Month: December 2008

THE ARMENIAN REPUBLIC AND DIASPORA SHOULD SHARE ONE SINGLE POSITION
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.12.2008 GMT+04:00

The first step is already made: Minister of Diaspora Affairs Hranush
Hakobian apologized to the Armenian-repatriates who in 1946-1948 were
exiled to Altai and Siberia.

There exist only two countries most of whose population live
outside their historical homeland. These countries are Israel and
Armenia. 2/3 of Armenians and Jews live outside their fatherland, and
this fact plays a pernicious role in the countries’ development. What
the Armenian and Jewish Diasporas have in common is that they both
appeared as a result of persecution. The only difference is that if
the Jews were exiled from their habitat for 2000 years on end, the
Armenian Diaspora was formed comparatively recently – at the beginning
of the 20th century. The Armenians’ expatriation from Western Armenia
reached its peak in 1915 when the Young Turks massacred and deported
almost 2 million Armenians. Thus, it was exactly the Armenian Genocide
that caused Armenians to disperse all over the world, a fact we have
been repeatedly writing and speaking about.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When in the territory of Western Armenia the Soviet
Socialist Republic of Armenia (Armenian SSR) was established, Armenians
began to return to their so-called conditional homeland. About 40.000
Armenians from different countries had managed to come to Soviet
Armenia by 1936. A post-war Soviet myth said the matter concerned
Â"repatriation of forcedly displaced ArmeniansÂ". Under Stalin rule the
subject of Armenian Genocide was prohibited, and those who mentioned
it were instantly declared Â"enemies of the peopleÂ" and were,
at best, exiled to Siberia or to Altai. In fact, Armenian Diaspora
existed in lots of countries and part of it sincerely believed in
the new, fair structure of the post-war world. Moreover, part of the
Diaspora was subjected to communist ideas, especially in relatively
poor countries like Syria, Lebanon, Greece, and Bulgaria. However,
people migrated from other countries too, such as Romania, France,
Yugoslavia, as well as Iran, Iraq, and the USA…

It is not a secret that it was especially the communists that got many
Armenians living abroad to return to their home country. It was not
repatriation, however, since inside the borders of Armenian SSR never
was Armenia the fatherland of her ancestors – emigrants from Western
Armenia. The motivation for returning was the desire Â"to build the
Soviet StateÂ". Firstly a separate district committee was formed for
the new comers, many of whom joined the Communist Party of the Soviet
Union (CPSU). By the way the new special district committee was to be
found in the Zeytun District of Yerevan, and the site is still called
"Raykom" (meaning "district committee" in Russian).

About 100.000 people returned till 1948. In 1948 Stalin "advised"
Malenkov to think if there were no American saboteurs among the
repatriates… On the next day Malenkov informed Stalin about a bomb
planted by Armenian repatriates on the motor ship Â"PobedaÂ" in the
port of Batumi. Under this pretence repatriation of Armenians was
completely ceased, and it resumed only after Stalin’s death. Since 1953
in a few years another 30.000 people came back to their motherland.

The tradition of Armenians’ returning to Transcaucasia was maintained
for rather long in Soviet times too. For the whole Soviet period there
were three main flows of repatriation: in 1921-1936 (42 thousand),
in 1946 (the biggest flow – 90-100 thousand), and in 1962-1982 (32
thousand). The first post-war flow of immigrants came mostly from
Lebanon and Syria, as well as from Iran and Greece-Cyprus. Of the
whole flow of repatriates about 2/3 came from the above-mentioned
countries. Rather considerable (several thousands from each country)
was also the immigration from France, Egypt, Bulgaria, and Romania. The
last flow (3/4) consisted of immigrants from Iran. The total number
of Armenian repatriates of the Soviet period is estimated at about
180 thousand.

However, repatriates found it rather difficult to settle down in
Soviet Armenia, and it was especially them or their children that
looked forward to leaving the USSR. At the first opportunity, in 1956,
initiated and increased the flow of Armenian emigration predominantly
to the West – to France, USA, Australia, and Canada. The total number
of Armenian emigrants in 1956-1989 is estimated to be 77 thousand. The
overwhelming majority – about 80% – left for the USA.

For a long time the problems of Diaspora were not discussed in new
and independent Armenia. The reasons for such silence are not quite
clear, if we take into consideration the fact that Armenia managed
to survive only with the help of its Diaspora. Diaspora renders
assistance also to Nagorno Karabakh. All this is common knowledge but
for some reason it is remembered only occasionally. However, things
seem to be moving recently. We already have a Ministry of Diaspora
Affairs that is to bring together the position of all Armenians in
the world, which is rather hard in itself. The first step is already
made: Minister of Diaspora Affairs Hranush Hakobian apologized to
the Armenian-repatriates who in 1946-1948 were exiled to Altai and
to Siberia.

In the words of RA Prime-Minister Tigran Sargsyan, "Together with her
Diaspora Armenia is quite a different country, and we can’t but take
this into consideration in the 21st century. The world is changing
rather speedily, and the country’s authorities can’t afford another
mistake in the issue of repatriation. We must do our best to avoid
another apology to the Armenian Diaspora."

It is rather unlikely that all Armenians should live in one country;
it is neither realistic, nor is it necessary. Without a strong Diaspora
it would be impossible to solve such Armenian problems as recognition
of the Genocide or lobbying of laws, which enable Armenia to develop
in a regional blockade. However, it should be observed that the voice
of Armenian lobby can sound much louder and much more effective,
if it expresses the viewpoint of the whole Armenian State, like it
was in the case with Israel. Otherwise what we have now is RA and
Diaspora acting by themselves, which in the present state of affairs
is quite unacceptable.

–Boundary_(ID_RWhRZqVlQ1w5B8i+KdmM tw)–

ARMENIA INTERESTED IN EXPANDING THE FRAMEWORK OF COOPERATION WITH THE OSCE

armradio.am
16.12.2008 15:25

President Serzh Sargsyan today received the OSCE Secretary General,
Marc Perrin de Brichambaut and his delegation.

Highly appreciating the constant support of the OSCE to the reforms
implemented in our country, the President noted that as a member
state Armenia is interested in expanding the framework of cooperation
by embracing new spheres and issues. Serzh Sargsyan stressed the
importance of cooperation with the OSCE, taking into consideration
that the process of settlement of the Karabakh issue is underway
within the framework of that organization.

The interlocutors talked about the opportunities of resolution of the
Karabakh issue and the role of the OCE in the settlement process. Serzh
Sargsyan and Marc Perrin de Brichambaut attached great importance
to the declarations on Nagorno Karabakh adopted by the OSCE Foreign
Ministers and the Foreign Ministers of the Minsk Group co-chair
countries. They agreed in their opinion that the militant statements
cannot contribute to the solution of the existing problems, and the
August events once again demonstrated the dangerousness of solving
conflicts via force.

The parties turned to the political and economic reforms implemented
in Armenia. Noting that during his tenure in office President
Sargsyan has taken daring and large-scale steps in the direction
of implementation of refo rms, the OSCE Secretary General displayed
interest in the spheres the Organization could be useful. The leader of
the country said the authorities are resolute to continue the reforms,
consolidated in the President’s pre-election platform and are in line
with the priorities of the political coalition.

During the meeting reference was made to the issue of persons detained
as a result of the events of March 1-2.

GABRIEL SARGSYAN NAMED BEST SPORTSMAN OF ARMENIA OF 2008

armradio.am
16.12.2008 16:16

As a result of survey among 43 sport reporters, double Olympic
Champion, best chess player of the 38th Chess Olympiad in Dresden,
Grand Master Gabriel Sargsyan was named the best sportsman of the
year with 313 points.

The Armenian sport journalists chose the ten best sportsmen of 2008
from the list of 33 candidates.

1. Gabriel Sargsyan – chess, 313 points
2. Tigran V. Martirosyan – weightlifting, 289 points
3. Tigran G. Martirosyan – weightlifting, 276 points
4. Levon Aronyan – chess, 245 points
5. Yuri Patrikeev – Greco-Roman wrestling, 241
6. Vladimir Hakobyan – chess, 208 points
7. Roman Amoyan – Greco-Roman wrestling, 195 points
8. Gevorg Davtyan – weightlifting, 164 points
9. Hrachya Javakhyan – boxing, 117 points
10. Tigran L. Petrosyan – chess, 116 points.

ARMENIA’S NATIONAL SECURITY SECRETARY MEETS OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL

armradio.am
16.12.2008 16:46

Issues related to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, regional cooperation
and security were discussed during the meeting between the Secretary
of the National Security Council of Armenia, Arthur Baghdasaryan,
and the OSCE Secretary General, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.

Stressing the dangerousness of solving conflicts in a military way,
Arthur Baghdasaryan attached importance to the continuation of the
negations within the OSCE Minsk Group and the Moscow declaration
signed in this framework.

He underlined the necessity of gradual improvement of the
Armenian-Turkish relations. The parties discussed the Russian
initiative of European security, and in this context attached
importance to issues of reinforcing peace and stability on the
Caucasus.

Arthur Baghdasaryan informed that an international conference dedicated
to issues of regional security will be held in Yerevan in April.

FIGURE SKATING SCHOOL OPENS IN ARMENIA
Marianna Gyurjyan

"Radiolur"
16.12.2008 17:40

In 2009 a Figure Skating School after Olympic Champion Yevgeni
Plyushchenko will be opened at the Sport and Concert Complex after
Karen Demirchyan. Here Armenian children will be able to train with
the help of Russian specialists, which means that Armenian figure
skaters will participate in international competitions more frequently.

Shareholder of "Bamo" Company Hovik Muradyan assures that the second
skating-rink will be created within the coming two years. On New
Year’s Eve, on December 27 and 28 world known figure skater Yevgeni
Plyushchenko and famous Hungarian composer Edwin Marton will perform
the luxurious "Stradivarius’ golden ice" for Armenian spectators.

ARMENIA AND CAUCASUS AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

armradio.am
16.12.2008 17:45

The European Armenian Federation warmly welcomes the decision of
the European Council to establish an "Eastern Partnership" (EaP)
with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldavia and Ukraine.

Last Friday, the Council adopted the European Commission’s proposal
which aims at setting up such a partnership to extend the dispositions
of the current European Neighbourhood Policy to the countries located
to the East of the European Union. This new Eastern Partnership, based
on a "differentiated approach" will respect each partner country’s
"own way forward and speed" and will provide practically almost all
of the economic and social advantages of the European Union to the
five States with the exception of opening the doors to the Union’s
political institutions. Nevertheless, the Commission’s proposal does
not "prejudice to individual countries’ aspirations for their future
relationship with the EU"

"At the current stage of EU integration, the Eastern Partnership
constitutes certainly the most advanced level of relations which could
be hoped for these countries. We warmly commend this courageous step
forward which shows voluntarism and offers to Armenia and to the
Caucasus a real opportunity of peaceful and balanced development"
declared Laurent Leylekian, the executive director of the European
Armenian Federation.

In fact, the Eastern Partnership proposes a deepening of bilateral
engagements with the Non-member States and the establishment of
a multilateral co-operation framework. The bilateral engagements
will progressively include a "deep and comprehensive free trade
area", a visas facilitation policy – then later on abandonment of
visa requirements for the nationals of these countries – police and
judicial co-operations, the integration of Ukraine and Moldavia in
European Energy Community and the signing memoranda of understandings
with Armenia, Georgia and Moldavia on Energy transit and security
and also on regional policies, regional programmes of development
and participation to transnational programmes in South-Eastern,
Central and Northern Europe.

The multilateral co-operation framework in its turn considers four
"thematic platforms" ("democracy, good governance and stability",
"economic integration and convergence with the EU policies", "energy
security" and "contact between people"), emblematic "flagship"
initiatives and increased participation of the civil society through
ad hoc forums, parliamentary initiative EuroNest – associating
the European Parliament with the related national Parliaments –
the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social
Committee.

"This is an extremely ambitious program which, in particul ar,
recognizes and gives an appropriate place to the civil society. In
this context, Armenia and Europe have a particular card in their
favour, that of the European Armenian Diaspora" continued Laurent
Leylekian. "This Diaspora constitutes the natural bond, the facilitator
of the Eastern Partnership with Armenia. In this perspective, the
European Armenian Federation which is ready to remain the privileged
interlocutor with the European institutions as well as the Armenian
government will play its role" concluded Leylekian.

The financial instrument of the Neighbourhood Policy had planned a
billion Euros of support for the period 2007 – 2010 and the Eastern
Partnership will increase this amount by 600 million Euros for 2010 –
2013. This new Eastern Policy will be inaugurated during a summit,
envisaged in spring 2009, in the presence of all the leaders of the
27 States and those of the countries concerned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NASDAQ OMX ARMENIA INTRODUCES EXCHANGE MARKET FOR REPO TRADING AND MECHANISM FOR MANUAL TRADES

ARKA
Dec 16, 2008

YEREVAN, December 16. /ARKA/. NASDAQ OMX Armenia launched two new
markets based on the Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) trading platform
– for repurchase agreements (REPO) on corporate securities, and for
manual trades, the company’s press service reported Monday.

NASDAQ OMX Armenia introduced the new markets as part of its efforts to
enhance exchange trading opportunities in the country, says the report.

According to the report, the launch of these two mechanisms covers
another two important segments of the securities market and has become
possible through close collaboration with all market participants.

"REPO trading that has previously been done directly among banks and
investment companies is one of the stock exchange’s long awaited new
products. Through REPO and reverse REPO trades market participants
are able to get funds against collateralized securities, and vice
versa. The exchange platform now in place for REPO agreements
simplifies the trade execution process, makes it fully automated,
more secure, and helps substantially reduce the time required to
complete a trade," says the press release.

By launching an exchange mechanism for manual trades, NASDAQ OMX
Armenia brings into regulation the over-the-counter (OTC) market for
corporate securities. Such manual trades that were more likely to
be execut ed off-exchange can from now on be done through the manual
trades mechanism, according to the rules of the stock exchange. Again,
the new mechanism implies significantly more flexibility and efficiency
for the parties involved.

All Armex member investment companies and banks automatically get
access to the newly introduced REPO and manual trade markets. Trading
in both these markets will open at 11:00am and close at 3:00pm each
business day.

As of December 2008, instruments traded via Armex trading platform
include stocks, corporate and government bonds, currency, and REPOs.

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange company. It
delivers trading, exchange technology services across the world. With
over 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among
major markets.

NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 60 exchanges,
clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more
than 50 countries.

In January 2008, Nordic exchange operator OMX Group acquired 100%
of shares of the Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) and the Central
Depository of Armenia (CDA). After the combination of NASDAQ and OMX
in March 2008, Armex and CDA have become fully owned by the NASDAQ
OMX Group, Inc.

PREMIER: SOCIAL PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT PAYING CAPACITY OF ARMENIAN POPULATION

ARKA
Dec 16, 2008

YEREVAN, December 16. /ARKA/. 2009 state budget social programs will
support the paying capacity of Armenian population, Armenian Premier
Tigran Sargsyan said in answering the questions received through the
hotline of "Golos Armeniyi" newspaper.

Social expenditures are to increase next year, he said.

"We also intend to raise the volume of lending to small and medium
business. We hope that we will be able to attract about $250mln and
use it for these purposes," the Premier said.

He added that the answer to the question on population’s paying
capacity is given also in his program speech before the National
Assembly that is posted on the government website.

The report is published in a number of newspapers and provides a
comprehensive approach to the problem. In particular, it reveals
the risks and threats that may occur in Armenia and the ways to
overcome them.

"I recommend everybody to get acquainted with this document," the
Premier said.

METAL MINING ENTERPRISES TO BECOME BUFFER FOR CRISIS PREVENTION

ARKA
Dec 16, 2008

YEREVAN, December 16. /ARKA/. Owners of Armenia’s metal mining
enterprises can become a financial buffer to weather the crisis,
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said told the Golos Armenii (Voice
of Armenia).

When the owners of the mining enterprises started business, prices
were higher than they had expected, the premier said, pointing out
excess profits the companies earned in the past three years. "Our
National Statistical Service can prove my words," Sargsyan said.

"With 2,100 companies surveyed, it turned out that mining enterprises
top the chart of excess-profit enterprises." According to the prime
minister, the government is negotiating with the owners of local
mining enterprises on their liabilities to employees.

Sargsyan urged the tax services to return the value added tax to mining
enterprises, so that they can withstand the financial crisis. The
premier said the government stands ready to discuss existing problems
with local enterprises.

RA Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan, RA
Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan and RA Minister of Labor Arsen
Hambardzumyan last month visited Kajaran and Agarak copper-molybdenum
plants, as well as the Kapan-based ore-dressing enterprise to find
solutions to the problems in the sector. During their visit, the
ministers agreed on avoiding staff reduction and organize another
0D discussion in three months in view of the turmoil in the global
metals market and the tough social situation.

PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA: OWNERS OF MINING COMPANIES HAVE ENOUGH FINANCIAL BUFFER TO WAIT OUT HARD TIMES

ArmInfo
2008-12-16 11:55:00

ArmInfo. The owners of mining companies have enough financial buffer
to wait out hard times of the world economic crisis, Prime Minister
of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan said in an interview with Golos Armenii
newspaper.

"It is not a secret that metal prices were much higher than their
business-programs envisaged when they had launched activity. This
means that over the last three years they received extra profits",
the premier said referring to the poll conducted by the National
Statistical Service to reveal the profitability of various economic
sectors. Tigran Sargsyan said that the government is currently
negotiating with the owners and demands fulfillment of their social
obligations to the staffs. However, it is also important for the
revenue services to fulfill their obligations to the enterprises and
payback VAT, which will contribute to creating financial buffer, the
premier said. He mentioned that the government discusses development
programs with the owners, including with government involvement if
necessary. Falling of the world metal prices due to the economic
crisis has led to reduction of mining production in Armenia as well
as job axing and reduction of salaries.