Author: Emil Lazarian

ARMENIAN DRAM APPRECIATES BY 18.8% AGAINST US DOLLAR IN DECEMBER 2006 ON SAME MONTH OF PREVIOUS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Jan 08 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. A 5.2% growth in consumer prices was
registered in Armenia in December 2006 on December 2005, while the
exchange rate of the Armenian dram against the US dollar declined by
18.8% (the dram appreciated).

According to the RA National Statistical Service, a 0.2% and 7.6%
fall in consumer prices and the exchange rate was registered in
December 2005 on December 2004.

The 1.6% inflation in the Armenian consumer market in December on
November 2006 was accompanied by a 3.1% decline in the exchange rate
of the Armenian dram against the US dollar.

The average settlement rate of the Armenian dram against the US dollar
made 364.69 drams in December 2006 as compared with 449.36 drams in
the previous year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. MAGAZINE DISOWNS ARMENIAN ‘AFFILIATE’
By Astghik Bedevian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Jan 9 2007

A new magazine which claims to be the Armenian version of "Forbes"
has no connection with the renowned U.S. business publication and is
using its name illegally, a copyright lawyer said on Tuesday.

Eduard Nahapetian said he was hired by the "Forbes" management
to help to stop the publication of "Forbes Armenia." "They have
no license or any other authorization to use the name ‘Forbes,’"
he told RFE/RL. "’Forbes’ has asked us to help to stop this abuse."

Nahapetian claimed that the publisher of "Forbes Armenia," an obscure
Yerevan-based company called Litsa, has admitted to the copyright
violation and is now trying to negotiate a licensing deal with the
U.S. outlet. "They fully agree with us," he said.

The "Forbes-Armenia" director, Elizabeth Petrosian, declined to confirm
or deny this. But she admitted that the glossy magazine has postponed
the release of its second issue. Asked whether it will continue to
be published, Petrosian said, "Time will tell."

The magazine’s first issue came out a month ago and was almost
exclusively devoted to Armenian politics, containing, among other
things, a purported list of the country’s ten wealthiest individuals.

It was topped by government-connected businessman Gagik Tsarukian and
included six high-ranking government officials, including President
Robert Kocharian and Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian. The latter
dismissed the rankings as a fraud, hinting that he believes they were
commissioned by Tsarukian.

Incidentally, the magazine was edited by Petros Ghazarian, a talk
show host working for a television station controlled by Tsarukian.

Ghazarian claimed on Tuesday that he resigned as editor-in-chief last
week because the content of its first edition was "unduly politicized"
by the Armenian media and politicians. He said he was not forced to
quit by the tycoon or anybody else.

Both Ghazarian and Petrosian claimed that they do not know who finances
the controversial publication.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN SET TO RESUME KARABAKH TALKS
By Ruzanna Khachatrian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Jan 9 2007

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will likely meet
later this month to continue the thorny search for a peaceful solution
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict officials in Yerevan and Baku said
on Tuesday.

According to Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, the meeting is "very
tentatively" scheduled to take place in Moscow on January 23. A
spokesman for his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov was quoted
by Azerbaijani media as confirming the information.

The talks will presumably be attended by the French, Russian and U.S.
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. The mediating troika is pressing
the parties to build on progress that was apparently made by the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan during their last face-to-face
meeting held in Minsk on November 28.

President Robert Kocharian made it clear last month, however, that
Yerevan will not cut any peace deals with Baku before the Armenian
parliamentary elections due next month. Oskanian insisted on December
19 that the negotiating process has not been put on hold and will
continue with "less publicity" in the coming months. The Minsk Group’s
U.S. co-chair, Matthew Bryza, was likewise reported to say that the
mediators and the parties will continue to "work together quietly."

Oskanian implied on Tuesday that a breakthrough can be achieved later
this year. "I have repeatedly said that quite an interesting [peace]
proposal is on the table," he told a news conference. "Assuming that
there is political will, one can expect serious progress in this
process at any moment."

Oskanian reiterated that further progress in the peace process hinges
on Azerbaijan’s acceptance of the "Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to
self-determination." The Minsk Group’s current peace proposals seem
to uphold that right, envisaging a future referendum on the disputed
region’s status.

However, Azerbaijani leaders say they will never agree to Karabakh’s
independence or unification with Armenia. In his New Year address to
the nation, President Ilham Aliev said Baku can grant the Karabakh
Armenians only "greater autonomy opportunities within Azerbaijan."

For his part, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Tagizade
claimed Tuesday that their right to self-determination is not
incompatible with Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

MEETING WITH VIGEN CHALDRANIAN AND CREATIVE GROUP OF THE FILM "PRIESTESS"

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Jan 9 2007

On January 8, the NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture
and Youth organized a meeting with the director Vigen Chaldranian and
the creative group of the film "Priestess" in the National Assembly.

As the Committee Chairwoman Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan assessed, the
artistic filming of the event of adopting Christianity in Armenia,
one of the most important realities of the history of mankind, is
not only a serious claim in the history of our cinema art, but also
a guarantee of future successes on international big stages. It is
a unique sample of the artistic embodiment of an historical fact,
which moves hearts, makes you think and causes collision of thoughts.

Many people addressed numerous congratulations, words of tribute to
the director Vigen Chaldranian, Ruzan Vit-Mesropian, the actress
casting the main character and the members of the creative group,
wishing success to the upcoming premiere first time in Hollywood on
January 28, and the film – great recognition.

The committee handed over presents to the creative group of the film.

The Youth Parliament recognized Vigen Chaldranian as the best director
of the year and Ruzan Vit-Mesropian – the best actress.

The present of the creative group of the film to the National Assembly
was symbolic, taking into account that the building of the National
Assembly was constructed in the place of Kozern cemetery and chapel,
where ashes of many saints lie, Vigen Chaldranian handed over the cross
of Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory Illuminator) in the film "Priestess"
and the collection of his all films.

As Vigen Chaldranian confessed, such tribute in his country is
of greater importance for him than the two dozens of international
authoritative prizes. As Vigen Chaldranian assured, the culture is the
most powerful weapon even in the diplomacy and politics. So, we shall
also become powerful, living in giving to the Motherland something,
and not receiving and with the conscience of doing something for it.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET IN MOSCOW, JAN.23

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 9 2007

Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan
Oskanyan will meet in Moscow on January 23, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan said at the press conference today, APA reports.

He said that OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will also participate in the
meeting. Armenian minister said new proposals on the settlement of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be discussed at the meeting.

ERDOGAN IN LEBANON

Monday Morning Weekly, Lebanon
Jan 8 2007

On the level of international relations, it is worth noting the visit
to Lebanon of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister. He
inspected the Turkish contingent with UNIFIL in South Lebanon, and also
took this opportunity to meet with President Lahoud, Speaker Berri
and Premier Saniora. He and Saniora held a joint press conference at
the Serail, where a dinner was given in Erdogan’s honor.

"We favor domestic peace and political unity amongst Lebanese, and
we believe that dialogue is the only way to resolve the crisis",
Erdogan told reporters.

Asked if Turkey might mediate between the government and its
Hezbollah-led opposition, Erdogan replied that it was "ready to play
such a role if all sides ask for it to do so".

"We have contacted all internal and regional parties so as to favor
a resumption of dialogue", he said, including Iran and Syria, both
of which provide support to Hezballah.

"Syria and Iran are not opposed to the international tribunal but
they do question certain points of its statute and give priority to
forming a government", Erdogan said, without elaborating.

Saniora said he had "examined the question of simultaneity of the
questions of the tribunal and the government" while rejecting that
"one party imposes its point of view on the other.

"We are ready to look at observations concerning the tribunal, on
condition it is not emptied of its essence", said Siniora.

"We want to have good relations with Syria and Iran, but they must
be based on mutual respect and non-interference, and Lebanon must
not be used as a theater for the conflicts of others".

Erdogan said he also intended to see Mohammad Raad, the leader of
Hezballah’s parliamentary group.

Later, Erdogan hopped onto a military helicopter for a short flight
south to Smaia, near Tyre, 80 kilometers from Beirut, where the
headquarters of the 261-strong Turkish UN contingent is situated.

It is worth mentioning that Armenian political parties and students
held demonstrations at Beirut airport and in Bourj Hammoud by way of
protest against the visit of the Turkish prime minister, whom they
denounced as "a strategic ally of Israel".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN REGULATORY COMMISSION APPROVES CLASSIFICATION OF VOICE COMMUNICATIONS

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Jan 8 2007

YEREVAN, January 8. /ARKA/. The RA Regulatory Commission for Public
Services has approved the classification of voice communication
services and the order of rendering them to the population.

The reporter, Head of the Commission’s Telecommunication Department
Gevorg Gevorgyan said that the Commission’s decision is to take effect
the tenth day after its official publication.

He pointed out that under the decision local and long-distance
bilateral voice communication services will be considered such
irrespective pf the technologies applied.

Gevorgyan stressed that licensed organizations are to present to the
Commission substantiated decisions to terminate voice communication
within three days.

"The licensed companies and individuals are also obliged, within 45
days, to presents to the Commission the quality standards for outgoing
and incoming local and long-distance voice communication services
rendered with the use of the TDM and IP technologies," he said.

Gevorgyan also added that within 30 days the companies are to present
to the Commission proposals for the rendering of voice communication
services by means of the GSM mobile network and the IP-technologies.

Under the decision, the ArmenTel CJSC is to present to the Commission
proposals for the rendering of voice communication services by means
of stationary telephones using the IP technology.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA DID NOT RECEIVE GEORGIA’S BID FOR ELECTRICITY PURCHASE, RA MINISTRY OF ENERGY STATES

Noyan Tapan
Jan 09 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Energy did not
receive a bid for electricity purchase by Georgia from Armenia. NT
correspondent was informed about it from the ministry’s press service.

To recap, during the press conference on December 22, 2006, the RA
Minister of Energy Armen Movsisian said that the ministry received
Georgia’s bid for purchase of 200 megawatts of electricity. However,
according to the explanation that the ministry gave on January 9,
"it was only a conversation".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

2006 A UNIQUE YEAR FOR ARMENIAN-FRENCH RELATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.01.2007 17:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 2006 was a unique year for Armenian-French
political, economic and cultural relations, as well as for dialog
between the presidents of the two countries. French President Jacques
Chirac had a state visit to Armenia, during which Armenian President
Robert Kocharian with his French counterpart discussed international
problems of mutual interest, in particular touching upon the issue
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict talks, says the RA MFA report on
Armenia’s activities on 2006. "French presidents visit to Armenia
has a great importance for developing Armenian-French relations,
as well as for deepening the relations between Armenia and the EU,
in particular for increasing Armenia’s international image. It was
a visit of state which is a member of UN Security Council and G8 and
was not of regional character. The visit also stressed not only the
friendly relations between the two countries, but also the respect
that Armenian Diaspora enjoys in France.

Jacques Chirac is the leader of the only European country, which
publicly declared that Turkey can become member of the EU only after
recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915. This was also confirmed
by the French president during joint press conference in Yerevan,"
says the report.

It also touches upon the strengthening and development of
Armenian-French economic ties, investments of big French companies
in the Armenian economy, as well as conducting Armenian Year in France.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA NEEDS TO CONDUCT PROPER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.01.2007 17:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The upcoming parliamentarian and presidential
elections will be significant for Armenia, said Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian to a news conference in Yerevan. In his words,
it is necessary to put every effort for holding proper elections
in accordance with international norms. "In case of conducting
non-democratic elections Armenia will face serious problems,"
he stressed.

As to his future in the post of Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
noticed that it is early to speak on that subject. "We’ll see who
the Prime Minister will become and on what basis will be formed the
cabinet," underlined the RA Foreign Minister.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress