Month: March 2007

Vartan Oskanian: The outcome of the meeting in Geneva may be positive

ArmRadio.am
09.03.2007 15:44

RA Foreign Minister declared in Yerevan today that `if
Azerbaijan does not take unexpected steps, the outcome of the Geneva
meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries may be
positive.’

Vartan Oskanian note that the public statements of the Azerbaijani
authorities do not always overlap with the content of the document
discussed during the negotiations. `The statements of the
Armenian side always correspond to the content of the talks, and it
can sometimes create an impression that Armenia backs mutual
concessions more than Azerbaijan,’ the Minister remarked.

Vartan Oskanian characterized the reports of the Azerbaijan side that
`Armenia has made a sep back in the negotiation process’ do not
correspond to reality. The Minister underlined that Armenia stays
loyal to the document discussed during the talks and the Foreign
Minister once again reconfirmed this position during the meeting with
the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

In Mr. Oskanian’s words, `if the latest statements of Azerbaijan do not
pursue the aim of refusing from the agreements reached and accuse the
Armenian side of failure, we can hope that the meeting in Geneva will
have a positive outcome.’

Armenian Mineral Water `Jermuk is Not Dangerous for Health of Americans:
Producers

Arminfo
2007-03-09 12:01:00

The Armenian producers of the mineral water dispute the statement of
the US Food and Drug Administration about the content of an
intolerable quantity of arsenic in the Armenian mineral water "Jermuk"
that is dangerous for heath.

As the Commercial Director of "Jermuk Group" Company Samvel Arsenyan
told ArmInfo, it is not a question of displacement of "Jermuk" as a
"poison" from the American market but a question of the acceptable
proportions of arsenic in the mineral water. According to the
Commercial Director, earlier the FDA standards allowed a presence of
arsenic in one liter of mineral water to 0,05 mg. Now the American
standards are revised and require to reduce the content of arsenic to
0,01 mg per one liter. "The point is that there is no difference
between a simple aerated – bottled water and a health-improving
mineral water. The "anti-advertisers" may use this fact and announce
the natural chemical admixtures, available in any mineral water, as
dangerous for health, while just these chemical compounds are
health-improving in case of one or another disease", the interlocutor
noted, having added that up to 130,000 liters of "Jermuk" mineral
water from the "Jermuk Group" plant are monthly supplied to the
American market.

The deputy Director of another enterprise for the mineral water
production, the "Jermuk" CJSC "Mair Gortsaran, Hovhannes Zepilyan, is
of the same opinion. He told ArmInfo correspondent that the supplies
of the mineral water to the USA, having been carried out since 2000,
were stopped this year. "We had annually supplied up to 300,000 liters
of mineral water "Jermuk" until we received an official address from
the American Standardization Commission with a request to reduce the
content of arsenic, and we have agreed to do that", H. Zepilyan said,
having underlined that it s not a question of 500-600-mcg content in
one liter but of 0,05 mg, as it was mentioned.

The both mineral water producers noted that a safe content of arsenic
in the mineral water may reach 0,07 mg in one liter per the GOST
Armenian standards.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US Authorities Found Arsenic in Armenian Mineral Water `Jermuk’

Arminfo
2007-03-09 11:59:00

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to
drink certain brands of mineral water "Jermuk" imported from Armenia
due to the risk of exposure to arsenic, a toxic substance and known
cause of cancer in humans.

Symptoms of acute arsenic exposure usually occur within several hours
of consumption. The most likely effects include nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and stomach pain. Over the period of a few days to weeks,
the kidneys, liver, skin, and cardiovascular and nervous systems could
be affected. Extended exposure could lead to cancer and death.

FDA sampled 500 milliliter (mL) green glass bottles and detected the
problem. FDA is investigating whether other sizes or packaging are
involved.

FDA testing of this water revealed 500 – 600 micrograms of arsenic per
liter. FDA’s standard of quality bottled water allows no more than 10
micrograms per liter.

There have been no illnesses reported at this time. Consumers who
drank this water and have concerns are encouraged to contact their
health care provider.

FDA will continue working to remove all such bottled water products
from the marketplace. FDA may provide additional updates as more
information becomes available.

`Improvement of Risk Control Processes’ Program Launched in Unibank

Arminfo
2007-03-09 12:48:00

"Improvement of Risk Control Processes" Program has been launched in
the Unibank, being implemented by a special group, headed by the
Chairman of Unibank’s Board of Directors Vardan Atayan. The
representatives of ABN AMRO International Bank had arrived in Armenia
in February, 2007, wit a working visit to implement this Program in
the Unibank. As the Unibank’s press-service told ArmInfo, the Unibank
was authorized to fulfill this Program on a competitive basis in
2006. According to the source, the first deputy Chairman of ABN AMRO
and the person in charge of the Program Lloyd Rollston noted that the
main purpose of the Program is to implement the international
experience of risk control in the Armenian bank that will make it more
competitive both in the local and in the international arena.

In his turn, V. Atayan noted that the Program with a 14-month term
envisages to carry out a number of complex measures that will allow
the Unibank to implement and improve the available ones. In
particular, it is expected to open a Department for risk control
within the Program in the Unibank. Moreover, it is envisaged to create
a Department of credit administration in the Unibank’s Credit
Department that will deal with the receipt of credit applications,
complete check-up of the package of credit agreements. V. Atayan
underlined that upon the Program completion, the Unibank intends to
carry out relevant measures to get the international rating. For this
purpose, it is scheduled to address such well-known agencies as Fitch,
Moody’s and Standart & Poors. V. Atayan also noted that in parallel
with the Program implementation, it is scheduled to carry out works to
implement the principles of Basel II agreement in the
Unibank. Moreover, it is expected to develop and implement a concept
for risk control, a long-term control strategy in the Unibank in 2007
and to change the inner structure of the Bank. Along with it, special
attention during the Program fulfillment will be paid to the
implementation of the system of "culture of risks" that supposes the
estimation of the risk factor.

The ABN AMRO Bank is one of the biggest world banks that has 4.5 thsd
branches in 53 countries of the world. As of December 31, 2006, the
Bank has taken the 8th place in Europe and the 13th place in the world
by the size of assets (987 bln Euro).

According to the analysis of the banking system of Armenia, carried
out by the Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), the
Unibank enters the 10 of the leading Armenian commercial banks by the
main balance indicators. Thus, the Unibank’s assets as of Jan 1,
2007, made up $85.2 mln (the 7th place), the credit investments – $8.2
mln (the 2nd place), the deposits of physical persons – $42 mln (the
2nd place). The Bank has completed the year 2006 with a profit of $1.2
mln.

Cascade Bank intends to launch a large-scale project on issuing co-branding
cards

Arminfo
2007-03-09 12:43:00

The Cascade Bank intends to launch a large-scale project on issuing
co-branding cards next month, Tigran Hovhannissyan, the Head of the
Cascade Bank’s plastic cards department, told an ArmInfo
correspondent. Saying that it’s a commercial secret, he refused to
give detailed information about the project.

According to T.Hovhannissyan, the Cascade Bank works mainly at new
projects on card business which are being implemented in Armenia for
the first time. Particularly, in 2007, the bank issued chip cards
which allow to increase the security of the cards, as the information
is put directly on the microprocessor. The project is still in a pilot
stage, and 10 cards have been issued. Besides, the bank in planning
to serve local ArCa cards on the territory of Georgia, which is also a
product innovation for the clients.

T.Hovhannissyan noted that in total, the Cascade Bank has issued about
1100 cards, 950 of them are local ArCa cards. In the middle of 2006,
the bank started carrying out transactions by MasterCard international
cards, and in 2007 the bank was permitted by the Central Bank of
Armenia to issue and serve this system’s cards.

Presently, Cascade bank has 4 ITMs but in close the number will grow
to 7. T. Hovhannissyan said that the bank plans to set up ITMs in
regions in 2008.

He said that it is planed to three-fold increase the amount of card
issue making up 3000. "Card business is priority of Cascade Capital
Holding in the work with natural persons. It adds up to the client
base, improves the service quality and extends the amount of services
available – where belong: chip cards, services for local cards outside
Armenia, discounts and bonuses," T. Hovhannissyan concluded.

RA FM believes the US is sincere in its desire to help normalize
Armenian-Turkish relations

ArmRadio.am
09.03.2007 16:16

Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian declared at a press
conference today that he considers `the US is sincere in its desire to
help normalize the Armenian-Turkish relations and reach opening of to
border.’ The Minister said he has discussed the issue of
Armenian-Turkish relations during the meeting with the US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice.

`The United States has been long aspiring to normalize our relations
with Turkey and has put a target to reach the opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border. However, the uncompromising position of
Turkey does not allow attain it,’ said Vartan Oskanian.

The Armenian Foreign Minister said the situation in Iran was not a
separate topic during the meeting with Condoleezza Rice and was
discussed in the regional context.

Vartan Oskanian: Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku rail project is a political
mistake

ArmRadio.am
09.03.2007 16:39

Armenia’s position on the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway is unchangeable: the project is
a political mistake and is not a hopeless step. RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian said at a press conference today that Armenia will
continue speaking against it, and said that despite the fact that the
three countries have signed an agreement the implementation of the
program has not started. `If they are trying to involve Kazakh
investments, it means they have no full financing. I don’t know what
the Kazakh position is, but when the question was under consideration
a year ago, we held discussions with the Kazakh side: they show no
particular interest. Possibly, the situation may have changed now, but
it will not alter anything. We think this approach is incorrect,’ said
Vartan Oskanian. According to him, from the economic point of view
the implementation of the program will do no additional harm to
Armenia other than the losses the country faces because of the closed
border with Turkey. It will create a non-positive atmosphere in regard
to regional cooperation, which will have a negative influence on other
issues, including the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

ARMENIAN CHILDREN’S CINEMATOGRAPHY ENTERS NEW STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. A program of long-term cooperation was
signed between the Rolan Bykov fund Armenian representation and
Italian Giffoni international film festival for children. Karine
Khodikian, the RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Issues stated
about it at the March 7 press conference. The Deputy Minister is sure
that this cooperation will give wide possibilities for development and
spreading children’s film in Armenia. K.Khodikian emphasized that the
international film festival for children held in Yerevan already for
the second time became the main reason for cooperation. Besides, the
Cinematography and Television Development Fund has cooperated with the
Giffoni Italian festival already for 3 years. Armenian young creaters
shot some documentary and fiction films and reportings and most active
among them were involved in the children’s jury staff of that
festival. Claudio Gubitosi, the Director of the Giffoni international
children’s film festival, who was present at the press conference,
stated that Armenian children and juveniles will also take part in
2007 in the Giffoni international children’s film festival founded 37
years ago. He also stated that it is envisaged to organize this year
one-month master courses in Italy for a group of Armenian juveniles
and young people. During his visit to Yerevan Gubitosi met with
students of the Yerevan State Institute of Cinematography and
Theater. In his words, the meeting was held in a too interesting and
active atmosphere: "I left them with great impressions and I am sure
that some of them will cooperate with us." The Giffoni international
children’s film festival director stated that he will present two
video cameras to two groups of young creators who must shoot 10 films
about monasteries till June of this year, embelishing them with
imaginary modern stories, and if the films are ready in time, they
will be presented at the Giffoni film festival.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MAY 12 TO BECOME DAY OF LIBERTY OF ARMENIA, FORMER SUPREME COUNCIL
DEPUTY SAYS

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. "May 12, the day of parliamentary
elections, must become the day of liberty of Armenia." Aram Mayilian,
former Supreme Council Deputy made such a statement at the March 9
press conference. In his words, a group of former SB deputies,
public-political figures will organize different events, including
mass meetings, till the elections day. And on May 12, in A.Mayilian’s
words, the people must not at all participate in the elections and it
will appoint the elections day. He stated that they spread a statement
by which it is called on not to participate in the elections. "We call
on heads of political forces, ordinary members, all honest citizens to
refuse the destructive play obliged by illegal authorities, not to
participate in the "elections" appointed by them and get their
resignation by an organized struggle," is said in that statement.

A.Mayilian mentioned that striving for change of the authorities
increases among the society and hatred towards them reached its
culmination. In his words, the so-called elections show that they are
called to strenthen the Kocharian-Sargsian clan. And the society,
assured that the opposition did not take strict measures, is ready to
independently struggle.

"AGAINST LEGAL WILFULNESS" ORGANIZATION TO BE ENGAGED IN CASES OF
VIOLATION OF LABOUR AND PROPERTY RIGHTS AS WELL

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Against Legal Wilfulness"
organization starts struggle against violations of the labour and
property rights, a completely new direction for it. As Larisa
Alaverdian, the Executive Director of the organization, first
Ombudsperson mentioned in the interview to the Noyan Tapan
correspondent, the program is implemented with the grant given by the
Government of Netherlands, with the assistance of the Open Society
Institute. The program implementation will last 3 years. She
mentioned that issues of the social labour and property rights are not
paid attention in Armenia: it is enough to mention that there are the
number of organizations engaged in the person’s civil rights, but
there are only few organizations engaged in social issues. In
L.Alaverdian’s words, free trade relations are not formed in Armenia,
monopolies quickly develop what deepens such negative phenomena as
corruption and social polarization. In L.Alaverdian’s opinion,
national programs on overcoming poverty and anti-corruption struggle
are dangered just by it. The "Against Legal Wilfulness" public
organization had meetings at the preparatory stage of the
above-mentioned program with heads of the RA State Labour Inspection
and "State Employment Service" agency. L.Alaverdian hopes that
cooperation with that structure will give positive results. In his
words, the great part of citizens turning with issues of violation of
the labour right is not simply aware which state bodies are engaged in
issues relating to the labour right. "The public organization’s duty
is to build a bridge, make closer and increase confidence towards
state bodies," Larisa Alaverdian said, emphasizing that she expects if
not quick but deep changes. Responding the question if the candidate,
registered as No2 in the proportional list of the "Zharangutiun"
(Heritage) party for the coming parliamentary elections, finds that
the mentioned sphere needs legislative improvement, L.Alaverdian
mentioned that when agreeing to be involved in the party list she took
into consideration that the human rights and then improvement of the
legislative field as well, starting from the constitution, are
attached importance in its program.