Author: Hambardsumian Paul

16.954 BLN. AMD BUDGET SURPLUS RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN JAN-MAY 2008

ARKA
June 28

In January-May 2008, a 16,954.6 bln AMD budget surplus was recorded
in Armenia – 1.7% of GDP. The RA Statistical Service reports that a
7,243.5mln AMD budget surplus was recorded due to the funds received
under goal-oriented programs sponsored by international organizations
and foreign states.

In January-May 2008, Armenia’s budget revenues totaled 282,224.1mln
AMD, their share in Armenia’s GDP being 28.7%. Armenia’s on-budget
expenditures totaled 265,269.5mln AMD or 274,980.6mln AMD (with funds
received under goal-oriented programs sponsored by international
organizations and foreign states). The share of on-budget expenditures
in Armenia’s GDP reached 27%.

The RA Parliament approved Armenia’s state budget on November 28, 2007.

Armenia’s budgeted revenues are 746bln AMD, budgeted expenditures
822bln AMD, and budgeted deficit 76bln AMD.

Usa Hinders Negotiation Process On Karabakh Problem, Sergey Shakarian Says

NOYAN TAPAN

JU NE 30

During the negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict, the OSCE
Minks Group co-chairs are engaged in the presentation of interests of
their own countries, political scientist Sergey Shakarian expressed
an opinion at the June 30 press conference. According to him, it is
especially the U.S. that hinders the normal process of negotiations
today, as resolution of the South Caucasian conflicts is not to
its advantage. "In general, all superpowers need the existence of
conflicts," S. Shakarian noted, adding that the U.S. needs an unstable
sitiation in the region in order to weaken Iran’s positions.

Speaking about the posture of the U.S. co-chair Matthew Bryza, the
political scientist said that M. Bryza "is trying intentionally to
distort the opinions of both Armenian and Azerbaijani societies". As
regards the French co-chair Bernard Fassier, according to S. Shakarian,
it was quite unexpected to him that B. Fassier attended a military
parade in Azerbaijan, during which the the country’s president made
bellicose statements. "All the co-chairs can be accused of at least
inconsistency," S. Shakarian stated.

By his forecast, one should not expect any serious results from the
negotiation process by late 2008, as presidential elections will be
held in Azerbaijan, while "the Bush administration is unable to go
down in history as a conflict-resolving administration". In the words
of the political scientist, the possibility of the Karabakh problem’s
solution will increase when someone else replaces George Bush.

CYPRUS PRESIDENT WARNS AGAINST TURKEY’S INTERFERENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.06.2008 13:36 GMT+04:00

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias has issued a warning to his
European counterparts over Turkish interference with his efforts,
together with the leader of the Turkish community Mehmet Ali Talat,
to achieve a historic reunification of the island country.

Christofias said his country could become a "paradise" and "a beautiful
bridge" between Europe and the Mediterranean, only if Ankara stops
interfering in his efforts to achieve solution with the Turkish
community on the island.

"If they leave us alone, we can find a solution soon," he said.

Christofias, in Brussels to participate in his second European Council
since his election last February, was speaking at a conference
organized by the European Policy Centre. "With my friend Talal we
speak Cypriot language, we can solve the problem," said Christofias,
adding: "Unfortunately, we are dependent on the will of Turkey."

Christofias explained that ever since a young politician, his political
tendency is to consider Turkish Cypriots not as Greek Cypriots’
enemies but their brothers and sisters.

"I have been fighting for equality of all Cypriots, regardless of
ethnicity and religion," he said, adding humorously that he is now
constantly asked why he bothers to fight for the properties of Greeks
in the Northern part, since Communists should not care about property.

Christofias described his vision, which he said is also the vision
of the Cypriots, Greeks and Turks, for reunification as a federal,
bi-zonal, bi-communal country. Instead, Turkey is pushing for a loose
confederation between two states and trying to upgrade the unrecognized
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" to the rank of state.

The President of Cyprus also called on Turkey to make a goodwill
gesture by withdrawing half of its troops stationed in the northern
part of the island, which he said stands at 43,000, EurActiv reports.

PRO-ARMENIAN SENATOR DELAYS US AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEE’S CONFIRMATION

Today’s Zaman
June 26 2008
Turkey

US Senator Barbara Boxer has secured a one-month delay in procedure
for confirmation by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the
administration’s nominee for US ambassador to Armenia, Armenian media
reports say.

Boxer, a Democrat, secured the delay in response to the State
Department’s delay in providing timely written responses to the
eight sets of written questions submitted to career diplomat Marie
Yovanovitch, current ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, by members of
the panel, influential Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Communications Director Elizabeth S. Chouldjian said, PanARMENIAN.Net
reported yesterday. Last week, during her confirmation hearing before
the Foreign Relations Committee, Yovanovitch responded to a salvo of
questions posed by Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, who blocked
the Bush administration’s previous nominee over his refusal to call
killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in the last century
"genocide," in line with the US administration’s policy.

Nevertheless, Yovanovitch rejected use of the term "genocide" to
describe the early 20th century deaths of Ottoman Armenians out of
political considerations, saying that using the term would contradict
the US administration’s policy on the issue.

Boxer released a written statement in which she criticized US policy
on the Armenian issue, especially taking into consideration the
fact that the administration has called killings in Darfur genocide,
but refused to do so in the Armenian case.

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY OF AZERBAIJAN DETAINS WANTED SWINDLER

Trend News Agency
June 25 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 25 June / corr. TrendNews E. Huseyinli/ The
48-year old Baku resident Meykhanim Mursalova Baba gizi, who was
engaged in fraud and cheated people by betraying their confidence,
has been detained, the Public Relations Office of the Ministry said
to TrendNews.

A case has been filed against Mursalova into fraud (Article 178 of the
Penal Code) in 2007, but she avoided investigation since then. The
Police Department of the Nasimi district of Baku has been trying to
detain her since then.

The investigation revealed that Mursalova got acquainted with
Huseyn Huseynov, resident of Kovlar village of Sabirabad region in
mid-2007. When she found out that Zaur Huseynov, brother of Huseyn
Huseynov has been missing since 1994 during fight for release of the
Azerbaijani territories occupied by the Armenians and she decided
to take advantage of it. Mursalova introduced herself as Mehriban
Mehtizade and won the sympathy of Huseynov and promised to help
him to find his missing brother. Later Mursalova got acquainted
with the other brother of Zaur Huseynov and his parents living in
Sabirabad region. Mursalova said them that Zaur Huseynov has been
taken hostage by the Armenians. She appropriated big sum of money by
cheating them and promising that she will help to release their son
from the Armenian captivity.

PACE INCLUDES ARMENIAN ISSUE IN AGENDA OF SUMMER SESSION

Interfax News Agency
June 24 2008
Russia

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Monday voted
unanimously to include the issue of Armenia’s compliance with PACE
Resolution 1609 into the agenda of its forthcoming session on June 25.

The vote was not objected by Armenia.

The PACE resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions in
Armenia was passed in connection with the March 1 riots in Yerevan that
followed the February 19 presidential election won by Serzh Sargsian.

It urged Armenia to launch an independent inquiry into the death of
ten people in clashes between rioters and police, guarantee freedom
of assembly, and release all political prisoners.

George Columbier, a co-reporter of the PACE Monitoring Commission,
demanded an immediate response on the issue of political prisoners
in Armenia, saying that only those who committed criminal offenses
should remain in custody.

Commenting on a proposal to strip the Armenian delegation of the
right to vote in the PACE, Columbier said that "sanctions will not
automatically free all prisoners."

The commission’s co-reporters visited Armenia on June 16-17 to assess

AZERI RULING PARTY PROTESTS US CONGRESSMEN OVER KARABAKH

Azeri Press Agency
June 24 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s ruling party has accused a group of US congressmen of
failing to give an "objective assessment" of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict during hearings on 19-20 June, APA news agency reported.

The New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) said in a protest letter that statements
by the congressmen Howard Berman, Joe Knollenberg, Brad Sherman, Adam
Schiff, Frank Pallone have "angered Azerbaijani society" as well as
the ruling party.

"We are sure that you and the congressmen who made these statements are
aware of the UN Security Council resolutions about the conflict," read
the letter carried by APA. "You know that 20 per cent of Azerbaijan’s
territory has been occupied as a result of the Armenian aggression,
and over 1m people have been displaced."

The NAP said that Armenia has excluded itself from all regional
projects by its ongoing occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

"If you protest any blockade, you should first protest Armenia. This
would be more correct and more logical," the letter read.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
24.06.2008 17:09

On June 30 the British Council, Eurasia Partnership Foundation,
United Nations Global Compact and American Chamber of Commerce are
organizing a seminar entitled Corporate Social Responsibility: a New
Role for Businesses. The seminar is being organized with additional
support from KPMG Armenia CJSC.

Nerses Yeritisyan, the Minister of Economy, will make opening
remarks. The seminar will be led by two experts from the United
Kingdom, Mallen Baker of Business Respect and Birgit Errath from
the International Business Leaders Forum. Mr. Baker is currently
responsible for developing BITC’s approach to marketplace issues. He
initiated the Business Impact Review Group – the group of 20 companies
who developed a common approach to CSR reporting. Mr. Baker is also
the editor of the email newsletter on CSR ‘Business Respect’ and
a regular columnist with Ethical Corporation. Ms. Errath leads the
UN Global Compact’s program to support implementation of the 10th
principle against corruption and coordinates Global Compact network
activities in South-East Asia. She has a degree in international
business administration and specialization on financial markets and
ran privatization projects for governments and companies in Central
and Eastern Europe at Raiffeisen Investment Bank.

The experts will lead similar events in Tbilisi on July 2 and Baku
on July 4, 2008. The seminar, with around 100 participants from 50
companies (from sectors such as banking, airlines, telecommunications,
hotels and so on) will tell local business executives and marketing
managers why and how their companies stand to gain from community work.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a broad topic of ethical
business practices and corporate citizenship, which has gaining
increasing importance around the world. The United Kingdom has a well
developed business community which gives a high degree of priority to
this area, while in Armenia relatively little is known about CSR. The
growth of CSR in Armenia will develop partnerships between the private
and the non-profit sectors, further strengthening Armenia’s move
towards European integration.

YOUNG ARMENIAN ACTIVISTS TO INTERN FOR ANCA

DeFacto Agency
June 24 2008
Armenia

After last week’s excitement of House and Senate hearings, Armenian
National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA-ER) Leo Sarkisian
Interns, Nieri Avanessian and Zori Eurdekian, reflect on their new
experiences and first week in Washington, DC.

To note, Nieri Avanessian is a Michigan native who completed her
freshman year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor as an English &
political science major. "We are excited, confident, and honored that
Nieri and Zori will experience working to help advance the Armenian
cause by interning for the ANCA this summer. Both activists exhibit
strong skills in the political arena and have shown vast commitment
to their Armenian heritage," commented ANCA ER Executive Director
Karine Birazian.

After being accepted to the internship, Avanessian stated: "I applied
to this internship program to gain a more intimate knowledge of the
American government and the way that lobbying groups affect it. I
really hope to make a big difference in the Armenian cause and
I think that by working in Washington, D.C. with the ANCA, I can
accomplish that."

Following her first week, in her weekly journal, she reflected,
"Being involved in Hai Tahd is great no matter where you are, but
when you’re in Washington, DC, in the thick of it all, it is just
that much more personal and close to your heart."

Along with helping with day-to-day office activities, Avanessian
will be researching U.S. aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and the
Millennium Challenge Account. Having an opportunity to already hear
from Ara Hovsepian the CEO of the Millennium Challenge

Account-Armenia, Avanessian is enthusiastic about working on this
project.

In his turn, Zori Eurdekian, born and raised in New York, is currently
a junior at Babson College. In his personal statement in applying for
the internship program, Eurdekian stated, "As Armenian Americans, we
should be proactive by working within the American political system. I
am hoping the ANCA summer internship program will help give me the
tools and the knowledge to work within the system and introduce me
to the ways of how policies are shaped and influenced. I am also
hoping to meet other American Armenians from different regions of
the country to establish a network of lifelong friends with common
goals and ambitions."

Eurdekian will be working with the ANCA staff in helping to send
out and collect ANCA 2008 Questionnaires for the upcoming House and
Senate races.

It should be added that now in its 24th year, the ANCA LSI Program
provides student leaders and activists an opportunity to participate in
an intensive 8-week program designed to give them the tools necessary
to effectively advance issues of concern to the Armenian American
community on the federal, state, and local level. The LSI Program
is a competitive and prestigious internship program, and is widely
considered to be the best program of its kind for Armenian American
college students.

COMPETITION ON BEST COVERAGE OF WATER SECTOR ANNOUNCED IN ARMENIA

ARKA
June 23

Armenia has announced a competition for the best media coverage of
water sector. The organizers are the RA Government Services Inc’s
Program of Institutional and Regulatory Strengthening of Water
Management in Armenia and USAID.

The aim of the competition is to develop mass media cooperation with
water suppliers and to raise public awareness of national and regional
problems in the water sector.

Journalists under 35, who work in water management and environment
systems, can participate in the competition.

The main topics of the contest are water management, water pollution,
water supply, water resources conservation and public activities in
the sector.

The essays and TV reports submitted to the competition must be
published and broadcast from May 2007 to May 2008.

Materials prepared specially for the competition will not be
accepted. The winners will have an opportunity to participate in
any international conference on environmental protection and water
management. USAID will cover all the expenses. The deadline for the
registration is June 30.

Applicants must send their materials by e-mail.