Month: May 2008

SERZH SARSGYAN THINKS STRENGTHENING RELATIONS WITH U.S. IMPORTANT

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.05.2008 17:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During a meeting with U.S. Assistance Coordinator
for Europe and Eurasia Thomas Adams, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan
stressed the importance of cementing relations with the United States.

The parties discussed the post-election situation in the republic
and further activities of the Millennium Challenge Account, which
aims at poverty reduction and rural area development.

Mr Thomas Adams noted Armenia’s good macroeconomic index.

"The U.S. Administration wishes you to be a strong President and to
work for Armenia’s progress," he said, calling for a fair investigation
into the March 1 events, the RA leader’s press office reported.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT URGES ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO IMPROVE SITUATION IN REPUBLIC

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.05.2008 17:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ U.S. Assistance Coordinator for Europe and Eurasia
Thomas Adams visited Armenia May 14-17, in his final visit to Armenia
in that capacity.

Adams was accompanied by his deputy, Daniel Rosenblum, who has been
designated to succeed him as Coordinator in the upcoming months.

The delegation held fruitful discussions with the President, the Prime
Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance,
the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister
of Energy and Natural Resources.

Mr. Adams addressed a wide range of important issues in his
conversations with his hosts from the Armenian government. He learned
about the status of democracy and human rights issues in Armenia, in
light of the post-election political difficulties. He urged Armenian
authorities to take prompt action to heal the social divisions that
have arisen as a result of the political conflict. Adams also discussed
with Armenian officials a number of other important bilateral issues,
including ongoing cooperation programs in energy and agriculture,
Armenia’s economy, measures to improve Armenia’s attractiveness to
foreign investment, and Armenia’s important efforts to combat illegal
trafficking in persons.

During his visit, Mr. Adams met with the Board of the American Chamber
of Commerce in Armenia, as well as key leaders and stakeholders of
the Millennium Challenge program in Armenia. The delegation also
visited a number of project sites implementing U.S.

assistance programs, including the Armenian-American Wellness Center,
Arcolate Chocolate Company, Arzni Medical Ambulatory in Kotayk Marz,
and a school in Nork, which was refurbished with the financial support
of the U.S. Government, reported the press office of the U.S. Embassy
in Yerevan.

SERGEI LAVROV: TBILISI NOT INTERESTED IN RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.05.2008 18:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused
Georgia of attempts to internationalize the South Ossetian and
Abkhazian conflicts and said the country is not interested in their
resolution.

"Instead of following its commitments, Georgia tries
to internationalize the South Ossetian and Abkhazian
conflicts. Introduction of Tbilisi-sponsored resolution on return
of displaced persons to Abkhazia is a part of Georgia’s propaganda,"
the RF Minister said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TIGRAN SARGSYAN: UK MAY PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.05.2008 18:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met Friday
with British Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Charles Lonsdale.

Congratulating the Ambassador with the start of the diplomatic mission,
the PM voiced confidence that his activities will promote development
of the Armenian-British relations.

"The Armenian government highlights resolution of social and economic
programs," the PM said, adding that conclusion of agreement on
cancellation of double taxation between the UK and Armenia will give
an impetus to the bilateral cooperation.

For his part, Amb. Lonsdale said his country is ready to secure
uninterrupted implementation of programs in Armenia. "The UK doesn’t
intend to cut activities in Armenia, but much depends on the political
and economic progress of the republic," he said, the RA government’s
press office reported.

A. ABELIAN AND S. LALAYAN APPOINTED AIDES TO THE PRESIDENT

ARMENPRESS
May 16, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsian decreed
on May 15 to appoint Armen Abelian and Sevak Lalayan as aides to the
Armenian president.

Presidential press service reported that on the same day the president
also decreed to appoint Aram Ananian as referent of the Armenian
president.

TIGRAN SARGSIAN, "THE NEW GOVERNMENT HAS COME TO MAKE DRASTIC CHANGES"

ARMENPRESS
May 16, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Tigran Sargsian
received today the delegation headed by the U.S. coordinator of
European and Eurasian assistance Tom Adams.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that during the meeting the
prime minister said that Armenia underscores the further development of
relations with USA and particularly the activity of the U.S.-Armenian
inter-governmental task group dealing with the economic issues,
which he said, is ensuring progress for Armenia.

Tigran Sargsian thanked the U.S. government for the large volume of
assistance provided to Armenia since its independence and added that
in a number of spheres the results are obvious.

"At the same time we fully realize that there are spheres where the
reforms are not notable and U.S. assistance will greatly promote to
overcome the issues in those spheres as well," the prime minister said.

Congratulating Tigran Sargsian on being appointed in the office of
the prime minister, Tom Adams said that he is very glad as he had an
opportunity to cooperate with him when he was the chairman of the
Armenia’s Central Bank. T. Adams expressed assurance that Tigran
Sargsian will succeed in his new position.

During the meeting the prime minister also presented Armenia’s
macroeconomic situation, as well as the pace of reforms in tax and
customs systems.

Considering it one of the main issues of the newly formed government,
Sargsian said that the achieved results will directly promote the
solution of social and economic issues of the country.

He said that soon program of events and aims of the reforms in tax
and customs spheres will be published through which the public will
be able to control the steps of the government.

Among the prior issues he also noted the creation of favorable
conditions for the development of small and medium sized business,
effective fight against corruption. He said that the government is
cooperating with the international establishments in that direction.

Tom Adams noted that during the recent times the positive changes
are quite notable in the improving tax administration and pointed
out that there are still some issues connected with the development
of democracy, rule of law, promotion of business. He promised that
U.S. administration will continue cooperating with the Armenian
government in the mentioned spheres for making the country attractive
for foreign investments.

"People are tired of words and promises. We need to work and have
announced that the new Armenian government has come to make drastic
changes," Tigran Sargsian said.

ARMENIAN TOURIST RESORT OR ARMENIAN SETTLEMENT?
By H. Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
17/05/2008

Armenia-Turkey

According to May 13 publication of "Milliet" newspaper, a tourist
resort for Armenians is to be constructed near the coast of Lake
Van. This initiative roused a wave of indignation in Turkey.

Most fiercely the initiative was opposed by Orhan Ozkaya, former
vice-director of Turkey’s Cadastre office.

On May 15 the official newspaper of the "Grey Wolves" organization,
"Eni Cag", responded the wave of indignation. According to the
newspaper, Ozkaya stated that the tourist resort, which is to be
constructed near the "Armenian Church of Akhramar" (according to
information provided by "Milliet" the resort is to be built on the
shore of the lake), can hardly have any positive consequences for
Turkey and it is aimed at converting the population into Christianity.

Ozkaya also expressed confidence that the Armenian tourist resort
implies establishment of an Armenian community in the Van region. For
that purpose the interconfessional dialogue is to be used. He also
noted that the Turkish legislation allows the community foundations
to buy unlimited areas of land, and this means that 10% of the area
of Van district may soon belong to foreigners (i.e. Armenians).

DOCTOR LYNN JONES REPORT ON ARMENIAN KINGSHIP

AZG Armenian Daily
17/05/2008

Science

On May 22, in the Center of the National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research Doctor Lynn Jones from Florida State University
will present a report titled "Between Islam and Byzantium; Akhtamar
and visual construction of Medieval Armenian Kingship".

This lecture is the second one that is organized in honor of engineer
and active member of the National Association for Armenian Studies
and Research Arshak Mergerian.

BUSINESSMEN INSPIRED BUT A LITTLE FRIGHTENED
By Ara Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily
17/05/2008

Armenian business

They urged PM Tigran Sargsian to continue the amendments

Representatives of the Armenian business circles met with Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsian on May 15 in the government to discuss the
strategy coming from the government business assistance program.

The Prime Minister announced that the government intends to form the
best business environment based on international standards and with
that oppose those competitive restrictions that are available in our
country compared with others.

As many businesses are more expensive here than in the region,
formation of the best business environment will contribute to the
thing that conducting business in Armenia will be more profitable
than in neighboring countries, said the PM.

Tigran Sargsian mainly touched upon the government goals of improvement
of taxation system. The PM highlighted the businessmen’s support for
the amendments in taxation system.

President of the Union of Armenian Manufacturers and Businessmen
Arsen Ghazarian mentioned that the business society is really inspired
with the steps taken by the government, but it is a little frightened
whether those steps will be temporary or continuous.

"If it goes on several months, the businessmen will really believe
in it", he said adding that amendments in the Customs are approaching
to the taxation field.

President of the "Merchants of Armenia" Tsolak Gevorgian in the name
of the representatives of small business also welcomed the government
steps directed to the improvement of business environment.

President of DCA company, NA MP Gagik Abrahamian assured that the
ice is broken and it is seen and heard by the businessmen every day.

Issues of privileges in the sphere of information technologies,
decrease of taxation tariffs, division of small, middle and big
businesses, etc. were raised during the meeting.

The Prime Minister mentioned that cooperation between private and
public sectors will be an equal cooperation. The state should support
the private sector in those spheres that are promising but need big
investments and risks and it should take part of the financing and
risks but only giving a guarantee that it will come off the business
after.

Touching upon the questions raised by the businessmen Tigran Sargsian
mentioned that a universal division of small, medium and big businesses
is not available in the world. Armenia should adopt its own model
studying the international experience. It will be an agreed variant
between the businessmen and the government.

"IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED ON EACH CASE"

A1+
[08:22 pm] 16 May, 2008

"Did people break a rule or attack an official before the March
1 events? They stayed calm even after the Central Election
Commission publicized the election figures. No one resorted to
violation. Authorities state that they used arms to avert further
threats but their step is not justified. The rigged presidential
election resulted in the March 1 events," said Leader of the People’s
Party of Armenia (HZhK) Stepan Demirchian.

"Never would we gather so much people if people weren’t displeased
with the election conduct and outcome. It is important to find out
who ordered to open fire on peaceful people and who exerted power.

"People were shot dead as a result of concrete actions. An impartial
and independent investigation should be conducted on each case to
eliminate the consequences of the tragic events."

The HZhK leader agrees that the PACE resolution could serve as ground
for a dialogue between the authorities and opposition. "Definite
steps and measures are to be taken to foster a dialogue between the
conflicting sides. One cannot help with empty talks.

The Armenian leadership has always ignored the recommendations of the
PACE and other international organizations. Otherwise they would have
returned A1+ to the air or punished the wrongdoers of the previous
elections.

To recover the situation in the country the authorities should free
the political prisoners."

Asked whether the opposition has worked out methods to further the
struggle, the HZhK leader said, "Obviously, the struggle is carried
on by people who want to restore their violated rights. The opposition
only directs the struggle to a legal path."

"The authorities pretend to be implementing the PACE recommendations
and provide broadcasting to the opposition representatives. But I think
"their kindness" is temporary."

Demirchian thinks that the crisis can only be surmounted through a
nationwide election. The HZhK leader is not seriously disposed to the
upcoming elections of district heads. "If the authorities really want
to assuage the situation they should pass the draft law on Yerevan,"
he said.

The HZhK leader promised to reflect on the Government’s activity in
100 days. So far the Government hasn’t made major changes, he says.