Author: Babajanian Karo

EBRD LOANS TO FINANCE ARMENIAN REHABILITATION PROJECTS

02/07/2013
YEREVAN, Armenia

The European Bank for Reconstruction Development (EBRD) has announced a
US$25 million loan that will help fund International Energy Corporation
(IEC) rehabilitations of seven hydropower projects in Armenia’s
Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade.

The seven hydroelectric stations are located along the Hrazdan River
and have a total combined capacity of 565 MW, or about 10% of Armenia’s
annual production. EBRD said the projects’ water channels also supply
enough water to irrigate about 70% of the country’s agricultural land.

The plants were constructed between 1936 and 1961 and have received
little investment since, EBRD said. IEC’s rehabilitations will raise
the facilities to modern technical standards and restore their lost
capacity.

“This long-term financing perfectly meets IEC’s needs and what is
very important is that the project is highly cost effective and so
is quite reasonable and bearable in terms of tariff regulation in
Armenia,” said RusHydro management board member Konstantin Bessmertny.

IEC is majority owned by RusHydro.

“We are very happy to be working with IEC on this important project
while also building on our long relationship with RusHydro,”
said Nandita Parsha, EBRD Director of Power and Energy. “[The
rehabilitation] will be implemented using the latest technologies,
which will not only increase the production of clean electricity
in Armenia, but will also significantly reduce the volume of water
currently lost through dilapidated channels.”

EBRD said the development of green energy is one of its highest
priorities for Armenia, having invested more than $825 million in
the country’s renewables sector to date.

HydroWorld.com reported earlier this week that Armenian officials had
signed an agreement with Iran that will allow for the construction
of the 130-MW Meghri and 130-MW Karachilare hydropower projects.

ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT’S IDEA ‘TOO LATE’ – EXPERT

TERT.AM
19:09 ~U 07.02.13

Armenia’s first president, leader of the opposition bloc Armenian
National Congress (ANC) Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s idea of transforming
the ANC into a united party is “too late,” political scientist Manvel
Sargsyan told Tert.am.

A large-scale popular movement, the ANC has actually carried out
political activities as a party in recent years, he said.

“That would cause problems within this amorphous body, which we have
witnessed during the last year. They have arrived at the conclusion
that they had to specify the party’s further activities,” Mr Sargsyan
said.

“For years we have had a rather obscure political force, which have
seemed to a party but has repeatedly attempted to pose a different
structure. It is now unclear what the ANC is in terms of ideology and
purposes. I have got acquainted with the views of some of ANC members,
which appear to be vague. It is natural that the ones agreeing will
remain if a party is formed,” he said.

Whether a party pursing the social-liberalistic ideology can be formed
in Armenia “to bring the economic system in harmony with the people’s
social demands within the state’s moderate control,” Mr Sargsyan said:
“No problem if an attempt is made to create such a clarified ideology.

However, people are better informed of social-liberal and
liberal-democratic ideologies. So they should be able to clearly show
what social liberalism actually is,” the expert said.

INTERSTATE BANK CLAIMS $25 MILLION FROM OWNER OF ARMENIA’S NAIRIT

YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. The Moscow Court of Arbitration will hear
a claim of CIS Interstate Bank to Rhinoville Property Limited, the
owner of Armenia’s chemical giant Nairit, on March 18, Novosti-Armenia
reported today referring to Russian Legal Information Agency.

The Interstate Bank demands that Rhinoville Property Limited pay back
$25.183 million, a spokesman of the court told the Russian news agency.

He explained that the plaintiff claims $16.764 million which Rhinoville
Property Limited took fr om the $70-million credit line the bank
opened for the company in 2006 and $8.419 million as penalty.

Nairit was the only plant in the Soviet Union to produce chloroprene
rubber.

The plant was closed in 1989 for environmental reasons and resumed
operating partially in 1992.

In 2001, some production facilities were separated fr om the plant
for producing chloroprene rubber and a debt-free enterprise based on
them was established.

In 2006, 90% of Nairit’s shares were sold to British Rainoville
Property Lim ited for $40 million. The remaining 10% belong to the
Armenian government.

Rhinоville Property Lim ited has been co-founded by the Samex company
(Poland), Intertex (USA) and Evrogaz (Russia).

In April 2010 the plant stopped producing rubber. Before the halt,
the plant sold its products abroad – chloroprene rubber was exported
to EU countries, Russia (about 30% of the exports), the United States
and 20 other countries.

The Interstate Bank operates with a 100-percent presence of the state
capital of members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The bank
promotes development of CIS member countries’ national economies and
their economic integration.

The goal of the Interstate Bank’s activity consists in facilitation
to economic integration and development of the national economies of
CIS countries by means of creation of the mechanism of settlements
for effecting trans-border payments in national currencies, crediting
foreign trade operations of CIS countries in national currencies, and
participation in implementation of investment projects of inter-state
significance.

The Interstate Bank was founded in 1993 by ten CIS countries –
Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. The Interstate Bank has its
representative offices in the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of
Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The highest management body of the Interstate Bank is the Council
of the Bank, consisting of the heads of the central (national)
banks and the representatives of the ministries of finance and other
governmental authorities of the founder States. The office of Chairman
of the Council of the Interstate Bank has been held since May 2011 by
Chairman, Central Bank of the Russian Federation Sergey Ignatiev.-0—

DAVID TONOYAN DISCUSSES PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY COOPERATION WITH GEORGIAN COUNTERPARTS

Thursday 7 February 2013 11:36

First Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia David Tonoyan

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The delegation headed by first Deputy Defense
Minister of Armenia David Tonoyan completed its working visit to
Georgia.

The delegation met with the leadership of the Defense Ministry of
Georgia. In particular, issues of bilateral military cooperation and
prospects of their development were discussed during the meeting of
first Deputy Minister Levan Dolidze, also opinion exchange on regional
security issues was held.

The Armenian delegation was also received by Georgian Defense Minister
Irakli Alasania.

The Armenian delegation consisted of first Deputy Chief of the
General Headquarters of Armenian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General
Enrico Apriamov and other officials.

ARMENIA DENIES GROWING TENSIONS ON BORDER WITH AZERBAIJAN

KARABAKH | 07.02.13 | 14:24

Artsrun Hovhannisyan

The situation along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains
as usual, with no unusual tensions, according to an Armenian Defense
Ministry spokesman.

At the request of media the official, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, commented
on the recent reports in Azerbaijan about growing tensions along the
border with Armenia and in Karabakh.

In particular, earlier this week Azerbaijan accused ethnic Armenian
forces in Karabakh of killing two of its soldiers in a ceasefire
violation denied by the Armenian side.

“The Armenian side is committed to maintaining the ceasefire regime.

The reports on growing tensions along the border are not true to fact,”
said the spokesman.

Earlier, the Karabakh Defense Army reported that Azerbaijan committed
860 ceasefire violations in January. It said that number of ceasefire
violations registered last year totaled 16,300.

ASBAREZ. PRESIDENT SHOULD EDUCATE HIMSELF ABOUT GENOCIDE

2013-02-07 14:13:42

At a presidential campaign rally in the Malatia-Sebastia district on
Tuesday, President Serzh Sarkisian told his constituents that Armenia
will fight for the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

It’s what he went on to say begs the question as to whether Sarkisian,
who is seeking a second term in office, fully comprehends the Armenian
Genocide as a human rights and international justice issue.

According to Armenpress, the president said: “The words ‘genocide’ and
‘yeghern’ are the same. By even not pronouncing the word ‘genocide,’
the U.S. President has said everything.” This was a clear reference
to President Obama’s consistent use of the word “Medz Yeghern” in a
transparent and obvious effort to avoid the properly referencing the
Armenian Genocide in his annual April 24 statement.

To add insult to injury Sarkisian went on to add: “Perhaps due to
our own incorrect emphasis, the US president uttered the word “Medz
Yeghern” not in his office, but in the country’s legislature. Even
if he used the word Genocide we would have been dissatisfied and said
why he didn’t say it twice.”

Perhaps the president needs a refresher course-or a tutorial-on this
most critical issue, so that while making empty promises on the
campaign trail he does not jeopardize the pursuit of the Armenian
Cause or disrespect the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the
Armenian Genocide.

Without even pointing out the factual errors in his statement about
Obama (references to statements in his office or legislature are
totally from left field), this pedestrian and irresponsible statement
from Armenia’s president is nothing short of the manifestation of
his ignorance on the matter. It is, however, consistent with his
administration’s disregard to the issue of the Genocide.

The Sarkisian administration has not demonstrated, through clear
action, its commitment to the constitutionally-mandated pursuit of
the Armenian Genocide recognition. Shortly after taking office in
2008, Armenia signed the “roadmap” for the dangerous Armenia-Turkey
protocols on the eve of the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

It’s rabid pursuit of the US-orchestrated protocols also impacted the
pursuit of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
with members of Congress here in the US – and President Obama himself
– using the protocols as an excuse to delay proper condemnation of
this crime.

Years after the signing of the protocols – with the world as witness
to Turkey’s immediate efforts to use the document as a method to
derail international Genocide affirmation and force a pro-Azerbaijan
resolution of the Karabakh conflict – the Sarkisian Administration,
astonishingly, still remains a signatory of the document-a pathetic
participant in Turkey’s diplomatic games.

Aside from two noteworthy speeches in Der-Zor and in London, the
Sarkisian Administration’s role, through its diplomatic missions and
its support for the protocols, has not reflected a firm priority as
stated by the authorities.

Then, there’s the issue of the president’s complete misunderstanding
of the term Genocide and his irresponsible game of semantics. If by
now the president has not understood that the word Genocide carries a
distinct set of political implications, then perhaps before stomping
on the campaign trail, he should pick up a dictionary.

Sarkisian’s callous misrepresentation of the Armenian Genocide does
not bode well with his argument and insistence that the international
recognition of the Genocide is a national and regional security issue
and shifts the paradigm from what is really the crux of Hai-Tahd.

Furthermore, by publicly making this egregious statement, Sarkisian
is playing directly into the hands of those-especially President
Obama-who have not demonstrated the courage to speak the truth,
continue to fuel Turkey’s denial of the Genocide by shamelessly
bastardizing the Armenian term “Medz Yeghern” for their own political
benefit, and believe that the Armenian people can be placated with
cheap semantic maneuvers.

If Sarkisian truly believes the words “Genocide” and “Medz Yeghern” are
the same then he is not fit to lead a country whose current national
liberation struggles are so deep rooted and directly connected with
the Armenian Genocide.

TURKISH AIRLINES CUTS TICKET PRICES FOR BAKU-ISTANBUL FLIGHTS

[ 07 February 2013 12:03 ]

Baku. Nijat Mustafayev – APA-Economics. Turkish Airlines has cut
ticket prices for Istanbul-Baku-Istanbul flights.

According to APA-Economics, Turkish Airlines has started new discount
campaign. Thus, cost of round-trip ticket on Istanbul-Baku-Istanbul
route makes AZN 110. All the tickets bought within the campaign will
be available from May 4-31.

The abovementioned route is operated at Sabiha Gokcen Airport of
Istanbul.

PRESS RELEASE
RAFFI HOVANNISIAN CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]
Website:

07 February 2013

Raffi Hovannisian Embarks on Visit with Karabagh President, Armed Forces

Yerevan–Having promised to recognize the Mountainous Karabagh
Republic upon becoming president, Raffi K. Hovannisian left today for
an official visit with MKR president Bako Sahakyan in Karabagh, where
he will also meet members of the republic’s armed forces.

On his way to Karabagh, Hovannisian made stops in the villages of
Verishen, Hartashen, Khndzoresk, Karashen, Khnatsakh, and Tegh in the
Syunik region. Election violations were recorded in both Khnatsakh and
Tegh, whose municipality buildings illegally advertised campaign
materials and posters of Serzh Sargsyan.

Raffi Hovannisian Campaign Headquarters

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT PERMITS DELIVERY OF EQUIPMENT FOR MEGHRI HYDROPOWER PLANT

7 February 2013 – 4:19pm

Armenia’s parliament ratified today a set of amendments to an
Armenian-Iranian protocol on construction and management of hydropower
plants on the River of Arax signed on December 23, 2011. The amendments
relate to supply of equipment for launching the construction of a
hydropower plant near the Armenian border town of Meghri, reports ARKA.

A Deputy Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Ara
Simonyan, said the design phase is ending and will be followed by
the equipment purchasing phase.He said the process of ordering,
purchasing and delivery of equipment worth about 20 million euros
will take at least one year.

A special ground breaking ceremony for the construction of hydropower
plant with a capacity of 130 MW and at a cost of $ 323 million was
held on November 8 last year. It was attended by Armenian president
Serzh Sargsyan.

According to the agreement, signed back in 2007, the hydroelectric
power plant, which will straddle the border river, will have the
capacity to produce 130 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Construction
of the power plant began simultaneously in Armenia’s Meghri and Iran’s
Qarachilar. Each of the stations will annually produce 793 million kW /
h of electricity.

According to Iranian officials, , the construction will last for
five years and is estimated to cost $323 million. The money will be
invested by Iranian investment company.

According to Armenian energy and natural resources minister Armen
Movsisyan, this project will give an additional boost to economic
development of the region and also a fresh impetus to improving the
efficiency of bilateral economic programs.

TER-PETROSYAN “DETHRONES” TSARUKYAN
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

18:40 07/02/2013

Levon Ter-Petrosyan dismissed the word “revolution” from his
word stock in 2009 or 2010. Since then the word stock of the
Armenian National Congress has been rather uncertain. By declaring
about the establishment of a political party Levon Ter-Petrosyan
actually challenges Prosperous Armenia. Not because the PAP follows
social-liberalism. The bounty killer who shot at Hairikyan will be
disclosed sooner than PAP’s ideology will be defined.

Ter-Petrosyan puts forth an application for the position of second
force as he follows Prosperous Armenia falling from this position.

Moreover, Ter-Petrosyan helped accelerate its fall by generating
Gagik Tsarukyan’s image of “savior”. Ter-Petrosyan played a double
game with Tsarukyan. Were it possible to run in the election in a
bloc, it is good, were it not, by generating the image of “savior”
a and raising Tsarukyan possibly higher Ter-Petrosyan would ensure
that he falls much lower and farther.

This is happening with PAP now. At the same time, PAP may be unwanted
for Serzh Sargsyan because it carries germs of a coup d’etat. The PAP
needs to be dissolved or acceded by the RPA, which are the same thing,
in fact.

Foreign partners obviously give up the PAP, realizing that it is not
the right force to tackle challenges facing Armenia amid new internal
and foreign settings, new requirements and global transformations.

Hence, Ter-Petrosyan’s application for a new political party has not
come out of nowhere because the second party is increasingly becoming
an urgent issue of the Armenian political agenda. The West set to
resolve this issue a few years ago in order to ensure political and
economic evolution through checks and balances. Certainly, it can
hardly be referred to as the best way of reform of Armenia but it is
the ultimate means in the arsenal of the West considering Russia’s
readiness for tough counteraction in case of use of a tougher method.

Currently there are plenty of pretenders to the “second force”. They
can be divided to four categories. The first is inside the government.

There is a serious clash of interests there which is expressed in
differences in worldviews and values. The second force may emerge
in the government and the state of affairs may proceed along the
mechanism of internal checks and balances. So far it has had only
cosmetic benefits but in 2017-2018 the picture may change because the
government will face a more tangible issue – transfer or elimination
of the post of president. It will suppose the emergence of a new
“PAP” in government.

The second category is PAP which tries to fight for its place but has
made some mistakes appearing in a hopeless situation, and Ter-Petrosyan
makes an application as Hrant Bagratyan, Raffi Hovannisian and Paruir
Hairikyan are trying to appear among aspirants for the second force.

It is not accidental, of course, that Ter-Petrosyan tries to maneuver
from Russia to the West. He tolls the loss of independence and
annexation by Russia while he describes his party by referring to
the model of the U.S. Democratic Party naming two of its central
figures, Clinton and Obama, as well as notes that the West lacks a
clear strategy on the Caucasus. Thus, Ter-Petrosyan tries to justify
the Russian line it followed together with PAP. The ANC leader also
hints to the West that the Russian line is merely the consequence of
the West’s lack of a clear line on the Caucasus.

What will Prosperous Armenia do? Will it join the RPA or ANC or one
of the presidential candidates “emeritus” or will he announce about
its transformation to a political party?