Month: October 2008

ACCORDING TO WEF EXPERTS, ARMENIA IS ONE OF THE THREE COUNTRIES WITH LOWEST EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTI- MONOPOLY POLICY

ArmInfo
2008-10-09 13:20:00

ArmInfo. The experts of the World Economic Forum, Armenia is one
of the three countries with the lowest level of effectiveness of
anti-monopoly policy. According to the Global Competitiveness Report
published by the WEF, Wednesday, Armenia holds the 132nd place out
of 134 by the effectiveness of anti-monopoly policy, the 132nd place
by market competition intensity, and the 133rd place by the extent
of market dominance.

The rankings are calculated from both publicly available data and the
Executive Opinion Survey, a comprehensive annual survey conducted
by the World Economic Forum together with its network of Partner
Institutes (leading research institutes and business organizations)
in the countries covered by the report. In 2008, about 12 thsd
businessmen from 134 countries took part in the survey.

TWO ADDITIONAL VIVACELL-MTS SERVICE CENTERS LAUNCHED IN YEREVAN

ArmInfo
2008-10-09 12:01:00

ArmInfo. VivaCell-MTS Company announces the opening of two
new-generation service centers in Yerevan respectively in 19-21,
Saryan St. and 9/5 Kochinyan St.

The subscribers have access now to a closer Service Center in their
near vicinity. The above new service centers are open from 9.00 to
18.00 on Mondays through Saturdays, and at 9.00 -13.00 every Sunday,
with the capacity to serve 140 customers per hour, with a fully
trained and professional team of experts.

"Here we are again fulfilling yet another promise. We have promised
to be available everywhere all over Armenia, and day after day we
are keeping this promise. And that’s not all, as the best is yet to
come" – noted Ralph Yirikian, VivaCell-MTS General Manager during
the opening ceremony. The whole range of the VivaCell-MTS products
and services are made available in the newly-opened service centers
including international roaming, post-paid and prepaid packages with
respective tariff plans, invoice settling, different denomination
scratch cards, number selection, GPRS, corporate packages, detailed
bills, and other services. With its constantly growing staff,
VivaCell-MTS is truly a national employer with a clear aim to better
serve the subscriber. During the last year the Company has more than
doubled the number of its employees in Yerevan and marzes, a team
that is engaged in continuous professional development program.

VivaCell – MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is the leading Armenian mobile
operator, providing a wide range of Voice and Data services. Since
its launch on 1st July 2005, in a short period of time VivaCell – MTS
has managed to build a nationwide network and considerable customer
base. VivaCell – MTS drives the development and offering of innovative
mobile communications products, services and features in the Armenian
mobile communications market.

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") is the largest mobile phone operator
in Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company
services over 91 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as well
as Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which
MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM
services, have a total population of more than 230 million. Since
June 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (ticker symbol MBT).

ARMENIA 2009 GDP GROWTH FORECAST TO 8%: REPORT

ARKA
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, October 8. /ARKA/. Armenia’s gross domestic product (GDP)
is expected to increase by 10% this year, compared to 8% in 2009,
Grant Thornton International (GTI) says in its International Business
Report 2008, citing a considerable growth in the country’s construction
this year.

Taking into account the hike in import prices, record-high oil prices
in the global market and the growing domestic demand, GTI expects 7%
consumer price index exceeding the country’s benchmark inflation
(4%±1.5%).

At the same time, the index is lower than in Armenia’s neighbor
countries and GTI says it will go down to the planned level next year.

GTI forecasts 1.2% budget deficit to GDP this year. Twice lower as
the rate expected, this will strengthen foreign currency. Inflow
of private transfers will grow at a quick pace, with the external
account deficit reaching 8.6%.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, Armenia posted 10.3%
year-on-year economic growth in January-August 2008. According to the
RA budget, the country is expected to record 10% GDP growth this year.

The International Business report pprovides insight into the views and
expectations of 7,800 privately held businesses across 34 economies.

–Boundary_(ID_78L+fAHU3cow2GfbGwraPw) —

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO LEAVE FOR BISHKEK TO TAKE PART IN THE SUMMIT OF THE CIS HEAD OF STATES AND IN THE EURASEC SESSION

ArmInfo
2008-10-09 12:32:00

ArmInfo. Today Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is leaving for the
capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, to take part in the summit of
the CIS head of states and in the EurAsEC session.

As ArmInfo was informed from press-service of the president that
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, Armenia’s permanent
representative to the CIS structures, Armenia’s Ambassador to Belarus
Oleg Yesayan and other officials are within the delegation headed by
the president.

The presidents will discuss strategic programmes of the economic
development of the CIS countries till 2020, the key directions of
the CIS countries cooperation in the energy sphere in 2009 as well
as wide specter of further development of the CIS in various spheres.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT DEPARTING FOR BISHKEK FOR CIS SUMMIT

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.10.2008 12:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is departing for
Bishkek Thursday to attend the CIS summit.

The Armenian delegation includes Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
Armenia’s permanent representative to CIS, Ambassador to Belarus Oleg
Yesayan and other officials, the RA President’s press office reported.

A separate meeting of the heads of state will be followed by expanded
talks to focus on CIS economic development, energy cooperation and
other issues.

The Armenian President will also attend a meeting of EurAsEC
intergovernmental council where Armenia has an observer status.

‘OPEN SKIES’ CONTRACT BETWEEN ARMENIA AND THE USA

ArmInfo
2008-10-09 12:30:00

ArmInfo. Armenia and the USA have made the "Open Skies" contract,
head of US Transport Department Mary Peters reported.

"This is the first contract between the two countries in the sphere
of air transport. Armenia has become the 94th partner of the USA on
the Open Skies’, – she said. The Open Skies removes all the limits
on air transport for contract member-states. For this reason it will
make it possible for the American and Armenian air companies to use
these countries as transit ones when implementing flights to America
and Armenia.

TURKISH PARLIAMENT EXTENDS GOVERNMENT’S AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT OPERATIONS AGAINST PKK IN N. IRAQ

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.10.2008 13:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Turkish parliament agreed to extend the
government’s authority to deploy ground troops and conduct operations
in northern Iraq to crush Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) hideouts
in that country, but Turkey’s experience in the past year has shown
that cross-border operations do not have a huge impact on Turkey’s
fight against terrorism, Today’s Zaman reports.

A bill authorizing the government to launch military offensives in
northern Iraq was passed in October of last year with 507 votes for
and 19 against.

Since then Turkey has conducted ground operations in northern Iraq
only once, but air strikes have been launched many times. An attack
last Friday on the Aktutun military outpost located in Hakkari near
the Iraqi border, taking the lives of 17 soldiers, shows that nearly
a year after Parliament approved cross-border operations Turkey is
still vulnerable to attacks by PKK terrorists.

Yesterday’s vote garnered more support than had been previously
expected with 511 voting in favor and 18 against.

The decision to extend mandate was taken soon after at least three
police officers and one civilian were killed with as many as 20
wounded in an attack on a Diyarbakir police station.

KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION TO BE REFERRED INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.10.2008 13:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The UN General Assembly has voted to refer Kosovo’s
independence declaration to the International Court of Justice. The ICJ
will be asked to give an advisory, non-binding opinion on the legality
of Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in February.

Seventy-seven countries voted in favor, six against and 74 abstained.

Serbia and Russia say Kosovo acted illegally. But nearly 50 countries
– including the U.S. and most of the EU – have recognized it as
independent. Serbia argued that asking the ICJ to give its opinion
would actually reduce tensions and promote reconciliation.

Many countries who voted in favor said this was not a political
decision but a legal one, and every state had a right to ask the court
for an opinion. But the large number of abstentions shows that other
countries saw this as highly political.

For the 48 countries which have recognized Kosovo but support the
court this was a tricky vote, she says. The U.S. voted against,
calling this an unnecessary and unhelpful move.

Most EU countries abstained – Britain called Serbia’s request
primarily political. But the EU was split, with Romania, Slovakia,
Spain, Greece and Cyprus voting in favor. They all said international
law should be respected.

It could take up to two years for the court to issue its opinion,
BBC reports.

GUL TO DISCUSS CAUCASUS PLATFORM IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.10.2008 14:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul will discuss the
Turkish-Russian relations during his Moscow visit in December 2008.

"The talks will focus on the financial crisis. Our President will also
refer to bilateral relations, regional and international problems,"
said Halil Akinci, Turkish Ambassador to Russia. He did not rule
out that the Caucasus Stability and Corporation Platform will also
be considered.

"There are too many people wishing to mediate for peace in the
Caucasus. However, Turkish initiative is particular, since it covers
the countries of the region, namely Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and
Georgia, and will base on the OSCE norms," he said, RIA Novosti
reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OBAMA: U.S. MUST ACT TO STOP GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.10.2008 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Sen. Barack Obama, who emerged the clear victor
in Tuesday’s second Presidential Debate, reiterated his principled
stance on Genocide prevention around the world in response to a
question from moderator Tom Brokaw, the ANCA told PanRMENIAN.Net.

Tom Brokaw asked the candidates what their "doctrine" would be "in
situations where there’s a humanitarian crisis, but it does not affect
our national security," such as "the Congo, where 4.5 million people
have died since 1998," or Rwanda or Somalia.

Obama responded by saying that in such cases, "we have moral issues at
stake," adding that of course the U.S. must act to stop genocide. "When
genocide is happening, when ethnic cleansing is happening … and
we stand idly by, that diminishes us," said Obama adding that
U.S. intervention must be coordinated with allies around regions.

With Sen. Obama expanding his lead in national and battleground state
polls, as well as electoral map projections, the conventional wisdom
has been that Senator McCain needed a game-changing performance in
the second Presidential Debate of 2008 to save his campaign.

The second Presidential debate was conducted in a town-hall format
which is generally seen as Senator McCain’s strength. Once again,
Senator Obama was able to overcome an inherent disadvantage and
demonstrate to the American people his ability to lead this nation.

"Armenian-American voters, along with voters across the country,
witnessed a stunning performance by Senator Obama tonight," stated
Jeff Marootian, Political Director of Armenians for Obama. "For the
past 3 days, Senator McCain’s campaign has engaged in some of the
most vile and underhanded character attacks in American political
history. In the face of that storm, Senator Obama maintained his
composure and refused to engage in smear tactics, instead focusing
on the issues and explaining to America what his plans are for the
economy and healthcare," continued Marootian.

Questions during the debate ranged from the economy, healthcare,
foreign policy, energy policy, and taxes. The debate also offered
voters the opportunity to ask the questions themselves, rather than
the moderator, Tom Brokaw of NBC News.

Areen Ibranossian, Chairman of Armenians for Obama, commented on the
debate as well. "What’s interesting to me about these debates is the
style, temperament, and worldviews of the candidates. Senator John
McCain continues to demonstrate he is more comfortable attacking and
demeaning Senator Obama then he is in explaining what his plans for
America are," commented Ibranossian.