Author: Hambardsumian Paul

CAUCASUS PLATFORM HEADS OF STATE TO MEET IN HELSINKI

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.12.2008 18:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Months of effort by Ankara to bring Turkey, Armenia,
Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia together around the same table have
finally yielded a concrete result with a technical-level meeting
between these five countries to be held in Helsinki later this week,
Today’s Zaman reports.

Turkey’s proposal to establish a Caucasus Stability and Cooperation
Platform came following a brief war between Georgia and Russia in
August and aims to bring Turkey, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia together in a regional platform for discussion and the
resolution of conflicts in the troubled Caucasus.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, speaking to reporters late on
Sunday ahead of his departure for an official visit to Baku, said the
function of the Caucasus platform is one of the topics on the agenda
for his talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Regarding the 16th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which he will attend in Helsinki on
Thursday and Friday, Babacan said the OSCE’s Ministerial Council had
a particular importance nowadays due to the current state of affairs
in the region.

The first meeting of the Caucasus platform will be held on the
sidelines of the meeting in Helsinki and will consist of technical
negotiations concerning the platform’s goals, principles and
mechanisms, Babacan added.

TARIFFS OF SERVICES RISE BY 1.5% IN ARMENIA IN NOVEMBER 2008

Noyan Tapan

Dec 1, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The tariffs of services rose by 1.5%
in Armenia in November on October 2008. According to the RA National
Statistical Service, tariffs of medical services grew by 4.9%, while
tariffs of personal and public catering services – by 1.2% and 0.4%
respectively.

0.5-2.4% fall in service tariffs was recorded in the spheres of
transport and culture. Tariffs of housing, municipal, communication,
educational, recreational, legal and banking services remained at
the level of the previous month.

TERRORISTS USE LIVE GRENADES

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
27 Nov 08
Armenia

As reported by VAHAGN HAROUTYUNYAN, Senior Investigator of the Special
Investigative Service and Head of the investigative group dealing with
the inquest of the criminal case instituted within the frameworks
of the March 1-2 incidents, "A number of splinters extracted from
the bodies of the wounded policemen and servicemen of the police
forces were subjected to forensic-technical expert examination, and
we made statements in this connection much earlier. In particular,
the expert examination allowed us to find out that the wounds were
caused by the explosion of the grenades containing trotyl."

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES CARDINAL SANDRI IN ANTELIAS

The Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches (Vatican), Cardinal
Leonardo Sandri, visited His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on November 28. The
Vatican official paid the visit just as His Holiness had returned from a
visit to the Vatican himself. Cardinal Sandri has been in Lebanon for the
past four days to attend the meeting of the spiritual heads of Oriental
Catholic Churches.

The Pontiff and his guest met for over an hour, discussing his recent visit
to the Vatican. His Holiness briefed the Cardinal on the main aspects of his
visit. Cardinal Sandri, who closely followed His Holiness’ visit, considered
it a historic visit.

The Pontiff and the Cardinal also spoke about the status of Christians in
the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon in particular. His Holiness
stated that the Vatican strongly supports the Christian presence in the
region and Christian- Muslim coexistence. Cardinal Sandri reasserted His
Holiness’ views, observing that his presence in Lebanon is a tangible
expression of the Vatican’s support.

Cardinal Sandri also spoke about making the St. Vlas Church in Rome
available to the Armenian Church to conduct Armenian mass in case of
necessity. He outlined some of the sensitivities concerning this issue. His
Holiness first expressed his satisfaction for the ecumenical approach
adopted by the Catholic Church towards the Armenian Church, hoping that the
sensitivities would soon fade away.

The Cardinal was accompanied in his visit to His Holiness Aram I by the
Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Mgr Luigi Gatti, his two assistant Bishops and
the representative of Bekerke. At the end of the meeting, His Holiness
presented a cross as a souvenir to the Cardinal.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos341.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

JIVAN GASPARYAN PRESENTED WITH SWORD

A1+
[04:16 pm] 24 November, 2008

On November 24 the Defense Minister of Armenia, Seyran Ohanyan,
received world known duduk player, composer, People’s Artist of
Armenia, laureate of a number of international awards Jivan Gasparyan.

The Minister congratulated the renowned musician on his 80th birthday
and wished him a long life, endless vigour, creative success and
realisation of cherished dreams.

During the meeting Seyran Ohanyan noted that invaluable is Jivan
Gasparyan’s immense contribution to making the Armenian music better
known in the world: thanks to him Armenia appears before the world with
duduk, which sounds from the most famous stages of the world and in the
most popular films, exciting people’s hearts, affording real pleasure.

"Unaware of the Armenian musical instruments, the world was once
surprised to see how easily that simple wooden instrument wins
the hearts of people. In this sense, it’s hard to overestimate the
importance of your decades-long devoted activity, since culture has
always been of vital importance for the Armenian nation," the Defense
Minister said. Seyran Ohanyan presented a symbolic sword to Jivan
Gasparyan , wishing that the sword and duduk be always inseparable.

JIVAN GASPARYAN PRESENTED WITH SWORD [04:16 pm] 24 November, 2008

On November 24 the Defense Minister of Armenia, Seyran Ohanyan,
received world known duduk player, composer, People’s Artist of
Armenia, laureate of a number of international awards Jivan Gasparyan.

The Minister congratulated the renowned musician on his 80th birthday
and wished him a long life, endless vigour, creative success and
realisation of cherished dreams.

During the meeting Seyran Ohanyan noted that invaluable is Jivan
Gasparyan’s immense contribution to making the Armenian music better
known in the world: thanks to him Armenia appears before the world with
duduk, which sounds from the most famous stages of the world and in the
most popular films, exciting people’s hearts, affording real pleasure.

"Unaware of the Armenian musical instruments, the world was once
surprised to see how easily that simple wooden instrument wins
the hearts of people. In this sense, it’s hard to overestimate the
importance of your decades-long devoted activity, since culture has
always been of vital importance for the Armenian nation," the Defense
Minister said. Seyran Ohanyan presented a symbolic sword to Jivan
Gasparyan , wishing that the sword and duduk be always inseparable.

ILLEGAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ONE OF MOST WIDESPREAD ECONOMIC CRIMES IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Nov 24, 2008

YEREVAN, November 24. /ARKA/. On Monday, Armenian Deputy Prosecutor
General Mnatsakan Sargsyan, speaking in National Assembly, said
illegal entrepreneurship is one of the most widespread economic crimes
in Armenia.

He said that 192 cases of economic offences were recorded in 2004, 189
in 2005, 204 in 2006, 176 in 2007 and 282 in ten months of this year.

Sargsyan said the most widespread of them are illegal entrepreneurship,
pseudo entrepreneurship, tax evasion, production and distribution of
fake spirits and forgery of excise stamps.

He said that 23 cases of illegal entrepreneurship were recorded in
2004 and 2005, 48 in 2006, 16 in 2007 and 48 in ten months of 2008.

The deputy prosecutor general said that 14 cases of pseudo
entrepreneurship were recorded in 2004, 23 cases in 2005, 13 in 2006,
nine in 2007 and 32 in 2008.

"Studies show that the share of tax evasion in economic crimes is
the biggest – 50 cases were recorded in 2004, 21 in 2005, 50 in 2006,
59 in 2007 and 182 in 2008".

MEETING AT PEOPLE’S PARTY OF ARMENIA

Haykakan Zhamanak
Nov 20 2008
Armenia

After stopping struggle via rallies, the leadership of the [opposition]
Armenian National Congress is, in essence, using this period of time
for setting up regional entities of the congress and strengthening the
already established ones. The visits of the ANC leader, first President
Levon Ter-Petrosyan, to the headquarters of the ANC member-parties
are probably connected with this. During these visits the first
president meets activists of the parties. The most essential part
of these meetings is that free and open discussions take place on
all issues. This provides an opportunity for getting a realistic
understanding of the existing situation.

Ter-Petrosyan continued the series of his visits, started 20 days
ago, meeting activists of the [opposition] People’s Party of Armenia
[PPA] at the PPA office. According to our information, a free and
open conversation was held with PPA activists as well on some urgent
issues. They discussed, in particular, the Karabakh settlement, the
possible resumption of rallies, political problems in the country and
impact of the global financial crisis on the Armenian economy. The
first president said that sector committees, which must play the role
of a shadow government, have been already set up; it [the shadow
government] will work concurrently with the government and will
react to all developments in the life of the country and will come
up with suggestions. As for the Karabakh issue, although the first
president said that he had already said everything concerning this
issue during the latest [opposition] rally, he added anyway that he
continues to believe that agreement on some principles in this issue
will be reached in the coming two or three months.

The first president also spoke about the political situation in Armenia
at the PPA office and said that [Armenian President Serzh] Sargsyan
had perfected the criminal regime, which was established by [former
President] Robert Kocharyan. Ter-Petrosyan also spoke in detail about
the issue of suspending the rallies and answered numerous questions of
the party’s activists. In particular, speaking about a debate on the
Karabakh settlement to be held at the Karen Demirchyan complex, which
has been called by Sargsyan, the first president said that everyone
understands that this is "an emptiest thing, some mixed meeting" where
there is nothing to discuss. The reason for convening this discussion,
according to Ter-Petrosyan, is that Sargsyan wants to have something
to show to the world. Ter-Petrosyan said that Sargsyan wants to create
an impression for the world that the Armenian government has started
a dialogue with the opposition, and thus everything is good.

Ter-Petrosyan said that Sargsyan wants to ward off dangers present
in the requirements of resolutions of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe’s [PACE]. Thus, Sargsyan is trying to avoid
critical issues raised in the PACE resolutions. Ter-Petrosyan said
this circumstance is dangerous, but added that he does not impose
his opinion on the leaders of the ANC member-parties and that they
are free to decide on their own whether they want to take part in
the discussions called by Sargsyan. Ter-Petrosyan said that the ANC
member-parties will assess the existing situation correctly and will
make a correct decision.

PS. It was reported late last night that all ANC member-parties turned
down Sargsyan’s offer. In fact, Sargsyan will discuss the Karabakh
issue with coalition parties and small puppet parties. Maybe only
representatives of the [opposition] Heritage Party, who said yesterday
[19 November] that they would take part in the discussion, will voice
different positions.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT SOUNDED ANTI-CRISIS PROGRAMME TO CONTRADICT WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS AFFECT

ArmInfo
2008-11-20 15:11:00

ArmInfo. Today Armenian government sounded the anti-crisis programme
to contradict world economic crisis affect.

As Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan said at the sitting of
the government, in general more than $300 mln will be directed for
this purpose.

This sum is for development of small and medium-sized business in the
republic, which will make it possible to create new job places and to
activate economy of the country. He also added about $50 mln (17 bln
AMD) will be given by the government and $250 mln by the World Bank.

Sarkisyan said that the state means will be allocated to the
German-Armenian Fund of shall and medium-sized business crediting,
which has been successfully functioning for 8 years on the basis of
agreement between Armenia and Germany. The state guarantee credits
are given by the German KfW bank, specialists of which assessed
the programme in Armenia as one of the best among 23 countries. The
sums to the real sector of economy will be directed via the banking
system of Armenia, which, as the premier said, "not only successfully
contradicts the world financial crisis, but also shows quite good
indices". He also added that at present the summaryincome of the
Armenian banking system amounted to about 20 bln AMD. The level of
the capital adequacy amounted to 27% against normative 12%. This
means the banks have the needed level of capital. Liquidity level
is 95%, which also accedes the normative, he said and assured that
the anti-crisis programme will be effective in case of stable work
of the banking system and new financial resources will significantly
activate economic life of the country.

Prime Minister also said they have preliminary arranged to get $250
mln credit over the visit of Armenian governmental delegation to
Washington. He hopes the first tranche $50 mln will received during
the first quarter 2009. The credits will be used to mellow the world
crisis affect at the mining industry of the republic, which has
already suffered because of metal world prices falling.

The government has also made alterations and amendments to the law
On state debt, according to which all the limitations to give state
guarantees to the companies within the frames of the given programme
will be canceled, Sarkisyan said. He also added that all these
tools will make it possible to raise resistance of economy. Special
commission set up by the decision of Armenian premier will observe
business-projects within the frames of the anti-crisis programme.

800 MANUSCRIPTS DIGITALIZED

Panorama.am
20:34 19/11/2008

800 manuscripts of Matenadaran are already digitalized, said
Gurgen Gasparyan, the adviser of the director of Matenadaran to
Panorama.am. The mission of digitalizing the manuscripts is to protect
and propagandize our national values, and when they become available
in internet Armenian cultural values would be well advertised.

During this year 600 manuscripts have been digitalized.

According to Gasparyan, the scientific research becomes more simplified
when the materials are digitalized, catalogues of national values will
be created, hence the world will get introduced to our national values.

MEMBER OF "MIATSUM" INITIATIVE: "SERZH SARGSYAN HAS INSTRUCTED KARABAKH TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM 5 OCCUPIED REGIONS AND THEN CEDE KELBAJAR TO AZERBAIJAN"

Today.Az
s/politics/49104.html
Nov 19 2008
Azerbaijan

"The Armenian powers, having no serious pressure either from the
side of Russia or the West, want to settle the Karabakh issue by
themselves", said member of the Miatsum initiative Alexander Kananyan
at a press conference.

He informed about the exclusive details of the recent visit of Serzh
Sargsyan to Karabakh, noting that they got this information from
reliable sources.

Kananyan said that in fact during the visit the president met with the
Karabakh leadership and main force structures and informed them about
the settlement variant with a "tone, impatient of any contradictions".

According to Kananyan, the Armenian President told the leadership of
the self-declared Karabakh that they must withdraw the troops from 5
"liberated" regions and then there will be held a referendum within
two years and the Kelbajar region will be ceded to Azerbaijan.

The representative of the Miatsum initiative also announced that
by the help of the chairmen of the communities and policemen,
Sargsyan’s statement is presented to public for its preparation,
yet the preliminary panic among the Karabakh people may grow into a
general rage.

Alexander Kananyan noted that the Karabakh people will make any powers
of Armenia take into account the issue of its security.