Author: Kalashian Nyrie

AZG DAILY #43, 12-03-2009

Armenian Genocide Update: 2009-03-12 00:35:30 (GMT +04:00)

FRENCH PRESS TOUCHES UPON GILBERT SINUE’S NEW NOVEL ABOUT THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE

Translated by L.H.

French authoritative newspaper Le Figaro daily touched upon French
writer Gilbert Sinue’s new novel about the Armenian Genocide titled
"Yerevan".

To the question of Figaro, why Gilbert not being an Armenian decided
to write a novel about the Armenian Genocide, the latter answered that
he had always been on familiar terms with the Armenian people. "I am
descended from a Greek catholic family of Egypt. My best friends were
the representatives of the Armenian community of Cairo", he mentioned
adding that he had heard the testimonies of the survivors of the
Genocide since his adolescence. Gilbert Sinue mentioned that the book
is published for a large circle of readers.

"I noticed that the books about this tragedy are mainly scientific
works. I think that if you want to arouse interest in something, the
best way is to write a novel. It can touch people’s souls and
hearts. I aim at stirring up more readers’ interest in the Armenian
Genocide", he said, according to "Armenpress".

PanARMENIAN.Net

Russia to support compromise decision on Karabakh
10.03.2009 15:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia and Azerbaijan’s views on the situation in
the South Caucasus and ways to guaranteeing peace and stability in the
region were fixed in the declaration on friendship, Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

`Our countries have concerns about existing obstacles preventing
regional governments from developing steadily. Firstly, this relates
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia’s position has been expressed
repeatedly, including by President Dmitry Medvedev. I believe it is
well known. Again, I repeat that we protest foreign intervention. The
primary responsibility to resolve the issue falls on Azerbaijanis and
Armenians. Russia is prepared to support a compromise agreement to
satisfy all parties. A viable solution is one that will return
stability to the South Caucasus,’ he said.

Commenting on the declaration signed on Nov. 2, 2008 by Medvedev,
Aliyev and Sargsyan and how it can contribute to resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Minister Lavrov said, `I must say this
document has great significance as the Azerbaijani and Armenian
leaders unambiguously confirmed their intention and readiness to
continue bilateral talks to resolve the conflict.’

`It is no accident that the results of the trilateral meeting received
support at the session of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers in
Helsinki in December 2008. Moreover, the three OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen – Russia, the U.S. and France – later made complementary
proposals,’ he said.

‘The fact that the presidents’ last meeting took place recently in
Zurich less than three months after the signing of the Moscow
declaration testifies to the document’s ability to resolve the
conflict,’ the Russian Minister concluded.

3 million euros provided in budget support to Armenia from European
Commission Food Security Programme

853

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, NOYAN TAPAN. 3 million euros has been provided in
budget support to Armenia from the European Commission Food Security
Program (FSP), NT was informed by the Office of the European Commission
Delegation to Armenia.

The FSP has provided support to the state budget of Armenia since the
1997 fiscal year. 10 annual programs have been successfully implemented
since then, with 96.5 million euros being given as direct budget
support and 5.5 million euros as technical assistance and follow up.

The FSP’s contribution to development of Armenia with the successfully
implemented 2007-2008 EC Food Security Programme amounts to 105 million
euros.

The special purpose of the 2007-2008 FSP was to help the Armenian
government improve the development, management and implementation of
state programs and raise the quality of agricultural services.

Armen Harutyunian: Tolerance should become component of our culture

7

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The state should take measures so that
ordinary citizens and small business will not carry the main burden of
the global financial crisis, while big business will assume the major
part of the problem’s solution, the Ombudsman of the RA Armen
Harutyunian stated at the March 10 press conference. According to him,
he is concerned about the Armenian authotities’ previous statements
that "the crisis will not reach us". "It means that we have created a
closed Stalin-type system," the ombudsman said.

At the request of a reporter, A. Harutyunian commented on the prime
minister Tigran Sargsyan’s statement that "spite and intolerance are
casting new cartridges: there will be new murders if we are unable to
change radically this atmosphere". By saying "murders", T. Sargsyan
meant "the October 27 assassinations". The ombudsman said that there
will be no new murders, and the prime minister’s wording was not good.
"We should realize that tolerance should become a component of our
culture," A. Harutyunian underlined.

ARMENIAN CURRENCY GOES POOF
Trace Mayer, J.D.

Gold Seek
php
March 5 2009

On 3 March 2009 in the space of a few hours the Armenian dram
evaporated from about 300 per dollar to about 400 per dollar and
275,000 drams per ounce of gold to approximately 365,000 drams
per ounce of gold. This rapid 30% currency poofing is like when the
Kazakhstan currency went poof but without the strategic geo-political
considerations. Nevertheless, extremely ominous financial troubles stir
in Eastern Europe. One knows the conditions are dire when Armenian
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan advocates using the Russian ruble as
a stable currency.

As fiat currencies represent the common stock of nations; Armenia’s
future is omnious. Trend Capital has reported that Ogtay Hagverdiev,
of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers Economy and Finance and
Credit Policy Department head, said. "It will take time to restore
the country’s economy. A revolt among the people may begin in the
meanwhile."

The Armenian government may soon default. Rising prices, the effects
of inflation, will soon begin. Shortages, a common effect of currency
problems, may appear. Civil unrest may follow like in Iceland, Greece
and China.

JUNCTION POINTS

Large buildings in urban environments are often constructed in such
a way to reduce the effects, such as sound, of the outside. It can
be inspiring to sit in perfect silence without any sound to be heard
coming from the bustling outside streets. How is this silence possible
with the hustle and bustle of a metropolis only a few yards away?

The answer lies in the construction. For example, an inner building
can be built within the walls of an existing building with the walls
of the inner building connected to the outside building at only a few
junction points. This will greatly limit the effects of the hustling
and bustling metropolis.

The investor can learn a lesson. The reduction of junction points
with businesses, organizations and governments can greatly reduce
various risks to one’s capital and their effect on one’s personal
life. If the relationship is no longer mutually advantageous then
any attachment through junction points should be easily severed.

Defining one’s throughput and then implementing the Theory of
Constraints thinking process can be extremely helpful in developing
the Four Hour Workweek. This may allow one the freedom to live where,
when and how they want. The transitions accompanying the great credit
contraction will provide tremendous opportunity for wealth generation
and accumulation. Being able to understand the environment will allow
one to swim with, not against, the current.

As the great credit contraction grinds on more fiat currency illusions,
like the Armenian dram, Kazakhstan tenge or British Pound, will
evaporate either wholly or partially. As poet John Greenleaf wrote,
"For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, ‘It
might have been’."

I am sure many Armenians, Kazaks and British, who had their life
savings evaporate, wish they had a last plane account with an
institution like GoldMoney where they could have kept their cash
balances in a tangible asset because no matter what happens with its
fiat currency price the gold or silver is still there. When these
currency devaluation events happen, and a golden sword of Damocles
hangs over the US Dollar, it is extremely fast.

MFA: US STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON ARMENIA BASED ON UNILATERAL SOURCES

armradio.am
06.03.2009 11:18

A few days ago the US Department of State issued its annual Human
Rights Report, which criticizes the state of human rights protection
in Armenia.

Asked by Panarmenian.net to comment on the report, Head of Media
Relations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan
stated:

"The report includes some justified criticism, but it’s also apparent
that conclusions are based on unilateral sources. It does not take
into consideration the comparable dynamics of development of processes
and the positive trends registered.

W have stated many times that irrespective of the reports and their
content, the Armenian authorities are resolute to continue the
process of democratic reforms, since it is the reasonable choice of
our people."

GHAZARYAN AND HOVSEPIAN IN RETURN ENGAGEMENT
By Mary Lancaster

Nantucket Independent
4/other_news/027.html
March 5 2009
NY

Accomplished violinist Armen Ghazaryan describes Nantucket audiences as
"the warmest in the world," making it exciting for him to look forward
to a return performance on Sunday, March 8 when he will play at the
Coffin School with pianist Levon Hovsepian.

"There is something special about the island and the residents —
the way they accept and appreciate music," said Ghazaryan. "They are
the warmest audience in the world."

Ghazaryan has performed twice before on the island for the Nantucket
Arts Council, the sponsor of the upcoming classical duo program, which
will be the second time he has shared the stage with Hovsepian. The
two were part of last September’s Arts Festival Week offerings. While
both men currently live in Boston, Ghazaryan was a Nantucket resident
from 2006 to 2008 when he taught at the Nantucket School of Music.

At the March 8 concert, Hovsepian will perform alone for the first
half with Ghazaryan joining him for the second portion of the program.

"He is a fantastic pianist and he is such a joy and fun to work with
it’s unbelievable," said Ghazaryan, adding that as musicians, their
mission is to remove the weight of worldly concerns from their audience
and bring them the profound pleasure masterful performances provide.

The program will include a classical range from a Chopin nocturne to an
Argentinean tango during the first half, and pieces by Beethoven to the
island premiere of the contemporary "Introduction and Perpetual Motion"
composed by 89-year-old Edward Mirzoyan. Other featured composers
will be Astor Piazzolla, Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee, Donal Fox, Camille
Saint-Saens and Aram Khachaturian.

Ghazaryan was born in Yerevan, Armenia and earned his PhD from
Komitas State Conservatory. His studies have been with the People’s
Artist of Armenia, Victor Khachatyan and at the Moscow Tchaikovsky
Conservatory. He has performed with several major symphony orchestras,
played solo concerts in Europe and America and been awarded prizes
at international violin competitions.

Hovsepian’s studies began at the Sayat- Nova Music School in Yerevan,
Armenia and continued at the Tchaikovsky Special Music School for
Gifted Children. An honors graduate of the Komitas State Conservatory,
he received the high credential of Artist Diploma at Longy School of
Music in Cambridge, Mass. and a master’s degree with honors. His New
York debut was in 1994 and he has performed with orchestras and as
a soloist in Europe and the United States.

Tickets are $20 for NAC members and $25 for non-members and are
on sale at Bookworks, Mitchell’s and Dan’s Pharmacy. Students and
children are admitted at no cost. The concert is at 4 p.m. at the
Coffin School on Winter Street and tickets will be sold at the door.

ARMENIA’S CENTRAL BANK RETURNS TO FLOATING EXCHANGE RATE POLICY

ARKA
March 3, 2009
YEREVAN

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) has decided to abridge its
interventions in the foreign exchange market, returning to the policy
of the floating exchange rate, said CBA Chairman Arthur Javadyan.

During today’s special session, the CBA Board decided to lower the
Central Bank’s intervention in the foreign exchange market, in view of
the ongoing aggravation of trade conditions and the global financial
and economic crisis, as well as the slowdown in capital inflow,
Javadyan said.

Guided by several methods and models adapted for Armenia and widely
used by other countries, CBA experts forecast that the "average
weighed U.S. dollar exchange is expected to range from 360 drams to
380 drams per $1," the CBA chairman added.

"This will enable us to form an exchange rate in line with the
macroeconomic basis to be able to boost Armenia’s competitiveness
in foreign markets, as well as open new employment opportunities,"
Javadyan was quoted saying.

He stressed that Armenia’s banking system is stable, well-capitalized
and that it does not lack liquidity. Local banks are ready to weather
the crisis storm.

On Tuesday morning, before CBA made official statement, the AMD vs. USD
exchange rate ranged from 305 drams to 308 drams per $1 in Yerevan’s
exchange offices. The country=E 2s banks have lately limited foreign
currency sales to individuals.

ANTICORRUPTION ADVOCACY AND ASSISTANCE CENTER OPENS IN YEREVAN
Gita Elibekyan

"Radiolur"
02.03.2009 17:40

The Advocacy and Assistance Center (AAC) of Yerevan opened its doors
to the public today. US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, as well as
representatives from the Armenian Government, the international
community and local NGOs attended the event.

Funded and established through the USAID Mobilizing Action Against
Corruption (MAAC) Activity, the Center will help citizens resolve
corruption-related problems by providing legal advice and assistance
in legal processing of complaints. The ACC will also provide citizens
with channels for reporting corruption and directing complaints to
government agencies, as well as stimulate reforms by recommending
systems-level changes to the Government of Armenia.

In her opening remarks Ambassador Yovanovitch reiterated the US
Government’s commitment to democratic reform and good governance in
Armenia. "Successfully reducing corruption requires and integrated
approach that includes the development and implementation of government
systems and policies to make corrupt practices more difficult and
detectable," said the Ambassador, noting the importance and role of
civil society institutions and independent media in bringing corruption
problems to light.

In addition to Yerevan AAC, which will be operated by Transparency
International Anti-Corruption Center, MAAC established similar AACs
in tavush, Lor i, Shirak and Syunik marzes.

CSTO TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL MILITARY INTEGRATION SYSTEMS

RIA Novosti
17:42 | 02/ 03/ 2009

YEREVAN, March 2 (RIA Novosti) – The Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) plans to establish several different types of
regional integration military systems, the post-Soviet security
grouping’s general secretary said Monday.

"The collective security system within the CSTO framework is currently
being built according to a regional principle. There exist several
regional military groupings – Russian-Belarusian, Russian-Armenian and
now the issue of creating a Central Asian group is being considered,"
Nikolai Bordyuzha told journalists.

The CSTO comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Russia and Belarus recently signed an agreement to establish a united
air defense system.

"This is the first step toward the creation of such regional systems,"
Bordyuzha said.

He also said the CSTO’s collective rapid reaction forces would not
interfere in the domestic conflicts of its member countries, adding
however that the final decision on their deployment would rest with
the organization’s heads of state.