Author: Kajoyan Gevork

“PRE-PARLIAMENT”: ARMENIAN CITIZENS SHOULD BRING AN ADEQUATE PRESSURE ON THE ATTEMPTS OF THE AUTHORITIES TO RAISE VARIABLE FARE
by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Thursday, August 1, 14:47

Armenian citizens should bring an adequate pressure on the attempts
of the authorities to raise variable fare, the statement by the
“Pre-parliament” says.

According to the document, they got information from different towns
of Armenia as well as from Stepanakert, that the ruling regime has not
given up its programme on raising of the variable fare tariff. “The
criminal regime has changed its tactics. First, it was going to raise
variable fare in Yerevan and later in other towns of Armenia. But
coming across the unprecedented civil resistance in Yerevan, it
has decided to step back for some period of time and to dictate its
will to the small towns, the resource of civil activeness of which
is limited. Then it will try to put Yerevan residents down to facts
and prove the planned tariff”, – the statement says.

The “Pre-parliament” thinks that in the conditions of the system
crisis in the country, the development of events will gradually turn
into the wave of all-national revolt against the system problems with
all its consequences.

AMERIABANK STRENGTHENS ITS LEADING POSITIONS
by Erik Abrahamyan

ARMINFO
Thursday, August 1, 17:11

Ameriabank is strengthening its leading positions in the Armenian
banking system. By its net profit for the first half of 2013, the
Bank is among the top three leaders (2nd position) with 2.8 bln AMD
(up 12% versus the first half of 2012). The Bank’s press service has
told ArmInfo that in Jan-Jun 2013 the net operating income of the
Bank amounted to 7.8 bln AMD (up 20% versus Jan-Jun 2013).

Over the first half of 2013, Ameriabank’s assets grew by 50% to 366.4
bln AMD, liabilities grew by 57% to 327 bln AMD. As compared with the
first half of 2012, assets were up 65%, liabilities were up 77%. By
its assets and liabilities, Ameriabank is in the lead in the banking
market of Armenia.

By 1 July 2013, Ameriabank’s loan book exceeded 156 bln AMD (11%
increase over Jan-June 2013). SME lending was up more than 18% to
25 bln AMD. By the end of 2013, Ameriabank is going to increase its
portfolio of SME loans to 33 bln AMD. On 15 May 2013 the Bank launched
the Quickly & Simply loan campaign and prolonged the campaign period
to October 1 given the high demand for the loans.

In the first half of 2013, the time deposits of individuals in
Ameriabank grew by 20% to over 56 bln AMD. Unlike the standard
deposits, the Ameria Deposit introduced by the Bank on 1 May 2013
allows the depositors to manage their funds on preferential terms. As
a result, the flow of depositors in the bank has considerably risen.

Ameriabank CJSC provides investment, corporate and retail banking
services. Ameria Group has been the majority stockholder of Ameriabank
since November 2011 with a 99.99% stake. The Bank has 9 branches,
5 of them in Yerevan, 3 in the regions, and 1 in the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic.

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: STATEMENT IN CHAMBARAK-YEREVAN BUS WARNS OF HIGHER PASSENGER FARES

10:14 01.08.13

The paper says it received Wednesday an alarm call warning of an
expected hike in the passenger fare of the Yerevan-Chambarak buses.

The reader who contacted the paper reportedly said a statement in the
minibues warned passengers that the fares are going to rise from 1,200
to 1,500 (($2.95 – $3.65) Drams beginning August. The paper says it
contacted later the Ministry of Transport and Communication, as well
as sent the company operating the route for further comments. But none
reportedly verified the report. A representative of the company told
the paper that they had nothing to do with the statement. As for the
Ministry, they reportedly said no fare policies have been revised so
far. “No fare hike is expected as for August 1. The commission will
consider any reports in this connection in case of receiving them,”
the paper says, citing an employee of the Ministry.

Armenian News – Tert.am
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MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
From: Mihran Keheyian
Subject: Two Non-Combat Deaths In Two Days

Two Non-Combat Deaths In Two Days

The Ministry of Defense informed that on July 31 at 1:20 conscript
Manuchar Meruzhan Manucharyan injured himself deadly from the AKS-74
gun attached to him at the sentry post. This is preliminary
information, the MoD states.

The MoD investigative service has launched proceedings under Article
110 Para 1 of the criminal code on causing somebody to commit a
suicide.

Earlier on July 30 conscript Arman Hovsep Muradyan born in 1993
reportedly committed a suicide. The suicide is the preliminary version
offered by the Ministry of Defense.

11:10 01/08/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

ACTIVISTS, HOLDING PICKET IN FRONT OF YEREVAN MAYOR’S OFFICE, WILL SET A TENT
by Nana Martirosyan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, July 31, 21:04

Activists, holding picket in front of Yerevan mayor’s office, will set
a tent, an activist, Argishti Kiviryan, said during today’s discussion
organized at the territory of the Mashtots park.

To note, at present activists together with members of the Public
Chamber have been holding discussions regarding the public transport
tariff in Yerevan. Before starting the discussion, activists demanded
from the “pro-power” TV channels to leave.

AMBASSADOR: IRAN HAS SOLUTION FOR NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend, Azerbaijan
July 31 2013

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 31 /Trend, T. Jafarov/

Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pakayin will visit Fizuli
region and examine the Horadiz border checkpoint, the Iranian
ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pakayin said at a press-conference
on Jerusalem Day on Wednesday.

According to Pakayin, Azerbaijan and Iran have positively assessed the
opening of the “Aslanduz-Horadiz” border checkpoint and discussions
on the issue are continuing.

Pakayin noted that, he will visit Horadiz with his Azerbaijani
colleagues after the month of Ramadan.

Talking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the
ambassador stressed that, it should be resolved in a very short time.

“The conflict has been continuing for a long time. We have already
stated that we are ready to resolve the conflict and we have a project
on this issue. But, of course, the project will be made public at
the appropriate time,” Pakayin said.

SMALL BUSINESSES IN ARMENIA CONTINUE BEARING BRUNT OF INCREASED TAX BURDEN AS LARGE COMPANIES’ PART NOT GROWING

YEREVAN, July 31. /ARKA/. Small and medium businesses continue bearing
brunt of the increasing tax burden, while large companies’ part in
Armenia’s tax revenue is not becoming more significant, Haykakan
Zhamanak newspaper says commenting the largest 1000 taxpayers list
released by the State Revenue Committee.

The ten taxpayers that is topping the list have transferred AMD 80.5
billion to the government budget for the first six months of this
year – 10.4% -year on year growth, while the ten companies closing
the list have sent AMD 459.4 million to the budget over the same
period showing 28.5% year-on-year growth.

“It means small companies have outdone the largest taxpayers 2.8
times in building up their tax flows,” the newspaper says.

The ten largest companies’ share was 18.4% of the budget tax revenue
in the first half of 2012, while in the same period of this year
their share shrank to 16.8%.

ArmRosgazprom is topping the 2nd Q 2013 list of 1,000 largest
taxpayers. The company paid AMD 19.4 billion in the Jan-June 2013
against AMD 18.2 billion in the same period a year before.

The second largest taxpayer in the list is Zangezur Copper and
Molybdenum Combine with its more than 12.8 billion paid for the second
quarter of this year against AMD 11.3 billion paid at the same quarter
a year earlier.

K-Telecom (traded as VivaCell-MTS), with its more than AMD 11.2 billion
paid for the second quarter of this year against 7.2 billion a year
before, came third in the list.

K-Telecom is followed by Armenia Telephone Company, with its more
than AMD 7.5 billion against AMD 6.1 billion in Jan-June 2012.

Alex Grig is placed fifth in the list. It transferred AMD 6.7 billion
to the government budget in Jan-June 2013 against AMD 9.3 billion in
the same period of the previous year

Flash, GeoProMining Group, Electric Networks of Armenia, Sam-
Ser Group and CPS Oil Cоrporation found themselves among top ten
taxpayers as well.

The 1000 largest taxpayers of Armenia have transferred AMD 313.8
billion to the government budget for the second quarter against AMD
261.9 at the same period a year before. ($1 – AMD 409.90). —0—

– See more at:

ARMENIAN CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION INSISTING ON DISMISSAL OF YEREVAN CITY COUNCIL

YEREVAN, July 31. /ARKA/. Armen Poghosyan, head of the Armenian
Consumers’ Association, is convinced that it will be reasonable to
dissolve the Yerevan city council.

Speaking Wednesday at a news conference, said that the majority of the
council members took a passive stance on public transport fare increase
in Yerevan instead of discussing the matter and voicing their opinions.

At the same time, Poghosyan rated highly activities of Barev,Yerevan!

bloc and Prosperous Armenia party in the council.

“Some activities were seen on their side, but, taking into account
that the overwhelming majority of the council members displayed
indifference, we are insisting on dismissal of this council and
election of another one,” he said adding that the new elections should
be held as soon as possible not to let civil activity in Armenia fade.

This price hike has triggered public backlash in Yerevan. Protests
were being staged here with slogan “We Refuse to Pay 150 Drams!”.

Representatives of show business, political activists and journalists
have launched own protest campaign called Free Car. They and other
car owners were carrying people from remote areas of the city to
downtown and back in their cars for free.

As a result, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan has withdrawn his decision
and said that the municipality will set a special commission for
dealing with the problem. —0—-

– See more at:

THE EUROPEAN UNION MAKES ANOTHER $7 MILLION DISBURSEMENT IN SUPPORT OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AS WELL AS CHILD PROTECTION IN ARMENIA

On 15 July the European Union provided the final instalment of
~@5 million in support to vocational education and training (VET)
in Armenia, as well as a fixed instalment of ~@2 million to support
childcare reforms under the EU food security programme. Both financial
tranches are part of corresponding budget support operations, which
were agreed respectively in 2009 and 2010.

The overall EU assistance to VET in Armenia amounts to ~@15 million.

The key results of the programme are enhanced governance of VET
reforms, development of employment strategies, as well as improved
conditions and efficiency of VET delivery, leading to improved active
employment measures.

The programme has encouraged cooperation of authorities for a more
modern vision regarding VET institutions with updated procedures,
curricula and a National Training Fund on a pilot basis. Moreover,
12 VET colleges, mostly in regions, were modernised with enhanced
infrastructure, equipment, training of staff, improved planning
and budgeting. The impact is tangible – new students and teachers
have joined the system, thanks to improving finances and increasing
confidence in the future management.

Meanwhile, the food security programme has focused on child protection
and has contributed to a reduction of the number of children in
institutions and a decrease in the number of special education
institutions. While in 2007 there were around 12,000 institutionalised
children, their number decreased drastically to 4,500 as of 2012. The
number of special education institutions was decreased from 45 to 23.

The support has also led to unified leadership on child protection
through the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and an Action Plan
to ensure social protection of children at special educational schools
for children with special needs. The role of the National Commission
for Child Protection as a coordinating body with substantial advisory
and monitoring powers was strengthened through a revised charter. In
addition, the professional staff of three specialised orphanages was
trained on modern methodology of work with disabled children.

18:13 31/07/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

NEW BLATANT EVIDENCE ABOUT THE EMBEZZLEMENT OF SURIK KHACHATRYAN

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

July 29 2013

Today, Samvel Harutyunyan, the former Mayor of Goris for the period
of 1992-94, co-chair of the regional defense committee, presented
new amazing facts about the former governor of Syunik Marz Surik
Khachatryan and embezzlement in connection with his relatives. “One
and a half years ago, the National Assembly passed a law on medical
insurance. Surik Khachatryan, seeing the taste of money, immediately
starts working, and abusing his official position documents 4 people as
if agents and compels almost all state employees of the marz to insure
their health. The value of each transaction is 70 thousand drams. They
compel 3000 people, and it is a huge amount of money. And here are all
4 of them.  Surik Khachatryan has been for years, and even today is
the director of “Syunik” Charitable Foundation, one of the 4 agents is
Mkhitar Mezhlumyan, the son of the Executive Director of the Foundation
Levon Mezhlumyan. The 2nd agent is Razmig Tunyan, his former driver,
who in recent years has been working in one of Surik Khachatryan’s
gas filling stations, his son is documented. The 3rd agent is the son
of his former girlfriend Saida Adunts, the 4th is the son of Goris
Police Chief Armen Hovhannisyan. 3000 deals are conducted, in which
each transaction, i.e. 22% of every 70 thousand drams, according to the
law, was going to the agent as revenue. 3000 multiplied by 22 per cent
makes 46 million drams. They receive approximately 110 thousand dollars
of revenue from these transactions.” Samvel Harutyunyan assured that,
naturally, Surik Khachatryan could not miss his lion’s share from
those transactions, as in all-and-all transactions. 

He is telling about another transaction and embezzlement case in
Goris with participation of Surik Khachatryan. “Years ago, in 1991,
the 4th new high school building was built in Goris. It was left
unfinished. Personally, I did my best to keep the construction going
and the school students have the opportunity to study in a comfortable
new school building. A few years ago, the school building, by direct
order of Surik Khachatryan, is considered unclaimed property. For
unknown reasons, it was in the balance of the Ministry of Science and
Education, but considered unclaimed property, and is transferred to
Goris municipality, and the municipality, no more, no less, shortly
after, divides it into 4 parts, each with 224 square meters, and
sells it to 4 people. The first part is sold to Loretta Barsegyan,
Surik Khachatryan’s wife for 1 million 224 thousand drams, i.e. a
total of 3000 dollars. The other 3 parts are sold for the same price,
to the point the 2nd part was sold to Vardan Barseghyan, Surik
Khachatryan’s brother-in-law, the president of “Tigran and Trdat”
LTD, the 3rd part was sold to Sasun Khachatryan, Surik Khachatryan’s
cousin, director of Tatev hydro electro station enterprise systems,
and the 4th part is sold to Kamo Balasanyan, a resident of Goris.” 

According to Samvel Harutyunyan, shortly after, the first 3 parts
are sold to Harutyun Davtyan, a resident of Goris, whose brothers
are businessmen in RF. Each part was sold for 9 million drams. “It
is clear that it is impossible to imagine that Kamo Balasanyan has
bought is for the same price, 1 million 224 thousand drams. It turns
out that semi-finished school building was sold and Surik Khachatryan
and his cronies benefited approximately 100 thousand dollars.” 

Hripsimeh JEBEJYAN  

Read more at:

SYRIA KURDS CALLED TO FIGHT MILITANTS

Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:33

TEHRAN (FNA)- A main Syrian Kurdish group issued a call to battle
extremist militants in the country after an eminent Kurdish politician
was killed in a car bomb attack.

“We call on the Kurdish people… to step forward… Anyone fit to
bear arms should join the ranks of the Committees for the Protection
of the Kurdish People (YPG) and to face the assaults of these armed
groups,” said a recently released YPG statement, Al-Alam reported.

According to a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the
politician identified as Isa Huso was assassinated outside his house
in the Syrian town of Al-Qamishli on Tuesday.

The statement also slammed the foreign-sponsored opposition groups
in the country, the so-called Syrian National Coalition and the
terrorist Free Syrian Army (FSA), saying “Despite our repeated calls
…..to date, these parties have failed to take a clear position,”
the statement said.

This comes while Kurdish fighters, who are opposed to foreign
interference in Syria, have been battling foreign-backed militants
in the North in recent months.

On July 21, Kurdish fighters took control of a key checkpoint
controlled by al-Qaeda-linked militants and seized light weapons,
ammunition, a vehicle mounted with a heavy machine gun, and a mortar
launcher.

On July 17, Kurdish fighters also took control of the town of Ras
al-Ain in the border province of Hasakah.

The unrest in Syria started in March 2011, when pro-reform protests
turned into a massive insurgency following intervention of western
and regional states.

Many Syrians who sided with the opposition at start of the protests
have now turned to side with the government and the army to defend
their country against foreign-backed extremists.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been
killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.