Month: March 2007

ARMENIAN TYCOON CLAIMS ZERO PARTY SPENDING
By Ruzanna Stepanian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 30 2007

A political party led by Armenia’s reputedly wealthiest businessman
close to President Robert Kocharian claims to have made no expenditures
last year, despite opening hundreds of offices and handing out
politically motivated aid, it emerged on Friday.

Under Armenian law, all officially registered parties must issue annual
financial reports detailing their real incomes and expenditures. Few
of them are believed to comply with the requirement.

The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) of Gagik Tsarukian posted zero
expenditures in its report submitted to the Armenian Ministry of
Justice recently. Founded just over a year ago, the BHK aggressively
expanded in the course of 2006 and now claims to have as many as
370,000 members, making it by far the largest party in the country.

The party also opened some 500 big and small offices across Armenia
that are now buzzing with activity in the run-up to the May 12
parliamentary elections which Tsarukian intends to win.

According to the chief BHK spokesman, Baghdasar Mherian, the party
has spent nothing on that because all of those offices are owned by
its members and "people close to the party." Speaking to RFE/RL,
Mherian also claimed that none of the thousands of people working
for the party, including himself, gets paid by Tsarukian. "All of
them are volunteers," he said.

The tycoon spent last year millions of dollars on providing
agricultural relief, free medical aid and other supposedly public
services to scores of impoverished Armenians. The heavily advertised
assistance, portrayed as "benevolence" by the BHK but condemned as vote
buying by critics, was technically distributed by an obscure charity
bearing Tsarukian’s name. However, promotional reports aired by several
Armenian TV stations last fall clearly attributed it to the party.

OSCE OFFICIAL JOSEP BORRELL: WE CALL ON AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA TO GUARANTEE STABILITY IN THE FRONT LINE

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 30 2007

"We hope that the parties will be devoted to the dialogue for peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," stated Josep Borrel,
Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

Borrell said that the OSCE Minsk Group is making efforts to ease
tensions over conflict and help them reach agreement, OSCE central
office in Vienna told the APA.

"We call on the parties to keep ceasefire and guarantee stability in
the front line. The ceasefire violation and military violence might
cause grievous loss of life," he underlined.

TURKS WARN U.S. AGAINST RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Sebnem Arsu and Brian Knowlton Published: March 30, 2007

International Herald Tribune, France
March 30 2007

ISTANBUL: A planned vote in the U.S. Congress that would classify the
widespread killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish government
early in the 20th century as genocide is threatening to make bilateral
relations unusually tense.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, backs the
resolution and at first wanted a vote in April. But under Turkish
pressure, Bush administration figures have lobbied for the Democrats
in charge of Congress to drop the measure.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert
Gates sent strong letters of protest to her and to Representative
Tom Lantos, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which
has not set a date for the vote. "That has had an impact," said
Lynne Weil, a Lantos spokeswoman, referring to the letters. Copies
were also sent to Representative John Boehner, Republican of Ohio,
the House minority leader.

Turkey vehemently denies that the killings of 1.5 million Armenians
during a period of several years, beginning in 1915, amounted to
genocide. It contends that the deaths occurred in the chaos of war
as the Ottoman Empire was falling apart, and that many Turks were
also killed when Armenians sided with Russian forces in the hope of
claiming territory in eastern Turkey.

But many Armenians have sought acknowledgment from nations around
the world that the deaths amounted to systematic genocide at Ottoman
hands. So far, parliaments of more than 15 countries have agreed.

France and Switzerland went further and called for criminal charges
against those who deny it.

A vote in Congress would be purely symbolic, but Turks have warned
that it would be felt as a bitter slap, and that it could bring
enormous public pressure on the government in Ankara to chill its
cooperation with Washington. The U.S. has strong military ties to
Turkey, a NATO member.

In an effort to highlight Turkey’s opposition to a congressional
resolution, many high-ranking Turkish officials have visited Washington
in recent months. One of them, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, says
that the damage would be very deep if the resolution passed.

"It is only natural that the Turkish public who closely follow the
issue would also react to this strongly," Gul said in a telephone
interview this week. "As the elected government of democratic Turkey,
we would not be able to remain indifferent. However, I am confident
that common sense would prevail at the Congress."

In Turkey on Thursday, the government held an opening ceremony for a
museum in a restored Armenian church near the city of Van in eastern
Turkey that dates from the year 941 and is considered one of the most
precious symbols of the Armenian presence in Anatolia. The renovation
was undertaken as a major step toward mending ties with Armenians.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also chided the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee on Thursday for supporting a resolution that would condemn
the killing in January of Hrant Dink, an editor who was a voice for
ethnic Armenians in Turkey.

Similar congressional votes have been deferred in the past after
intense lobbying. But with strong support for the resolution from
Pelosi, and lingering resentment in Congress over Turkey’s refusal
to let U.S. forces use Turkish soil for the invasion of Iraq, the
bill’s prospects may have grown.

Fueled partly by anger over the Iraq war, the proportion of Turks
having a positive view of the United States plunged from 52 percent
in 2000 to a low of 12 percent last year, according to a Pew Global
Attitudes Survey.

Sebnem Arsu reported from Istanbul, and Brian Knowlton from Washington.

FOREIGN MINISTRY: "US SENATE’S RESOLUTION ON DINK MURDER WON’T SERVE ANYONE’S INTEREST"

Turkish Press
Star
March 30 2007

A Foreign Ministry statement said yesterday that a resolution passed
by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee condemning the murder of
journalist Hrant Dink, who was convicted with "insulting Turkishness,"
a crime under controversial penal code Article 301, would not serve
anybody’s interests. The resolution reopened the question of whether
Congress should weigh in on the debate over the Armenian genocide
allegations. The Foreign Ministry also said that the resolution would
only help those who want to illicitly link the murder with the events
of 1915.

HISTORIC AKDAMAR CHURCH REOPENED AS MUSEUM

Turkish Press
Cumhuriyet
March 30 2007

Van’s Akdamar Armenian church, restored at a cost of $1.5 million,
was reopened yesterday as a museum in a ceremony with the attendance
of Culture and Tourism Minister Atilla Koc and Armenia’s Culture
Minister Gagik Gyurjan. Addressing a crowd, including leading
Armenian figures from the US, Koc said that Turkey has always
respected different cultures and their artwork, pointing to the
need for their protection for future generations. Also speaking,
Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II thanked Turkish officials on behalf of
the Armenian community.

RECORD LEVELS OF BRITISH BUSINESSES EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH RESULTS AS UK RANKS FOURTH IN ‘SUPER GROWTH’ WORLDWIDE LEAGUE TABLES

Creditman, UK
March 30 2007

More than a quarter of businesses in the UK (26%) experienced well
above average growth levels in 2007 which has propelled the country to
a fourth place ranking in the world league tables of ‘super growth’
companies*, according to new research published today by leading
business and financial advisers Grant Thornton UK LLP. This result now
sees the UK move up two places higher than last year’s league tables,
when only 23% of businesses were classed as achieving super growth.

The Super Growth Index, now in its fourth year, forms part of the
Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR), which surveys
more than 7,200 businesses owners from 32 countries. The survey looks
at how businesses have performed over the past year, the issues that
concern them most and their plans for the future.

Although this is a great result for the UK, the accolade of highest
ranked EU country still remains elusive, with Ireland securing the
top spot this year.

Anuj Chande, International Business Partner at Grant Thornton says:
"This is a fantastic result for the UK and shows what businesses
can achieve when they are innovative, invest in their employees and
maximise opportunities that arise from positive economic conditions.

This record achievement positions the UK as one of only three EU
countries to make the top 10 list."

"The UK’s position is a result of the significant investment we have
seen in business capital and employee numbers, coupled with strong
consumer confidence and demand. It has also been bolstered by the
substantial growth of business and financial services," he continues.

"Over the past four years, the buoyant conditions experienced in the
UK have allowed businesses to retain a relatively stable position in
the league table of super growth countries."

Global picture

The US has topped the Index for the third year running, with 44%
of companies achieving super growth status. Much of the US’ result
can be attributed to the continued dynamism which characterises the
current economic picture.

The real surprise in the global picture was Armenia, a newcomer to
the survey, with 38% of businesses achieving super growth. Armenia
knocked India from a second place ranking in 2006 to a ranking of
15th (15%) in 2007. In an equally surprising result, Hong Kong (18%
super growth companies) dropped from 3rd place to 11th.

Other strong performers this year included the Philippines (21%)
who climbed a staggering 15 places from 23rd to 8th place, Argentina
(14%) rising from 27th to 15th, Russia (14%) from 29th to 18th place
and Italy (11%) which ascended from 30th to 21st place.

Less impressive results came from Malaysia (10%) who fell an astounding
18 places from 8th to 26th and New Zealand businesses (8%) which
dropped from 15th to 28th place.

Commenting further Chande says: "The surprise winner of this year’s
survey was clearly Armenia achieving a ranking of second place, with
38% of businesses in the country experiencing growth well above and
beyond the norm. On further inspection this can be explained by strong
GDP growth which has exceeded 10% per annum over the past few years."

"It would have been difficult to predict India and Hong Kong’s decline
in the league tables, as one would have expected them to continue the
rampant growth they have experienced in the past few years. However,
companies there are clearly consolidating their business models,
reviewing their growth strategies and concentrating on significantly
increasing their profit levels," he continued.

Outlook and constraints on business

* Overall super growth companies are more optimistic than ‘ordinary’
businesses about a range of indicators over the next 12 months
including: turnover (87% compared to 70%), profitability (66% compared
to 54%), employment (67% vs 45%) and investment in plant and machinery
(58% compared to 46%) * The availability of a skilled workforce was the
biggest cause for concern to super growth businesses with 44% saying
it caused them problems, however, only 36% of ‘ordinary business’ felt
it was a constraint * One third (32%) of super growth companies still
believe that regulation and red tape is of key concern in contrast
to 38% of ‘ordinary’ businesses * Only 13% of super growth companies
believed that the ability to raise long-term finance was a constraint
in comparison to one-fifth (21%) of all businesses.

ews-view.asp?newsviewID=7126&id=1&mylocati on=News&chksrc=NNow4251

AN AZERBAIJANI MP SAYS AZERBAIJAN WILL FACE NO SANCTIONS IN PACE SPRING SESSION

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 30 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku/ Trend , corr. I. Alizadeh/ Rafael Husseynov, a
Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament of the Milli Majlis, Member of
the Azerbaijani Delegation to PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of Council
of Europe), has said that Azerbaijan will face no sanctions in the
forthcoming PACE Spring Session.

He noted that Azerbaijan had fulfilled most of commitments taken
before the Council of Europe. "I think that the forthcoming discussions
will hold normally, since the commitments have been fulfilled," said
Mr. Husseynov. The Azerbaijani MP also noted that as compared with
the period, when Azerbaijan had just joined the Council of Europe,
now, the number of those PACE delegates, who protect the interests
of our country, has increased.

"During the first years, we prepared documents concerning the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts, by including the four Resolutions of the
U. N. Security Council. However, when the word "occupant" was put
before the Armenian State, most delegates not only repudiated to
sign corresponding documents, but also treated us abusively. But,
time has passed, and as a result of the work, we could carry out,
their attitude to us has changed for the better. As a result of it,
some 300-400 PACE delegates signed documents that Armenian was a
country-occupant, and, moreover, in 2005, the Organization passed the
resolution that Armenia was really an occupant," said Mr. Husseynov.

INDIA LOSES OUT TO ARMENIA IN SUPER-GROWTH COMPANIES

Economic Times, India
ses_out_to_Armenia_in_super-growth_cos/articleshow /1835262.cms
March 30 2007

NEW DELHI: Amid domestic firms’ growing appetite for merger and
acquisitions and a robust economic expansion, India has surprisingly
lost its place as the world’s second largest home to "super growth"
companies to a relatively unknown Armenia.

According to a new study released today by global consultancy major
Grant Thornton, there was a huge 56 per cent plunge in the number
of super growth companies in India. These are the companies with
significant above-average growth in areas like turnover and employment.

While the US has retained its top position on Grant Thornton
International’s Super Growth Index for third year in a row, India
suffered a dramatic drop to 14th position as the country’s proportion
of super growth companies halved from 34 per cent to 15 per cent.

India has been replaced by a newcomer Armenia at the second position
with 38 per cent proportion of super growth companies there, as
against 44 per cent in the US.

The other top five countries in the league include Ireland (third),
the UK (fourth) and South Africa (fifth), all of which have improved
their rankings.

Other major climbers on the index include Russia, Philippines,
Argentina and Italy.

However, Hong Kong, another strong performer in 2006 at third place,
has also dropped out of the top ten list to 11th position this year.

Other major fallers in the chart include Malaysia and New Zealand.

According to Grant Thornton International’s Alex MacBeath, fall of
last year’s two strongest performers India and Hong Kong was the most
significant finding in the survey.

ARMENIAN VIEWERS OPEN THE WAY

esctoday.com, Netherlands
March 30 2007

The Eurovision Song Contest that was held last year in Athens had
a newcomer from the ‘far east’ of Europe. The young singer Andre
represented Armenia with his cheerful up-tempo song Without Your Love
and received a decent 8th place in the final. The gate to Eurovision
was opened for other Transcaucasian countries Georgia and Azerbaijan.

When the Istanbul 2004 and Kyiv 2005 contests were broadcast in
Armenia, no one knew this would change the future of the Eurovision
Song Contest. By email and telephone, an enormous quantity of Armenian
viewers expressed their wish for their country to participate in the
Contest. Yet it was not that easy for Armenia to participate. According
to the rules of the European Broadcasting Union, television channels
must not only have broadcast the contest the previous years, they
must be active members of the broadcaster’s union to enter the
competition. Armenia could not participate in the Contest until they
were accepted into active membership during the EBU General Assembly
in Dubrovnik (Croatia). This opened the door for Armenia and other
Transcaucasian countries to participate in one of the world’s biggest
television events: The Eurovision Song Contest.

In 2005 together with Georgian Tele and Radio Broadcasting, the Public
Television Company of Armenia became an active member of the European
Broadcasting Union (EBU). A year later young Andre was sent to Athens
to represent 3 million Armenians. According to many Armenians that
was an important milestone in the country’s history.

They saw Armenia’s participation in Eurovision as the opening of gates
to Europe. This year the Eurovision Song Contest is welcoming Georgia
with its debut. Georgia is realizing its Eurovision dream by sending
the young singer Sopho Kalvashi to Helsinki, who will be performing
the song Visionary dream.

Next year the Contest could welcome Azerbaijan. The Azeri Television
became an active member of EBU in January 2007. The country’s
membership was accomplished too late to be able to participate this
year in Helsinki. Azeri’s should be able to realize their Eurovision
dream next year, in…. Well, that location will be the surprise for
Azeri’s and millions of Eurovision viewers.

AZERBAIJAN TO PRESENT SOME FACTS TO UNESCO FACT-FINDING MISSION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 30 2007

"There are facts on Armenians’ archeological excavations in the
Azerbaijani region of Aghdam. We often hear Armenians’ statements
that our monuments belong to Armenia culture and architecture. We are
struggling against such cases," Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfaz
Garayev told journalists, APA reports.

The minister underlined that fighting against these negative cases
is not satisfactory.

"We express our protest to different organizations. But we have no tool
of pressure to prevent these actions in Aghdam or Western Azerbaijan,"
the minister said.

Garayev also said that necessary facts about the destruction of
cultural heritage in the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani territories
have been gathered.

"We shall present these facts to the UNESCO’s fact-finding mission
to the region. We should prove that cultural heritage of Azerbaijani
people has been destroyed by Armenian invaders," he underscored.