Author: Jagharian Tania

Mediamax, Armenia
Nov 27 2008

Most Armenians support president, establishing ties with Turkey – poll

Yerevan, 27 November: The results of a survey on political moods in
Armenia carried out by the Eastern-European branch of the Gallup and
commissioned by Armenian Public TV were presented in Yerevan today.

Armen Arzumanyan, the executive director of Public TV, said that the
survey was aimed at increasing the efficiency of communications
between Public TV and its audience. The poll was conducted between
late October and mid November in all regions of Armenia where 2000
adult citizens were polled. The poll results showed that 44.4. per
cent of the respondents support Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan;
18.58 per cent support former president and the leader of opposition
Armenian National Congress Levon Ter-Petrosyan; 57 per cent approved
of the authorities; 43 per cent expressed a negative opinion.

Presenting the analytical part of the poll, the authors noted that the
Armenian population does not link the solution of socio-economic
problems to the political parties, which, according to the poll
results, do not fight the country’s problems; instead, they fights
against each other.

The poll demonstrated a positive attitude of the population towards
the activity of the prime minister and the cabinet of Armenia; in
particular, in the sphere of reforms in tax administration and works
directed at restoring the disaster zone.

The section of Gallup poll on the normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations showed that a majority (47.3 per cent) of the polled favours
establishing diplomatic relations, but with caution, and 26 per cent
definitely spoke for the establishment of relations; 18 per cent
opposed to establishing relations unless Turkey recognizes the
Armenian genocide. Sixty per cent said that Turkey will become a good
economic partner for Armenia, with 33 per cent saying it would make a
political partner.

AZERI PRESIDENT ACTUALLY DENOUNCED MOSCOW DECLARATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.11.2008 15:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani President’s statement that the Moscow
declaration doesn’t guarantee against a new fact is actually
denunciation of the document signed by the leaders of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Russia, according an NKR political scientist.

"In an interview with RAI International Italian language channel,
Ilham Aliyev stated that the declaration "doesn’t contain a provision
reading that Azerbaijan obliges to refrain from a military resolution
of the conflict and therefore, any kind of measures, including use
of force and admissible." Commitment to a peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict was the most important aspect of the declaration but,
with this statement, Azerbaijan made the positivism of the declaration
null and void," David Babayan told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Under the circumstances the talk about confidence-building measures
makes no sense. Moreover, Aliyev interprets the international documents
and principles in favor of Azerbaijan only. Meanwhile, the Budapest
summit confirmed the format recognizing Nagorno Karaabkh as a party
to conflict, with Azerbaijan’s consent. As to UN resolutions, they
are non-binding but they also recognize Karabakh as a side. "Local
Armenian forces" wording can serve as a proof," Babayan said.

"Within a month, Azerbaijan returned to its usual policy of
threats. This is not surprising. Azerbaijan’s principle is ‘all or
nothing’. The process of formation of the Azeri nation has not been
completed yet and the leadership fears of a chain reaction among
Avar, Talysh and Lezgin peoples. The Azerbaijani leadership needs
Karabakh without Armenians and hopes to address the other fronts of
ethno-political confrontation," the expert said.

"JERMUK GROUP" NOT INFORMED?

Panorama.am
conomy/2008/11/21/jermuk/?sw
15:03 24/11/2008

Panorama.am has covered in its previous articles that after
"Bjni" left the customer market the purchase amount of "Jermuk"
has been significantly increased, although the official figures of
its production remained the same. Besides, the doubtful quality of
"Jermuk" has become much spoken by the public.

Before "Bjni" was leading the market, but currently, according to
surveys, "Jermuk" has occupied the market. According to the experts
we deal with the shadow circulation of mineral water.

Maria Arsenyan, the head of staff of "Jermuk Group" company told
Panorama.am reporter that they have not added any amount in the
market. Nara Manukyan, category manager of "SAS" supermarkets refused
to present figures but said that "Jermuk" is much demanded in recent
period.

In "Yeritsyan" supermarkets the situation is similar as the purchase
of "Jermuk" has been increased. Karen Soghomonyan the director of
"Yerevan City" supermarkets net said that "Jermuk" is sold in the
supermarket by 10% more than earlier.

Panorama.am did not manage to find out from the Ministry of Nature
Protection whether the company applied to increase the amount of
their production.

WHO WILL HAMMARBERG RATTLE THE SABRE ON?
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
25 Nov 08
Armenia

After the regional visit of the Minsk Group Co-Chairmen, when the
fairy-tale about the "settlement" of Karabakh issue blew up and
it became evident that the "settlement is only starting" the local
neo-Bolsheviks were shocked.

So providence gave another chance to the radicals, a gift of the
destiny, in the person of the PACE Human Rights Commissioner Thomas
Hammarberg, who finally visited our country after a long absence,
for "democratic study-tour". As a rule he intimidated us promising
to make a "strictly criticizing" report regarding the process of the
implementation of resolutions 1608 and 1620.

He even hurried to record that if our authorities continue like this,
that is to say if they don’t release the provokers and the organizers
of March 1 developments, the Assembly will deprive Armenia of the
right to vote, based on his authoritative opinion.

The activists having failed in Karabakh front have thoroughly prepared
for Hammarberg’s visit.

LTP’s Spokesman Levon Zurabyan immediately took off the advocacy "bomb"
regarding the sniper shooting, from his archives, in the number of
other shootings on the "peaceful demonstrators" on March 1.

Ex Military Prosecutor Gagik Jhangiryan and Jirayr Sefilyan in their
turn created a corresponding propaganda background, showering the
press belonging to Armenian Pan National Movement with terrorizing
stories regarding various snipers, which opened fire and killed lots of
"peaceful demonstrators".

And finally the "political prisoners" uttered their manly word, by
starting a hunger strike, specially adapted to Hammarberg’s visit and
they refused to receive the Human Rights Commissioner, as a sign of
a protest against the Council of Europe that doesn’t employ political
punishments towards us.

In addition they organized a high level reception in honor of the
European official and in "Vardashen" penitentiary received him with
ironic screams and ovations addressed to the "impartial, honest and
fair" Hammarberg.

And after all this can you imagine how happy the Commissioner was,
when in contrast to the wrathful announcement of "28" two of the
"political prisoners" Sirun Sirunyan and Shant Harutyunyan generously
agreed to receive him and over again represent the "stance" of the
radicals regarding March 1 developments. Saying that "the case is
totally political, and far not criminal" and that they are detained
only because they "support Levon Ter-Petrosyan".

As regards the barricades in the center of the city, the brutal actions
towards the police, firings and the robbery, regarding which Alik
Arzumanyan re ported to the boss that "everything is ok", "everything
is under full control", they were simply childish games, no more.

Of course this time as well Hammarberg took the stories of the
neo-Bolsheviks at face value and during his brief press conference on
Saturday he expressed "deep concern" regarding the condition of the
"detained political figures", not opening the brackets.

Moreover he even hurried to give assessments to the inquest on
the case of "March 1" and the court procedure, announcing, "The
preparation of the cases was not implemented professionally". But
to what extent does this comply with the functions of the Human
Rights Commissioner? This isn’t important. The most important thing
is that Hammerberg completely satisfied the hopes of the radicals
"objectively and honestly" repeating what these people say: "there
is no proof that it was an attempt of overthrow".

It’s not worth mentioning how they would act in Hammerberg’s capital
city, have some radicals tried to turn the center of the city into a
military front. As we know they don’t like formalities in Europe and
the USA. It is only in Armenia that you can show armed resistance to
the law enforcers and gain the back up of the European structures. In
Armenia they call it "self defense" and the law enforcers must give an
an swer and bear criminal liability because they dared to hinder the
actions of the neo-Bolsheviks to stop the march of the revolutionaries
to the presidential residence.

So we will not be surprised if Hammarberg keeps his promise and makes a
"strictly critical" and "fair" speech in PACE and the parliamentarians
decide to use sanctions against us, to freeze the competencies of
our delegation. But one thing is interesting on whose ears will
the neo-Bolsheviks sit, complaining against the violence towards
"democracy".

Who will Hammarberg rattle the sabre on?

Azerbaijan – that shows the Europeans and the Americans their place,
the moment they dare to criticize the state of democracy and the
hopeless state of the human rights in Azerbaijan?

Turkey – where people are detained only for using the word "Genocide"?

Or the West’s for-post Georgia, which is awarded for the failed
attempt of conducting ethnic cleansing in South Osatia, promising
billion dollars’ investments to annihilate the consequences of the
war initiated by themselves.

Interfax, Russia
Nov 22 2008

Protest Action Against Concessions in Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement
Takes Place Near Armenian Fm
Friday, November 21, 2008 7:58 PM

(Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow – English)YEREVAN. Nov 21
(Interfax) – The Miatsum public organization staged a protest action
against territorial concessions in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement in
front of the Armenian Foreign Ministry in Yerevan on Friday.

Miatsum activists demanded "to stop speculating on the issue of the
liberated territories" and "make the maximum effort to settle these
territories."

"Ceding the liberated territories is a very dangerous process, which
will completely ruin the established system of geopolitical security
and defense in the country," Zhirair Sefilian, a Miatsum activist,
said.

"The liberated territories are an integral part of our Motherland, and
any retreat from its borders is treachery," he said.

Protesters passed a letter to Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, in which they noted that "the concession of the liberated
territories is a crime against the Armenian sovereignty."

According to Zarui Postanjian, an MP from the opposition Legacy
faction, who witnessed the action, it "was ended under the pressure of
police" who were deployed to the scene.

ARMENIAN GDP GROWS BY 9.2% IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2008 ON SAME PERIOD OF 2007

Noyan Tapan

Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian GDP grew by 9.2% in
January-October 2008 on the same period of last year and made 3
trillion 10 billion 472.9 million drams (more than 8 bln 842.6 mln
USD). The GDP index-deflator made 110.8%.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, the industrial
production grew by 4% to 639 bln 445.2 mln drams in January-October
2008 on the same months of 2007.

The gross agricultural output increased by 1.8% to 576 bln 601.4 mln
drams, construction by 6.9% to 685 bln 105.5 mln drams, retail trade
by 7.9% to 793 bln 383.8 mln drams, and services by 13.3% to 589 bln
901.6 mln drams.

The foreign trade of Armenia grew by 31.5% as compared with
January-October 2007 and made 4 bln 520.4 mln USD. Exports grew by 0.9%
to 941.2 mln USD, imports grew by 42.8% to 3 bln 579.2 mln USD.

The consumer prices rose by 9.6%, the industrial production prices
by 5% in January-October 2008 on the same months of last year.

The number of officially registered unemployed persons declined by
6.4% and made 75.3 thousand in late August 2008 as compared with the
same month of 2007.

The average monthly nominal salary made 89,164 drams in the first ten
months of 2008 (19.8% growth on the same period of 2007), including
the average salary of employees of the state budgetary sector – 63,256
drams (20% growth) and that of employees of the nonbudgetary sector –
110,191 drams (18.4% growth). The average exchange rate of the dollar
made 305.86 drams in January-October 2008 (this index made 342.08
drams in 2007).

HELP CAME IN DUE TIME

A1+
[06:39 pm] 21 November, 2008

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, received the Head of
the World Bank Armenia Office Aristomene Varoudakis and his delegation.

Greeting the guest, the Prime Minister noted that the visit of
the World Bank delegation is timely, because the assistance of
international financial organizations – the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund – is very important for Armenia today. He
underlined that due to that assistance Armenia has managed to resist
the first wave of the world financial crisis, but such assistance
is more than essential today, since it will be much harder to resist
the negative influence of the expected second wave of the crisis.

The Prime Minister of Armenia noted that in the framework of the
agreement recently reached in Washington, the financial assistance
promised by the World Bank will be provided to implementing programs in
three strategic directions of the country’s economy – energy system,
drinking water and irrigation system and road construction. The
additional $250 million assistance will be used to encourage the
development of small and medium-sized businesses.

The Head of the World Bank Armenia Office expressed their opinion
on the raised taxes and welt on the possible developments of the
financial and economic crisis.

AZERBAIJAN BREACHED THE CEASEFIRE REGIME IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

WPS Agency
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 19, 2008 Wednesday
Russia

In the night of November 15-16, a special-purpose detachment of
the armed forces of Azerbaijan tried to break through to the rear
of the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and thus grossly breached
the ceasefire regime requirements. As a result of the measures taken
the group was thrown back to the former positions and bore losses in
manpower. The ministry pointed out that this attempt of breakthrough
was organized by the Azerbaijani party on the day of arrival of
co-chairs of the Minsk OSCE group and representative of acting chair
of OSCE in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as after the recent signing of the
Moscow declaration by the presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

ISSUES ON OVERCOMING FINANCIAL CRISES AND INVOLVING MEANS FROM INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DISCUSSED

ARMENPRESS
Nov 18, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsian received today the representatives of World Bank Yerevan
office headed by the head of the office Aristomene Varudakis.

Public relations department of Armenian government told Armenpress
that the Armenian prime minister noted that the Armenian 2009 budget
draft has already been published, the program of events of Armenian
government for confronting the world financial crises has also been
presented to the Armenian parliament, where the necessity of conduction
of quick and combined actions is stressed.

The prime minister assured that the specialists of the World Bank
also stressed the importance of this approach in Washington.

According to Tigran Sargsian, Armenia could confront the first wave
of the world crises, but now the countries of the world are concerned
with the second wave of the economic crises and Armenia must also
prepare steps to smoothen its effect.

Tigran Sargsian offered the representatives of the World Bank to
discuss the implementation of the agreement reached during his visit
to Washington as soon as possible, which was connected with providing
an additional 250 million drams of credit to the sphere of small and
medium-sized business in Armenia.

The suggestion has been made taking into consideration the fact that
according to the World Bank procedures, the provision will finish
only in spring, 2009.

The prime minister pointed out that the Armenian program of crediting
of small and medium-sized business was considered the best in the
world by German KFW bank, and now there is an intention to implement
the succeeded experience by sharply increasing the sizes of crediting,
also taking into account the quite big demand.

Tigran Sargsian assured that the Armenian banks can and are ready to
distribute sums of great sizes. The Armenian prime minister informed
that based on Washington agreements he sent today a letter to the vice
director and the regional director of the World Bank looking forward to
the crediting of small and medium-sized business as soon as possible.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian noted that negotiations
are held with other financial institutions as well to involve the
necessary financial means.

IU TO TURN KIDD SHIPWRECK INTO ‘LIVING MUSEUM’

Chicago Tribune
Associated Press
Nov 19 2008
IL

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University archaeologists have won a
$200,000 grant to turn the wreckage of a ship pirate Captain Kidd is
believed to have commandeered and three other Caribbean sites into
"living museums" that also preserve sensitive coral reefs.

The funding comes two months after IU scientists announced that they
had found evidence confirming that a shipwreck off the coast of a
tiny Dominican Republic island is the ruins of a 17th century ship
Kidd once captured.

Charles Beeker, a scuba-diving archaeologist who teaches at IU, said
the grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development will help
safeguard the Kidd site, but its primary goal is to protect elkhorn
coral, rare pillar coral and other reef systems at all four sites.

Beeker and archaeologist Geoffrey Conrad, who directs IU’s William
Hammond Mathers Museum, have been exploring underwater and land-based
sites in the Dominican Republic for 12 years.

Last year, a local resident led them to a shipwreck resting in less
than 10 feet of clear waters off the coast of Catalina Island that
they now believe is a ship Kidd commandeered.

"People often ask if we found treasure. We’ve always considered
the ship the treasure," said Beeker, who has previously helped the
Dominican government open underwater parks that feature cannons,
jar fragments and other items recovered from shipwrecks.

In September, the IU scientists announced that they had found teak
wood at the Kidd site. Based on the fact that at the time teak wood
was rare and came only from India, the researchers said the find
confirms that the vessel is the ruins of the Cara Merchant.

Kidd captured and then abandoned that Armenian-owned ship in 1699 as he
raced to New York to try and clear his name of criminal charges. Kidd
failed to convince authorities of his innocence and was hanged in
1701 in London.

The Kidd site, which will feature the wreck’s stack of cannons
and anchor parts, is the only pirate ship ever discovered in the
Caribbean. Beeker said he expects it to open to the public by December
2009 in time for the 310th anniversary of the ship’s loss.

That site and the three others will be called the La Romana-Bayahibe
Regional Preserve Network. All will include underwater interpretive
slates translated into five languages.

The funding, which protects both biodiversity and cultural resources,
starts in December and runs for two years, with the expectation that
the IU team will focus on protecting cannons, ship keel and other
items at the Kidd site.

The three other sites, including a replicated shipwreck and an
artificial reef created by a ship that was intentionally sunk, are
also in the waters off the Dominican Republic. The other site holds
cannons and other items thrown from a ship that ran around about 1500.

Beeker said he and his colleagues have met with tourism industry
officials, business owners and other groups to discuss the use and
protection of all the sites. He said the support of local dive shops
and hotels is critical to monitoring and protecting the preserves.