Month: July 2007

"NORVIK" PLANS TO INCREASE ITS AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK FOR 700MLN AMD

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2007

Yerevan, July 4 /Mediamax/. The authorized capital stock of "Norvik"
Universal Credit Organization is planned to be increased for 700mln
AMD in the nearest future.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of "Norvik", at present
the authorized capital stock of the organization makes 614mln AMD.

A year ago, on July 4 of 2006, the Board of the Central Bank of
Armenia granted a license to "Norvik" Universal Credit Organization.

The number of customers of "Norvik" made 11 thousands in the first
half of 2007. The assets of the organization make about $26mln, 98%
of which represent credit investments.

The press service of "Norvik" noted that the organization plans to
extend the format of its activities in Armenia, gaining a license
for realizing banking activities.

Mediamax recalls that "Norvik" is the subsidiary structure of the
Latvian-Icelandic ÀÎ LATEKO BANKA.

In October of 2006, the President of ÀÎ LATEKO BANKA Andrey Svirchenkov
stated that "Norvik" plans to annually increase its credit portfolio
for $20mln.

–Boundary_(ID_9s7PfU2oeBrZdFXgF0QfIA)–

VARTAN OSKANIAN DEPARTED FOR SAN FRANCISCO TO PARTICIPATE IN ARMTECH-2007 FORUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2007 13:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian departed
for San Francisco to participate in ArmTech-2007 forum dedicated to
development of high technologies in Armenia. Minister Oskanian is
expected to address the forum July 7, the RA MFA press office reported.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: WIDESPREAD USE OF TORTURE STILL CONTINUING IN TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2007 13:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Widespread use of torture is continuing in Turkey
despite the government’s "zero tolerance" policy, says human rights
group Amnesty International.

A new report acknowledged improvements in the Turkish criminal justice
system in recent years.

But Amnesty said a "culture of impunity" allowed the authorities to
escape accountability and the courts to disregard medical evidence
of torture.

There has been no immediate response from the Turkish government.

The Amnesty report, published on Thursday, noted a fall in the
incidence of torture in police custody.

But it also said the declared zero-tolerance policy could not be seen
as effective "until real steps are taken to address the persisting
issue of the failure to punish officials who violate the absolute
prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment."

According to Amnesty, detainees in Turkey alleged they had been
beaten, threatened with death, deprived of food, water and sleep
during detention.

Some of the torture was said to have taken place in unofficial places
of detention.

The head of Amnesty’s program in Europe, Nicola Duckworth, said:
"Nothing short of a fully implemented policy of ‘zero tolerance for
impunity’ will end the specter of torture, other ill-treatment,
killings and enforced disappearances which still blight Turkey’s
human rights record."

Turkey introduced a series of sweeping changes several years ago to
the country’s penal code, intended to bring Turkish laws closer to
those of EU member states.

Torture was abolished and individual liberties expanded under the
reforms.

Human rights are a key issue in its bid to join the EU, BBC reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY KEEPS ARMENIA’S BORDER CLOSE NOT TO TROUBLE AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2007 14:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There have been no relations between Armenia and
Turkey for 16 years already. Although Turkey recognized Armenia’s
independence in 1991, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian
said in the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University.

"Turkey still imposes preconditions on Armenia. The first is the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Turkey thinks that Armenia
should yield the territories of Karabakh’s security belt to Azerbaijan.

However, Ankara forgets that Turkey is a member of the OSCE and UN and
is obliged to maintain equal relations with all states of the region
and thus promote peace and economic cooperation," Mr Kirakossian noted.

With open Armenian-Turkish border, Armenia’s economy will rapidly
develop and it will be hard for Azerbaijan to negotiate with strong
Armenia, according to him.

"The second precondition is the Armenian Genocide issue. Armenia can’t
but press for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide; it’s
a historical fact. As result, two thirds of the Armenian nation live
in Diaspora. We have numerously stated that we do not set preconditions
and are ready to sign an agreement with Turkey," he said.

Mr Kirakossian noted that during the recent years Armenia and Turkey
exercised contacts at the ministerial level. He also reminded of PM
Erdogan’s letter to RA President Robert Kocharian with proposal to
form a commission of historians for examining the fact of Genocide.

"At that time the Armenian President proposed to resolve political
issues via formation of an intergovernmental commission which
will be dealing with the whole scope of the Armenian-Turkish
relations. However, no response ahs come from Turkey yet. We have
informal contacts. There is a trade balance totaling some $100 million,
4 flights in Istanbul, bus routes," Mr Kirakossian said.

Nevertheless, closed border has a very negative impact on the
region. Armenia loses some $300-400 million annually because Turkish
goods are imported via a third state, Georgia for example.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN LITERATURE TO BE ADVERTISED ABROAD

ARMENPRESS
Jul 6, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS; The Union of Armenian Writers plans to
create a special body that will be advertising Armenian literature
abroad. Hovhannes Gregorian, the secretary of the Union, told
Armenpress the body will be investigating in which of world countries
Armenian literature may be in demand and which country’s literature
may be popular in Armenia.

He said Armenian authors are being translated now into European
languages- English, French, German and some others. Some of Armenian
poetry is being translated into Farsi, the official language of Iran.

He said there is a big interest in Armenian literature in some Arab
countries.

The government releases funds every year for translation of about
10 Armenian books into foreign languages. The Union of Writers has a
translation section with a 15-member team and also publishes Foreign
Literature monthly.

YEREVAN BRANDY COMPANY TO SELL ARMENIAN BRANDY IN FRANCE

ARMENPRESS
Jul 6, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS: The French-owned Yerevan Brandy Company
(YBC) sold in 2006-2007 financial year (it lasts from July 1 to
next year’s June 30) 3,650,000 liters of its products, reporting a
4 percent growth from a year before.

YBC’s major markets are in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus and in the
Baltic countries. The growth in Russia was lower than expected because
of Russia’s introduction of new excise stamps.

The former chief manager of YBC, Erve Karoff, who passed the job to
Sedrik Retaiion, told a news conference on July 5 that the company
was very pleased with growth in production of Premium and Super types
of drinks which rose 14 and 15 percent respectively.

He said together they made 32 percent of all sales.

According to him, Nairi brand of brandy is becoming very popular
in Armenia itself. He said YBC sells today its produces in 20
countries. It is selling its products also in the USA. Armenian brandy
is sold also in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria. Small batches were sent to
Israel and Singapore and soon Armenian brandy will be sold in France.

The YBC bought last year 28,000 tons of grapes in Armenia and 2,200
hectoliters of spirit in Nagorno-Karabakh.

FIRE-FIGHTING GOES ON IN THE NKR

A1+
[12:08 pm] 06 July, 2007

Since the end of May of 2007, there have been periodical fires along
the line of contact of the NKR and Azerbaijani armed forces. The NKR
Rescue Service is engaged in localization and fire extinguishing. In
case of necessity the servicemen of the NKR Defence Army, as well as
the civilians come to assist the Rescue Service.

According to head of the NKR Rescue Service’s operative department
Ashot Verdyan, 24-hour duty has been established in the corresponding
zones in all the districts, the number of field fire-rescue points
(with a fire-mashine and a fire fighters brigade ) increases 5 times
compared with last year (there were 18 points in 2006, and 23 –
in 2007).

"We react operatively to the alarms of fires and undertake
corresponding measures immediately. Under the conditions of techniques
lack the fire brigade makes heroism. Last year’s experience of
fire-fighting now helps the successful localization and prevention
of fires. In case of large-scale fires several cars are enabled
simultaneously, servicemen and civilians come to assist. Besides
the regular points, there are movable posts – by driving around on
"UAZes" we control the corresponding territories", Ashot Verdyan noted.

According to head of the NKR Rescue Service fire- rescue department
Samvel Hayrumyan, due to the preventive measures the number of fires
has been significantly reduced in comparison with last year.

According to the data of July 4, 13 hectares of planted areas were
burnt in the Hadrut district, 6 hectares in Martouni and 10 hectares
in Martakert.

Head of the NKR Rescue Service’s Hadrut fire station Roman Mayilyan
informed that most frequently fires occur in the districts of Horadiz
station, between the posts of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijani
armed forces.

"We don’t have any access there, that’s why we can’t surely speak on
the reasons of inflammation. When the fire spreads to our side, we
undertake every effort for localization and fire extinguishing. Our
fire brigade is on an intensified duty. Servicemen and civilians give
help as well", R.Mayilyan noted.

According to head of the NKR Rescue Service’s Martakert fire station
Karen Grigoryan, 4 cases of fire were fixed on the territory over the
reporting period and the fire came out from the Azerbaijani side. Fire
fighters and rescuers located in the region undertook corresponding
measures on localization and fire extinguishing. Prophylactic measures
on their prevention have also been taken. Head of the NKR Rescue
Service’s Askeran fire station Artur Daniyelian told that according
to the data of July 4, planted areas did not catch fire, however,
there was a fire which occurred on the territory, controlled by the
Azerbaijani troops, and spread to the front lines of the NKR Defense
Army, then under the influence of wind changed its direction and did
not achieve the posts.

On the whole, the fire enveloped 15 km of areas. The fire fighters
and rescuers managed to put out the fire.

"Evidently the fire came out from the Azerbaijani side. Most probably
having gathered their harvest, in the lowlands it ripens earlier,
the Azerbaijanis burnt down the field. We are ready just now to hold
a joint monitoring with the Azerbaijanis to become convinced of the
real state of affairs", – Artur Daniyelian noted.

In addition, a Republican headquarters, headed by the NKR Minister
of Agriculture Vahram Baghdassaryan, was formed. It aims to ensure
cropping without losses.

Representatives of interested structures including the NKR Rescue
Service are the members of the headquarters.

Earlier the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to the
Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
expressing concern over numerous cases of fires from Azerbaijani
side across the Line of Contact between armed forces of NKR and
Azerbaijan and urged to conduct a crisis monitoring of the borderline
area. The NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the
timely interference of the Office of Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office would allow avoiding a repeat of the summer
2006 situation, which had been used by Azerbaijani authorities,
in particular, for propaganda and became an additional factor
destabilizing the peace process.

In the other note, the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs called upon the
Office of Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
to take a principled and consistent stand in realisation of the
OSCE Mission’s recommendations, which, as it was noted in the note,
"will allow achieving the goals set in the report and creating an
efficient mechanism for fire prevention along the line of contact,
which may become one of the elements of confidence building measures".

VIP ARMENIA

A1+
[02:58 pm] 06 July, 2007

It is the first time 42-year-old Dutch Alex has been in Armenia. Before
his visit he hadn’t even heard of Armenian. He only knew the country’s
place on the map.

Alex has already visited a few historical sights and learned a few
Armenian words.

It is a pity that construction work is under way in Armenia. I would
like to learn about Armenia more and enjoy my stay fully," he told A1+.

A visit to Armenia is really an expensive pleasure.

The price of package tour is equal to that of European countries.

According to our data, the average price of tour agencies is $155-1700.

Arayik Vardanyan, the President of the Armenian Tour-operators’
Association they cannot offer tourists new services because of the
damaged roads and current construction works.

"We cannot always take tourists to churches. Armenia has other sights
worth visiting," Arayik Vardanyan told A1+. According to him, the
current situation in Armenia might lead to stagnation and regress
of tourism.

The law on tourism needs amendments, says Arayik Vardanyan. Moreover,
tour agencies should be granted some privileges, i.e. the value on
added tax (VAT) should be lowered, tour-operators should be licensed,
etc.

It is noteworthy that out of 150 tour-operators in Armenia only 40
pay taxes.

The number of hotels is also troublesome. 30-40 hotels are too few
for a country having millions of inhabitants. We cannot host more
tourists because of the lack of hotels.

So far only four hotels have been granted stars – "Golden Palace,"
"Metropol," "Ani" and "Congress," said Mekhak Apresyan, the head of
the RA Ministry of Economy and Trade Tourism Department.

"We can lower the price of package tour to attract more tourists. But
we shall gain nothing. Instead we shall suffer losses. Tourism
should serve national interests," said Mekhak Apresyan, the head of
the department.

In comparison with the 2006 data, the number of tourists to Armenia has
increased by 25 % and over 382 thousand tourists have visited Armenia.

IFEX, Canada
International Freedom of Expression eXpress
July 5 2007

Various journalists, writers and publishers charged under article 301
over various publications

País/Tema: Turkey
Fecha: 28 de junio de 2007
Fuente: IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET)
Persona: Ibrahim Güclü, Enis Mazhar Tayman, Neval Barlas, Eren
Keskin, Ali Riza Vural, Osman Tiftikci
Victimas: redactor(es) , trabajador(es) en derechos humanos ,
periodista(s) , director (es) , escritor(es)
Tipos de violaciónes: acción legal
Urgencia: Amenaza
(BIANET/IFEX) – Since article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code was
ratified, around 100 writers, journalists and academics have been
tried under it. The authorities look set to continue using the law to
target those who discuss controversial topics. Although there was a
plan to review the law, the government has now accused
non-governmental organisations of not producing a common draft on the
recommended changes and therefore, is not going to amend the article.
Thus, dozens of people will spend time in court again.

Human rights activists had called on the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition party, the Republican
People’s Party (CHP), to change the law, arguing that the fact that
Hrant Dink was tried under Article 301 made him a target for murder.

Before the assassination of Hrant Dink, Prime Minister Erdogan had
suggested a collaborative effort with the CHP but was rebuffed by CHP
leader Deniz Baykal.

Currently, magazines "Nokta" and "Tempo", newspapers "Birgün", "Agos"
and "Gündem", and publishers Doz and Sorun are on trial over news and
articles they have published.

Ahmet Sik, a journalist for "Nokta" magazine, which has closed down,
and security expert Lale Sariibrahimoglu are both on trial over an
interview article entitled "Military must stay away from domestic
security" which was published on 8 February 2007. They will appear
before a Penal Court in Bakirköy, Istanbul, on 24 October.

In the case against "Tempo", after Ibrahim Güclü, speaker for the
Diyarbakir Kürd-Der Association, gave an interview to "Tempo"
journalist Enis Mazhar Tayman. Güclü, Tayman and, initially, the
editor concerned, Neval Barlas, were charged with "degrading
Turkishness and the republic" and "inciting the public to disobey
laws". Proceedings against Barlas have now been dismissed as the
author of the interview is clear. The court case will continue on 16
October.

In another case, Eren Keskin, a lawyer and the former Istanbul branch
president of the Human Rights Association (IHD), is still on trial
over an article entitled "Special forces at work", which commented on
the Hrant Dink murder. His case continues on 27 September.

Meanwhile, writer and director Umur Hozatli is on trial under article
301 over two articles published in the "Gündem" newspaper, entitled
"Irritating devotion" and "A good father has started working". His
trial continues on 19 September.

On 16 May, the court considered five charges against Hozatli, former
"Gündem" editor-in-chief Irfan Ucar and writer Sinan Kara. A
statement from the newspaper’s owner, Hasan Bayar, who is living
abroad, is still to be procured.

In yet another case, Ali Riza Vural, an editor with Doz Publishers,
is being tried for the publication of Iraqi Kurdish leader Mesut
Barzani’s two-volume book, "Barzani and the Kurdish National Freedom
Movement". He is charged with "insulting and ridiculing the
republic". His case continues on 18 July, at a Penal Court in
Beyoglu, Istanbul.

The case against Hrant Dink’s son Arat Dink, the managing editor and
licence holder of "Agos" newspaper, Serkis Seropyan continues on 18
July at a Penal Court in Sisli, Istanbul. They are charged with
"degrading Turkishness". The case is based on the republished
interview by Reuters news agency with Hrant Dink, in which he stated
that he believed an Armenian genocide happened.

In another case, Osman Tiftikci, author of the book, "The evolution
of the army from Ottoman times to today", and Sýrrý Öztürk, of Sorun
Publishers, are on trial for "degrading the army". Because Tiftikci
lives abroad, a writ of summons has been issued. The case continues
on 4 July.

The Messenger, Georgia
July 5 2007

Armenian Imports Three Times Its Exports

By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

>From January to May of this year, cargo turnover in Armenia increased
by 39.1 percent over the same period in 2006, reaching nearly USD 1.6
billion.

According to the news agency Regnum, the value of exported goods was
USD 423.6 million (a 24.9 percent increase) with imported goods
equaling USD 1.1 billion (a 45.3 percent increase)-meaning that
Armenia faces similar trade problems as Georgia. The amount imported
exceeds the amount exported by almost three times.

Cargo turnover with CIS states came to USD 506.8 million-33 percent
of the entire cargo turnover, exceeding the 2006 amount by 60.6
percent. The main trading partner for Armenia is Russia. Trade with
Russia reached USD 224.6 million, 14.6 percent of total trade
revenue. That’s 64.2 percent more than the 2006 value.

Trade turnover with the EU reached USD 579.2 million, chalking up
growth of 29.3 percent. Trade with the US came to USD 75.3 million, a
52.8 percent increase.

In the first five months of the year, Armenia exported USD 134.2
million in goods to CIS states-including USD 82.8 million.

Exports to the EU were worth USD 197.7 million, an increase of 7.3
percent. USD 18.7 million in goods was exported to the US.

That same period saw Armenia importing USD 322.1 million in goods
from CIS states, yet another significant increase, coming to half
again the previous years’ number. USD 209.8 million in imports came
from Russia, a 65 percent increase. Imports from EU states were worth
USD 340.5 million; from the US, USD 73.2 million.

On the map, Armenian trade with Russia should naturally go through
Georgia, but the slew of Russian travel and trade embargoes on
Georgia make it necessary for cargo to take a more roundabout route.