FORMER HEAD OF ARMENIA’S JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT DETAINED
15:57 ~U 14.11.13
Misak Martirosyan, a former head of Armenia’s Judicial Department,
has been detained, Tert.am has learned from police sources.
Martirosyan was sacked in September based on a decision by the Council
of Armenian Courts.
Earlier reports said that he had been interrogated over a bribery
case. Martirosyan was suspected of receiving a big amount of money
in return for a job promise.
Armenian News – Tert.am
HUMANITARIAN AND ECONOMIC FIELDS TO BRING PEACE TO SOUTH CAUCASUS – EXPERTS
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 13 2013
13 November 2013 – 1:20pm
Sergey Markov, head of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics,
and Maksim Shevchenko, told Vestnik Kavkaza that the settlement of
the conflicts of the early 1990s was the key to peace in the South
Caucasus.
Shevchenko said that Azerbaijani, Georgia and Ossetian refugees should
be given an opportunity to return to their territories. Humanitarian
agreements following the process would allow discussions about the
state and political structure of South Caucasus. The expert expressed
hope that the upcoming meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents would be constructive. He expects the negotiations to
result in Azerbaijani refugees returning to their territories in
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Markov believes that settlement of the situation in South Caucasus
should start with economic initiatives, such as formation of a big
trade zone and encouragement of economic cooperation. Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Armenia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Russia, Turkey and Iran
should be part of the economic zone. The expert has hope that the
upcoming talks will bring new approaches to the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process.
EASING INFLATION PROMPTS ARMENIA’S CENTRAL BANK TO CUT KEY REFINANCING RATE
IHS Global Insight
November 13, 2013
by: Lilit Gevorgyan
Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) cut its refinancing rate by 50 basis
points to 8.0% as inflation started trending down in October, although
it has yet to fall into the target range set by Armenia’s Central
monetary authority.
Helping private consumption
Following its November board meeting, the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) issued a brief statement outlining the key reasons behind its
latest decision to cut its key refinancing rate to 8.0% from 8.5%.
While a full analysis of the move is expected to be released by CBA on
22 November, it emerged that both external low inflationary conditions,
as well as domestic factors, were among the drivers for the rate cut.
The board noted that inflation has been trending down since it peaked
in at 9.3% in August, gradually climbing down to 8.2% in September and
reaching 7.1% in October. On a month-on-month (m/m) basis however,
consumer prices have risen slightly in October by 0.3%, compared to
0.2% in September. The board gave a low probability that external
factors would add inflationary pressures to Armenian consumer price
developments. This is mainly due to subdued world food and energy
prices.
Domestically, good harvests have helped to lower food prices,
especially of local agricultural produce. However, a key concern
remains decelerating consumer spending. Exports and not private
consumption have been driving the Armenian economy in recent years.
Household consumption suffered a marked setback after the
Russian-controlled Armrusgazard energy company increased its tariffs
on gas. This resulted in 30% increase in domestic natural gas prices,
eroding Armenian households’ real disposable income. Furthermore,
the energy price increase pushed consumer prices well above the
2.5-5.5% inflation target band. This in turn, further curtailed
Armenian consumers’ spending intentions, while prompting the CBA to
raise its key refinancing rate by 50 basis points to 8.5%. However,
by introducing the rate cut, the CBA is hoping to make credit cheaper
and boost private consumption, which continued to slow down.
Another contributor to the rate cut was the dire state of the
construction sector, which continues to shrink. The latest data on the
state of the real economy released by the Armenian Statistics office
once again showed that the sector’s activity was down by 11.9% year
on year (y/y) in September. Residential construction in particular is
experiencing a slump. Despite high demand for new residential homes,
many households simply cannot afford them. Lending conditions remain
very tight and expensive as well, particularly mortgage lending. The
key refinancing rate cut is designed to mitigate the borrowing
expenses, although its impact is unlikely to be tangible.
Outlook and implications
The latest rate cut brings back the CBA key refinancing rate to the
level it had set prior to a 0.5% rate increase in August 2013. The
latter was in direct response to inflationary impact that a significant
rise in gas and electricity prices engendered. Since then an agreement
has been reached with Russia’s Gazprom and Russian authorities
to phase out 30% export tax on natural gas shipments to Armenia,
after the latter decided to leave its last-hour association and free
trade deal with the European Union (EU) and opt for the Russian-led
Customs Union. Its membership to the Customs Union has yet to be
finalised, but expectations of a further discount in energy imports
from Russia, other than the 30% tax waiver for Customs Union members,
are slim. Moreover, there have been conflicting reports from various
Armenian government officials if the final gas price reductions are
passed on to the population. It appears that it is unlikely, since
the government was already subsidising the new gas price, which was
just under 60% as requested by the Russian-controlled energy company
and not 30% that was transferred onto Armenian households.
Still, the waiver of the 30% customs tariff is likely to have a
disinflationary impact, especially through the expected decline in the
cost of transport, which is mainly reliant on liquefied gas rather
than petrol in Armenia. In the meantime, we do not expect consumer
spending to increase, which in turn will trip inflation rates further
to help is to come nearer to the 5.5% highest threshold set by the
CBA for its inflation target. However, one of the main goals of the
CBA’s latest rate cut is to stimulate household consumption. But
that is expected to prove difficult to achieve due to Armenia’s
still developing banking system, which lacks the full transmission
mechanism for the monetary policy decision to have a noticeable impact
on certain sectors of the economy.
In our latest forecast, we expect the inflation to average at 6.0% in
2013, slightly above the highest threshold of the CBA’s target range.
The CBA may opt for another rate cut over the next six months, should
the inflation rate declines below the 4.0% central target value.
OPEN FEUD OVER HIDDEN RUG
Los Angeles Times
November 13, 2013 Wednesday
Lawmakers accuse White House of political motives in blocking the
display of an Armenian genocide ‘icon’
by Richard Simon WASHINGTON
In a new twist to efforts to call attention to the Armenian genocide,
a group of lawmakers has accused the Obama administration of blocking
a Smithsonian display of a rug woven by orphans of the mass killings
nearly a century ago.
The lawmakers wrote to President Obama urging him to make the rug
available for exhibition. It was presented to President Calvin Coolidge
in 1925 and has been in storage. The bipartisan group includes more
than a dozen representatives from California, which has a large
Armenian American population.
The roughly 12-foot-by-18-foot Armenian Orphan Rug was to be featured
in a Washington exhibit Dec. 16 at the Smithsonian Institution
Building, known as the Castle, that sought to call attention to a
new book about the rug, which the lawmakers called a “pivotal icon
related to the Armenian genocide.”
A White House spokeswoman said Tuesday that displaying the rug
“for only half a day in connection with a private book launch event,
as proposed, would have been an inappropriate use of U.S. government
property, would have required the White House to undertake the risk of
transporting the rug for limited public exposure, and was not viewed
as commensurate with the rug’s historical significance.”
Aram S. Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National
Committee of America, attributed the decision to politics, contending
that the administration was “catering to the Turkish government’s
sensitivities about the Armenian genocide.”
“It is without a doubt a political decision,” he said in an interview.
Hamparian was in New York on Tuesday to take up the issue with the
U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John A. Heffern.
An estimated 1.2 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks as
the empire was dissolving during World War I, an episode historians
have concluded was genocide. But Turkey has contended that Turks and
Armenians were casualties of war, famine and disease.
In September, a Smithsonian curator wrote the Armenian Cultural
Foundation and Armenian Rugs Society, which were helping to organize
the exhibit, that the White House decided that “it cannot lend” the
rug for the exhibit. “Needless to say this was a great surprise and
disappointment to us here,” wrote Paul Michael Taylor, director of
the Smithsonian’s Asian cultural history program.
The rug, composed of more than 4 million hand-tied knots, was presented
to Coolidge in appreciation for U.S. humanitarian assistance. It
features more than 100 images of animals, according to Hagop Martin
Deranian, a 91-year-old Massachusetts dentist whose book “President
Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug” was to have been featured
at the rug exhibit.
Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who helped gather the signatures of 30
other lawmakers on a letter to the White House, called the White House
decision “as inexplicable as it is hurtful to the Armenian community.”
“It is difficult to express in words how deeply troubling it is that
a historical and cultural treasure accepted by President Coolidge on
behalf of the people of the United States may be being kept behind
closed doors because of Turkish desire to keep discussion of certain
historical facts out of the public discussion,” Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.
(D-N.J.), co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
wrote the White House in a separate letter.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) also wrote the White House,
urging that the rug be put on permanent display at the Smithsonian:
“We must acknowledge and learn from the tragic crimes against humanity
that orphaned the weavers of this rug to ensure that they are never
repeated.”
Neither Schiff nor Sherman has received a White House response.
The controversy over the rug, first reported by the Washington Post,
is the latest development on an issue that has roiled Capitol Hill
for years.
A House panel in 2010 passed a resolution to officially recognize
the mass killings between 1915 and 1918 as genocide, but the measure
never made it to the House floor for a vote after Turkey recalled its
ambassador in protest and U.S. officials warned it could damage U.S.
relations with Turkey, an important ally.
In 2007, after a majority of House members signed on as co-sponsors,
the resolution appeared headed toward approval.
But two dozen lawmakers withdrew their support after the George W.
Bush administration and the Turkish government warned that passage
of the resolution could lead Turkey to block U.S. access to its air
bases used to get supplies to American troops in Iraq.
ARMENIA’S FINANCE MINISTER: ON ARMENIAN BORDER RUSSIAN GAS COSTS $186 PER 1,000 C M
by Alexandr Avanesov
ARMINFO
Wednesday, November 13, 21:02
There is no energy crisis in Armenia and there are all preconditions
for no such crisis in the coming years, Armenia’s Finance Minister
David Sargsyan said in the Parliament on Wednesday.
He said that the July rise in the gas price has had no impact on the
economy’s growth. “According to IMF experts, it was no more than 1%.
On the Armenian border Russian gas costs $186 per 1,000 c m. So, all
of our budgetary calculations are based on this figure,” Sargsyan said.
On Nov 4 Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan
said that as soon as Armenia joins the Customs Union, Russia will stop
charging a 30% excise tax from its gas exports to the country. “This
will be a big stimulus for our energy sector,” the Minister said.
Ribbon cutting ceremony of Art Center, and the kindergarten
`Zatik’ renovated by Geoteam took place in Jermuk on Nov 11th.
RA Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen
Gevorgyan, Governor of Vayots Dzor region Edgar Ghazaryan and Mayor of
Jermuk Vardan Hovhannisyan attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The mayor of Jermuk and Managing Director of Geoteam Mr. Hayk Aloyan
cut the ribbon of the renovated centers.
This year Geoteam has expanded the social projects being implemented
since 2007, and along with the social projects in the Amulsar
Project’s affected communities of Gorayk, Gndevaz and Saravan, Geoteam
has implemented social projects in Jermuk community as well.
In particular, 52 million AMD has been allocated for renovation of the
Art Center. The company has provided 45 million drams for renovating
the kindergarten `Zatik’. And 1,2 million AMD has been allocated for
the construction of outdoors sports ground. 24 million AMD have been
allocated by Geoteam to Jermuk Development Fund and 15 million AMD for
other improvement projects.
The Managing Director of Geoteam, Hayk Aloyan emphasized that Geoteam,
as a subsidiary of an international company- Lydian International is
carrying out Amulsar project in line with the industry’s best practice
not only in terms of the environmental but social management as well.
`The well-being and sustainable development of the surrounding
communities is not only part of our Corporate Social Responsibility,
but a firm belief. We are certain that a prosperous community is the
best partner. Amulsar project hasn’t yet started the construction and
production. So we are sure that as the project develops the
social-economic impact of the project on the communities will grow
rapidly’.
==========================================================
Copyright © 2013 Geoteam CJSC, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Hanrapetutyan 37, 4 floor,
Yerevan, Armenia
ARMENIAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP, Inc.
550 E Shaw Ave, Suit 240 – P.O. Box 5969 Fresno, CA 93755
Tel: (559) 224-1000 | Fax: (559) 224-1002 | Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Date: November 12th, 2013
Contact Person: Alexander McKinsey
Tel: (559) 224-1000
ATG’s Bookkeeper and Comptroller Gary Pigg Receives a Distinguished
Achievement Award
Fresno, CA: On National Philanthropy Day, Thursday, November 7, 2013,
Gary L. Pigg, MBA, management-accounting consultant, bookkeeper and
comptroller for ATG during the past 18 years, received the
Distinguished Achievement Special Award for Excellence in Fundraising.
He was nominated by Jane Fortune, California Valley Chapter President
of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and by Varoujan
Der Simonian, Executive Director of the Armenian Technology Group
(ATG). Approximately 240 guests attended the beautifully catered
awards luncheon at Pardini’s Restaurant.
Warren Armstrong, of KFSN ABC Channel 30 Action News — `Number 1 in
Central California’ –was Master of Ceremonies. AFP’s Chapter
President, Jane Fortune, made welcoming remarks. An invocation was
given by Fresno City Councilmember, Blong Xiong. The keynote speaker
was Claudia Looney, a member of the Fundraising Association for
Healthcare Philanthropy and, herself, a Certified Fund Raising
Executive.
In introductory remarks about Gary, Mr. Armstrong quoted ATG Executive
Director Varoujan Der Simonian. `Gary established a transparent
accounting and internal control structure that satisfied even the most
difficult federal audit requirements.’
Mr. Der Simonian had observed, moreover, `Gary’s streamlined
administrative and bookkeeping structure helped reduce our operating
cost, enabling us to remain effective even during times of limited
resources. His ability to manage human resources and federal grants
immensely improved our ability to transmit our mission-message to our
donors and to our funding agencies in the US Government.’
Gary’s abilities excelled particularly in 2000 when, due to a drought,
Armenia was facing a major shortage of wheat seed for sowing. The
Armenian government looked for assistance from the international
community. In a humanitarian response, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia
provided an emergency fund of $500,000, which made possible a Winter
Wheat Seed Redistribution Program to farmers. Gary flew to Armenia in
August, and effectively coordinated and administered the purchasing of
wheat — grain that growers affiliated with ATG had harvested
successfully. This seed was processed and then distributed to over
12,000 farm families within 45 days, in time for the Fall 2000
planting.
In a letter of appreciation addressed, at the time, to ATG’s Founder
and Chairman, the late Arthur O. Hazarabedian, D.V.M. and to Varoujan
Der Simonian, the devoted Executive Director of ATG, the former
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Michael Lemmon, wrote: `You gave a new
meaning to the saying, =80=9CWhen there is a will, there is a way!’
(See ambassador’s letter on ATG’s website). Gary’s efforts were no
small part of ATG’s will to find a way. His resourcefulness enabled
the non-profit to carry out its modernizing aims in Armenia in a
timely way and, thereby, helped advance ATG’s goal to turn over — to
local personnel then being trained in various farming regions — the
very projects they now are able to manage on their own.
The depth of understanding Gary had of ever more demanding federal
reporting and auditing requirements, allowed ATG to successfully pass
several routine financial and compliance audit reviews. As a result,
ATG was able to receive numerous multi-million dollar grants from the
USDA Foreign Agricultural Services, the US Agency for International
Development (USAID), the US Department of State (USIA), UN Food and
Agricultural Organization and UNDP.
Speaking on behalf of ATG’s Members of the Board — and remembering
the founding values of her late husband, Dr. Art, Margit
A. Hazarabedian, Ph.D., added her heartfelt congratulations to Gary on
the occasion of his special award: `To have a National Philanthropy
Day Honoree amongst us at ATG means more than having Gary’s honest
efforts and lasting commitment recognized. After 18 years of mutual
friendship, trust and respect, it’s also a validation, I believe, of
ATG’s closely held organizational ethics and underlying philosophy of
quiet selflessness, here and abroad. Thank you, Gary, for being
you. Thank you, California Valley Chapter of the AFP.’
****
Attached photos:
>From left to right: Jane
Fortune, Valley Chapter President of the Association of Fundraising
Professionals (AFP); Honoree, Mr. Gary L. Pigg and Varoujan Der Simonian,
Executive Director of the Armenian
Technology Group.
>From left to right: Gary
L Pigg with ATG Members of the Board of Directors, Jack Tookoian, M.D., Sarkis
Sahatdjian, Margit Hazarabedian, Ph.D., ATG Executive Director Varoujan Der
Simonian and Vatche Soghomonian.
Armenian Technology Group, Inc.
550 East Shaw Ave., Suite 240
P.O.Box 5969
Fresno CA 93755-5969 US
1.559.224.1000 Fax 1.559.224.1002
[email protected]
THEY DISTORT THE OPINION OF ARMENIAN SOCIETY: RESULTS OF CU MEMBERSHIP SURVEY DO NOT MATCH
November 12 2013
A few days ago, results of social survey conducted by “Integration
and Development” NGO was published, according to which, 86 percent of
respondents have quite positive attitude towards the decision of RA
authorities to join the Customs Union. Yesterday, Paruyr Hayrikyan
presented presented the results of the survey conducted by NSDU and
“State for Human Rights” NGO regarding the same issue, according
to which, only 20 percent of the population supports the membership
to the Customs Union. Aravot.am asked Gevorg Poghosyan, Director of
“Armenian Sociological Association”, whether practically it is possible
to have such a vibration on the same issue, Mr. Poghosyan replied,
“Of course, it is not possible, even if it was not done not in a week,
but a month later, the contrast could not be that much.
What Hayrikyan conducted was not a social survey, but, perhaps, a
survey conducted in the street. It is not representative. The previous
poll does not also inspire confidence.” Mr. Poghosyan said that they
avoid such surveys and said why, “There is no clear idea among the
population about the Customs Union and the Association Agreement. This
survey should be conducted among the experts. But, asking this question
to the population, we again and over again reveal their attitude to
Russia and Europe. And, they are the same for 15 years.
Majority of people are oriented towards Russia due to political,
economic and cultural ties.” We were interested to know whether these
surveys were conducted by an order, Mr. Poghosyan said, “Hayrikyan’s
approach to RF is known long ago, and there is no news here.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
Read more at:
ACTIVIST: “THE MUNICIPALITY SHOWS THAT IT HAS NO RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PUBLIC.”
November 12 2013
On December 12, the City Hall invites the supporters of maintaining
the transport fare 100 drams to participate in an open tender for
companies performing regular transportation of passengers by automobile
transport. “We inform all individuals flooding the e-sector with open
letters and bombastic views and claims of tenderheartedness that no
application was submitted by any company to participate in the open
competition conducted on October 17 for companies performing regular
transportation of passengers by motor transport of common public use
in the city of Yerevan for provision of 23 buses and one mini-van
fixed routes in the city of Yerevan. And, it is, at least, strange
that those speaking about super profit and justifying organization
of transportation of passengers by 100 AMD fare are so indifferent
about such beneficial competition, by their assessment, when they
could participate, win and prove everyone about rightness of their
claims. For all those who continue to insist on the truth of the same
point of view, we recommend them to take part in the competition,
which will be held on December 12,” the municipality issued a message
of such content. Aravot.am asked the activist Karen Harutyunyan
whether he is going to participate in the competition, and whether the
participation is a good option to prove the rightness of their claims,
“The municipality, as usual, shows that it has no relationships with
the public, for whom it must serve, and makes ironic statements. It is
just ridiculous, the issue of this competition, everyone knows how the
competitions are held, there is a direct connection between the owners
of the lines and the municipality, they are just creating an artificial
situation, and they have deteriorated the frequency and quality service
of the transport. What does it mean, if you justify that it is possible
to provide service with 100 drams, you must come and participate. This
is just another product of the brain of Republicans. If the expert
does calculations, does it mean that he should operate to prove his
calculation? How should the citizens participate in the competition,
with their own cars, or without a car, on foot, or all are business
investors? Also, this business is for peculiars, and it is clear
what conditions would be created for foreigners. I think this is
written by Arthur Gevorgyan, Head of Information and Public Relations
Department of the Municipality, who recently called the citizens
‘morally depraved, dregs’, who is not the first time demonstrating
disrespectful attitude towards the community…
One day, the community will call all of them to account.”
Arpine SIMONYAN
Read more at:
NEW HEAD OF U.S. OFFICES OF DEFENSE COOPERATION IN ARMENIA VISITS EMERGENCY MINISTRY
November 12, 2013 | 16:35
YEREVAN. – Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsyan on
Tuesday received Aaron Cummings, new Head of the U.S. Offices of
Defense Cooperation (ODC) Armenia.
The objective of the meeting was to discuss bilateral cooperation,
informs the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) press service.
Yeritsyan briefed the guest on the MES’ makeup and its primary
activities.
“We have a productive cooperation with the United States, [and]
I am confident that our cooperation will become [even] closer,”
the minister said, in particular.
For his part, Cummings presented his vision for future cooperation.
“I am confident that the [Armenian] Ministry of Emergency Situations
can effectively cooperate with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA), and [also] continue cooperation with the Kansas National
Guard,” he added.
New head of the U.S. ODC Armenia also visited the MES Crisis Management
Center and the 911 emergency hotline service.
News from Armenia – NEWS.am