Daily Archives: September 21, 2013

President Serzh Sargsyan continues to receive congratulations on the occasion of the Republic of Armenia’s Independence Day

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անկախության տարեդարձ The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon sent a congratulatory letter to President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of Armenia’s Independence Day. “Your country’s active engagement in the work of the Organization is crucial in advancing our common goals of peace, development and human rights for all”, reads the letter of the Secretary General of the United Nations.

On the occasion of the holiday, President Serzh Sargsyan received congratulations and best wishes from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck, President of the Swiss Confederation Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, President of Lebanon Michel Suleiman, Emperor of Japan Akihito, King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein, US State Secretary John Kerry, President of India Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, President of the Turkish Republic Abdullah Gül, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Turkmenistan Gurganguli Berdimuhamedov, President of Ireland Michael Daniel Higgins, President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye, President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Benin Yayi Boni, President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

 

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the RA Independence Day

 On the occasion of the Republic of Armenia’s 22nd Independence Anniversary, President Serzh Sargsyan receives congratulations from the leaders of foreign states, international organizations, state and non-governmental sector, representatives of the clergy, and individuals.

On the occasion of the holiday, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to President Serzh Sargsyan.

The message of the President of the Russian Federation reads:

“Distinguished Serzh Azatovich,

I cordially congratulate You on the occasion of the national holiday – Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia.

Your country has registered considerable success in the resolutions of the contemporary issues related to the social and economic, scientific and technical and cultural development. Armenia’s repute on the international arena is growing.
The Russian-Armenian relations, which have deep historical roots, today have reached the level of allied partnership and continue to develop actively. It was proved particularly by the results of Your recent visit to Moscow.

I am confident that through the joint efforts we will be able to insure further consolidation of the entire complex of the bilateral relations, constructive cooperation in different multilateral formats, including in the context of Armenia’s membership to the Customs’ Union. It is, undoubtedly, in the basic interests of our brotherly nations.

I wish You excellent health, well-being and recurrent success, and I wish happiness and prosperity to Your compatriots.

 President of France François Hollande sent a congratulatory message to President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the RA Independence Day

 

“Mr. President,

On the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Armenia, I send my best wishes for happiness and success to You and the entire Armenian nation.

Since independence, Armenia has been successful advancing on the road towards prosperity and democracy due, in particular, to bold reforms conducted in the framework of Armenia’s dialogue with the European Union. I would like to reiterate France’s unequivocal support to the continuation of that undertaking.

As You know, I attach great importance to the friendly relations and cooperation between Armenia and France. I would like together with You to continue our work for strengthening these relations in the most decisive way, particularly in the economic area.

Allow me to stress the importance which France, as a Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, attaches to the progress in the negotiations for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

I will be glad to host You in Paris soon to discuss these topics together.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration,” President of France stated in his congratulatory letter.

Address by President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of Independence Day

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Today, at the Karen Demirchian Sports and Culture Centre, a reception was organized on behalf of the President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. The Head of State delivered congratulatory address on the occasion of the Independence Day.

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Address by President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of Independence Day

 

Your Holiness,
Distinguished President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,
My Fellow Compatriots,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Independence Day.

For the last twenty-two years, we have been traveling a new road, which has often appeared narrow and rocky just as our mountain pathways. We have been moving forward cautiously and prudently because we carry great responsibility on our shoulders. The is the Armenia of Orontids and Artaxiads, this is the Armenia of Arsacids and Bagratids, this is the Republic of Armenia of the beginning of the previous century, this is the Armenia which has already entered the third millennium After Christ.

Our path is full of ups and downs but it is our way. We are besieged from right and left; sometimes defiant, sometimes vexed, we nevertheless are moving forward towards the light. We will bring back all those whom at times we have not been able to keep by our side. We will reinstate all our losses and will leave all privations behind. We will look back and register with pride that together we have passed gingerly the only possible narrow pathway. We should have no doubts about that.

My Fellow Compatriots,

For a long time our nation was compelled to solve not development but primarily existential problems. Today, the task has changed: now we are calling to life projects which are dealing with the strengthening and development of the Armenian Statehood. Certainly, security is the number one priority for everyone in this world, and we are no exception. Security-related issues will always be in the focus of our attention, just as they are today. We are constantly searching for ways to boost our economy, and we have achieved certain results. We are setting goals to expand the borders of possible, so that each year with a precise regularity we are able to increase salaries and pensions. Along the way, we are carrying out our reforms, which provide steady development for stronger democracy, good governance, the rule of law, and progress in all other areas. Our policies are directed towards these objectives.

The stance of the Armenian authorities and our society is clear-cut. We have had enough of wars, perturbations, abrupt U-turns and adventurism. We need unfailing defense, peaceful work and sustainable development, and we are doing just that. Perhaps a little slowly, perhaps with some slip-ups along the way but definitely not when it comes to the most important issues and definitely not when it comes to fateful decisions.

Armenian State means realization of the Armenian dream – this is the greatest symbolism of today’s holiday. The re-establishment of our independence in 1991 made our nation’s centuries-long dream come true. Our brothers and sisters in Diaspora and, first and foremost, the citizens of Armenia nourish and make part of their own dream, which came true. Are we able to raise our dream fulfilled to new heights in the contemporary world? Yes, we are, if we neither underestimate, nor overestimate our capabilities. For one who is traveling down a rocky pathway it is absolutely crucial to evaluate painstakingly each step along the way.

The Orontids’ Armenia and the Artaxiads’ Armenia were manifestations of Armenian dream. Today, the situation is quite different, and we have quite another country. This is a new reality which our people started to create fighting and defending ourselves while relying on a substantial legacy inherited from the Soviet Armenia. A glance back reveals the huge distance we have already covered and enormous risks we have avoided. It also inspires us with hope that we can accelerate our advancement. Every offspring of the Armenia nation has a mission to be accomplished in this process. If anyone has not learned it yet, it is high time to do so.

My Fellow Compatriots,

Independence is an objective and daily routine at the same time. It has to be conquered every day through living, adopting decisions and implementing them as free citizens of independent Armenia. We are living in a free country, and can discuss anything we want to. One thing, however, is unalterable under any circumstance: the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia. It is a dream and duty fulfilled, which is always with us. This is a feast that we inherited paying the price with our heroes’ blood and this is a duty which we shall pass on to our grandchildren.

I once again congratulate all citizens of the Republic of Armenia and the entire Armenian nation. I wish us all peaceful work for the benefit of our families and our country. I wish we allot our capabilities wisely on different turns of the path and crown with success our dreams and programs. Joint together they make what we call the Republic of Armenia.

Long live the Republic of Armenia!
Glory to the Armenian Nation!

Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Shirak marz

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 President Serzh Sargsyan conducted today a working visit to Shirak marz. In Gyumri, the President attended the opening of the Oktet musical school n. 6 named after Azat Shishian. He toured the renovated premise of the school, familiarized with the conducted works, was present at the concert performed by the students of the school and participated at the symbolic tree-planting ceremony at the schoolyard.

The school, which was built in 1976, was devastated during the 1988 earthquake. In 1990, the educational process was resumed in a small cottage. The school was rebuilt in 2012-2013 jointly by the Mediamax media company, Fund for Armenian Relief, and Do Something program in the framework of the Rock Helps Armenia project. The project of the school reconstruction was supported by the main sponsor Mardigian Family Foundation, world famous rock-musicians Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi, Vivacell-MTS and many other contributors, including the government of Armenia, benefactors, and a number of private companies.

Afterwards, the President visited Aragats Boulevard in Guymri, where he was familiarized with the works for the capital overhaul of the boulevard. The President was reported that Aragats Boulevard constructed in 1960-s, which connects the Victory Avenue to the Vardanants Square, was not renovated since the 1988 earthquake and until 2012. In June-November 2012 and partly in 2013, extensive reconstruction works have been done through the allocations of the Gyumri budget.

In Gyumri, Serzh Sargsyan visited also the Cross-stone Square located next to the Sourb Amenaprkich Church, where he was present at the Arts and Crafts Festival conducted on September 19-22 in the framework of the “Gyumri 2013: The CIS Cultural Capital” program. Later, at the Vardanants Square, he observed the first Art-Expo international exhibition. The President visited also the Sourb Amenaprkich Church and observed reconstruction works conducted there.

At the conclusion of his working visit to Shirak marz, the President held a meeting at the Gyumri City Hall, dedicated to the city’s development programs, accomplished works, including state sponsored housing program in the disaster zone, and existing problems. Underscoring that state assistance in the housing and other areas in Shirak marz, including Gyumri will continue, the President at the same time stressed the importance of the active work of the local authorities in the resolution of the existing problems and in the implementation of the development programs. The Head of Shirak marz administration Felix Tsolakian, Minister of Urban Development Samvel Tadevossian, and Mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balassanian made reports. The meeting was attended also by the National Assembly members representing Shirak marz, officials from the Presidential Administration, Shirak marz administration, and Gyumri City Hall. The President responded to the pertinent questions raised by the participants of the meeting and gave corresponding instructions.

Tunisia’s ‘sex jihadis’ who were sent to Syria to have sex with 100 rebels

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Tunisian women-Syria -offer themselves- Islamist opposition fighters1EACH are coming home pregnant with their children Tunisian women who have travelled to Syria to offer themselves to Islamist fighters are returning home pregnant with rebels’ children, it has been revealed. A Tunisian government minister told members of parliament this week the women, who are waging ‘sexual jihad’, are ‘having sexual relations with 20,30,100’ men before returning to Tunisia pregnant. Interior Minister Lotfi ben Jeddou made the revelations at the National Constituent Assembly on Thursday, though didn’t elaborate on the number of women who have returned in this condition. Jihad al-nikah, permitting extramarital sexual relations with multiple partners, is considered by some hardline Sunni Muslim Salafists as a legitimate form of holy war. The minister also did not say how many Tunisian women were thought to have gone to Syria for such a purpose, although media reports have said hundreds have done so, France 24 revealed. However, Ben Jeddou also said that since he assumed office in March, ‘six thousand of our young people have been prevented from going’ to the country. He has said in the past that border controls have been boosted to intercept young Tunisians seeking to travel to Syria. Earlier this year a group of Tunisian girls travelled to rebel-held Northern Syria to offer themselves to opposition fighters. Their action came after growing in concern in Tunisia about religious orders or ‘fatwas’ that circulated the internet calling on Muslim women to perform jihad through sex. A Tunisian minister of religious affairs appealed to girls at the time not to be influenced by Islamic preachers outside of Tunisia who made a number of ‘sexual fatwas’. Noureddine al-Khadimi rejected ‘sexual jihad’ fatwas, urging Tunisian people and state institutions to not respond to them.

Long lost time capsule buried by Steve Jobs in 1983 FINALLY found after it was left buried for an extra decade because organizers forgot where it was

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time capsule - AspenA time capsule buried by Apple founder Steve Jobs 20 years ago has been discovered after its location was long forgotten.

In 1983, the young tech innovator was attending a conference in Aspen when he and the group decided to bury as a stunt during a design convention.

The tube that was filled with an eclectic collection of goods- ranging from the then-new apple mouse to a six-pack of beer for the people who discovered the time capsule- was meant to be dug up 20 years later.

There was a problem with that plan, however, as everyone involved forgot where it was buried.

The final discovery happened at the hands of the crew from the National Geographic Channel’s reality show called Diggers.

To others, the most interesting object would likely be the ‘Lisa’ mouse placed in the tube by the hands of a then-28-year-old Jobs.

The Lisa Mouse, which Jobs named after his daughter, was one of the first commercial computer mice soled publicly, making it a rarity at the time.

Though stylistically it has changed over the past three decades, the internal components of the mouse have remained largely the same.

The Aspen Historical Society is going to help the show creators catalogue the tube’s contents- but no word yet whether or not the Diggers cracked open one of the six bottles of Boddington’s Ale that was left inside for the people who found the tube.

 

Death toll rises in Mexico storms

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mexico-floodingThe death toll from several storms that hit Mexico this week rose to 101, authorities said late Friday. An additional 68 people are still missing after storms ravaged the area, the nation’s Interior Ministry said. At one point this week, Mexico seemed to be pummeled from all sides by then-Hurricane Manuel and the remnants of Hurricane Ingrid. Some 24 states in the country had been impacted by storm damage, the Interior Ministry said. And the bad news, forecasters say, is that heavy rains could continue through the end of the month. One area battered by rain was the tourist destination of Acapulco on the Pacific coast. Manuel had left about 40,000 tourists stranded in Acapulco. As of Thursday, more than 10,000 were able to board military or commercial flights out of the storm-ravaged area. On Friday, some good news was delivered to trapped tourists. Four ships arrived with 125 tons of groceries and nine tons of medical oxygen, the Interior Ministry said. But it may be some time, officials said, before Acapulco International Airport is fully functional.