Month: March 2007

TIGRAN TOROSIAN: FORMULATION OF US STATE DEPARTMENT’S REPORT IS RUDE AND UNACCEPTABLE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 15 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The formulation of the US State
Department’s 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights, according to which
Armenia continues occupying Azerbaijan’s territories – Nagorno Karabakh
and 7 regions, is "rude and unacceptable." The RA National Assembly
Speaker, Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
Tigran Torosian expressed this opinion at the Urbat Club on March 15.

According to him, this formulation is completely unacceptable for
two reasons: first, it has no relation to problems to be discussed
in a report on human rights problems, secondly, the US is a co-chair
state of the OSCE Minsk Group and should not give such a definition,
especially as no international organization has adopted a document,
in which Nagorno Karabakh is considered an occupied territory. "Even
in the UN Security Council’s resolutions, the territories adjacent to
Nagorno Karabakh are considered as occupied by local Armenian forces
and not by Armenia," T. Torosian noted.

In his opinion, the statement of the US embassy in Armenia, which
was issued after the report, is a "statement, from which it is
impossible to conclude what the matter is about." T. Torosian said that
particularly, the embassy’s statement notes that the US recognizes
Azerbaijan’s integrity. "But nobody has problems with territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan. Moreover, Minsk Group co-chairs said that
over the past few years, 2 principles have formed the basis of the
conflict resolution – territorial integrity and nations’ right of
self-determination."

In T. Torosian’s words, it is obvious that status of Nagorno Karabakh,
and the formulation and scheme of the conflict settlement will
eventually be decided within the framework of the Minsk Group. At
the same time he noted that there are structures, with which Armenia
should activate its work. In the opinion of T. Torosian, in the last
two years, Azerbaijan has activated its work but has not ensured
progress concerning the problem’s solution. The RA NA speaker noted
that these tendencies are dangerous so it is necessary that Armenia
also take more active steps in all directions. "We cannot hope that
this work of Azerbaijan will always be efficient," T. Torosian said.

FIRST SHIPMENT OF "YEREVANCIGARS" OF DOMINICAN PRODUCTION TO BE IMPORTED INTO ARMENIA IN MAY

Noyan Tapan
Mar 15 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The first shipment of cigars of unique
trade mark "Yerevancigar" made at Tabacalera la Flor de Santo Domingo
Plant will be imported into Armenia in May.

Omar Kanajian, owner of this enterprise operating in the Dominican
Republic, told NT correspondent that as there are no favorable
natural and climatic conditions for growing raw material for cigars in
Armenia, "Armenia’s name will "sound" in another way in this sector
of economy." According to him, the other 4 types of cigars made at
the plant have already been presented to the Armenian consumer at
the international cigar festival held recently in Yerevan for the
first time. "We are waiting for reaction, and in case of necessity
we’ll cooperate with Armenian companies that import and sell cigars,"
the Diasporan Armenian businessman said.

O. Kanajian noted that 300 cigars are produced by the plant daily. Raw
material is imported from Cuba and Nicaragua, as well as local
high-quality tobacco is used. About 50% of production is exported
(mainly to the US).

In O. Kanajian’s opinion, the foundation of the Armenian Cigar
Association creates an opportunity to cooperate with famous cigar
producing companies and prevent import of fake cigars into Armenia.

LAUNCHING OF PORT KAVKAZ – POTI FERRY LINK DELAYED

Noyan Tapan
Mar 15 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The launching of the ferry link Port
Kavkaz – Poti, which was scheduled for March 15, is delayed. Head of
Transportation Unit of the Armenian Railway Department Elbak Tarposhian
told NT correspondent that the Russian side has not informed yet
them about the date of launching the ferry link. According to him,
in connection with a delay in putting the ferry link into operation,
the Russian side must warn the Armenian and Georgian sides.

To recap, the memorandum on launching the ferry link Port Kavkaz – Poti
on March 15 was signed on February 13. By the memorandum, the owner
of ferries – Reserve Capital Enterprising Corporation (Switzerland)
must provide regularly functioning ferries for implementation of
cargo transportation to Armenia.

HIGH-RANKING JEWISH OFFICIAL OF SYNOPSYS ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 15 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN. "The monument to the victims of the
Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide erected in Yerevan is important
for me because it symbolizes the history of two peoples who had to
survive." Rich Goldman, Vice President for Strategic Market Development
of Synopsys company and General Executive Director of Synopsys Armenia
CJSC, stated this while laying a wreath at the monument on March 15.

In his words, the Armenians and the Jews have many historical
similarities, particularly, in terms of their hardship and struggle
for survival. "This is a guideline for our future generations and they
should not forget this disaster that happened to our two nations so
that it will never happen again," Rich Goldman said.

It is noteworthy that he is the only businessman to plant a fir-tree
in Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex’s alley. R. Goldman said that
he will also visit Tsitsernakaberd to pay homage to memory of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Expressing his opinion about the letter that US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice sent to the US Congress with the aim of preventing
adoption of a resolution on the Armenian Genocide, the US businessman
said: "Every person has his/her opinion. It is important to remember
that if at the time there had been adequate reaction to the Armenian
Genocide, maybe what later happened to the Jewish people would not
have happened."

In the words of Chief Rabbi of Jews of Armenia Gershon Meir Burstein,
"The Jewish community of Armenia occupies one of the central places
in the Jewish world." He said that previously the subject of the
Armenian Genocide was not discussed much by Jews, whereas today many
famous representatives of the Jewish people participate in this issue.

FOOD SAFETY REPRESENTS ONE OF URGENT PROBLEMS FOR ARMENIAN CONSUMERS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 15 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN. Internation Day of Consumer Rights
Protection is celebrated on March 15. Abgar Eghoyan, Chairman of
Consumer Rights Protection NGO, told NT correspondent that former US
President John Kennedy was the first to speak about the coordinated
principles of consumer rights on March 15, 1962. It was the start
of the movement for consumer rights, which later was reflected in a
UN declaration.

According to A. Eghoyan, food safety is one of the urgent problems
that concern Armenian consumers. "Old and faked foodstuffs, as well
as those without certificates, with wrong marking can be found on
the domestic market," he said.

In the opinion of A. Eghoyan, this is conditioned by the fact that
the economic competition field is not equal for all economic entities
selling food.

Particularly, some foodstuffs "may be sold in streets or fairs without
cheques and tax paid, or may be sold in supermarkets with observation
of all rules."

As progress in the field of consumer rights protection, A. Eghoyan
pointed out the fact that in accordance with a decision of the
Armenian government, since early 2007, 40 foodstuffs have been sold
with marking in the Armenian language, while starting from July,
all foodstuffs sold must have such marking.

He said that it is also an instrument in fight against shadow economy
because shadow import is done by economic entities, which have no
agreements with producers and cannot ensure Armenian marking for
imported goods.

Another improvement is expected in mid 2007. A. Eghoyan said that
their organization has developed a draft order of confiscation and
utilization of dangerous food. It is envisaged that the Armenian
government will approve it in the second half of June 2007. Ii will
rule out sale of dangerous food by the respective structures. "It
is important that destruction of dangerous foodstuffs will be done
at the expense of unscrupulous sellers, as a result of which neither
budget nor consumers will suffer," he noted.

A. Eghoyan also considered important to protect rights of consumers
making use of public services. In his words, it is the most monopolized
sector, where in the recent years prices of gas supply, water supply
and sewerage, telecommunication services have grown without quality
improvement. The NGO considers important to cooperate with the RA
Public Services Regulatory Commission for development of rules of
service provision, as well as to organize works on information,
advice of consumers and protection of their rights at various
instances. Particularly, posters about existence of the Consumer
Rights Protection NGO’s hot line for users of 4 public services are
at all 1,100 post-offices of Haypost.

Since August 2006, the organization has received about 500 alarm
calls, since early 2007 – over 200. 80-90% of problems raised as
a result of these calls have been solved. "We work with supplying
organizations, and if they do not solve problems or issues demand
coordinated approach, we cooperate with the RA Public Services
Regulatory Commission," A. Eghoyan noted.

There are other two Armenian organizations operating in the field of
consumer rights protection.

COOPERATION OF ARMENIAN AND AMERICAN FILMMAKERS
By H. Tsulikian

AZG Armenian Daily
15/03/2007

The "Armenian Union of Dramatic Arts" and the "Belmont World Film"
studio made a joint film entitled "Illusion", which will be first
shown on screen at Belmont Cinema, March 25. the director of the
film is renowned Michael Gurjian, who spent 4 years of his life
on the film. Last year he visited Armenia and became member of the
"Armenian Union of Dramatic Arts". Famous actor Kirk Douglas was also
involved in eth making of the film.

TOROSYAN PROMISES FAIR ELECTIONS

A1+
[07:21 pm] 15 March, 2007

To assume that the votes of PA ( Prosperous Armenia)350 thousand
members as well as those of their family members will go for the
benefit of the party, other parties should close then. NA chairman
Tigran Torosyan started with this statement in "Urbat " club.

He has no trust on social survey according to which the only
party to overcome the 5% obstacle is Orinats Yerkir (Country of
Law). Mr. Torosyan reminded of the sociologist Lyudmila Harutyunyan’s
idea that people think one thing but say another thing, and do
quite the opposite. Therefore NA chairman advises not to count on
the figures.

Tigran Torosyan once again reaffirmed the significance of the upcoming
elections and that the Republican Party should do the utmost to avoid
election frauds.

Tigran Torosyan was not certain and courageous to guarantee fair
elections .

In answer to the question why Gagik Beglarian was collecting passports
from citizens, he responded that RP did not give any instructions to
anybody. He also claimed that he could not take the responsibility
of every RP member.

When asked, where he pictured himself after the elections Mr. Torosyan
replied ‘ in ‘National Assembly’.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DIFFERENCES ARE VIVID AND PROFOUND

A1+
[12:08 pm] 15 March, 2007

Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian, concluded a regular
meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, together with the
Azerbaijani FM, in Geneva.

This meeting followed a recent visit to the region by French co-chair
Bernard Fassier, who, on behalf of the other two co-chairs Yuri
Merzlyakov of Russia, and Matthew Bryza of the US, attempted to
ascertain the positions of the two presidents, in the run-up to this
meeting of foreign ministers.

Minister Oskanian said, "The talks were slow to move, despite the
existing groundwork, as attempt was made to discuss second-layer
details pertaining to the principles in the document. Although there
is clearer understanding of each other’s positions, one thing is
evident that there are deep differences. We believe that there can
still be enough progress to warrant a meeting of the presidents,
and for that reason we agreed to another meeting in April."

The Minister explained that Armenia remains committed to the principles
in the document that is being negotiated. Although there are many
secondary issues outstanding still, the principles contained in the
document address the fundamental issues with the right trade-offs,
that could lead to a lasting resolution.

DEPUTIES NOT INTERESTED IN NATURE PROTECTION

Panorama.am
19:10 15/03/2007

Tatul Manaseryan, deputy of the National Assembly and an economist,
advised not to connect too many hopes with deputies connected with
nature protection issues.

In his words, the deputies are not interested even in the green area
in the yard of the parliament.

Manaseryan believes the state can allocate funds for nature protection
but there is no will for that.

Karine Danielyan, ex-minister of nature protection and the chairperson
of For Stable Human Development NGO, said it is connected with our
oligarchic-capitalist system. "If you ask people what they will choose
"to have" or "to be," many will answer, "to have."

Danielyan believes a lot of natural resources are sacrificed to
personal interests of few.

ARMENTEL 3RD MINUTE FREE CALL CONCERN ONLY TO ARMENTEL MOBILE NETWORK

Panorama.am
20:33 15/03/2007

ArmenTel has been advertising one of its services under the motto,
"Speak what you want, how long you want, with whom you want." "The
promotion is about the outgoing calls from ArmenTel Go cards,"
Hasmik Chutilyan, ArmenTel Public Relations responsible person,
told Panorama.am, speaking about the 3rd minute free calls.

According to company statement, 60 minutes of the outgoing calls is
free of charge iF the customer talks 121 minutes. The customers do
not pay for the 3rd, 6th and 9th minutes paying 110 Armenian drams
for 3 minutes.

The customers complain, however. The impression was that the 3rd
minute is free of charge independent if you call to ArmenTel network,
VivaCell or regular telephones.

The promotion has negatively affected the financial situation of some
customers. They claim that the promotion was intentionally made.

Anyway, the promotion concerns only to GO customers and to outgoing
calls made solely to ArmenTel mobile network.