Author: Harutyunian Christine

USAID, EBRD TO PROVIDE $1.64MLN TO ARMENIA FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 16 2007

YEREVAN, July 16. /ARKA/. U.S. Agency for International Development,
USAID, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD, is
to allocate $1.64mln for small- and mid-scale business in Armenia under
Business Advisory Services Programme in Armenia – BAS for 2007 to 2010.

The agreement was signed Monday in Yerevan. Carolin Bryant, the
program adviser, said USAID will provide 74% and EBRD $0.5mln of the
mentioned amount.

She said that the program targets small and medium enterprises in
Armenia’s remote areas. This large program includes 235 consultative
and 10 to 15 qualification-upgrading programs.

The Program is expected to ensure 10% of the companies’ turnover –
about $50000 to 70000.

Bryant also said that the number of jobs are planned to grow 20%
and productivity will rise 10 to 15%.

Besides, it is planned to introduce up-to-market-economy administration
methods, enhance safety and reduce environment pollution.

U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affairs Rudolf Perina said after the agreement
signing ceremony that the EBRD cooperation with USAID in Armenia,
Ukraine and Kazakhstan has a long-year record. He said that EBRD
attaches great importance to private sector development and that
stable economic growth is needed for this development.

Perina said that small and medium enterprises constitute a great part
of the U.S. economy – 70%.

In his opinion, this area is very important and promising also for
Armenia and will contribute to poverty reduction and new jobs creation.

Business Advisory Services Programme in Armenia – BAS, financed by
European Union, EBRD ETC Fund and Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA) is an initiative aimed at small and medium enterprises
development in Armenia.

The first BAS program was implemented in May 2003.

The program includes consulting services for small and medium
enterprises in marketing, accounting, reconstruction and restructuring
areas as well as ISO standards introduction and investment attraction.

Armenia joined EBRD on December 7, 1992 with $10 million. Today
investment portfolio of EBRD in Armenia on more than 40 programs
totals EUR 120mln. Financing portfolio enlarged to the record amount –
EUR 40mln on 12 projects in 2006.

KHACHIK ASRIAN IS APPOINTED DEPUTY OF RA MINISTER OF SPORTS AND YOUTH AFFAIRS

Noyan Tapan
Jul 17 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the decision of Serge
Sargsian, the RA Prime Minister, made on July 14, Khachik Asrian was
appointed Deputy of the RA Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs. This
information was provided to Noyan Tapan by the Information and Public
Relations’ Department of the RA government.

Khachik Asrian was born in Goris on February 13, 1970. He studied
in the "Syunik" institute, where he received a legal profession from
1991 to 1995.

At present he is studying in the history faculty of the State
University of Goris on a correspondence course.

>From 1991 to 1994 he took part in the defence of the RA borders
and from 1996 to 1997 he worked in the regional police station
of Syunik. He has been the Chairman of the "Syunyats Artsivner"
( "Syunik Eagles") Armenian organization since 2002 and has been
working as a principle specialist in the regional center of the State
Non-Commercial Organization of Syunik, which is called "Center for
organizing youth activities", and is a part of the RA Ministry of
Culture and Youth Affairs since 2006.

He is married, has two children and is a member of the RPA faction.

BILL ON "ORGANIZATION OF OUTGOING JOBS" ENVISAGES LICENSING OF ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN THESE ACTIVITIES

Noyan Tapan
Jul 16, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The main principles of the state policy
in the sphere of outgoing jobs and the development of the strategy of
their organization are clarified in the additionally developed version
of the RA draft law on "Organization of outgoing jobs". According
to the information provided to a Noyan Tapan correspondent by
Irina Davtian, the Chief of the Department for Migration Policy of
Management of Migration of the RA Territorial Administration, the
bill has already been submitted for the RA Government’s consideration.

It was also mentioned that the bill is directed at defending the
rights of all those, who are leaving to do outgoing jobs. For
this purpose, the issue of having a licence for the organizations,
which are engaged in organizing outgoing jobs, has been paid a great
attention. According to the RA Law on "Licensing", no licensing is
envisaged for organizations, which are engaged in the organization of
outgoing jobs and employment. However, according to Irina Davtian,
the participation of a private sector in organizing outgoing jobs
demands application of such measures, with the help of which the state
will be able to control and conduct monitoring over their activities.

ALMOST NONE OF SEWERAGE STATIONS OPERATES IN ARMENIA AT PRESENT

Noyan Tapan
Jul 16 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Almost none of over 20 sewerage stations
operates in Armenia at present. Only Aeratsia out of them operates,
but only by 20% of its capacity. Marina Vardanian, the head of the
programs of the Economic Development Office of the USAID, said at the
seminar under the title "Media and Water Sphere" held on July 11-12
in Tsakhkadzor. In her words, no monitoring of underground waters
has been implemented over the past 14 years in Armenia.

M. Vardanian said that though there is some progress in the respect of
law in the water sphere, in particular, a number of laws regulating
the sphere have been adopted, nevertheless, use of these laws is
considered as the primary task. In her words, ensuring of Yerevan’s
24-hour water supply, as well as water supply of nearly 600 rural
communities of Armenia are also very important issues. By the way,
no investment program is implemented in these communities at present.

EARTHQUAKE WHICH HAPPENED IN IRAN FELT ALSO IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Jul 11 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. An earthquake of 5.1 magnitude
happened in the border zone of Azerbaijan and Iran, 45 kilometers
to the north-west of the city of Ardebil in Iran at 11:52 local
time on July 11. The might of this earthquake measured 7 in the
epicentral zone. According to the message of the National Service of
the RA Seismic Protection, the earthquake was felt in Goris, Kapan,
and Kajaran.

KARABAGH PRECEDENT

De Facto
12 July 07

Presidential elections will be held in the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic
July 19. The population of this unrecognized state will choose
its leader via a nation-wide vote for the forth time. According to
the political scientists’ forecasting, the forthcoming elections
will be accompanied by keen struggle. 5 nominees will enter into a
pre-election skirmish.

According to the data of NKR Central Electoral Commission, Bako
Sahakian, the Director of National Security Service, Masis Mailian,
Deputy Foreign Minister, Armen Abgarian, a deputy of the National
Assembly, Hrant Melkoumian, Karabagh communists’ leader, and Vania
Avanesian, professor, a lecturer of Artsakh State University, will
be brought into action. The observers believe Bako Sahakian and Masis
Mailian will enter the main struggle. A 47-year-old Bako Sahakian is
supported by all political forces represented at the Parliament: "The
Democratic Party of Artsakh", "Free Motherland", ARF Dashnaktsutyun
of Artsakh and Movement-88 (the last two parties represent local
opposition). A joint statement has been signed with regard to their
cooperation. In other words, the NSS Director is a common nominee
of the main political forces in the Nagorno-Karabagh. Besides,
according to "Azat Artsakh" newspaper, his candidature is supported
by the Republic’s current President Arkady Ghoukassian; Armenian
authorities also treat him loyally. It should be noted that President
Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Serge Sargsian have known him
since Soviet times. They cooperated during Karabagh war as well.

As for a 41-year-old Masis Mailian, the newspaper says he also
represents official structures; however, his candidature is
supported only by a part of opposition and opposition mass media,
as well as a number of NGOs connected with Western non-governmental
structures. Thinking that the nominees have different weight classes,
most of Armenian experts are of the opinion that the chief of Karabagh
security is the most likely contender for the presidency. Access to
administrative resource or friendship with local and Yerevan political
"heavy-weights" is not the point. To all appearances, the population
will be on the side of Sahakian, who embodies continuity of quite
efficient home and foreign policy of the Republic’s current leadership,
and will not support oppositionist Mailian, who is ambitious, according
to the newspaper, though not quite intelligible.

Besides, the fact that the latter relies on pro-Western non
governmental organizations will hardly be comprehended by Karabagh
people, since most of them have pro-Russian sentiments. According to
the results of a sociological poll held by "Open Society" organization
and Unity youth cultural-sport society not long ago, answering a
question "which course should be adopted by a President: pro-European,
pro-Russian or pro-American, and should he pursue complementary,
neutral or other policy?" 109 respondents of 300 chose pro-Russian
orientation, 61 were for European integration, 60 spoke up for
complementary policy, while 29 preferred neutral way of development.

However, local experts believe the democratic precedent the forthcoming
elections may create for the unrecognized states on the territory of
the former USSR will be their "spirit".

As it is known, NKR current President Arkady Ghoukassian, who was
elected in 1997 and 2002, does not run for president. According to a
law, which was in force until recently, one did not have the right
to be a President after serving two terms in succession. However,
last December NKR Constitution was adopted in the Republic for the
first time, and from the viewpoint of jurisdiction, Ghoukassian had
a possibility to run for a third term.

However, the Karabagh leader did not do it, creating the very
precedent, which may become a distinctive example of "moderation" for
the leaders of other states on the post Soviet territory. Ghoukassian
explained his position the following way: "we should create traditions,
the most important of which is a civilized passing of power…

The country’s image and authority is the point for me". Well,
a fifty-year-old Arkady Ghoukassian’s free-will resignation will
really improve the image of Nagorno-Karabagh and will testify to
official Stepanakert’s desire to develop democratic traditions in
internal political life of the Republic.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS MEET ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 10 2007

The co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier (France),
Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and Personal Representative of OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk, mediators in the settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are negotiating with Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan in Paris, Russian Foreign Ministry’s group
on Nagorno Karabakh told the APA.

This is the first meeting of the mediators with the conflicting parties
after the negotiations of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham
Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in St. Petersburg on June 9.

Analogous negotiations with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov are not planned yet.

Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Khazar Ibrahim told the APA that
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister is on leave at present.

ARMENIAN GAMES CROWN NEW CHAMPS
By Gabriel Rizk

Glendale News Press, CA
July 9 2007

Basketball: Prized men’s and women’s basketball titles change hands
before a packed house.

GLENDALE – With a capacity crowd inside the Birmingham High gymnasium
Saturday night, and even more being turned away at the door, the
men’s and women’s A-Division basketball championships of the 32nd
annual Homenetmen Navasartian Games produced a pair of new champions
following two exciting games.

On the men’s side, defending champion Glendale Ararat was unseated,
losing to Los Angeles Homenetmen, 41-40.

"I thought the pressure was on [Ararat], because the last three years
they have only lost one game and last year they beat us," said Glendale
High graduate Jerry Armen, who competed for L.A. Homenetmen.

"[Saturday night] showed who was the better team."

Ararat Coach Fred Babadjanians — who formerly coached the Glendale
High boys’ basketball team — didn’t agree with Armen’s statement
that the better team won.

"It’s one shot here or one bad call there, and that changes everything
in the game," Babadjanians said.

The thrilling finale came down to a final shot.

With 11 seconds left, Ararat had possession and a chance to win the
game, but Hoover High and Cal Lutheran graduate Zareh Avedian’s shot
inside the three-point line missed short at the buzzer.

"We got pretty close to the shot we wanted to take," said Babadjanians,
who’ll guide the same Ararat team — which will also include Hoover
High’s Zareh Zargaryan — in this year’s bi-annual Pan-Armenian Games
in Yerevan, Armenia in August. "[Avedian] got a pretty good look at
it. If that shot falls, it’s a different celebration."

Armen’s L.A. Homenetmen women’s squad, defending champion and winner
of eight of the past nine A-Division titles, did not fare quite as
well as his men’s team.

With many of the veterans of those title runs missing from this
year’s team because of personal reasons, L.A. Homenetmen was stopped
by Massis on Saturday.

"We couldn’t finish what we started," said Armen, who led his team
into the championship after assuming coaching duties following the
team’s 0-3 start to the tournament. "If I spent more time practicing
with these [new] girls, I think we would have done a lot more and
shown a lot more consistency in the final game.

"So little time, so little personnel."

– Edgar Melik-Stepanyan contributed to this story.

ASHES OF ALEK AND MARY MANOUKIANS TO BE BROUGHT TO ARMENIA
By Marieta Makarian

AZG Armenian Daily
10/07/2007

On July 13, the ashes of Alec And Mary Manoukians will be brought
to Armenia to be reburied in St. Echmiadzin. Alek Manoukian is the
national hero of the Republic of Armenia and AGBU Life Chairman. At
present, they are buried in Detroit, in the USA. The Press Service
of St. Echmiadzin informed about this.

On July 17, the prominent Armenians will be buried in front of the
treasury that was built by their benevolence. High ranked state
officials, various guests, spiritual leaders and the children of
Alec and Mary Manoukians will be present at the funeral. Before the
funeral, the bodies of Alec and Mary Manoukians will be placed at
the St. Gayane church.

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENIAN FORESTS NGO
38 Moskovian str., apt 10
Yerevan 02, Armenia
Contact: Mher Sharoyan,, Public Relations Officer
Phone: (374 10) 54-15-29, 58-20-39
Fax: (374 10) 58-20-39
E-mail: [email protected]

EcoArmenia

NEWS RELEASE

WHO PROFITS FROM DEFORESTATION?

YEREVAN, Armenia – 27 June, 2007 – Today a new alliance released an
unprecedented economic study that unveils the system of profits from
illegal deforestation in Armenia. The event held at Yerevan’s American
University of Armenia was initiated by EcoArmenia alliance with support
from the British Embassy in Armenia and OSCE office in Yerevan.

Armenia is one of the world’s 70 countries where forests cover less
than 10% of the country’s area. In today’s Armenia deforestation is
largely due to illegal logging of forests for obtaining construction and
fuel wood. For the last decade the amount of incomes received from
illegal wood businesses inside Armenia as well as export of unprocessed
wood and wood products reaches millions of US dollars in Armenia.

As the deforestation in Armenia has reached a critical level, the
issue is a priority for local environmental groups and international
organizations. Four organizations–WWF Armenia, American University of
Armenia’s Environmental Conservation Research Center, Armenia Tree
Project Charitable Foundation and Armenian Forests NGO-formed the
EcoArmenia alliance in 2006 to help shift Armenia from a mode of
deforestation to reforestation. In winter 2007, with the involvement of
OSCE Armenia office and financial support of the British Embassy in
Armenia, the coalition initiated and financed a preparation of an
unprecedented study that would unveil the economics of illegal wood
businesses in Armenia.

The study called "The economics of Armenia’s forest industry",
prepared by Economy and Values Research Center, exposes the financial
flows in the sphere of unprocessed wood utilization and wood processing
industries, the volumes of export of unprocessed wood and wood products,
pinpointing the existing environmental issues and presenting some
economic recommendations towards solving the deforestation problem in
Armenia.

"This unique report helps bring light to one of the darkest areas of
Armenia’s economy," stated Jeffrey Tufenkian, President of Armenian
Forests NGO. "We see this not as an end in itself, but an excellent
point from which we can all move forward to help shift Armenia from a
mode of deforestation to reforestation".

Underlining the stance of international organizations towards the
problem, Jeanette Klotzer, Economic and Environmental Officer at OSCE
Office in Yerevan said "To support Armenia’s authorities and civil
society in sustainable forest management is in the focus of our
activities in view of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to environment
and security. Raising awareness and national capacity building are
important steps on the way to prevent illegal logging and to restore
Armenia’s forests as an environmental and economic category."

A staunch supporter of stopping deforestation in Armenia, the British
Embassy, expressed its full support for the study by co-financing it.
Quoted on the decision to support the initiative, Richard Hyde, Charge
d’Affairs of the British embassy in Armenia stressed that "The future of
Armenia’s forests are at a critical juncture. We hope this study will
help in the process to save Armenia’s forests for current and future
generations."

The study shows that 9% of households in Armenia use wood as fuel for
cooking and heating, and more than 300 small, medium and large wood
processing companies operating in Armenia utilize 10 times more wood
than the volumes set by the state for annual cutting. Overall annual
income from wood business operations equals 132 million USD within
Armenia, including the profits received from the export of unprocessed
high quality wood.

The study recommends addressing the problem of deforestation on
economic by expanding natural gas supply to remote villages via
micro-credits, exempting of taxes for importing wood to Armenia, ban on
export of unprocessed wood from Armenia, supporting alternative energy
resources and developing eco-tourism.

To obtain an electronic version of the summary findings or full report
in Armenian or English please contact Mher Sharoyan at (374 10) 54-15-29
or write to [email protected].

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