Author: Ekmekjian Janet

ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS SHOW SIGNS OF EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN 2006

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Jan 9 2007

YEREVAN, January 9. /ARKA/. In 2006, Armenian-Georgian relations showed
signs of effective economic cooperation, particularly in energy,
transport, agriculture, industry and tourism, says an annual report
of RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan.

Armenian and Georgian top officials paid numerous mutual visits. The
Minister pointed out the 5th meeting of the Armenian-Georgian
Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation in Batumi in
July 2006.

According to the report, the construction of the 400-kw high-voltage
line was continued, which will allow the two countries’ energy systems
to start simultaneous operation.

The document stresses the importance of the bilateral agreement on
discounts on cargo transportation to Armenia in 2007. In April 2006,
the sides signed an agreement on motor communication. Under the
agreement Armenian and Georgian citizens are exempted from taxes and
dues in crossing the Armenian-Georgian border.

The Commission for Demarcation of the Armenian-Georgian Border agreed
on a 110-km section of the border. According to the report, the work
is to be continued.

NEW YORK LIFE DELAYS COMPENSATION TO HEIRS OF ITS CLIENTS

Panorama.am
16:50 08/01/2007

New York Life, an insurance company which insured the Armenians in
Western Armenia during the Great Genocide, promised to compensate to
their heirs.

However, the compensation is delayed and anxious citizens vigorously
apply to media to receive at least some information about possible
compensation. Many called Panorama.am these days wanting to know the
time when the compensation will be made.

The web portal of New York Life,
, which was supposed
to inform about the dates of transfer on behalf of the Armenian
Insurance Compensation Fund Board, has not been updated since November,
last year.

The silence of the board was accepted as a sign of impartiality at
the time when the applications were processed. At the moment, it is
not clear and is offensive to the citizens.

ROTATION OF ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN IRAQ EXPECTED BY 25 JANUARY

ArmRadio.am
08.01.2007 17:46

The rotation of Armenian peacekeepers in Iraq is expected in the
second half of January.

ArmINfo was told at the peacekeeping division of RA Armed Forces that
the rotation will take place before January 25.

Let us remind that the forth group of Armenian peacekeepers comprised
of 46 people is currently in Iraq. The rotation takes places every
six months.

Armenian peacekeepers are carrying out mission within the Polish
division.

Erdogan’s visit to Lebanon accompanied by protests of Lebanese-Armenians

04.01.2007 17:09
Anna Nazaryan
"Radiolur"

The visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to
Lebanon was accompanied by mass protests of Lebanese Armenians. Prime
Minister Erdogan had arrived in Beirut to present suggestions on
overcoming the situation in the Middle East.

The protests of the Lebanese Armenians made the authorities to take
Erdogan from the international airport in a helicopter.

This, however, did not prevent 15-20 thousand Lebanese Armenians from
following the calls of Hnchakian, Ramkavar and Dashnaktsutyun Parties
to arrange an action of protest in the central square of the capital
city. Director of the `Vanadzayn’ radio station Armen Avdalyan of
Beirut told `Radiolur’ that the action was held under the slogans
denying Erdogan’s visit. In particular, participants of the
demonstration reminded that 10 days ago Turkey started military
partnership with Israel, which had launched military actions against
Lebanon in July 2006, destroying the infrastructures of the country.

Representatives of the Armenian community organized another action of
protest in front of the Lebanese Prime Minister’s Office during the
latter’s meeting with Erdogan. The Lebanese press broadly highlighted
the events, affirming that in 1915 genocide was perpetrated against
Armenians of the Ottoman Empire.

Armen Avdalyan informed that the Armenian community called on the
authorities of Lebanon to reject Erdogan’s suggestions, since these
have long-term objectives. `It is certain that the Prime Minister is
applying great efforts to stretch the Turkish line throughout the
Middle East and therefore participates in regional issues of the
Middle East to present itself to the European Union as a pacifist
mediator,’ says Armen Avdalyan. According to him, realizing this
political objective of Turkey, the Armenian community is trying to
reveal the real face of Turkey.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES 2007-2015 NATIONAL PROGRAM ON FIGHT
AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 28 sitting, the
Armenian government approved the 2007-2015 National Program on Fight
against Tuberculosis and its implementation schedule. According to the
RA Government Information and PR Department, the program was developed
based on the RA Constitution and the RA Law on Health Care and
Services of the Population. The purpose of the national program is to
take measures aimed at prevention and reduction of cases of
tuberculosis and its mortality. The program takes into account the
main directions and activity components of the new international
strategy on fight against tuberculosis, which was proposed by the
World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations,
as well as international standards of medical aid to tubercular
patients.

International Herald Tribune, France
Dec 29 2006

Russia agrees with Serbia’s arms sale to Armenia, Serb president says
The Associated PressPublished: December 29, 2006

BELGRADE, Serbia: Serbia has secured Russia’s consent to proceed with
a planned arms deal with Armenia, defusing earlier objections from
Moscow that caused upheaval at a Serbian weapons manufacturer, the
president said Friday.

President Boris Tadic said "the issue has been successfully resolved"
in his meeting with Russia’s ambassador to Belgrade, Aleksander
Alexeyev, who has given "a positive response" to Serbia’s appeal that
the Zastava arms company is allowed to sell guns and rifles worth
US$2.55 million (1.94 million) to Armenia.

Earlier this month Zastava criticised the Serbian government for
withholding permission for its previously arranged sale to Armenia,
allegedly because Russia – Serbia’s traditional ally – objected to
the Serbian supplier venturing into a market usually supplied by
Moscow.

Zastava, based in the industrial city of Kragujevac, 90 kilometers
(55 miles) southeast of Belgrade, is majority state-owned but its
management enjoys some autonomy in negotiating arms deals. Actual
exports, however, can be completed only with a government clearance.

Zastava’s unionized workforce of 2,600 has been on strike, demanding
financial compensation from the government because of the blocked
sale to Armenia. Defense officials have flatly rejected the demand.

The dispute deepened this week when 80 Zastava workers seized
control of Kragujevac city hall, saying they would keep up their
protest until the authorities either approve the export or cover any
loss caused by the ban.

There was no immediate comment to Tadic’s announcement from Zastava
managers or protesting workers.

The issue has become an embarrassment for Prime Minister Vojislav
Kostunica ahead of Jan. 21 parliamentary elections. Tadic is his
political rival, heading the opposition Democratic Party that
currently leads in opinion polls.

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: ELECTIONS OF 2007 IN ARMENIA PROMISE NO RISKS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NATIVE ECONOMY

Yerevan, December 26. ArmInfo. Despite the parliamentary elections
scheduled for 2007, Armenia’s economy will experience no problems,
said Armenian President Robert Kocharyan at his meeting with over 60
leading native businessmen.

The presidential press-service reports Robert Kocharyan as stating
that the executive power will work in more coordinated way in order
that the pre-election sentiments have no impact on the economy. "You
can work calmly. I see no other risks for business and it would be
real supposing that the native economy will maintain the growth rates
of the last 6 years," the president said.

EARTHQUAKE ON ARMENIAN-IRANIAN BORDER

Yerevan, December 25. ArmInfo. Today, the Armenian National Service
of Seismic Protection told the ArmInfo news agency that a 5-point
earthquake was registered on the Armenian-Iranian border, 33 km
southwest of the city of Meghri, at 2:44 PM local time, Monday. There
is no information about destruction or victims.

AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTRY CONDEMNS RUSSIA’S SUPPLYING ARMENIA WITH ARMS

Today, Azerbaijan
Dec 25 2006

Russia plans to supply the 102nd base and Armenian Air Defense Troops
with several anti-aircraft missiles S-300.

Russian Military Air Forces and Air Defense Troops second-in-command
will visit Armenia on February 17. The presentation of these complexes
will be held within this visit.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry condemns Russia’s supplying Armenia with
arms. The Ministry press service officer Ilgar Verdiyev told the APA
that Armenian armament leads to disbalance in the region.

"Azerbaijan and Armenia joined the European Firearms Convention. We
want the regional states to observe the terms of the contract,"
he said.

The 102nd base in Gyumru and Erebuni air-base is used by Russia at
the moment.

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GRIGOR HAROUTIUNIAN: POWER NOT FORMED BY PEOPLE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE BEFORE PEOPLE

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2006, Armenia did not succeed
in the sphere of foreign policy: on the contrary, regress was
registered in the Nagorno Karabakh problem being the most important
for the country. Grigor Haroutiunian, RA NA Ardarutiun (Justice)
faction Secretary, PPA Board member, declared this on December 22
at the National Press Club. In his words, criminogenic situation
aggravated in the country in the passing year. "Only in autumn this
year the public witnessed murders of two community heads. If even
community heads are unprotected, we can say that the whole people is
unprotected," the opposition faction secretary said. In his words,
murders happen in all countries, but unlike other countries no
murder is disclosed in Armenia and impunity gives rise to new and
new crimes. G.Haroutiunian also emphasized that each crime even on
domestic ground is perceived by public as a political processs, which
proceeds from the situation formed in the country. In the words of
the Ardarutiun faction secretary, we could consider as achievements
of the passing year the Constitutional Court’s decisions connected
with formation of electoral commissions and violation of Norther
Avenue’s former residents’ rights, but they were never fulfilled. As
G.Haroutiunian affirmed, the people and the opposition forces should
consolidate for coming out of the formed situation. In his words,
first we should put an end to the tradition when the people cannot
exercise its constitutional right of forming the power. "As long as
the people does not form the power, this power cannot be responsible
before the people," he declared.