BUCHANAN TO HOST ARMENIAN SUMMER GAMES
The Fresno Bee
May 14, 2008 Wednesday
California
May 14–Buchanan High will host the 38th annual Armenian Summer Games
from June 20-22.
Athletes will compete in track and field, tennis, and men’s and
women’s basketball.
The men’s basketball competition will have a junior high, high
school and open division. First-third place finishers will receive
medallions and all participants will receive T-shirts and a ticket
to the post-meet picnic.
VTB Leasing plans to raise its credit portfolio to $10 million till the
end of 2008
2008-04-29 16:33:00
ArmInfo. The Armenian subsidiary of the Russian VTB Leasing plans to
raise its credit portfolio to about $10 million till the end of the
year, exclusive of crediting of big projects, Director General,
Chairman of Directorate of Bank VTB (Armenia) Valery Ovsyannikov told
media Tuesday.
‘It is a not bad index for taking a proper position in the market of
leasing services in Armenia given the fact that the market’s potential
is rather great’, Valery Ovsyannikov said. He informed media that VTB
Leasing is nearing completion in crediting big projects. He said the
company is negotiating with some clients for supply of duplicating
facilities. In addition, the company is negotiating with the government
structures for import of medical equipment for hospitals. ‘Leasing
loans will be actually aimed at modernizing the fixed assets’, he said.
The company is currently negotiating also with big producers of
aviation equipment. In particular, V. Ovsyannikov said, one of the big
projects of VTB leasing is acquisition of aviation equipment, including
SSJ-100 Sukhoi SuperJet by the national carrier of Armenia Armavia
Company.
VTB Leasing aims to reequip the dynamically developing enterprises in
Armenia and make them more competitive through provision of an
effective and accessible mechanism of acquisition and odernization of
the capital stocks. The company’s goal is to increase the clients of
the subsidiaries of VTB leasing OJSC and VTB Group, on the whole, as
well as to take the leading positions in the Armenian market of leasing
services.
VTB-Leasing OJSC is a universal leasing company, belonging to Bank VTB
OJSC. The company’s capital for 2007 totaled $146 million in accordance
with IFRS, assets exceed $3.46 billion and net profit totaled 477.9
million. VTB-Leasing has regional offices in 11 cities in the Russian
Federation and subsidiaries in Ukraine, Cyprus, Belarus and Armenia.
The Central Bank of Armenia registered VTB Leasing on March 28 2008. At
present there are another two leasing companies in Armenia – ACBA
leasing and AGRO Leasing with $12/2 million summary portfolio as of
April 1 2008.
RAFFI HOVANNISSIAN: IF WE DON’T SEE SPECIFIC STEPS ON CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ARMENIA, HERITAGE PARTY MAY TAKE THE MOST RADICAL STEPS
arminfo
2008-04-30 14:07:00
ArmInfo. ‘If we don’t see specific steps on construction of new
Armenia, in that case we may take the most radical steps’, – the
leader of the Heritage party Raffi Hovannissian told journalists at
National Press-club today.
He also added that the problem of possibility of returning deputy
mandates of the only opposition party in the National Assembly has
not been discussed yet. ‘If we see in the actions of the authorities
true aspiration to correct the situation, in that case we shall
extend our participation in the process of domestic political life
settlement. Otherwise, I don’t rule out the radical approach when
defining further strategy of the Heritage party and its parliamentary
faction’, – Hovannissian said.
As for the sitting of the working group on fulfillment of
the conditions put against Armenia by PACE Resolution No 1609,
R.Hovannissian said that serious disagreement is in the prospect
of this group working: it involves a big number of people which are
responsible for the 1 March tragic events.
TERRY DAVIS DOESN’T UNDERSTAND THE AZERBAIJANI POSITION ON REJECTION OF MG
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
17/04/2008
Karabakh issue
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis in the framework
of PACE session in Strasbourg speaking of the functioning of the Minsk
Group that carries out observatory mission on the issue of Karabakh
conflict settlement announced, "The Minsk Group has invested a great
deal of effort to settle the conflict".
Touching upon the Azerbaijani proposal of rejection of the Minsk Group
and its reasons Terry Davis mentioned, "I don’t know why Azerbaijan
tries to come out of the Minsk format. I can only predict that it’s
a consequence of impatience. But all of us should be more patient".
According to Mr. Davis, we can be happy to dissolve the Minsk Group
when Karabakh conflict is settled.
EC Secretary General condemned the Azerbaijani party’s announcements
of violences and expressed hope that the solution will be found
soon. According to Mr. Davis, Karabakh conflict can be settled only
at the table of talks and not by military way.
Mr. Davis touched upon also the issue of the "political prisoners"
in Armenia discussed many times at this session of PACE. According
to him, there should be concrete examples and names in order to speak
of the politically sent to prison, and the Secretary General has not
similar facts at his disposal.
NALBANDIAN MAINTAINS THE 7TH POSITION
armradio.am
17.03.2008 13:42
Argentinean Armenian tennis player David Nalbandian maintains the 7th
place in the latest list of best tennis players of the world issued
by the Professional Tennis Association today.
Roger Federrer tops the list with 6 630 points, Spanish Rafael Nadal
comes second with 5 980 points. Novak Jokovich is the third with 5
130 points.
H. KHARATIAN: THERE IS NO RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Jan 29, 2008
YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, NOYAN TAPAN. According to Armenia’s Constitution,
religious institutions are separate from the state, and therefore,
the state does not interefere in the issues of citizens’ belief. The
state’s task is to give a legal status to this or that religious
organization and to follow that they act within the law. As Hranush
Kharatian, an ethnographer, the Head of the RA government’s Department
on Issues of Religion and National Minorities, said at the January
28 meeting on the subject "Religious Intolerance and Discrimination",
"the state does not directly actively deal with religion and religious
organizations." "A number of laws were adopted earlier, which regulate
that sphere and lack elements containing discrimination. Therefore,
I can surely say that there is no religious intolerance as such in
Armenia," H. Kharatian is convinced. Nevertheless, Mrs Kharatian stated
that though there is no religious discrimination and intolerance
in Armenia, a great part of country’s population has an internal
contradiction to some religious organizations, which is moderate, and
no extraordinary incident has been registered in that respect so far.
Mrs Kharatian also said that the state has returned the buildings and
constructions belonging to some religious organizations, which were
taken away from them in the Soviet years. They are the churches and
constructions belonging to Assyrian, Greek, and Russian religious
communities.
Hranush Kharatian touched upon the report published by the Amnesty
International organization lately, which mentioned that there is
religious intolerance and discrimination in Armenia. Mrs Kharatian
said that they have already expressed their position in connection
with that report at the respective international instances. According
to her, that is a one-sided work not corresponding to reality, as it
has been prepared on the basis of the facts introduced by only one,
Jehovah’s Witnesses religious organization, which do not correspond to
reality. When preparing the report that organization has not applied
to any state structure to use the data they have.
Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 18 2008
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen: "Armenian press has distorted
information, spread in our name" – UPDATED
18 January 2008 [13:18] – Today.Az
The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group have arrived in Baku today.
13:48
"The parties of Nagorno Garabagh conflict need time to think over",
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairman Bernard Fassier told reporters in Baku,
commenting on the negotiation process.
"Time is necessary to assess the details, problems and proposals.
Therefore, we do not have any calendar, especially for this year,
considering presidential elections both in Azerbaijan and in
Armenia", he said.
According to him, the proposals must be negotiated. "Perhaps, they
should be improved. Anyway, it would be better if the Presidents
approve these proposals after presidential elections, if not now".
Speaking about the positions of the sides, Fassier noted that each
party prefers to express attitude to the problems, which do not suit
it and does not say what suits it. "Therefore, we want time for
assessment", the co-chairman concluded.
US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza opposed the
information of the Armenian press, according to which he criticized
the slogan "Two states-one nation" and the policy in this direction,
noting that misunderstanding occured.
"I have never said that. This is Turkey’s policy and, perhaps,
Azerbaijan’s and I do not have a right to demand to change it. I have
just mentioned the fact of such policy in Ankara and someone
misinterpreted my words", M.Bryza said.
————
13:23
US mediator Matthew Bryza told reporters that they held discussions
with President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vardan Oskanyan.
He regarded the talks in Armenia as constructive, however, according
to him much is left to be done.
"It is difficult to speak about achieving any agreement before
presidential elections in Armenia to be held in February. The meeting
of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia is planned. It is
important that the co-chairmen and sides have time to continue
discussions", the US diplomat said.
Commenting on his statements regarding the relations between
Azerbaijan and Turkey, M.Bryza said that his words had been
distorted.
Commenting on the fact that the mediators went to Khankendi from
Armenia, but not from Azerbaijan, Bryza announced that this route is
more comfortable: "It is a bit difficult to pass there from
Azerbaijan. We are always asking for Azerbaijan’s permission, when
passing to Khankendi from Armenia.
Matthew Bryza noted that the presidents and foreign ministers of
Azerbaijan and Armenia are informed about the details of the talks:
"However, the sides have a right to share this information. Perhaps,
Armenia will inform the representatives of Nagorno Garabagh".
French co-chairman Bernard Fassier noted that the discussions held
both in Yerevan and Khankendi were constructive and interesting: "I
hope that we will be able to continue our work. This work will base
on proposals, introduced to the sides in Madrid. These proposals have
been explained to the sides and we have familiarized with the
position of the sides on this issue. We have mentioned that it will
take time to consider the positions of the sides".
The co-chairman compared this issue with looking at a picture at a
distance and closer: "For example, when looking at the picture from a
close distance, it is possible to see only one detail, while when it
is far away, more details are seen. We would like to see the results
of the talks from such point of view".
In turn, Russian co-chairman Yuri Merzlyakov commented on information
on basic principles, published in Armenian press in his name: "I have
never said that. If it had been like that, we would not have returned
here. Positions of Azerbaijan and Armenia do not coincide on a number
of points. We have proposed to hold a meeting of the Foreign
Ministers of the two countries so far".
Commenting on the proposals of the co-chairmen on the involvement of
Nagorno Garabagh to the negotiation process, Y.Merzlyakov said that
these statements had also been distorted: "We have mentioned
repeatedly that all the parties must take part in the discussions
only after basic principles are coordinated".
Speaking about the participation of the Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno Garabagh in the discussions, the Russian diplomat said that
this is an internal matter of Azerbaijan. If Azerbaijan wants, the
Azerbaijani community may take part in the discussions.
/APA/
URL:
ARMENIAN ARARAT BANK ANNOUNCES EMISSION OF SIMPLE NOMINAL UNDOCUMENTED SHARES TOTALING AMD 381.5MLN
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 18 2007
YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. Armenian Ararat Bank announced the issue
of simple nominal undocumented shares totaling AMD 381.5mln.Executive
Director, Chairman of Board of Ararat Bank Ashot Osipyan told reporters
that the issue will be implemented through direct public offering
(DPO).
"Those interested can obtain shares in the central office of Ararat
Bank, as well as in any of its branches by filling in corresponding
applications," he said.
Osipyan pointed out that the main aim of entering the DPO market is
diversification of sources of capital attraction, one of which is
the issue of simple shares.
"The bank aims at defining the real value of shares of Ararat Bank,
as well as raise the level of its corporate management," he said.
Osipyan pointed out that the minimal number of issued shares totals
70,000, and the maximal – 76,300, the principal value of each is AMD
5,000, and the value of placement – AMD 5,900.
"Thus, total incomes from placement of Ararat Bank shares are expected
within AMD 450.2mln," he said and added that the emission started on
December 17, 2007 will last till January 21, 2008.
Osipyan also said that both individuals and legal entities, being
residents or non-residents of Armenia, may obtain shares of Ararat
Bank.
Ararat Bank (legal successor of "Amrsvyaz" Bank) was founded on
02.09.1991 and received banking license N4 on October 31, 1996. In
August 2007, the bank was reorganized into an Open Joint-Stock Company.
On May 15, 2007, Ararat Bank terminated the placement of corporate
bonds, the emission of which started on May 3. Corporate coupon bonds
of Ararat Bank passed listing on the Armenian Stock Exchange by the
highest Abond category.
The number of bonds issued totaled 25,000, with the circulation term
of 12 months, with the nominal value of AMD 10,000 with annual yield
of 8%.
As of September 30, 2007, the assets of the bank total AMD 16.4bln,
capital – AMD 4.5bln, income – AMD 224.8mln. Ararat bank has 10
branches. ($1 – AMD 303.36).
COOPERATION WITHIN COUNCIL OF EUROPE RATHER IMPORTANT FOR ARMENIA
ARKA
Nov 5, 2007
YEREVAN, November 5. /ARKA/. The cooperation within the Council of
Europe is very important for Armenia, said Armenia’s Prime Minister
Serge Sargsyan during his meeting with Council of Europe Secretary
General Terry Davis.
"The Premier welcomed the visit of the Secretary General to our
country and pointed out that the cooperation within the CE is very
important for Armenia," the RA Government’s public relations department
told ARKA.
During the meeting, Sargsyan and David discussed Armenia’s European
integration processes, saying that the parliamentary elections
held on May 12 were progress that formed good basis for conducting
presidential elections.
They agreed that it is necessary to take efforts and conduct
presidential elections on a higher level than the parliamentary ones.
The sides expressed confidence that thanks to effective cooperation,
Armenia’s commitments within CE membership will be fulfilled in time
and on a proper level.
On November 4, Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis arrived
in Yerevan on a two-day visit. Within the visit Davis will meet with
Armenia’s authorities, make a report in Yerevan State University and
meet with members of PACE delegation in Armenia.
ArmRadio – Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 11 2007
Robert Kocharyan: Recognition of historical injustice cannot do harm
to US-Turkey relations
11.10.2007 16:03
RA President Robert Kocharyan positively assesses the adoption of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the
US House of Representatives.
`Recognition of historical injustice cannot do harm to the bilateral
relations between the United States and Turkey,’ declared President
Kocharyan, who is in Belgium for a working visit. Regardless of the
tension after the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France,
only a year after that the commodity turnover between Turkey and
France increased half as much.
As for the statements on reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey,
the President considers the simplest formula would be the launch of
dialogue without any preconditions.