Author: Kajoyan Gevork

RA PRESIDENT TO PAY WORKING VISIT TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ON DECEMBER 11-13

Noyan Tapan
Dec 10 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by Robert
Kocharian, the President of the Republic of Armenia, which includes
Vardan Oskanian, the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nerses Yeritsian,
the MInister of Trade and Economic Development, Armen Gevorgian, the
Chief of the Staff of the RA President, Gagik Khachatrian, the Deputy
Chief of the State Customs Committee, and other officials, will pay
a working visit to the United Arab Emirates between December 11 and 13.

The meeting between Robert Kocharian and HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, will be held in
Abu Dabi on December 12, after which the President of the Republic
of Armenia will meet with Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum,
the Prime MInister of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Dubai.

Robert Kocharian will also have a meeting with Ahmad Al Mazrou, the
Director General of the Development Fund of Abu Dabi, will take part
in the solemn opening ceremony of the new building of the RA Embassy
in the United Arab Emirates and will meet with the representatives
of the local Armenian community.

Within the framework of the working visit paid to the United Arab
Emirates by the President of the Republic of Armenia, agreements
on bilateral cooperation in the spheres of agriculture, tourism,
and air communication will be signed. A contract on the financing of
the restoration work of the Arpa-Sevan tunnel will be signed between
the RA government and the Development Fund of Abu Dabi.

On the last day of the visit Robert Kocharian will leave for Ras Al
Khaima, where he will meet with HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi,
the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaima.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, the delegation will return to Yerevan on
December 13.

Russian Vneshtorgbank and Armenian Copper Programme sign $257 million
loan agreement

2007-12-08 13:18:00

ArmInfo. Russian Venshtorgbank (VTB) signed a $257 million loan
agreement with Armenian metallurgical company Armenian Copper Programme
(ACP) on 8 December to explore Tekhut copper and molybdenum deposit in
the north of Armenia. VTB Board President and CEO Andrey Kostin said at
a briefing in Yerevan, Saturday.

He said it is a 12-year loan agreement and the largest project of the
bank in Armenia. The project is rather risky despite the conservative
approach to risk assessment. A. Kostin connects the largest risk with
the possible change of world metal prices. However, the higher is the
risk the higher is the profitability of the given loan, A. Kostin said.

President of ACP and CJSC Tehkut Valery Mejlumyan, who signed the loan
agreement on the Armenian party, says the agreement is of investment
nature. CJSC Tekhut has been especially created for implementation of
the project. VTB shares the risks with ACP and the profit in case of
successful implementation of the project. He stressed that the bank
reserves ‘Jus Primae Noctis’ in other projects as well. Particularly,
ACP at present conducts a geological exploration of 2-3 new ore
occurrences not far from Tekhut deposit for cooper and gold. The bank
is ready to participate in these technical projects.

As it was reported earlier, ACP started exploiting Tekhut deposit in
2011. Within the coming 4 years all the necessary infrastructures are
to be established and a new processing plant is to be built with an
annual production capacity of 7 million tons of ore. Ore reserves in
deposit make up 450 million tons, copper reserves – 1.6 million and the
average copper content being 0.355%. Molybdenum reserves total 99,000
tons with the average content being 0.021%. ACP plans to recover
25-30,000 tons of copper and 800 tons of molybdenum annually to secure
40-50% of total copper recovery and 20% of molybdenum recovery in the
country. ACP was licensed to exploit Tekhut deposit in 2001 for 25
years.

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Dec 7 2007

Greek Ambassador in the National Assembly

The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Mr.
Tigran Torosyan received the newly appointed Ambassador of Greece in
Armenia Mr. Ioannis Korintios on December 6.

Congratulating the Ambassador for his appointment the President of
National Assembly expressed confidence that Mr. Korentios will
promote with his activity the deepening of relationship between the
two nations and states. Reminding him about the visit of the
President Mr. Karolias Papoulias to Armenia several months ago, Mr.
Torosyan noted that it was like an occasion to record once again the
existence of the relations and new perspectives and opportunities at
high level, which were created due to economic development. The
President of National Assembly said that in the fourth convocation of
the National Assembly a parliamentary friendship group with Greek
parliament had already been set up. According to Mr. Torosyan, the
development of inter-parliamentary relations could be an important
part of the development in the political, cultural and defence
spheres, and for that concrete projects should be improved, which
should be based on the proposals of the two parliaments. The
President of the National Assembly noted that the parliamentary
delegations of the two countries co-operated in international
structures in a good way, mentioning also the European Parliament
where Greece has a delegation, but Armenia has not. He expressed
willingness to support the activity of the Ambassador in Armenia.

The Greek Ambassador to Armenia Mr. Ioannis Korintios noted that the
appointment in Armenia was a great honour for him, and he has a goal
to contribute to the development of historically formed friendly
relations. The Ambassador, who is well aware of the procedure of the
inter-parliamentary relations, expressed readiness to convey the
proposals of the President of the National Assembly, and he is sure
that he will have a rapid response from the parliament of Greece, as
his country has a great interest in the development of the relations
with Armenia and he is impressed of the great political and economic
successes of Armenia. At his request the President of the National
Assembly of Armenia informed him about the legislative activity of
the parliament highlighting the importance of holding the upcoming
presidential elections with democratic standards for the provision of
legislative bases of which the National Assembly adopted the improved
Electoral Code.

Both sides emphasized the successful holding of presidential
elections which will promote the deepening of Euro integration and,
as Mr. Korintios said, the deepening of Armenia-European Union
relations.

At the meeting other issues were also discussed.

POLICE ARREST THREE PERSONS INVOLVED IN EXCHANGE OF FIRE ON PARAKER-MERDZAVAN ROAD

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Karen Harutyunian, Georgy Galstian
and Artur Baroyan – persons involved in the exchange of fire on
Parakar-Merdzavan Road on November 19, have been arrested, NT was
informed by the RA Police PR and Information Department.

The above mentioned persons are residents of the village of
Parakar. There was an exchange of fire as these persons tried to
sort out their relations at the Rubina Hotel Complex on the road
from Parakar to Merdzavan, as a result of which they were taken to
hospitals in Yerevan and Etchmiadzin.

Vardan Gasparian and Levon Gyulumian, residents of the same village,
and Marine Minasian, a 23-year-old resident of the village of
Meghradzor (Kotayk marz), were also taken to hospital. M. Minasian,
who had no relation to the quarrel, also received bullet wounds.

According to police, the investigation has already substantiated that
on November 19, at about 8:00 p.m. Georgy Galstian, 23, and Karen
Harutyunian, 25, quarreled with Artur Baroyan, 29, his father Samvel
Baroyan, 51, and his brothers – Varazdat, 19, and Edgar, 18. During the
quarrel, Georgy Galstain fired from his Makarov pistol at 28-year-old
Levon Gulumian, wounding him in the abdomen, while Karen Harutyunian
fired from his illegally obtained Mauser at Artur Baroyan and Vardan
Gasparian, 36. Artur Baroyan in his turn fired from his illegally
otained AKSU at G. Galstian and K. Harutyunian.

"DANDY PRECIOUS METALS" READY TO DEVELOP ARMENIAN MIMING INDUSTRY WITH SLOW BUT SURE STEPS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 27 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to development
of Armenia’s mining industry were discussed during the meeting of
the Armenian president Robert Kocharian and the owner and chairman
of Dandy Precious Metals company Jonathan Budman. According to a
press release submitted to NT by the RA president’s press service,
Robert Kocharian said that mining industry is one of the priority
branches of Armenia’s economy, and the Armenian side is interested
in cooperating with experienced foreign companies, which will allow
to create a qualitatively new situation in mining industry.

In J. Budman’s opinion, there are great opportunities to develop
Armenia’s mining industry. He stated that their company is ready to
proceed with slow but sure steps.

The interlocutors also spoke about the necessity to develop the
sector in parallel with solving environmental problems, to prepare
specialized personnel and to bring the legislative field on the sector
in line with international standards.

Dandy Precious Metals is represented in Armenia by Dino Gold Mining
Company that operates the Shahumian gold-multimetal mine and the
Kapan copper-pyrites mine.

UNISTREAM TURNOVER IN ARMENIA IN THE THIRD QUARTER MADE $200MLN

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
Nov 27 2007

Yerevan, November 27 /Mediamax/. Turnover of UNIStream money transfers
in Armenia in the third quarter of 2007 made $200mln.

Mediamax reports referring the Analytical Department of UNIStream that,
as compared to the second quarter of 2007, the turnover of the system
in Armenia increased for $61mln.

The UNIStream total turnover in the third quarter of 2007 made
$1,145bln.

General Director of UNIStream system Suren Hayrian stated that the
raising of speeds of business development is a key aspect in the work
of the company’s leadership.

"Today, the market gives the players a wonderful opportunity for
advancing. We see the growing interest of people for our services,
establish the permanent dynamics of intensification of migratory
processes and, finally, the progressive integration of systems into
the global market", he stated, adding that the growth of the CIS
market in the course of the recent 12 months made at least 70%.

ARMENIA, URUGUAY INTEND TO DEVELOP RELATIONS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Nov 27 2007

YEREVAN, November 27. /ARKA/. Newly appointed Uruguayan Ambassador
to Armenia Jorge Alberto Mayer Long (residence in Moscow) handed
credentials to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan on Tuesday,
presidential press office reports.

The president congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and
wished him success in his mission.

The president and the ambassador stressed the importance of
Armenian-Uruguayan relations and outlined cooperation prospects.

Kocharyan and Long also noted with pleasure that Armenia and Uruguay
cooperate also in international organizations.

The ambassador remembered that Uruguay was the first country that
officially recognized Armenian Genocide fact in 1965 and said Armenian
community in Uruguay plays a special part in relations between the
two countries.

CRITICIZING TODAY’S AUTHORITIES, DASHNAKTSUTYUN WILL COOPERATE WITH RPA IN FUTURE, VAHAN HOVHANNESIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 30, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The balance between rights and
power is upset in Armenia, and the current authorities are not
determined to correct it. This is the reason why Dashnaktsutyun is
participating in the presidential elections with its own candidate, –
Vahan Hovhannesian, ARF bureau member, NA deputy who has been proposed
as presidential candidate by the ARF party, made this statement at
the ARF Supreme Assembly on November 30.

According to him, power is superior to law in the country. In order to
govern by law, the power should enjoy authority but this notion "is so
connected to the criminal world and behavior that it is now associated
with nicknames that are difficult to pronounce and meaningless faces,
whose owners have declared themselves as "authorities" and try to use
the state’s sponsorship to strengthen their positions". The reason,
according to V. Havhannesian, is that the society has become used to
the idea that authority can rest only on force and money rather than
morality, knowledge and talent.

In his words, false authority has no goal of ideological struggle
and struggles only for power, while in case of such struggle not a
political force but the bureaucratic machinery wins. If an autocracy
is established, the danger that the bureaucratic machinery will merge
with the party and will start controlling power is especially great.

V. Hovhannesian said that since early 1990, the country has been
governed by economic groupings having power, which have monopolized
the most profitable sectors of the economy, forming an environment
almost free of competition.

"Uniting with power, the monopolies have long ago stopped being only
an economic phenomenon and have a decisive influence on all aspects
of the society’s vital activity. Spending considerable resources and
using the huge administrative resources at its disposal, this stratum
of society reproduces itself regularly, hindering the development of
the political system," the speaker stated.

In his opinion, neither the previous authorities nor the current ones
can make changes in this system that has taken roots in the country.

Dashnaktsutyun is able and ready to make such changes, and for this
reason it is taking part in the presidential elections by nominating
its own candidate. In the words of V. Hovhannesian, political forces
periodically apply to the judge – the people that decides through
elections who is right.

"And this judge cannot be bribed."

During a talk with reporters, V. Hovhannesian said that Dashnaktsutyun
will try to unite all forces sharing its opinions around its
candidate. He expressed conviction that ARF will win the elections
and did rule out that one of the candidates who have already been
proposed will withdraw his candidature in favor of Dashnaktsutyun.

The pre-election struggle will be a heated one but Dashnaktsutyun,
as V. Hovhannesian put it, will not deliver blows below the waist,
criticizing not particular candidates but the system. In case
of losing the first round of elections and a run-off being held,
Dashnaktsutyun, according to V, Hovhannesian will support the political
force, with which it has a community of ideology and an experience
of cooperation. Irrespective of who will be elected president,
Dashnaktsutyun will cooperate with the Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA), one of Armenia’s leading parties.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Nov 30 2007

Premier: ministry on problems of all Armenians in world to be set up
in Armenia in 2008

YEREVAN, November 30. /ARKA/. A ministry on problems of all Armenians
in the world is to be set up in Armenia in 2008, Armenia’s
Prime-Minister Serge Sargsian said at his meeting with journalists of
CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and Baltic countries.

`Speaking of our wealth we mean, first of all, the human resources.
Speaking of human resources we have in mind not only citizens of
Armenia, but all Armenians,’ Sargsian said at the meeting broadcasted
on the Public Television of Armenia.

According to the Prime-Minister, it is serious potential and all
efforts should be made so that `we have strong diaspora helping us
become a strong country’. He pointed out the necessity to do
everything to ensure Armenians abroad do not lose their distinctive
character.

`I don’t know is it good or bad but one of the peculiar features of
our countrymen abroad is that they consider themselves, first of all,
citizens of the given country and only after then Armenians. I
believe it should be like that: that is why they integrate themselves
in the society easily which is one of the main guarantees of
successful business and public service,’ Sargsian said.

`We should help our countrymen remain Armenians, while being
law-abiding citizens of Russia, USA, and France. Here is our
strength. Armenia with its territory and a three-million population
is one country and Armenia with seven-million diaspora is a
completely different country,’ the Prime-Minister said.-0–

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 30 2007

THEY ARE IN POWER BUT THEY SEE NO RESOLVE IN GOVERNMENT

Vahan Hovanisyan stated after the decision of the Supreme Meeting of
the ARF Dashnaktsutyun on his nomination for the presidential
election on November 30 Dashnaktsutyun is resolved to win the
election and will celebrate a victory. Later Vahan Hovanisyan told
reporters in a briefing he does not mean a moral victory.

`If you mean a moral victory in the presidential election, it has
already been won. I mean a real victory,’ Vahan Hovanisyan says.
According to him, the presidential election will kindle disagreement,
conflicts, and controversies between parties will be revealed.
`Election is a period when disagreement is revealed. In the period
between elections the focus is on general points to which they can
agree and carry out programs. However, election is a period when you
go to the judge. People are the judge, and naturally one should be
able to present all the problems. Naturally, the struggle is going to
be heated, it is not going to be a game,’ Vahan Hovanisyan says.

He stated that the ARF Dashnaktsutyun will not hit anyone below the
waist but will reply to accusations against it. As to the reminder,
namely relating to the Dro case, Vahan Hovanisyan says everyone is
`fed up’ with these reminders, and he does not think they will affect
the society.

`What do we see today? Two artificial poles have been created, the
previous government, the present government, and mutual accusations
relating to individuals rather than the system. We do not accept
this, we are not going to play this game,’ Vahan Hovanisyan says. He
says the problem is independence from the bureaucratic system. `In
this sense, I believe that the most convenient, the most independent
political force is Dashnaktsutyun,’ says the ARFD candidate. Despite
criticism against this government, Vahan Hovanisyan said independent
>From the outcome of the election, no matter which party’s candidate
is elected, they will continue cooperation with the Republican Party.

Besides, Vahan Hovanisyan answered the question how Dashnaktsutyun is
going to change the system if the amended Constitution has reduced
the powers of the president, and Robert Kocharyan stated this as
well, saying that the president will not nominate ministers. `The
president from Dashnaktsutyun becomes president without aiming to
nominate ministers. We are talking about structural reforms, we think
if the right system is established, it does not matter who the
president is, which political force he represents,’ Vahan Hovanisyan
says. He disapproves the perception that the new Constitution has
granted all the powers to the parliament and the government. `The
president performs an important role in the country, finally the
president is responsible for the Constitutional order in the country,
external relations and security. With this function, he cannot be a
weak figure,’ Vahan Hovanisyan says.

He says the ARF Dashnaktsutyun will have allies in the presidential
election but life does not end with the election, and the party is
going to cooperate with everyone, both the winners and the losers.
`Since we have no enemies in Armenia, we have a goal to balance power
and law. We cannot see this resolve in today’s government. Therefore
we are running in the presidential election,’ Vahan Hovanisyan says.