Month: November 2009

WHEN SAYING ‘TERRITORY’, WE MEAN THE CURRENT ACTUAL TERRITORY OF ARTSAKH: NKR PRIME MINISTER

ArmInfo
2009-11-03 12:23:00

ArmInfo. ‘When saying ‘territory’, we mean the current actual
territory of Artsakh. The territory of Karabakh is the territory,
secured by the republic’s Constitution, and we are not ready to make
concessions as regards territories’, leader of Free Motherland party,
NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan told journalists, ArmInfo reports.

When speaking of the Madrid principles of the Karabakh conflict
settlement, A. Harutyunyan said that Artsakh did not officially
receive this document, and ‘we know about them from newspapers and
other news, that cannot be a document for us’. ‘Both our president
and the president of Armenia used to say that any document would be
accepted by the Armenian and NKR authorities only after approval by the
people. So, we have no right to doubt in this aspect, we must trust,
as the final word will rest with the people’, the PM said.

Touching on the process of settlement of the Armenian-Turkish
relations, A. Harutyunyan said that those in the NKR also pin hopes
on them, in particular, in the economic aspect, and that Armenia’s
economic development also implies economic development of Artsakh.

‘All of us realizes that this is the way for the country to develop.

However, it should happen without preconditions. Opening of the border
does not mean acceptance of conditions and requirements’, A.

Harutyunyan said and added that Free Motherland party fully trusts
in the Armenian president’s policy.

EPIZOOTIC SITUATION ON BIRD FLU REMAINS CALM IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-11-03 16:26:00

ArmInfo. The epizootic situation on bird flu remains calm in Armenia,
manager of the State Inspection on veterinary and safety of products,
Grisha Bagyan, said at today’s press-conference.

He recalled that bird flu was registered in all the neighboring
to Armenia countries: Iran, Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan. As for
Armenia H5N1 flu continues passing by it. ‘No epidemy among animals
have been registered in Armenia’, – he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GPM GOLD INTENDS TO INCREASE MINING VOLUMES IN ARMENIA 2.7-3.7 TIMES

ArmInfo
2009-11-03 16:22:00

ArmInfo. The gold recovery company GPM Gold, which is included in
the GeoProMining Group, intends to increase the ore mining volumes
in Armenia 2.7-3.7 times to 1.5-2 mln t per year, the press-release
of the GeoProMining Office in Armenia says.

The press-release says that GPM Gold is conducting negotiations
with the concessionaire of Armenian Railway – "North Caucaus
Railway" on raising of ore transportation volumes from Sotk
Mine to Ararat in 2010. Preliminary plans include expanding of
Sotk-Vardenis-Hrazdan-Ararat branch line capacity for transportation
of 1,5-2 million ton ore annually.

During the first month after re-commissioning of Ararat plant
(November 2008) the Company mined 21 473 ton ore, in December –
30 410, in January of 2009 mining volumes increased up to 31 285,
and in February – up to 38 000 ton. Presently the company is mining
and processing 45 000 ton ore monthly. In the result, the Company
is producing 30-40 000 ounces of gold annually. With a view to raise
processing and recovery volumes GPM Gold is developing a new investment
program, which suggests re-equipment of Ararat plant. In the result
of such re-equipment, plant productivity will raise up to 80-100 000
ounces of gold annually (1 ounce = 31,1034768 grams).

Russian Company GeoProMining obtained 100% shares of Sterlite Gold
Ltd. from International Vedanta Resources in September of 2007.

Sterlite Gold was the sole owner of AGRC. Investments for acquisition
of the package of Vedanta Resources, repayment of debts, redemption
of stocks from minority shareholders, as well as maintenance of the
project and staff during a year and a half and also re-equipment
of plant have formed more than 160 million USD. GeoProMining Group
is an international private company of diversified metal resources,
founded in 2001. Company’s production is gold in the form of "Dore",
as well as copper, molybdenum and antimony concentrates. The group of
companies are engaged in metal mining in Russia, Armenia and Georgia.

Company’s main assets in Armenia are: Sotk gold mine, Ararat processing
plant and Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Combine.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADERS CALL ON SECRETARY OF STATE TO MEET WITH ARMENIAN AMERICAN LEADERS

Yerkir
03.11.2009 14:30

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has
formally shared the reservations of the Silver State’s Armenian
community regarding the dangers of the recently signed Turkey-Armenia
Protocols with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a October 30, 2009 letter to ANCA-Nevada activist Razmig Libarian,
the Senate leader reported that he had recently written to Secretary
Clinton to pass along the concerns of his state’s citizens of Armenian
heritage, and to encourage her to meet directly with the national
leadership of the Armenian American community regarding the state of
Turkey-Armenia relations.

In his letter to Secretary Clinton, dated October 20, 2009, Senator
Reid wrote: "I am sure you are aware that this agreement has raised
concerns in the Armenian community inside the United States. I have
received many letters from Nevadans who do not support the creation
of an international commission to examine the historical record
on the genocide and who believe that the agreements are unfair to
Armenia. (I have included a sample letter below). Given the serious
nature of the community’s concerns, I felt it was important to raise
them directly with you. The commission is particularly sensitive to
the Armenian-American community since the Armenian genocide has never
been recognized by Turkey."

Despite the high profile of Armenia-Turkey ties in the Obama-Biden
Administration’s foreign policy agenda, neither President Obama
nor Secretary Clinton has met with the Armenian American community
leadership.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN WOMEN CHESS PLAYERS 16TH AND 18TH IN FIDE RANKINGS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 14:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian women chess players Elina Danielyan and
Lilit Lazarian come 16th and 18th respectively in the FIDE Rankings.

Elina Danielyan has 2499 points while Lilit Lazarian has 2492 points.

Hungary’s Judit Polgar tops the list with 2680 points. She is
followed by Koneru Humpy (India, 2603 points) and Hou Yifan (China,
2588 points).

RECENT MEETING BETWEEN RA, NKR, AZERI NGOS UNSUCCESSFUL

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 14:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian, NKR and Azerbaijani NGOs held a regular
meeting in Moscow on November 3. The round table discussion was
entitled "Nagorno Karabakh conflict: Russia’s role on peace building".

As Caucasus Institute director Alexander Iskandaryan told
PanARMENIAN.Net, confidence building measures were in focus.

Former NKR deputy foreign minister Masis Mayilyan, former OSCE MG
Co-chair Vladimir Kazimirov, Armenian and Azerbaijani public figures
and political scientists were participating.

Introducing himself as NKR MFA adviser in Moscow, Ruben Zargaryan
aroused Azerbaijanis’ discontent at the instigation of Heydar Jemal,
who as invited to the meeting as an observer.

"To avoid tensions, Zargaryan said he is a Candidate of History and
delivered his speech. No one was made to go out of the room as Jemal
insisted," Iskandaryan said.

IMF ALLOCATES $ 60 MILLION TO ARMENIA IN THE FRAMES OF ANTI-CRISIS CREDIT PROGRAM

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ International Monetary Fund (IMF) has finished
second monitoring of anti-crisis support program implemented by
Armenia due to its credit support. Decisions adopted by directors’
board, provide Yerevan’s access to tranche in the amount of $60. The
total sum allocated to Armenia will thus comprise $ 479 million,
ITAR-TASS reports, quoting the Fund’s release.

IMF deputy chief Takatosi Kato announced in a recent discussion that
"The global crisis has continued to have a serious impact on the
Armenian economy," and its short-term outlook "remains challenging".

"As external conditions improve, growth is expected to resume gradually
in 2010, although risks remain, including a slower recovery of the
global economy," he said, adding that "Continued reforms, particularly
in the areas of tax policy and tax reform administration, the financial
sector, and the business environment will be necessary to boost the
medium-term growth potential of the economy."

GOVERNMENT HAS THIS YEAR ALLOCATED OVER $ 1 MILLION FOR HI TECH SPHERE DEVELOPMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 14:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s already two years Armenian Government has
been providing financial assistance to High Tech sphere development,
Armen Grigoryan, Executive Secretary of IT Development Support Council
under RA Government, told a press conference in Yerevan. "Last year,
Government allocated USD 1 million. This years’ allocations comprised
more. Of course, the sphere needs more financial assistance," Executive
Secretary said.

The Council, he added, reveals and discusses problems in IT sphere
and submits them to Government. "We have already elaborated an IT
development concept which envisages organization of several events,
such as creating electronic system and rendering public services.

There is already a commission coordinating all those issues," Armen
Grigoryan said, adding that Council’s recent session focused on
problems in communication and education spheres.

ARKADY GHUKASYAN HELD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF CANADA

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 14:48 GMT+04:00

Recently, in anticipation of the Telethon 2009 of the Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund the Canadian city of Montreal hosted a charity
dinner, attended by the President of NKR, RA Ambassador-at-Large,
president of the Board of Trustees of the Fund Arkady Ghukasyan .

The dinner was also attended by the Chairman of the local authority
of the Fund in Montreal Andranik Shirinyan, RA Ambassador to Canada
Armen Hakobyan and about 200 representatives of the Armenian community
of Canada. During a charity dinner Canadian philanthropists Vreje and
Imastuhi Nikoghossians provided about 100 000 dollars. The donation
will be directed to the repairmen of the Abovyan district hospital.

During the five-day working visit to Canada Arkady Gukasyan held
several meetings with the head of Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armen Bechakjian, director of the Union Tekeyan Arto Manukian,
representatives of the local Armenian community, and visited the
National college of St. Hakob, the Armenian Catholic school Holy Narek
and other spiritual, educational and cultural centers of Montreal.

In the city of Laval Arkady Ghukasyan together with the leader of the
Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bagrat Galstyan,
and other clergymen took part in the opening ceremony of the newly
constructed church of St. Khach (Cross).

Arkady Ghukasyan visited the Armenian Embassy in Ottawa. Now he is
back in the U.S., in Los Angeles, where he is preparing for meetings
with representatives of the Armenian Diaspora.

Prior to his visit to Canada Arkady Ghokasyan met with the New York
philanthropists, the honorary member of Trustees Board of the Hayastan
Fund Louise Manoogian Simone, with whom he discussed the organizational
issues and strategy for the upcoming November 26 Telethon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SOCIETY’S INFORMATION AWARENESS COLD BECOME CORRUPTION RISK REDUCTION METHOD

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 15:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "On October 1, Armenian Public Relations
Association’s "Extrude the corruption" project was launched in RA
with USAID assistance," Deputy Head of Armenian Public Relations
Association Arman Saghatelyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

According to him, the program aims at raising information awareness of
society, business and media representatives through developing interest
protection mechanisms in case of corruption risk. He also noted that
media-campaign, involving 20 reporters from Armenian TV companies
and information agencies, will be conducted within program frameworks.

According to Association’s Deputy Head, project’s target group is
comprised of small and medium business representatives.

The 6-month project will cover 15 corruption-related court sittings
and 4 media briefings. "Upon project’s termination the reporters will
be granted a fee, and 4 of them awarded prizes for excellent work,"
Saghatelyan stated.