Month: November 2006

POLITICIAN ANGRY AT THE VISIT OF RUSSIAN TATU
Panorama.am
16:00 21/11/06
Hmaiak Hovhanisyan, independent deputy of parliament, told a press
conference today that an anti-political situation is created in
the country saying parties are busy with benevolence or take up
the functions of social ministry, ministry of agriculture or water
services. He even said some parties act as producers for bands.
The deputy was also angry that Russian famous “Tatu” is invited to
sports complex hall to stage a concert.
Famous for their lesbian motives, “Tatu” has raised the discontent
of the politician. Hovhanisyan also said when they asked an Armenian
Republican Party (HHK) member why they invited the lesbians to Yerevan,
he answered, “We invited to show our people what they should not be
like.” Hovhanisyan said that “Tatu” was invited to university just
like Vladimir Putin but the group refused to go because of tough
schedule. “Should we laugh or cry?” the politician asks. “Most
probably, cry,” he says.

ARMENIA: WHEAT HARVEST DECREASED BY 47.2%
Agrimarket Consulting, Ukraine
Nov 22 2006
The volume of wheat production in Armenia will decrease by 47.2% –
as compared to 2005, and will make up 210.000 tonnes against 397.000
tonnes in 2005.
According to Garnik Petrosyan, Head of the Plant Department of Ministry
of Agriculture of Armenia, wheat harvest totaled 208.000 tonnes by 1
November, 2006. Also, Petrosyan informed that the reason of volume
decrease is draught. The annual demand for the product in Armenia
makes up 500.000 tonnes. Russia and USA are the main exporters of
wheat to Armenia.
Till 25, November Commodity Credit Corporation of USA (CCC) is
dispatching 28.3 th t of wheat for South Caucasian states. Georgia
will get 15 ths t (214.94 USD/1t), Azerbaijan – 10.8 ths t, Azerbaijan
(214.94/1t), Armenia – 2.5 th t (210.16 USD/1t). CCC has been set
up to support agriculture producers providing loans and financing
for purchase.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN WAS ONCE AN OPPOSITION REPRESENTATIVE
A1+
[04:46 pm] 21 November, 2006
Today Tigran Sargsyan, head of the Central Bank, recalled a few
episodes from 1993 when the Armenian currency-the dram, was introduced.
“At that time I was an Opposition representative and was the head
of Financial-Budgeting Committee of the Supreme Council. It was the
coldest and the hardest year in the history of Armenia. The authorities
gave us the Reception hall of the RA Government but there was no light.
We turned to Levon Ter-Petrosyan and soon were moved to the president’s
residence. Both Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Interior Minister Vano
Siradeghyan rendered us great assistance”, remembers Mr. Sargsyan.
Today Tigran Sargsyan was among the guests of “Urbat” club who were
to comment on the thirteen years of the dram introduction.
Isahak Isahakyan, former director of CB and Levon Barkhudaryan,
ex minister of Finance were also invited to the club.
The inflation obvious in the first stage of the dram introduction was
determined by a number of objective reasons in the guests’ words. “The
external reserves of the country were vacant. The Government had
700 thousand USD 500 thousand of which they gave to us”, recalls
Mr. Sargsyan.
Isahak Isahakyan underlined the fact that “Russia lulled Armenia by
saying that we should soon enter the ruble zone. But soon Armenia
realised that there was no point in trusting Russia”.
At the end of the discussion the guests recalled the time when Armenia
became independent and the first struggle for freedom.

REPORT RE AZERBAIJAN IN NATO PA SECURITY AND DEFENSE COMMITTEE INCLUDED COUNTERACTION FROM ARMENIAN SIDE – AZERI VICE SPEAKER
Author: E.Javadova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
During the autumn session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the
report, regarding Azerbaijan in the Security and Defense Committee,
included counteraction from the Armenian side, the Vice Speaker
of Milli Majlis [Azerbaijani Parliament], Head of the Azerbaijani
delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Ziyafet Askerov,
briefed the media, Trend reports.
“Issues such as the interaction of the South Caucasus countries
(Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia) with NATO, social, political
and economical situation in these countries and other topics were
presented to the discussions at the NATO 52nd autumn session. The
key issue for us was the territorial integrity and sovereignty of
Azerbaijan. We amended the report twice, and the 3rd report differed
somewhat from the previous reports. Therefore, we agreed to present
the report to the discussion. However, we expressed our proposals and
remarks regarding the report. The report reflected a number of issues
linked with Azerbaijan, especially counteraction from the Armenian
side and the exact figures of the occupied Azerbaijani territories
and refugees and internally displaced persons,” Askerov stated.
According to Askerov, the Armenians were angry when Azerbaijan
submitted the documents confirming that the Armenians arrived in
Nagorno-Karabakh 150 years ago and to confirm this fact we also
presented photographs of monuments erected in Nagorno-Karabakh. “I
consider that the documents submitted by ourselves played a significant
part and as a result the relevant document was adopted.
It is the first document adopted within NATO Parliamentary Assembly
and Security and Defense Committee. In future, we will try to adopt
the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly,” Askerov stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEW SECURITY ROLE EMERGES FOR BLACK SEA REGION
SETimes
mes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/
2006/11 /08/feature-03
Since 1991, the Black Sea has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once
embedded within the communist world, it has now become a key point
of intersection with considerable geopolitical significance.
Analysis by Paul Ciocoiu for Southeast European Times in Bucharest
– 08/11/06
International Black Sea Action Day was marked on October 31st by
Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The annual
event, launched ten years ago, seeks to promote co-operation among
the six countries in addressing environmental issues in the area.
The occasion also provided an opportunity to reflect on the profound
changes that have taken place in the region. Until 1991, all the
Black Sea states except Turkey were in Moscow’s sphere of influence.
They were either members of the Soviet Union or belonged to the
Warsaw Pact. Today, the Soviet Union no longer exists and the 44-year
bipolar world order can be found only in the history books. Bulgaria
and Romania have not only entered NATO, joining Turkey there, but
are on the threshold of EU membership.
The Black Sea is located at the crossroads of three security spaces —
European, Euro-Asian and Islamic. Its new strategic configuration
became evident as far back as the early 1990s, when the first
pipeline projects for transporting energy from East to West were
mapped out. Crisis intervened, however, in the form of conflicts in
the former Yugoslavia and conflicts afflicting parts of the Caucasus —
Transdniestr, South Osethia, Abkhazia and Nagorno Karabakh.
The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 spurred the West to
rethink its perspective towards the Black Sea. NATO’s long-term
involvement in Afghanistan, the possibility of taking over some
operations in Iraq, and the global war on terrorism in general shed
a different light on the region.
Romania and Bulgaria’s admission into NATO in 2004, along with Georgia
and Ukraine’s pro-Western course, took the area out of Europe’s
periphery. Leaders in Bucharest and Sofia opted both for the European
integration and a pro-US and NATO-oriented strategic stance.
Many analysts attribute this to a longstanding preoccupation in the
two Balkan states with not falling prey to a continental hegemony,
preferring a remoter great power.
According to Romanian President Traian Basescu, partnership with the
United States is based on two elements: a US military presence in
the form of bases, and the internationalisation of problems peculiar
to this area. Romania supports the democratic process in the region
and gives direct assistance to states in transition. It has a key
role in ensuring regional security and stability, and Euro-Atlantic
integration allows it to do so more fully.
On October 31st 1996, the six coastal states signed the Black Sea
Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the
Black Sea, giving regional co-operation an environmental dimension.
The Action Plan acknowledges that collective action is required from
all Black Sea countries to reduce the impact of pollution on the Black
Sea ecosystem, and to ensure a better life for the 16 million people
living in the area.
Influenced by political and military events, the Black Sea has become
transformed into a complicated intersection of geopolitical and
geo-economic boundaries, becoming also a framework within which the
Euro-Atlantic community asserts itself. At no other frontier of NATO
are the stakes as high when it comes to guaranteeing stability and
peace. As before in history, the Black Sea is becoming once again
a zone where opposites meet, overcome segregation and conflict,
and work towards reconciliation.

ORINATS YERKIR YOUTH WING COLLECTS SIGNATURES FOR HOUSING TO YOUNG
Panorama.am
17:53 21/11/06
Youth wing of Orinats Yerkir (OY) party collected more than 20,000
signatures in 1 week supporting provision of housing to young
families. Earlier youth wing of OY suggested to release 8 billion
Armenian drams from the state budget for provision of housing to
newly married families. Samvel Farmanyan, leader of the wing, said the
signatures will be submitted to the Armenian government and later to
the parliament if the government fails to approve it. In his words,
the initiative is also dictated by demographic needs. The mortality
rates of Azerbaijan may bring to a situation when investors will be
more attracted by that country only because of higher consumer demand,
he said.
Narek Malyan, chairman of New Times party, said it is not clear why
the government put fees on marriage registration. “It makes up some
14,000 – 17,000 drams (or $45) which is not a little sum,” he said.

FINANCE EX-MINISTER: POLICY OF CENTRAL BANK AGAINST PRIORITIES OF GOVERNMENT
Panorama.am
18:04 21/11/06
The current policy of the Central Bank of Armenia on strengthening
of the national currency is against the priorities of the government,
Levon Barkhudaryan, ex-minister of finance and economy who is now the
chairman of the review board of Armimpexbank, told a discussion today.
In his words, Armenia has always been known as an exporting country
but now the rate of the Armenian drams in relation to American
dollar negatively affects the export level and encourages import. He
said despite of strengthening of dram, prices of imported goods
do not go down. He said this is because of no competition in the
market. Barkhudaryan said further strengthening of dram may endanger
investment.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SAYS GOVERNMENT EAGER TO CRACKDOWN ON SHADOW ECONOMY
Armenpress
Nov 21 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Central Bank governor Tigran
Sarkisian told journalists today that the government has worked out
an all-embracing plan of actions to drastically reduce the volume of
shadow economy.
Sarkisian described the document as ‘very serious’ saying also a prime
minister-affiliated council to help promote entrepreneurship will
be set up soon. The Central bank governor said one of the projected
actions is to crucially increase the number of transactions subject
to mandatory cashless settlement.
He said the government believes it would become an effective instrument
to thwart attempts of some businessmen to hide the real amount of
their financial flows. He said serious administrative innovations are
expected to be introduced to allow tax officials to crackdown on tax
evasion more effectively.
The governor said this document would be send to parliament after
being carefully examined by the council that would be established
under the prime minister.

2,700 ARMENIANS LIVE IN CYPRUS
Armenpress
Nov 21 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenia and Cyprus established
diplomatic relations in 1992, March, however, first Armenians
established in Cyprus in the IV-V centuries. One of rulers of the
island in the 9-10th centuries was an Armenian.
Though Armenians have lived in Cyprus for centuries, the present
community on the island is mainly the result of immigration
during and immediately after the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 in
Turkey. Currently, some 2700 Armenians live in Cyprus, mainly in
Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol.
With the 1974 Turkish invasion and subsequent partitioning of the
island, the Armenian community lost significant properties, such as
the Makaravank and Kantsvor monasteries, a primary school and church
in Nicosia, and several other vital sites and assets.
The invasion also forced many Armenians to emigrate to Great Britain,
Australia and Canada. Armenians in Cyprus are mainly craftsmen, running
small and medium businesses, traders and government officials. The
community is governed by the leaders of the Armenian Church Diocese
and the National Council.
The Armenian language has always played a pivotal role in the
preservation of the Armenian national identity. For this reason,
organized Armenian communities in Cyprus always had their own
Armenian-language newspapers. Currently three newspapers are published
by the community and all major Armenian Diaspora organizations have
their branches in Cyprus.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. EMBASSY CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FEATURING THE PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR
Panorama.am
21:10 21/11/06
On November 21, the United States Embassy in Armenia held a gala
concert featuring the Paros Chamber Choir.
The concert is dedicated to the 2006 International Day of People with
Disabilities, which is December 3.
Since the adoption and implementation of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the United States has led by example by addressing
such issues as equal rights, accessibility and equal employment
opportunities for people with disabilities. By organizing and
sponsoring this concert, our hope is that we can raise the awareness of
the plight of people with disabilities in Armenia and around the world.
Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout
Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with their repertoire of classic
chamber music and ethnic folk music by Armenian, Russian and Western
composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of
hope for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the
choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries.
“The United States is a leader in fighting for the rights of people
with disabilities,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the
Paros Foundation, a California-based foundation, which supports the
Paros Chamber Choir. “It is an honor for us to perform at the US
Embassy on such an important occasion.”
Performing and rehearsing under the direction of Maestro Vachagan
Navasardyan, the Paros Chamber Choir takes its name from the Armenian
word for lighthouse.
Indeed the choir is seen as a beacon of hope by fans around the
world. The choir entertains worldwide audiences, participates in
international competitions and encourages people with disabilities to
live full and active lives. Two of the goals of the foundation are
to promote and nurturing Armenia’s culture and to help improve the
quality of lives of people with disabilities in Armenia. The Paros
Chamber Choir is a bright star within Armenia and we hope to help
them deliver their message to the world.