Month: December 2008

GETTING AWAY WITH TOO MUCH

Transitions Online
nguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrIssue=299&N rSection=2&NrArticle=20255
Dec 12 2008
Czech Republic

Armenia has been given many chances to observe its human rights
commitments. It may be time for stronger measures.

Imagine a country that flagrantly violates some of the core principles
of an organization of which it is a member. Despite pleas from that
organization’s officials, the country continues to unjustly imprison
innocent men, solely for their religious beliefs, and a representative
of the country’s Foreign Ministry even rejects the notion that this
is a human rights issue at all. Yet the organization can do little
to press the issue and largely lacks punitive measures to force the
offending country into line, and so the situation goes unchanged.

This is not the Middle East, and this is not the United
Nations. This is Armenia, a controversial member of the Council of
Europe since 2001. Before joining, the country promised to adopt
a law on alternative service within three years and to free all
conscientious objectors from prison. Yet a report this week by Forum
18, an Oslo-based NGO that monitors religious freedom, has found that
around 80 Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objectors remain imprisoned,
with another 15 likely to face trial in the coming months. Reneging
on promises made to the Council of Europe, the Armenian government
has still not created an alternative to military service that is not
under military control.

MILITARY MANAGES ‘CIVILIAN’ SERVICE

The authorities officially registered Jehovah’s Witnesses in October
2004, another Council of Europe recommendation. Some sources cite
the Witnesses’ first appearance in Armenia 20 years ago, soon after
the then Soviet republic experienced a massive earthquake that left
large areas in ruins and 25,000 dead. Official figures have estimated
at least 4,000 members in Armenia. In addition to being harassed over
their religious beliefs – which clash with traditional Christianity –
followers have been persecuted in a number of countries for their
refusal to perform military service. In countries with compulsory
service, the problems have obviously been exacerbated.

The passage of an Armenian law on alternative service in 2004,
and two subsequent amendments, was supposed to solve all of that,
allowing conscientious objectors to avoid military service while still
serving the state in a useful capacity. Yet the Defense Ministry still
manages the supposedly "civilian" service. According to Forum 18, while
jurisdiction over the service may have technically been farmed out to
other ministries, the military still remains very much in control,
supervising where participants are assigned to work and subjecting
them to the army’s code of conduct.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have also complained that the military regularly
checks up on participants, who are entered as soldiers in military
records and must ask permission from the army to go on leave – all
requirements that defeat the purpose of creating an alternative service
for those who don’t want to be connected with the military. Refusing
to enlist in this sham "option," the conscientious objectors are now
serving prison sentences of one to three years, church members told
Forum 18.

INTERNATIONAL DISAPPROVAL

None of this has gone unnoticed by the Council of Europe. The
organization’s Parliamentary Assembly passed a resolution in 2007
criticizing the failure to introduce a civilian alternative service and
advised pardoning the conscientious objectors in the meantime. In April
2008, the council’s commissioner for human rights, Thomas Hammarberg,
repeated those calls and reaffirmed the council’s belief that Armenia
does not offer a "genuine civilian service."

Amazingly, even in the face of such criticism and more from the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an official from
the human rights department at the Armenian Foreign Ministry still
insisted to Forum 18 that the country was fulfilling its commitments
to the Council of Europe and denied that this was even a human rights
issue. More comically, the official disputed the numbers of imprisoned
conscientious objectors compiled by Forum 18, but said the ministry
itself didn’t have any figure. Over at the Justice Ministry, an
official claimed the military did not oversee the alternative service
system, which thus provided a real choice for the Jehovah’s Witnesses
and discounted their assertions about being "prisoners of conscience."

In an interview with TOL, the author of the report, Felix Corley,
explained the inaction of Armenian officials by pointing to the
powerful role of the military in government affairs. The unresolved
conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh keeps military leaders
on edge and determined to force young people to enlist, despite
worries over reports of conscripts killed during hazing episodes and
other accidents. "Some people fear that if there are these exceptions,
then everyone will use them to get out of military service and then
who will defend Armenia?" Corley said. Other officials simply feel
they have already done enough and don’t understand the continuing
problems. "They probably think, ‘we’ve changed the law three times
and they aren’t still satisfied. They probably never will be,’
" Corley said.

The debate eight years ago over inviting Armenia into the Council
of Europe revolved around consideration about whether a state that
was far from being a true democracy in any sense of the word could
be better reformed within the organization or not. Even local human
rights activists largely advocated inclusion, believing that would
foster progress and place greater pressures on the political elite
to adjust their behavior. Membership in the Council of Europe also
means that citizens of member countries can take their governments
to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which a number
of Armenian Jehovah Witnesses have done (one case was ruled partially
admissible in 2006, but remains unresolved).

Next month, the council’s Parliamentary Assembly will again debate
sanctions against Armenia over the violent suppression of political
protests in March. Add this to the latest news on the continued
imprisonment of conscientious objectors – not to mention all the
fixed elections, media pressure, and other violations since Armenia
was invited to join – and it may be time to reassess whether the
decision was a good one.

Cartoon by Andrej Graniak. Courtesy of Cartoonists Rights Network

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ENVOY OFFERS IRAN’S MEDIATION TO SOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM

Fars News Agency
Dec 12 2008
Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Naser Hamidi Zare voiced
Tehran’s preparedness to help resolve a longstanding conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Azerbaijan and Armenia make efforts to resolve the conflict. Iran
can also use its potential in this respect," the envoy said about
Iran’s intention to mediate in the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, reminding that Iran has made great proposals to Azerbaijan
on this issue.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference, Hadimi Zare
further viewed future of Iran-Azerbaijan relations as very clear
and prosperous.

Asked about Iran’s view over Turkey’s "Caucasus Stability and Security
Platform" initiative, Hamidi Zareh said the world is tired of Marxist
and capitalist systems.

"It is time to create a new clean and honest system. The world needs
a fair system," he said.

Elsewhere, the diplomat said Muslim countries, as well as independent
and free countries of the world must take effective steps toward
prevention of genocide in Palestine and ending of blockade of Gaza
Strip.

Responding to a question about possibility of war between Iran and
Israel, Hamidi Zare reminded that Tehran does not recognize any such
country as Israel, and called possibility of war as tattles.

Israel and its close ally the United States accuse Iran of seeking
a nuclear weapon, while they have never presented any corroborative
document to substantiate their allegations. Both Washington and Tel
Aviv possess advanced weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear
warheads.

Iran vehemently denies the charges, insisting that its nuclear program
is for peaceful purposes only. Tehran stresses that the country has
always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number
of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry.

Speculation that Israel could bomb Iran has mounted since a big
Israeli air drill in June. In the first week of June, 100 Israeli
F-16 and F-15 fighters reportedly took part in an exercise over the
eastern Mediterranean and Greece, which was interpreted as a dress
rehearsal for a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear installations.

Iran has, in return, warned that it would target Israel and its
worldwide interests in case it comes under attack by the Tel Aviv.

A US attack on the Syrian village of Sukkariyah on October 26, has
also raised speculation about the likelihood of a US unilateral strike
on the Islamic Republic.

The United States has also always stressed that military action is
a main option for the White House to deter Iran’s progress in the
field of nuclear technology.

Iran has warned it could close the strategic Strait of Hormoz if it
became the target of a military attack over its nuclear program.

Strait of Hormoz, the entrance to the strategic Persian Gulf waterway,
is a major oil shipping route.

Meantime, a recent study by the Institute for Science and International
Security (ISIS), a prestigious American think tank, has found that a
military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities "is unlikely" to delay
the country’s program.

The ISIS study also cautioned that an attack against Iran would
backfire by compelling the country to acquire nuclear weaponry.

Intensified threats by Tel Aviv and Washington of military action
against Iran contradict a recent report by 16 US intelligence
bodies which endorsed the civilian nature of Iran’s nuclear plans
and activities.

Following the US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) and similar
reports by the IAEA head – one in November and the other one in
February – which praised Iran’s truthfulness about key aspects of
its past nuclear activities and announced settlement of outstanding
issues with Tehran, any effort to impose further sanctions or launch
military attack on Iran seems to be completely irrational.

The February report by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International
Atomic Energy Agency, praised Iran’s cooperation in clearing up all
of the past questions over its nuclear program, vindicating Iran’s
nuclear program and leaving no justification for any new UN sanctions.

The UN nuclear watchdog has also carried out at least 14 surprise
inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites so far, but found nothing to
support West’s allegations.

Following the said reports by the US and international bodies, many
world states have called the UN Security Council pressure against
Tehran unjustified, demanding that Iran’s case be normalized and
returned from the UNSC to the IAEA.

THREE ARMENIANS IN A CITY
Joanna Lobo

Daily News & Analysis
=1213498
Dec 13 2008
India

They have made Mumbai their home, but these three feisty Armenian
women still have a strong connection with their roots.

A Biblical legend goes that Noah’s Ark came to rest on the mountains
called Ararat. The country Armenia lies in the highlands surrounding
these mountains. The origins and the culture of the Armenians suggest
a strong link to the Catholic faith.

Armenians started migrating to India not just from the land of
their origin but also from the Middle East during the 16th and 17th
centuries. Today, most Indian Armenians are settled in Kolkatta. Mumbai
is home to a few of them, three to be precise.

One of the older residents in the city is the feisty and quick-witted
Fort resident, 93-year-old Rosie Eknayan. India has been her home
from the time she was two. Born into a family of five brothers and six
sisters, Rosie was married to Artias Eknayan when she was in primary
school. "Ours was an arranged marriage but it lasted for 45 years,"
she says. Today, this mother of two lives alone, with the help of
what she calls her ‘Rolls Royce’: her wheelchair. Another important
gadget in her life is her television set that keeps her updated on
the latest news around the city and the world.

The Armenians are a generous people, says Eknayan, and they do not
hesitate to donate generously for any cause, particularly a religious
one. However, religion has no place in her life. "Ever since my son
died, I no longer go to church and pray," she says.

Another nonagenarian Armenian resident in the city is Nuvart
Mehta. Originally from Istanbul, she came to Mumbai on work. "I was
working at the American Consulate and they transferred me here,"
she recalls. "I came here, met a Parsi man, married him and have not
looked back since." Her love story is unique. A friend had called
her over for drinks. However, being very shy around women, he called
another friend for moral support. This was Nari, the man she fell in
love with and married.

A resident of Colaba, Mehta lives alone but her goddaughter and
neighbour takes care of her. Age does not deter Mehta from enjoying
life. She gets her driver to take her around the city every day. She
even travels to Armenia and recently went to the US for her godchild’s
graduation. "I am a member of the Willington Club and go over everyday
to read the day’s papers." She tells you that the number of Armenians
in the city has dwindled because many have migrated to Australia
where they have many active churches.

The third Armenian in the city is Ezabella Joshi who lives in Juhu. A
resident of Mumbai since 1973, Ezabella came into the city after she
married Kishore Joshi. A trustee of the St. Peter’s Armenian Church,
she regularly travels all over the world. Her daughter, actress Tulip
Joshi, has been baptised an Armenian. Says Tulip: "The Archbishop of
Australia came down specially to baptise me. It was also the first time
I was in news because it was a big event." Tulip has visited Armenia
many times and loves it because it is "rugged, full of mountains;
a very quiet and a beautiful place." Although baptised, she does not
follow any particular religion.

Mumbai holds a very special place in the hearts of all three. "This
is a very international city and I love the fact that I have so many
friends of so many nationalities," says Mehta. The city has changed
a lot over the years, and now suffers a sense of insecurity, she
adds. Eknayan recalls the time when one could walk down the streets
of Mumbai at any time of the day. "The city has become so dirty
now. Earlier, every morning, the sweepers would come and clean the
roads before people began their day."

For Rosie Eknayan, Nuvart Mehta and Ezabella Joshi, Mumbai has always
been home. As Rosie puts it: "Yeh Mumbai humari hai".

Photo: Fiesty at 93: Mumbai has been Rose Eknayan’s home since she
was a small child.

OSCE MINISTERS URGE PARTIES TO INTENSIFY GARABAGH TALKS

AzerNews Weekly
Dec 11 2008
Azerbaijan

The OSCE foreign ministers encouraged Azerbaijan and Armenia to
intensify talks on settling the conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
following two-day of talks concluding in Helsinki on Friday.

Among the resolutions approved at the OSCE Foreign Ministers Council
included a ministerial statement regarding the Garabagh conflict. In
their statement, ministers welcomed the "constructive and positive
momentum in the peace process" for the political settlement of the
long-standing dispute.

Further, the ministers praised the talks held between the two
countries` presidents in St. Petersburg, Russia in June and in Moscow
early in November, including a declaration signed in the Russian
capital based upon the initiative of President Dmitry Medvedev. That
declaration further urged continuing the OSCE-mediated dialog between
the parties as well as joint efforts in bolstering stability in the
South Caucasus through a political settlement of the conflict. The
OSCE believes this will serve as a tool in reaching a negotiated
solution to the Garabagh problem and opens up broad opportunities to
accomplish the goal.

"We insistently call on the conflicting sides to continue talks within
the frame work of the [mediating] OSCE Minsk Group and to abide by
the Moscow declaration. We believe that the parties should speed
up the drafting of a basic agreement on the basis of the principles
outlined in Madrid on November 29, 2007."

The statement also noted that increasing mutual confidence between
the conflicting sides was one of the key conditions for finding a
solution to the Garabagh conflict.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing
of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh
and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international
law. Peace talks have not yet resulted in resolving the conflict.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said while addressing
the OSCE ministerial on Thursday that international law stipulates
that Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity must be the basis for a
settlement in the Garabagh region. He also praised the declaration
signed at the end of Moscow-brokered trilateral talks on November 2.

Mammadyarov went on to brand the Garabagh problem as a major source
of instability.

Further, the minister noted that the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents have pledged to seek a political settlement to the conflict.

"What`s important is to ensure a normal life for both Azerbaijanis
and Armenians in Garabagh, and to forge cooperation and ties. I
believe that Armenians also comprehend and support our position,"
Mammadyarov said.

He emphasized that the OSCE plays a special role in the conflict
resolution, but expressed concern over the group`s focusing exclusively
on human rights.

"We have to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of the Helsinki
Final Act and recognize the principle of the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of states in the backdrop of the latest developments. We
have to use the organization`s experience and recommendations in
settling the conflict. But the OSCE`s placing an emphasis on human
rights alone perturbs us. We support a more just and balanced stance,"
Mammadyarov said.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Alexander Stubb, in his remarks, pointed
out the importance of the European security body`s further efforts
in settling "frozen" conflicts. Stubb added that the Minsk Group`s
activity "inspires his optimism."

Further, William Burns, US Under Secretary of State for Political
Affairs, called for a more vigorous effort to resolve lingering
disputes.

"We have to redouble our efforts for the solution of frozen
conflicts. More specifically, we welcome the latest steps on Upper
Garabagh taken by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sarkisian,"
Burns told the Council meeting.

He stressed that the conflict settlement process should be continued
within the Minsk Group and urged both Baku and Yerevan to keep on
negotiating both in the bilateral format and with the OSCE mediators.

Goran Lennmarker, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) rapporteur
on the Garabagh conflict, said in Helsinki that a document on the
principles of conflict settlement could be signed before the spring
of 2009.

He noted that the parties were very close to a settlement. "If there
is political will, a settlement is possible. I do understand that
this will be a very difficult decision for the presidents of both
countries, but it is evident that now is the right time to do that."

In its appeal to the Helsinki ministerial, Armenia urged OSCE countries
to prevent Azerbaijan`s ongoing build-up of armaments. Armenian Foreign
Minister Eduard Nalbandian expressed his disappointment with the tacit
support of most member states for what he described as Azerbaijan`s
intense military build-up.

Nalbandian warned the group that the weaponry Azerbaijan was purchasing
would be used in battle one day.

The minister also accused Azerbaijan of allegedly breaching the Moscow
declaration. "Azerbaijan constantly issues belligerent statements
which run counter to the declaration," he said and called on the OSCE
chairman to monitor Azerbaijani statements.

On the whole, however, the Armenian diplomat pointed to some progress
in negotiations with Azerbaijan following the signing of this document.

Baku reaffirms stance

The Azerbaijani delegation also distributed a document at the
OSCE ministers` meeting reaffirming Baku`s stance on the Garabagh
conflict. The paper, in English, entitled "The principles on a peaceful
settlement of the Upper Garabagh conflict," says Azerbaijan backs a
negotiated resolution of the conflict, but its territorial integrity
cannot be compromised under any circumstances and the country`s
borders are both non-negotiable and inviolable.

The document notes that the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities
of Upper Garabagh can co-exist peacefully. However, it calls for
the region`s integrity being restored strictly within Azerbaijan`s
borders. Further, it calls for displaced Azeris to be returned,
the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from occupied Azerbaijani
territories and suitable conditions provided for cooperation.

TURKEY TO CASH IN ON ISRAEL’S CLOSENESS TO US

AzerNews Weekly
Dec 11 2008
Azerbaijan

Turkey is worried that the US President-elect Barack Obama`s
pre-election pledge that he would recognize the so-called Armenian
genocide may be realized.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul intends to use the brokering of
Israel to end the anxiety by visiting the country in January. Turkish
Hurriyyet newspaper says Gul`s key objective is to stop Obama from
recognizing the "genocide".

Armenians say Ottoman Turks killed 1.5 million people during World War
I, a claim strongly denied by Turkey. Ankara says the developments
resulted from disturbances that took place during the fall of the
Ottoman Empire.

Ankara is going to return the favor to Israel, a country known for
closeness to the U.S. It is therefore not surprising that Gul plans
to table the issue of Israel`s relations with Syria. Thus, if Obama
does not recognize the "genocide", Turkey would broker talks to end
the "cold war" between Tel-Aviv and Damascus.

Gul`s visit to Israel is his first visit to this country as
president. He had been to Israel three times as foreign minister.

ARMENIA RILED BY US MEDIATOR’S STATEMENT

AzerNews Weekly
Dec 11 2008
Azerbaijan

A statement by the US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group brokering a
settlement to the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict has drawn fire
from Armenia.

Yerevan was particularly displeased by the support voiced by Matthew
Bryza for Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. Armenian Foreign Minister
Matthew Bryza claimed the diplomat`s citing this as one of the key
principles of the peace process was incomprehensible.

Bryza, who had apparently become worried by the Armenian minister`s
terse response, quickly played down his own statement.

"I said that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev adheres to one
position, while Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian – to a different
one. Besides, I said the principles of territorial integrity, the right
to self-determination and the pullout of troops should be brought
into the agenda for the sides to reach agreement. In saying that,
I did not inflate any given principle as more important," Bryza said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus republics reared up
in the late 1980s due to Armenia`s territorial claims. Armenia has
been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized
territory since the early 1990s. Years of peace talks have brought
few tangible results. Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly warned
against Armenia`s policy of aggression, saying the country`s land
will be freed at any cost.

FIRST AGRICULTURAL MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPS IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
12.12.2008 17:49

The first market information system in Armenia, funded by Water
to Market (WtM) Activity of the Millennium Challenge Account –
Armenia, will be launched on December 17, 2008. The international
best practices of the system, its need for Armenia and the use of the
system will be presented during the launch. States officials, farmers,
representatives of agricultural associations, banks, producers and
processing companies, local and international organizations will be
present at the launch event.

Mr. Ara Hovsepyan, the Executive Director of the Millennium Challenge
Account – Armenia and Mr. Richard Hurelbrink, Country Director of
ACDI/VOCA and Team Leader of WtM Activity will make welcoming speeches.

"The objective of the market information system is to provide market
prices of fruit and vegetables to farmers, representatives of all
segments of production and marketing chain. Well-analyzed market
information enables farmers to make planting decisions, including
those related to new crops," says Mr. Hurelbrink. The system will be
disseminating information through its web site and SMS (short message
service). It will enable farmers to negotiate with traders from a
position of greater strength. The system will be useful not only for
the farmers but also for representatives of various industry sectors
such as processors, wholesalers, retailers, ho tels and restaurants,
and all others who are interested in receiving accurate information and
market dynamics. The system may also provide information on quality,
postharvest technologies and industry innovations through its website.

JOINT STATEMENT BY ARMENIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE EU MIGRATION MISSION TO ARMENIA

armradio.am
12.12.2008 18:47

An EU mission visited Yerevan on 10-12 December 2008 with the purpose
of strengthening the dialogue on migration issues between Armenia
and the EU.

The meeting took place in the framework of the European Neighbourhood
Policy, as well as of the EU Global Approach to Migration, which
was extended in 2007 to the Eastern region neighbouring the EU. This
migration mission is the first to take place in this region.

The EU mission met representatives from various Ministries and Agencies
of the Republic of Armenia, international organizations and NGOs
working in the area of migration and asylum. The dialogue reflected
a comprehensive and balanced approach to migration and asylum , and
thus covered a large number of issues such as promotion of migration
management and legal migration opportunities; integration policies;
asylum and protection matters; tackling of illegal immigration and
enhanced border control; and broader migration and development matters
involving, inter alia, remittances, diasporas and the brain-drain.

The EU side was led jointly by Mr. Jean-Christophe Peaucelle,
representative from the EU French Presidency, and Mr. Francisco
Bataller M., representing the European Commission. The EU delegation
included other officials from France and the Commission, as well as
from the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland,=2 0Portugal, Romania and
Sweden. The Armenian side was led by Mr. David Hakobyan, Deputy Head
of the Migration Agency of the Ministry of Territorial Administration,
and included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry
of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Health and the Police of
the Republic of Armenia.

The mission was received by His Excellency Mr. Edward Nalbandian,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Her Excellency Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan,
Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia,.

The dialogue produced a fruitful and comprehensive exchange of
information, views and experiences, including on the following
topics: â~@¢ the need for a comprehensive approach to migration
â~@¢ legislation and policies in the areas of migration and asylum,
including migration management systems and their implementation in
accordance with international standards of protection and respect
for refugee rights â~@¢ the recent European Pact on Immigration and
Asylum and the latest developments as regards the EU Global Approach on
Migration â~@¢ visa facilitation â~@¢ legal migration: special emphasis
was given by both sides to the ways and means of its regulation taking
into account the needs of labour markets â~@¢ the EU "blue card"
directive and new EU legislation on legal migration â~@¢ readmission
and return issues including assistance for the reintegration of
returnees while fully respecting their human rights â~@¢20border
management, security of travel and identity documents including
introduction of biometric identification documents and development of
databases â~@¢ effective fight against trafficking in human beings
and the implementation of the National Action Plan to this end â~@¢
contribution of migration and migrants (Diaspora) to the development
of the countries of origin, including through remittances: ways and
means for channelling the remittances towards economic development
of the country â~@¢ issues related to asylum seekers, refugees and
internally displaced persons; and their integration â~@¢ Armenia-EU
migration cooperation: both sides emphasize the importance of efficient
and complete implementation of migration related regulations including
through improved coordination â~@¢ regional cooperation: both parties
underline the importance of the regional dimension of migration. In
this respect they are looking forward to the Prague Conference in
April 2009 under the Czech Presidency which will also address the
issue of regional cooperation on migration in the Black Sea Region
â~@¢ the Armenian delegation expressed its interest in the concept
of Mobility Partnership.

Both sides agreed on the importance and usefulness of a more systematic
dialogue on migration issues and agreed on organizing a follow-up
meeting by the local representative of the EU Presidency and the
Commission Delegation.

There will be a report on the follow-up to this =0 Amission at the
next meeting of the Joint Cooperation Council.

–Boundary_(ID_vraTwFLLuuFJoKOxSZwlxA)–

FIRST LOTTERY OF CASH REGISTER RECEIPTS TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA IN 2009

ARKA
Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, December 12. /ARKA/. In 2009, a drawing of cash register
receipts issued to the population is to be held in Armenia for the
first time, Chairman of Armenia’s State revenues Committee Armen
Alaverdyan reported.

The lottery is to be introduced as from January 1 and to make Armenian
population interested in getting cash register receipts.

Alaverdyan reported that a total of about 45,000 cash registers are
installed in trade centers in Armenia, including 7,200 cash registers
in trade fairs.

"We can say that the problem is solved in terms of the quality, but
serious steps remain to be taken in terms of the quality so that cash
register receipts are provided to citizens," Alaverdyan said.

Traders are obliged to provide these receipts under the law, but
it is impossible to carry out an everyday monitoring of some 45,000
economic entities. This lottery is to encourage citizens to ask for
the receipts themselves, Alaverdyan said.

He pointed out that Armenian Government was taking the required
measures in the last two months to provide a proper legal framework
for the lottery (prevent receipt forgery, establish lottery-holding
procedure, and etc).

In his turn, Head of Tax Procedures Department Artur Manukyan said
that the drawing is to be held on the Public TV of Armenia every fifth
working day of each month20with receipts for the previous month to
be ruffled off.

Cash register receipts are to contain combinations of eight arbitrary
unique numbers and two-digit series with Armenian capital letters.

5mln Drams is to be paid off if the eight-digit number matches. If
seven digits match, 9 receipts are to be paid off 500,000 Drams for
each. If six digits match 90 receipts are to be paid off – 50,000
Drams each. If five digits match 900 receipts are to be paid off –
20,000 Drams each. If four digits match 9,000 receipts are to be paid
off – 5,000 Drams each.

Apart from this, bonuses are to be paid – 1% of the winnings for
every 1’000 Drams worth purchase.

Before the lottery is held, information on prize calculation will
be published in "Respublika Armeniyi" newspaper and the official
website of tax authorities at least three days in advance. Winners
should apply to the respective local treasury department of Armenian
Ministry of Finance not later than on the last working day of the
current month after the lottery is held.

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN ECONOMIC PROJECTS NOT TO BE REVISED

ARKA
Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, December 12. /ARKA/. No decision has been made on phasing out
or scaling down any large-scale Russian economic project in Armenia,
stated Alexander Zaitsev, RF Trade Representative in Armenia.

"In the course of time, some business plans will be modified in the
context of minimally scaling them down, but no projects, including
the large-scale gas and energy ones, will be discontinued," Zaitsev
said at the Novoti press center.

He pointed out that the global financial and economic crisis has
not yet affected the actively developing Armenian-Russian trade and
economic relations.

"In the future the crisis will certainly have some impact, but the
cooperation is still developing and, I think, will only be consolidated
next year," he said.

In this context Zaitsev welcomed the fact that the global economic
crisis has not affected Armenia because the Armenian economy is not
"yet fully cooperating with the world economy".

As regards the financial component, the Armenian financial sector
is well prepared and, due to a number of measures being taken by the
country’s Government, the financial crisis has not affected Armenia
as seriously as Russia, Zaitsev said.

He added that the crisis will influence the bilateral economic ties
because many fields of cooperation require Russian investments.

About 1,000 enterprises shared in by R ussian capital are currently
operating in Armenia. Specifically, the Armrosgasprom holds a monopoly
of supply of Russian gas to Armenia. The Electric Network of Armenia
CJSC is fully owned by INTER RAO EES.

In January 2003, the RUSAL company (Russia0 became sole owner of
the Rusal-Armenal CJSC, the only producer of aluminum foil in the
Caucasus and Central Asia. In April 2004, the VTB Bank (Russia)
became sole owner of the VTB Bank CJSC (Armenia).