Month: October 2006

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PRESIDENT PROMISED TO INVITE OBSERVERS
[07:32 pm] 27 October, 2006

President Robert Kocharyan had a meeting today with
the heads of the diplomatic representations of EU
member countries accredited in Armenia.

The President of the country welcomed the end of the
negotiations about the Individual Partnership Action
Plan within the framework of the European New
Neighborhood Policy and voiced hope that in November
it will finally be adopted after which the relations
between Armenia and the EU will be more systematized.

`The pack of offers introduced by Armenia testifies
that we are inclined to serious work and expect joint
efficient activity’, the head of the country
mentioned.

During the conversation a reference was made to the
coming elections in Armenia. The sides underlined the
necessity of free and fair elections. Robert Kocharyan
said that he will invite both long-term and short-term
international observation missions to Armenia for
monitoring the course of elections.

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AZERBAIJAN IS WORRIED
[09:08 pm] 27 October, 2006

Armenian armed forces have started to bring additional
weaponry and troupes to the `occupied’ Azeri
territories, Azeri Mass Media claim.

In particular, new weaponry and troupes are observed
in the Aghdam part of the border line.

According to Azeri sources, the Armenian armed forces
have been strengthening their positions in the
`occupied’ Azeri territories since December 2005,
Radio station `Azatutyun’ informs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am

13:43 27/10/06

WORLD BANK SAYS ARMENIA NOT TO HAVE TWO-DIGIT GDP
GROWTH IN 2008-2009

Armenia will not have two-digit growth of GDP in
2008-2009, Rojer Robinson, head of Yerevan office of
World Bank (WB), told a news conference today. He said
WB has never forecast 12.5% growth of GDP for Armenia.
In his words, one should be very careful in economic
forecasts because they serve as a base for the state
budget. `However, I do not see a reason for not
keeping to the pace of stable economic growth,’ he
said. `Armenia need serious institutional reforms for
stable pace of GDP growth for the coming 10 years,’
Robinson said. /Panorama.am/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am

14:15 27/10/06

VTB-ARMENIA BANK DOES NOT PLAN INVESTMENT YET

The management of VTB-Armenia Bank considers it early
to talk about investment. Vasili Titov, senior vice
president of VTB-Armenia Bank, said the bank has its
own capital and does not plan to invest a new capital.
He said the bank undergoes serious audit. `Our aim is
to optimize the work of the network so that it
complies with international standards of service.’

VTB Armenia has the biggest regional network in the
country composed of 100 branch offices. Alexander
Vartanov, chairman of VTB-Armenia Bank administration,
said the bank has a capital of $24 million and serves
89-90% of capital turnover between Armenia and Russia.

Reminder: 70%+1 shares of VTB-Armenia Bank belong to
Russian Bank VTB (Vneshtorbank). V. Titov said VTB is
ready to buy the rest of 30% of shares, which
currently belong to entrepreneur Michael Bagdasarov. /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am

14:18 27/10/06

FACTION HEAD SAID CONVICTS OF OCTOBER 27 ARE ONLY TOOLS IN EXTERNAL HANDS

FACTION HEAD SAID CONVICTS OF OCTOBER 27 ARE ONLY TOOLS IN EXTERNAL
HANDS Representatives of parliament factions talked about the fatal
crime committed on October 27, 1999 when several leading politicians
were assassinated right in the parliament. Galust Sahakyan, leader of
Armenian Republican Party (HHK) block, said the main criminals have
not got their punishment yet but time will come and everybody will
know who stands behind it. The deputy is sure that the convicts were
just a tool in the hands of external forces.

Stepan Zakaryan from Justice block, who was one of the witnesses of
October 27, believes Armenia has lost a good deal of its independence
after the assassination of those political men. Gegham Manukyan from
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutiun) said
Dashnakcutiun became a major political force which ensured political
and public stability in the Republic of Armenia after October
27. /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am

14:34 27/10/06

TIGRAN TOROSYAN: OCTOBER 27 WAS A RESULT OF EVIL AND HATRED

Today the deputies gathered in front of the memorial
erected to the memory of victims of the cruel
assassination of outstanding Armenian political
figures exactly seven years ago. They put flowers in
front of the monument and left with their heads down.

Tigran Torosyan, speaker of parliament, said people
who have known the victims will take the pain with
them till the end of their lives. He is sure that the
incident was a result of evil and hatred.

Viktor Dallakyan, deputy of parliament, said, `October
27 was a planned attempt of coup d’etat and the
terrorists were a tool in the hands of the executors.’
He is sure that in time the offenders will become
known. /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am

15:01 27/10/06

DEPUTY PINPOINTS TO ARMENIAN FOREIGN POLICY FAULTS

Stepan Zakaryan, member of Justice block, said if
Armenia had not lost its independence because of
incorrect foreign policy, Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
would not have the diameter it has now. In his words,
even the West agreed that the pipeline would be
transit but Armenia could not protect her interests,
he said.

The deputy said Armenia has become a `pillar’ for
Russia because of the faults of the Armenian
authorities. He said in the case of Javakhk Armenia
should protect her interests, too. He said the Armenia
authorities should clearly say that they protect human
rights and will defend the interests of Armenians
living in Javakhk. Speaking about Russian-Armenian
relations, Zakaryan said Russian should be made to
understand that Armenia is not her `pillar.’ /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am

15:12 27/10/06

GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO KEEP TO THE CURRENT NATIONAL ANTHEM

The executive approved RA Law on National Anthem with
some changes to be submitted to the National Assembly.
The government did not approve the decision of the
tender committee, which selected music without song as
the national anthem. The government decided to keep
the current national anthem for one more year until a
new national anthem will be selected. Ruben
Hovasapyan, member of Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (Dashnakcutiun) approved the decision,
saying, `It will make our motherland stronger for one
more year.’

The tender committee selected the music of Aram
Khachatryan which was the national anthem of Soviet
Armenia. Hovasapyan said Aram Khachatryan’s music was
only attachment to the national anthem of the Soviet
Union, saying it by no means discredits the great
composer. He also said despite of all shortcomings,
Our Motherland, the current national anthem of
Armenia, has biography and reflects the creation and
declaration of our independent republics. /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am

15:27 27/10/06

WB SAYS CUSTOMS SERVICE NOT THE MOST CORRUPT IN ARMENIA

`We do not think that the most corrupt sector in
Armenia is customs,’ Rojer Robinson, head of Yerevan
office of the World Bank (WB), told a news conference
today, speaking about sharp criticism of WB report by
the state customs services of Armenia.

In his words, the report said no progress was reported
in the customs and tax services of Armenia in 2005,
moreover, a reverse process started. `We have been
conducted bilateral consultation with the customs
services for several years and declare that they have
implemented all the agreements,’ Robinson said.

Vigen Sarkisyan, press secretary of WB Yerevan office,
said WB will publish data on the most corrupt sector
in Armenia in 2007. /Panorama.am/

Armenian National Committee of Quebec Presents Quebec Capital with Komitas
Statue

27.10.2006 13:44

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The Armenian National Committee of Quebec (ANCQ)
presented Quebec City with a bust of the famous Armenian composer
Komitas during a special ceremony on the afternoon of October 24, 2006
at the City Council’s Chamber.

Mrs. Andrée Bouchard, Quebec City Mayor, said `Quebec City is
very honoured to receive from the Armenian community the bust of a
musician and poet who has left his mark on Armenian culture. This
symbol will not only introduce Armenian culture to others but will
also help spread the artistic and historic contributions Komitas had
on the evolution of his people, On behalf of the citizens of Quebec, I
express my deepest gratitude to the representatives of the Armenian
community who, with this generous donation, show their support for
multiculturalism.’

Poet, composer and musicologist, Komitas was an apolitical person with
many talents who represented a spirit of openness and unification. His
music is still omnipresent with Armenians on an international scale
and his tragic faith is the symbol of the Armenian Diaspora.

The sculpture, which was donated by the Armenian Community members,
was given to Quebec City as a reflection of the synergy created in
Quebec due to its cultural integration and harmonisation policy. The
ANCQ and Quebec City are planning the permanent display of the
sculpture for 2007.