 2.600.000 USD. 3583.Nork-Marash, Land-1100sq.m,2 storied bld- 2035.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the building, 520sq.m,6 bedrooms,5 bathrooms, capitally 220sq.m.,1st line, facade-55m.,capitally repaired, h- repaired,heating system, AC, swimming pool, garden. 2 ROOMS 5m., cellar. Price: Negotiabel Price:1.350.000 USD. 2013.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the building, 3432.Aygedzor, Land - 1021 sq m ,3 storied bld.- 3003.Sayat-Nova str, 5/3, 105sq.m, 2bedrooms, 265sq.m.,1st line, capitally repaired, heating system, 501 sq.m., 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, study, capitally stone building, capitally repaired. Price: Negotiable cellar. Price: 1.300.000$ negotiable repaired, central heating, AC, boiler room garden, 1560.Northern Ave., Newly built,10/3, 130 sq.m., 2012.Mashtots Ave., 5/1,2, 140sq.m.,window swimming pool, sauna, garage, security system. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired,climate glasses, capitally Price:1.000.000 USD control, parking. Price: repaired, AC. Price: 3606.Avan, Tsarav Akhbyur/near Botanical garden/, 400.000 USD. 1.100.000$ negotiable Land-1000sq.m.,3 storied building-750sq.m.,6 bed- 2818.Northern Ave., 2155.Mashtots ave., rooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, capitally repaired, Newly built, 3rd floor, 3storied building, heating system swimming pool, garden, sauna, 2 car 120sq.m, 2 bedrooms,2 540sq.m., each floor- parking. Price-1.500.000 USD bathrooms,capitally 180sq.m, window glass- 3574.Blur, Land-779sq.m.,2 storied building- repaired, heating system, Ac, es,parking. 720sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, study, capitally furnished. Price:3.600.000 USD repaired, heating system,sauna swimming pool, gar- Price: 400.000USD 2020.Hr. Kochar str., den. Price: 2.000.000 USD 1156.Komitas Ave., Land-300sq.m,1st line, 3590 Blur, Barbyus str., Land-450 sq.m.,4 storied Hambardzumyan str. 5/3, 4storied building, building-470sq.m.,3bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, capitally 110sq.m, 2 bedrooms, capi- 1080sq.m.,each floor- repaired, heating system, AC, garden. Price: 680.000 tally repaired, heating sys- 270sq.m, h-3.6m,with- USD tem, kitchen is furnished. out divisions, parkings, 3 3651.Blur, Barbyus str., Land-900sq.m.,5 storied Price: 150.000 USD nego- access. Price:1.400.000 building-800sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, capital- tiable. USD negotiable ly repaired, heating system, AC, garden. 2949.Aram str., Newly 1986.Cascade, Land Price:1.700.000 USD. built, 1st floor, 143 sq.m, 2 bedrooms, zero state, 1000sq.m. 3storied building1200sq.m., unfinished, 3401.Antarayin str, Newly built, land-700sq.m, 3 Price: 2000 USD per sq.m. parking. Price:1.000.000 USD. storied bld-690sq.m, 5 bedrooms, capitally repaired. 2300.Northern ave., Newly built, 6/2, 130 sq.m., 2167.Sayat Nova str., newly built, 38sq. m, cap- Price: 1.300.000 USD 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating itally repaired. Price: 200.000 USD 3712 Cascade Newly built, land-450sq.m, 4 storied system, AC,parking. Price: 400.000 USD. 2175.Tumanyan str, Ground and 1st floorof the bld-600sq.m, zero state. Price: 550.000 USD building, 600sq.m, ground floor300sq.m, 1st floor- 3 ROOMS 220sq,m, basement-80sq.m, - 1st line, zero level, 2 NEWLY BUILT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS entrances, facade-15m, 4 window glasses, capitally 3090. Busand str, /Near Republic Square/, reapired, heating system, AC, Price: 3500 USD per 74.Cascade, Verin Antarayin. 136-315 sq m.,walls Newly built, /6th floor,116sq.m, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- sq.m, plastered, electricity, water, gas, euro windows,no rooms one in master bedroom, capitally renovated, 2172. Isahakyan str, 92sq.m, 1st line, 7 exploitation fees. Price:1200 USD per sq.m, parking - open balcony. Price: 350.000 USD negotiable degrees above zero level, facade-9m, 2 window 15.000 USD. 3046.Amiryan str., Newly built, 9/9, 81sq.m.,with- glasses, h-3.20m, 2 halls, cabinet, bathroom, capital- 107.Monument, Verin Antarayin. inhabited, 8 out divisions. Price:Negotiable. ly repaired, heating system. Price: 450.000 USD floors, gas, windows, street view -1000 USD per 3012.Aram str, Newly built, /7th floor, 136sq.m, 3 sq.m., city looking -1500 USD per sq.m., parking - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating million USD preliminary. system, AC, parking, facing to bulvar, Price:300.000 LANDS 87.Sayat-Nova str., 21 floors, 3 bedrooms -188 USD negotiable. 2122.Davitashen, 1800 sq.m., water, gas, electrici- sq.m., 199 sq.m., Price 1900 USD per sq.m., 2 bed- 2998.North Ave, Newly built, 9/6, 181sq.m, 3bed- ty, possible to sell separately 600 sq.m., and 1200 rooms have a beautiful sight - 117 sq.m., 120 sq.m., rooms, capitally repaired, climate control, parking, sq.m. Price: 150 USD per sq.m. 124 sq.m.,Price: 1700 USD per sq.m., climate control, Price: 700.000 USD 2121.Demirchyan str., 1338 sq.m.,building per- gas. 2682.Aram Str., Newly built,13/6 187sq.m., 3 bed- mits. Price: 2million USD. 93.Kievyan str., Given to the operation in October rooms,2 bathrooms, 2 open balconies, capitally rea- 2013.Cascade. 1000 sq.m. building permits, first 2011, 16 floors, walls plastered, windows, exterior paired,heating systen, 2AC, 2 garages, view to gar- line, gas, water and electricity possibilities. Price doors, h -3, 15 m, gas,parking. Price: 1500-1600USD den. Price: 550.000 USD negotiable. 460.000USD per sq.m,parking-12 000 USD. Possible with mort- 2958.Pushkin str., 5/2, 140 sq.m., stone building,4 1402.Hr. Kochar Str., 1100 sq. m.,facade -25 m. gage, for 13 years term. bedrooms,capitally repaired,heating system. Price: Price negotiable. 94.Masiv. 3floors,8 flats,each flat has 3 bedrooms, Negotiable. 2090.Lori region, close to Stepanavan, Gyargyar 210 sq.m., parking. Price: negotiable. 2895.Northern Ave., Newly built, 3rd floor, village, 6 hectares, forest 2 hectare has building per- 130.Antarayin str., 34 flats, 110-275 sq.m., 4 300sq.m,3bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally repaied, mits, 3 water source, electricity. Price: 100.000USD. penthouses-200-275sq.m,available sevices-car wash, climate control, AC. Price: negotiable 2406.Avan, Mher Mkrtchyan block, 1000 sq.m., cleaning service, garbage removal service, parking. 2802.Amiryan str., Newly built,8/4, electricity, gas, water, the district is inhabited. Price: Price: Negotiable 166sq.m,3bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally repaired, 30USD per sq.m 131.Busand str., commercial, office and residen- central heating,AC,security system. Price:320.000 2310.Monument, Babayan str, 1000 sq. m, tial areas, penthouse, available sevices-car wash, USD. facade-25m, privatized, Price:350 USD negotiable cleaning service, garbage removal service, parking. 1104.Komitas Ave., Aram Khachatryan str., 5/2, 2107.Monument, 2400sq.m, building permits, Price: Negotiable 125sq.m.,stone bld, h-2.75m.,3 bedrooms, office, 2 building project. Price: 400 USD per sq.m. bathrooms, old repair, gas, garage. Price: 130.000

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 FOR RENT The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 9 YOUR CHOICE IS OUR CHOICE www.mrealty.am (010) 564631 (010) 562181 [email protected] 12 G. Lusavorich str., Yerevan, Armenia 3bedrooms, office, 3 bathrooms, capitally repaired, nished, swimming-pool, garden. Price: 4.000 USD 1 ROOM furnished. Price: Negotiable negotiable. 2277.Kievyan str. duplex, 4 bedrooms, 3 bath- 1142.Djrvej, Bagrevand community. Land-1000 2037.Baghramyan str., 5/2, 60sqm, 1 bedroom, rooms, capitally repaired, with or without furniture. sq.m., 3 storied bld.-700 sq.m., 5 bedrooms, 5 bath- euro repaired, gas, heating system, AC, modern fur- Price: Negotiable. rooms, pantry, playing room, capitally repaired, no nished,equipped. Price:negotiable 2310 Busand str., Newly built, 190sq.m, 3bed- furniture/ can be furnished, if necessary /garage for 2189.Vardanants str., Newly built,24/12, 90 rooms, 3bathrooms, capitally repaired, furnished, 2 cars. Price: 4 000 USD. sqm, 1 bedroom, capitally repaired, furnished, parking. Price: 2500 USD 1293.Nork-Marash, Land-1100sq.m,2 storied equipped. Price: 1000 USD. 2316 Northern Ave, Newly built,6th floor, bld-520 sq.m, 6 bedrooms,5 bathrooms, capitally 2099.Sayat-Nova Ave., 12/6, 1 bedroom, capi- 227sq.m.,4bedrooms, 2bathrooms, guest toilet, cap- repaired, heating system, AC, swimming pool, gar- tally repaired,gas, heating system, AC, furnished, itally repaired, furnished,parking. Price:2500 USD den.Price7.000 USD equipped. Price:600 USD. 2303 Hanrapetutyan str Newly built, 9/5, 327. Nork-Marash, Land-500sq.m.,4 storied 1972.Northern ave., 8/4, 80sq.m.,1bedrrom, 2 165sq.m, 3bedrooms,1bathroom, 1 guest toilet. building-600 sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, cap- bathrooms, open kitchen, capitally repaired, climate capitally repaired, furnished, parking. Price: 2000 itally repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, control. Price: 1200 USD USD swimming pool, garden, sauna, 2 car parking. Price- 2171.Tumanyan str., Newly built, 5th floor, 94 2257.Northern Ave., Newly built, 17/16, 160 4000 USD sq.m., 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, capitally repaired, sq.m.,3 bedrooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- 1306. Tsarav Akhbyur /near Botanical garden/, central heating, furnished, equipped. Price: 1000 tem, AC, parking. Price: Negotiable Land-1000sq.m., 3 storied building-750sq.m., 6 USD 2005.Northern Ave., Newly built,8/8, 130 sq.m, bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, capitally 2367.Northern ave., Newly built, 9th flloor, 98 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heat- repaired, heating system swimming pool, garden, sq.m., capitally repaired, heating system, furnished ing system, furnished, parking. Price: 2200 USD. sauna, 2 car parking, with or without furniture. equipped. Price: Negotiable. 1723.Northern Ave., Newly built,8/4., 170 sq.m 3 Price:6000-8000 USD negotiable bedrooms,3 bathrooms, open kitchen, capitally 1288. Tsarav Akhbyur /near Botanical garden/, repaired, furnished, equipped. Price: 2000 USD. Land-560sq.m., 4 storied building-560 sq.m., 4 bed- 2 ROOMS 1981.Vardanants Str., Newly built, 14/14, 140 sq rooms, 4bathrooms, a kitchen, office, capitally m,3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, 2302 North Ave, Newly built, 11/4, 137sq.m, heating system, AC, 3 open baconies, furnished, swimming pool,garden, 2 car parking. Price: 5000 2bedrooms,2bathrooms,capitally repaired, fur- equipped,parking. Price: 2000 USD. USD nished, parking. Price: 2000 USD 1793.Teryan str., Newly built, 8th floor, 260 1197. Blur, Land-779sq.m.,2 storied building- 2295 North Ave., Newly built,16/15, sq.m.,3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, study, capitally 720sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, study, capitally 173sq.m.,2bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally repaired, climat control, parking, unfurnished (possi- repaired, heating system, sauna swimming pool, repaired, furnished. Price:5000 USD ble to furnish), Price: 3500 USD. garden. Price:8000 USD 1780.Amiryan str, Newly built, /13th floor, 82 1720.Amiryan str., Newly built,16/10, 179 sq.m, 1312. Blur, Barbyus str., Land-450sq.m., 4 sto- sq.m, 2 bedrooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, central ried building-470sq.m., 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, tem, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: 1700 USD heating, AC, cellar- 25sq.m, with or without furni- capitally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. negotiable. ture, parking, Price 3000 USD negotiable Price: Negotiable 942.Teryan str. 4/3, 130 sq.m.,2 bedrooms, capi- 2195.Northern ave., Newly built, 3rd floor, 1317. Blur, Barbyus str., Land-900sq.m.,5 storied tally repaired, heating system, furnishred, equipped. 300sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 4 bath- building-800sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, capi- Price: 1500 USD. rooms, 2 kitchens, capitally tally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. Price: 1950.Buzand/Mashtots repaired,climate control, AC, Negotiable. area. Newly built,8th floor, 163 parking. Price:5000 USD 1323.Monument, Babayan str, Land - 400 sq.m, 3 sq.m.,2 bedrooms, 2 bath- 2261.Hin Yerevantsi, /North storied bld-300sq.m, each floor-100sq.m, 4 bedrooms, capitally repaired,cli- Avenue/, Newly built, 10/3, rooms, 4 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- mate control, furnished, open 124sq.m., 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- tem, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: Negotiable balcony. Price: 2500 USD. rooms, capitally repaired, heat- 1681.Northern Ave., Newly ing system, AC, furnished, built,6/2,130 sq.m.,2 bed- PREMISES equipped, parking. Price: 1700 rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally USD repaired, heating system, 2049.Teryan str, ground floor+basemnet, 1st line, 2084.Tumanyan str., 4th AC,parking. 200sq.m, repaired. Price: 6.000 USD floor, 200sq.m, 3 bedrooms, 2 Price: 2000 USD. 1693.Malatia-Sebastia 4 storied building, bathrooms, capitally repaired, 1535.Busand str., Newly 1200sq.m, each floor-300sq.m, 2 separate climate control, parking. built, 7/4, 82sq.m,2bedrooms, entrances, climate control, 2 elevators, basement, Price:5000 USD capitally repaired, heating system, AC, parking, fur- parking. Price: 15USD per sq.m. 2252.Northern ave, 7th floor, 350 sq.m., 3 bed- nished, equipped. Price: Negotiable. 1526.Byuzand str., 5/semi-basement, 170 sqm., rooms, 4 bathrooms, study, open balconies, capital- 2089.Northern ave., Newly built,8/6, 4-5 degrees below zero level,window glasses, cellar ly repaired, climate control, parking. Price 120sq.m.,2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms, capitally - 50 sq.m.,6 rooms, the largest is 30 sq.m., 2 Negotiable. reapired, climate control, furnished, equipped. entrances, 2 lavatories. Price 2000 USD per month, Price: 2500 USD negotiable. 1738.Amiryan str., 8/8, 159sq.m.,2 bedrooms, 2 PRIVATE HOUSES 1408.Zarobyan str., /parallel to Baghramyan bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, park- str./, 2 storied building,600 sqm. ground floor- hall ing. Price: Negotiable 1335 Baghramyan str., Land-200sq.m, 3storied and kitchen,1st floor 5 rooms, bathroom, open bal- 1951.Busand str., Newly built, 13th floor, bld-300sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 3bathrooms,capitally cony, capitally repaired, gas, heating system,park- 122sq.m, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, furnished. Price: 3000 USD ing. Price: Negotiable. repaired, climate control. Price: 2500 USD 1336 Aygedzor, Land-1000sq.m, 2 storied bld- 1462.Teryan str., 3 storied building, 800 sq.m., 1406.Sayat Nova ave., 7/3, 110sq.m., 2 bed- 240sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathroosm,capitally capitally repaired, AC, parking, Price: 10.000 USD. rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally reapired, heating sys- repaired, furnished. Price:2000 USD 1945.Mashtots Ave., 5/1,2, 140sq.m., window tem, furnished, equipped. Price: Negotiable 1337 Davtashen Land-406sq.m,3 storied bld- glasses, capitally repaired, AC. Price: 8000 USD 2109.Northern ave., Newly built,10/4, 137sq.m, 306sq.m, 4bedrooms, 2bathrooms, capitally 1943.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the build- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, cen- repaired, furnished. Price:3900 USD ing, 265sq.m.,1st line, capitally repaired, heating tral heating, furnished, equipped, parking. Price: 1323.Monument, Babayan str, Land-400sq.m, system, cellar. Price: 7000 USD 2000 USD. 3storied bld-300sq.m, 4bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 1868.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the build- 2243.Buzand str, Newly built, 17/4, 125sq.m, 2 capitally repaired. Price: Negotiable ing, 220sq.m.,1st line, facade-55m.,capitally bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating 1248.Aygedzor, Land - 1021 sq m ,3 storied bld. - repaired, h-5m., cellar. Price: 15.000 USD. system, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: 2000 USD 501 sq.m., 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, study, capital- 2087.Northern ave., Ground floor of the build- Amiryan str, Newly built, 14/5, 120sqm, 2 ly repaired, central heating, AC, sauna, boiler room ing, 100sq.m,1st line, zero level, capitally repaired, bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating garden, swimming pool, garage, alarming system, window glasses. Price: Negotiable. system, AC, partly furnished. Price 2000 USD security system. Price: 8000 USD. 2033.Abovyan str, 388sq,m, Ground floor of 999.Aygedzor, Land -1000 sqm, basement + 2 the building, 3 degrees above zero level, windoq floors- 310 sqm, capitally repaired, 4 bedrooms, 4 glasses, h-3m.,basement-235sq.m, capitally 3 ROOMS AND MORE bathrooms, newly furnished, equipped, sauna, repaired, heating system, AC. Price: 15.000 USD swimming-pool. Starting Price: 5000 USD. 2031.Vardanants str, 500sq.m, ground floor of 2358 V. Sargsyan str, Newly Built, 7/4, 145sq.m, 1094.Noy block, Land-450sqm, 2 storied building the building, 2 entrances, facade-20m, window 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, one guest toilet, capitally - 220sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally glasses, without divisions, ,basement-250sq.m, renovated, furnished, underground parking. repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, Price:8000 USD Price:3000 USD negotiable swimming pool, garden. Price: 2000USD. 2027.Sayat Nova str, 95sq.m, ground floor of 2353 V. Sargsyan str. 8/5, Newly built, 98sq.m, 1195.Nork, Armenakyan str., Land - 2000 sq.m, the building, 2 entrances, 7 degrees above zero 2bedrooms,capitally renovated, furnished, Price 4 storied bld.-520 sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 4bathrooms, level, 4 window glasses, capitally repaired. Price: 1500 USD capitally repaired, heating system, sauna, gym, fur- 4.000 USD 2347 Teryan str. Newly built, 10/8, 320sq.m,

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 10 www.nt.am TRAGEDY The Week of Catastrophs: Russians and Armenians Died By Gourgen James Khazhakian version of the traffic accident. Preliminary version of the accident Chief Correspondent could be the driver’s being falling asleep on the way. The driver of the bus, Garnik Harutyunyan, has been placed 31 October, Saturday under a two-month arrest pending investigation. An Armenian gov- Russian Jet Crash in Egypt: ernment delegation, including Minister of Transport and Communication Gagik Beglaryan and Minister of Healthcare Prof. The World Mourns with Russia Armen Muradyan, had been in Russia to deal with the situation together with Russian colleagues. On Saturday 31 October Russian airliner Airbus A-321 of President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan expressed his condo- Russian air company “Kogalymavia” (Metrojet) with 217 passen- lences in a statement. The Armenian government said that it would gers and seven crew members aboard which was en route from take care all expenses for the funerals of the victims and treatment Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to St. Petersburg was crashed in Egypt's of the injured. Sinai peninsula shortly after takeoff. "Unfortunately, all passengers of flight 7K9268 Sharm el- 4 November, Wednesday Sheikh – St.Petersburg were killed," Russian embassy in Cairo said on Twitter. The 7-person crew and 214 of the passengers were citi- Five Armenian and One Russian Pilots Die in zens of Russia and that three of the passengers were Ukrainian. AN-12 Plane Crash in South Sudan The victims included 17 children, aged 2 to 17, according to Russian authorities. Five Armenian pilots of a Soviet-built cargo plane and dozens Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a statement of other people died on Wednesday when it crashed just after taking expressing his condolences to the families of the victims and off from the airport in South Sudan’s capital Juba. declared 1 November a day of mourning. Numerous world leaders The Antonov-12 plane carried 18 passengers. All but three of including Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan addressed the them died. Russian leader- The six ship and the member people letters of crew of the condolence. old plane The whole started to week citizens of operate yet Armenia have in 1971 been laying comprised wreathes, flow- five Arme- ers and toys at nians and a the door of the Russian. Russian Federa- Arme- tion embassy in Yerevan in memory of the nia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the five innocent victims among who were Mr and Armenian casualties. It identified the died Mrs Mnatsakanov, a newly wed couple of pilots: they were First Pilot and aircraft the Armenian origin. Captain Gevorg Tovmasyan, Second Pilot THE NOYAN TAPAN INTERNA- Samvel Hambardzumyan, Engineer TIONAL MEDIA HOLDING STAFF Samvel Mkrtchyan, and Technicians EXPRESSES DEEP CONDOLENCES Armen Antonyan and Suren Petrosyan. TO AMBASSADOR OF THE RUSS- The plane was registered in Armenia IAN FEDERATION TO THE REPUB- before being sold to the Tajikistan-based LIC OF ARMENIA IVAN VOLYNKIN Asia Airways last year. AND THE FRIENDLY RUSSIAN According to asbarez.com, “the Juba PEOPLE FOR THIS TRAGEDY. crash raised to at least 19 the total number of Armenian pilots who have been killed 3 November, Tuesday while flying old Soviet-made aircraft in Nine Armenians Killed in a Africa and the Middle East in four inci- dents reported since 2001. Dozens of Passenger Bus Accident near Armenians have worked for domestic and Russian Tula foreign airlines carrying out flights there ever since the Soviet collapse, which left In the early morning of Tuesday a many of them without permanent jobs. “Hyundai” coach traveling from Moscow The victims include the four Armenian to Yerevan and carrying 59 passengers crew of another Antonov-12 that crashed flipped over about 200 kilometers south of in Sudan in 2003. Five other Armenians Moscow, on “Don” highway near the vil- died when their heavier cargo plane, lage Ilyinka, Tula Region. Ilyushin-76, skidded off the runway and Eight people died in the accident, and crashed into houses and a bar in Congo’s another heavily injured 68 year old lady capital Brazzaville in 2012. died later in a nearby hospital. The bodies Six other Armenian pilots landed in a of eight victims of the bus crash were different kind of trouble when they brought to Yerevan on board a Russian worked in Equatorial Guinea in 2004. Emergency Situations Ministry airplane They were arrested and handed lengthy Thursday night. Thirty-three survivors of prison sentences on dubious coup charges the terrible traffic accident were also flown to Armenia on board they strongly denied. They were set free after spending more than a that plane. About a dozen citizens of Armenia still remain in year in a notorious local jail”. Russian hospitals. WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO The Russian authorities have not yet come up with an official FAMILIES OF ALL VICTIMS.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 SOCIETY www.nt.am 11 The Sixth Laureate of the Armenian President’s Global IT Award Yevgeny Kaspersky to Arrive in Armenia on 16 November (Let’s remind that the previous GIT kets, and it is very important that the By Gourgen James Award Laureates are Dr Craig Barrett, Laureates – their top-ranking reps have been Khazhakian Retired CEO/Chairman of the Board, Intel coming to Armenia and seeing themselves all Chief Correspondent Inc., Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder of Apple the real success of the IT industry here, intel- Computer, Inc., Dr Federico Faggin, lectual and other potential and the readiness 6th Laureate of the Armenia’s President’s Chairman Emeritus of Synaptics, Inc., of the state to support furthermore that cru- Award for Outstanding Contribution to President of “Federico and Elvia Faggin cial field. And if in this or that moment direct Humanity through IT (Global IT Award) is Foundation”, Dr Tsugio Makimoto, investments are not evident immediately, Yevgeny Kaspersky who will visit Armenia President of Semiconductor Industry nevertheless, there are numerous signs of to receive the Award from November 16-18 Association, fmr CEO of the Hitachi their interest to our country…And many suc- with his wife and 5-member group of work- Company and Mario Mazzola, fmr Chief cessful projects that we see today in mates, Vigen A. Sargsyan, Chairman of the Development Officer at Cisco Systems). Armenia, are connected to the Award in this GIT Award Committee, Chief of the Staff to Vigen Sargsyan reminded the mass or that way.” the President of the Republic of Armenia media reps that the GIT Award has no finan- To remind, the RA President’s Award for informed numerous mass media reps during cial part and the importance of the Laureates’ Outstanding Contribution to Humanity press conference held at the Presidential visiting personally Armenia, to meet and lec- through IT (Global IT Award) was estab- office on 3 November. turing for students, IT sector specialists, oth- lished upon an initiative of “Synopsys “Kaspersky Laboratories” founded and ers. Armenia” and with VivaCell-MTS sponsor- headed by Mr Kaspersky, is a world leading It was stressed that the previous GIT ship in 2009. way and a largest company for cybersecurity Award Laureates have been keeping strong Armenia’s leading telecom operator solutions having some 40 regional offices ties with Armenia. As Mr Sargsyan informed VivaCell-MTS has been the Sponsor of the covering 200 countries (including Armenia the audience, the fifth Laureate Mario Award for six years. office). Mazzola donated USD 1 mln to the “The President’s GIT Award celebrates "The President's Award is impor- the greatest achievements of humanity tant in raising awareness of the sector in the sphere of high technologies and within the country as well as in the acknowledges the great minds behind integration of the world high-tech those accomplishments. It is part of giants with Armenia. This Award, Armenia’s commitment to bringing the among other awards, highlights the best of the experience to our specialists importance of the IT sector, the expec- and sharing their attainments with the tations that we have in the context of world. And, of course, VivaCell-MTS – the industry's progress and develop- Armenia’s leading telecommunications ment. The numerous steps that are operator – could not stay away from being taken for the promotion of the it,” VivaCell-MTS Founding General IT industry, yield results, and so we Manager Ralph Yirikian stated. see the growth of the industry and we Mr Yirikian was asked by your have professional interest to this sec- author the following questions: tor," Vigen Sargsyan said, mentioning “Again, why have you been supporting that the graduates of the industry have been American University of Armenia, - to cover the GIT Award since its very establishment?” finding proper employment and have profes- stypends and tuition fee for IT-students. And and “How much money VivaCell-MTS has sional growth, by this supporting economic GIT Laureate Number Four Dr Tsugio invested in this as well as other similar proj- development of Armenia. In these terms Mr Makimoto recently authored a book in ects?” Sargsyan stressed the importance of Japanese entitled “Armenia as IT Country: And his answer was: “I could say that Synopsis Armenia company as well where a Shining Silicon Valley in the Middle East VivaCell-MTS has been a pioneer company number of important projects have been and Caucasus”. in Armenia in terms of CSR, corporate citi- implemented, in particular, RA President’s Asked by this author “How this Award zen responsibility, and it is already about a annual Award for the Best IT Student. promoted strengthening of Armenia’s image decade since we’ve been implementing such As the Chairman of the Executive Board in the world as a hi-tech/IT destination, in a policy – we’ve invested in many and of the Award Committee, Synopsis Armenia particular, in terms of investments?” and diverse areas…CSR means for us responsi- Director Hovik Musayelyan said, “It was dif- “Under condition of your growing service bility towards society, the country, its econo- ficult for the Committee and its Selection responsibility sa the RA President’s Chief of my. Since the very first day we’ve invested Panel to select the best candidate”. Staff, how do you succeed to work fully- about AMD 23.6 bln in various fields, and In the agenda of Kaspersky’s three-day fledged as the GIT Award Committee’s for this, i.e. GIT Award project that improves visit to Armenia are meeting with ICT com- Chairman?”, Vigen Sargsyan said the fol- Armenia’s image in the world as a leading IT munity and with students in Tumo Center of lowing: “Let me start from the second ques- destination, within six years we’ve allocated Creative Technologies as well as a tradition- tion. I must note that I am proud to be the about AMD 125 mln”. al visit to the Engineering University where Award Committee Chairman, and I put it in The speakers stressed they hoped that the Laureates are being awarded a University my agenda easily as the it (agenda) should during his current visit Yevgeny Kaspersky Honorary Doctor degree, but as Mr be drawn according to priorities. And this will familiarize with Armenia’s IT sector in Kaspersky was already awarded that degree, matter is a priority, definitely. Second cir- more circumstancial way than he did it dur- he will be awarded by the Golden Medal of cumstance is that I’ve keeping the principle ing its previous visit to our country not so the SEUA this time. of non-intervention to the Committee’s long ago, especially after meetings with the The journalists were informed that in his Executive Board’s/Selection Panel’s works country’s leadership. letter of gratitude Yevgeny Kaspersky substancially, and as they work well-organ- And there is no a special need to say that stressed that he was happy when getting ized, I have no difficulties with my Chairman for today’s Armenia cybersecurity is a vital know on his awarding and that was the great responsibility. As to your first question, I matter, especially in terms of preventing hos- honor to him ‘ cause Armenia has a devel- must point that today the IT world is very tile actions from a neighboring country that oped IT sector, a good pool of the high class interconnected. All the giant corporations have been taking place more and more fre- specialists and due to the list of the previous that presented by the GIT Award Laureates quent. Laureates who are the world IT giants. are permanently looking for new ever mar- Photo by Photolure

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 12 www.nt.am SOCIETY State Youth Orchestra Cooperates with the Health Ministry to Make Children with Health Problems Feeling Equal Members of Society have been created By Gourgen James in the world. Their Khazhakian influence is closer to the natural phy- Chief siological insulin production. With- Correspondent in the Project the Ministry purchas- On November 3 in the Al. Spendiaryan es ultra-short act- Opera and Ballet Theatre the Armenia’s ing insulin ana- Ministry of Health together with the State logues that are Youth Orchestra of Armenia, under the widely used in the auspices of RA First Lady Rita A. Sargsy- world with no age an, performed Cartoon Non Stop charity restrictions due to concert dedicated to children and in this safety. The chil- way announced the start of." Control Dia- dren have so far betes, Live a Full Life" project. A random been provided wi- person from the audience, 11 year - old th insulin, but we Artavazd, conducted the Orchestra with always have been striving to do the best are equal in the society, and we strive to an insulin pen instead of Sergey Smbatyan for them. Newest insulin is injected improve healing process of children, their and so heralded the start of the evening. through special pens that are not look like quality of life by adopting modern Throughout approaches”, the concert said Minister the young of Health Prof. audience Armen Mou- and their radyan. parents had According the oppor- to him, in July tunity to 2015 the RA enjoy the Government popular approved deci- cartoon so- sion for the undtracks, implementa- scenes from tion of "Cont- these carto- rol Diabetes, ons were Live a Full shown on Life" Program the screen. in the next five Spea- years. Within king to re- the Program porters, the the RA Minist- SYOA Fo- ry of Health unding Ar- purchases in- tistic Direc- sulin analogu- tor and Pri- es of the ultra- ncipal Con- fast effect, car- ductor Ser- tridge drugs gey Smbat- widely used in yan noted the world. that the Ca- In the Mi- rtoon Non nister’s words, Stop’s his- insulin analo- tory began in 2014. medical equipment," said Chief Pediatric gues and injector pens that will be deliv- “We are extremely proud to give a Endocrinologist at the Ministry Yelena ered to all Armenia and Artsakh children start to such an important initiative by the Aghajanova. and young people with diabetes, symbol- Health Ministry. We are able to unite peo- Sugar diabetes is one of the most com- ize a new life beginning. The event was ple due to a positive, nice, well-estab- mon chronic diseases among children organized in the eve of the International lished and successful idea. The idea around the world. Children suffering from Diabetes Day marked on 14 November. It around which the concert takes place, is insulin deficiency need insulin injections should be noted that this concert was not very important for us," said Sergey several times a day. Today in Armenia the the first cooperation between the State Smbatyan and hoped that the children who following data exist: the first type of dia- Youth Orchestra and the Ministry of will listen their favorite music, of car- betes have 454 0-18 year - old children Health of Armenia. Such large-scale char- toons, will take positive emotions with and 177 18-22 year - old young people. itable projects are ongoing ones and aim them to home. “Diabetes is a lifestyle that is why the to prove that all children are fully-fledged “Science is constantly evolving, and state is committed to facilitate the lives of and equal members of society, regardless modern insulins called insulin analogues patients, children first of all. All children of diseases.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 13 Azerbaijani provocations aim at undermining the negotiation process: Armenian FM

Baku escalates the situation during ficial evenhandedness of generic calls to each visit of the Co-chairs to the region, refrain from the use of force made to all Armenian Foreign Minister has said, as he parties to the conflict after each violation of commented on the ceasefire violation by the cease-fire regime cannot reduce the Azerbaijan at the time the OSCE Minsk tensions. On the contrary up to now they Group Co-Chairs were crossing the line of have contributed to the dangerous escala- contact. tion of the situation." "That incident took place days after the "We hope that the US Co-chairman Co-chairs directly called upon Azerbaijan will not only follow the just appeals of the to agree to the creation of the mechanism US Congressmen but also together with of investigation of cease-fire violations. other Co-chairmen of the Minsk Group Baku escalates the situation during each just on the next day of the provocation the will take efforts to fulfill their own propos- visit of the Co-chairs to the region," President of Azerbaijan came up with new al on the establishment of the mechanism Minister Nalbandian said in comments to threats and criticized the Co-chairs," the for investigation of the cease-fire viola- Radio Liberty. Foreign Minister said. tions, which will make it meaningless to "The Azerbaijani provocations aim at Edward Nalbandian reminded that make unaddressed calls," he said. undermining the negotiation process, and "Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking "Baku continuously rejects the propos- questioning the necessity of the mediation Democrat Eliot Engel of the U.S. House of al of the Co-chairmen on the creation of the efforts. It is noteworthy that in their state- Representatives Foreign Affairs mechanism of investigation of the cease- ment made as a follow-up to the regional Committee joined by 83 Congressmen fire violations, thus bearing full responsi- visit the Minsk Group Co-chairs labeled addressed an open letter to the U.S. Co- bility for the consequences of ceasefire the incident as an attempt to undermine the chairman of the Minsk Group. The violations," Minister Nalbandian conclud- peace efforts. It is not a coincidence that Congressmen rightly pointed out that arti- ed. PACE Committee Approves Anti-Armenian Report With a vote of 24 to 16, the Committee Minsk Group efforts, as the move is not the PACE seeks for, let them keep on on Political Affairs and Democracy of the likely to in any way assist in the negotia- working in such a style," Zohrabyan had Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of tion process," Naira Zohrabyan told previously stated before the adoption of the Europe (PACE), has approved an anti- Tert.am, commenting on the decision by report. Armenia should work more active- Armenian report entitled "Escalation of the PACE committee. "They are yet anoth- ly with the delegates of the Parliamentary Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh and Other er time provoking an escalation between Assembly of the Council of Europe Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan" by the Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations. (PACE), deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Robert Walter (United Kingdom, EC), a The Minsk Group will later embark on new Kocharyan said today at a parliamentary rapporteur of the PACE Political Affairs efforts, calling upon the sides to work discussion of the next year's draft budget. Committee, Head of the Armenian delega- towards confidence-building measures. "Although we cannot and should not tion to PACE Hermine Naghdalyan told But such steps never contribute to confi- compete with Azerbaijan's oil dollars, we Tert.am. "Our proposal failed to pass, and dence building; they are like a stab from need to establish closer contacts with the the report was discussed and put on the the back to the Minsk Group-mediated delegates of PACE and make them inter- agenda of the plenary session. It is on the process," she added. ested in our problems," he said. According January agenda," she said. Zohrabyan, who leads the Prosperous to him, Azerbaijan can be compared with The Armenian delegation proposed dis- Armenia faction in the National Assembly, the "worm-eaten apple" that has a corrupt- missing the subject and appointing a new says she plans to consider the future of ing influence on the Council of Europe. rapporteur, who would be more impartial Armenia-PACE relations after returning to "Although the anti-Armenian reports at and present an unbiased report reflecting Armenia. "This resolution has no value at PACE, sponsored by Azerbaijan, cannot the real state of affairs, rather than one exe- all, apart from undermining the negotiation cause harm to Armenia, we should not be cuting Azerbaijan's orders. The proposal process," Zohrabyan said. satisfied," Kocharyan said. was declined. "As for the final version, it depends on Kocharyan also said that Armenia will The report contained numerous anti- how many sober-minded members will be not open new embassies in 2016 because Armenian wordings unacceptable to attending the PACE [plenary session] to of lack of funds, "however, Armenia is Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. understand that the adoption of a resolution ready to support the opening of honorary The decision to include Robert Walter's with such a wording will simply increase consulates." report in PACE's plenary session agenda is the border tension, which is escalated as it He also noted that Armenia is working a serious blow to the OSCE Minsk Group, is. The PACE will yet another time turn to ease visa procedures with the countries said an Armenian delegate. "The PACE into a scene of war between the Armenian that do not pose threats to its national secu- sought, yet another time, to undermine the and Azerbaijani delegations. If that's what rity.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 14 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS Armenia, U.S. to start talks on new Double Tax Treaty The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) wel- The Republic of Armenia has repeatedly asked for a new comes news that the negotiation of a U.S.-Armenia Double Tax agreement to replace a 1973 U.S.-U.S.S.R. Tax Treaty. This out- Treaty, a longstanding ANCA policy priority, will be on the agen- dated, forty year-old accord, which Yerevan no longer considers in da of the upcoming U.S.-Armenia Economic Task Force meeting, force, was intended as a limited agreement, even by the standards an annual bilateral gathering taking place in Washington, DC on of the 1970s, between two hostile superpowers. It is clearly insuf- November 19th. "An updated U.S.-Armenia Double Tax Treaty is ficient to the needs of the present-day economic relationship with long overdue and badly needed to establish a clear legal frame- Armenia. The lack of a modern treaty, acceptable to all parties, work for investors and individuals that are conducting business results in a lack of clarity and represents a substantial deterrent for activities in both jurisdictions," said ANCA Executive Director potential U.S. investors. Without an updated Tax Treaty, U.S. busi- Aram Hamparian. "Beyond the immediate benefits of preventing nesses will continue to face significant burdens on investment and double taxation and removing a key barrier to increased invest- cross-border services and payments, as well as a lack of transpar- ment, such an accord would, more broadly, reinforce the friend- ent information exchange and obstacles to cooperation on tax and ship of the American and Armenian peoples, facilitate the expan- related matters. Prior to the November 19th U.S.-Armenia sion of bilateral economic relations, deepening Armenia's ties to Economic Taskforce meeting, the first-ever meeting of the newly the West, and providing Yerevan with greater strategic options and created U.S.-Armenia Trade and Investment Framework independence in dealing with regional powers." Agreement Council will take place on November 16th and 17th. In August of this year, the ANCA met with Treasury Secretary This inaugural meeting is set to be chaired by the U.S. Trade Jacob Lew regarding the Treasury Department's role in the further Representative, Michael Froman, and Armenia's Minister of growth of the U.S.-Armenia economic relationship, with a special Economy Karen Chshmaritian. The signing of a U.S.-Armenia focus on the mutual benefits of a new U.S.-Armenia Double Tax TIFA, the result of nearly a decade of ANCA advocacy and bilat- Treaty. eral dialogue, took place this May in Washington, DC. Armenian Assembly requests Department of Justice investigation of Turkish & Azerbaijani groups Today, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) called groups have sponsored congressional travel since 2008 and have on the Department of Justice to investigate potentially illegal filed forms with the House certifying that they were paying for the activities of U.S. groups with ties to foreign entities in Turkey and trips. The House Ethics Committee approved all the trips in Azerbaijan. advance based on the forms the Gülen groups submitted. But a The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) and the House USA TODAY investigation found many of those disclosures were Committee on Ethics concluded that 9 members of Congress and apparently false. Some of the Gülenist groups claimed to be certi- more than two dozen staff members accepted a trip that was fied nonprofits, but they do not appear in state or IRS databases of improperly paid for by foreign corporations in Azerbaijan and approved charities. Groups that did register with the IRS filed tax Turkey. In addition to attending a convention in Azerbaijan, sever- forms indicating that they did not pay for congressional travel. al Members of Congress and their staff also traveled to Turkey free And five of the groups admitted to congressional investigators ear- of cost. The OCE's review found that the congressional travel to lier this year that a Gülenist group in Turkey was secretly cover- Azerbaijan and Turkey was "not funded exclusively by the entities ing the costs of travel inside Turkey for lawmakers and staff." disclosed on travel forms submitted to the Committee on Ethics." The OCE investigators received documentation that the law- A USA TODAY investigation discovered that Gülen groups, makers accepted donations by two Texas-based nonprofit corpora- Turkish organizations who follow the leadership of Fethullah tions, the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (TCAE) Gülen, "secretly funded as many as 200 trips to Turkey for mem- and the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan (AFAZ). They bers of Congress and staff since 2008, repeatedly violating House found that TCAE and AFAZ concealed the true source of the fund- rules and possibly federal law." Over the course of its review, the ing for travel and other expenses for the U.S. officials. Instead, OCE obtained evidence that a Turkish organization, named the much of the cost of travel and funding for the convention was paid Bosphorus Atlantic Cultural Association of Friendship and for by undisclosed entities including the Republic of Azerbaijan Cooperation (BAKIAD), funded and coordinated the congression- through its national oil company, the State Oil Company of al travel within Turkey dating back several years. Four of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). Evidence revealed that SOCAR Gülen groups sponsoring the 2013 conference in Azerbaijan also founded AFAZ in the month prior to the Convention, transferring "used BAKIAD to arrange and finance all in-country expenses for $750,000 to an AFAZ bank account. congressional travel in Turkey," OCE found. "Importantly, howev- "The revelations by the USA TODAY investigation, in addi- er, BAKIAD's role does not appear to have been disclosed to the tion to the Office of Congressional Ethics investigation, are Committee on Ethics in 2013 or in other years." Congressional remarkable," the Assembly said in its letter to Attorney General disclosures show the Gülen-backed trips totaled more than Loretta Lynch. "We respectfully request a full and thorough inves- $800,000 in free travel for lawmakers and staff. Both the Turkish tigation by the Department of Justice into these groups and the full and Azerbaijani Congressional Caucuses have significantly application of the law. The reported activities constitute plainly increased their membership over the last several years. illegal behavior and strikes at the core of our Constitutional gov- According to the USA TODAY, "A dozen different Gülen ernment through blatant foreign influence peddling."

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 15 U.S. Embassy in Armenia announces an important change to visa application procedures "We know it can be difficult to get to the Embassy," Consul Frank Tu said. "We hope our visa applicants will find this process easier. For no additional fee, they will be able to stroll over to the DHL office on Amiryan and pick up their approved visas. We aim to make the visa application procedure as simple and easy as possible." Some individuals, those who have previously had visas and meet certain requirements for interview-free visa renewal, will Starting November 9, 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia will also be able to renew their visas by dropping their application be changing its visa procedures to make it easier for approved visa packets off at the Amiryan DHL office after submitting the on-line applicants to pick up their visas and for certain current visa hold- application and paying the regular visa application fee. If ers to renew their visas. There is no additional cost for this approved, these applicants will receive a notification e-mail to improved service. return to DHL to pick up their new visas. For more information on Starting on November 9, approved visa applicants will no who qualifies for interview-free visa renewal, visit the Embassy longer have to return to the Embassy to pick up their passport con- website :http://armenia.usembassy.gov/interview_waiver.html. taining their visa. Rather, all approved applicants will pick up their Even those applicants, who come to the Embassy for an inter- passports with their visas from UMAKS, the DHL representative view and are asked to provide additional documents, will be able in Armenia, located at 27 Amiryan St. in Yerevan. Applicants told to submit those documents via the DHL location, eliminating the during their visa interview that they were approved, will later need for additional trips to the Embassy. receive an e-mail notification that their visa is ready for pick up at This change affects all applicants scheduled for interviews the Amiryan location. Applicants can also designate third parties after November 9. No additional fee is required to be paid at the to pick up their passports for them. More details will be available DHL office, as the service is covered by the regular visa applica- at www.usvisa-info.com. tion fee, which is not changing. Armenia hosts thunderstorms and elementary particle acceleration conference University organized the workshop; YerPhI and the Armenian State Committee of Science sponsored the conference. Thirty scientists and students from the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Israel, Russia, and Armenia attended. Discussions included the effects of cosmic radiation on lightning initiation, the emission of radio waves, and fluxes of subatomic particles from thunderclouds. Scientists analyzed and debated the results of experimental observations and computer models of these and other phenomena. The workshop participants agreed that it would be useful to compare the vast amount of experimental data collected by laboratories in Armenia, Japan, Slovakia and the USA under different conditions and with different instruments. Armenian physi- cists suggested that sensors developed by other groups be installed at Armenia's Aragats high altitude research station Understanding how lightning is initiated within thunder- where intense thunderstorms occur during spring and autumn. clouds is probably one of the biggest mysteries in atmospheric The Cosmic Ray Division of YerPhI has installed new elec- science. The relationship between thundercloud electrification, tronic systems on Mt. Aragats, including electric field monitors lightning activity, and the generation of radio waves is not com- and particle detectors. These instruments are synchronized with pletely understood. A promising window into this area of GPS systems to correlate the timing of events within a few tens research is the study of the interaction of thunderstorms, light- of nanoseconds. On October 7, for the first time, TGE particle ning, and cosmic radiation (so-called Thunderstorm ground fluxes and lightning were captured on a millisecond time scale enhancements - TGEs). on the CRD particle detectors on Mt. Aragats, allowing To discuss these high-energy atmospheric phenomena, a researchers and conference attendees to look at the fine details conference on Thunderstorms and Elementary Particle of thunderstorm activity. Acceleration (TEPA) was held at the Nor Amberd International Young scientists and graduate students studying at Conference Center of the Yerevan Physics Institute (YerPhI) in Armenia's Cosmic Ray Division conducted much of this Armenia. The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of YerPhI and research. Also these young scientists played a major role in Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics of Moscow State organizing this conference.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 16 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS Armenians Should Counter Azerbaijan's Pressure on Israel to Deny the Genocide The Jerusalem Post fully illustrates the Sunday's elections. extent of Israel's kowtowing to The Jerusalem Post reported that Azerbaijan. At a time when most "Azerbaijan is considered the Muslim Western groups, including the country friendliest to Israel, and the two Organization for Security and countries have close ties and significant As relations between Israel and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), refused trade. Azerbaijan is Israel's biggest oil Turkey have become increasingly to monitor Azerbaijan's Parliamentary provider, and trade between the two strained in recent years, shifting from elections because of restrictions imposed countries reaches $5 billion, more than strategic alliance to outright hostility, by Baku, four Israeli Knesset members with France. In recent years, Lieberman, many analysts began to wonder about the rushed to Azerbaijan to show their sup- then-president Shimon Peres, and Israeli government's uncharacteristically port for Aliyev's despotic regime! Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon visited muted reaction to Turkish Pres. The Israeli delegation, led by former Baku." Erdogan's anti-Semitic diatribes and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, In pursuing its arms for oil policy, anti-Israeli actions. now chairman of the Israel-Azerbaijan Israeli officials have conveniently Under these circumstances, Parliamentary Group, included ex- ignored Azerbaijan's gross violations of Armenians and their supporters are puz- ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren, human rights, lack of freedom of speech, zled by Prime Minister Benjamin Sofa Landver, and Yoel Razbozov. and jailing of journalists and activists, Netanyahu's continued complicity in the The Jerusalem Post reported that including Leyla Yunus, head of the Turkish government's denial of the Lieberman, as Foreign Minister, Baku-based Institute for Peace and Armenian Genocide and the blocking of "worked to strengthen Israeli ties with Democracy, and investigative reporter its recognition by the Knesset (parlia- Azerbaijan," and quoted him saying in Khadija Ismayilova of Radio Free ment). Baku that it is "an important country and Europe. Some Middle East experts offer two a good friend of Israel…. Even in the While it might be somewhat under- explanations of Israel's puzzling stance: time of the Soviet Union, [Azerbaijan] standable that Israel and Azerbaijan are 1) Despite the apparent bad blood was known to treat its Jewish communi- pursuing their self-interests, no matter between Israel and Turkey, the two coun- ty well, and there is no anti-Semitism how reprehensible the means, Armenia tries continue their covert intelligence there. We must continue strengthening must also pursue its own national inter- sharing and arms trade. our relations with Azerbaijan." ests and counter the actions of any coun- 2) Azerbaijan, Turkey's junior broth- Azernews also quoted him telling the try that jeopardizes its security and ques- er, has taken an aggressive role in pres- Azeri Elections Media Center that tions the Genocide. The Armenian gov- suring Israel not to recognize the Azerbaijan "is an example of democra- ernment should make crystal clear to Armenian Genocide by using as leverage cy, stability, and successful foreign poli- Israeli officials that by selling multi-bil- its purchase of billions of dollars of cy." Most knowledgeable people would lion dollar sophisticated weapons to advanced Israeli weapons, providing dismiss such ridiculous and false state- Azerbaijan, they become responsible for Israel much needed petroleum products, ments. putting at risk thousands of Armenian and a base in Baku to infiltrate and spy One wonders why the former Foreign lives. Azerbaijani officials have publicly on Iran with which it has a 400-mile bor- Minister is so anxious to whitewash announced that they intend to use the der. Azerbaijan's past and present practices of arms acquired from Israel to attack The Israeli government has become anti-Semitism? After the four Knesset Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh) and so overly sensitive to Azerbaijan's diktats members return from Baku, they should Armenia. that during a recent visit by Armenia's be asked to disclose the lavish gifts they Lastly, Armenia should warn Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian to must have received in appreciation for Azerbaijan that its unwarranted denials Jerusalem, Israel's Foreign Minister their rubber stamping of the fraudulent of the Armenian Genocide and pressures rudely refused to meet with him. Only elections in Azerbaijan. Not surprisingly, on other countries, such as Israel, to join through a last minute intervention, Mr. Aliyev maintained its tight grip on its denialist cause, would further antago- Nalbandian managed to meet with the power after his ruling party retained its nize Armenians, making it impossible for President of Israel. majority in parliament, while the main- them to accept any concessions on the An article in the November 1 issue of stream opposition boycotted last Artsakh conflict.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 SOCIETY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 17 Misak Chelebian: An Armenian Genocide survivor who fought Franco's nationalists in Spain In 1937, hundreds of volunteers from stuck without progress to the west of pened to his grandfather, but almost eight around the world travelled to Spain to Madrid, Franco opened a new front to try decades after the two-week battle, which fight Franco's nationalists. Among them to cut the capital's Mediterranean supply cost the lives of as many as 45,000 men was Misak Chelebian. Eight decades lines. Misak, along with thousands of his on both sides, he has come to Spain to later, his American grandson visited the comrades-in-arms, members of the vol- find out more about Misak and, as he battlefield where he died, The unteer International Brigade, had come to says, to pay his respects. Independent reports. stop him. At 47, Misak was not a typical recruit. On Christmas Day 1936, Francisco "I would like to think that this is his Born in what is now Turkey, he had Franco was wrestling with a problem. final resting place," says Barton "Rocky" escaped the Armenian genocide of 1915. Before the decade was over, he would be Chelbian (the family surname was later He returned to Europe to fight in the Spain's fascist dictator and would rule for simplified) indicating an olive grove on a French Foreign Legion during the First almost four decades. But at that moment, hillside. World War, and then again in the mid- as a mere army general at the centre of a A retired businessman from New 1930s to fight Franco's Nationalists, plot to unseat the democratically elected Jersey, Rocky knows little of what hap- which were supported by Hitler's Nazis. Republican government, his troops were stuck outside Madrid, unable to take the Spanish capital - it was crucial if the coup d'état was to succeed. At the same moment, 3,500 miles away, Misak Chelebian was boarding a steam ship in New York. It was bound for Le Havre on the north coast of France. From there, the 47-year-old American of Armenian descent would travel, along with hundreds of other anti-fascist Americans, to the Pyrenees, cross the border into Spain and after a few rudi- mentary instructions on how to use their simple rifles, would be pitted against Franco's forces. Six weeks later the fates of these two men crossed in the valley of Jarama, in what became one of the bloodiest battles of the Spanish civil war. After weeks Armenian Genocide movie ‘The Cut’ to screen in Tbilisi “The Cut” – a historical epic about the Armenian Genocide directed by Turkish- German filmmaker Fatih Akin will screen in Tbilisi today within the framework of the Russian Movie Festival held in the Georgian capital from November 4 to 8. The festival features 30 films from Georgia, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Turkey and Iran. Beginning in Armenia in 1915, “The Cut” follows one man’s journey through the Ottoman Empire after surviv- ing the Genocide. Nazaret (Tahar Rahim), a young blacksmith from Mardin, Turkey, is ripped from his family and is forced to work as a slave laborer. Years later, he begins a continent-crossing quest to reunite with his twin daughters.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 18 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights SOCIETY UNDP in Armenia goes Climate neutral!

Today's global community is activities and business operations behavior. Here are a few Greening fighting one of the most challenging result in unavoidable emissions. tips to get started. problems we have ever encountered: Climate neutrality means that for 3. Offset what cannot be reduced. climate change. Climate change is those emissions that we are unable to You can do this through the UN's neither local nor regional - it is a reduce at the office, we reduce the newly launched Climate Neutral Now global threat to development. In fact, equivalent amount elsewhere. platform. this year's make or break Climate How? UNDP in Armenia has Change Summit in Paris has been achieved climate neutrality through The Green Team billed as a defining moment in the offsetting its greenhouse gas emis- at UNDP history of mankind. sions associated with office opera- As a leading development actor, tions and travel in 2014 by contribut- UNDP in Armenia's commitment UNDP is supporting this fight, playing to the UNFCCC Climate Change to environmental sustainability has ing a key role in raising public aware- Adaptation Fund, which in its turn resulted in the formation of a special ness on climate change and support- finances adaptation projects in devel- task force known as The Green ing sustainable development through- oping countries, helping them build Team. Through the team's 'Greening out the world. resilience and adapt to climate efforts' several additional measures change. have been taken to reduce the organi- Today we proudly As one of the first UNDP coun- zation's emissions through improved announce that try offices to achieve this important energy efficiency, 'green' lighting, UNDP in Armenia has milestone, UNDP Armenia calls on waste management, plastic and paper become officially everyone to take action towards a cli- recycling, and most importantly, mate neutral world, by following more environmentally friendly prac- Climate Neutral! these three main steps: tices. 1. Measure your climate foot- Yet in 2011 UNDP in Armenia Climate neutrality is not about print; calculate your CO2 emissions. installed 10 kW solar photovoltaic zero emissions. It is about reducing You can do this now online through panels on the roof of the UN House, current emissions to the point where the Footprint calculator of the UN's thus covering part of its power con- we reach the ultimate balance Climate Neutral Now platform. sumption from a renewable source between emissions and the absorptive 2. Reduce emissions as much as Check out our 'Green Action Plan' capacity of the Earth. possible through adopting more envi- or contact our 'Green focal point' for Even with our best efforts, daily ronmentally friendly operations and more information. What can you do?

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crises, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. As an Armenia citizen, you are a crucial part of this process - UNDP is a potential partner to you too! If you'd like to get involved or you have an idea related to climate change then check out our small grants programme or idea incubator.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 19 Zodiac Weekly Forecast

Aries Leo Sagittarius (March 20-April 19) (July 22-August 21) (November 22-December 20)

Concentrate on awareness of any This is a favorable week for the An unexpected, fairly sudden self-sabotaging activities or those Lions. Your personal creativity will development interferes with your for- things you are avoiding. You have help you access assistance from the ward motion in career this week. If already run yourself short of time, so world at large if you need it. This is hi-tech equipment is important to it's important that you pay attention a healing time. Your wisdom and your job, it may throw a ringer in the now before the situation becomes strength serves as a healing balm for works. Whatever the cause, it seems more critical. others. If you need emotional or you must stand aside until time fixes physical healing, someone fills that the problem. Taurus role for you. (April 20 -- May 20) Capricorn Virgo (December 21-January 19) Your attention turns to personal (August 22-September 22) healing, diet or exercise. For some Aspects particularly favor social there will be an improvement in the You have especially good aspects life and community. You are in an everyday environment at work. A regarding relationship(s) this week. effective position. Others agree with new person may enter your work It is a good time to share your truth your guidance and leadership and are arena, who will be helpful and friend- with lovers, children, and partner(s). willing to give whatever support is ly. Let your intuition flow and guide needed. The trick for you is to pry you. Give attention to your dreams. your mouth open to ask. Don't com- Gemini You may be drawn to creative proj- mand or others will work against you. (May 20-June 20) ects or writing. Aquarius Continue to allow your intuition to Libra (January 20-February 17) be your guide. The Muse wants to (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) speak through you during this period Everything seems to be grinding of two to three weeks. Focus on art, Venus, your ruling planet, enters toward a halt at this time. It is possi- music, dance, and color-whatever your sign on Nov 8 and will be with ble that you have a quarrel with the gives you pleasure. Take long breaks you through Dec. 3rd. You always direction of things around you. if possible. Being near the water will have an interest in appearance and Therefore you are dragging your feet. be most soothing, even if it is only the this transit notches it up a couple of Or maybe you feel ill. This is tempo- shower. pegs. You may "redecorate" yourself rary. Things will pick up next week. with new glasses, clothing, or hair- Cancer style. Often when Venus is prominent Pisces (June 21-July 21) we become more interested in any- (February 18-March 19) thing which adds beauty to our lives. This is a particularly good time to Problems concerning a partner or commune with family. You will Scorpio someone that you love may pressure probably be drawn together over a (October 23-November 21) you into sacrificing your independ- matter of importance to each of you. ence for a while. Meanwhile you Give attention to whomever or what- The Gift of Gab is your sidekick have favorable aspects related to ever enters your life at this time. A this week as you stroll through life. activities involving distant travel, the "spiritual teacher" is coming. It may You can talk your way into or out of law, education, the internet and be a person or an experience. anything you choose. Romance is church. enjoyable although it is probably not something to bet your life on. Just enjoy the game. Education and short distance travels are favored.

9 November #41 (1081) 2015 20 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights Charles Aznavour promises to be back to London when he is 100

By Pierre Perrone The Independent Three songs into what turns out to be a lengthy, 2- hour long set you'd hardly expect from a 91 year-old, now officially the oldest performer to headline the regal London venue, Charles Aznavour takes off his slate-colored jacket and flings it on the grand piano as he reveals a pair of bright red braces. The most diminutive chanson legend means business and punches the air after dramatically hitting the high note at the end of "Paris Au Mois D'Août" (Paris In The Month of August), the title song of a doomed love affair film he made with Susan Hampshire five decades ago. In fact, he's not just singing to the French expats who have wandered up He makes fun of the téléprompteur that enables from South Kensington with a glass of rosé - fact! - him to give a masterclass in song-writing in between the British and the London-based Armenian commu- duetting with his daughter Katia on "Je Voyage" and nity love him too, and with good reason. delivering a sublime "She", the 1974 chart-topper revived by Elvis Costello for the Notting Hill sound- track 15 years later. If this is your entrée into the thousand-plus chansons Aznavour has composed, you're in for a treat. After nonchalantly singing "The Old Fashioned Way", he returns for "What Makes a Man a Man", arguably the first song about homosex- uality by a non-homosexual. Its message of accept- ance is magnified by the bouquet of flowers he car- ries on the shoulder like a gun as he wanders off stage, an impish smile on his face. He promises to be back when he is 100. Don't bet against it! Chapeau Monsieur Aznavour!

President of the NT Media Holding: E-mail: [email protected], URL: www.nt.am The Noah’s Ark Tigran Harutyunyan Address in 28 Isahakian Str., Yerevan, 0009, RA. Editor-in-Chief of the Media Holding: Tel.: (+374 60) 27-64-62 Gayaneh Arakelyan Armenia: (+374 60) 27-64-61 HIGHLIGHTS Director of the Weekly: Address in Masion De L' Armenie, Paris 17e - 95 Marina Harutyunyan Bld. Gouvion, France. Weekly Newspaper, Since May 4, 1993. France: The publisher: NT Holding LTD. Chief Correspondent:Gourgen Khazhakian Tel.: (+33) 01 43 59 66 72 Circulation: 1500 print copies and Proofreader: Susanna Mkrtchian Address in 1146 E. Lexington Dr., #112, Glendale, CA, USA, 91206. 15.600 copies by e-mail list in PDF format ISSN 1829-0604 USA: Registration certificate and the date: 273.110.00512, 15.12.1995 Tel.: (+1 818) 646 10 72

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