Month: October 2005

ARMENIAN LEADER, RUSSIAN OFFICIAL DISCUSS RESUMPTION OF ABKHAZ RAILWAY SECTION

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

Yerevan, 13 October: The resumption of the Abkhaz section of the
railway “will open new opportunities for cooperation and development”,
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in Yerevan today.

The Armenian president said this at a meeting with Igor Levitin,
Russian transport minister and co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission, Mediamax news agency reports.

It was noted at the meeting that the conditions for the opening of
the Abkhaz section of the railway was being studied at present.

Robert Kocharyan and Igor Levitin discussed the opportunities of the
Armenian-Russian-Georgian cooperation in the restoration of the Abkhaz
section of the railway.

The meeting also discussed the problem of proper work of the
Armenian enterprises handed over to Russia within the framework of
the property-for-debt deal.

Igor Levitin said that Russia wanted to rapidly resume the enterprises
and set up a special working group for this purpose.

ARMENIANS OF GEORGIA ASK MAYOR OF TBILISI TO ERECT A KHACHKAR IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13. ARMINFO. On the initiative of the Association
of Georgian Georgian Armenians, the “Nor Serund” (New Generation)
organization has prepared a petition to the Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi
Ugulava for erecting a khachkar (cross-stone memorial) in memory of
the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

According to the report of the Assocuiation, a symbolic number of
1915 signatures has been gathered. The Association also reports that
over 1,5 million Armenians were assassinated in the Ottoman Empire in
1915, and thousands of refugees were accepted by the friendly people
of Georgia. The descendants of the refugees of 1915 now reside in
various regions of Georgia.

POLITICAL COALITION COMES TO PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT ON COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES AND INDEXATION OF DEPOSITS

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The issue of deposit compensation
was discussed tt the October 12 meeting of the Political Coalition
Board. The government confirmed its position and is ready to allocate
1 bln drams (about 2.2 mln USD) to compensate, within the framework
of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, for the deposits of those
depositors who have been put on the list of beneficiaries. RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian stated this on October 12 at the joint
sitting of the National Assembly standing committes to discuss the
state budget. He assured that the process will be a continuous one,
but it is not yet clear how long it will take. It was noted that the
government will include the issue of paying compensation to depositors
in its future medium-term expenditure programs.

Prime Minister said that the examination of relevant information,
including international expertise, allowed the coalition to come to
an agreement on indexation. It is envisaged to pay a sum in drams
equivalent to 200 US dollars against 1 thousand Soviet rubles;

– for 1-3 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US dollars plus 70%
of the basic sum (i.e 140 dollars) for each next thousand rubles
above 1,000 rubles

– for 3-5 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US dollars plus 40%
of the basic sum (i.e. 80 dollars) for each next thousand rubles
above 1,000 rubles

– for 5-10 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US dollars plus 20%
of the basic sum (i.e. 40 dollars) for each next thousand rubles
above 1,000 rubles

– for a sum exceeding 10 thousand rubles, the basic sum of 200 US
dollars plus 10% of the basic sum (i.e 20 dollars) for each next
thousand rubles above 1,000 rubles.

At the same time the government requested that it be given 6 months to
clarify the data base on beneficiaries and depositors. Neither the NA
ad hoc commission that examined the issue nor the working group set
up by RA President have informatiom about it, so the government has
not been provided information either. According to the preliminary
agreement, pensioners over 70 (later also pensioners under 70),
single pensioners, the families of the servicemen killed during the
Great Patriotic War and the Artsakh freedom war, disabled persons,
as well as citizens living in the disaster zone and border areas will
be the first to receive compensation. A. Margarian said that the
principles of compensation will be stipulated more clearly in the
2006 draft state budget to be submitted at the NA 4-day session to
start on October 24. The order of compensation will be defined later.

A. Margarian considered it inexpedient to discuss the draft laws
on deposit compensation currently in circulation at the National
Assembly. He noted that the present government is resolute to deal with
the problem of beneficiaries-depositors, and the future governments
will identify other vulnerable groups entitled to compensation. He
added that the experience of 14 countries that have paid such
compensations shows that there is no common principle regarding this
issue and the process has not been completed in any of these countries.

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADE TURNOVER $120.4MLN IN 1ST HALF OF 2005

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. In the 1st half of 2005, Armenian-Russian
trade turnover increased by 31% and totaled $120.4mln. This statement
was made at RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan’s meeting with
RF Minister of Transport Igor Levitin. The sides expressed their
satisfaction with the increase in the trade turnover over the past
two years. Margaryan stressed that Russia remains Armenia’s largest
trade partner, and over 160 intergovernmental agreements allow the
countries’ to develop all-round cooperation. The sides stated that
numerous arrangements held as part of the Year of Russia in Armenia,
which will be continued as part of the Year of Armenia in Russia,
greatly contribute to the bilateral cooperation as well. The RA
Premier pointed out the importance of intensifying contacts between
administrative units. He said that transport communication an seriously
contribute to further expansion of bilateral cooperation, and Armenia
attaches high importance to the re-operation of the “Poti-Caucasus”
ferry service. Margaryan also pointed out Armenia’s interest in the
re-operation of the Abkhazian section of the Georgian railway. The
sides discussed the possibility of trilateral (Russia, Georgia and
Armenia) involvement in the construction project.

According to Margaryan, the Armenian side regularly addresses this
problem at meetings with the Georgian colleagues.

In his turn, Levitin expressed a hope that the RF Prime Minister’s
planned visit to Armenia will give an impetus to the development of
Armenian-Russian political and economic relations.

RUSSIAN SIDE INTERESTED IN OPERATING ARMENIAN ENTERPRISES TRANSFERRED TO IT IN SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Underlining the high level of
cooperation between Armenia and Russia in various spheres, RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian and Russian Minister of Transport, Chairman
of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic,
Scientific and Technical Cooperation Issues Igor Levitin highlighted
the Commission’ role in all this at the October 13 meeting. The sides
noted with satisfaction the recent growth in commodity turnover between
the two countries – according to the data of the first half of 2005,
commodity turnover grew by about 31% over the same period of 2004
and made 120.4 mln USD.

The interlocutors indicated that establishment of closer relations
between Armenia and Russia is significantly promoted by the holding
of various events in Armenia within the framework of Year of Russia
Program, which will be continued by carrying out Year of Armenia
Program in Russia in 2006. RA Prime Minister attached importance to
development of contacts and cooperation between various administrative
subjects of the two countries, and to mutually beneficial agreements
which are reached during visits.

A. Margarian said the establishment of efficient transport
communication can help to further expand the trade and economic
partnership between Armenia and Russia, and in this connection
Armenia attaches special importance to the regular functioning
of Poti-Kavkaz ferry link, a plan which has not been yet fully
put into practice. He stressed that Armenia is interested in the
re-operation of the Abkhazian section of the Georgian railway, which,
according to A. Margarian, is much more profitable and opens new
development opportunities in the relations with Russia and the whole
region. The interlocutors discussed the possibilities of a three-sided
participation (Russia-Georgia-Armenia) in the construction of the
railway. Armenian Prime Minister noted that in an attempt to make the
process more active, the Armenian side always addresses the issue of
reoperating the railway during meetings with the Georgian authorities.

According to RA Government Information and PR Department, during the
meeting A. Margarian and Igor Levitin also discussed the problem of
relaunching the Armenian enterprises transferred to Russia. I.

Levitin assured the Armenian side that the working groups set up to
deal with this problem are carrying out their work, and the Russian
side is also interested in putting these enterprises into operation
in the shortest possible time. At the conclusion of the meeting,
both sides expressed a hope that the Russian Prime Minister’s visit
to Armenia scheduled for late 2006 will provide a new stimulus for
further development of political and economic relations between
Armenia and Russia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON COOPERATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONS MECHANISM BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. The Armenian-Russian intergovernmental
commission on cooperation is the most important relations mechanism
between two countries, the RA President Robert Kocharyan stated
during the meeting with the Russian Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission on economic and scientific-technical
cooperation Igor Levitin, according to the RA PREsident’s Press
Service. According to the press release, programs on cooperation were
discussed in the course of the meting, and the issues of development
of energy and transport communications were paid special attention.

With regard to re-launching the Abkhaz part of the Georgian railway,
it was noted that the state of the railway and factors necessary
for the reconstruction of the railway are being studied as well as
possibilities of trilateral participation (Russia -Georgia -Armenia)
in the construction work. According to Kocharyan, the re-launching of
the railway will provide new opportunities for cooperation. The sides
touched upon the issue of re-launching of the Armenian enterprises
passed to Russia in the framework of Property for Debt Program.

According to Levitin, the Russian side is also interested in the
quickest re-launching of the enterprises, and a special work group
is formed for this purpose.

HRAYR HAWK: “I TRY TO PRESENT NOT ONLY ARMENIA BUT ALSO PEOPLE LIVING IN IT TO THE WORLD”

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The “Flying Hawk”
photoalbum by Canadian Armenian photographer Hrayr Hawk was published
in Yerevan. The album contains 160 photos depicting historic and
cultural monuments, areas covered with plants, mountains situated in
all parts of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

As Hrayr Hawk noted at album’s presentation held on October 13 at
the Armenian Union of Journalists, his goal was to present Armenia
and Artsakh from above. In 1995 he photographed a part of Armenia
and Karabakh. He continued working in 1999-2002 photographing the
rest part of Armenia except the Tavush region. The Canadian Armenian
photographer got assistance by RA Defence Minister Vazgen Sargsian,
then Serge Sargsian who gave him a helicopter.

“There are such places in Armenia, with which even Armenians aren’t
familiar. I try to present not only Armenia but also people living
in it to the world,” Hrayr Hawk emphasized.

The Canadian Armenian photographer noted that his photoalbum under the
title “Yerkir” (“Country”) was published several months ago. The album
contains 460 photos of historic and cultural monuments situated in the
territory of Western Armenia. Hrayr Hawk will present Armenian churches
existing throughout the world by a separate album. He photographed
numerous Armenian churches during his travel about 43 countries. The
album will be ready next year.

MEMORANDUM ON COOPERATION SIGNED BETWEEN RA NA AND US AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. A ceremony of signing a memorandum
on mutual understanding between the National Assembly of Armenia and
the US Agency for International Development (USAID) took place at the
“gilded hall” of the RA NA, on October 13. From the American party,
the memorandum was signed by Robin Phillips, the Director of the
USAID Armenia Mission, from the Armenian party by Artur Baghdasarian,
the Parliament Speaker.

“This is another good occasion to express our gratitude to US for
its consistent help and assistance to Armenia during the last 15
years,” Artur Baghdasarian stated during the short briefing wich took
place after signing the memorandum. According to him, signing of the
document will allow to raise the role of the parliamentary institute
in Armenia. The memorandum envisages implementation of a more than 2
mln US dollars program led to widening the RA NA international ties
as well as ones with the population of Armenia. This envisages the
NA staff’s, deputies’ re-training, technical assistance as well.

Answering the Noyan Tapan correspondent’s question, R.Phillips
mentioned that the program led to cooperation has started still in
2004 and will continue till 2007. The program envisaged by the present
memorandum is the continuation of another program with a value of 2
mln US dollars as well.

In his turn, Artur Baghdasarian mentioned that the program is a
rather effective one, and at present the sides start a new stage of
development of the cooperation. In the case of the constitutional
reforms’ being adopted by the November 27 referendum, this may
also have an important role in the issue of raising the role and
significance of the National Assembly what is envisaged by the
amendments.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF US CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. The American Chamber of Commerce in
Armenia (ACCA), with the assistance of the US Embassy in Armenia,
will hold a regional conference of Chambers of Commerce in Yerevan on
October 15-16. ACCA Board of Directors Edit Khachatryan reported that
the motto of the conference will be “Common Future”. The conference
will be attended by members of American regional chambers of commerce,
as well as by other businessmen. The goal of the conference is
improving cooperation and exchange of information between the American
chambers of commerce in the region and finding common approaches to
the development of business environment and investment climate in
the South Caucasus.

The ACCA launched its activities in Armenia in spring 2001.

CHAIR OF NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION UNION SEES NECESSARY DISCUSSION
OF ISSUES OF UNITY OF ARMENIAN CHURCH AND UNITED ORTHOGRAPHY AT
ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenia-diaspora
conferences don’t touch upon issues of considerable role and meaning
for re-establishment the Armenian people’s unity. Paruyr Hayrikian,
the Chairman of the National Self-Determination Union expressed such
an opinion at the October 13 press-conference.

According to Hayrikian, the issue of a united system of the Armenian
Apostolic Church and of ways of re-establishing the united orthography
should certainly be involved in the agenda of the 3rd annual conference
Armenia-Diaspora to take place soon. On this occasion, the NSDU
Chairman sent a letter to Vartan Oskanian, the RA Foreign Minister by
which he proposes to work out slogans and a symbol for that conference
starting from now and even to announce a national competition for that
purpose. For example, according to him, the following symbol should
be put into the circulation: “Every Armenian, led by the commandment
“respect parents,” should visit Armenia and put out a candle at Surb
Etchmiadzin once in three years, at least in five years.”