NEWS ON ARMENIATV

2007-10-02 Civilized Political Rivalry During the Upcoming Presidential Election

According to Haroutounian, among favorites presidential nominees are Serj Sarkissyan, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Vazgen Manukyan. He said that the Christian Democratic Party’s will not nominate its own presidential candidate unless there are sharp changes in the political sphere. According to him the last week meeting between Armenian first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Armenian Revolutionary Federation leaders evidenced that both parties are trying to establish bases for a civilized political rivalry.

2007-10-02 New Tapes from Russia

Armenia had copies of these films but the tapes were in bad shape. General engineer of the CS Films CJSC- Larissa Stepanian says that the films are immediately taken to a CS films studio laboratory after which the films are digitized. In addition, Rouben Hovanissian noted that so far 110 films have been digitized and restored by CS media.

2007-10-02 New “Bogdan” Buses

During the ceremony of putting the new busses in commission, director of "Yerevan-Trans" company Karen Edigaryan assured that another 25 such buses will be bought by the end of the ongoing year. More than 230 buses and 18 trolleybuses were bought over the last years to improve transport in Yerevan.

2007-10-02 Green Card Applications

Annually about 12.000 Armenian citizens apply for a US visa, 60% out of which are denied entry. The US embassy has checked and revealed that 70% of those who leave for the US from Armenia return. In 2007, compared to other countries which participated in the lottery, Armenia has had the highest number of participants. According to the Deputy Charge D’affairs there are only a few rules, which must be obeyed and the number of winners is selected randomly. According to Mike Snider there are a number of false Internet websites, claiming to be official websites representing the US government and confusing applicants. He gave some tips, which will help differentiate false Internet sites from the official site. All those interested in winning a green card can visit American corners, where special meetings are organized to give people the opportunity to ask questions. Green card lottery instructions are currently available only in English and on the www.dvlottery.state.gov website. The Armenian visions of the instructions will only be available in the American corners.

2007-10-02 A Conversation with the US First 5 Ambassadors

“Armenia-US relations from 1991 to 2006, a conversation with the US first 5 ambassadors” lecture was organized by US Congress library, Armenian-Georgian department specialist, doctor of sciences Levon Abdoyan. Present at the dialogue were the first 5 US ambassadors to Armenia: Henry Gilmore (1993-1995), Peter Thomson (1995-1998), Michael Lemon (1998-2001), John Ordway (2001-2004) and John Evans (2004-2006). Ambassador Henry Gilmore noted that when he was appointed US ambassador to Armenia, the newly established republic of Armenia was in crisis and there were numerous difficulties to overcome. The ambassador tried enrolling Diaspora Armenian organization in projects initiated by the US embassy. Ambassador Peter Thomson said that a most essential achievement during his diplomatic mission was that Armenia refused humanitarian aids, giving way to economical growth. Ambassador Ordway noted that during his diplomatic mission he witnessed positive results in a number of US initiated projects. Hay Dat committee press secretary Elizabeth Chouldjian said that the event was an opportunity to hear all 5 ambassadors’ assess Armenia’s achievements and the development of Armenia-US diplomatic relations during their time in office.