Month: May 2008

NEW RULES ON PROVISION OF PHONE SERVICES TO BE APPROVED ON MAY 20

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Public Services Regulatory
Commission will approve the new rules on provision of phone services
on May 20, the head of the commission’s telecommunication unit Gevorg
Gevorgian announced at the May 13 discussion on the communication
sector. At the same time, he said that although NGOs participated in
the discussions on these rules, they have not submitted any written
proposals.

The chairman of the Association of Consumers of Armenia Armen Poghosian
said that the current rules were developed in 1999 and are not in line
with the current situation. However, according to him, several points
of the new rules cause concern as they are not aimed at protection of
the interests of consumers. In particular, the consumer should have
the opportunity to limit the amount to be paid by him/her, that is,
if the subscriber wants to fix a sum and to disconnect the phone
after exceeding this sum, ArmnTel has to do so.

In the words of A. Poghosian, the new rules reduce the obligations
and responsibility of the supplier and increase those of the
consumer. Besides, it is not definitely stipulated what is the
responsibility of the supplier if he does not implement the given
obligation.

5 ARMENIAN BOXERS TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT IN SPAIN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Five members of the Armenian boxing
national team have left for Spain on May 12 to take part in the
International Boxing Tournament. Hovhannes Danielian (48 kg), Hrachya
Javakhian (60 kg), Edward Hambartsumian (64 kg), and Andranik Hakobian
(75 kg) among them have a permit to take part in the Bejing 2008
Olympic Games.

FIRST ROUND GAMES FINISH IN INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT IN SOFIA

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

SOFIA, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Levon Aronian was beaten by leader Vasili
Ivanchuk (the Ukraine) on May 12, in the 5th tour of the International
Chess Tournament being held in Sofia. Vasili Ivanchuk gaining 5 out
of 5 possible points remains at the top of the tournament table.

Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Teymir Rajabov (Azerbaijan), and Ivan
Cheparinov (Bulgaria) have 2 points each, Levon Aronian 1.5 points,
and Bu Syan Chzhi (China) 1 point.

The first round of the tournament finished, and May 13 is announced
a rest day. In the first tour of the second round scheduled for May
14 L. Aronian will compete with V. Topalov.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARARAT YEREVAN CONQUERS CUP OF ARMENIA FOR FIFTH TIME

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The final match of the Armenian Football
Cup Tournament between Ararat and Banants Yerevan took place in Ijevan
on May 9. The score was opened by Balgarian player of Banants Marco
Marcov at the 37th minute of the first match. Ararat player Vahagn
Minasian leveled the score of the game at the 77th minute. The main
time of the match finished in a draw: 1:1. 30-minute additional time
was added, three minutes before the end of which Brazilian striker
of Ararat Marcos scored a goal. Ararat won with the 2:1 score. This
is the fifth victory of Ararat in the Cup Tournaments of the country.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REGBY TEAM OF ARMENIA DEFEATS TEAM OF SERBIA WITH 25:0 SCORE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The national team of Armenia competed
with that of Serbia in the Ayg sports ground of Ararat in the regular
stage of the European Regby Championship of the third subgroup of A
group. The hosts won with the 25:0 score.

The second leg will take place in Belgrad on May 24.

TENNIS TEAM OF ARMENIA TO TAKE PART IN DAVIS CUP TOURNAMENT IN FOURTH GROUP NEXT YEAR

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The tournament of the third group of
the European-African zone of the Davis Cup Tournament finished in
Yerevan on May 11. The tennis national team of Armenia failed in
group tournament, were defeated by Moldovan and Norwegian teams in
the struggle of four teams and only managed to win the sportsmen of
Andorra. In order to stay in the group the team of Armenia competed
with the representatives of the other subgroup: the delegates of
Ghana and Estonia. The hosts were again defeated and will take part
in a lower: the fourth group tournament next year.

NATIONAL TEAM OF UNDER 19 FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF ARMENIA FINISH COMPETITION TOUR IN ITALY

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The national team of under 19 football
players of Armenia finished their competition tour in Italy. A 2:2
draw was recorded in the third control match with the Breshia youth
team. Like in the first and second games, the national team of Armenia
gained a victory in the fourth one as well with the 4:1 score. This
time the Armenian football players defeated the youth of the famous
Juventus club.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RECOGNIZES ONE OF PROVISIONS OF RA LAW ON TELEVISION AND RADIO AS CONTRADICTING ARMENIAN CONSTITUTION

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. By the May 13 decision of the
Constitutional Court of the RA, Article 53 Part 2 of the RA law
on Television and Radio was recognized as contradicting the RA
Constitution and invalid. The case was examined by the court based
on the application of Radio Hay radio company.

It is said in the disputed provision of the RA Law on Television and
Radio that "for the use of a broadcast frequency, licence holders
(radio and television companies) make a payment for the air,
whose amount is calculated based the expenses necessary for the
frequency". The authority to calculate and approve the air payment
has currently been reserved for the RA ministry of transport and
communication. According to the plaintiff, the government or ministry
are not competent to establish the amount of annual payment for the
air, and it must be established by law.

According to the court, the indicated article contradicts the principle
of a legal state stipulated by Article 1 of the Constitution, as well
as the requirements of Article 45 and Article 83.5 point 2.

The court established December 1, 2008 as the date when Article 53
part 2 of the Law on Television and Radio will become invalid so
that the possible interruption in collection of air payments will not
affect the "stability of budgetary relations" and damage the "legal
security to be established by abolishment of the disputable provision".

BY OPERATING TEGHUT MINE, WE WILL BECOME A BACKWARD COUNTRY, MEMBER OF "HERITAGE" FACTION SAYS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Who is behind the company registered
in Liechtenstein and owns 81% of ACP company that has a licence for
operating the Teghut mines. This and a number of similar questions
related to operation of the Teghut mine will be presented to the
government, member of the NA "Heritage" faction Zaruhi Postanjian
stated at the May 13 press conference.

She said that the current prime minister knows very vell the scale
of damage to be done to the country as a result of the mine’s
operation. "The prime minister has delivered good lectures on
which countries are considered developed, which are industrial or
postindustrial and which are servicing, backward countries. According
to the prime minister, the countries with an economy which is
developing based on mining industry are considered as the most backward
ones," Z. Postanjian underlined, adding that in fact, we will become
a backward country by operating the Teghut mine.

She expressed confidence that the implementation of the government’s
decision may be prevented if the society applies much pressure. "If
Teghut’s operation is not prevented, mines will be dug to the detriment
of nature in other parts of Armenia. In particular, work to determine
the uranium reserves has already begun in Syunik marz," the deputy
said. She announced that the environmentalists are going to dispute
in a legal way the government decision on operation of the Teghut mine.

OPERATION OF TEGHUT MINE WILL CAUSE SERIOUIS DAMAGE TO NATURE AND LOCAL POPULATION, ENVIRONMENTALISTS WARN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The operation of the Teghut mine of
strategical importance to Armenia will cause considerable damage both
to the local population and nature, the chairman of Burg NGO Arman
Vermishian said at the May 13 press conference.

According to him, the mine operation project contains unspecified
figures, while the scale of actual damage has been considerably
reduced. "Today Lori marz is endangered. In case of operation of this
mine as well, we will face a serious danger. Explosions to be made
during the operation will also cause panic in the local animal world,"
A. Vermishian said.

In his words, one of the project’s errors is that ACP company operating
the mine has assessed 1 square meter of the area at 38 drams only,
which gives an occasion for doubt. Besides, so far it is not clear
how many hectares of forest will be felled. A. Vermishian announced
that 3 ha of forest has already been cut down.