Author: Felekian Ara

MINES ARE LAID IN MOSCOW DECLARATION BY RUSSIA, STEPAN SAFARIAN BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan

Nov 7, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The signing of the Moscow Declaration
is conditioned by Russia’s intention to strengthen its positions
in the region after the Russian-Georgian armed conflict, member
of "Heritage" party’s board, political scientist Stepan Safarian
expressed an opinion at the November 7 press conference. As he put
it, mines were laid in the Declaration by Russia that wants to say:
"If the OSCE Minsk Group does not prove to be efficient, I will
settle the Karabakh conflict in order to show to the West that I am
the master of the situation in the region".

S. Safarian added that in recent years the Armenian-Turkish relations
were determined by the state of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. In this
context, according to him, perhaps Russia has come to an agreement
with Turkey that it will make beneficial decisions for Azerbaijan
concerning the Karabakh problem.

MILITARY OFFICERS FOUND IN RUSSIA RETURN TO ARMENIA

Panorama.am
19:19 07/11/2008

On November 8 two Armenian military soldiers under search will be
returned back to Armenia by Moscow-Yerevan flight, reported the
press service of the Defence Ministry. According to the source, the
extradition will be implemented based on the agreement between the
military police of Defence Ministry of Armenia and legal bodies of
Russian Federation. The soldiers were discovered by the legal bodies
of Russian Federation.

REGULATION OF THE RELATIONS FIRST OF ALL DEPENDS ON THE TWO PARTIES

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
06 Nov 08
Armenia

"I am sure that this election has worked to the benefit of the
Armenian-Turkish relations. Mr. Obama has very clearly expressed
his views on our relationship both at the pre-elections stage and
before that, and I believe he will assist in the regulation of our
relations with Turkey, although such relations first of all depend
on the Armenian and Turkish parties," SERGE SARGSYAN said in a
press-conference held in Brussels, in response to the question of the
Turkish information agency, regarding the effect of Barrack Obama’s
election to the post of the US President on the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA TO ARMENIANS LIVING IN BRUSSELS: "ARMENIA TO BE DYNAMIC COUNTRY"

Panorama.am
18:45 06/11/2008

Preisdent of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with the
representatives of Armenian community in Belgium in the frames of
his working visit to Kingdom of Belgium.

In recent years Armenian diplomatic representative office has felt
the comprehensive support provided by the Armenian Community in
Belgium, said the President. "In this regard I would like to express
my gratitude to yo," he said.

Today Armenia is a dynamically developing country which has stable
financial system and developing economy. Armenia managed to meet
the challenges over local economy in the aftermath of South Ossetian
conflict. 70% of Armenian trade circulation is closely connected with
Georgia because of the lack of a way to the sea. Armenia also managed
to escape the strong wave of world financial crisis on native economy.

Regarding Armenian-Turkish relationship, the President said he believes
that relationship should be established between our countries. And
following this position the President of Turkey Mr. Abdullah Gul was
invited to Armenia in September.

In the basis of regulating relationship with Azerbaijan Nagorno
Karabakh conflict should be fixed. Armenia is ready to continue
peaceful negotiations based on OSCE Minsk Group Madrid principles. It
is remarkable that a few days earlier a Declaration was signed
between the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia over NKR
conflict regulation.

DAVID HARUTYUNIAN: POLITICAL PROCESS SHOULD BE SEPARATED CLEARLY FROM PROFESSINAL ONE

Noyan Tapan

Nov 5, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The only reason for the delayed
appointment of the ruling coalition’s representatives to the
fact-finding group on March 1 events was the proposing and finding
of suitable candidates. The member of the National Assembly "RPA"
faction David Harutyunian said at the November 5 press conference that
"on the one hand it should be skilful persons with high capabilities,
on the other hand they should not be politicized".

Expressing a high opinion about the fact-finding group’s potential,
D. Harutyunian said: "We should separate clearly the political process
from the purely professional one", adding that the respective as hoc
committee of the National Assembly is political and its goal is to
give political assessments.

In the words of D. Harutyunian, he cannot say that the Armenian
president had no right to create such a group as this body will not
make any binding decision.

MAIN POINTS OF MEDVEDEV’S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

RIA Novosti
17:55 | 05/ 11/ 2008

MOSCOW, November 5 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
delivered his first state of the nation address to both houses of
parliament on Wednesday.

His speech to the Russian parliament was broadcast on state television
and became the longest-ever presidential address, lasting 1 hour and
25 minutes.

In line with the Russian Constitution, the president annually addresses
the Federal Assembly, comprising the Federation Council and State Duma,
talking about the domestic situation and the key areas of Russia’s
foreign policy.

The Russian president said in his address:

– Georgia’s military offensive on South Ossetia was a consequence of
policies unilaterally followed by the U.S. administration

– Russia will push for reforms to global political and economic systems

– Russia will not give up its role in the Caucasus

– Political and economic changes in Russia will not violate political
freedoms and private property

– Russia will fulfill its obligations to protect individuals’ savings,
pensions and social security

– Russia will establish a self-sufficient financial system in the
near future

– pledged that the implementation of the country’s strategic programs
will continue on schedule

– the global credit crisis is far from over, and the government and
business must consider this factor in their planning

– warned against attempts to ignite social and national strife amid
the financial crisis

– proposed guaranteeing parliamentary seats for parties that win
between 5% and 7% of the vote

– warned against delays in implementing the government’s bailout
measures

– proposed to abolish election deposits in Russia

– proposed drawing up amendments to ensure a rotation of party leaders

– said the Internet and digital TV guarantee freedom of speech

– proposed extending the presidential and parliamentary terms of
office from the current four years to six and five years respectively

– proposed a gradual reduction in the number of voter signatures
required for parliamentary polls

– said he would present a draft law reducing the time civil cases
are considered by courts

– said the Constitution plays an important role in establishing
Russia’s democracy and is a guarantee of the country’s resurgence

– urged a reduction in federal executive bodies in the regions

– suggested granting more power to parliament, placing the activities
of the government under the supervision of the State Duma

– announced that 2010 will be the Year of the Teacher

– Russia will deploy short-range Iskander missiles in its exclave of
Kaliningrad next to Poland in response to U.S. missile plans for Europe

– Russia has cancelled plans to take three missile regiments out
of service in the central part of the country, in response to the
U.S. missile shield plans for Europe

– Russia will not be drawn into an arms race, but will continue to
ensure the security of its citizens

– hoped the new U.S. administration will seek better relations
with Russia

– the ongoing global economic crisis is no reason to nationalize
domestic industries and banks

– Russia has sent its proposals on reforming the global economic
system to the G20 nations

– Russia should adopt legislation on establishing the country as a
global financial center by the end of the year

– Russia will continue its efforts to settle the post-Soviet conflicts
over Nagorny Karabakh and Transdnestr

– Russia will use electronic warfare to counteract the U.S. missile
shield

– urged a switch to the ruble in payments for gas and oil supplies

ARMENIA INTENDS TO JOIN EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON CONTROL AND MARKING OF ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS METALS

Noyan Tapan

Nov 3, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. A working meeting on reforms
in the sector of articles made of precious metals took place at
the RA ministry of finance on November 3. During the meeting, the
Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre (AEPLAC) presented
an analysis of the EU’s and its member states’ legislative and
institutional systems on the regulation of the indicated sector,
while the RA ministry of finance made proposals on the respective
reforms to be launched in Armenia.

The purpose of these reforms is to improve state regulation of
the market of articles of precious metals and promote exports of
articles of precious metals from Armenia to European countries. Within
the frameowrk of the reforms, it is envisaged bringing Armenia’s
legislative field into line with the legislation of EU member states
and ensuring Armenia’s joining the European Convention on the Control
and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals. Armenia’s joining the
Convention will allow local producers to freely enter the EU’s jewelry
market which is currently the second largest in the world, to achieve
better protection of consumer rights and increase exports.

Representatives of the RA ministry of finance, Competitive Armenian
Private Sector (CAPS) Project, and AEPLAC, as well as economic entities
representing the sector took part in the meeting.

KARABAKH PUSHED ASIDE FROM NEGOTIATIONS?

A1+
[01:51 pm] 04 November, 2008

Some formulations made in the declaration signed by Presidents
Serzh Sargsyan, Ilham Aliev and Dmitri Medvedev in Moscow regarding
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement raise issues of concern,
according to the "Politeconomia" political, economic and legal research
institute. The institute has made a statement in which it states:

1. In the first point of the declaration it is stated that the
settlement of the conflict will be implemented based on the norms
and principles of international law, as well as the resolutions and
documents approved in the framework of those norms and principles." Let
us recall that on March 14, 2008, the UN General Assembly approved
the 62/243 resolution (Situation in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan), which recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
in the internationally recognized limits, as well as presented a demand
for the complete, unreserved and immediate dislocation of Armenian
forces from Azerbaijan. If Serzh Sarkissian agrees to see the political
settlement of the conflict based on the internationally approved
documents relating to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, that means that
Azerbaijan now has the opportunity to put the UN resolution as a basis
in the negotiations process. This is not to the benefit of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh and may contribute to the application of the principle
of territorial integrity brought up by Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict based on the international documents relating to

2. Regardless of what the Moscow declaration will bring, what concerns
us is the fact that with the signing of RA President Serzh Sarkissian,
the Republic of Armenia has validated a document which leaves out
Nagorno-Karabakh, in other words, the signature of the official
representative of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Let us note that until now, there has not been any other document for
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, which doesn’t include the
signature of the official representative of NKR. This means that the
RA authorities have accepted de yure the fact that NKR is not part
of the negotiations process and that sets barriers for the NKR to be
involved in any negotiation to be held in the future. It is already
clear that no such document has been signed during the terms of Levon
Ter-Petrosyan and Robert Kocharyan and they have always declared that
Armenia will not sign any document, which doesn’t take into account
the will of the people of NKR.

Let us recall that there are signatures of official NKR representatives
in the protocol signed in Bishkek on May 5, 1994, the agreement
signed in Baku and Yerevan on May 9, 10, 11, 1994 and the document on
"Ceasefire" in Stepanakert.

Now, after the signing of the declaration in Moscow, the Azeri side
has a document, which throws on the sidelines the achievements of
Armenian and Karabakh diplomacy made until now . We call on all
organizations and individuals concerned about the NKR conflict,
as well as the Armenian people to consolidate forces in order to
neutralize the dangers facing national security."

TIGRAN SARGSYAN SAYS ARMENIA IS A PLACE WHERE INVESTMENTS MAY BE BRAVELY MADE

ARMENPRESS
Oct 31, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan received today representatives of one of the biggest banks
of Russia "Gasprombank" headed by the executive deputy head Alexander
Kaznacheev and leadership of the full member of "Gasprombank" group
and 100% daughter bank "Areximbank" on behalf of the chairman of
the council of the bank Karen Karapetian and general director Armen
Khandkarian.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that the prime minister
congratulated "Areximbank" on its 10th anniversary, wishing success
and implementation of programs.

Tigran Sargsyan suggested that in the programs special attention be
paid to financing of small and medium-sized enterprises, considering
that market perspective. According to the head of the government,
if "Gasprombank" seeks to take leading position in Armenia’s banking
field it must operate quickly and effectively, using its potential,
taking into consideration the circumstance that as compared with Russia
Armenia’s financial sector is small but it is very strong and stable.

Speaking about the tendencies in the world that everyone is concerned
of making investments in more stable places, the prime minister pointed
out that Armenia is a place where investments may be bravely made.

CRIMINAL CASE INITIATED ON MASS INFECTION IN LORI OF ARMENIA

ARKA
Oct 29, 2008

YEREVAN, October 29. /ARKA/. Criminal proceedings have been instituted
on the fact of mass infection among residents of Lori region, Armenia,
the press service of the country’s Prosecutor General Office reported.

In the period from October 18 to October 28, 341 residents of Lori
region consulted a doctor with signs of gastrointestinal diseases,
says the report.

On October 28, after studying the infection cases over the average,
the regional prosecutor initiated a criminal case.

The charge is the violation of the sanitary and epidemiological
rules, which, due to carelessness, caused mass infection among
people, the press service reported. The criminal case is directed
to the investigation department of the Police of Lori region for
prejudicial inquiry.

Examination is to be made to find out the infection source. The
prejudicial inquiry department is instructed to detect and make
answerable all officials whose actions or failure to act resulted
in mass infection in Vanadzor and Alaverdy cities, the press service
reported.

No fatal cases are recorded as a result of the infection; all the
patients are under medical surveillance. By October 28 about 100
patients in satisfactory health condition had been discharged from
hospital, says the report.