Author: Arsine Chaltikian

By Harut Sassounian

The Centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide were marked with unprecedented, and sometimes, unexpected developments.

One such occasion was the full page ad placed in the New York Times on April 18 by well-known and controversial Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (Founder, The World Values Network) and the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, Eastern U.S. (AGCC), harshly criticizing Pres. Obama for not keeping his campaign promise on the Armenian Genocide.

A knowledgeable source told The California Courier that the ad had upset some White House officials. The placing of the ad coincided with the efforts of the U.S. National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial to convince reluctant administration officials to participate in the commemorative events in Washington, D.C., May 7-9.

Nonetheless, Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power attended the Ecumenical Prayer Service at the National Cathedral on May 7, in Washington, but neither delivered remarks nor was their presence acknowledged. Surprisingly, both officials wore the “forget me not” pin, the official logo of the Armenian Genocide Centennial. Also in attendance were Pres. Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos Karekin II, and Catholicos Aram I.

The paid ad featured a young boy holding a placard stating, “Pres. Obama why did you lie to us?” This was followed by the title of the ad in large bold letters: “1.5 million Armenian victims cry out from their grave: How long will you deny our genocide just to appease the Turkish tyrant?”

The paid announcement strongly criticized both Pres. Obama, for not keeping his campaign promises, and Ambassador Power, for remaining silent after condemning U.S. indifference to Genocide in a book she wrote before assuming her government post (“A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide”). The ad also targeted Turkish President Erdogan, calling him a “bully” and “quasi-dictator who has dismantled Turkish democracy.”

Furthermore, the ad quoted from a news report by CNN’s Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper: “For the sixth year in a row President Barack Obama has broken his promise to the Armenian community, made when seeking their votes as a senator and a presidential candidate, to use the word ‘genocide’ to describe the massacre of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire a century ago. He did this in deference to the government of Turkey.”

The ad reminded readers that Tapper was referring to Sen. Obama’s 2008 statement: “The Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. …As President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

The authors of the ad went on to state: “Seldom has an American President misrepresented himself so brazenly on an issue of such profound moral importance. Pres. Obama’s willful moral blindness stands in stark contrast to the courageous statement by Pope Francis last week calling for the world’s recognition of ‘the first genocide of the twentieth century.’”

In the ad, the Rabbi and AGCC posed this question to Ambassador Power: “As a leading voice against genocide, will you stand by your principles or will you become yet another who, after entering office, silences her voice and becomes part of the ‘problem from hell?’”

A second newspaper announcement reminding Pres. Obama of his promise on the Armenian Genocide appeared in the Los Angeles Times on April 24. The three-quarter page ad, placed by Ed Muradliyan, a California businessman from Orange County, asserted: “It’s time for you to be the leader you promised to be. On this 100 year anniversary Mr. President, it’s time to fulfill the promise you made.” Muradliyan’s ad featured a picture of Pres. Obama, copy of Amb. Morgenthau’s cable to the State Dept., dated July 16, 1915, and the headline of a news report from The New York Times, dated December 15, 1915. The announcement ended with: “It’s Time to Recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

If one or both of these ads caused some discomfort to White House officials, it was well worth the money!

The ads should have included Pres. Obama’s own words from his book, “The Audacity of Hope”: “Say one thing during the campaign and do another thing once in office, and you’re a typical, two-faced politician.”

Although the commemorative events in Washington were organized with utmost professionalism, there was one major shortfall. When special honors were being awarded at the May 9 Centennial Banquet to prominent individuals, organizations and representatives of countries that had recognized the Armenian Genocide, it would have been only fitting to pay tribute to John Evans, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia (2004-2006), whose diplomatic career came to an abrupt end when the Bush Administration recalled him for publicly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. The organizers of the Banquet assured The California Courier that “no slight was intended,” and that it was simply “an oversight.”

Fortunately, this gross error was somewhat mitigated when the “oversight” was brought to the attention of the master of ceremonies, attorney Mark Geragos, who acknowledged from the podium the presence of Amb. Evans. The 2,000 guests at the Centennial Banquet gave the righteous Ambassador an enthusiastic standing ovation and thunderous applause! Needless to say, Amb. Evans deserves far more than mere applause for having sacrificed his career in defense of the Armenian Cause!

The OSCE Minsk Group met in Italy for consultations on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick said in a Twitter post.

“Consultations with the Italians take place today,” Jarlick said.

“ All Minsk Group countries support peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Karabakh conflict,” the American diplomat added.

With heartfelt sorrow, tempered by the hope of new life in the Resurrection and trust in God’s loving mercy, members of the University of Notre Dame family gathered throughout campus recently to recall the 1.5 million lives lost in the Armenian genocide 100 years ago, reports.

Throughout the third week of April, Notre Dame students, faculty and staff chose to honor this memory through several events commemorating the lives of those who suffered so greatly 100 years ago. The tribute began with a showing of the film “The Lark Farm,” about an aristocratic Armenian family unexpectedly swept into the ravages of genocide.

The following day, Theology Professor Maxwell Johnson spoke on the importance of martyrdom in both the early Church and today, specifically referring to those killed in the Armenian genocide. He emphasized that “those who have given their lives for Christ participate in an inherently Eucharistic ritual, offering themselves as sacrifice in place of the bread and cup; becoming transformed into Him through their deaths.”

He also shared the decision of the synod of bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which for the first time in hundreds of years, on April 23, 2015, officially added saints to their register of holy men and women, canonizing the martyrs who gave their lives for their faith and their homeland during the Armenian genocide. While no specific names were mentioned nor were a fixed number of martyrs defined, the Armenian Church acknowledged that “even without knowing the names or precise circumstances of each one, God knows who they are, and for us that is sufficient.” This act of canonization allows these martyrs to finally officially be recognized as members of the Church triumphant and celebrated within the Divine Liturgy. It serves as a reminder for the faithful to perpetuate the Christian witness of the Armenian people to inspire their own mission and evangelism in this world.

In remembrance, a prayer service and candlelit vigil was held on campus on April 22, providing the opportunity for students to share testimonies and unite in solidarity with these heroic victims. Graduate students and organizers of the event, Shant Mahserejian, Alan Grigorian and Armenian Deacon Jesse Arlen each spoke about how the genocide touched their lives. These brave men revealed how their respective great-grandparents were killed, orphaned or forced into hiding during the genocide. Each affirmed the importance of keeping their heritage alive, working for peace, and leading other young men and women to become the generation that ends the cycle of genocide.

Further emphasizing the need for systematic change towards peace, Mahserejian stated, “Upon his invasion of Poland, Hitler was confronted and asked, ‘What makes you think you can get away with this?’ His response was simple, ‘Whom, after all, remembers the annihilation of the Armenians?’ Throughout history you see repeated cycles of ethnic cleansing, including the Holocaust, Rwanda, Darfur and many, many others throughout the last century. Current activities taking place in the Middle East at the hands of ISIS are included as part of this. It will be through education, sharing of stories, taking political action and upholding a commitment to justice, which will ultimately allow us to overcome these evil powers.”

With hopeful remembrance, Grigorian also shared, “Even while being persecuted, the Armenians never abandoned their belief in their faith and their culture. In the Armenian community there is a saying, especially in regards to genocide, which is ‘you may cut my branches and burn my leaves, but you will never touch my roots.’”

Following these passionate testimonies, those in attendance processed from Alumni Hall Chapel to the reflecting pool outside Hesburgh Library. Led by 15 students, in memory of the 100 years, each took 1,000 steps, combining to signify the 1.5 million lives lost in the genocide. Each placed a candle of remembrance in front of the library, praying together for those who have been lost, but shall soon be honored throughout the Church.

The weeklong tribute culminated with a screening on April 27 of the film, “1915: The Movie,” about a present day theatre director seeking to bring the memory of this forgotten genocide back to life.

The Armenian students and professors of Notre Dame encourage all people of conscience to take a moment to remember the victims of this genocide, as well as all those around the world who have or presently suffer from crimes against humanity.

DEPUTY SAYS NEW PROPOSAL ON TABLE IN ARMENIA TALKS

Today’s Zaman
May 21 2010
Turkey

A senior Turkish official has said there is a â~@~brilliant
proposalâ~@~] for Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and that it is up
to Armenia to accept or reject it.

Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman for
External Affairs Suat KınıklıoÄ~_l u spoke about Turkish-Armenian
reconciliation at a panel discussion in Washington on Wednesday where
he said the two sides had agreed to â~@~remain silentâ~@~] for some
time and evaluate â~@~what is on the table.â~@~] The Middle East
Instituteâ~@~Ys Center for Turkish Studies hosted KınıklıoÄ~_l u, who
is also chairman of the Turkish-American Interparliamentary Friendship
Group, for a discussion on Turkeyâ~@~Ys neighborhood policy and its
influence in and implications for the Middle East.

â~@~There is something new on the table. Although I cannot go into
the details, there is a brilliant proposal on the table, and it is
up to the Armenians to accept or reject it,â~@~] KınıklıoÄ~_l u
stated. Noting that the achieving Turkish-Armenian reconciliation
is an important issue at the moment, KınıklıoÄ~_l u said he would
personally vote â~@~yesâ~@~] on the Armenian protocols because he
is in favor of normalizing relations. He said he believes this move
has the potential to transform the South Caucasus and make it a part
of Europe.

Turkey and Armenia sealed twin â~@~agree-to-disagreeâ~@~] protocols
last October — currently at a standstill — to transform persistent
animosity into lasting amity. A chain of negative developments and
Azerbaijanâ~@~Ys strident opposition to the protocols have made the
reconciliation roadmap a thorny document.

Underscoring that the normalization will come into being through the
political will of both Turks and Armenians, the senior official said
it would not work if they wait for outside actors to solve their
problems. â~@~And this is not realistic,â~@~] he added.

Speaking about the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, KınıklıoÄ~_l u pointed
to the occupation by Armenia of the territories of Azerbaijan, a member
of the Council of Europe, and said Turkish-Armenian normalization
cannot take place at a bilateral level as there is an â~@~abnormal
situationâ~@~] called Karabakh in their neighborhood. Underlining
that resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is not a precondition and
that reconciliation and the Karabakh dispute are parallel processes
generating support for each other, KınıklıoÄ~_l u said this view
benefits Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

RUSSIA LIKES TO BE A MEDIATOR ON KARABAKH ISSUE – SWEDISH RESEARCHER

news.az
May 19 2010
Azerbaijan

Ingmar Oldberg News.Az interviews Ingmar Oldberg, senior research
associate at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.

They say that the West already lost the fight with Russia over CIS area
(Ukraine, Moldova Kirgizia and Georgia in particular). How would you
comment on this opinion?

Russia has always had more influence in those countries than the "West"
for historical, economic and other reasons , even though "Western"
influence has grown since the 1990s. But those countries are now
sovereign and no pawns in a new great game. It is up to them where
they turn for help, whether they are democratic or (most often) not.

And what about Azerbaijan? Do you expect increase in Russian activity
here?

Russia is of course extremely interested in Azerbaijan and its energy
resources, and will try its best to get more control over them, or
rather their transport to the European customers. But Russia of course,
as you all know, has to balance its relations with Azerbaijan against
those with Armenia, which Russia has a military alliance, including
mutual assistance. If Azerbaijan gets more involved with the "West"
(Turkey) Russia will probably strengthen relations with Armenia and
be less inclined to support Azerbaijan concerning N-Karabakh. Russia
likes to be a mediator on the NK issue, officially friendly with both
sides, currying favors from both.

Moscow says that it CIS countries to decide to be a member of EU and
NATO or not. Do you think that Russia might agree with membership of
Azerbaijan or even Georgia in NATO?

As I’ve already answered, CIS counties decide each for itself, and
cannot as a collective have a veto on what the others decide for
themselves. The CSTO (Collective security treaty) is another matter.

Even if NATO membership for Azerbaijan and Georgia are very remote
possibilities, Russia will do everything to stop it. Only if Russia
itself would join NATO, it would have to allow the others to do so.

Do you think that Russia may use the "Georgian scenario" in Karabakh,
other conflict zone in the South Caucasus?

The Georgian case with S Ossetia and Abkhazia is special, since both
these regions border on Russia and contain many Russians whom Russia
wants to "protect". The S Ossetians are related to N Ossetians, who
want to remain part of Russia. Russia has no reason to intervene in NK
since it is already de facto incorporated into and by Armenia. There is
no analogy with Kosovo, since the Serbs there are a small minority, and
Albania did nothing to support its kin in Kosovo against Serbia in 1999
and before. It was NATO that intervened to save the Albanians in Kosovo

Russia and Turkey has been developing a close collaboration, especially
during the last 2 years. What is your opinion, may this collaboration
be fruitful for the stability in the South Caucasus region?

Hard to tell. If the collaboration does not harm other states’
interests it is fine, for instance with regard to developing nuclear
power in Turkey with Russian help. But some of this collaboration
has been about pipelines, and the plan to build a South Stream gas
pipeline across Turkish waters in the Black Sea has a thrust against
the EU Nabucco pipeline plans and against Ukraine, which wants gas
transit across its territory to continue. But the South Stream plan
is now threatened by stagnating world prices on gas.

RA VICE PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES THE DELEGATION OF WORLD BANK

ARMENPRESS
MAY 12, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: Armen Gevorgyan, Armenian vice Prime
Minister and territorial administration minister, received today the
delegation of the World Bank team for implementation of healthcare
programs in Armenia. RA Healthcare Minister Harutyun Kushkyan was
present at the meeting as well.

An official from the press and PR office of RA Territorial
Administration Ministry told Armenpress that some issues on the process
of implementation of the first and second ‘Modernization of Healthcare
System’ loan projects and other projects, intended to be implemented,
were discussed at the meeting with RA vice Prime Minister. The sides
mentioned that the first project has nearly reached the end and that
the choice of hospitals, involved in the projects, was quite right.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction for the quality of
implementation of the works and stressed the importance of ensuring
high-quality provision of healthcare services in the provinces, which
stems from the logic of symmetric development of areas in a country.

The World Bank team was interested in the position of RA vice Prime
Minister Armen Gevorgyan about the selected medical establishments,
as well as about provision of medical services in Syunik province.

Armen Gevorgyan suggested to involve the hospital of Kapan in the new
project and said that the bad geographic position of the town and
the prospects of Kapan to become a center for production should be
taken into consideration. Armen Gevorgyan says there should be three
political, economic, demographic, social centers in the province of
Syunik- Goris, Kapan and Meghri.

They discussed the possibilities of holding consultations on investing
insurance system in that sphere and some issues on organizing trainings
for the personnel of medical establishments of provinces, as well. It
was mentioned that the new project would be represented to the World
Bank Board of Directors in October. The project is expected to start
next year.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION TOTALS AMD 177.5 BILLION IN ARMENIA IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 1, 2010 – 15:46 AMT 10:46 GMT

The RA National Statistical Services reported that during the first
quarter of 2010 industrial production amounted to AMD 177.5 billion,
while industrial output’s sale in CIS countries made 111.4 billion,
in other countries – 51.2 billion.

The index of industrial output totaled 110.4% in January-March 2010
as compared with the same period of 2009.

Besides, the index of industrial output totaled 116.5% during
the reported period without data for electricity, gas, steam,
high-quality air, as well as water supply, sewerage, management and
waste processing.

Industrial output data was prepared on the basis of reports of 2248
industrial enterprises, as well as assessment of operation of small
enterprises that were not included in the statistical monitoring.

Serzh Sargsyan to pay short working visit to Moscow on April 20

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will
go on a short working visit to Moscow on April 20 where his meeting
with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is scheduled to take place, NT
was informed by the press service of the RA president.

Armenian president and government officials discusses ways for radical
improvement of tax administration

YEREVAN, February 26, /ARKA/. Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan
convened today a special meeting to discuss ways for radical
improvement of tax administration, his press office reported.

It said the president called the attention of the participants to the
necessity of fighting against all negative phenomena that hamper tax
collection. The president underlined that among other measures, it is
necessary to deepen the inter-agency cooperation.

Serzh Sargsyan emphasized also the need for reducing the share of
shadow economy and ensuring proper documentation handling.

The head of the government issued instruction to heads of government
agencies and demanded that they join their efforts to raise the
efficiency of fighting the informal sector, sale of fake invoices and
other similar crimes.

`We have no right to stop. Our task is not only to prevent further
rise of such phenomena, but to take also all possible actions to
eliminate these vice circle,’ he said.

The meeting was attended by prime minister Tigran Sargsyan, head of
presidential staff, ministers of finance and agriculture, chief of the
National Security Service, chief of police, prosecutor general, chief
of State Revenues Committee, chief of presidential auditing service
and other officials. -0-

"WE ARE MORE ARMENIAN THAN MANY ARMENIAN COMPANIES"
Hrayr Manukyan

February 23, 2010

Yesterday the executive director of ArmRusGazard company Karen
Karapetyan met with journalists from Haykakan Zhamanak, Aravot, 168
Zham, Hayots Ashkharh and Golos Armenii newspapers and answered their
questions concerning the expected increase in the gas price.

Aravot: What are the factors resulting in the gas price increase?

– We have recommended to increase the price per 1000 cubic meters by
41% and make it 136,000 AMD instead of the existing price at 96,000.

We have also recommended to raise the price for large consumers by 19%
up to 256 USD instead of the existing 215USD. The objective reasons
resulting in the increase of the prices are the following: 1. The
price of the imported gas has grown by 17%, 2. the USD/AMD exchange
rate has grown by 27%, 3. there have been changes in the policies and
provisions of the use of the 11.2 billion dram investment made in 2009,
as well as the amortization and expected income from such investments,
4. the capacity of used gas has fallen down (in 2009 the consumers
used 20% less gas than in the previous years).

– What is the reason of disproportionate growth of prices? Why 40%
for citizens and twice less for large consumers?

– In the condition of 40% growth of the imported gas price in 2009,
when the price became 154USD instead of 110, the price of natural gas
sold to people has grown by 14.3% only, i.e. it became 96.000 from
being 84.000. This calculation was done based on the exchange rate of
303.69AMD per dollar. This price of 96.000 dram has been approved by
the committee on regulating the economic relations; it was approved
on February 27 and shall be enforced on April 1. However, on March 3,
when the new rate was not enforced yet, the exchange rate became 372.

It means that if the rate was approved on March 3, the price would be
117,000 AMD per thousand cm. On April 1 the exchange rate reached 385.

If the price was adopted on April 1, it would be 122,000 AMD/1000cm.

It turns out that citizens would have to pay more than 21-26,000
dram as a result of the currency exchange rate changes, which means
that during the entire year we have received less money with the same
capacity. If we compare the price of 117 or 122 thousand dram with 136
thousand, it will be like we are raising the price by 8-11.4%. Now
it is clear that the price we recommend (136,000 dram) will not be
approved and the approved price will be lower. I mean the price may
be increased by 10%. Maybe we’d be better to make a noise. Last
year we knew that we would not expect profit this year. Our main
goal was the full implementation of the planned project. We have
not taken out any article or any provision in case when the entire
world has done that, including Gazprom as well, which has fulfilled
only 30-40% of the entire planned projects. As for your question why
we increased the prices more for citizens, I should mention that 65%
of the entire expenses are caused by this group of consumers in case
when they consume only the 36% of the entire capacity. Small consumers
receive gas from low pressure distribution centers, thus the expenses
are more in this case. For example, we supply gas to Yerevan HES,
cement factory and other large consumers with high pressure tubes,
thus the expenses per unit are less. We proposed this recommendation
of dual rates several years ago.

Hayots Ashkharh: Why is the price calculated in AMD for citizens and
in USD for businesses?

– Practically it is impossible to tell people to calculate the exchange
rate every month and make different payments. For businesses it is
more convenient to do with calculations because they control and
export their businesses with dollars. We are a country that will do
its best to encourage the export. Our market is limited and in order
to have profit producers should export goods. Exporters should make
their calculations in dollars in correspondence with the requirements
of the foreign market. There are countries that allow circulation of
two currencies to encourage the export.

168 Zham: In 2002-2008, when the exchange rate of dollar was falling,
you were benefiting with the same logic as you are losing now. Why
did not you decrease the prices at that time?

– If the price was the same as now at the time when the exchange rate
was 580, the price was approved and then the exchange rate fell down
to 303 from 580, you would be right. But we can give you the entire
dynamics, which shows that at the time when the exchange rate was 580,
the price was almost 100$, i.e. 59,000 AMD. The initial price was 54$
at that time and we did not make money from the currency exchange
rate differences. There was time when we benefited, but eventually it
cost us more than we would benefit. In the same period ArmRusGazard
company invested $750 million (246 billion dram) on the entire system,
the fifth energetic plant of Hrazdan and Iran-Armenia pipeline. The
stockholders of the company did not get any incomes and the profits
were spent on the investment in the sector of gas supply. This 18.6
includes both the exchange rate difference and other relative factors.

Now the profitability of our capital turns out to be equal to 1.9%. As
a manager I did a foolish thing because the money that we could hardly
receive, would bring more incomes if we deposited it with a bank; it
would bring minimum 6%. Would anyone invest money in a business, which
would return less money than the refinancing rate of banks? But we did
it consciously and for the purpose of enlarging the market to make it
easier for people. We have gasified about 94% of the country (when we
took this work, only 22-24% had gas). Currently 528 communities out
of 937 ones are gasified, but 94% of the population in the gasified
communities has gas supply. With this rate we are in the second place
in the world, after the Netherlands, where this rate has reached 99%.

The countries, which don’t have gas, are dreaming of 37%. We are one
of such countries that don’t have gas. We are not interested in the
other 6% from the point of view of business because these are like
several houses on a hill. We have been the first one among the CIS
countries since 2006. Russia is investing billions to gasify the 62%
of the territory at least in 2011.

– Don’t you think that if the prices are increased the consumption
capacities will be cut down?

– Yes, in 2009 the consumption capacity was cut down by 20% while we
were expecting it would grow by 11-12%. The real difference is 32%.

According to our estimations and number of applications on part of
consumers, we expect that this tendency will continue in 2010 as well.

Thus, if the tube is intended for a certain capacity of gas, and if
less gas sold, the expenses will grow because the current costs will
be higher for maintenance as well. We have shown the analysis proving
this point. Generally the company develops the price policy in a
long-term and has the goal to keep the consumption markets. Analysis
show that if we offer higher prices to large consumers, it may result
in reduction of the produced products and energy, which will in its
turn result in growth of prices. These consumer markets are very
important for the company, and if we lose them, even if we get more
money from citizens, the maintenance costs will be much higher and
the prices offered to citizens will be higher as well, thus it will
be very difficult to take care of the gas supply system. Citizens
have no alternative other than the gas. The wood is more expensive
than the gas even if the price is higher.

– Do you have any calculations showing what would be the load on
ordinary citizens as a result of the price increase? Are there any
mechanisms to resist the price growth?

– We worry about the situation and results. Products have their prices
in the market and it is impossible to sell cheaper. According to our
information, the government is working on mechanisms to resist the
impacts resulted from this change. According to our calculations,
ordinary citizens will pay approximately more 2000 dram every month.

Socially vulnerable groups will suffer less as the ones who have
more are consuming more too. More than 55% of people are consuming
more than 700 cm of gas. We are trying to resist it and are trying
not to increase the price. With these efforts we are helping to poor
to save 1000 dram and the rich to save 120.000 dram. For example, I
have always said that subsidizing is not a fair solution. It was not
a proportional support because ones got more, others less, and those
who did not have gas did not get anything. This heavy load will be
mainly born by the large consumers. As a result of the price changes
additional 5 billion dram will be collected by the budget. His money
will be taken from the rich and large consumers, thus the increase of
the prices for the vulnerable groups could be resisted on the account
of this one. Ultimately we can seat and talk to the consumers face
to face because we have been able to provide the lowest price in
the region, and also have announced and justified these prices in
transparent conditions.

Haykakan Zhamank: People say that in the conditions of the crisis it
was not a justified decision to provide a borrowing to the company.

– We get nervous when people write that we are a foreign company. Our
company has foreign participation in the charter capital but we are
more Armenian than many Armenian companies. We are investing money
in Armenia, pay salaries to people, the managers are Armenian, we pay
taxes, we are the biggest taxpayer, and we give benefits to the state.

People ask why this borrowing of 40 million was given to a foreign
company. This borrowing was given to us with the highest interest
rate (11%) and for 6 months covering period. As for January 1, 2010,
it remained to cover 9 million out of that sum. We spent this money
to provide communities with gas, pay salaries, and we are giving this
money back to the government sooner than planned. We are giving about
2 million as an interest rate payment,; we have invested all that
money in Armenia.