Author: Dabaghian Diana

BEELINE SALES OFFICE OPENED IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA

ARKA
April 7, 2008

YEREVAN, April 7. /ARKA/. The Beeline Company (the brand of the
VimpelCom Company, Russia) has opened its first sales office in
Yerevan. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Acting Chie Executive
Officer (CEO) of the ArmenTel Company (Armenia), fully owned by the
VimpelCom Company, Genady Kalgashkin reported that the new office is
supposed to render new high-quality services.

"We are seeking to improve the quality of our services and be in line
with our new quality and image at the new office," Kalgashkin said.

He pointed out that the company has renovated 24 out of its 54 offices,
with the rest to be brought to conformity with the new brand soon.

Kalgashkin said that among the company’s priorities is to improve
the quality of communication and services, network development, more
affordable prices, digitization of stationary network, launching of
a convergent network, 3G services.

"We plan not only exterior renovation of our offices, but also
higher-quality services, friendly cooperation, the formation of
a leading company rendering services of international quality,"
Kalgashkin said.

He did not cite the cost of rebranding, pointing out that the work
has been done on budgetary funds.

As regards the technical aspect, Kalgashkin pointed out that the
company has applied to the International Association for redranding
as Beeline.

The Russian Vimpel Com Company, which renders communication services,
has launched its Beeline brand in Armenia.

The company is rebranding both stationary and mobile communication
services and is currently elaborating technical means. Specifically,
customers can change the brand at any office of the company. New
SIM-cards will be issued in mid-April.

The Beeline brand is estimated at 7.2bln AMD in Russia. It has been
the most expensive brand for over two years.

The VimpelCom Group of Companies comprises companies rendering
communication services in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Georgia and Armenia – an area with an approximate
population of 250mln.

MONETARY BASE DECLINES BY 0.7%, BROAD MONEY GROWS BY 1.6% IN ARMENIA IN FEBRUARY 2008

Noyan Tapan
April 7, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. As of late February 2008, monetary
base made 389 bln 315 mln drams (over 1 bln 264.9 mln USD) in Armenia,
declining by 2 bln 672 mln drams or 0.7% on the previous month.

According to preliminary data transferred by the Central Bank of
Armenia to the RA National Statistical Service, broad money amounted
to 673 bln 755 mln drams, growing by 10 bln 338 mln drams or 1.6%
on the previous month.

The balance of the population’s deposits with banks made 172 bln 584
mln drams as of late February, growing by 2 bln 660 mln drams or 1.6%
on the previous month and by 46 bln 481 mln drams or 36.9% on the
same period of last year. As of late 2007, there were 22 banks with
a total of 348 branches in Armenia.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN VISITS GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH END OF HIS TERM OF OFFICE

Noyan Tapan
April 4, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with his term of
office, the Armenian president Robert Kocharian on April 4 visited
the government and thanked the government members for their long
joint actvities.

According to a press release submitted to NT by the RA Government
Information and PR Department, R, Kocharian in particular said:

"I am grateful to the fate that I have had the luck to bear
responsibility for the Repubic of Armenia for ten years. These were
extremely interesting, hard, important and substantial years. The
country has passed a long path of development. Large-scale reforms have
been made in all directions in the country, and the main purpose of
these reforms was certainly modernization of the country. The results
are obvious: the life quality of our citizens have considerably
improved but we all also should realize that there is still much to
be done. The new president and the new government are facing numerous
challenges and problems whose solution will be no less difficult
and important for the country. The matter first of all concerns the
second-generation reforms in the economic sphere which require more
skills and professional knowledge and of course greater efforts. We
should take into account that it will be a more difficult period
for the authorities in terms of implementation as a decline in the
global economy has been forecast and it will require greater will,
force and energy from the new authorities, the new government in
terms of overcoming some difficulties.

The most important problem – that of security continues to face
the Republic of Armenia. The world has not become more secure in
recent years, our region continues to be full of contradictions,
and consistent steps will be necessary in order to strengthen
the country’s security and increase the fighting efficiency of
the army. Of course, all this should be combined with flexible and
adequate diplomatic steps. I am sure that some steps should be taken
to strengthe the bases of statehood. There are forces (also outside)
which do not want Armenia to be stable and prosperous. Unfortunately,
there are also figures outside who are ready to serve this purpose.

A weak country susceptible to influence can ensure neither its
security and the security of its citizens nor any serious democratic
achievements which we have had over these years. And of course,
my wish, my persuasion is that the future president and government
will succeed in giving an adequate response to these challenges in
their work".

PRETENDERS TO CHAMPION’S TITLE HAVE INCREASED

A1+
04 April, 2008

The Armenian Football Championship-2008 kicks off on Sunday, April
6. The championship features eight clubs of a higher group.

"Pyunik," Yerevan

Armenia’s champion of the past seven years has held a few elimination
matches this year which testify that Pyunik will encounter difficulties
to hold the champion’s title. A number of key footballers have left
the team, among them Levon Pachajian, Robert Arzumanian, Aghvan
Mkrtchian, Alexandre Tadevosian, Arsen Avetisian, Rafael Nazarian
and Tigran Kharabakhtsian.

"Banants," Yerevan

The chief coach of the team, Nikolay Kostov, left Banants for
"Metalurg," Donetsk, just on the eve of the championship. Besides,
leading footballers Ararat Arakelian and Samvel Melkonian, as well as
goal-keepers Nenad Radach and Aram Hakobian have quited the club. The
bronze-medal holder of the previous two championships has signed
a contract with a few legionnaires and footballers of the Armenian
football team Karen Alexanian and Romik Khachatrian.

"Mika," Ashtarak

Arkady Andreasian began training the club in the middle of the
previous championship when the team was already suffering great
losses. No serious changes have been made in the team, except for
David Grigorian’s return to the club.

"Ararat," Yerevan

At the head of Varujan Sukiasian Ararat took the lead in the
championship of 2007 just from the very start.

Although today Varujan Sukiasian is back to the club, the latter has
lost a number of leading footballers, among them Arthur Voskanian
who has been transferred to "Vitebsk."

"Gandzasar," Kapan

The team is considered to be "international" since it features 14
foreign footballers at a time. The team made a deep impression during
the trainings, and specialists think Gandzasar can compete for the
first place. Armenia’s best striker Arsen Avetisian plays in Gandzasar.

"Shirak," Gyumri

Unlike the other clubs, Shirak hasn’t held trainings abroad. Andranik
Adamian has returned to the club.

Owing to Adamian’s hard work Shirak had great achievements in the 90s.

"Ulysses," Yerevan

At the head of Suren Barseghian the team became a serious contender
for the leaders, especially after a decisive victory over "Ararat."

"Kilikia," Yerevan

The outsider of the previous championship is expected to play better
as the team has showed positive results during the trainings at the
head of new coach Erwand Krbashian.

GOVERNMENT APPROVES PLAN OF ACTIONS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

ARMENPRESS
April 4, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, ARMENPRESS: The government approved today a plan of
actions designed to continue reconstruction of irrigation systems this
year. The program is backed by 1.4 billion Drams budget allocation.

Speaking to journalists after the government session Andranik
Andreasian, head of the state water economy, an affiliation of the
territorial ministry, said this is the first time that the budget
allocates that much money for irrigation systems major repair.

Apart form government’s funding Armenia’s irrigation systems are
being repaired also by grants.

The biggest is expected from the Millennium Challenges Account
(MCA) program. It will be used to reconstruct major irrigation
infrastructures.

Andranik Andreasian said the focus will be on main irrigation canals
and pumping stations. He said feasibility and other related studies
for the MCA-funded projects will be over by the end of the year and
the main funding is expected in 2009.

"ALYEV FASTENS FAKE GENOCIDE ON HIS PEOPLE"

A1+
31 March, 2008

"Azerbaijan foul plays. It is part of the programme undertaken by
Baku in the process of Karabakh conflict regulation from breaking
the armistice to dissolving the Minsk group and taking the issue to
the UNO", announced Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian at the joint press
conference with the Head of AGO monitoring group.

"Azerbaijan’s foul-play is obvious. It is evidently Azerbaijan’s
step to avoid meeting the newly-elected president of Armenia at
the NATO summit in Bucharest on April 2-4. Azerbaijan distorts
the reality. The meeting was not initiated by Armenia. It was the
Co-Chairs’ initiative", explained Vartan Oskanian.

The Armenian FM is sure the conflict can be solved only through
negotiations which should be based on Karabakh people’s right to
self-determination.

Oskanian also commented on Ilham Aliyav’s assessment of Armenia’s
political situation. The latter had regarded it as chaotic. "Azerbaijan
had better mind its own political situation. It’s the last country
that can comment on Armenia’s home policy."

Over the last few days Azerbaijan has also been disseminating false
news that Armenians massacred Azeris on March 30 – April 1 in 1918. In
this respect, Vartan Oskanian says, "Azerbaijan is playing a dangerous
game. Its aim is to sow hatred in its people towards Armenians. They
want to settle the Karabakh conflict through a war. Such behaviour
should be immediately put an end to." Being a representative of a
nation that has experienced genocide, Mr. Oskanian advised Aliyev
not to fasten a fake genocide on his people, assuring him that coming
generations would never forgive the present government for its actions.

By the way, the leader of the AGO monitoring group, Per Sjogren also
assures that the disputed conflict has only one way of regulation
and that is through negotiations.

ARMENIAN UNIBANK OFFERED PREPAYMENT-FREE MORTGAGE CREDITS TO CLIENTS

Noyan Tapan
March 31, 2008

YEREVAN, March 31. /ARKA/. The Armenian Unibank offers its clients
a new type of mortgage credits, prepayment-free credits. The bank’s
press service reports that the annual interest rate on the credits is
17%, the maximum credit amount being 60mln AMD and the credit payment
period ten years.

Tigran Gevorgyan, Unibank Mortgage Crediting Director, said that
the bank will execute additional collateral in the form of immovable
property the client or his/her family has in Yerevan.

The market price of the mortgaged property may constitute 40% or
more of the credit amount. Gevorgyan said that this instrument will
make mortgage credits affordable for larger sections of Armenia’s
population.

At present, many solvent people with stable incomes cannot make use
of mortgage credits because they have no savings. The new credits are
intended for them. The Unibank continues issuing mortgage credits
on previous terms as well. Specifically, the bank issued mortgage
credits at an annual interest rate of 16% for up to five years, the
prepayment being 20%. The maximum credit amount is 100mln AMD. Without
prepayment, the annual interest rate is 17%, credit repayment period
being ten years and the maximum credit amount 60mln AMD.

The Unibank was founded in 2001. The Uniastrum Asset Management
Ltd. holds 50% of the bank’s shares. By December 31, 2007, the bank’s
assets had amounted to 45.6bln, total capital 7bln AMD, net profit
350.6mln AMD (in 2007), balance profit on the capital account exceeded
1.1bln AMD. The bank’s credit portfolio is 29.5bln, with the share
of mortgage credits being 9.1bln AMD. ($1 – 307.25 AMD)

CCA and AAA agree to cooperate for the advancement of Armenian issues
and interests

armradio.am
29.03.2008 14:55

The Congress of Canadian Armenians (CCA) and the Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA) have entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement,
which will see the two organizations developing close ties and working
together for the advancement of Armenian issues and interests as they
relate to Canadian-Armenian and US-Armenian issues respectively.

The AAA is the preeminent non-partisan advocacy organization of the
Armenian community in the United States, representing Armenian
interests to the U.S. public policy-making community. Its main offices
are located in Washington D.C., with regional offices in Pasadena,
California and Watertown, Massachusetts, and also offices in Yerevan,
Armenia and Stepanakert, Karabakh. These offices are staffed by
professional employees and supported by volunteers across the country.
They carry out pioneering research, have extensive education and
internship programs, and work to strengthen U.S.-Armenia and
U.S.-Karabakh relationships. The AAA, along with Anoush Mathevosian,
continues to work to ensure the launching and building of the
multi-million dollar Armenian Genocide Museum in Washington D.C.

"The mission of the AAA is very similar to ours, and there is a lot of
synergy in what we do", said Taro Alepian, Chairman of the Congress of
Canadian Armenians. "They are of course much larger than us, with 35
years of experience and a unique record of success. I am personally
delighted to be working with such a dedicated group of outstanding
Armenians."

"I have been impressed by what the CCA has achieved in the past few
years, and with the vision and style of its leaders", said Hirair
Hovnanian, Chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America. "We can all
gain from this cooperation, and I look forward to working with our
Canadian-Armenian friends on many joint projects in the future".

OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS REPLACEMENT NOT TO JUSTIFY ITSELF

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2008 13:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Replacement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs
dealing with settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by other
intermediaries will not justify itself, said MP Mubariz Gurbanli,
deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP).

"Three countries – France, Russia and the United States – are
represented in the OSCE Minsk Group and they are the permanent members
of the UN Security Council and of the G8. These three countries
have great authority in the world. Which other countries can replace
them? Intermediary should be strong. If strong intermediaries fail to
settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, so how will weak intermediaries
do that? Through strong countries we have more chances to achieve
the goal. Formal participation of weak countries will produce no
effect. The problem can be solved in the framework of the OSCE Minks
Group through sticking to the principle ‘the strong one is the right
one’," Gurbanli said, Trend Azeri news agency reports.

Several days ago Azerbaijan sent a letter to the OSCE Secretariat
urging to recall or replace the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

U.S. OPPOSED TO DISSOLUTION OF MINSK GROUP

ARMENPRESS
March 28, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS: A U.S. diplomat in Armenia said today
his government is opposed to dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group
because it regards the Group as the only road to achieving a peace
deal on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The OSCE Minsk Group, chaired by USA, Russia and France has been
trying for over a decade to help Armenia and Azerbaijan hammer out
a compromise peace deal over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Joseph Pennington, U.S. charge d’affaires in Armenia, refused to
comment on media reports that Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev
declined a proposal to meet with Armenian president-elect, prime
minister Serzh Sarkisian on the fringes of a NATO summit scheduled
for early in April in Romania’s capital Bucharest.

Pennington said deputy assistant secretary of state Mathew Bryza,
who is also U.S. cochairman in the Minsk Group, is due in Armenia
soon and will flesh out . He reiterated that the Minsk Group is the
only format that can lead to a peace agreement.

Azerbaijan asked the OSCE secretariat to start the process of the
Minsk Group.