Author: Basmajian Ani

PanARMENIAN.Net

Inform-Mobil entering Armenian market
14.05.2007 15:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Content and service provider Inform-Mobil entered
the Armenian VAS market. An appropriate agreement was concluded with
ArmenTel. Inform-Mobil PR Officer Anton Yakimov told PanARMENIAN.Net
that the agreement supposes providing of Inform-Mobil’s key
interactive product Dating and a multifunctional service Forum. Both
services are adapted for end users and translated into Armenian.

The company also plans diversification of business and further
escalation to the CIS and foreign markets.

Inform-Mobil Executive Director Dmitry Timoshchenko says the
provider’s strategy of key partnership promoted its engagement in the
Armenian market.

Armenia is the 9th state to use Inform-Mobil services. Besides Russia
and Armenia, the company operates in Belarus (since July 2003),
Ukraine (since August 2003), Kyrgyzstan (since March 2005), Uzbekistan
(since April 2005), Tajikistan (since December 2005), Georgia (since
April 2006) and Kazakhstan (since November 2006)

Inform-Mobil was founded in 2000. It’s a leading content and service
provider furnishing the whole scope of entertainment and information
services.

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
May 13 2007

`Orinats Yerkir’ party casts doubt on the legality of the elections
in Armenia and will be demanding reconsideration of their results in
court

Yerevan, May 13. /Mediamax/. The Political Council of the `Orinats
Yerkir’ party made a statement today, condemning `the mass election
violations, which took place on May 12′.

Mediamax reports that the statement reads that `in the process of
voting and vote-count, large-scale violations took place’.

`Threatening, mass distribution of bribes, illegal ballot-box
stuffing, loud shortcomings in the process of the vote-count and
distortion of the true results of the elections give grounds to cast
doubt on the legality of the elections’, the statement reads.

`Orinats Yerkir’ stated that from the part of the authorities, there
was a directional pressure realized on the party, as well as various
other methods used to decrease the number of votes we gained’, the
statement notes.

`Orinats Yerkir’ stated that it is initiating a process of court
contest of the results of the elections, demanding reconsideration,
and thus, it will not sign the protocol of the Central Electoral
Commission on the results of the elections.

According to preliminary data, the `Orinats Yerkir’ party gained only
7% of votes and occupied the 4th place in the election of May
12.–0–

EUROVISION 2007 SEMI-FINAL KICKS OFF IN HELSINKI TODAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.05.2007 14:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Eurovision 2007 Semi-Final will kick off in
Helsinki today. Initiators say 120-million audience will watch the
live contest. A record breaking 42 countries take part in the 52nd
Eurovision Song Contest. This year, the Eurovision Song Contest family
welcomes Czech Republic and Georgia as new participating members,
as well as returning countries Austria and Hungary.

The Final of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on May
12, 2007, under the theme True Fantasy. The top-10 of the Semi-Final
will take part, as well as last year’s top-10 and the so-called
‘Big Four’ (France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom).

Armenia will be represented by Hayko with a song titled Anytime You
Need. The Final will be broadcast by the Public Television of Armenia
on May 12 at midnight (local time).

In Eurovision 2006 Armenia’s first-timer Andre won the 8th place with
a song Without Your Love and secured a place in the Final for this
year’s participant.

NKR FORCED TO DEFENSE INDEPENDENCE IN ARMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.05.2007 14:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The main goal of the Nagorno Karabakh leadership is
to achieve international recognition of the republic, NKR President
Arkady Ghukasian told reporters in Stepanakert. NKR has no alternative
presently, he added.

"The priority task is to secure peace. On May 9 we commemorate
those who gave their lives for freedom and independence of Nagorno
Karabakh… War is not our way.

It was imposed on us by Azerbaijan and today’s status quo is the
result of this war," Ghukasian said.

"The NKR Defense Army is the guarantor and independence of the
republic. The parade in the Renaissance Square was held for us and
never meant to frighten Azerbaijan. The people of Karabakh do not
suffer from the syndromes of the Azerbaijani leadership. Today’s
holiday was our holiday. Life has proved that we are strong when
we are together. The history of the Armenian people demonstrated it
during the recent years.

Unfortunately armament is the only means to maintain NKR
independence. This position is conditioned by Azerbaijan’s
non-constructive stance. If the Azeri politicians abided by a more
constructive ways in conflict settlement we wouldn’t have to defend
our independence in arms. I am convinced that neither weapons nor
military force should determine the conflict settlement. Peaceful path
and constructive dialogue are the key. Nevertheless, we constantly
modernize our equipment and armament. This process is interminable,"
the NKR President said.

The parade dedicated to the 15th anniversary of liberation of Shushi,
formation of the NKR Defense Army and 62nd anniversary of Victory in
the World War II was held in the Renaissance Square in Stepanakert
on May 9. The parade was run by First Deputy Commander of the Nagorno
Karabakh Defense Army, Major General Movses Hakobyan and was inspected
by NKR Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Seyran Ohanyan. Over 1500
military marched in the parade.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian, NKR President Arkady Ghukasian,
RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian, primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, head of the
Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers, General Lieutenant Manvel Grigoryan
and Generals of the Armenian and NKR armies attended the event.

MAJOR NATO MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS EXERCISE ENDS IN ARMENIA

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 10 2007

YEREVAN, May 10 (RIA Novosti) – A 13-day NATO exercise involving more
than a thousand military communications specialists from 42 nations
has finished in Armenia Thursday.

Combined Endeavor 2007 is a U.S. European Command-sponsored
exercise that brings NATO, Partnership for Peace (PfP) and other
nations together to practice interoperability of command, control,
communications and computer systems from participating nations
in preparation for future combined humanitarian, peacekeeping and
disaster relief operations.

"As we round up the exercise, we can say that the regular multinational
exercise was held at a high professional and organizational level,
achieving its objectives," said Armen Baburyan, the head of the
department of communications and computer-aided systems at Armenia’s
General Staff.

This year, Armenia, as a primary operational zone, hosted military
delegations from Croatia, France, Russia, Georgia and the United
States, while the rest of the participants operated out of Baumholder,
Germany.

Armenia has been a full participant in the exercises for the last five
years and is expected to become the main host country for Combined
Endeavor starting in 2008.

Combined Endeavor began in 1995 as a simple effort to bring NATO and
former Warsaw-pact countries together under the auspices of Partnership
for Peace, and has been held annually since then.

This year’s war games started April 27.

NKR STATE AWARD CONFERRED ON SPEAKER OF RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Noyan Tapan
May 10 2007

STEPANAKERT, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of Victory Day, the
NKR Defence Army Day and the 15th anniversary of liberation of Shushi,
the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkady Ghukasian signed
a number of decrees on awarding NKR orders and medals and conferring
honorary titles. NT was informed about it from the NKR President’s
press service.

The speaker of the RA National Assembly Tigran Torosian was awarded
"Mesrop Mashtots" order for his contributiin to development of
interparliamentary cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, comprehensive presentation of realistic ways
of fair solution of the Karabakh problem to European and international
community, protection of the right and will of Artsakh’s Armenians
to create an independent statehood.

Valeri Gevorgian, Hamlet Harutyunian, Slavik Seyranian were awarded
"Mkhitar Gosh" medals for their active state and social-political
activities.

Arshavir Hayrapetain, Mayor Harutyunian, Edik Petrosian and Eduard
Safarian were awarded "Vachagan Barepasht" medals for their fruitful
ativities in the spheres of education, upbringing and literature.

9 persons, three of them – posthumously, were awarded "Combat Cross
of 2nd degree" orders for their expetional bravery and personal valor
in defending Fatherland.

660 persons, 168 of them – posthumously, were awarded "For Valor"
medals for personal bravery displayed in battles for defence of
Fatherland.

1,217 persons, 16 of them – posthumously, were awarded "Military
Service" medals for their skilful and courageous actions conducive
to fulfilment of military tasks and their valor in ensuring combat
readiness of troops and protecting the country’s borders.

172 persons, 11 of them – posthumously, were awarded "For Liberation
of Shushi" medals for personal courage in battles for liberation of
the city of Shushi.

15 persons, 2 of them – posthumously, were awarded "Gratitude" medals
for their significant charitable activities and great contribution
to the restoration and development of the economy, culture and social
sector of the NKR.

Ashot Babayan was conferred the honorary title of people’s artist
of the NKR for his great contribution to the development of art of
dancing and the upbringing of creative generation.

Arzik Mkhitarian was conferred the title of honored scientist of
the NKR for his great contribution to science and education and his
significant scientific activities.

Margarita Ghukasian was conferred the title of honored doctor of the
NKR for her great contribution to development of health care and her
exceptional professional capabilities.

RUBEN TOROSIAN CONSIDERS THAT ELECTIONS CAN BE ALREADY QUALIFIED AS FALSIFIED

Noyan Tapan
May 07 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. "The election campaign proceeds with
unprecedented violations, which already gives the right to speak about
falsified elections." Ruben Torosian, Chairman of Supreme Council
Deputy Club, stated at the discussion organized on May 7 by the Civil
Disobedience public initiative.

In his words, one of the biggest violations is that the majority
of electoral commissions’ members are members of the Republican
Party of Armenia, i.e. the force, "which is going to falsify the
elections." Another big violation, as R. Torosian estimated, is
use of administrative resource by parties holding the power: ARF
Dashnaktsutiun and RPA.

He drew a special attention to the preelection agitation carried out
by TV companies without using the logo "political advertisement." "Lack
of any control resulted in the situation when TV companies, which seem
to be guided by one center, cover election campaign of one candidate
in a well-organized way and do not cover the campaign of another at
all," R. Torosian said. Thus, in his words, from April 26 to May 6
the leader and another members of National Democratic Party spoke
by various TV companies 42 times, including author broadcasts and
news blocs, while the activity of Hanrapetutiun (Republic) Party was
mentioned only in 11 broadcasts. "Meanwhile, NDP had only one meeting
and various press conferences on the same subject, while Hanrapetutiun
besides press conferences held rallies with participation of many
thousands of people," R. Torosian stated.

He reported that the organization headed by him has applied to first
instance courts and CEC in connection with such violations (in total,
nearly 140), but received negative answers to all questions.

ARARATBANK ENTERS MARKET WITH NON-DOCUMENTARY COUPON BONDS

Arminfo News Agency
2007-05-08 13:12:00

One of the dynamically developed banks of Armenia, the ARARATBANK,
started flotation of the bond issue. As the Bank told ArmInfo,
the volume of emission of non-documentary coupon bonds made up 250
mln drams divided by 25,000 bonds of 10,000 drams at par. The term
of bonds circulation makes up 12 months with an interest rate of
8% annual, that exceeds the exchequer curve by 2% on average. The
coupon payments will be carried out by the quarter per the following
schedule: August 13, 2007, November 12, 2007, March 11, 2008 and
May 12, 2008. The Bank will make quarterly coupon payments with 2%
of annual, in view of which the efficient interest rate will make up
about 8.24%. The "Cascade Investments" Investment Company has become
the underwriter of the issue. The register of the bonds holder will
be kept by the Central Depositary of Armenia.

As Executive Director, Chairman of the ARARATBANK’s Board of
Directors Ashot Osipyan said, the emission of bonds is connected
with the Bank’s reputation formation as a good issuer in view of
the long-term strategic plans aimed at the further entry of the Bank
shares in the market and its reorganization to an Open Joint Stock
Company. According to Executive Director of the "Cascade Investments"
Haik Papyan, the process of bonds flotation will be completed on May
10 to be followed by their registration and listing in the Armenian
Stock Exchange ArmEx. H. Papyan said that the issue uniqueness is
not only in its volume but in the extra activity of physical persons
who apply for the purchase of bonds. As of March 31, 2007, the total
capital of ARARTBANK made up $10.8 mln, the size of assets – $33.3
mln. the total credit investments – $9.8 mln. The Bank is active in
the market of state debentures, the securities investments made up $8.7
mln. The net profit of the Bank upon results of 2006, made up $2.5 mln.

To note, the issue of the bank bonds prior to the ARARATBANK was
carried out by Armeconombank at the end, 2005. The bonds of the
Universal Credit Organization "Cascade Credit" of the "Shen Concern"
manufacturing enterprise entered the market in 2006.

ARMENIAN REFUSAL TO GRANT VISAS TO OBSERVERS NOT TO ENHANCE TIES – TURKEY

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
May 7 2007

ANKARA (A.A) -07.05.2007 -"Armenia refused to grant visas to Turkish
observers who were assigned by the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the parliamentary election on May 12th
in Armenia," Levent Bilman, Spokesman of Turkish Foreign Ministry,
told reporters on Monday.

Bilman said that the OSCE observers stated that Armenian authorities
would not grant visas to the short term observer delegation of 8
Turks (assigned by the OSCE under the Election Observation Mission)
on May 6th – hours before its departure for Yerevan – for the
Parliamentary elections on May 12th. Bilman indicated that OSCE,
upon this development, cancelled the trip.

Bilman emphasized that this attitude of Armenia – which is far from
constructive dialogue – can cause consequences that would not serve
Armenia’s expectations for enhancing its relations with neighbours
and integration with the international community.

Bilman called on all countries and international organizations –
which attach importance to democratic improvement of Armenia as well
as development of good relations with neighbours and regional peace –
to draw necessary conclusions from this decision of Armenia.

On the other hand, Christian Strohal, the Director of the OSCE Office
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said he was
concerned about visa problems that some official election observers
face when entering Armenia ahead of the May 12th parliamentary
elections.

"An invitation to observe elections is an invitation to all OSCE
participating states, and is issued in order to ensure equal treatment
and strengthen the diversity of observation," said Strohal.

"Preventing some observers from participating contradicts the
principles of transparency and objectivity which are an indispensable
aspect of democratic elections," he noted.

According to a release at OSCE’s web-site, Armenian authorities
informed the ODIHR that they would not issue visas to eight observers,
all of them of Turkish nationality, who were expected to arrive in
the country today.

The ODIHR Director stressed that this refusal came unexpectedly and
no official reason was given as to why the observers could not enter
the country.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
May 9, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Joins Southern California STAND for Darfur Rally

Irvine, CA – Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
(ANCA-WR) Community Relations Director Haig Hovsepian delivered remarks
at a Darfur rally presented by southern California STAND chapters and
hosted by the group’s affiliate on the UC Irvine campus. STAND, a
student, anti-genocide coalition was founded in response to the current
genocide in Darfur. The event was held in Aldrich Park on the campus of
University of California at Irvine on Sunday, May 6, 2007. The event
featured several community activists and organizations that are actively
confronting the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Speaking on behalf of the ANCA-WR, Hovsepian reviewed the evolution of
the world’s response to genocide – noting that after the Armenian
Genocide and the Holocaust, the term genocide and its legal implications
were defined, and that in the years that followed the world sought to
avoid confronting genocide by ignoring it, refusing to acknowledge it,
and now – with Darfur – neglecting to take substantive action to prevent
it.

"While a humanitarian response is needed and should not be dismissed, we
have yet to get to a point where we have the political will to stop
genocide in its tracks," noted Hovsepian. Recalling the recent
anti-genocide advocacy event in Washington, D.C. the ANCA hosted with
the Genocide Intervention Network, Hovsepian went on to note that, "We
need to build the political will to confront genocide. Without it we
have failed to achieve justice for the Armenian Genocide, we remain
paralyzed from acting today to prevent the genocide in Darfur."

Also delivering remarks to the community with the ANCA-WR were
representatives from Jewish World Watch, Camp Darfur, and
StopGenocideNow.org. Other speakers included humanitarian workers
dealing with the victims from Darfur and Father Vazken Movsesian from In
His Shoes Ministries who discussed being a child of genocide survivors
and his trip to Rwanda 10 years following the genocide there. The
afternoon featured several bands and fundraisers to help raise awareness
about and support efforts to end the genocide.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

###

PHOTO CAPTION: The Darfur region of Sudan.