Month: December 2008

NEW DIRECTOR OF "SOUTH-CAUCASUS RAILROADS" COMPANY

Panorama.am
20:34 10/12/2008

The managerial board of "Russian Railroads" company has made a decision
to fire the director of "South-Caucasus Railroads" company Alexander
Kuznetsov and to appoint Shevket Shaidulin, as the director of the
company, report Russian sources.

A. Kuznetsov is currently appointed as the consulter of the director of
"Russian Railroads". According to the rumors, A. Kuznetsov has been
fired from his position of director of "South-Caucasus Railroads"
company for abusing his position.

Regarding Shevket Shaidulin, in 2004-2007 he was the director of
Sverdlovsk Railroads Company, but he left his position because of
some accidents registered during his management.

HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IS DEPLORABLE IN ARMENIA, ANC STATES

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with the 60th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Armenian
National Congress (ANC) issued a statement, which in particular says:

"In this respect the situation in Armenia is deplorable, which
particularly became evident completely and in its disgusting details
at the last presidential election:

a) The rights of free speech, receiving information, free movement,
confidentiality in correspondence and other fundamental rights,
up to the right of life, are completely violated.

b) The right to form power by means of free elections is violated:
at the February 19 presidential election in Armenia, the overwhelming
majority of voters gave their votes to the candidate of the People’s
Movement Levon Ter-Petrosian, whereas the election results were
turned topsy-turvy and the candidate of the authorities was announced
the winner.

c) A brutal beating of the peaceful demonstrators took place in
Liberty Square on March 1, while on the evening of the same day special
antiriot weapons and firearms were used against peaceful demonstrators,
at least 10 people died.

d) Nearly 10 thousand citizens have been persecuted for their political
convictions. About 150 people were deprived of liberty for political
motives, and until now 67 of them have been political prisoners.

e) the political opposition’s 91 applications for peaceful rallies
have been rejected, the requests to be provided halls for meetings
have been rejected tens of times."

10TH ALLOCATION BID TO BE SUBMITTED TO MCC APPROVED

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 10 sitting of the
Governing Council of Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) – Armenia state
nonprofit organization, the 10th allocation bid to be submitted to
the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was approved. The sitting
was conducted by the Chairman of the Council, Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan.

The CEO of MCA-Armenia Ara Hovsepian said that by submitting this bid,
the organization envisages to receive financing of 6,811,305 dollars
from MCC for the first quarter (January-March) of 2009. The programmed
expenditures for the indicated quarter make 7,109,153 dollars.

The expenditures of the 10th allocation bid will be spent on the
following components: rural road rehabilitation, improved irrigation,
monitoring and evaluation, and program management and supervision. In
the words of A. Hovsepian, according to the current forecast data, the
cost of construction work financed at the expense of the government’s
allocations for the component "rural road rehabilitation" will reach
11,669,871 dollars (without VAT) at the end of the current quarter,
while the sum of the program’s actual and forecast expenditures for
December amounts to 28,081,321 dollars.

As for the work done in the reporting year, it was mentioned the
repair work of 24.5-km road sections in the south-west of Armenia
under the rural road rehabilitation program is being completed. At the
same time, the work envisaging repairs of 273-km road sections with
60.3 mln dollars under the road construction agreements of the first
package has begun. Construction of 3rd-category channels in 4 rural
communities was completed under the improved irrigation program. By
late 2008, the final designs of 6 main channels, 7 gravity irrigation
systems and 18 pumping stations will be ready for the construction
stage in all Armenian marzes, and the construction stage will begin in
2009. More than 18 thousand beneficiaries have been instructed so far
on internal management and high-quality agricultural produce under the
water-to-market component of the improved irrigation program. Under
this program, over 130 agricultural loans of a total of 1.5 million
dollars were distributed.

The allocation bid will be ratified by the chairman of MCA-Armenia’s
Governing Council, after which it will be submitted to MCC for
approval.

BI LINE FILES LAWSUIT ON PROTECTION OF ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TO EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Two week ago Bi Line information and
communication technology (ICT) company filed a lawsuit on protection
of the right of property of its firm name and brand to the European
Court of Human Rights, the president of Bi Line Hayk Khanjian stated
at the December 10 press conference.

In his words, they have exhausted the opportunities to protect this
right juridically in Armenia. It was mentioned that Bi Line has
appealed to the RA Cassation Court against the decision of the RA
Economic Court, by which Bi Line has been deprived of the right to
be represented as a third side in the case "ArmenTel company and its
owner, VimpelCom company operating under "Beeline" brand versus the
Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Armenia". According
to H. Khanjian, the Cassation Court has ignored Bi Line’s complaints
against the Economic Court, as a result of which the company has
been deprived of its constitutional right to protect property right
juridically in Armenia.

The lawyer of Bi Line Hayk Harutyunian said that the Cassation Court
has unreasonably returned another appeal of Bi Line, which was related
to the decision of the Administrative Court: in the Administrative
Court, Bi Line had disputed the decision of the administrative body –
the RA Intellectual Property Agency on early termination of operation
of "Bi Line" brand. It should be mentioned that the operation of "Bi
Line" brand was stopped based on an application of ArmenTel company
operating under "Beeline" brand on the grounds that unlike ArmenTel,
Bi Line does not operate in the telecommuniaction sector.

H. Harutyunian explained that firm names and brand are property,
and the Administrative Court deprived Bi Line of a property which
contradicts the Constitution.

H. Khanjian reminded that during the negotiations conducted with
Bi Line in the past, ArmenTel had offered the lowest possible
price for nonuse of the brand by Bi Line, and these negotiations
had been initiated by ArmenTel. He said that the company headed by
him will continue its activity in the telecommunication sector. He
also announced that while being informed about the above mentioned
argument, the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission on December
10 made a decision on provision of a 10-year licence for operation
of telecommunication networks to Bi Line.

ARMENIA HAS SUFFICIENT DOMESTIC RESERVES TO CONFRONT CRISIS, GAGIK MINASIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. In order to make forecasts about
the further impact of the global crisis on Armenia, it is necessary
to examine its impact on other countries and the impact that the
crisis has already had on Armenian economy. The chairman of the RA
National Assembly Standing Committee of Financial, Credit and Budgetary
Issues Gagik Minasian expressed this opinion during the December 10
press conference. In his words, the global financial crisis did not
affect Armenia, whereas the economic stage of the crisis will not
bypass any country and it will cause especially serious problems in
post-Soviet countries which have developing economies, for example,
Ukraine where 20% inflation is expected next year, while the economic
decline already made 15%.

G. Minasian said that the government is taking satisfactory steps
to counteract the crisis. In particular, the government is going to
implement a small and medium business assistance program in Syunik and
Lori marzes where the mining enterprises have alreday suffered from
the crisis. Any economic entity capable of presenting its problems
and programs on their solution may receive financing with state
guarantees. In a case when an enterprise cannot submit a recovery
and development program, the state may do it, taking some share of
the enterprise.

According to A. Minasian, big investments are expected to be made
in the projects on construction of the new nuclear power plant in
the country, the Iran-Armenia railway, the Meghri-Batumi highway,
and foundation of an all-Armenian bank. Negotiations on provision of
considerable credit resources are being conducted with the World Bank,
the EBRD, and the Asian Bank.

In his opinion, Armenia has sufficient domestic reserves to confront
the crisis. In particular, the matter concerns reduction of the shadow
economy and ensuring an equal competition field. Some legislative
reforms, particularly, adoption of the law on mandatory audits at
big enterprises, are also envisaged.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FINES OF 500 THOUSAND DRAMS IMPOSED ON SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAYS AND GEGHARD MEAT PRODUCT ENTERPRISE COMPANIES

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 10 sitting, the RA
State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition made a decision
to impose a fine of 500 thousand drams (about 1,628.6 USD) on South
Caucasus Railways company. It was mentioned that the Commission had
initiated proceedings and the company had been required to present
some information.

The company presented information to the Commission. However,
that information did not include any data on the cost price of
transportation of a unit of cargo, the price of transportation of a
ton of cargo, the profit and profitability. In addition to imposing a
fine, the Commission decided during the sitting that the requirement
to present information remains in force.

By another decision of the Commission, a fine of 500 thousand drams
was imposed on Geghard Meat Product Enterprise for not presenting
the required information at the stated time and for presenting
untrustworthy data.

In July 2008, the Commission initiated administrative proceedings
against Geghard Meat Product Enterprise for raising the prices of
several foodstuffs. The company was required to submit the documents
necessary for the proceedings and other information to the Commission
within 10 days.

However, the enterprise did not present any reasons and substantiation
for the changes in each component of the price, as well as any
documents substantiating these changes within the indicated period. At
the request of the company, the period of proceedings was twice
extended for 10 days.

During this period the company provided some general explanations,
not presenting any substantiating documents, thus not providing the
necessary information. Besides, the data submitted by the company at
two stages contradicted each other: they contained different amounts
of the same expenditure and the profit received at the same period
of time, as well as changed data on raw materials used.

In the opinion of the Commission, the company presented incomplete
information, while the presented data were contradictory and did not
reflect the amounts of expenses representing an element of the cost
price, therefore, the company presented untrustworthy information to
the Commission.

FIRST STEPS TAKEN TO ORGANISE THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF PAPHOS

Gibrahayer
8 December 08
Nicosia

Simon Aynedjian – Gibrahayer – Nicosia 8 December – With the initiative
of the Armenian MP in the Cyprus Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian, the
Armenian community of Cyprus challenged fate on December 7, 2008 by
answering to the anniversary of the earthquake that hit Armenia two
decades ago, by taking a symbolic and courageous step in organising
the Armenian community of Paphos.

With the brotherly support of Bishop Yeoryios of Paphos, who opened
the doors of the Greek Orthodox Church of Paphos to the growing
community of Paphos, more than 100 Armenians in Paphos joined the
organisers to prayers and a memorial to the souls of the thousands
of earthquake victims of Armenia.

The Holy Liturgy was delivered by Der Momik Habeshian, which was
followed by a gathering of the Armenian community of Paphos took
place at Saint George Hotel with leaders of our community, MP Vartkes
Mahdessian and Chairmen of the Temagan and Varchagan Bodies, Sebouh
Tavitian and Dr. Antranik Ashdjian.

The discussion with the Paphos community highlighted the importance
of an Armenian Day-School, the need for more frequent religious
ceremonies, opportunities for the Paphos community to come together
socially and the need to be integrated in both the Armenian and
Cypriot societies.

CYPRIOT LEADERS PESSIMISTIC

Gibrahayer
Dec 8, 2008
Nicosia

Monday 8 December – Omphalos Tis Gis newsletter – The direct talks
between the two communities are not going as well as expected,
President Christofias said on Friday night.

Addressing a bi-communal event, Christofias said Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat’s position for the existence of two nations in Cyprus
does not only contradict historical reality, but also the treaties
that founded the Cyprus Republic as a unified bi-communal state.

Christofias also hinted that Talat was starting to remind him of former
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who was openly in favour of a
partition between the two communities.

"The common philosophy of AKEL and the Turkish Republican Party,
up until recently, was that in Cyprus there is one nation, which
consists of two communities: the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek
Cypriots," said Christofias. "Now, I am saddened to see that this
position, regarding the supposed existence of two nations in Cyprus,
was supported by Mr Denktash in his policy for the creation of to
separate states in Cyprus," he added.

Continuously highlighting the existence of two nations, said
Christofias, was doing little to assist efforts for a resolution to
the Cyprus problem. "Unfortunately, such positions sometimes appear
on the table of negotiations," h e explained.

He referred to the pessimism that can be deduced through polls between
the people of the two communities, assuring, however, that "efforts
will not be abandoned".

On his part, in a recent interview with the Turkish Cypriot news
agency, Talat was equally pessimistic. He added that it was nearly
impossible to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem before the end
of 2009.

"Maybe even 2009 will pass without a solution. The negotiating process
is moving at very slow rhythms".

"From the moment that the Greek Cypriot side did not accept the Annan
Plan as a basis for discussion, we have almost started from zero,"
he said. "The international forces must certainly take action and look
at the issues, which the two sides can’t find solutions to," he added.

He said Christofias entered the negotiations as a different person, "He
is not as I expected him to be," he said, adding that this was a huge
disappointment to him, especially when Christofias attacked Turkey.

Referring to his position that there are two nations in Cyprus,
Talat concluded, "Of course there are two nations, with different
languages, religions, joys and woes. When one is happy, the other
is sad. Only if there is an earthquake or airplane tragedy will they
have the same reaction."

20 He didn’t, however, exclude the possibility that the future could
see the creation of one nation with two different languages.
From: Baghdasarian

COMMUNITY HEARS OF COURT RULINGS IN FAVOUR OF AGBU AND AGAINST MEI ALUMNI AND ARCH. MUTAFIAN

Gibrahayer
Dec 8, 2008
Nicosia

Armenian National Committee of Cyprus Press release – Nicosia 29
November 2008 – The Armenian National Committee of Cyprus organised a
"round table" discussion on the closure of the Melkonian school on
the 19th November 2008.

In her opening speech ANCY member Vartoug Hagopian talked about the
importance of Armenian schools and institutions and the negative
impact their closure may have on the struggles of the Armenian nation
and the Armenian cause.

During his introductory speech, ANCY Chairman Hagop Manougian,
read out a questionnaire that was sent out earlier this year to the
Melkonian Advisory Committee querying on the reasons of the closure of
the school and its prior financial status and the Melkonian Advisory
Committee brief answer to the questionnaire, which informed that both
suits against the AGBU in Los Angeles and Cyprus by the Melkonian
alumni and Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, respectively, had been ruled
in favour of the AGBU.

In his speech, Melkonian Alumni Vice-Chairman Masis Der Partogh
clarified that the legal proceedings in Cyprus against the AGBU
did not proceed "due to technical reasons", without clarifying what
those reasons where. An interesting debate took place amongst the
ones present on many issues such as how and whether to continue the
struggle to reopen the school.

Only a few young generation Melkonian graduates were present at the
event. The Melkonian Advisory Committee representatives as well as
Benon Sevan, AGBU Central Board member, although invited, refused to
attend the evening. Present were Henchagian and ARF Dashnaktsoutiun
Cyprus political party representat ives as well as Armenian MP Vartkes
Mahdessian, who reiterated his support to those in the community who
were against the closure of the school.

In all, it turned out that, due to non-transparent procedures by
both the Cyprus Melkonian Alumni and the AGBU, more questions were
raised than answered, which justified the necessity of organising
such an event.

ARMENIA, BULGARIA, TO DEEPEN ECONOMIC COOPERATION

armradio.am
11.12.2008 10:56

The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, started his official
two-day visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Bulgarian President
Georgi Parvanov.

The Armenian President was welcomed in St Alexander Nevsky Square. The
two Heads of State reviewed the guard of honor and Sargsyan laid a
wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.

After the ceremony, the two Presidents started a one-to-one meeting,
and the official delegations are holding plenary talks. During the
meetings Serzh Sargsyan and Georgi Parvanov ranked high the level
of political dialogue between the two countries. The two Presidents
noted that the economic cooperation and commodity turnover, in general,
yield to the level of political dialogue and necessary steps should be
taken in the direction of further development of economic cooperation.

President Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the President of
Bulgaria, saying that at different difficult periods of history the
Bulgarian people has warmly accepted our compatriots, who managed to
get fully integrated into the country’s life.

The President of Bulgaria also highly appreciated the
Bulgarian-Armenian relations and noted that the high level of trust
between the two peoples allows undertaking new programs.

The Presidents noted that the two peoples have historic similarities
and common issues, and many times they have resisted challenges
together. The Armenian President underlined that the two countries
also have a common future and this future is built on shared values,
including the Christian values, the contemporary democratic system,
which allows looking into future.

The leaders of the two states hailed the existing contractual-legal
field.

The two countries have 50 agreements signed. The Presidents signed
another four documents yesterday, one of which refers to the program
of organization and conduct of the Bulgarian Culture Days in Armenia
in 2009 and the Armenian Culture Days in Bulgaria in 2010. The other
three documents are related to cooperation in the fields of civil
service and state governance, excluding double taxation of income
and property, as well cooperation in the field of national archives.

The Presidents of the two countries emphasized the necessity to foster
the cooperation between executive bodies and the business circles,
and stressed that the Armenian-Bulgarian business forum in Bulgaria
will provide a good opportunity to the businessmen for working out
and implementing joint programs.

The Armenian and Bulgarian Presidents attached importance to
cooperation in the sphere of transport. Bulgaria’s President Georgi
Parvanov highly appreciated and welcomed the Armenian-Turkish dialogue
and expressed hope that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will
greatly benefit the Bulgarian side, as well. The two Presidents noted
that in case20of opening of the border, the transport communication
routes will establish direct links of communication between Armenia
and Bulgaria.

President Serzh Sargsyan presented Armenia’s intention of building the
Armenia-Iran railway. The parties attached importance to the necessity
of air communication. Georgi Parvanov invited Serzh Sargsyan to attend
the energy forum to be held in Bulgaria in April, 2009.

The President of Bulgaria expressed willingness to support Armenia
within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Program.