Author: Jalatian Sonya

FM BABACAN HIGHLIGHTS TURKEY’S RISING IMPORTANCE

Oct 31 2008
Turkey

Babacan reminded that Turkey attracted the attention of the whole
globe for its efforts to find peaceful solutions to problems.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Friday that when looked at
from Asia, Turkey is an extension of Europe into Asia and when looked
at from Europe, it is an extension of Asia into Europe.

Speaking at a panel discussion within the framework of the meetings
of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Istanbul, Babacan said that
"Turkey is both an European country and an Asian one."

"Istanbul is a city with one side in Asia and the other side in
Europe. Turkey is at the same time a country that belongs in the
Balkans, Caucasus, Black Sea and Asia. Situated in such a crossing,
Turkey is a member of NATO and a country walking down the way towards
full EU membership," Babacan said.

"Turkey has taken many initiatives for the solution of problems in
the region through peaceful ways. Turkey began the project of the
‘Alliance of Civilizations’ after which more than 70 countries and 15
non-governmental organizations declared themselves as the ‘friends’
of the project," Babacan said.

Babacan reminded that Turkey attracted the attention of the whole
globe for its efforts to find peaceful solutions to problems.

As such, Turkey received the votes of 151 countries out of a total of
192 countries and became a non-permanent member of the United Nations
Security Council, Babacan stressed.

"Turkey connects the North to South and East to West. Turkey is gaining
more global importance as a country neighboring energy sources,"
Babacan said.

"Within the framework of finding peaceful solutions to problems, Turkey
proposed the Caucasia Cooperation Platform which received favorable
response from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia," Babacan said.

"Georgia will join the platform after Russia completely withdraws
its troops from Georgian territory," Babacan noted.

Reminding that Turkey closed down its border with Armenia after
Armenia invaded Azerbaijani territory of Upper Karabagh, Babacan
said that Turkey has encouraged both Azerbaijan and Armenia to find
a solution to problems between themselves.

"There is a great potential for commerce and cooperation in the region
once the problems are resolved," Babacan also said.

SIL GROUP CALLS FOR SUPPORT

A1+
[06:43 pm] 31 October, 2008

Today SIL Group released a statement which runs in part:

On behalf of our staff and incorporated companies SIL Group Concern
condemns the authorities, namely the judicial authorities for political
retaliation on the Sukiasyan family.

In particular, they targeted at Bjni factory of mineral water,
Pares Armenia (official distributor of Philip Morris), the chain of
pizzerias Pizza de Roma, Sport Time (official distributor of Adidas),
Yerevan Mill, and Nor Shin.

These companies have sustained great losses. The arrest and
confiscation of the Bjni’s property resulted in the defaming of
company’s brands. Besides, 483 people became unemployed. As a company
which is aware of our shaky economy, we would like to note that in
the town of Charentsavan (where the factory is located) over 450
families were deprived of the source of income.

Now that the entire circulation is consolidated in the capital city,
a situation has emerged which will further aggravate the social and
economic state in Charentsavan. We do not think that the government
is unaware of this simple calculation.

The business of the Pares Armenia company was seized through the
customs committee, as due to the impossibility of supplying its
products to Armenia, Philip Morris had changed its partner. According
to some reliable sources, the new partner is Mr. Serzh Sargsyan’s
son-in-law.

They want to press the Sport Time Company (the distributor of Adidas)
in a similar way.

We condemn all those judges who were sworn in on the Constitution and
legislation but neglected these supreme acts. The division of powers
is set down in the Constitution but in our country all officials are
ruled by the president’s remote controller.

As a company with many years of experience, we condemn all the methods
and mechanisms aimed to destroy businesses.

The government has proved that all entrepreneurs who disobey
their rules of the game are punished severely through the tools of
arbitrariness.

We call upon all entrepreneurs to join in our initiative and
protect the Sukiasyan family, thus protecting all businessmen from
arbitrariness.

ARMENIAN CITIZEN BURNT ALIVE

A1+
[02:34 pm] 31 October, 2008

Three Russian policemen are accused of a heinous murder of an Armenian
citizen in the Russian region of Saratov. After abortive efforts to
make the Armenian "plead guilty of a larceny" the policemen burnt
him alive with gasoline.

According to preliminary data, Gasparyan’s body was found in the
outskirts of town.

An action has been instituted with charges of an organised crime.

EBRD’S SHARE IN ARARATBANK EVIDENCE OF CONFIDENCE IN ARMENIA’S BANKING SYSTEM

ARKA
oct 29, 2008

YEREVAN, October 29. /ARKA/. The share of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the capital of the Armenian
Araratbank is evidence of confidence in Armenia’s banking system,
EBRD Director for south Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus Mike Davey
told reporters.

It is a serious signal on the EBRD’s part, he said. Davey pointed out
that, in the context of dramatic changes on the world market, the EBRD
has focused its efforts on overcoming the crisis in many countries.

As regards Armenia, the EBRD’s 25% share in Araratbank’s capital is
considered a successful transaction. Davey stressed that it is the
EBRD’s fourth share in Armenia’s banking system.

He pointed out that the transaction is the result of long-lasting
negotiations with the Araratbank management. The EBRD is happy to
have a share in Araratbank’s capital and assist it in developing
Armenia’s economy, Davey said.

A contract for the EBRD’s purchasing 25% plus one share of Araratbank
for $7mln was signed in Yerevan. The transaction is to be completed
within a month, to be followed by placement of shares. As a result,
Araratbank’s authorized capital will reach $24mln against the current
$13mln. During the next three years the bank’s capital is to be
brought up to $50mln.

The businessman Barsegh Beglaryan, who owns the Flash Company, is
the principal stockholder of Araratbank (70%), the EBRD holds 25%
plus one share, the rest shares being in free circulation. The bank
has 86 shareholders.

The Araratbank OJSC (legal successor of Armcomunicationbank) was
founded on September 2, 1991. On October 31, 1996, the bank was issued
License #4.

On September 30, 2008, the bank’s assets amounted to 27.9bln AMD,
capital reached 5.5bln AMD, profit 552.6mln AMD (in January-September
2008).

On December 7, 1992, Armenia joined the EBRD with a â~B¬10mln share.

The EBRD also has shares in Byblos Bank Armenia, Armeconombank,
ProCredit Bank.

The EBRD is among largest investors in Armenia – â~B¬202mln under 52
programs.

–Boundary_(ID_eReDKaIeItXi+Gz7XbdFM w)–

RUSSIA HOSTS ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN TALKS

The Australian
Oct 29 2008
Australia

THE presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet in Moscow on the
weekend to discuss the Nagorny Karabakh conflict in talks mediated
by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the Kremlin said.

"On November 2, 2008, in Moscow… a meeting will take place between
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh
Sarkisian with the participation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
on the regulation of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict," the Kremlin said
in a statement.

Nagorny Karabakh is a region in the South Caucasus. It is officially
part of Azerbaijan but contains the unrecognised Nagorny Karabakh
Republic.

RA PRESIDENT: TURKEY CAN HELP KARABAKH SETTLEMENT BUT OSCE MG IS THE ONLY INTERMEDIARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.10.2008 17:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Minsk Group is the only format dealing with
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenian PresidentSerzh
Sargsyan said when commenting on hearsay that Russia and Turkey can
act as mediators in the Karabakh process.

"The only mediators are the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. Armenia
never requested any country for mediation in the Karabakh issue. We
do not reject help. I am sure that Turkey can make its contribution
to the process and I think that President Gul’s visit to Armenia is
a good example of problem solution. If Turkey opens the border with
Armenia, it will help Karabakh resolution," the RA President told
the Armenian Public Television, the leader’s press office reports.

BY DATA OF ARMRUSGAZPROM, ABOUT 90% OF ARMENIAN SETTLEMENTS ALREADY PROVIDED WITH GAS SUPPLY NETWORK

Noyan Tapan
Oct 27, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTPOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Since early 2008, ArmRusgazprom
CJSC has implemented a program on repairs and re-laying of the
old gas pipelines as well as on construction of new underground and
surface gas pipelines. NT correspondent was informed by spokeswoman for
ArmRusgazprom Shushan Sardarian that the purpose of the current repair
and construction work is to improve the quality of gas supply. She
said that about 90% of Armenian settlements have already been provided
with a gas supply network now.

To recap, ArmRusgazprom CJSC has the monopoly right to supply and
distribute Russian gas in Armenia. ArmRusgazprom’ main shareholder
is Gazprom with its stake of 82% of shares. Russian gas is supplied
to Armenia through the territory of Georgia. Russia is the monopoly
supplier of gas to Armenia. An average volume of 6.5 million cubic
meters a day is supplied to Armenia at the price of 110 dollars
for a thousand cubic meters. Starting from April 1, 2009, it is
envisaged raising the tariffs of gas supplied to Armenia: the price
for a thousand cubic meters will make 154 dollars instead of previous
110 dollars, while from April 1, 2010, the gas price will make 200
dollars for a thousand cubic meters.

FORMER FRENCH PRIME MINISTER: TURKEY SHOULD RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

DE FACTO
27.10.08

YEREVAN, 27.10.08. DE FACTO. Always a fervent supporter of Turkey’s
entry in European Union, former French Prime Minister, Michel Rocard,
declared, on October 24, to the microphone of the Â"Grand JournalÂ"
on French network TV Canal+, that Europe needed Turkey and the
Soviet ex-Republics, in particular for energy reasons, an independent
French journalist Jean Eckian told DE FACTO. He however indicated,
"It will be necessary well that Turkey regulates the Cyprus issue
and recognizes the Armenian Genocide". "Turkey knows", he said.

Former French Prime Minister concluded by saying: "We had also many
difficulties of condemning France of Vichy".

–Boundary_(ID_3Legv/Hdnxn4WUbcx937/ Q)–

North Shore Times (Friday) (Australia)
October 24, 2008 Friday
1 – MB Edition

MP Hockey’s plea over Armenia

THE Armenian genocide was raised in parliament this week when North
Shore Federal MP Joe Hockey called for Australia to officially
recognise the “slaughter” that killed more than a million Armenians
during World War I. Mr Hockey said his own grandfather had survived
the massacre but his friends and family had not. He said Australia had
prospered through immigration from many countries including
Armenia. The North Shore has a large Armenian community.

RAFIK PETROSIAN WELCOMES OPPOSITION’S DECISION TO TEMPORARILY STOP RALLIES

Noyan Tapan
Oct 23, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. As member of the RA NA RPA faction
Rafik Petrosian classed it, today two super-mighty states, Russia
and the United States try to protect their interests in the South
Caucasus, in particular, in Armenia. However, as the deputy stated at
the October 23 press conference, Armenia will not be able to carry on
such policy so as it can "float between them" and its own interests
not be violated in the country.

In that respect R. Petrosian welcomes the decision of the opposition,
in particular, of first RA President Levon Ter-Petrosian to temporarily
stop holding rallies. Nevertheless he does not think that the
opposition has taken that "time-out" due to being concerned with
Armenia’s interests.

According to him, the opposition has made such a decision seeing that
struggle through rallies gives no result.

Touching upon the publications in press that allegedly RA President
Serzh Sargsyan "sells Karabakh," R. Petrosian said: "Nothing of
the kind goes on in my opinion. No one is going to cede Nagorno
Karabakh. However I find it difficult to answer what solution will
be found, as only a few persons are aware of the own business of
the authorities."

Considering as a very strong chess move S. Sargsyan’s policy in
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, in particular, inviting
Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Armenia, R. Petrosian meanwhile
said that the Armenian authorities do not hope that Turkey can meet
Armenia half-way, as it has always been Armenia’s potential rival
and will protect Azerbaijan’s interests. "Nevertheless, if even the
Armenian-Turkish border is not opened, the world will once more see
that Turkey is not ready for normalizing its relations with Armenia,"
the RPA deputy emphasized.