Author: Chatinian Lara

ARKA News Agency
Dec 9 2004
ON DEC 1-9 NOMINAL EXCHANGE RATE OF ARMENIAN DRAM STRENGTHENED IN
RESPECT TO ALL FOREIGN CURRENCIES
YEREVAN, December 9. /ARKA/. On Dec 1-9 nominal exchange rate of
Armenian dram strengthened in respect to all foreign currencies,
quotes on which are set by CBA. According to analysis of ARKA News
Agency, Canadian dollar lost its positions compared to Armenian dram,
its rate decreased by 6.27% in Dec 1-9 (395.53 AMD). Australian
dollar goes next – by 5.82%, to 366.1 AMD, Argentinean peso – by
5.21% to 161.08 AMD.
Currencies, most important to participants of financial market of
Arenia, i.e. USD and Euro, weakened their positions during such a
short period of time. Thus, exchange nominal rate of AMD to USD made
478 per $1, i.e. by 22.05 AMD or 4.41% more than on Dec 1, 2004. Note
a year earlier, on Dec 9, 2003 $1 was equal to 566.53 AMD. Exchange
rate of AMD to Euro since the beginning of the month strengthened by
4.37% or by 29.08 AMD and today it costs 635.74 AMD. A year ago 1
Euro cost 692.19 AMD.
The fact of strengthening of Armenian dram to Russian ruble is also
interesting. Since the beginning of December ruble in Armenia
weakened by 3.77%, to 17.09 AMD per ruble, while as of Dec 9, 2004, 1
ruble cost 19.17 AMD.
Analysis of foreign exchange market sale-purchase rates by the banks
gives more surprising picture: pretty serious margin between purchase
rate and sale rate of foreign exchange. Today it achieves 25 AMD
during trade of USD and sometimes even more in trade with Euros. Such
a serious margin usually took place in the country in more serious
variation of rates in conditions of not created foreign exchange
markets in the beginning of transition period. In `normal’
conditions, namely in the beginning of 2004, margin in trade with USD
ranged between 2-7 AMD. On request of ARKA to explain the reason to
such a big difference between sale and purchase rates, the dealers of
some commercial banks said that they go for this because average rate
really makes 460 AMD per $1, at the exchange rate of CBA in 478 AMD.
That is why the banks had to increase the margin to minimize currency
risks and receive income from foreign exchange operations in account
of rate difference. Otherwise the banks would have losses.
Thus, most of the dealers, though do not exclude future strengthening
of AMD in the beginning of the next year, do not give the forecasts
in short-term perspective. No one of them gives any comments,
explaining it that existing situation `does not have any logics, and
it is outside of all economic laws’. Everything depends on what will
take place at international financial markets, what moods and trends
will be created there, what inflation and what macroindicators will
be created in USA and European countries. It is also noted that not
the last role in rate trends was played by not so much by exporters,
but large investments in Armenia. Nevertheless, part of the dealers
expressed opinion that fast decrease of USD rate in last days and in
the future more than likely won’t take place. At this, dealers note
serious volumes of sale-purchase deals at foreign exchange market of
Armenia. Along with that on the threshold of holidays Armenia
continues receive large private transfers and mostly in USD. At this,
received assets immediately turn to drams for making purchases.
Note that in the beginning of Aug 2004, when ARKA News Agency
conducted poll among commercial banks, the banks forecasted that by
the end of 2004 the rate of national currency in the country will
stabilize around 530-550 AMD per USD. Besides, Armenian banks did not
exclude that in result of the year, inflation can make 8%. At the
moment, in 11 months of 2004 deflation in Armenia made 0.3%.
According to ARKA News Agency data, 26.94% of profit accrued by
commercial banks of Armenia in Jan-Sep 2004 was provided in account
of net income from foreign exchange operations (1995.3 million AMD on
19 banks). With consideration of Armsvyazbank, net income from
currency operations of banking system made2448.1 million AMD.
Compared to the same period of 2003, income on foreign exchange
operations of 19 banks grew by 816.1 million AMD, or by 69.2%. ($1 –
478 AMD). L.D. –0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Patriarch blames Turkey for poor relations
The Armenian Patriarch Karekin II said that the genocide issue was not one that could be debated.
NTV/MSNBC (Turkey)
December 8 – The Patriarch of the Armenian Church on Wednesday claimed
that Ankara was responsible for lack of formal diplomatic relations
with Yerevan.
Patriarch Karekin II said that this was because Turkey insisted on
setting preliminary conditions for the normalising of the relations.
However, Karekin II said that it was essential to resolve the question
of Ngorno-Karabag region of Azerbaijan and which is currently occupied
by Armenia, and the recognition of the alleged Armenian genocide.
“Undoubtedly in such a climate it is of special importance to open
the border and improve co-operation,” he said.
But he stressed that the issue of genocide was not an issue that
could be the subject of debate.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgian-Israeli relations light up at Hanukah
By Keti Sikharulidze
The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 9 2004
The start of the Jewish festival of light, Hanukah, on Tuesday evening
was also a time for Georgian officials and Jewish leaders in Georgia to
cast their own light on the relationships between Israel and Georgia.
To mark the occasion, the Jewish Agency for Israel (Sokhnut) and the
Israeli-Georgia Chamber of Business celebrated with a concert December
7 at the Tbilisi Opera House.
Symbolically lighting what he called the ‘the symbol of Jewish soul,’
President Mikheil Saakashvili helped light the menorah and praised
Georgia’s rich historical friendship with Judaism.
“I am very proud of the Jewish nation, and the inspiration and
willingness of Jewish soldiers to defend their country,” he said,
“I wish that our soldiers had the same inspiration.”
Immediately after lighting the candle, the Israeli singer Liora
presented the president with a red rose.
Saakashvili added that he looks forward to a closer relationship
with Israel: “We have 2,600 years of a relationship, but it needs
broadening and there are great prospects to build it.”
Speaking with The Messenger, the president of Israel-Georgia Chamber
of Business Itsik Moshe approved the president’s words saying that a
“new stage” of relations has begun and that this holiday “has given
light” to the strong Georgia-Israeli relationship. Moshe stated this
holiday represents the beginning of a new era between Georgia and
Israel relationship.
“After 15 years there is a new reality and we have a historical
opportunity to begin a new stage of relations with the Georgian
government, and I think that the Georgian government can make it and
Israel is ready to support it,” stated Moshe.
This year is particularly significant because the Jewish Agency for
Israel is celebrating its 75th anniversary and its 15th anniversary
of its establishment in Georgia.
The head of Jewish Agency for Israel Representation in Georgia and
Armenia, Dov Pikulini, told The Messenger Tuesday evening that “our
organization will continue its traditions and activities.” Pikulini
added: “Let the candles of Hanukah lighten the victory of small
nations over large nations.”
One evidence of the ‘new era’ in relations is already being recorded
in a sound studio. The Georgian singer Merab Sepashvili and Israeli
singer Liora are compiling a new album of Georgian and Hebrew songs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia to seek support for ‘genocide’ charges at CIS
Turkish Daily News
09 December 2004
Yerevan is planning to push for a discussion on the alleged genocide at the
Parliamentary Assembly of the former Soviet Union countries next year
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
Armenia is planning to take the issue of recognition of an alleged
genocide against Armenians at the hands of the late Ottoman Empire
to the Parliamentary Assembly of the former Soviet Union states,
a senior Armenian official said.
Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Vahan Oganesian said Armenia
would bring the issue to the attention of parliamentarians of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2005, the year that marks
the 90th anniversary of the alleged genocide.
“This would be of significant benefit to us,” he was quoted as saying
in Yerevan by the Anatolia news agency.
Turkey, which was created following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire,
categorically rejects “genocide” charges and says there were killings
on both Turkish and Armenian sides as the Ottoman Empire was trying to
quell civil unrest caused by an Armenian uprising in Eastern Anatolia
during World War I.
Influential Armenian diaspora has successfully pushed for recognition
of the alleged genocide in several European countries and in the
European Parliament. The European Union, however, has dismissed calls
to recognize the alleged genocide as a condition for Turkey to open
EU accession talks.
Oganesian, in a press statement in Yerevan, said there could be
different consequences of bringing the issue onto the CIS agenda,
emphasizing that there was no guarantee that the outcome would
necessarily be in favor of Armenia.
Turkey says Yerevan’s cessation of support of Armenian diaspora
efforts for worldwide recognition of the alleged genocide is one of
the conditions for the normalization of ties with the land-locked
country. Ankara is also in solidarity with Azerbaijan, whose territory
in Nagorno-Karabakh is held under Armenian occupation, and keeps its
border gate with Armenia closed.
–Boundary_(ID_VNhKsX6g6VPJNyyQduRZCA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Every fourth person maybe mentally ill in Armenia – web site
A1+ web site
6 Dec 04
“There are 30,000 mentally ill people in Armenia. Every fourth healthy
person may have a mental disorder. A lot of [mentally] ill people
are on the streets, but not all of them are registered,” the chief
psychiatrist of the Armenian Health Ministry, Samvel Torosyan, told a
roundtable on “Problems of the mental health policy in Armenia” today.
Forty-five Armenian public organizations set up a coalition “For
mental health” and are fighting for the health of the mentally
retarded. Statistics show that poverty is to blame for mental
disorders.
Armenia doesn’t have a law on mental health yet. “The main spheres
of preserving mental health are funding, purchasing and distributing
medicines, laws, human rights and organizing services,” the chairman
of the Mental Health Foundation, Arman Vardanyan, said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BRITISH GOODS EXHIBITION OPENS IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, December 7 (Noyan Tapan). Until now Great Britain has made
investments of 50 million dollars in Armenia, and the trade circulation
between the two countries makes 100 million dollars a year. Great
Britain’s Deputy Ambassador to Armenia Richard Hyde stated this at the
British goods exhibition organized at the Congress Hotel on December
7. In the opinion of Deputy Ambassador, the trade circulation between
the two countries is developing, and the emergence of various Armenian
goods in Europe and vice versa is proof of this. Foodstuffs and raw
materials are mainly exported from Armenia. “There is one thing I’d
like to see on the British markets – the Armenian brandy,” Richard
Hyde pointed out. R. Hyde announced there are 21 Armenian-British
joint ventures in Armenia, and further active cooperation is expected,
especially in the sphere of information technologies. In his view,
Great Britain has a lot to do in Armenia, particularly in terms
of exporting modern British technologies to Armenia. According to
Deputy Ambassador, by deciding to open officially the exhibition on
the anniversary of the Spitak earthquake the British side wanted to
show that Armenia does exist and develop. 13 companies participate
in the exhibition.

Armenian president meets Armenia-Georgian business representatives
The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 6 2004
President of Armenia Robert Kocharian met with representatives of
the Armenia-Georgian Association of Business Collaboration on Friday,
Prime-News reports.
The press service of the Armenian president told Georgian
representatives that in the near future they intend to establish a
similar association with Azeri entrepreneurs so as to expand regional
collaboration.
Robert Kocharian positively evaluated this initiative, saying
that “Armenia was always for the regulation of relations by
collaboration.” Moreover, he stated that the establishment of this
association would help create a favorable atmosphere.

Anadolu Agency
Dec 6 2004
Surp Pirgic Armenian Hospital Museum opens in Istanbul
Anadolu Agency: 12/5/2004
ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on
Sunday that those who saw the artifacts in the Surp Pirgic Armenian
Hospital Museum would see that everybody had been co-existing in
peace in Turkey.
Erdogan, who inaugurated the Yedikule Surp Pirgic Armenian Hospital
Museum which was renovated by the Armenian Foundation, said that the
hospital was established by the Armenians upon the statement of Sultan
Mahmud II 172 years ago, and continued to serve patients since then.
“As the children of this country, we have co-existed in peace for
centuries. Our literature, architecture, humanitarian values, trade,
songs and cuisines have intermingled,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan said that he read statements of hospital`s executive board
chairman and deputy chairman Bedros Sirinoglu, who said that they
were faithful to Turkey and were living in prosperity with their 33
churches and 13 schools. They also asked why they should be minority
in a country of which they were a citizen.
“These statements are explaining not only Turkey but also the Armenian
citizens who are an indispensable part of us. Every artifact in this
museum clearly shows co-existence,” Erdogan stated.
Thanking the Armenian citizens for their contributions to Turkey,
Erdogan said, “let`s see how the message given here will be
reflected to the world? We will continue developing humanitarian
values in the light of universal criteria. Long live our unity in
these territories`.”

Big wealth in small town
Yerkir/arm
3 Dec 04
Constructor Retkin and other laborers found various bronze age items
on the Yerevan-Tbilisi highway in 1950’s. After that archeologists made
excavations and transferred the found items to the museum of Dilijan.
The museum consists of several departments: ethnography, arts,
revolution, modernity, etc. An important department contains drawings
of Gevorg Bashinjaghian, Vardges Sureniants, Martiros Sarian,
Hovhannes Ayvazovski and others. All the drawings are original.
Today two of Ayvazovski’s drawings are under repair at the National
Gallery in Yerevan.
One of the departments is devoted to the liberation war in Artsakh.
The museum often enriches its spectrum by donations of local residents.
Since the entrance is free, it often hosts school children and other
visitor. However, the museum does not enrich the treasury of the
town with incomes.
The biggest issue for the museum at this point is the poor condition
of the artifacts, which need repair. However, the director of the
museum Lilit Ginosian is hopeful, since the local officials have
promised assistance in repairing during the next year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PROGRESSIVE PARTY’S LEADER WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF
“ELITE REVOLUTION” IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, December 4 (Noyan Tapan). “It is quite obvious that the arrow
of the “elite revolution” is aimed at Armenia,” chairman of the
Progressive Party of Armenia Tigran Urikhanian stated at the December
4 meeting with reporters at the Azdak club. According to his
definition, “elite revolutions” based on the support from outside have
very dangerous consequences for the people masses, although he did not
specify what consequences. Tigran Urikhanian noted that during the
last decade many such revolutions have happened in the world, of which
the most recent one is that in Ukraine. He said all these revolutions
have the same scenario writer and film director. Immediately before
these events some statements about “homosexuals” among those in power
appear, sects like “Jehova’s Witnesses” become active, fight with
corruption at higher education institutions is highlighted, etc:
“After all this the people is presented either with roses or with
oranges.” Tigran Urikhanian expressed concern about the possibility of
implementing in Armenia a scenario similar to those in Georgia and
Ukraine. According to him, it is necessary to be prepared for
artificial tendencies capable of bringing the masses to the streets.
In this connection he appreciated the amendments in the Law on
Parties, which envisage enlargement of the parties. In addition,
according to Urikhanian, political forces blocs in principle being
formed now may also play a great role. “The time for national
consolidation has come, so work must be done in the marzes. Some
50-100 thousand people, who can explain the true nature of the
developments related to the elite revolution, must be on call,” the
PPA leader stated. Asked by NT correspondent how Armenia can
counteract such a “elite revolution” when much more powerful countries
failed to do so, Tigran Yrikhanian said: “Armenia is the center of the
intersection of many geopolitical interests and if the existing
contradictions are cleverly used, it will be possible to avoid these
artificial tendencies.”