Month: November 2009

‘CORRUPTION OUT OF OUR LIFE’ PROGRAM IN ARMENIA

Tert
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Armenia’s PR Association and USAID’s Mobilizing Action Against
Corruption (MAAC) program will implement a project called "Let’s Get
Corruption Out of Our Life" over a six-month period.

The initiative aims to target small and medium businesses primarily,
according to Armenia’s PR Association deputy chair Arman Saghatelyan.

Though it is a generally accepted custom in Armenia to settle issues
with the help of relatives, Saghatelyan believes that "finally we’ll
come to the civilized world’s method of settling issues."

"The main ideology is to attempt to present to society the direction
it is necessary to take in protecting [people’s] rights," Saghatelyan
said, emphasizing in this context the process of taking corresponding
judicial measures.

Within the frames of the program, discussions with business and media
representatives are planned, Saghatelyan said. With the help of mass
media, the organizers try to present the "good practices package,"
in which ordinary people are involved.

"They are mainly stories of people who wish to work in their country
and wish that their rights are protected in their country by people
who live on the funds paid to them by all of us," Saghatelyan said.

The journalists who have agreed to cooperate will get remuneration
"as accepted in the civilized world." According to Saghatelyan,
often an issue arises when granting journalists their right to free
expression. "Neither USAID nor Armenia’s PR Association intends to
interfere with journalists’ activities," Saghatelyan emphasized, adding
that organizers might not share the viewpoint of media representatives.

WHY DID THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT MAKE CHANGES TO TAX PACKAGE?

Tert
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

The much-discussed tax package was approved by the National Assembly
at the second reading. To discuss the package, Deputy Head of State
Revenue Committee Armen Alaverdyan met journalists today.

It is well known that after the commotion raised by MPs over the tax
package, the draft law "went back" to the government and later again
to the parliament, where the clause on presence of tax inspectors at
manufacturing plants was amended. Today Tert.am asked Alaverdyan why
the government gave up presence of a tax inspector at major factories
and manufacturing plants. Was it perhaps because of the pressure of
major businessmen in the parliament?

Alaverdyan, in responding to the question, stated that the institution
of tax inspectors is not fully approved by international organizations
either, which prefer applying other methods of control over major
businesses. Alaverdyan said a concern was raised in parliament from
discussions over the package that the presence of a tax inspector
in major factories may bring about high corruption risks, therefore,
the government changed the clause.

The initial version of the tax package planned the presence of a
tax inspector at major factories but after the clamor, the clause
was changed and the present draft law prevents the inspector from
entering the place of production and familiarizing himself with
the production process or secrets of the trade. Presently, the tax
inspector may only enter the store from where the product is brought
out to market and get acquainted with the volume of products delivered.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERZH SARGYSAN LEAVES FOR KUWAIT: OFFICIAL TWO-DAY VISIT

Tert
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Serzh Sargsyan today will leave for an official two-day visit to the
State of Kuwait, informs the President of the Republic of Armenia
press office.

This is the first official visit by an Armenian president since
Armenia’s independence to a Gulf country.

At Kuwait International Airport, the Armenian president will be greeted
by Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Crown Prince
Navaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, and high-ranking officials.

On the first day of his visit, Serzh Sargsyan will meet with speaker
of Kuwait’s National Assembly, known as Majlis Al-Umma, Jassem Mohammad
al-Kharafi and Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah. The
Armenian president will also meet with Kuwait Investment Authority
Managing Director Bader Mohammad al-Sa’ad and economic development
foundation director Abdulvahab Ahmad al-Baderi.

The meeting between the president of Armenia and the Emir of Kuwait
will take place near the end of the first day, after which the Republic
of Armenia and the State of Kuwait will sign a number of documents on
cooperation between the two countries. Following the official ceremony,
Serzh Sargsyan will be honoured with an official banquet by Kuwait’s
Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

On the second day of his visit, Sargsyan will visit the Kuwait
Institute for Scientific Research, and will meet with the president
of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ali Mohammed Thunayan
al-Ghanim.

On the second half of the second day, the delegation headed by the
Armenian president will return to Yerevan.

AZNAVOUR DEMANDS WESTERN ARMENIAN LANDS

Yerkir
Nov 3rd, 2009

YEREVAN (Yerkir)-Western Armenian lands must be returned to Armenia,
said Armenia’s Ambasador to Switzerland, famous singer Charles Aznavour
in an interview with Italy’s RIA3 television channel.

"When I was born, in 1924, [they] promised Armenia the return of
lands. I am 85 years old and I cannot wait much longer," said Aznavour.

"In 1924, Stalin promised Armenia the return of Erzeroum, Erzngan,
Sebastia, Kharpert, Dikranagert, Bitlis, Van, Moush… The ‘Wilsonian
Armenia’ also included regions of Trabizon, Erzeroum, Van and Bitlis,"
said Aznavour while welcoming the prospects for establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.

"It would be pleasant to see open borders in the last part of my life,"
added Aznavour.
From: Baghdasarian

MY PROMISE TO FIGHT FOR LAWFULNESS AND JUSTICE: NIKOL PASHINYAN’S ADDRESS

Tert
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Haykakan Zhamanak ("Armenian Times") chief editor Nikol Pashinyan’s
trial resumed at the Court of First Instance of Shengavit Community
in Yerevan today. Today Pashinyan will be present at the court as a
candidate for member of parliament for the first time. In honour of
his nomination, Pashinyan sent a message, which states:

"I put forth my candidacy for member of parliament in the election
scheduled on January 10, 2010, at Yerevan electoral district N10. In
this electoral district, the mandate of a member of parliament
remained vacant after the elected member of parliament, my friend
Khachatur Sukiasyan, resigned from his mandates. I made this decision
to participate in the electoral process in order to keep my promise to
fight, by all means, for lawfulness and justice, for the democratic
right to formulate leadership, and for the dignity of people living
in Armenia.

"The coming election will give Armenian citizens the opportunity to
break the chain of connivance and violence surrounding them every
day, and I consider it my duty to realize that opportunity as a
political prisoner detained at the Yerevan-Centre penal institution
(KGB’s prison) and as a citizen of Armenia. I am taking this step
of nominating my candidacy for the memory of the innocent victims
of March 1, 2008 events, for the sake of the political prisoners
kept in dungeons of tyranny, for the sake of all the citizens whose
rights were violated and whose dignity was wounded by the outrage. I
am taking this step for the sake of our children, whom we promised
would live in a Free and Happy Armenia."

In his message, Pashinyan also greeted the parties included in the
Armenian National Congress, the leaders of those parties and the
Congress, expressed his gratitude to the party of "the Republic," its
political council, member of the political council Suren Surenyants,
who "found it possible to protect their principles and values by
supporting my candidacy."

"I believe in our victory not only in the January 10 election, but
also for the sake of the Constitution, in our fight for people’s
leadership. I am sure that the victory will become realized when
everyone dreaming of a Free, Strong and Happy Armenia, irrespective
of their political and civil position, in the name of victory, does
everything possible he can do," Pashinyan ended his address.

AZERBAIJAN’S PROCUREMENTS IN MILITARY SECTOR ANNOUNCED

Tert
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Though past the deadline, Azerbaijan submitted the report on armament
procured in 2008 to the UN Register of Conventional Arms.

Azerbaijan presented the armament, which it procured last year in
three countries, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

The report was submitted on October 1, but it was placed on the site
of the Register only last week.

Thus, according to the report, in 2008, Azerbaijan purchased 20
armoured vehicles, as well as self-propelled artillery vehicles: 122
mm 2S1 Gvozdikas (18 items) from the Ukraine, and three 2S7 Pions
(203 mm) from Belarus. Besides, last year Azerbaijan bought 9M36-1
Strela-3 (18 items) and 9P58M Strela-3 (10 items) from the Ukraine.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT TO VISIT KUWAIT

news.am
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

November 3, 2009 RA President Serzh Sargsyan will pay a 2-day visit
to Kuwait. Serzh Sargsyan will have meetings with Speaker of Kuwaiti
National Assembly Jassem Al-Kharafi and Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser
Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah within the frames of the visit, RA
Presidential Press Service informed NEWS.am.

Sargsyan will also meet Managing Director of Kuwait Investment
Authority (KIA) Bader Mohammad Al-Said and Director-General of Kuwait
Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) Abdulwahab Ahmad Al-Bader.

Signing of a number of documents on cooperation is scheduled. RA
President will visit the Kuwaiti scientific centre to meet with
Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ali Mohammed
Thunayan Al-Ghanim.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT KUWAIT

Aysor
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

Tonight Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for Kuwait
paying a two-day working visit, Cabinet’s press office reports.

Armenian delegation will be met by Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, heir to the throne, Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah, and senior officials of Kuwait.

Armenian President will meet with head of Kuwaiti Parliament, Jassem
Mohammad Al-Horafi, and Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser Muhammad
Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Mr. Sargsyan will also meet with the Director
of Organization for Investment, Bader Mohammad Al-Saadi, and head
of the Economic Development Fund, Abdulwahab Ahmad Al-Bader. Later
President Sargsyan will have a meeting with Emir of Kuwait, sign a
range of agreements on cooperation, and participate in reception held
by Emir of Kuwait in honor of President of Armenia.

Next day President Sargsyan will attend Science Center of Kuwait,
have meeting with the chairman of Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ali
Mohammad Al-Thunyanom Ganimi. In the afternoon, Armenian delegation
will return back to Armenia.

IMF TO SPEED UP AID TO ARMENIA

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the second review of
anti-crisis stabilization program implemented by Armenia under IMF
credit support.

According to Wall Street Journal, IMF "reworked details of a loan
agreement with Armenia to speed aid to the country." Armenia will
immediately receive an additional $60 million from its $822.7 million
loan facility. The source recalls that Armenia was impacted most by
global crisis among Central European countries. The country has drawn
over U.S. $400m from the provision.

IMF deputy managing director Takatoshi Kato stated that, "The fall
in remittances and the collapse in the construction sector have
caused a more severe economic contraction and lower fiscal revenue
than anticipated."

Under IMF forecast, economic slump in Armenia in 2009 will total 15.6%.

"IMF approved a request for a waiver of nonobservance of end-September
2009 fiscal balance performance criterion, modification of the
quantitative performance criteria for end-December 2009 to reflect
the revised macroeconomic framework and rephasing of purchases to
make the amounts scheduled to become available following the second
and third review available upon completion of the second review,"
IMF official website reads.

CANADA AND U.S. JOIN CHARITY TELETHON

Aysor
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

Montreal held a dinner to raise money for a charity within annual
Telethon-2009 Campaign of All-Armenian Fund "Hayastan". The fund
raising dinner was attended by Vice President of the Board of
Trustees of the All-Armenian Fund "Hayastan", former President of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Mr. Arkady
Ghukasyan.

According to press-office report of All-Armenian Fund "Hayastan",
among the guests at the fund raising dinner were: head of the
Canada’s Office of All-Armenian Fund "Hayastan", Andranik Shirinyan,
Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada, Armen Hakobyan, and about two hundred
representatives of Armenian Community in Canada.

Philanthropists Vrezh Nikoghosyan and Imastuni Nikoghosyan donated
about $100 thousand to repair of hospital in Abovyan of Armenia’s
Kotayk region.

During his visit to Canada, Arkady Ghukasyan held meeting with
representatives of Armenian Communities and attended Armenian
organizations. Before the visit to Montreal, Mr. Ghukasyan has met
with philanthropists in New York. And currently, he is paying a visit
to Los Angeles where the telethon will soon be launched.