Author: Antonian Lara

MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION HAS BEEN SIGNED TODAY BETWEEN ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S OVERSIGHT CHAMBER AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT SERVICE OF EGYPT

ARMENPRESS
Oct 19, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Memorandum of Cooperation has
been signed today between Armenian President’s Oversight Chamber
and Chief Administrative Oversight Service of Egypt. Before the
signing head of the President’s Oversight Chamber Hovhannes Hovsepyan
received the Egyptian delegation and with the deputy head of the
Chief Administrative Oversight Service of Egypt Yusri Abdallah Yusef
discussed issues on promoting the cooperation, ensuring legal-agreement
field.

Y. Abdullah Yusef expressed assurance that the partnership will be
beneficial for the both sides and Egypt has a lot to learn from its
Armenian partner establishment.

H. Hovsepyan on his turn noted that the Chief Administrative Oversight
Service of Egypt is a powerful establishment which differs from
the Armenian one with its authority of law enforcement body which
directly deals with fighting against corruption. Besides, the Egyptian
service has an excellent study center which cooperates with relevant
establishments of 24 countries and is a serious platform for studying
experience.

During the five-day visit members of the Egyptian delegation will
meet with governors of Tavush and Aragatsotn provinces, will visit
sightseeing of the two provinces, historic cultural monuments, will
pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide in
Tsitsernakaberd memorial.

AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
October 12, 2009 Monday

YEREVAN THANKS MOSCOW FOR AIDING TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has thanked Russia for facilitating
his countrys rapprochement with Turkey. He said in a meeting with his
Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, in Gorki, near Moscow, on Monday
that I would like to thank the Russian leadership, and you, in
particular, for your support to the development of our relations with
the Republic of Turkey. The fact that the Russian foreign minister was
present at the ceremony of signing protocols in Zurich on October 10
was another example of Russias paying attention to the security of the
South Caucasus, Sarkisian said. Armenia and Turkey have been at odds
for decades due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and
Yerevans claims on the World War I-era genocide. On August 31, Ankara
and Yerevan agreed to start domestic consultations on forging
diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations. On Saturday, two
protocols — which ultimately seek to open the Turkish-Armenian border
— were signed. The parliaments of Armenia and Turkey need to ratify
the documents for them to be valid. The Armenian leader is visiting
Russia on his counterparts invitation. The two presidents talks are
said to be focusing on economic and military cooperation and the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict.

OUT-OF-SERVICE ENTERPRISES WERE LIQUIDATED

NKR Government Information and Public Relations Department
October 13, 2009

At the NKR Government Session

Today, a regular session of the NKR Government, which was conducted
by the Prime Minister Ara Haroutynyan has taken place.

A number of agenda issues were dedicated to new law projects. The
Executive has gave approval to the NKR law projects "On Firm Names" and
"On General Education", proposed changes and additions to the NKR laws
"On Social Maintenance Cards", "On State Pensions", "On Licensing",
"On State Duty", and "On NKR Administrative Territorial Division". The
legislative beginnings will be submitted to the discussion of the
NKR NA.

The other group of the discussed issues concerned the economic sphere.

The Government affirmed the regulations concerning mineral waters,
by which technical demands for its safety; production, processing,
and packing were defined. The Ministry of Healthcare was charged
with a task to submit to the affirmation of the Government the list
of mineral waters and sources of raw materials and springs.

The started economic process directly concerns the future destiny
of the mentioned enterprise. The Executive resolved to liquidate
the electro technical plant of Stepanakert retaining its accounts
receivable and rights for other demands to the NKR Ministry of
Finance. Similar decision was made in concern with "Metax" CJSC
as well. While introducing the issue, the Minister of Economic
Development B. Babayan noted that the mentioned enterprises execute
nearly no economic activity; therefore it is expedient to liquidate
them. The Prime Minister A.Haroutyunyan charged the Minister with a
task to make appropriate steps for purposeful usage of the property
and the territory of these enterprises and to provide investments
for new economic activities.

At the session, the Minister of Economic Development B. Babayan came
out with account on the existent state in the sphere of stock-taking
and management of the state property. He noted that a corresponding
division had been already founded in the ministry, a centralized
system and data collection base is functioning, and corresponding
legal acts were adopted.

At present 641 buildings and constructions are included in general
stock-taking, though there are a lot of buildings out of registration,
the minister emphasized. B. Babayan came forward with proposals, which
were assigned to competent structures as governmental instructions. The
Prime Minister charged the Minister with a task to submit an account
on executed activities quarterly.

The Executive has introduced amendments and additions into the
Government decree N2 "On State Pensions" dated January 3, 2004,
for securing implementation of the law. In particular, wemen having
at least 35 years of insurance length of service are allowed to be
granted pension one year sooner.

The Executive affirmed the order of the students’ passing from one
higher educational institution to another. According to the new order
the passing is conducted by approbation of the two rectors. The
students studying at the target places are prohibited to change
specialty.

By proposal of K.Petrosyan, the Head of Industrial Infrastructures
adjunct to the NKR Government, the Executive introduced an amendment
into the government decree N449, dated June 20, 2008, according to
which the tender on technical inspection licensing will take place
even in case of only one application submission.

By the last agenda issue the Executive introduced a change in
the temporary scheme of land use of the Hadrout region’s rural
community. 0.5 hectares of pasture being the community property
of agricultural significance were transfered into the category of
productive meaning.

VIVACELL-MTS PRESENTS ITS CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT THE EDUCATION AND CAREER EXPO 2009

ArmInfo
2009-10-15 11:51:00

ArmInfo. Today VivaCell-MTS presented its Career Development
Program at the Education and Career Expo 2009 hosted by Logos Expo
Center, held at the Karen Demirchyan Sport and Concert Complex, then
Company press service reports. ‘As a major supporter of the event,
VivaCell-MTS provided valuable information to describe the Company’s
Career Development Program.

VivaCell-MTS’ Human Resources strategy is in line with the
Company’s mission and objectives as a Responsible Corporate Citizen
of Armenia. Interpersonal relations and development is a primary
focus of the Human Resources policy, especially for a family of 1200
professionals.

A system of corporate values, known as the VivaCell-MTS Core
Values, was developed and put into use by the Company, to be shared
and followed by all employees. These values integrate everyone
from all strata and levels, and include the following: Employee,
Transparency, Ownership, Client-Oriented, Respect, Result-Oriented
and Teamwork. "The adoption of our Core Values marked an important
milestone for VivaCell-MTS.

It opened doors to a new and higher level of organizational
development.

These are objectives for which we strive and not just an end in
itself. As a family, we are committed to these values and it’s what
makes us accountable toward both internal and external stakeholders",
said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

There are four directions under the Career Development Program:
Internship for students, the VivaCell- MTS Seasonal School, Open
Doors, and Guest Lectures or courses provided by VivaCell-MTS staff
to academic institutions. The VivaCell-MTS Seasonal School is of
vocational nature intended to support students in enhancing their
professional education through training programs delivered by highly
qualified VivaCell-MTS employees. Each school session is devoted
to very specific professional areas and provides applicants with
opportunities to advance in their professional skills. VivaCell-MTS
is one of those few companies where the people with special needs are
given fair and equal opportunity for careers. To date, there are over
30 people with special needs working with the Company.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER OF ARMENIA APPLIES TO COURT TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM ANC

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.10.2009 19:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On October 15, at 12:00 p.m. Kentron and Nork
Marash regular court will hold a legal trial at the suit of Freedom
of Information Center of Armenia (FOICA) against Armenian National
Congress.

On June 26, 2009 FOICA applied to court demanding to oblige ANC to
provide information requested on 2008 financial report as well as
sources for donations, exceeding hundredfold minimal salary.

To receive the information above, FOICA addressed ANC Leader Levon
Ter-Petrosyan in April 2009, yet the request was not answered, FOICA
press service reported.

THE STATEMENT OF THE "NEW TIMES" PARTY

-jamanakner
04:00 pm | October 13, 2009

Politics

Statement

On October 10, 2009 the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey
signed clearly anti-Armenian Protocols. The signing ceremony took
place after a three-hour delay and the explanations for this delay
clearly show that the protocols are a result of serious pressure and
they include the three preconditions set forth by Turkey in 1993,
that is, the territorial integrity of Turkey and Azerbaijan, an end
to the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict favoring Azerbaijan.

The protests in Armenia and the Diaspora proved that Armenians are
against the anti-Armenian protocols and go to show our nation’s
resoluteness to confront all current and future challenges as a nation.

Reaffirming the fact that imposing the anti-national protocols on
the Armenian nation is the effect of the anti-national legislative
and executive administration’s actions, the "New Times" party states
the following:

In the current stage, Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora must do
everything possible to not ratify these humiliating documents and put
an end to the subsequent attempt of world powers to turn Armenia and
all Armenians into a sacrifice

The processes taking place in the Republic of Armenia are very similar
to the logic of the destructive steps that were taken in Serbia and it
is definite that this clan-oligarch regime must be removed as soon as
possible. This can become a reality through the combined efforts of
different layers of society and as a result of the unified struggle
of political parties.

Starting on October 10, 2009, Armenians around the world must perceive
that only relying on themselves will they be able to confront the
challenges to be faced. We remind all world powers that the Armenian
nation has a history spanning 5,000 years, has survived in worse
conditions, has experienced genocide, has continued to shape the
Homeland and is now struggling for a Dignified and Fair Future.

"New Times" Political Party Board

SARKOZY DEVELOPS "STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP" WITH KAZAKHSTAN
By: Roger McDermott

Jamestown Foundation
Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 6 Issue: 187
October 13, 2009 03:08 PM

On October 6 the French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Astana on
a state visit and met his counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev. During
his one day visit he also held talks with Kazakhstan’s Foreign
Minister Kanat Saudabayev and the Minister of Economics and Budget
Planning Bakhyt Sultanov. A Kazakh-French business forum coincided
with his trip, which was designed to deepen bilateral relations
(Interfax-Kazakhstan, October 6).

A wide range of issues were discussed and the 24 agreements signed
ranged from energy deals to nuclear fuel and space cooperation. Trade
deals valued at $6 billion will further boost bilateral energy
cooperation. The French energy companies Total and GDF-Suez agreed to
a 25 percent share worth $1 billion in the Russian-Kazakh Khvalinskoye
gas field, in the Caspian Sea, in partnership with Lukoil (50 percent)
and KazMunaiGas (25 percent). Significantly, a consortium of French
companies headed by Spie Capag (Vinci group) signed a draft agreement
on a pipeline between the Kashagan oil field in the Caspian Sea and
Baku, which will take Kazakh oil to Europe bypassing Russia. If the
negotiations prove successful, it will yield an initial 1.2 billion
Euros ($1.76 billion) for French companies.

In this context Sarkozy recognized that Kazakhstan faces genuine
problems as it pursues its "Path to Europe" policy, but he decided not
to focus on these. Instead, he preferred to promote France’s economic
interests and praise the country as a model of peace building in the
region, which was a reference to its decision to abandon the nuclear
weapons that Kazakhstan had inherited from the Soviet Union. Sarkozy
emphasized, that he had privately discussed questions of democracy
and human rights with Nazarbayev (Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, Kazakhstan
Today, October 6). However, given the importance of the bilateral
eco es going out of his way to stress how much value Paris attaches
to Kazakhstan. He characterized the country as the "giant of Central
Asia," among the "top 50 countries in the world," Paris’s "strategic"
or "privileged" partner, before adding that he will visit the country
frequently and had not arrived with an arrogant attitude, but hoped
to genuinely reach out in a spirit of cooperation. His approach
was certainly welcomed by a regime that places great emphasis upon
its image.

Sarkozy evidently also wanted to strengthen the formation of ties
between Central Asia and Afghanistan, primarily aimed at ending
the country’s economic isolation. He advocated the creation of a
regional strategy in order to work out ways in which each country
might assist in this venture. He suggested that such an approach
would benefit Afghanistan, and serve the interests of Central Asia
(Interfax-Kazakhstan, October 6). Some of these issues will be explored
through the new mechanism of a Sarkozy-Nazarbayev commission, which
has been formed in order to facilitate bilateral dialogue and retain
control over the direction of joint initiatives (Kazakhstan Today,
October 6). In terms of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010,
Sarkozy believes it might play a key role in Karabakh, Abkhazia and
South Ossetia.

Indeed, the bilateral security agenda was dominated by
Afghanistan. Sarkozy has proposed an international conference on
Afghanistan in either Kabul or Astana, in order to coordinate
greater efforts towards stabilizing the country and rebuilding
its economy. Both leaders stated that their stance on the issue
coincides; emphatically denying that there can be any military
solution to Afghanistan. Nazarbayev said: "We both believe that
there is no military solution to this problem. It is necessary to
structure the assistance so that people in Afghanistan find their
way to normal life and stop producing drug-bearing plants." Moreover,
they stressed that this issue and Iran directly affect Central Asia
security, though Nazarbayev also extended this to include Iraq and
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Interfax-Kazakhstan, October 6).

In this context the French company Thales signed a $150 million
contract to supply radios to the Kazakh army. It hopes this will lead
to a larger ($3 billi supply communications equipment to Kazakhstan’s
armed forces -a market dominated by Russian suppliers. A bilateral
military transit agreement was signed between Paris and Astana, which
will allow France to use Kazakh territory and airspace to supply its
3,070 troops deployed in Afghanistan. This will involve both lethal
and non-military supplies (Interfax-Kazakhstan, October 6).

Inadvertently, this agreement and Paris’s unique relationship with
Astana might help secure a policy objective long pursued by Washington
and London. This relates to convincing Astana to operationally deploy
peacekeepers from its peacekeeping brigade (KAZBRIG) to support the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. U.S. and
U.K. military cooperation with Kazakhstan since 2003 has focused,
among other key goals, on developing the country’s peace support
operations (PSO) capabilities, in line with its NATO Partnership
for Peace (PfP) goals (Interfax, September 25). While Washington
and London have extended such assistance to expand the battalion
to brigade strength, persuading Astana to send an element of this
force into Afghanistan has been problematic. It runs the risk of
conveying an impression that western assistance is based on expecting a
payback, while underestimating the Kazakh memory of the Soviet Union’s
humiliation in its war in Afghanistan; veterans of the Soviet-Afghan
war continue to serve within the Kazakh armed forces. To date, this
policy goal has centered on appealing to the good will of the Kazakh
government based on the possibility that KAZBRIG might achieve the
coveted accolade of being declared as NATO interoperable. Although
it has progressed towards this status during the annual Steppe Eagle
exercises conducted jointly between the U.S., U.K. and Kazakhstan,
full interoperability has not been achieved, but it is close enough
to permit a political decision to deploy abroad.

Sarkozy is now strongly placed to convince Astana to make such a bold
commitment, not only since France enjoys closer relations with Russia,
but in light of deepening Franco-Kazakh ties and more importantly
the request might be less open to misinterpretation. In any case, it
is unlikely that KAZBRIG would send more than a company, and almost
certainly it will not participate in combat operations. Nonetheless,
the prospect of Kazakh participation in force protection operations,
which would be of interest to ISAF, could also be facilitated by
Paris supporting KAZBRIG’s continued logistical weakness, using the
new bilateral military agreement as its legal mechanism.

HSBC BANK ARMENIA BECOMES THE REGIONAL CENTER TO PROVIDE IT SERVICES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
13.10.2009 17:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/Since September 2009 the Group of Regional Assistance
of HSBC Bank of Armenia has expanded its activities by providing IT
related assistance to HSBC offices in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Russia.

As the press service of HSBC in Armenia reports, in September 2008, the
bank projected to become a regional center for information technology,
providing IT services to HSBC Group member banks in CIS countries.

The software program of the Group provides a wide range of banking
and investment transactions to meet customer needs in different
countries and raise effectiveness of these operations. The program
is now installed in 63 countries, transactions totaling 764 million
USD serving about 10 million active customer accounts are realized
through it.

In 2010-2011 Group projects to expand the geography of its service
in Central, Western and other directions in Europe.

THE EIGHTH SCIENTIFIC-MEDICAL CONGRESS "ARMENIA-RUSSIA; MEDICINE WITHOUT LIMITS" KICKED OFF IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 13, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: The eighth scientific-medical congress
entitled "Armenia-Russia; Medicine without Limits" kicked off today
in the National Institute of Health.

Opening the congress Director of the institute Derenik Dumanyan
noted that in the Russian health care sphere there are distinguished
doctor-scientists, leading professionals in the whole world. The 11 of
them, who are renowned surgeons, traumatologist and dentists having
scientific degrees of a professor and of an academician will present
at the congress reports on the most up-to-date medical methods and
approaches simultaneously conducting an experience exchange with the
Armenian professionals.

According to D. Dumanyan, within the framework of the congress
visits to Russian health care centers will be organized. A database
of programs on health care sphere will function, where information
on various services of health care sphere will be provided to
the public. D. Dumanyan said as well that this event is also a
stimulus for the cooperation in medical sphere and for deepening the
Armenian-Russian new friendly ties.

D. Dumanyan noted that during the works of the congress 30 reports
will be presented and a dental master-class will be conducted. A
collection comprised of 174 scientific works has been published and
presented as well.

"Medicine does not recognize limits, as the human health is an
important value and its care is one of the primary issues of the
state," it was noted in RA Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan’s
message directed to the congress.

The summoning of the congress is conditioned by the big, invaluable
contribution, which is made by the Armenian doctors in the world
medicine. Whichever country the Armenian renowned and innovative
doctors with their mental potential enter, they leave only respect,
honor and reputation. Every Armenian medical manual is a new bridge,
which anchors the achievements of the Ar motes new contacts and
acquaintances by establishing new basis for important ideas, becoming
wings of flight for the Armenian thought.

RA Diaspora Minister noted that for Armenia the providing of qualified
medical assistance is a primary issue both in the homeland and
in the Diaspora. Delivering a speech in the 10th Armenian Medical
Assembly held recently in New York, she called on by the principle
of mutual support, experience exchange and mutual complementation,
as well as by the example of sister towns to start the "Hospital to
Hospital" movement, which may become one of the main institutions of
homeland-Diaspora cooperation. "You, with your efforts and support,
should participate in the movement as well in order to bring that
project to life", the message run.

In near future the Diaspora Ministry collaboratively with "Health
Care Action; Armenia-France" organization and with the Congress
of the Euro-Caucasian Cardiologists will conduct Armenian forum of
cardiologists.

Within the framework of the congress an exhibition of drugs and new
medical technologies invented in Armenia in the last 5 years has
opened which is aimed at the quick localization of the health care
newest achievements.

The work of the congress will be accomplished October 16.

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA TO THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND TO ALL ARMENIANS

October 11, 2009

Dear compatriots: For the past several months the attention of Armenia
and the Armenians worldwide was focused on the ongoing process of the
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and in particular
the two initialed Protocols. All parts and layers of the Armenian
nation answered our call to open a public debate on the documents and
engaged in it. We saw a new strong wave of a debate over the smaller
and bigger issues which concern Armenia and the Armenians.

The debate included a large variety of issues not related to the
Armenian-Turkish negotiations but concerning the whole Armenian
nation. This process caused and triggered a new, engaged discussion
on the place and the role of Armenia and the Armenians, the present
and the future of Armenia and the Armenians. As a result, the
world saw and understood that, when it comes to the normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations, they have to deal not just with
Armenia with its three million population, but with the ten million
Armenians. And let no one ignore the fact that, contrary to any
slogans, the Armenian nation is united in its goals and is strong
with its sons and daughters. And let no one try to split Armenia and
our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora in presenting their concern
over the future of Armenia as an attempt to impose something on the
Republic Armenia.

My fellow compatriots,

The historic destine of our nation has many times been focuses on the
directive of searching wise exits of the most complex situations. We
have only succeeded when we pragmatically assessed the current
challenges and took appropriate actions. Today we also find ourselves
in a similar position. In order to build and consolidate our statehood
we, in our collective identity, need to demonstrate adequate thinking
and action.

Today, we are trying to put on a normal track the relations with a
country where, under the Ottoman rule, our nation fell victim to the
policy of patricide and genocide. The scars of the Genocide do not
heal. And the memory of our martyrs and future of our generations
dictates to have solid and stable state, powerful and prosperous
country, a country which is the rebirth of the dreams of the whole
Armenian nation. One of the significant steps along that road is
having normal relations with all our neighbors, including Turkey.

Independence dictates the will and determination to take responsible
decisions; it dictates pragmatism and forward-looking sustained
work. That is the road I have selected. I have done it with the strong
understanding of the historical reality and a strong belief in the
future of our people.

There is no alternative to the establishment of the relations with
Turkey without any precondition. It is the dictate of the time. It is
not this need that is being debated today. The concern of individuals
and some political forces is caused by the different interpretation
of certain provisions contained in the Protocols and their historic
mistrust towards Turkey.

Having realistically assessed these circumstances and being convinced
in the necessity and correctness of the steps undertaken, I insist
on the following:

1. No relations with Turkey can question the reality of the patricide
and the genocide perpetrated against the Armenian nation. It is a known
fact and it should be recognized and condemned by the whole progressive
humanity. The relevant sub-commission to be established under the
intergovernmental commission, is not a commission of historians.

2. The issue of the existing border between Armenia and Turkey is to
be resolved through prevailing norms of the international law. The
Protocols do not go beyond that.

3. These relations cannot and do not relate to the resolution of
the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, which is an independent and separate
process. Armenian does not regard the clause of the territorial
integrity and inviolability of the borders contained in the Protocols
as in any way related to the Nagorno Karabagh problem.

4. The Armenian side will give an adequate reaction if Turkey protracts
the process of ratification or raises conditions for it. Armenia
undertakes no unilateral commitments though these Protocols and
does not make any unilateral affirmations. Armenia is signing these
Protocols in order to create basis for the establishment of normal
relations between our two countries. Hence, if Turkey fails to ratify
the Protocols within a reasonable timeframe and does not implement all
the clauses contained herein within the provided timeframe or violates
them in the future, Armenia will immediately take appropriate steps
as stipulated by the international law.

Dear compatriots, in addressing you I want to emphasize that today,
more than ever our people should stand united; we should have
capability of maturing our collective identity to life in the reality
of statehood. That is our road to the future.

The signing of the Protocols will be followed by stages of their
ratification and implementation. All the concerns and possible threats
which were so widely expressed in the course of the debate will be
taken into careful consideration and we shall be able to prevent
any development that might contradict our national interest. Today,
I am more than convinced that we will succeed. And we will do that
together, all of us, the Armenians. Today we are not the same we were
only a few months ago. And it is a fact from now on.

I have confidence in the wisdom of our people. I have confidence that
together we shall hand down a prosperous and peaceful motherland to
our generation. It will definitely be so.

And may God be with us!