Month: December 2008

ACCORDING TO RA NA SPEAKER, ARMENIA HAS TAKEN ONE MORE STEP ON THE WAY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRACY AND IMPROVAL OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamian has
sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of New Year, which read:

"Dear compatriots,

On the New Year eve the things done and not done within the whole
year are usually summed up, the future tasks are planned. Certainly,
the passing year was a year of ordeals and achievements.

Giving a retrospective estimation to 2008, we should mention that after
the 2007-2008 national elections time of post-electoral reforms starts
for Armenia, at the end of which we can record that our country took
one more step on the way of establishment of democracy and improval
of the socio-economic situation.

As Speaker of the Republic of Armenia National Assembly I wish all my
compatriots living in Armenia and beyond Armenia solidarity, tolerance,
and success. We live in difficult, yet interesting times and have all
preconditions to hand down to our generations more well-off country
with more stable and developed economy.

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas, I wish you peace, good health,
and happiness.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. AMBASSADOR UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF HOLDING OBJECTIVE AND PUBLIC TRIAL ON MARCH 1-2 CASES

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of the investigation
into the criminal case on the March 1-2 events in Yerevan conducted
by the Special Investigation Service, as well issues related to the
trial and its delay were discussed at the December 29 meeting of the
RA prosecutor general Aghvan Hovsepian and the U.S. ambassador to
Armenia Marie Yovanovitch.

The prosecutor general presented the results of the investigation and
some statistical data, noting that during the investigation, charges
were brought against 140 people, materials on 111 people were sent
to court, and criminal prosecution of 26 people was stopped and the
criminal case with respect to them was quashed. 3 persons currently
have status of accused persons in the criminal case, and a written
undertaking not to leave Armenia was chosen as a precautionary measure
for them. Another 5 accused persons are wanted by the police. There
are no persons under preliminary arrest.

Out of 90 criminal cases on 111 people sent to court, sentences were
passed on 87 criminal cases of 101 people: five were acquitted, the
criminal case on 1 person was quashed due to reconciliation with the
victim, a fine as punishment was imposed on 5 persons, 38 were given
a suspended sentence and put on probation, and 52 were sentenced
to imprisonment. Court acts were not made regarding 10 persons in 3
criminal cases, and the trial of 7 persons in 1 criminal case is now
at the initial stage.

3 deaths were recorded as a result of using "Cheryomukha 7" special
weapon by police during the mass disorder. The investigators revealed
that this special weapon was used by 4 policemen, however, according to
Armenian experts, the current methodology of expert examination does
not enable to identify the special weapons used. The RA prosecutor
general has applied to the OSCE, the UN, the U.S. embassy in Armenia,
the CE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, and Russia
with the request to provide experienced specialists who will help
with the investigation.

M. Yovanovitch underlined the importance of holding an objective and
public trial, ensuring equality for all the sides in the trial and
respect for the rights of the accused persons, and excluding any
violence. "It is important that the final court act be acceptable
and perceptable for Armenian society," she said.

As regards the RA prosecutor general’s request to provide
expert-related help for identification of special weapons used by the
police during the mass disorder, in particular, "Cheryomukha 7" bullets
and guns, the U.S. ambassador said that the U.S. has no such equipment
and methodology that will be useful in elucidation of this issue.

FOOD SAFETY AND VETERINARY INSPECTION CONDUCTS 1,636 CHECKS THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The Food Safety and Veterinary
Inspection of the RA Ministry of Agriculture conducted 1,636 checks
this year, which is more by 400 than in 2007, the inspection head
Grisha Baghian stated at the December 29 press conference.

According to him, during the checks at food servicing facilities with
the participation of members of NGOs, attention was paid first of
all to bread production and sale-related issues. In connection with
violations revealed, about 110 economic entities were instructed to
eliminate the violations in a short period. Besides, fines of a total
of 9.5 million drams (about 30 thousand USD) were imposed on these
economic entities. Nearly 200 tons of old, unprocessed or low-quality
foodstuffs (canned goods, sausages, beer, vodka, flour, buckweat) to be
imported into Armenia were seized and destroyed at border check points.

As regards the checks conducted at food facilities of comprehensive
schools and kindergartens, G. Baghian said that 71 checks in the period
from October up to now have revealed numerous cases of the sale of
sausages and confectionery without the necessary certificates. Gross
violations of hygiene and food storage were recorded, with fines of
a total of 2.5 million drams being imposed.

G. Baghian announced that the inspection has taken a number of measures
to eliminate the violations at schools, thanks to which the number
of cases of selling old and uncertified foodstuffs has declined,
and the servicing companies have obtained certificates for public
catering organization.

REPRESENTATIVES OF REGIONAL YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS DISCUSS SUBJECT OF INFRINGEMENT ON ARMENIAN MONUMENTS IN GEORGIA

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. A series of events "The First
Meeting of Leaders of Regional Youth Organizations" was held in
Yerevan on December 27-29. The infringement on Armenian historical
and cultural values in Georgia was the subject of discussions, the
initiator of the series, chairman of the Student Forum of Armenia
Hayk Karmazian stated at the December 29 press conference.

In his words, the young people who arrived from Georgia, in
particular, the representatives of Georgia’s National Youth Council
and the National Center of Children and Youth adjunct the Ministry
of Sports, Culture and Nomunent Preservation, are not informed about
what was done with Armenian cultural and religious monuments in their
country. According to H. Karmazian, Armenian young people tried to
inform them about what had happened. "In any case, we have decided not
to allow that such cases will prevent young peoples from being good
neighbors, we should not repeat the mistakes of seniors," he noted.

He said that a representative of Armenia was elected member of the
European Youth Forum to represent the region at this organization.

SERGIO MARGARIAN APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

MONTEVIDEO, DECEMBER 29, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Sergio
Margarian, Uruguayan coach of Armenian descent, has been appointed
the head coach of Universidad de Chile, one of the best football
clubs in Chile.

According to Radio Liberty, 64-year-old S. Margarian, who has coached
the national team of Paraguay, Panathinaikos (Greece) and Cruz Azul
(Mexico), declared that his goal is to make Universidad Chile’s
champion.

CHAIR OF ARMENIAN LANGUAGE TO OPEN SOON AT TRAKYA UNIVERSITY

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

TRAKYA, DECEMBER 29, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The rector of
Trakya University (Turkey) Enver Duran announced that a Chair of
Armenian Language will open at the university’s Department of Foreign
Languages next year.

Besides, Chairs of Romanian and Russian will be established. "Thus
the Department of Foreign Languages will expand. It is a dream that
will become true," the rector said.

1887-1915 ARCHIVES OF HUNCHAK NEWSPAPER PLACED ON WEBSITE OF MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

LOS ANGELES, DECEMBER 29, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. A collection
of issues of Hunchak official newspaper of the Social Democrat
Hunchakian Party (SDHP) has been placed on the website of Michigan
University. The Armenological Program of the university reported
that the newspaper’s issues released in 1887-1915 are available at
the website. These issues were received from the National Library of
Armenia, "New Generation" Cultural Union and thanks to cooperation
with SDHP.

The first issue of Hunchak was published in Geneva in 1887.

STATE ACADEMIC CHORUS OF ARMENIA TO TOUR UNITED STATES IN 2009

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. 2008 was a year of interesting
concert programs and tours for the State Academic Chorus of Armenia. At
the December 29 meeting with reporters in Tesaket Club, the artistic
director and conductor of the chorus Hovhannes Chekijian pointed
out, in particular, the concert in memory of the victims of the 1988
earthquake when the chorus conducted by world-famous Vladimir Spivakov
performed Mozart’s Requiem. In the words of Maestro Chekijian, there
has been creative amity in the State Academic Chorus in the past 48
years. A few days ago the chorus successfully performed Beethoven’s
ninth symphony on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Mr. Chekijian said that his life was full of difficulties, but he
has always managed to overcome them. "My path was thorny, but I am a
struggling person so I always get out of the situation with honor,"
he said.

The chorus is going to tour the United States next year, while the
ministry of culture promised to cover travel expenses.

H. Chekijian recalled that in the Soviet time the state provided
sufficient allocations for the chorus, whereas today the situation is
different: "We have no heating, no rehearsal room. Among our problems
are low salaries and many other things proceeding from it".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANC MV MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVE NIKI TSONGAS

armradio.am
30.12.2008 13:14

Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley (ANC MV) activists
met with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA-5) to discuss issues
of concern to the Armenian American community, including Armenian
Genocide recognition and Nagorno Karabakh self-determination.

During the meeting, past ANC MV chairmen Joe Dagdigian and Stepan
Dulgarian explained the history of Nagorno Karabakh and the continuous
human rights violations committed by the Azeri government. ANC MV
chairwoman Pearl Teague encouraged Tsongas to take more decisive
action on this issue and support appropriate aid and other economic
and political policies regarding self- determination for the people
of Nagorno Karabakh.

Activist John Dagdigian shared his views regarding genocide
recognition and Stepan Dulgarian also shared his family’s personal
experience. Tsongas who had co-sponsored H. Res. 106, the Armenian
Genocide resolution, shortly after being sworn in to the 110th
Congress in October 2007, expressed her commitment to this issue
and the importance of its recognition. "The mass murders committed
by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians was genocide," said
Tsongas. "Other countries have acknowledged dark chapters in their
past and it is time for Turkey to do the same. The Armenians and the
descendants of those who were victimized deserve justice." The ANC MV
also provided materials to the representative as well as encouraged
her to take a leadership role during the 111th Congress on important
Armenian issues.

"We are grateful to have Congresswoman Tsongas serving the 5th
Congressional district of Massachusetts. Several Armenian Americans
reside in the district and our community looks forward to working
with her in the upcoming Congress."

TOP TEN ECONOMIC EVENTS IN ARMENIA IN 2008: ARKA NEWS AGENCY

ARKA
Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, December 29. /ARKA/. ARKA News Agency’s correspondents
present the top ten economic events in Armenia in 2008.

1. In January, the world’s largest exchange company OMX became the
absolute shareholder of the Armenian Stock Exchange (ARMEX) and the
Central Depositary. The RA Government and the Scandinavian operator
signed a relevant agreement on November 21, 2007. On December 29,
2007, the CBA (Central Bank of Armenia) Board approved changes in
the charters of ARMEX and the Central depositary.

2. On January 16, the Russian Railways won the tender for the Armenian
Railway’s concession management. Under the agreement, the South
Caucasus Railways (SRC), the subsidiary of the Russian Railways,
became the concessionaire of the 750 km long Armenian Railway with a
period of 30 years and an option to extend the agreement for another
20 years. The Russian Railways is to invest $570mln in the company’s
rolling stock and infrastructure, with $230mln to be earmarked in
the coming five years. In case Armenia opens rail communication with
Turkey, investments may reach $610mln. If Armenia-Azerbaijan section
of the railway opens, the Russian company will invest $1.8bln. If the
Abkhazian section of the railway opens, investments may reach $2.2bln.

3. France Telecom (under the Orange brand) became Armenia’s third
mobile operator a s it made the most advantageous offer by paying
â~B¬51.5mln for a GSM license. The French operator opened FTA Telecom
as local company in Armenia.

After getting the license, the company is to invest â~B¬200mln in
Armenia in two years.

4. On August 20, the RA State Customs Committee and the RA State Tax
Service were reorganized into the RA State Revenue Committee by the
RA president’s decree. Gagik Khachatryan, ex-Chairman of the RA State
Customs Committee, was appointed Head of the State Revenue Committee.

5. Fitch Ratings upgraded Armenia’s long-term foreign and national
currency rating from BB-minus to BB, changing its forecast from
Positive to Stable. The agency also upgraded Armenia’s Country
Ceiling Rating from BB to BB+ and approved the country’s short-term
B rating. In its report, Fitch said the reason for upgrading
the country’s ratings was the new government’s reforms that help
raise Armenia’s competitiveness. The agency also approved of the
disciplined and consecutive macroeconomic policy, emphasizing its role
in investments. At the same time, Moody’s Investors Service maintained
Armenia’s Ba2 Sovereign Rating, citing the country’s small government
debt, reasonable management and non-risky interest rates.

6. On May 20, Rosgosstrakh-Armenia was registered in Armenia. Owned by
the Russian giant Rosgosstrakh (Russian State Insurance), the company
s chartered capital amounts to 500mln drams (around $1.6mln). The
company is licensed for different types of insurance.

7. The European Commission granted Armenia a GSP+ (Generalized System
Preferences), enabling the country to launch a duty-free and tax-free
trade with EU members from January 2009. Over 7,000 products covered
by the general arrangement can enter the EU duty free.

8. On December 24, the RA Parliament approved the bill on the
All-Armenian Bank. The bank will be an open joint-stock company, with
the government holding 20% of the bank’s shares. Leading financial
organizations and private investors can become shareholders of the
bank. The chartered capital of the All Armenian Bank will total 30bln
drams (around $100mln). The Central Bank of Armenia plans to invest
6bln drams in the bank. The mission of the All Armenian Bank is to
help shape a robust and competitive Armenian community, as well as
to make Armenian business competitive in the market.

9. Armenia’s Government made a decision to establish an industrial
park in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri. Specialists say
Armenia needs some $55mln to implement the project. It will take the
country about 15 years to build the industrial park. The new business
incubator will focus on jeweler’s art, tourism, advanced technologies
aiming to boost Armenian exports. Construction of the industrial park
may launch in the20coming five years.

10. Armenia’s Government adopted a complex program of actions aimed
at making local economy immune to the global crisis. The RA prime
minister set up a commission to discuss business programs and open
new employment opportunities, so that the country can weather the
global economic storm.

The government will support businesses by granting state subsidies
and guarantees and participating in their capital. Development of the
small and medium-scaled business is among Armenia’s top priorities.

–Boundary_(ID_/UNl6PRC4fY4O089DAJZoQ )–