Author: Badalian Vardan

ROSNEFT, PIRELLI TYRE RUSSIA AND ROSNEFT- ARMENIA SIGN MOU TO SET UP JOINT VENTURE FOR PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC RUBBER

YEREVAN, December 25. / ARKA /. Representatives of Russian Rosneft,
Pirelli Tyre Russia and Rosneft- Armenia signed in Yerevan a memorandum
of understanding today to establish a joint venture for production
of butadiene- styrene rubber, the press service of Armenian president
said.

The memorandum and several other agreements aimed at enhancing
cooperation were signed after the meeting of Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan with Rosneft head Igor Sechin.

At the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin a special delegation
has arrived in Armenia to assess the available opportunities and
develop specific action program to modernize Nairit chemical plant
in Armenia.

In 2006, 90% of Nairit’s shares were sold to British RHinoville
Property Limited for $40 million. The remaining 10% belong to the
Armenian government. RHinоville Property Lim ited was set up by
Polish Samex, US Intertex and Russian Eurogaz . In April 2010 the
plant stopped producing rubber. Before the halt, it sold its products
chloroprene rubber- to EU countries, Russia (about 30% of the exports),
the United States and 20 other countries. -0-

– See more at:

PALESTINIAN LEADER CALLS JESUS ‘PALESTINIAN MESSENGER’ FOR HOMELAND

United Press International UPI
December 23, 2013 Monday 10:32 AM EST

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec. 23

Jesus is a “Palestinian messenger,” Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas” said in a Christmas message.

A statement from Abbas Monday told of his people’s struggle for a
homeland and decried Israel’s security policies.

Calling Jesus a “Palestinian messenger,” Abbas said “as we Palestinians
strive for our freedom two millennia later, we do our best to follow
his example,” the Times of Israel reported.

“This Christmas Eve, our hearts and prayers will be with the millions
who are being denied their right to worship in their homeland,”
Abbas said — a reference to Israel’s security policies.

“Christians are not a minority here, they are an integral part of
the Palestinian people,” he said.

“Orthodox, Catholics, Armenians, Assyrians, Lutherans, Anglicans,
Copts, Melkites, Protestants and others are all part of the rich
mosaic of this free, sovereign, democratic and pluralistic Palestine
we aspire to have and as established in our declaration of independence
and draft constitution.”

The Christian population in the Middle East is believed to be
declining, largely due to emigration and the rise in more rigid forms
of Islam, observers say.

Abbas said he was committed to peace talks with Israel that included
“the establishment of a fully independent and sovereign Palestinian
state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

STATEMENT AT THE CONCLUSION OF AN IMF STAFF MISSION TO ARMENIA

Targeted News Service
December 23, 2013 Monday 11:55 PM EST

WASHINGTON

The International Monetary Fund issued the following news release:

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mark Horton visited
Yerevan during December 9-18 to continue discussions on a possible
new 38-months Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. The mission
met with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Minister of Finance David
Sargsyan, Central Bank of Armenia Chairman Artur Javadyan, Minister of
Economy Vahram Avanesyan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Armen Movsisyan, and Minister-Chief of Staff of the Government
Vache Gabrielyan, as well as other senior government officials and
representatives of the international community and the banking and
business sectors.

At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Horton issued the following
statement:

“Armenia has made significant progress in recovering from the global
crisis and reorienting its economy, but important challenges remain.

These include responding to the slowdown of growth in 2013, low
private and foreign direct investment in recent years, and relatively
high poverty and unemployment. The external current account deficit
has been reduced significantly since 2009, including in 2013, but
it remains relatively high. While there has been important progress
on structural reforms, including in the financial sector, pensions,
social benefits, and civil aviation, further business environment
improvements are needed to strengthen competition, competitiveness,
and connectivity. These actions would help shift private activity
to investment and boost exports. In other areas, such as the energy
sector, actions are needed to better assess and mitigate risks.

“The new program under discussion would aim at consolidating stability
and implementing further reforms to support Armenia’s transition
to a dynamic emerging market economy. In 2014, the budget deficit
is expected to increase with higher capital spending and wage and
pension increases. From 2015, the program would target a continued
increase of capital spending, along with a gradual reduction of the
fiscal deficit. Better risk analysis, improved compliance, a more
level playing field, and closing of tax gaps would support stronger
revenues for social and investment needs and deficit reduction. This
would place public debt on a downward path. Monetary and exchange
rate policies would continue to target low inflation and support the
external adjustment. The Central Bank of Armenia would maintain its
buffers at healthy levels and strengthen its capacity to respond to
shocks. The program would also support measures to promote financial
sector deepening and further improve the business environment,
including by strengthening Armenia’s legal framework in these areas.

The program would aim to promote higher investment, exports, and
growth, and in turn, help to reduce poverty and unemployment.

“The Fund mission and the authorities made significant progress
in discussions on policies and actions for 2014-17 that would be
supported by a possible new EFF arrangement. Further discussions are
expected during the next few weeks.”

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT AGAIN TRAMPLES ON CONSTITUTION

Monday, December 23rd, 2013 | Posted by Ara Khachatourian

Activists protest at the National Assembly Monday against the adoption
of the Russian-Armenian gas deal

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN

Armenia’s ruling Republican Party of Armenia’s trampling on the
Armenian Constitution continues without impunity, as party members
pushed forward an agreement in the National Assembly that effectively
sells off Armenia’s interests in the gas company and dodges questions
of misappropriation of funds by government agencies.

Despite the parliamentary opposition’s strong objections the
controversial Russia-Armenia gas agreement was put to a vote with
only the ruling coalition’s Republican Party of Armenia and Country
of Law parties taking part in deliberations and voting.

Opposition forces, among them the Armenian Revolutionary Federation,
called the vote invalid claiming that several parliamentary laws were
ignored during the vote.

“Our nation, our country and our national values are in danger and
the elimination of that danger is a national imperative,” said ARF
Western US Central Committee chairman Dr. Viken Hovsepian, in response
to Monday’s vote on Russian-Armenian gas deal.

“There are times that nuances and all kinds of explanations become
meaningless and the true crimes are revealed,” said Hovsepian.

“Five years ago they [the Armenian government] took us down the path
of the enslaving Armenia-Turkey protocols attempting convince us that
it was a high-level diplomatic maneuvering in the name of Armenia’s
national security,” said Hovsepian. “Today, they are doing the same
in the name of Russian interests and bow to imperialism.”

“Finally the time has come for all of us-every Armenian-to realize
that the struggle against anti-national and irresponsible acts must
be unwavering, uncompromising and complete,” said Hovsepian.

The country’s national resources and wealth are not the property of
the ruling elite. The people of Armenia and the entire Armenian nation
must hold the government accountable for their self-serving actions.

ARMENIA TO STUDY TURKEY’S UNILATERAL WATER RESERVOIR CONSTRUCTION

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 23 2013

23 December 2013 – 9:16am

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan ordered the government to
study Turkey’s unilateral decision to build a water reservoirs on
border rivers in terms of international law, ArmInfo reports.

Turkey decided to spend $20 billion on construction of the reservoirs.

Specialists say that the project may cause irrigation problems in
the Ararat Valley. Sargsyan noted that construction of a new energy
block at the Armenian nuclear power plant was another problem for
legal consideration.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan ordered the government to
study Turkey’s unilateral decision to build a water reservoirs on
border rivers in terms of international law, ArmInfo reports.

Turkey decided to spend $20 billion on construction of the reservoirs.

Specialists say that the project may cause irrigation problems in
the Ararat Valley. Sargsyan noted that construction of a new energy
block at the Armenian nuclear power plant was another problem for
legal consideration.

GOVERNMENT EXPECTS 10% GROWTH IN TOURIST INFLOW NEXT YEAR

19:22, 23 December, 2013

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. “Services to tourism support”
program 2014 envisages to provide 10 percent increase in the flow of
tourism to Armenia. The program will be introduced at the session of
the Government of the Republic of Armenia on December 26.

According to the the substantiation of the program, it corresponds to
the conceptual goals and objectives of the state policy, is directed
to the diversification of the result of the Armenian tourism,
the development of tourism in the communities, prolongation of the
tourist season, strengthening and increase in the competitiveness of
the Armenian tourism result in the international market.

“Armenpress” reports that this program envisages promoting the
preservation of the growth rate of tourism visits to Armenia (around
10 percent).

Tourism in Armenia has been a key sector to the Armenian economy since
the 1990s as half a million people visit the country every year,
mostly ethnic Armenians from the Diaspora. The Armenian Ministry
of Economy reports that most of the tourists come from the CIS,
particularly Russia and Georgia, EU states, Iran and the US.

Although there is a shortage of resources, Armenia has been investing
in new hotels to increase tourism. Outdoor activities and scenery
seem to be the primary attractions. Lake Sevan, the world’s largest
mountain lake, is a popular summer tourist spot. The Tsakhkadzor ski
resort is open for skiing in the winter and hiking and picnicking the
rest of the year. Mt. Ararat, the traditional site of the landing of
Noah’s Ark, is located in Turkey. Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, also
boasts opera, theaters and other cultural attractions. The casinos
in Argavand are also popular with tourists.

Tourism has been growing gradually in Armenia since 2000. The Republic
of Armenia Ministry of Economy declared that 575,281 tourists visited
Armenia in 2009, 3% more than the estimated index for 2008, and 5%
growth was predicted for 2010 as the world economy stabilizes. In 2011,
Armenia is expecting to receive 800,00 tourist, which is 13% better
than last year. Armenia attracts people with its sense of adventure
and history. Many new hotels including a Hilton, InterContinental,and
Kempinski are set to be built in the capital city, Yerevan as well

Activists will punish the policeman on their own way for kissing the
activist girl and being recognized not guilty

December 20 2013

Tigran Khzmalyan, a Pre-parliament member, had not yet managed to be
informed that the policeman kissing one of their activists, Shoghik
Melkonyan, in summer at Komitas 5 street was recognized not guilty and
was restored to his job. `Accusations that are voiced against civil
activists, like grant-eaters, I would say that the police are the
biggest grant-eater after the government. European institutions have
allocated tens of millions, I think it has exceeded the number of
hundreds of millions, to the police for uniforms and other reforms.
But, we are constantly dealing with a hopeless nature, stance,
character, and temperament of a Soviet militia, which does not
disappear in any way. We have noticed how prominent figures of the
police are behaving them, we were especially stunned at the cynical
attitude of the Deputy Chief of Police towards the girls, and as for
the ordinary policeman, who had licked the neck of the girl, they are
just taking the example of their supervisors. His behavior is
indicative of his upbringing at his home, it indicates who his
supervisor is. Even after, restoring the policeman to his job is a
message to us to understand what expects us and what we should do’, –
said Mr. Khzmalyan to Aravot.am. Later, he said that he sees a
connection with the behavior of the police and the decision to join
Customs Union. `Because they return to their elements – the Soviet
impunity; the field of impudence and cynicism, which they had never
abandoned. We, worthily, would assess this development, and would
consider during our future activities. Impunity refers to the system.
The system does not extradite its support of the police, especially
the ones with sadistic and sexual maniac stance, because they are of
great value for this anti-democratic system. For now, I can only say
that we won’t forget anything, we remember the names and faces of each
of them, and keep them with us… the punishment will be inevitable, we
guarantee it. At this point, we would not raise our next steps, but we
would not forget it.’

Arpine Simonyan
Read more at:

Levon Barseghyan. `Armenia on the way of colonization’ (Video)

December 21 2013

The agreement to hand over the 20 percent share of `Armrusgasprom’ to
Russian Federation for 300 million dollars debt of our country,
according to Levon Barseghyan, President of `Asbarez’ Journalists
Union of Armenia, is the next step leading Armenia to colonization.
`With this agreement, Armenia is turned into a profit providing domain
for the Russian business company. Of course, notable benefits are not
expected from Armenia, but it is such heavy agreement against our
country, that it can be easily called not a gas agreement, but a goose
agreement,’ said Mr. Barseghyan. He considers this agreement as a
small part of shameful policy led by the RA authorities, and recalls
what were sold over the last ten years for the debt. `10 years ago
they gave Russia a property wealth worth of one billion and a half for
USD 92-94 million, whereas Russia, a few days ago, cancelled Cuba’s
debt of 15 billion dollars, it also cancelled the debt of more than
100 billion to a dozen African countries.’ According to him, Russia
is protecting its own interests in our country, and Armenia’s
`incompetent’ authorities, unwilling to lose their power, hand over
everything that Russia puts its finger on. `It’s too late to talk
about sovereignty… it is a shameful agreement, which they are trying
to validate with detained parliamentarians.’ Argishti Kiviryan,
Coordinator of `Armenia Today’ website, also considers this agreement
humiliating, which the Government of Armenia had sent to the National
Assembly for ratification. `The agreement pursues only the interests
of the Russian side. As to what Armenia benefits by signing such
humiliating agreement, still remains unknown for the society of
Armenia.’ According to Kiviryan, the Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, Armen Movsisyan, is busy with misleading citizens during
the past few months. `10 days ago, the citizens of Armenia learned
that huge debts are accrued, while Armen Movsisyan is unable to
clearly explain where they accrued from, under what circumstances they
had incurred.’ Watch the video for details. Arpine Simonyan

Read more at:

Switzerland-Armenia Association disappointed at judgement on Dogu Perincek case

December 21, 2013 | 05:17

Switzerland-Armenia Association is deeply disappointed at the decision
of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment on Armenian
Genocide denial case,Tribune de Genève reported.

The ECtHR recently ruled in favor of Armenian Genocide-denying Turkish
politician Dogu Perincek’s lawsuit that was filed against Switzerland.
The said judgment by European Court of Human Rights was made on the
grounds of freedom of speech. In 2008, a Swiss court had convicted
Perincek for denying the Armenian Genocide. Dogu Perincek is Chairman
of the socialist Workers’ Party of Turkey.

According to the association, the judgement questions Swiss law
against racism. The authors say the judgment is not in line with
European principles and decisions in the struggle against racism and
xenophobia.

The Association strongly recommended that Switzerland should appeal
the judgment at the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human
Rights.

The issue will be discussed with all interested parties, and
Switzerland has three month to appeal the judgment.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Ashot Melikyan. `European institutions should be more considerate.’

December 19 2013

On December 17, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) arrived at a
decision that the denial of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 is
consistent with the principle of the right to freedom of expression.
Aravot.am learned about is from `Hürriyet’ daily news, which also
stated that the decision was achieved based on the application of DoÄ?u
Perinçek, Chairman of the Turkish `Workers’ Party’, and that it is not
final, and within three months the parties can appeal to the ECHR
Grand palace. In the conversation with Aravot.am, Ashot Melikyan,
Chairman of Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, referring to
the ECHR decision, said the following, `There are different
manifestations of freedom of expression in different countries. For
example, rumors were going on in France about the adoption of the bill
on genocide denial, which is criminally punishable. But, there are
European countries, no matter what position they express, there should
be no restrictions there. Here, it is worth mentioning the fact of
caricatures of Muhammad in Denmark. People there consider that the
freedom of expression allows doing all these things. As for the issue
of our history, I think that Turkey, first, then the European
institutions should be more considerate and understand that it is
about a tragic past of one entire nation. And, if a nation is giving
meaning to every word in a very painful issue for it, then human
ethics requires making very careful expressions and decisions,
especially that the European Council and the European institutions in
their numerous documents and the European Convention state in which
case the freedom of expression may have reasonable restrictions to
some extent.’ Ashot Melikyan thinks that the European Court should
have heeded to this fact. He is convinced that the denial of genocide
can be considered as a manifestation of freedom of expression, but, as
he said, `There are a lot of historical facts, corroborated by
evidences of many eyewitnesses, so these documents are already the
basis that the denial is an irresponsible move, an irresponsible
expression. When the court provides legal enforcement and makes a
reference to the freedom of expression, I think, it’s so not
justified. There are many provisions in a number of documents of the
Council of Europe against racism and other types of discrimination,
and the European Court must also take the provisions of these
documents into account. It is very good that this decision is not
final, and there is an opportunity to appeal. I think that the
Republic of Armenia and other countries realize that freedom of
expression is one of the most important rights, but there are a lot of
important restrictions, which should be heeded.’

Eva HAKOBYAN

Read more at: