Author: Jagharian Tania

IRAN ASKS ARMENIAN SUPPORT

Trend News Agency
July 7 2008
Azerbaijan

Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Seyid Ali Segayian, presented Iranian
Foreign Minister’s letter to the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Eduard
Nalbandyan.

In the letter, the Foreign Minister of Iran asks Armenia to contribute
to his country in joining the UN Security Council, Iranian new agency
IRNA reported.

In addition during the meeting, Nalbandyan and Segayian discussed
bilateral relations, upcoming visit of the Armenian Foreign Minister
to Iran and joint meeting on economic relations of the two countries,
whi ch will take place in October in Tehran.

RA ombudsman requests personal guard and transport for him and his family
MEMBERS

ArmInfo
2008-07-07 12:11:00

Ombudsman of Armenia Armen Harutyunyan appealed to Head of RA National
Security Service under RA government Gorik Hakopyan with request to
provide him and his family members with personal security.

As RA ombudsman’s office told ArmInfo today, the written application
of A.

Harutyunyan says, in particular, that according to Article 21 of the
Law on Ombudsman, the latter and his family members are under the
state protection.

Based on the ombudsman’s application, the authoritative governmental
bodies have to take the required measures to assure security of the
ombudsman and his family members.

AHN

July 4, 2008 7:59 p.m. EST

Melvin Baker – AHN

Ottawa, Canada (AHN) – The "Frank Sinatra of France," Charles
Aznavour, will be named an honorary officer of the Order of Canada on
Saturday, a distinction reserved for non-Canadians.

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean will make the presentation at the governor’s
residence in Quebec City. The 84-year-old singer is scheduled to
perform Sunday in the Quebec capital to mark the city’s 400th
anniversary.

"This enduring legend has charmed audiences around the world; but
first and foremost, he remains an ambassador of the French language,"
Jean’s office said Friday in a statement.

Aznavour was born in Paris to Armenian parents. He began performing
when he was nine. He has sold more than 100 million records and
appeared in more than 60 films.

In 1998, CNN named Aznavour the century’s outstanding performer,
topping Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN: CURRENT FISCAL AND MONATRY POLCY WILL NOT SUPRESS GROWTH

Interview of Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsian with "Noyan Tapan"
agency

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Mr. Prime Minister. In one of your
speeches you said that in order to curb inflation the government
intends to increase budgetary revenues and reduce expenditures. In this
regard we ask you to answer the following questions:

1. What have been the dynamics of revenues of the state budget this
year, especially in the past two months? Is there any dependence
between the dynamics of budgetary revenues and the tax and customs
administration reforms being implemented by the government?

Tigran Sargsyan: The total amount of fiscal revenues in the first half
of 2008 made 284.4 billion drams (app. 939 million U.S. dollars), which
is 36 percent more than in the same period of the last year. And
collections have been growing from month to month, whereas in January
the fiscal revenues made 39.0 billion drams, they grew to 54.6 billion
in May and 50.5 billion in June. The overall collections of the last
two months are thus 105 billion AMD, which is 27.8 billion more than
the same period a year ago.

So, revenue growth rate is maintained, and it is evidently due to
improvement in tax and custom administration. As for the dependence of
budgetary revenue dynamics on the government reforms, in our opinion,
it will have its impact. Nevertheless, it is early to translate our
assessment to the language of figures.

2. As regards expenditures, so far a prospect of their growth rather
than reduction has been seen, as three new standing committees are
being formed at the National Assembly and a new ministry – at the
government. Under such conditions, at the expense of what expense items
can the government reduce its expenditures? Is it possible to use a
restriction at the expense of investment (infrastructural) expenditures?

Tigran Sargsyan: The expenditure restriction policy means that ?ll
other things being equal, restrictions on their growth should be used.

As for the three new standing committees to be created at the National
Assembly and a new ministry at the government, it will not be done by
means of reducing expenses in any other sphere.

It should be mentioned for comparison that according to the already
developed 2009-2011 draft medium-term expenditure program of the RA,
the growth of expenditures on state government bodies (along with the
indicated changes) makes 10.8% in conditions of 15.2% growth of overall
expenditures, while the growth of expenditures in branches of the
prioritized social sector will be noticeably greater: it will make
22.1% in education, 21.7% in health care, and 16.3% in social
protection.

3. The above mentioned political line of the government and the
gradually tightening monetary and policy of the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) may have a negative impact on the economic development of the
country. By the data of May, there was almost no growth in industry and
agriculture. Does the government expect a change in GDP growth
envisaged for this year?

Tigran Sargsyan: The growth in industry and agriculture in January-May
2008 was not high, however, construction and services played a great
role in ensuring an economic growth which made 9.8% in the indicated
period. Taking into account also the fact that in Armenia, usually only
about 22% of the gross domestic product is produced in the first five
months, while the economic growth trends are accelerating by the end of
a year, the existing trends show that the 10% economic growth level,
which was envisaged for 2008 and forms the basis of the state budget
program, is within reach – taking also into consideration the
relatively restricting nature (anticipated for the second half of 2008)
of the fiscal and monetary policies.

As regards the alternative between inflation and economic growth, it is
no secret that in conditions of accelerating inflationary rates which
in turn increase the expectations of future inflation, the long-term
economic growth is virtually endangered. International experience shows
that in such a situation countries set anchoring high inflationary
expectations as a priority task, and imply restraining fiscal and
monetary policies so that they will ensure – through achieving a
macroeconomic stability – an environment necessary for a long-term
economic growth in the future. The Armenian government and the CBA have
adopted such an approach but they attach importance to the scale of
restraining policies in this issue: they should not result in a
considerable decline of GDP growth rates. In particular, with respect
to the fiscal policy, it was estimated that in 2008 the proposed
inflation curbing policy will not, hinder economic development, while
freezing inflation expectations, and not to feed inflation (and
inflation expectations) with an excessive demand growth.

NOYAN TAPAN

Ju ly 3

A sit-down strike followed the brawl on July 2 in Northern
Avenue. According to the Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper, witnesses say
that those instigating the brawl were the "skinheads" (guards members)
of Erebuni prefect Mher Sedrakian (Mher of Tokhmakh) and of Kentron
prefect Gagik Beglarian (Chorni Gago). It is mentioned that Babken
Ghazarian distinguished himself among them. He had hit Haykakan
Zhamanak’s correspondent at a polling station on February 19.

The Hraparak newspaper, in its turn, reported that the people
constantly walking in Northern Avenue told that they recognized
some of the instigators, there were young RPA members, members of
M. Sedrakian’s guards and women who held rallies near Ter-Petrosian’s
office and private house in spring among them. "Some of those injured
in the incident had noticed before the incident that some of them
came up to the policemen in Tumanian street, then walked to Republic
Square with them."

It should be mentioned that both the Hraparak and Aravot newspapers
reported that the policemen intended to bring to the Police one of
the young people instigating the brawl, seated him into a car, but
set him free a bit later.

GLENDALE’S BRAND BOULEVARD
Pauline.OConnor

Los Angeles Times
July 3, 2008
CA

GLENDALE’S main drag, Brand Boulevard, emerged as the town’s
epicenter thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Electric railway
line that arrived in 1904. Like many things in this foothill city,
the thoroughfare is named after Leslie C. Brand, the local tycoon and
civic booster who, during the early 1900s, ran full-page ads in Los
Angeles newspapers every Sunday posing the question, "Have you been
to Glendale?"

That question has been coming up with greater frequency of late,
especially since the grand opening of Americana, the boulevard’s
spanking-new 15.5-acre shopping complex featuring 75 retail stores,
338 residential units, restaurants, an 18-screen multiplex and a
2-acre public park.

Although the $400-million mall has its share of detractors, who bemoan
the attendant traffic snarls and erosion of small-town charm, many
residents welcome the injection of excitement and status it’s brought
to a neighborhood more commonly associated with the car dealerships
to the south. (Speaking of cars and traffic: Glendale’s 15th annual
Cruise Night, when Brand is overrun by hundreds of hot rod, classic
and antique cars, happens July 19.) Still, city leaders are hopeful
Americana will bring new customers to other businesses along the
boulevard, such as the neighborhood establishments shown here.

SPEAKING VOLUMES

With its more than 100,000 titles in more than 1,400 well-organized
sections, it’s virtually impossible to leave Brand Bookshop (231
N. Brand Blvd., [818] 507-5943) empty-handed. (May we suggest James
M. Cain’s gritty noir classic set in Glendale, "Mildred Pierce"?)

ALL THAT JAZZ

Jax Bar & Grill (339 N. Brand Blvd., [818] 500-1604) serves hearty
meat ‘n’ potatoes fare (best bets: baby back ribs, Jack Daniel’s
bread pudding) to a grown-up crowd, but the true specialty of
this dimly lighted, late-night spot is jazz. Most Thursday nights,
trumpeter-singer-raconteur Jack Sheldon — the distinctive voice behind
Schoolhouse Rock’s "Conjunction Junction" and "I’m Just a Bill" —
holds court.

LET THEM EAT CAKE

The lines are long at Porto’s Bakery (315 N. Brand Blvd., [818]
956-5996), but devotees of the guava-and-cream-cheese refugiados,
potato croquetas, media noche and other Cuban-style delicacies swear
they’re worth the wait.

FEAST YOUR SENSES

Bedecked with Persian frescoes, scimitars and other antiques,
Armenian/Middle Eastern Carousel (304 N. Brand Blvd., [818] 246-7775)
is not your everyday kebabery. Weekends feature multi-course
family-style dining, live music and belly dancing.

DECO CHAMBER

A registered historic landmark, the Alex Theatre (216 N. Brand Blvd.,
[818] 243-2539) began life in 1925 as a vaudeville and silent movie
house. Closed after falling into disrepair, the Art Deco palace was
lovingly restored to its former glory in 1993 and is a performing
arts center.

ON THE WEB For more about Glendale’s Brand Boulevard and
other neighborhoods throughout Southern California, go to
theguide.latimes.com/neighborhoods

BAYKAL LOSES VICE-CHAIR OF SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL TO TALABANI

Turkish Daily News
Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was elected to a vice-chairmanship in
the Socialist International over the leader of the main opposition
Republican People’s Party, or CHP, who avoided attending the summit
in Greece and therefore was not nominated, reported the Anatolia news
agency yesterday.

Greece’s Panhellenic Socialist Movement, or PASOK, leader George
Papandreou was re-elected chairman of the Socialist International,
while the number of vice-chairpersons rose to 37 from 30, including
Talabani and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

The CHP’s Deniz Baykal, who formerly served as a vice-chairman, was
not included this time on the list fixed by the election committee
of the Socialist International.

The party is currently facing criticism from members of the socialist
community, who accuse the CHP of no longer representing social
democratic interests and who demand the party be expelled from the
socialist community.

Meanwhile, Anatolia reported that the ethics committee of the Socialist
International has not yet made a decision regarding the fate of
the CHP under the umbrella organization. Turkish press reports said
yesterday that the ethics committee decided to dispatch a four-member
delegation to Turkey to investigate the allegations that the CHP is
anti-democratic. The delegation will travel to Turkey in late summer
and research whether the CHP complies with the principles of the
Socialist International, said the reports.

In an address to his lawmakers in Parliament, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said that Baykal could not attend the Socialist
International meeting and instead had to join a mulberry festival
in Turkey.

"The reactions to the CHP from the world are very meaningful,"
said Erdogan. "Their doors are closed both to the East and to the
West. They are not aware that they imprisoned themselves behind
the iron curtain understanding. Baykal cannot attend the Socialist
International (meeting). Why not?"

He said none of the existing 185 political parties in the world shared
the same views with the CHP and none resisted democracy or freedoms.

In response, Baykal said Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development
Party, or AKP, was not accepted by any international organizations,
though it wanted to join. "Everything is obvious; we did not attend
[the Socialist International meeting] and risked dismissal," he added.

Baykal also heralded that the CHP would open bureaus in the European
capitals in the upcoming days, not to receive instructions from
Europeans but to explain party policies and the importance of the
secularism principle for Turkey.

Meanwhile, the consultative membership of the Turkish Cypriot
Republican Turks’ Party, or CTP, in the Socialist International
was delayed after protests from Greek Cypriot and Armenian social
democrats.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION REDUCES BY 0.4% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-MAY 2008 COMPARED WITH SAME PERIOD OF 2007

NOYAN TAPAN

Ju ne 3

Industrial production of 287bn 712m drams in current prices was made
in Armenia in January-May 2008. Sales made 286bn 969.9m drams (nearly
931.4m USD), including sales in CIS countries, which made 27bn 955.4m
drams, in other countries – 67bn 94.4m drams.

According to the data of the RA National Statistical Service, the
index of industrial output made 99.6% compared with January-May 2007,
the same index without generation and distribution of electricity,
gas, and water made 98.6%.

FRENCH MPS CONDEMN SENATE FOR DROPPING MEASURE REQUIRING REFERENDUM ON TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP IN EU

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.07.2008 15:32 GMT+04:00

French MPs prepared a statement condemning the French Senate for not
passing a constitutional amendment that would have put Turkey’s future
EU membership to a referendum.

"England held a referendum in 1972. Can you imagine that we behave
differently as regards Turkey, Russia, Morocco or Ukraine," the
statement said, Anatolia News Agency reports.

On June 26, France’s Senate dropped a measure from a proposed law that
requires a referendum on Turkey’s membership in the European Union. It
was one of the most sensitive parts of a broader institutional
reform package going through the French Parliament and required a
referendum before France could approve EU membership for any country
whose population exceeds 5 per cent of the population of the entire
27-nation union.

NATURALIZED AMERICAN WRESTLER EYES ’09 NATIONALS
Felisa Cardona

CBS Television
cbs4denver.com Showcase
Jun 30, 2008

DENVER (AP) â~@~U Tsolak Yeghishyan — a Colorado Springs cab driver
and wrestling champion — became an American on Monday, a few days
too late for him to try out for the 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestling team.

"From Day One, I’ve been dreaming about representing the U.S. in the
Olympics," he said just before he was sworn in at the offices of the
U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services in Denver. "But this is
for my heritage. This is for my ancestors."

The 37-year-old is one of thousands of immigrants nationwide who got
caught up in a government background-check backlog that delayed his
path to citizenship.

Yeghishyan came to the U.S. in 1996 and became a legal resident in
1999. He applied for citizenship in 2004.

He passed his civics test and learned English by watching television
and reading books.

But the naturalization process had become tedious so his lawyer,
Beverly Oserow, filed a lawsuit last summer in U.S. District Court in
Denver against the government in order to expedite his naturalization.

On Thursday, he found out that his lifelong wish to live as an American
was coming true.

"It should have been a long time ago," said Mary LeNoue, one of
several friends who showed up to celebrate at Yeghishyan’s swearing-in
ceremony.

"He’ll be fabulous," LeNoue said when asked what kind of citizen
Yeghishyan might be. "He is very conscientious."

Yeghishyan, who placed ninth at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta
while on the Armenian wrestling team, was ineligible to try out for
the U.S. team unless he was a citizen. Given his age, he was no sure
bet to make the team, though he hoped to try.

Although he is disappointed that he missed the opportunity, he is
elated to be an American and his attention is now on bringing his
pregnant wife, Lilit, and 14-month-old daughter, Helena, to the U.S.

"My family is partying," he said as he held onto a small American
flag and his certificate of citizenship.

Oserow said it could take another three to four years before his
family can join him in Colorado Springs.

Yeghishyan still intends to wrestle for the U.S., even though it
won’t be for the 2008 Games in Beijing.

"Now, with God’s grace, I will be healthy enough for next year’s
U.S. Nationals," he said.

By the 2012 Olympic trials, Yeghishyan will be 41 years old, an
advanced age for an athlete. But Yeghishyan has hope because he has
overcome many hardships in his lifetime, including surviving a deadly
earthquake in Armenia in 1988.

"Maybe I will do it," he said of trying out in 2012.

For now, Yeghishyan is just proud to be an American.

"I accomplished something big on my own," he said. "It’s very uplifting
and a huge sense of responsibility."

–Boundary_(ID_AkZUvgFkBdDj 7W9V+1/1vA)–