Month: August 2008

MORE THAN 100 THOUSAND ARMENIAN CITIZENS JOIN SIGNATURE COLLECTION INITIATED BY PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT

Noyan Tapan

Au g 7, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, NOYAN TAPAN. More than 100 thousand citizens
have joined the republican siganture collection, which was initiated
on July 14 by People’s Movement (PM) with a demand to bring former
Armenian president Robert Kocharian to trial in the Hague international
court for his grave crimes against the people. David Shahnazarian,
a representative of the PM center, announced this at the August 7
press conference.

In his words, R. Kocharian needed the March 1 tragic events,
during which people were killed, in order to keep power. "A crime
against humanity was committed, for which he must be condemned,"
D. Shahnazarian said.

As for the National Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on Inquiry into the
March 1 Events, according to D. Shahnazarian, the authorities have
the same disdainful attitute to this committee because they do not
respond to the questions voiced there. In his opinion, the only task
of the committee is to cover up the March 1 tragedy. "The best thing
the committee can do is to dissolve itself as soon as possible. This
committee does not exist to us because it was set up by the parliament,
which participated in that crime and is now trying to disguise grave
crimes," D. Shahnazarian said.

LONG LIVE SWITZERLAND! LONG LIVE ARMENIA! – NATIONAL HOLIDAY OF SWISS CONFEDERATION CELEBRATED IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Au g 7, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The Swiss were one of the first to
give a helping hand to the Armenian people immediately after the
Spitak earthquake, during the rescue work. Then they helped restore
the regions hit by the earthquake and supported the local residents by
implementing humanitarian programs. However, the history of helping the
Armenian people in its hard years began from an earlier period. In the
1870s, a wave of friendship with the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire
swept Switzerland. Jacob Canzler was the most famous one among numerous
volunteers who wished to help on the spot. In 1920-1921 he lived in
Edesia (Urfa) where he built a hospital and managed to save hundreds
of Armenians from violence. His book entitled "In the Country of Blood
and Tears" was published in Basel in 1921. This is a quotation from
the Swiss Ambassador to Armenia Dr. Lorenzo Amberg’s welcome speech
delivered during a festive event held in Yerevan to celebrate the Swiss
National holiday on August 1st. Although it was for the first time
that the National holiday of Switzerland was celebrated in Armenia,
the event was attended by a lot of guests, including representatives
of state government bodies of Armenia, officials of foreign diplomatic
missions in our country, deputies of the RA National Assembly, and
representatives of Swisterland’s international cooperation structures.

The 717th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation was marked in
Yerevan. In 1291, representatives of the Swiss cantons of Uri,
Schwyz and Unterwalden united in order to, as the ambassador put it,
"protect their freedom and independence". Over centuries Switzerland
unified new areas around itself and created institutions protecting
the language, religion and rights of each citizen. "This is the
reason why our compatriots both in the country and throughout the
world remember with gratitude the wisdom of our ancestors who left
to us such a special "clockwork" as Switzerland."

Armenia established diplomatic relations with this "clockwork" in 1991.

"After the 1988 earthquake our friendship got a new lease of life. The
Swiss population and government have provided tens of millions of
francs for restoration of the destroyed cities. Switzrland keeps its
presence in Armenia through technical assistance and its office of
humanitarian aid. Its current priorities are development of rural
communities and strengthening the structures of protection from
natural disasters," L. Amberg stated, attaching great importance to
"cooperation of the two old and at the same modern, independent
nations – members of the UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe".

The cooperation is promoted by the diplomatic relations that have
become more active in recent years. The speaker of the Swiss parliament
paid a visit to Armenia in November 2007, Switzerland’s State Secretary
of Foreign Affairs Michael Ambuhl visited our country twice. The Swiss
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Ray arrived in Armenia on June 27,
stating an intention to open the Swiss embassy in Armenia. According
to the L. Amberg, this symbolizes a wish to strengthen Switzerland’s
links with Armenia. He concluded his speech with the words: "Long
Live Switzerland! Long Live Armenia!" (in Armenian).

In the words of the Armenian Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian,
since 1291, while being located at the crossroads of various cultures
and religions, Switzerland has succeeded in uniting and integrating
these cultures into intself. Since that time Switzerland’s impartiality
and democratic foundations formed a basis of global politics. According
to him, Switzerland also plays a great role in the provision of
humanitarian aid in the world.

"Switzerland has been one of the most dedicated supporters and friends
of Armenia. Since the very first day of the independence of Armenia,
Switzerland has been on Armenia’s side, providing technical and
financial assistance for development needs of our country. These
relations have strengthened in recent years. The most obvious proof
of it is the development of our relations, within the bilateral and
multilateral political framework."

G. Gharibjanian underlined that the visit of Micheline Calmy-Rey
will contribute to further consolidation of the relations of the
two countries.

CRIMINAL GROUP ENGAGED IN SMUGGLING HAS BEEN RENDERED HARMLESS, RA NSS REPORTS

Noyan Tapan

Au g 7, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The employees of the RA National
Security Service (NSS) revealed a criminal group engaged in smuggling
and blocked a constantly functioning route for smuggling goods,
NT was informed by the NSS press service.

The group was headed by director of Gvarzin LLC, resident of the
village of Ptghavan (Noyemerian region) Yura Harutyunian who was
engaged in the import of goods from Turkey into Armenia via Edik
Evinian organization. Goods were smuggled into Armenia with the use of
three methods: in one case, goods were taken to a Georgian area near
the border village of Deghdzavan in Tavush marz (Armenia), then loaded
into several small trucks and smuggled by bypasses into Armenia at
night. In some cases, small consignments of goods were transported to
Armenia through shallow places in the Debed River or in small boats. In
the third case, the group used to conceal the real number of imported
goods and register only some of the goods by forging the documents.

The invetigators revealed that in the past 6 months the group
imported 895 tons of goods into Armenia without customs control,
causing considerable damage to the Armenian economy.

The criminal group of Y. Harutyunian included employees of the RA
Police Noyemberian Unit and the NSS frontier troops who ensured "safe"
transportation of goods, as well as officials of the RA State Customs
Service who used to register goods by forged documents.

5 persons have already been arrested in the criminal case opened under
Article 215 part 1 of the RA Criminal Code by the RA NSS Investigation
Department. Operative investigation measures are being taken.

SEVERAL POLICEMEN OF GYUMRI EXPOSED FOR BRIBE TAKING

Noyan Tapan

Au g 7, 2008

GYUMRI, AUGUST 7, NOYAN TAPAN. As a result of operative measures
taken by employees of the RA Police Main Department for Fight against
Organized Crime (MDFOC) and the National Security Service (NSS), chief
district inspector of the preventive unit of the police department of
the city of Gyumri, Major Seyran Petrosian was exposed based on the
fact of taking bribes. It was found out that S. Petrosian – through
the following persons: section commander of the patrol service of
the indicated police department Sargis Parsamian and policemen of
the patrol company Hovhannes Grigorian and Grigor Hayrapetian –
recurrently extorted bribes of large amounts from citizens selling
goods and conducting an illegal sale and purchase of foreign currency
in the central market of Gyumri.

After making a search in the small house that served as an office
for the above mentioned policemen in the market, the MDFOC and NSS
employees found written records about various persons, as well as three
copy-books, in which since 2007 the policemen have written data on
goods sellers, with a "plus" or "minus" sign being put against their
names by days, from which those who paid or not paid money can be seen.

At the same time Seyran Petrosian took out 412 thousand drams from
his pocket and presented it to law enforcers. It came to light that
Gevorg Hakobian, an expert of the Gyumri municipality’s trade and
service unit, was also extorting money from market sellers.

According to a press release of the RA Police PR and Information
Department, several Gyumri residents engaged in an illegal exchange
of foreign currency in the market: Ashot Antonian, Norayr Sahakian,
Rubik Khachatrian, Robert Poladian, Ara Grigorian, Vardan Yaghubian and
Ashot Khurshudian were revealed. They presented to the law enforcers
the money they had for conducting an exchange of currency: 3,967,000
drams, 3,807 USD, 1,995 euros and 183,050 rubles. Based on the
prepared materials, a criminal case was opened by the NSS Investigation
Department under Article 311 part 3 of the RA Criminal Code.

Policemen Seyran Petrosian, Sargis Parsamian and Hovhannes Grigorian
have been arrested.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF IRAN

His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Mohammed Rida Shibani, in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia on August 5. The Ambassador and his three advisers met with His
Holiness for about two hours before his departures to Iran.

Ambassador Shibani presented to the Pontiff his evaluation of the internal
situation in Lebanon and his country’s approach towards various issues in
this respect. He positively evaluated the current political developments,
underlining the contribution of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the
negotiations between various Lebanese political groups in Qatar. Ambassador
Shibani also briefed His Holiness on the developments between Iran and the
United States on the issue of uranium enrichment.

His Holiness stressed the contribution of the Armenian community of Iran to
the development of the country and expressed his satisfaction for the
inclusion of three Armenian monasteries in Iran (including the Monastery of
Saint Tate) in UNESCO’s list of international heritage sites. He praised the
position of the Iranian government and the Ministry of Culture in particular
towards Armenian sanctuaries.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos297.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

10.3% ECONOMIC GROWTH RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN H1 2008

ARKA
Aug 6, 2008

YEREVAN, August 6. /ARKA/. A 10.3% economic growth was recorded in
Armenia in the first half of this year against the same period of 2007.

The RA National Statistical Service reports that the volume of Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) was 1,322,732.6mln Drams (in market prices)
in the period under review.

GDP deflator index was 108% in the period as compared with January-June
2007.

According to the statistical data, 7.7% growth of gross added value
provided a 6.9 pct increase in the actual volume of GDP (9.2pct in
January-June 2007). 29.9% growth of taxes, the subsidies exclusive,
provided 3.4pct of the actual growth of GDP (2.4pct in January-June
2007).

In the period, 16.8% construction growth raised the GDP by 3.4pct
(against 3.8pct in the first half of 2007). Industry (including energy
sector) provided 0.1pct of economic growth (0.5pct in January-June
2007).

8.3% growth of agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing provided
0.9pct of the economic growth in the period.

22.8% growth recorded in financial sector and real estate transactions
provided 1.8% of the GDP growth (2pct in January-June 2007).

The share of added value was 86.5% in the GDP structure against 88.6%
in the first half of 2007.

The share of industrial production was 39.6% against 39.8% in January-
June 2007. The share of agriculture was 9.4% and that of construction
was 22.7% in the period. Trade, public catering, transport and
communication provided 18.6%, the services sector – 12%.

Taxes, the subsidies exclusive, constituted 13.5% of the GDP.

GDP per capita was 410,353Drams or $1,334 (871 Euros) at the end of
June this year.

11.6% economic growth was recorded in the first half of 2007.

Under the state budget, 10% growth of GDP is expected in Armenia
in 2008. ($1=301.03Drams).

CASH-REGISTERS TO BE INSTALLED IN ALL ARNENIAN FAIRS

ARKA
Aug 6, 2008

YEREVAN, August 6. /ARKA/. All Armenian fairs and markets must have
cash registers installed beginning from Sept 1 2008, Premier Tigran
Sargsyan told a group of fair owners and organizers Tuesday. A
relevant demand has been set under the new concept approved by the
council for introduction of new income management standards.

"Over 80 percent of trade is carried out in fairs which is a good
chance to evade taxes. We cannot tolerate the current tax management
habits any longer," he said.

The owners of the fairs are in charge of supervision over installation
and proper operation of cash registers which must be integrated into
one common computer network by October 1, the premier stressed.

In addition, the organizers must conclude contracts with the vendors
on their territories according to the sample contracts approved by
the government.

Under the new concept, the owners will have to review their contracts
with economic entities including information on the specific size
of trading areas and submit the renewed contracts to the State Tax
service. Renting out trading areas without concluding contracts is
subject to a fine 100,000 to 300, 000 drams (close to $330 – $1000)
per trading point.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EBRD TO MAKE LOAN OF $20MLN TO D&H GROUP LLC TO SUPPORT COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION IN YEREVAN

ARKA
Aug 6, 2008

YEREVAN, August 6. /ARKA/. The EBRD is considering making a loan of
$20 million to private Armenian company D&H GROUP LLC to support the
financing of a multi purpose complex construction of 79,330 square
meters in the city of Yerevan, Armenia.

The complex will include 315 residential units targeting the middle
class market and 19,000 square metres of international standard
office space, available for rent or sale. The totals cost of the
project is $56mln of which $20mln is to be appropriated by the EBRD
as senior loan.

This is the first real estate development project in Armenia being
considered by the EBRD. The final decision on financing is expected
in September.

This is the second project on which the EBRD will finally decide
in autumn.

The first one is about providing EUR 50mln to Electric Networks
of Armenia to be used for the renovation and modernization of 17
substations in Yerevan.

D&H GROUP LLC is a limited liability special purpose company registered
in Armenia, 90% owned by an Armenian businessman, Davit Varagyan
and his relatives, and 10% by an Armenian company, Karven Yerevan
LLC, which is 50/50% owned by Mr Viktor Kryltsov and Mr Balyan,
both existing EBRD clients with real estate development projects in
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

FAO TO PROVIDE $500,000 TO ARMENIA FOR OVERCOMING FOOD CRISIS

ARKA
Aug 6, 2008

YEREVAN, August 6. /ARKA/. The Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) signed an agreement with Armenia on providing $500,000 for the
country to overcome the food crisis.

The agreement was signed by Armenian Minister of Agriculture Aramayis
Grigoryan and FAO Representative on Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Maria Kadlecikova.

A year ago Armenia applied to FAO leadership for help and received
positive response. The money will be spent on purchase of stock cereals
seeds for farmers who are in a worst condition, the Minister said.

The program is to cover 4,300-4,500 most vulnerable rural households
of most damaged regions.

The stock seeds will be distributed to farmers from August 20 to
August 25.

The seeds will be purchased in Armenia so that local producers have
an opportunity to sell their seed products this and next year, the
Minister said.

Maria Kadlecikova, in her turn, reported that soon the second stage
agreement will be signed to develop institutional development and
improve marketing opportunities of the country’s rural sector.

Under the program, expert assistance will be provided to farmers to
ensure long-term and stable results of sowing next season.

Armenia is among 48 states most damaged as a result of the steep
rise in prices for foodstuffs and fuel. FAO is to allocate $21mln to
these countries.

Armenia has been a full20member of FAO since 1993. In the last 13
years FAO played great role in development and implementation of rural
policy in Armenia, settlement of food safety problems and expansion
of international cooperation and poverty reduction.

TURKISH DAILY NEWS: SARGSYAN-GUL POSSIBLE MEETING WILL BE A THAW IN BILATERAL RELATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.08.2008 15:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Associate professor Kamer Kasim, a writer at the
International Strategic Research Center, or USAK, said Armenia must be
willing to change its attitude on three key matters currently harming
Turkey-Armenian relations for the football diplomacy to achieve any
meaningful results. "The first is a deletion of the expression "Western
Armenia" from its declaration of independence, and a signature of an
agreement on good neighborliness and the inviolability of borders,"
Kasim said, the Turkish Daily News reports.

Kacim continued, saying, "Second is progress in the Nagorno Karabakh
case, and third is dropping charges of genocide against Turkey."

Armenia’s declaration of independence adopted in 1990 says that the
republic stands for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide
at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey severed diplomatic ties with Armenia as a token of solidarity
with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

An alternative to an all-or-nothing approach to the expected fresh
diplomatic initiative would be to focus on soft topics shadowed by
hard politics. "I do not expect great things from an eventual meeting,
but it is evident that there will be a thaw in bilateral relations,"
Fuat Keyman, a professor of International Relations at Koc University
commented.

Keyman noted that Turkey must take the lead in softening relations
and stop pushing Armenia into a corner. "I believe that Turkey is
an important player in the Caucasus, Balkans and the Middle East. As
Turkey has more influence, Armenia is more and more isolated," he said,
making reference to three important projects that connect Georgia,
Azerbaijan and Turkey and bypass Armenia – the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline inaugurated in 2005, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas
line opened end 2006 and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, construction
of which started this year. "Moreover, as Turkey’s negotiation process
with the European Union advances, economic and cultural relations
will improve with Armenia," Keyman asserted.

There are internal difficulties that seem to narrow the scope of
bilateral dialogue, Kasim argued. The status of Nagorno Karabakh is
unlikely to benefit from whatever diplomatic thaw Turkey and Armenia
seek to achieve in the short term, both experts agreed. "Sargsyan is
of Karabakh origin, so are his supporters," noted Kasim, pointing to
difficulties the Armenian president might face even if he is willing to
adopt a policy change. "Even if the president is willing for progress,
it will be negotiated behind the scenes and made public at the last
minute," Kasim said.

Another point is the Armenian position, which holds that Armenia
is ready to talk without any preconditions. "This is propaganda by
Armenian because it is Turkey that brings conditions," Kasim said,
pointing out that no concrete policy changes have yet been proposed
by Yerevan.

It is unclear whether or not President Abdullah Gul will fly to
Yerevan for the match on Sept. 6.