Author: Andres-Papazian

BAKO SAHAKYAN CONVOKES WORKING CONSULTATION WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE HEADS OF REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIONS

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
STEPANAKERT

President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan convoked today a
working consultation with the participation of the heads of regional
administrations.

Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic
President told Armenpress that issues related to the socioeconomic
situation the regions face and the formation of the 2011 state budget
were discussed during the consultation.

The president noted that the development of the regions was a basis of
the republic’s socioeconomic progress and in this respect underlined
the importance of active participation of the regional administrations
in budget formation.

According to Bako Sahakyan the programs stipulated by the budget should
be realistic and reflect pivotal directions of both the regions and
the republic in general.

Premier Ara Haroutyunyan and other officials partook at the
consultation.

From: A. Papazian

LEVON SHIRINYAN SAYS PEOPLE’S RIGHT IS HIGHER THAN THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
YEREVAN

Neither war nor peace situation in Artsakh will last for another 10-15
years until the oil-gas resources of Azerbaijan start exhausting,
political analyst Levon Shirinyan said at a news conference
today. According to him, the threat for Armenia comes not from outside
but from inner disagreements.

“Armenia has always been a balancing country: its role both from the
point of view of territory, and people is unimaginably important,”
he noted, adding that the main issue is becoming strong economically
and in ethnographically.

Levon Shirinyan said that the new global developments will force Turkey
and Israel to review their attitude toward Armenia. “The Kurdish issue
– the program of formation of Kurdistan in the north of Iraq on the
account of Turkey, forces Israel and world Zionism be by Armenians
not wanting it,” he said.

Referring to the discussions at the NA on recognition of the Nagorno
Karabakh, Shirinyan considered it a necessity. “The grounding that it
will hinder the negotiation process, is not right, as in this case
we see “negotiations for negotiations” if because of them we do not
solve the important issue for us,” he noted.

From: A. Papazian

MEDVEDEV DID NOT MONOPOLIZE THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROCESS
By YerevanReporter

All Voices

Nov 2 2010

Conducting the Astrakhan meeting of the Presidents of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Russia was primarily aimed at easing the growing
tension in recent years on the line Karabakh-Azerbaijani contact.

This was announced today in Yerevan, said the chairman of the NGO
“European Integration”, a political scientist Karen Bekaryan.

Speaking at the press club “De FactoDe Facto”, he opined that in
Astrakhan on President Aliyev may have been pressured, a manifestation
of which was the signing of a tripartite final declaration. The text
of the document in many respects contradicts blown Azerbaijan tip
militaristic rhetoric, said Bekarian.

Held on 7 th meeting in this format does not indicate monopolization
Russia of the peace process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said
the analyst. According to him, others welcomed the co-chairs of
the Astrakhan summit. “The outcome of this meeting can be generally
appreciated, especially considering the resolution of humanitarian
issues identified in the declaration,” said Bekarian, expressing hope
that the parties to fully fulfill its commitments.

According to him, the Astrakhan meeting was initiated by Russia is
also due to considerations of the preparations for the near future
summits of NATO and the OSCE and the promotion of the initiative of
President Medvedev’s new concept of European security.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CHEESE TOO SALTY, FORMER PREMIER SAYS

news.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

Attempts to monopolize the cheese market account for the rise in
cheese prices, the former Armenian premier, member of the Armenian
National Congress (ANC) Hrant Bagratyan told journalists Nov. 2. He
pointed out that neither the Armenian Government nor the State Revenue
Committee opposes the attempts.

According to him, the reason for the price rise is not at all a higher
price in milk prices. He reported a 20 AMD rise in the milk price in
the Ararat valley, whereas no rise was registered in the mountainous
regions. In this case, the cheese price was to rise by 140 AMD per
kilo, as producing one kilo of cheese requires seven liters of milk.

Bagratyan is also critical of the quality of Armenian cheese. He
pointed out that “20 to 30 per cent of Armenian cheese is salt. The
cheese is very salty and causes salt accumulation in organism.”

From: A. Papazian

ANCA ISSUES NAMES OF ENDORSED CANDIDATES

news.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) issued names of
candidates to Senate, House of Representatives, as well as Governors
endorsed by the Armenian community.

The Armenian community backs the candidates who have demonstrated
a proven track record of support on issues of special concern to
Armenian Americans.

“The ANCA endorsements are based primarily on ANCA Congressional
Report Cards, a detailed review of each incumbent’s record across
a broad range of Armenian American issues. These Report Cards,
prepared in consultation with local ANCA chapters across the country,
cover issues ranging from securing a just resolution of the Armenian
Genocide and the strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations to defending
Nagorno-Karabagh’s independence, and increasing U.S. aid and trade
levels,” reads the statement issued by ANCA.

In the final 72 hours before Tuesday’s mid-term Congressional
elections, ANCA offices have launched tens of thousands of phone
calls and targeted emails informing Armenian American voters about
the records of the Congressional candidates seeking their votes.

The list of candidates endorsed by ANCA includes Adam Schiff, George
Radanovich, Sen. Barbara Boxer, Robert Menendez, Sam Brownback,
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk and others. ANCA
also endorses Jerry Brown for California Governor.

From: A. Papazian

WAGES, PENSIONS LOW IN ARMENIA, EX-PREMIER SAYS

news.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

At his press conference Nov. 2, the former Armenian premier Hrant
Bagratyan said that the Central Bank of Armenia should not have
anything to do with pension and insurance management.

The pension situation is disastrous in Armenia now, whereas it was
better during the last year of his premiership.

Bagrartyan compared the average monthly incomes in Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia in 1995 and 2010. In 1995, the average monthly wages were
U.S. $17.4 in Armenia, U.S. $14 in Azerbaijan and U.S. $10 in Georgia.

The average monthly pensions were U.S. $5.9, U.S., U.S. $4 and U.S. $5
in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan respectively.

Now, however, the situation is different. Specifically,
in January-September, 2010, the average monthly wages were
U.S. $286, U.S. $323 and U.S. 390 in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
respectively. The average monthly pensions were U.S. $60, U.S. $8
and U.S. $110 respectively. Thus, Armenia is behind its neighbors in
terms of pensions and wages.

One more important aspect is that the average monthly pension was 34%
of the wages in 1995, whereas it is only 20% now, the norm being 50%.

The Armenian Government must fix pension rates at 40-45 percent of
the wages and do its best to meet this target.

He is also skeptical about the Armenian Government’s program,
which provided for investments in pension funds to the amount of 5%
of wages. According to him, oligarch, rather than the Government,
must do it. Armenia’s pension funds total U.S. $600 million, with
the Government to invest U.S. $300 million, he said. The calculations
are based on the following principle: 1.1 million employees with the
average monthly wages of 110,000 AMD.

From: A. Papazian

KARABAKH STATUS PRIORITY FOR US -REPUBLICAN

Panorama
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

Nagorno-Karabakh road map cannot be discussed unless the
Nagorno-Karabakh status is determined, Armenian NA ARP deputy Galust
Sahakyan told reporters today commenting on the remarks on adoption of
Nagorno-Karabakh “road map” at the OSCE summit in Astana in December.

“We will agree with the road map once we are sure Karabakh will not be
part of Azerbaijan. Karabakh status is a priority for us,” the MP said.

From: A. Papazian

A MAYOR OF MONTREAL-LED DELEGATION HOSTED IN GOVERNMENT

Gov.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation led by Mayor of
Montreal Jerald Tremble. The meeting was attended by Mayor of Yerevan
Gagik Beglaryan.

Greeting the guests, the Tigran Sargsyan expressed high opinion
of Yerevan-Montreal ties as seen in the context of Armenia-Canada
cooperation. The Prime Minister appreciated the favorable attitude
enjoyed by the Armenian community of Canada.

Thanking the Prime Minister for reception, the Mayor of Montreal
emphasized the role played by the Armenian community of Canada in
boosting ties between the two countries.

The interlocutors discussed a broad range of questions of mutual
interest, including the use of Montreal Town Hall’s know-how in the
field of waste management, winter cleanups and transport services. The
Prime Minister welcomed the establishment of an environmental center
in Yerevan following the example of Montreal’s Saint-Michel center.

Implementation of joint religious and cultural tourism projects was
cited as a prospective area of cooperation.

The parties said to be pleased with the fact that the 31st summit
of the international French-speaking town mayors’ association will
be held in Yerevan next year. The Mayor of Montreal is scheduled to
give lectures on the sidelines of the summit.

From: A. Papazian

TIGRAN SARGSYAN ATTENDS THE OPENING OF “DIGITECH – 2010”

Gov.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan attended today the opening 6th annual
international technological exposition “Digitech – 2010″held in the
sports complex after Karen Demirchyan under the high patronage of
the Armenian Prime Minister.

Congratulating the participants and those present on the opening
of this already traditional exhibition, Tigran Sargsyan stressed
the importance of the forum as it enables the representatives of
the IT sphere to showcase new products and services, progress and
achievements.

According to the head of government, Digitech is an exceptional
opportunity to see what prospects are opened up before the IT sphere
and what the government has to do to ensure progress. “From this point
of view it is necessary to note, that actions of the Government are
serious stimulus in sphere of development of information technologies.

Today you will see in our pavilion as the Government renders the
services to citizens and businessmen by way of use of information
technologies. I think that at this stage of succession of events the
role of the Government has essential value as hundred thousand people
become participants of this process and our citizens use information
technologies. It raises productivity of cooperation and, on the other
hand, it makes it convenient using state services.”

The Prime Minister noted that without information technologies it
is impossible to enhance the efficiency of the economic system. The
presence of foreign firms in Armenia may create new opportunities
for information technologies as a priority direction.

It is remarkable that the Government of Armenia is in attendance
of the event with its www.e – gov.am website. Tigran Sargsyan was
introduced to the license, tax return and digital signature receipt
and processing systems.

Strong with some 68 local and international participants, the
exposition makes display of new IT systems and equipments to be used
in everyday and business activities.

From: A. Papazian

THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENT MEETS WITH NEWLY APPOINTED ISRAELI AMBASSADOR

Gov.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received newly appointed Ambassador
Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the State of Israel to the
Republic of Armenia Shmuel Meirom.

Congratulating the diplomat on appointment, the Prime Minister
expressed conviction that his activity will promote expansion and
deepening of bilateral cooperation.

The interlocutors discussed implementation of joint economic,
healthcare, traveling, educational and cultural projects. With
reference to economic exchanges, both sides emphasized the need
for holding business-forums aimed at promoting close private sector
relationships.

Concerning the strengthening of Homeland-Diaspora linkages, Tigran
Sargsyan appreciated the use of Israeli experience available in
this field.

From: A. Papazian