Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Armenian prime minister: Armenia is interested in making calculations
with Russia in roubles

2009-02-28 19:05:00

ArmInfo. Armenia is interested in making calculations with Russia in
roubles but not in US dollars, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan
said after his official visit to Moscow, when replying to ArmInfo
correspondent’s question.

"This will make it possible to diversify external assets, currency
operations for Armenian business, which in its turn will reduce
dependence of Armenia on external shocks appeared because of the
importing dollar operations", – Tigran Sarkisyan said.
From: Baghdasarian

TATUL MANASERIAN: THERE IS NO DIALOGUE EITHER WITHIN POWER OR WITHIN OPPOSITION

Noyan Tapan

F eb 26, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian political sphere
lacks the force that can be a serious alternative for the current
authorities.

Economist Tatul Manaserian expressed such an opinion at the February
26 press conference. According to him, it is easy for everybody to be
constantly engaged in criticism, but it is more difficult to propose
solutions for coming out of the formed situation. According to T.

Manaserian, Armenia is faced by serious challenges, and everybody
should think of introducing salvation programs. "Otherwise a fruitless,
only politicized conflict will give no results," he said.

The economist has no expectations from the March 1 rally to be
organized by the Armenian National Congress. As to the issue of
coming out of the formed situation through a dialogue, according to
T. Manaserian, today there is no dialogue even within the power and
within the opposition.
From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 20-26, 2009

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CRIMINAL CODE

"NONSENSE" IS ADOPTED IN THE FIRST HEARING

EMPLOYEE OF "HAIKAKAN ZHAMANAK" WAS RETAINED BY THE MILITARY POLICE

"GIND" PUBLISHING HOUSE REVOKED THE SUIT AGAINST THE FOUNDER OF "HAYK" DAILY

RA PRESIDENT CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS

PTRC COUNCIL MEMBERS APPOINTED

"YERKIR MEDIA" STARTS A LIVE ON-LINE BROADCASTING

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CRIMINAL CODE

On February 21 on the air of "Yerkir Media" TV company another "Press Club"
show was aired. The cycle is produced under Yerevan Press Club project,
supported by the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program of Open Society
Institute. The guests of the program host, YPC President Boris Navasardian
were RA National Assembly deputies of "Dashnaktsutiun" faction Artsvik
Minasian, of "Heritage" party Zaruhi Postanjian, attorney Haik Halumian. The
discussion focused on the amendments to the RA Criminal Code, being
considerate by the parliament, in particular, on Articles 225 ("Mass
Disorders ") and 300 ("Usurpation of State Power").

The next "Press Club" show will be aired on "Yerkir Media" on Saturday,
February 28, at 17.40.

"NONSENSE" IS ADOPTED IN THE FIRST HEARING

On February 26 in a regular session of the RA National Assembly the package
of amendments to the RA laws "On Television and Radio", "Statutes of the RA
National Assembly", "Statutes of the RA National Commission on Television
and Radio", "On State Duty" was adopted in the first hearing. As it has been
reported, the document was included in the agenda of the previous
parliamentary session and became a subject to criticism by a number of
journalist organizations. In the statement released on February 3 by Yerevan
Press Club, Internews Media Support NGO, Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression, and Media Diversity Institute-Armenia, the amendments to the
broadcast legislation were qualified as "nonsense" to say the least: "The
quality of that document has exceeded our worst expectations: the number of
lexical, logical and legal lapses has made it useless to subject it to
detailed analysis." First of all, the statement signatories pointed at the
"crude substitution of concepts": instead of the legislative guarantees of
social-political diversity at the Council of Public Television and Radio
Company, the drafters suggest professional diversity. Since the very first
days of the adoption of the Broadcast Law in 2000, it has been talked about
the need for such guarantees. "Secondly, the drafters have invented an oath
for the members of the Council, as well as the National Commission on
Television and Radio, without devising any real guarantees for the
independence of those bodies, the necessity of which is being constantly
talked about. The demand to take an oath of devotion to civil society,
freedom of information, and other lofty principles, in the absence of
reliable mechanisms contributing to independence, pluralism and
accountability to the society, only increases concentration of hypocrisy
that is already a serious problem in our public life", the statement of four
journalistic associations says. The associations have noted that the two
above-mentioned crucial shortcomings of the legislative package are but a
small part of unacceptable provisions and absurdities contained in it. The
statement signatories urged the deputies of the RA National Assembly "to
quickly forget the package proposed for discussion for the current four-day
session, return to one of its previous versions and work at the fundamental
revision of the document, taking into account the numerous remarks and
suggestions" of both local and international experts (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, January 30 – February 5, 2009).

Meanwhile, the deputies unanimously voted for the package of amendments,
successfully passing it in the first hearing. In the course of the
legislative package discussion, the Head of the NA Standing Commission on
Science, Education, Youth Issues and Sport Armen Ashotian announced that
after the document is adopted at the first hearing it will be presented to
the Venice Commission for experts’ assessment. In that case why did the
amendments have to be adopted to be sent for expert assessment only
afterwards?! The draft on the amendments to the RA Law "On Freedom of
Conscience and Religious Organizations" was also on the agenda, and it was
also criticized. It was decided to send it to the same Venice Commission
before presenting the draft for parliament debates. What prevented the
deputies from doing the same thing in the case of the broadcast legislation,
which is no less important?! Especially, since the journalistic associations
have been insisting on the need of fundamental reforms of the broadcast
legislation for whole nine years. Doesn’t this present yet another proof of
full absence of interest in the improvement of the broadcast sphere? In
fact, here we are witnessing just imitation of such reforms, and this time
it is quite unprofessional, having only one aim – to retain the control over
broadcasting.

EMPLOYEE OF "HAIKAKAN ZHAMANAK" WAS RETAINED BY THE MILITARY POLICE

On February 24 "Haikakan Zhamanak" newspaper published an article "Now the
Military Police. Was a New Bug Being Installed?", reporting that on Saturday
February 21 at one of the Yerevan streets an employee of the daily, the
Executive Editor Hrach Hakobian, was detained. As the article noted, Hrach
Hakobian was taken to the RA Military Police, where he was kept for 9 hours.
As "Haikakan Zhamanak" writes, representatives of the Military Police tried
to determine whether Hrach Hakobian was in contact with some personality
wanted by the police. During Hakobian’s stay at the Police, the article goes
on saying, his personal belongings were seized, including the keys to the
editorial office and the mobile phone. Quoting other details of what had
happened, "Haikakan Zhamanak" supposed that "the force structures had
implemented some planned operation" against the daily.

"GIND" PUBLISHING HOUSE REVOKED THE SUIT AGAINST THE FOUNDER OF "HAYK" DAILY

On February 20 the publication of "Hayk" daily was suspended. The reason was
the suit versus the founder of the newspaper, "Hayk Editorial Office" LLC,
filed on February 18 by "Gind" publishing house with the Yerevan Civil Court
demanding to pay the liability.
On February 19 as a measure to secure the suit the property and the assets
of the newspaper were arrested. As YPC was informed by the Chief Editor of
"Hayk" Gegham Nazarian, the debt of about 2 million 700 thousand AMD (around
$ 9,000) was accumulated during the period of August-December 2008. In
January 2009, Gegham Nazarian noted, there was an agreement reached with
"Gind" to the effect of continued publishing of the newspaper with the
gradual repayment of the debt till April 1, 2009. According to head of
"Hayk", as of February 9, 2009 the editorial office paid all the publishing
expenses, as well as 400,000 AMD as debt repayment. Along with this, on
February 9 the newspaper changed the publishing house and started to be
issued at "A. Markosian", where, as "Hayk" Editor mentioned, the prices were
lower.

On February 23, as a result of negotiations between the newspaper and the
publishing house, "Gind" revoked its suit upon the condition of "Hayk"
repaying the dept till April 1, 2009.

At the moment of release of YPC Weekly Newsletter, the publication of "Hayk"
daily has not been resumed.

RA PRESIDENT CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS

On February 20 a working meeting of RA President Serge Sargsian with the
Chairman of the National Commission on Television and Radio Grigor Amalian
was held. According to the information placed on the official presidential
web-site (), at the meeting problems of broadcasting sphere
and prospects of its development were discussed. Serge Sargsian, the press
release says, "shared the recently voiced public concern with the quality of
TV and radio programs", "stressed the need for qualitative changes" and "the
importance of reforming the broadcast legislation", "expressing his
willingness to assist the process". The President, the press release notes,
"commissioned the National Commission Chairman to come up with a format that
would enable the civil and public structures to influence the content of the
TV and radio companies".

PTRC COUNCIL MEMBERS APPOINTED

On February 20 by the decree of the RA President Serge Sargsian Vahram
Baghdasarian and Stepan Zakarian were appointed as members of the Council of
Public TV and Radio company for 6 years of service.

As it has been reported, the competition for filling in vacancies in PTRC
Council was announced due to the term of expiration of two Council members.
As the competition jury announced, 21 applications had been received (see
YPC Weekly Newsletter, February 6-12, 2009 and January 23-29, 2009).
According to the broadcast legislation, Armenian citizens, who are reputed
and competent professionals in journalism, law, TV and radio management,
science, culture and arts, have higher education and are fluent in Armenian
language, can take part in the competition. The following individuals are
ineligible for the position of PTRC Council member: members of governing
bodies of political parties; foreign citizens and people with no
citizenships; heads of public and private TV and radio companies;
individuals having contractual relations with TV and radio companies.

The newly appointed member of PTRC Council Stepan Zakarian worked in a
number of Armenian media, also at managerial positions. In 1995-1996 he was
the Director of the State Radio Company of Armenia, in 1999-2007 he held a
seat at the RA National Assembly. The other appointee is Vahram
Baghdasarian, who holds two doctoral degrees, in technical sciences and
economics, heads the chair of IT and applied sciences at Vanadzor
Pedagogical Institute. In 1995-2007 he was a deputy of the RA National
Assembly.

All the biographical data above were taken by us from the web site of the
parliament. Besides, as we found out, Vahram Baghdasarian is known in his
native town, Vanadzor, also as a businessman and the owner of "VaBa" TV
company that recently changed its name to "9th Channel".

Article 31 of the RA Law "On Television and Radio" contains, in particular,
the following demand: "The President of Republic of Armenia, in accordance
with the procedure for the competition previously ratified appoints one of
the competition winners to be a member of the Council (of Public TV and
Radio Company – Ed. Note). The information about it – with due justification
– is published in media." Meanwhile, in the report about the appointment of
the abovementioned PTRC Council members by the RA President no "due
justification" was presented. It remains unclear what the choice of the
winners among 21 applicants was based on.

On the day when the decree on appointing the members of the PTRC Council was
released, President Serge Sargsian met the Chairman of the National
Commission on Television and Radio (see the report above "RA President
Concerned with the Quality of TV and Radio Programs") – the body that
regulated broadcasting. At the meeting the need to improve the quality of TV
and radio programs was stressed. The President also commissioned the head of
the NCTR to develop a format for the public to be able to influence "the
content of the TV and Radio companies".

These initiatives can only be welcome. But will our TV picture become better
if we keep wanting what is better and keep doing what we always do – ignore
the letter of the law and avoid transparency?

"YERKIR MEDIA" STARTS A LIVE ON-LINE BROADCASTING

"Yerkir Media" TV company has started a live online broadcast on the
. So far the broadcasting on the web is in test mode.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:
From: Baghdasarian

"CAPITAL MARKETS IN ARMENIA" CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY 27

armradio.am
23.02.2009 12:06

The first "Capital Markets in Armenia" conference, organized by Grant
Thornton Amyot, audit and business advisory company, will be held in
the Republic of Armenia on 27 February 2009.

The conference is supported by the Central Bank of Armenia, the
Ministry of Economy, the Union of Banks of Armenia, NASDAQ OMX Armenia,
the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, USAID "Financial Sector
Deepening Project,"Armenia Marriott hotel, "Mediamax" news agency,
Capitalmarket.Banks.am web partner of the conference, "Basis" economic
and "Business Class" magazines.

Within the scope of the conference Armenian and foreign experts will
present to the businessmen the perspectives of making Initial Public
Offerings (IPOs), the tools and procedures related to capital markets
and the peculiarities of their application in the Republic of Armenia.

Representatives of public and private sectors, as well as international
organizations will participate in the conference.
From: Baghdasarian

REGIONAL JOURNALISTS ATTENDING AN IWPR SEMINAR PLEDGE TO COOPERATE MORE CLOSELY

Institute for War and Peace Reporting
Feb 18 2009
UK

IWPR brought together journalists from all across the Caucasus to
seek ways of improving ties between them, in the first such meeting
since the Russia-Georgia war.

The seminar, Media and Conflict in the Caucasus, was held in Kiev,
Ukraine on January 27-29 and organised by the Institute for War and
Peace Reporting and International Media Support. Some 20 journalists
and editors attended, representing media outlets from the South and
North Caucasus.

The workshop was organised as a part of the Cross Caucasus Journalism
Network Project, a three-year programme funded by the European Union.

Journalists said they were pleased that their cooperation had not been
affected by the August war, when Russia helped drive Georgian forces
out of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and recognised their independence.

"I was actually a bit worried before I went to Kiev because this was
my first meeting with Georgian journalists since the war. I thought
that we could not find a common language but it turned out to be very
productive," said Anaid Gogoryan, a journalist from the Abkhazian
newspaper Chegemskaya Pravda.

"The most important thing about the seminar was that we now have an
opportunity to continue our cooperation across the borders," she said,
in words echoed by colleagues from Tbilisi.

"To be honest, when I came to the workshop I was worried, because I was
not sure if I could cope with my Abkhaz and Ossetian colleagues," said
Malkhaz Gagua, a journalist from the Resonance newspaper in Tbilisi.

The seminar featured three round-table discussions, centred on three
themes: media freedom in the Caucasus, coverage of conflicts and
ethnic/religious issues.

Participants regretted that media outlets often referred to people on
the opposite sides of the ceasefire lines as enemies, thereby keeping
the situation tense.

"Almost all media in the region are given to hostile rhetoric and
rash statements, which adds fuel to conflicts," said Murat Gukemukhov,
a freelance journalist from the North Caucasus.

"I think that this seminar and others of the kind to come will help us
find a common language and agree more or less acceptable terminology."

Editors discussed how they covered the conflict in Georgia,
their countries and other regions, and what difficulties they had
faced. The journalists worked in very dangerous conditions, while a
lack of experience in how to work in conflict zones undermined their
safety. Extensive government propaganda was also reflected in how
the war was covered.

"Very often in articles, Abkhaz government officials are referred
to as ‘Abkhaz aggressors’ or as ‘leaders of Abkhaz criminal gangs’,"
said Zurab Argun, an editor of Abkhazian TV station Abaza TV.

The participating journalists said they could only report from one
side of the conflict, and they agreed to cooperate in future with
colleagues on the other side of the lines.

For example, participants discussed a joint article by Georgian and
Ossetian authors entitled How the War in Georgia started, which was
published by the Caucasus Reporting Service and which was the first
article analysing the beginning of the conflict. It was cited by
several international publications.

"I think these sorts of articles are interesting for everybody,"
said Andrey Tadtaev, an editor from South Ossetia’s Osimform, winning
agreement from a Georgian counterpart.

"When the article is written right from the place where the fact
happens, it is always reliable," said Paata Veshapidze, editor in
chief of the Georgian newspaper 24 Saati.

Most of the editors said they were ready to print such articles in
their newspapers, and they discussed themes for further issues. They
also said they needed to increase collaboration when organising trips
to the conflict zones, and exchanged contact details to help joint
projects in future.

"A seminar like this is very important because so many different
people are gathered. I think it is especially important to meet
people from the other side of a conflict," said Lillit Asryan,
a journalist from Nagorny Karabakh, which is claimed by Azerbaijan
but ruled by Armenians.

"For me it was important to talk to the Azerbaijani
participants. People from my generation have never lived side by side
with Azeris and many young people therefore have a stereotypical
stance towards them because they don’t know them. If we meet more
people from Azerbaijan we can break down these stereotypes."

During the discussion, the editors received reports on the state
of the media in their regions and countries. The main weaknesses
identified were insufficient funding and pressure from the governments.

"In the North Caucasus the most independent is the Dagestani media,
but journalists are killed in Dagestan. Several cases have happened
recently. The situation in media organisations in Chechnya and
Ingushetia is even worse. Journalists in other republics of the North
Caucasus daily face difficulties in their jobs," said Alan Tskhurbaev,
a journalist from Vladikavkaz in the Russian region of North Ossetia.

The reports said that the governments in the Caucasus were putting
direct pressure on both editors and journalists, and that broadcasters
had had their broadcasting licenses suspended, and had had problems
with advertisers, who were reluctant to place advertisements with
non-governmental outlets.

"Almost every big company in Azerbaijan either belongs or is
connected to the government, that’s why opposition publications
have few advertisements," said Layla Amirova, an editor of Izvestia
in Azerbaijan.

The position was similar all across the region.

"The most popular television station in Armenia, A1, had its
broadcasting license suspended, and it can only apply for a new
one in two years’ time. It’s clear that the television station is
not going to broadcast during this period," said Karen Harutunyan,
editor-in-chief of the Capital newspaper in Armenia.

During the workshop, participants met Ukrainian experts and visited
one of the biggest and most popular newspapers in Ukraine Zerkalo
nedeli as well as the independent TV station TV5.
From: Baghdasarian

HRANT VARDANYAN GUARANTEES STABILITY FOR GRAND HOLDING EMPLOYEES

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.02.2009 17:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Despite the global economic crisis, Grand Holding
President Hrant Vardanyan guarantees stability for his employees and
also plans expansion of Holding’s activities.

"Presently, Grand Holding numbers 4300 employees. Besides, dozens
of thousands of rural residents are engaged in Holding’s various
activities. The average salary of the employee amounts to AMD 120
thousand," Hrant Vardanyan told a news conference today.

"Grand Holding, one of the major tax payers in Armenia, filled the
state budget with 11.6 billion in 2008," he said. "The export of
cigarettes and tobacco abroad totaled $5.7 billion."

Mr. Vartanyan also informed that Grand Candy Ltd. paid AMD 1.9 million
tax in 2008.
From: Baghdasarian

HRANT VARDANIAN: GRAND HOLDING CONTINUES TO OPERATE NORMALLY

Noyan Tapan
Feb 17, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. "The forecasts that all economic
entities will suffer a decline or be in difficulties because of the
global financial and economic crisis are ambiguous," the chairman
of Grand Holding Hrant Vardanian said at the February 17 press
conference. According to him, the companies of Grand Holding continue
to operate normally. Besides, new programs are being developed,
in particular it is envisaged bringing new conveyers for tobacco
processing and cigarette production to Armenia as well as launching
production of napkins and toilet paper. "Until now we imported toilet
paper from other countries, but now we will organize its production,"
the businessman said, adding that the company has collected about 4
thousand tons of scrap paper.

H. Vardanian announced that on the initiative of Grand Holding, an
apartment building for poor families is being constructed in Yerevan’s
Shengavit community. The company is also building a sports complex
in the same community and a church in the city of Masis.

Speaking about the sale of "Bjni" Plant, H. Vardanian noted that it
is important not to lose "Bjni" mineral water as a national value,
and it does not matter who will purchase the plant. He refuted the
information published in Pakagits newspaper that he allegedly tries
to become the prime minister.

"I will gradually retire," the businessman said.
From: Baghdasarian

IRRIGATION PROJECT CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION CONTRACT SIGNED

armradio.am
16.02.2009 16:30

The Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia SNCO announced the award
of a contract to the joint venture consortium of CES Consulting
Engineers Salzgitter GmbH (Germany) in association with AHT GROUP AG
(Germany) and Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction
(Armenia).

The consortium will provide construction supervision of infrastructure
works under the MCA-Armenia Irrigated Agriculture Project. The
contract was signed at the Yerevan State University of Architecture
and Construction on February 16, 2009 by Ara Hovsepyan, MCA-Armenia
CEO and Mr. Waldemar Palmtag, Team Leader of the Consortium.

The contract includes construction supervision of infrastructure
rehabilitation works for: 6 main canals, 7 gravity systems, the
renovation and resizing of 17 pumping stations, rehabilitation of
the drainage system in the Ararat Valley, and oversight of several
tertiary canal rehabilitation projects. The consortium will also
sponsor workshops focusing on internationally recognized construction
technologies, standards, requirements, and quality control issues.

The contract value is $2.9 million, and will last through the duration
of the MCA-Armenia Compact term.
From: Baghdasarian

NO CHANGE IN RETAIL PRICES FOR OIL PRODUCTS IN ARMENIA OVER MONTH

ArmInfo
2009-02-16 10:59:00

ArmInfo. Retail prices for oil products in Armenia over a month did
not change and will still grow, deputy Director of the biggest "Flash"
oil-trade company in the republic Mushegh Elchyan told ArmInfo.

He said the company is presently working at a minimum profitability
rate.

"The prices could be slightly raised, however, taking into account
a relatively stable situation in the world market of oil products
and the global economic crisis, we preferred to refrain from rise in
prices and took a waiting attitude", M. Elchyan said.

To recall, the price for petrol of "Super AI 98" grade makes up 300
drams per liter today like a month ago, "Premium AI 95" – 270 drams,
"Regular AI 91" – 250 drams, the price for diesel fuel makes up 240
drams per liter. As compared with the midst of December, 2008, the
prices reduced by 30 drams.
From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN CONCERNED ABOUT ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Panorama.am
15:00 17/02/2009

"The Democratic party of Azerbaijan has made a statement which says
that strengthening of ties between Turkey and Armenia contradicts to
the national interests of our country", reports Day.Az with reference
to the press service for the party.

The statement says that currently the relations between both countries
have entered a new phase.

"The session considers that by unilateral strengthening of relations
with Armenia, Turkey is losing Azerbaijan’s trust. The party hopes
that official Ankara will be more cautious about this issue.

It should be noted that strengthening of relations between Turkey
and Armenia does not promote the resolution of the Karabakh problem",
says the statement.
From: Baghdasarian