Author: Kalantarian Kevo

RA EDUCATION MINISTER STATES ENTRANCE EXAMS TO
ARMENIA’S UNIVERSITIES TO BE FAIR AND TRANSPARENT

AZG Armenian Daily #135, 20/07/2006

Levon Mkrtchian, newly appointed RA Education and Science Minister,
stated that the entrance exams to the Armenian universities will be
fair and transparent. He said that the entrance exams will launch on
July 20 and added that it is planned to open a special site that will
fully cover the process of the exams. This year, the exam marks will
not be rounded off. Minister stated that at present the given system
of evaluation is the most convenient one. As for the tuition fees,
Mkrtchian said that thanks to the contract system the university
students will be able to pay a fixed sum of money that will not
change in the course of the education process. He added that at
present not a single local university has increased the tuition fee
as compared with the last year. The most expensive university is
still the Yerevan State Medical University, while the faculties of
International Relations and the Law Departments are the leading ones.

According to Mkrtchian, 12 413 entrants applied to the local
universities. This indicator surpassed that of the last year by 500
entrants. Minister stated that this year the entrants’ interest to
the Yerevan State Economic University has grown, as 1633 people
applied to that. Besides, as compared with 2005, the number of
entrants who applied to the faculties of the English Language at
various universities has also grown. The Yerevan State University
has 671 free of charge vacancies, while the Yerevan State Medical
University has only 148. In total, there are 4 342 free of charge and
5 598 paid vacancies opened at the Armenian universities. Mkrtchian
stated that just like in the previous years the faculties of Physics,
Biology and Chemistry are not popular.

By Sousana Margarian

IFC Announces its First Equity Investment in an Armenian Bank

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

July 18 2006

The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the
World Bank group, has agreed to buy a 10 percent stake in Inecobank
of Armenia. This is IFC’s first equity investment in an Armenian bank.

In June, IFC announced it will provide Inecobank with a $3 million
senior loan to grow its small and medium enterprise and residential
mortgage portfolios.

Edward Nassim, IFC’s director of Central and Eastern Europe, said,
"We are pleased to begin our partnership with Inecobank. With IFC’s
financing, the bank will substantially expand its mortgages financing
program, which will play an important role in raising living standards
of Armenian citizens."

Armenia became an IFC member in 1995. The Corporation began investing
in the country in 2000. As of July 2006, IFC has invested $17.29
million in five projects. IFC continues to explore the investment
opportunities in partnership with strategic investors in both
the financial and real sectors of the country. In addition to the
investment program, IFC has been providing advisory services on
corporate governance, improvement of the investment climate, and
small and medium enterprise development.

About Inecobank Inecobank is one of the 10 largest Armenian banks
by equity and assets with a market share of about 4 percent. The
bank had net worth of approximately $12 million and total assets of
approximately $40 million equivalent as of the end of 2005. It owns
a network of six commercial offices in Yerevan as well as in the
main Armenian regions (Shirak, Lori, and Armavir). Today the bank
focuses on serving small and medium enterprises and retail clients,
especially in consumer financing, where the bank has been a pioneer
and still is the market leader.

About IFC The mission of IFC, part of the World Bank Group, is to
promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries
as a way to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. IFC finances
private sector investments in emerging markets, mobilizes capital
in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social
and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance
and advice to governments and businesses. From its founding in 1956
through FY05, IFC has committed more than $49 billion of its own
funds and arranged $24 billion in syndications for 3,319 companies
in 140 developing countries. For more information, visit

TRUTH OF INVESTIGATION OF CRASH NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

Lragir.am
18 July 06

This is the opinion of majority of our readers who voted to the poll
of the Lragir. The question of this poll, which lasted for 7 days,
we asked our readers if in their opinion the whole truth about the
investigation of the plane crash will be published. 73 percent voted
for the answer "no". 22 percent think the truth will be published
but years later. Only 5 percent of readers voted for the answer "yes".

URGENT – G8 urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to reach accord on Karabakh

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
July 17, 2006 Monday

ST PETERSBURG, July 17 — The G8 has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan
to show political will and reach an agreement on Nagorno Karabakh
already in 2006, the statement spread on Monday said.

"Nagorno Karabakh was high on the meeting’s agenda. We confirmed the G8
support for mediation efforts of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
and pointed to the need to soonest coordination of basic principles
for the peaceful conflict settlement in 2006," the document said.

"We call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach an agreement and prepare
their people for peace, not for war," the statement said.

US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza to visit Armenia and
Azerbaijan

ArmRadio.am
18.07.2006 15:00

US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza will visit Armenia
and Azerbaijan on July 31 and August 1, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov told the journalists, "Interfax" reports.

In his words, Bryza will arrive in Yerevan and Baku to discuss new
suggestions directed at the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. "We
were told that Bryza has new suggestions, which he wants to discuss,"
Mammadyarov said. He particularly noted that in case Azerbaijan finds
an opportunity of progress in the negotiations over the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict, Baku might approve of the recurrent meeting
between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. "For two
years we have been working on the main principles, most of which have
been agreed upon. However, some questions still persist, and if Bryza
brings new ideas, we’ll be ready to continue the process. In case
of necessity, we may arrange a meeting as well," the Azeri Foreign
Minister noted.

LAST ACCOMPLICE IN THEFT IN ARDSHINVESTBANK DETAINED IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 17 2006

YEREVAN, July 17. /ARKA/. The police detained the accomplice in the
theft of Ardshininvestbank A. Khanoyan. The General Prosecutor’s office
reported that Khanoyan was detained at the Bagratashen checkpoint
while attempting to cross the Armenian-Georgian border.

Khanoyan had golden ware in 1kg, $13,260, AMD 100,000, RUR 15,000
and GBP 50 with him.

As a result of the investigation, the police seized about 10kg of
golden ware, found and seized from Khanoyan’s father-in-law Gerashenko.

Besides this, 5.4kg of golden ware and AMD 4.4mln were found at the
car service point, owned by Khanoyan’s friend Gevonjyan.

On July 3, a theft of a big amount of money (AMD 41mln, $56503,
EUR 2690 and RUR 44,700) and also pawned golden ware was committed
in Ardshinvestbank’s "Malatia" branch. R.O. –0–

Film-maker’s new treat for martial arts fans

Aberdeen Evening Express
July 12, 2006 Wednesday

A Martial arts movie master has promised his latest release will be
a real treat for action fans.

Death List, from Aberdeen’s Ara Paiaya, will be premiered at the
Belmont Picturehouse on Belmont Street next month.

It was partially filmed in the Granite City and features legendary
kung fu actor Robert Tai and Jackie Chan’s producer Bey Logan.

Mr Paiaya, 28, plays a hitman who takes delight in cleaning criminals
off the streets.

The Armenian-born film-maker, who has lived in Aberdeen for 25 years,
said:

"It is a showcase of martial arts and I am pleased with how the film
turned out."

Many of the cast and extras are from the city. Big Brother star and
Evening Express columnist Cameron Stout also appears.

Scenes were shot in London, Spain, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Death List is the fifth film from the former Cults Academy pupil and
Robert Gordon University graduate.

It will be shown at the Belmont on August 8 at 9pm.

Puzzle over Artur airport escape

Standard, Kenya
July 15 2006

By Biketi Kickechi and Patrick Mathangani

The baffling escape of the so-called Artur brothers from the fiercely
guarded Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on June 8 yesterday
came under scrutiny at the Commission of Inquiry investigating the
Armenian saga.

The Commission heard that police were instructed to close the airport’s
main gates moments after the Arturs drew guns at a charging crowd,
but the brothers still fled.

An inspector of police stationed at the airport during the incident
on the evening of Thursday, June there were more than 50 officers on
duty at the time.

Inspector Stephen Kithinji said he received frantic instructions on
police radio to have the gates closed, and relayed the orders to an
officer manning the entrance.

But when the gates were closed and vehicles searched, there was no
trace of the Arturs, said the officer who manned the gate, Constable
David Yator Kiprotich.

Earlier, the commission was told the escape puzzled senior officers
and angered Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Hussein Ali, who demanded
to know how the Arturs drove for a kilometer, to the gate, without
being arrested.

Asked to explain how the escape could have occurred with gates closed,
Kithinji replied: "I can’t tell, my Lords."

Kithinji was being cross-examined by Ms Jane Ondieki, lawyer for
suspended CID director Joseph Kamau, who wanted to know how the Arturs
could have evaded the dragnet.

Kamau was suspended on June 12, four days after the Arturs breached
security at the airport by drawing guns at a crowd. They had refused
to pay duty for goods their guests had brought into the country.

Former police commander Shedrach Kiruki chairs the commission,
sitting at Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Yesterday, Kiprotich said the Officer Commanding Station, a Mr Gikonyo,
later joined him and they engaged in a fruitless search for the Arturs
at the airport.

Kithinji said when he attempted to persuade Margaryan to pay duty
for the seven CCTV cameras and a receiver, the latter said he could
not pay duty for "such small items".

He said Margaryan boasted that he was a VIP investor who never paid
duty for his containers entering the country.

The Artur brothers left the airport after they had allegedly snatched
goods without paying tax and whipped out pistols from holsters tucked
on their hips to scare away furious members of the public.

Police officers based at the airport continued giving contradictory
accounts of what transpired at the baggage hall.

Two officers, Josphat Kirui and Geoffrey Muthama, said they were at
the baggage hall contrary to statements by other witnesses that they
were no where near there during the commotion between Margaryan and
the customs officers.

The two officers said they shielded the brothers from a hostile crowd
of about 300 people and escorted them to the car park.

"Two white people who were in the company of the Artur brothers drew
pistols at the car park," said Kirui.

Their story was the complete opposite of that narrated by their
immediate boss, Sergeant Everlyne Awonda who said Artur Margaryan
drew out his gun as he exited the baggage hall.

Nambale and Ochieng’ had earlier said Margaryan drew out two pistols
as he stepped out of the hall to scare away the hostile crowd.

Muthama told the Commission that Artur Margaryan was spoiling for
a fight while the crowd was baying for his blood, that is why they
escorted them.

He however explained that they did not arrest them after saving them
from the mob because they were known and could be caught later.

Others present at the baggage hall have consistently said Margaryan
walked into the hall accompanied by a bodyguard who took away the
goods.

"We have nothing to feud over with Russians": Georgian President is
unaware what is Armenia’s fault

Regnum, Russia
July 12 2006

President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili considers the Russian side’s
closing the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint that blocked traffic through
the Georgian-Russian border "a direct answer" to his negotiations
with the US President George Bush in Washington, REGNUM correspondent
reported. "Frankly speaking, there is a policy targeted at changing
regime in Georgia," Saakashvili said at a news conference in Tbilisi.

"But not only in Georgia. Georgia has become a symbol of the
struggle for freedom and defending people’s interests for Ukrainians,
Byelorussians, people of Central Asia, and many other regions of the
world. I don’t want to be pathetic but our suppression and stifling
means the victory of evil, the triumph of the adversaries of freedom."

"Totally inappropriate statements are being made," Saakashvili
lamented. They say, you go to Washington, and we will annex your
territories, and so on. Do you think they will not annex them if we
do not go? Exactly in that case you will see how they annex it. They
have a hysterical reaction to us, (they make) some manifestations on
the principle "So you do this? Then we would do that!" It is exactly
when Georgia looses the support of the free world Georgia’s foes will
realize their plans."

Mikhail Saakashvili pointed out that the closure of the
Georgian-Russian border economically strikes not Georgia, for Georgian
commodities are exported not in this direction. It only harms people
who make trips through the land border, and goes against the interests
of Armenia. "It is particularly bad for Armenia," Saakashvili said. "I
don’t understand what is Armenia’s fault, since it is Armenian cargos
and citizens that were going through this checkpoint, whereas Georgian
cargos were not allowed there anyway."

"I am not at all pleased that the border is closed; I am not at all
pleased that the wine is not let through, I am not at all happy,
and, I think, Russians should not be happy at all that they cannot
drink Borjomi," the Georgian President said. He also asserted that
it is "not difficult" for him to talk to the President of Russia
Vladimir Putin. "It is always an equal, outspoken, and easy for me
conversation, I think he is a man quite capable of defending his
country’s interests. We will talk."

"Nobody, first of all, we ourselves should not have an illusion that
if we give in and get on our knees, somebody will give us something
back or make something easier for us," Mikhail Saakashvili assured.

"It would be exactly when they saw that we got scared, that we yielded,
that our hands were trembling, that our cause would end… But this
is not in the Georgians’ nature. Why did we manage through this last
winter almost without the energy deficit for the first time?"

"Because when they cut our electric power, everybody got mobilized:
the state agencies, the people, even small children. During each such
hardship there is always a part of society who want to take advantage
of it. I am speaking of the political society, if it could be called
a society. But the people is wise and it realizes that if we respond
(to the challenges) with consolidation, with truth, with spiritual
endurance; if they see that we are not afraid and do not fight with
each other, that we see what pretensions stand behind all this –
we will get out of this much stronger."

The Georgian President also reminded that the Russian society has
traditionally been Georgia’s ally. "Whatever anti-Georgian attitudes
are being created, all this is temporary," he asserted. We have
nothing to feud over with Russians. Moreover, I said to President
Putin straightforwardly that we personally have nothing to feud over.

It was not him who initiated these conflicts. I also did not hold
office when the conflicts were initiated. I always think that, if
we had one tenth or one hundredth of the support that we have now
internationally, there would be no chance for the developments that
actually took place. What a damned time and what a damned circumstance
it was in the life of the most chaos-immersed country that such a
big tragedy happened in Abkhazia. We must not allow another mistake
like this."

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/11/2006
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1) ARF Says Peace Process Optimistic but Not Realistic
2) Golden Apricot Film Festival Begins in Yerevan
3) Russian Diplomat Says There Is No Framework in Peace Process
4) Armenia Presses Russia To Reopen Georgian Border

1) ARF Says Peace Process Optimistic but Not Realistic

YEREVAN (Yerkir)The political affairs director of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Bureau Giro Manoyan said Tuesday that recently announced intentions
by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to resolve the Karabakh conflict in 2006
were very optimistic but unrealistic due to the Azeri president’s
uncooperative
position.
"This optimism was based on the sole fact that there will be no elections in
Armenia or Azerbaijan in 2006," Manoyan said. Hovhannisian added that
Azerbaijan continued to pursue an aggressive policy and was not ready for any
concession.
Manoyan also mentioned that to say the process was "deadlocked" would not be
the proper characterization since, from the onset, Azerbaijan had no intention
of resolving the conflict based on the principle of mutual compromise.
He also added that the only positive provision in the latest statement by the
OSCE Minsk group co-chairs was the inclusion of a provision that gives the
people of Karabakh the right to self-determination.
Hovhannisian noted that the Karabakh negotiations have been favorable for
Armenia after 1998, because the issue and discussion of a self-determination
referendum did not occur before 1998.
Manoyan explained that Stepanakert had never formulated a proper position
toward the liberated territories.
"The ARF position is that since Nagorno Karabakh is working on a constitution
it should declare its dominance on those territories," Manoyan said. "However,
both Yerevan and Stepanakert view those territories as part of a compromise,"
said Manoyan adding that the ARF did not agree with that approach.
Manoyan added that Karabakh’s agreement to hold a referendum was a compromise
in and of itself since a referendum was held years ago to declare independence
from Azerbaijan.
Manoyan deemed inappropriate the tactic used by the US co-chairman Matthew
Bryza to publicize the principles of the peace plan in bits and pieces, saying
the entire proposal was made public in its entirety a week later.
At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) summer session,
the Armenian delegation succeeded to ensure the support of other countries in
turning down proposals put forward by the Azeri and Turkish delegations, Vahan
Hovhannesian, head of the Armenian delegation to the PACE and National
Assembly
vice speaker, told a news conference Monday.
Meanwhile, Hovhannesian said, resolutions favorable for Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh have been passed.
"This time our cooperation with leading nations was successful, I mean, the
US, Canada, France and Russia," Hovhannesian said. "Most importantly, we
succeeded in including a provision regarding the right to self-determination
within PACE resolutions based on the results of the Montenegro referendum."

2) Golden Apricot Film Festival Begins in Yerevan

YEREVAN (Azg Daily)The Golden Apricot 3rd International Film Festival launched
in Yerevan July 10 at the Yerevan Moskva Cinema. The festival’s theme is
"Crossroads of Cultures And Civilizations."
Chairman of the Golden Apricot Film Festival, Canadian film director Atom
Egoyan, in his opening remarks, said an Armenian film festival in Paris "one
the most important events of my cultural formation, and convinced me that I
had
to connect with Armenia in a more direct way."
"Although I had seen Paradjanov’s work in Toronto, this was my first
opportunity to see the full spectrum of production. It was also a chance to
meet such legends as Henrik Malian, Albert Megerdichian and Tigran Mansourian.
I first visited the country in 1991, coming back the next year to shoot
Calendar with my wife, Arsinee Khanjian, and Ashot Adamian. Since that
time, we
have made regular trips back to Armenia, and it has become an essential
part of
our lives. Festivals are an amazing opportunity for filmmakers to share their
stories with an audience and with each other."
The festival was launched with the retrospective showing of "Namous", an
Armenian film by Hamo Beknazarian, who founded Armenian Cinematography in
1925.
An estimated 100 films by directors from 58 countries will be shown at the
festival. The competition category of the festival includes films by Perdo
Almodovar, Krzsystof Zanussi, Aleksander German Junior, and Rakhshan Bani-
Etemada.
The documentary film category includes films by Mickael Glavoger, Gunar
Bergdal, Sergey Loznica, and Victor Kosakovskiy.

3) Russian Diplomat Says There Is No Framework in Peace Process

BAKU (Armenpress)The Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group made a
surprising revelation Tuesday, saying that there was no framework agreement,
which reportedly was developed by the Minsk group cochairmen as it related to
the terms of the proposed peace process principles.
During an interview with the Azeri Trend news agency, the Russian co-chairman
Yury Merzlyakov said the peace-brokers form the group suggested that the
parties to the conflict must first coordinate the basic principles for the
resolution of the conflict and develop the agreement on their basis.
He then said the co-chairmen do not use such terms as "stage-by-stage,"
"package" or "universal" conflict resolution options. These terms have been
used throughout the 14-year OSCE conflict resolution process. In the most
recent peace efforts, Azerbaijan has suggested a "step-by-step" approach, with
Armenia and the Minsk Group co-chairs not commenting on the matter.
The Russian diplomat hinted that elements of the peace process would be
further clarified following the first visit by the US Minsk Group co-chairman
Matthew Bryza to the region.
"At the moment, I am just not ready to assess the situation. It will become
clearer when he goes there and listens to the parties’ opinions," he added.
Merzlyakov added that Bryza’s visit to the region had been originally
scheduled for late July or early September.
In Armenia, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian announced at a press
conference Tuesday that a possibility for rapprochement between Yerevan and
Baku over the Karabakh conflict resolution process did not exist.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi
Sallukh, Oskanian said Bryza’s scheduled visit to the region may stimulate
establishing contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Matthew Bryza, in an interview Friday with the
Azeri
Service of BBC, said that the Minsk Group’s statement, which says "there is
nothing more to be achieved for determination of the peaceful principles of
the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," does not mean that the talks have reached a
deadlock.
Bryza commented that the statement means creative capabilities of the
mediators have been exhausted and there is a need for new initiatives.
"This is
not a deadlock. This is a moment when co-chairs say ‘now the leaders should
make a decision on what they want,’" he said.
In his opinion, both leaders have the political will and wish cooperation,
"but do not know whether they are ready to conclude the basic principles of
the
framework agreement."

4) Armenia Presses Russia To Reopen Georgian Border

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)Official Yerevan is making "active efforts" to get Russia to
reopen its main border crossing point with Georgia which serves as one of
Armenia’s few external trade routes, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said on
Tuesday.
"We are working with the Russian side and hope that solutions will be found,"
Oskanian said without elaborating.
Moscow closed the Upper Lars post on Thursday ostensibly to carry out repairs
at the customs and border guard facilities on the Russian side of the rugged
frontier. The move, which followed a controversial Russian ban on imports of
Georgian wine and mineral water, was denounced as politically motivated by the
authorities in Tbilisi.
Armenian officials have also expressed concern, with Prime Minister Andranik
Markarian saying that the Russians should have at least informed the Georgian
and Armenian authorities of their actions beforehand. Speaking during a
weekend
visit to the Georgian Black Sea region of Ajaria, Markarian said the
closure of
Upper Lars has created a "very difficult" situation for Armenian companies
exporting goods to Russia and other former Soviet republics.
Scores of Armenian trucks were reportedly left stranded at the border
crossing. Oskanian thanked the Georgian government for allowing some of them
proceed to Russia via South Ossetia. But he said this "exception" was not a
solution to the problem which threatens to hit particularly hard Armenian
exporters of perishable agricultural products. Russia is their main market and
they are now scrambling to re-route their shipments through the Georgian Black
Sea ports of Poti and Batumi.
The Upper Lars checkpoint had already been closed for nearly two months in
the
autumn of 2004 as part of "anti-terrorist" measures taken by Moscow following
the deadly seizure of a school in Beslan, North Ossetia by radical Chechen
militants. The transport embargo was widely criticized in Armenia.

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