Author: Kanayan Tamar

MEDVEDEV ACCUSED CYPRUS IN CONFISCATION OF OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY

18:20, 18 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev
on Monday called a proposed tax on bank deposits in Cyprus as part
of EU bailout deal a move akin to confiscation, reports Armenpress,
referring to Ria Novosti.

“We should say this directly: this simply looks like the confiscation
of other people’s money,” Medvedev said. “I do not know who the author
of this idea is, but this is what it looks like.”

Medvedev also called the proposed tax doubtful and anti-market and
warned Cyprus of a possible change in bilateral relations.

Earlier Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the tax as “unfair,
unprofessional and dangerous.’~R

Moody’s rating agency has estimated that up to US$19 billion in
private Russian cash is held in Cyprus. The figure accounts for
between a third and half of all Cypriot deposits.

Reuters reports that the Cypriot bailout saga is far from over. The
government of Cyprus is considering a raise of the already draconic
9.9% “unique solidarity levy” on the bank accounts in Cypriot banks.

A source from the Cypriot authorities told Reuters that the discussed
rate of the levy is 12.5% for accounts larger than 100,000 euros. The
rationale behind the proposed increase is to reduce the levy for small
accounts to 3%. Such a move makes sense from a political point of view,
because the holders of the small accounts are more numerous than the
holders of big accounts and most of the are citizens of Cyprus who are
allowed to vote, unlike the holders of the big offshore bank accounts.

INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE TO COOPERATE WITH HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

15:58, 18 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. A meeting with the President of
Haigazian University of Beirut Paul Haidostian, the Director of the
Diaspora Research Centre of Haigazian University of Beirut Andranik
Dakesian, and intellectual Armenak Eghiayan was held in the Institute
of Language after H. Acharyan of the National Academy of Sciences
of the Republic of Armenia. The Information and Analysis Centre of
the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia informed
“Armenpress” that the Director of the Institute of Language Victor
Katvalyan laid a heavy emphasis on the necessity of uniting the
efforts of the Armenian and Diaspora intellectuals for strengthening
homeland-Diaspora ties, fostering preservation of the Armenian
identity in Diaspora, and for development, regulation, and joint
study of literary Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian languages.

In the respect of the challenges the Diaspora has to face with, Paul
Haidostian introduced the activity of Haigazian University of Beirut
and touched upon the issues of preservation of the Armenian identity
and language.

In the end of the meeting an agreement was reached to start cooperation
between the Institute of Language after H. Acharyan of the National
Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and Haigazian University
of Beirut for joint researches regarding Eastern Armenian and Western
Armenian languages.

SERZH SARGSYAN OPENED PANDORA’S BOX

Siranuysh Papyan
15:47 18/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Interview with Editor-in-Chief of Ararat magazine, Alen Simonyan

Alen, you said at Freedom Square that this is not a fight of form
but content. What is the content or the feature of this fight?

The feature is that Raffi Hovannisian decided that the leader of
the fight is the people: he is not the leader but only a part of the
fight. Here, the president has always been perceived as the king, but
we don’t need a king, we need a system with dissidents and separate
forces. In reality, processes are happening in the post-electoral
Armenia to which Raffi has no relation, it is the civil society to
decide the sequence of steps. For example, the students’ strike, the
failure of the OSCE/ODIHR observers’ press conference, the incident
with Mukuchyan in the Constitutional Court. This is a wave of total
discontent. Change of generation and thinking is underway in this
country, which has brought about the necessity for a total change.

The formation of shadow government is discussed at Freedom Square. Is
the power possible to legitimize it?

I think the government will attach importance and will legitimize
the shadow government. Though it is a new technology, it will still
have its consequences. The power may affirm there is no problem in
our country, but we see that it is not unequivocal; we saw that the
second person of the republic visited Raffi, I’m sure Serzh Sargsyan
will visit him too. No one can say what will happen. What if 200.000
people gather on April 9, what will Serzh Sargsyan do?

Is any compromise possible in this situation?

The only concession may be the parliamentary elections in a while.

Sure, the authorities won’t agree to hold presidential elections,
while parliamentary elections may be presented by Serzh Sargsyan as
a concession.

Is the opposition possible to record unprecedented results in Yerevan
Mayoral elections?

The authorities will have its usual attitude, the same goes for the
opposition, which won’t unite. Heritage will try to involve the civil
society in its list. The authorities will try to give to Heritage as
few votes as possible trying to stop the movement. While the Yerevan
residents should be conscious and should vote, so we will be possible
to get what we got at presidential elections. We should not forget
the PAP, which will be an important player in the mayoral elections.

One thing is sure, in four years, this issue will be much bigger for
the authorities. This is a process, which can’t be stopped: people
think and raise claims. Serzh Sargsyan said this is Armenia of free
speech and so he opened Pandora’s Box.

Many say the movement is apolitical.

Who said the platform should be political and only political figures
should deliver speech? People are tired of seeing such political
figures as Artashes Geghamyan, Hayk Babukhanyan and many others.

Unfortunately, the political figure has no relation to people today,
so people separated from political figure. It is up to the civil
movement to form political figures and political agenda.

R. HOVHANNISYAN: “THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF A NEW DEMOCRACY”

Today – 10:43

On Day 8 of his hunger strike, Raffi K. Hovannisian called the first in
a series of open-air public forums, aimed at engaging popular opinion
on a variety of political, social, and cultural issues. The inaugural
forum was organized by journalist and MP Nikol Pashinyan, joined by
lecturer Ara Harutyunyan, and moderated by political activist Levon
Bagramian. Hundreds defied the rain and gathered under umbrellas to
listen to the speakers and to debate the day’s topic: the formation
of the newly-elected president’s government. Raffi Hovhannisyan’s
staff informs about this.

“These discussions are the foundations of a new democracy,”
Hovannisian said, calling on all concerned citizens to join the ongoing
deliberations. He announced that the forums will be organized daily,
at 5pm at Liberty Square, until Thursday — and will culminate,
on Friday at 6pm, in a major rally at Liberty Square.

Today’s forum will feature former presidential candidate Andreas
Ghukasyan. That will come after Raffi K. Hovannisian press conference,
to take place at 12pm at Liberty Square.

RPA MP ABOUT ZARUHI POSTANJYAN: “REMOVE HER FROM THE MEETING ROOM.”

2013-03-18 13:45:01

Today the fourth session of the National Assembly of Armenia kicked
off. Secretary of “Heritage” parliamentary faction Zaruhi Postanjyan
in her speech said that after February 18th presidential election
she is in search of right decision in politics and everyday life.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov, interrupting
Postanjyan, said that her statement had nothing to do with the agenda.

Then Postanjyan, addressing Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, asked:
“Can you explain to me who decides which applications we should do
and how do you assess our pre-application? Is there such a procedure
or not?

Answering the MP’s question, Hovik Abrahamyan said: “I do not make
decisions, the decisions are taken in accordance with the rules of
Parliament. Yes, due to the subject there should be discussion of
the questions.”

Zaruhi Postanjyan, however, continued to read her statement, in which
the member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Manvel Badeyan,
referring to Hovik Abrahamyan, urged him to use his power and remove
Postanjyan from the meeting room. “She prevents us from working.

Otherwise, I’ll leave.”

Hovik Abrahamyan, however, did not take RPA MP’s advice and continued
to read the fourth-day agenda.

VIDEO OF GOR SUJYAN’S LONELY PLANET ALREADY AVAILABLE

12:38 PM | TODAY | SOCIAL

The video of Lonely Planet, the Armenian entry in the 2013 Eurovision
Song Contest, is already available on the Internet. The song is sung
by Gor Sujyan and his band Dorians.

The music of Lonely Planet is written by the world-famous English
guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi who also is a founder member of
the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath. The lyrics is written
by Armenian Vardan Zadoyan.

In an exciting show on March 2, the Armenian TV public was asked to
cast their votes on four proposed songs. Sujyan sang the four songs,
out of which a 50/50 combination of jury votes and televoting picked
the winning entry.

The final version’s mixing and mastering was carried out in London
by the sound producers, Mike Exeter and Austen Kilbur.

The video was first presented on the official YouTube channel of
the band.

U.S. ACTIVIST ARA MANOOGIAN STAGES HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST RIGGED ARMENIAN ELECTION

12:27, March 18, 2013

Ara K. Manoogian, a U.S. based human rights activist, started a hunger
strike on March 17, 2013, in front of the Burbank, California District
Office of U.S. Representative Adam B. Schiff.

Manoogian has launched the hunger strike in the name of democracy
and the rule of law in Armenia.

The activist recently chided U.S. President Obama for congratulating
Serzh Sargsyan on his re-election as president of Armenia.

Manoogian writes: “I shall continue my hunger strike until U.S.

President Barack Obama retracts his congratulations, which legitimize
the official Armenian Presidential election results, skewed in favor of
the corrupt incumbent, Serzh Sargsyan, and ignoring popular sovereignty
as a cornerstone of democracy.”

More information can be found on Manoogian’s blog The Truth Must
Be Told.

PRICE OF ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY
HAKOB BADALYAN

13:11 18/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Diplomat Day was celebrated in Armenia for the first time. On this
occasion, foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan gave a solemn interview
to the Public Television dwelling on the hard and sometimes invisible
nuances of the diplomatic work.

The diplomacy of independent Armenia is a relative concept. The
point is that it was built on the Soviet staff potential. Though
independent Armenia has had two official and one unofficial foreign
minister from the Diaspora, Raffi Hovannisian, Vartan Oskanian and
Zhirayr Liparityan, nevertheless, the Foreign Ministry has always
been one of the branches of the Soviet KGB.

This is one of the important reasons why during its twenty-year
foreign political course, Armenia has never shown independence,
strategy aimed at national interest, but only processes serving the
interests of those who occupied the power.

Quite recently, very interesting statistics have been released which
showed the overall image of the weapon sale situation to Azerbaijan
in the last decade. It is noteworthy that among the leading countries
who sell weapons to Azerbaijan, there are three partners of Armenia
within the CIS, including two CSTO members.

The point is about Russia, Belarus and Ukraine which are the leading
weapon sellers to Azerbaijan: Armenia is represented in all of these
countries. Has any representative of Armenia issued concern over the
supply of weapon to Azerbaijan by these countries?

For example, Armenian ambassador to Ukraine Andranik Manukyan has
recently appealed on Armenian businessmen to show interest towards
the business sphere in Ukraine and invest, since the field is free.

Manukyan, of course, serves an example to the Armenian businessmen with
his business activities. The same ambassador has never dwelt on the
issue of weapon sale in case it is used against Armenia. Has Andranik
Margaryan ever been instructed by Yerevan to dwell on this issue?

What are the Armenian ambassadors to Belarus and Russia engaged in?

Oleg Yesayan, Armenian ambassador to Russia, used to hold the same
office in Belarus earlier, where he was successfully silent.

Apparently, for this, his rating was increased and he was appointed
in Moscow, where he substituted compose ambassador – virtuoso of
silence Armen Smbatyan.

Armenia seems to have broken this silence in 2012 during the CSTO
summit, where Serzh Sargsyan stated courageously that the CSTO should
not take up step contradicting the interests of Armenia.

But this statement was a little rumor to underline the policy of
silence. Anyway, it was the only one to deal with the issue of selling
weapons to Azerbaijan.

If Armenia demands nothing from its allies which are engaged in arming
Azerbaijan, it is natural that it can demand nothing from Israel,
which is one of the main weapon sellers to Azerbaijan.

It is noteworthy that in this relation the diplomacy of Armenia
meets no home political repression. This issue seems inexistent for
the political class of Armenia which allows this silence which is
sometimes broken to increase its value.

“RETRO”: REVELATION OF TIES BETWEEN JULIO IGLESIAS AND ARMENIA SINCE 1990

10:47, 18 March, 2013

This time “Retro” exclusive project introduced by “Armenpress” on the
news history and historical news is dedicated to the revelation of
ties between world famous Spanish singer and songwriter Julio Iglesias
and Armenia. Armenian press of 2013 January was overloaded with the
news about the concert and arrival of Julio Iglesias. The initiative
of the concert belongs to the singer. His Armenian friends used to
tell him he is much loved in Armenia.

Yet not many people recalled the news reported by Armenpress yet
in 1990.

YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS: Spanish singer is in Armenia for
already three days and is busy with the preparations of his concert
due on March 18. Iglesias has already met with the journalists,
stated he loves Armenia very much. The singer noted he has caught
Armenians are warm people; his Armenian friends were always vivid
example what he witnessed then. World famous singer had assisted to
the reconstruction of damaged Armenian town Stepanavan in 1990 and
for that reason gave concert in the State of Massachusetts initiated
by Saint Savior Armenian church. This fact somehow remained in the
shadow. Eight thousand people were present at the concert launched
23 years ago, USD 42 thousand was raised, which later by the help of
USA Eastern Diocese was allocated to Stepanavan reconstruction fund.

Iglesias is in Armenia not as an ordinary visitor but a good friend

In the briefing with the journalists the singer noted he is mainly
having concerts in the countries where he wishes.” Regardless the fact
this is my first visit to Armenia, I know much about your country. It
is already 200 years Spain and Armenia are in good relations. Even the
languages have the similarities” singer underscored. In the course of
45 years I had come to know many Armenians, who transfer their culture
to the world. “I am looking forward for my Armenian concert. The
years pass, not much is left to live, and I am glad I am here now,
to get acquainted with the land of my friends,” the singer shared
with his impressions.

Iglesias is going to sing an Armenian song

Spanish renowned singer has a habit to perform a song in a language
of the host country. This time Iglesias is going to sing an Armenian
song. The name of the song is kept confidential. Spanish, 70 year
old singer’s Armenian concert is scheduled on March 18, at Karen
Demirchyan Sports Complex.

Spanish singer and songwriter who has sold over 300 million records
worldwide in 14 languages and released 80 albums, and more than
2,600 gold and platinum records certified. According to Sony Music
Entertainment, he is one of the top 5 best-selling music artists
in history.

Why Kirk Kerkorian Is Important to MGM Resorts

The Motley Fool
March 15, 2013

By Travis Hoium

News yesterday that Kirk Kerkorian has intentions to raise his stake
in MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM ) isn’t something investors should sweep
under the rug before remembering what he has meant to the company over
the years.
Kerkorian isn’t as well known as Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts, or
Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands, but he has played a similar
visionary roll in MGM’s history.

Kerkorian began his dealings in Las Vegas in 1962 when he bought the
land that Caesars Entertainment’s (NASDAQ: CZR ) flagship casino
Caesars Palace sits on. When he sold the land to the company, he ended
up building MGM Grand, and naming it after the MGM movie studio, which
he also owned. Decades later, Kerkorian was behind the merger of MGM
and Mirage, which was the company Steve Wynn built, bringing the
Mirage, Bellagio, and Treasure Island into MGM.

If Kerkorian wants to increase his 18.6% stake in the company, he must
be bullish on both Las Vegas and the economy as a whole.

Bullish on economy

Kerkorian last tried to up his stake in MGM in 2006 when the economy
and markets were going bonkers. After the financial collapse, he
backed off MGM, but now that he’s on board, I think it’s a strong sign
that one of Las Vegas’ biggest investors is bullish on the economy as
a whole and, therefore, Las Vegas.

Kerkorian also has seats on the board, meaning he has insider access
to MGM’s financials. Insider buying is often a very bullish sign for a
stock, because insiders know things about a company’s operation that
goes beyond what outside investors can know.

What this means for gaming stocks

Before you go out and buy a basket of gaming stocks, it’s important to
understand the difference between MGM and other companies. Wynn and
Las Vegas Sands are Asian-centric so, if Kerkorian is bullish on MGM,
it doesn’t really mean anything for them. Caesars is in a similar
position to MGM with high exposure to Las Vegas, but instead of having
exposure to Macau, like MGM does, it has exposure to regional gaming
in the U.S. If you’re bullish on Las Vegas, MGM is the way to go, not
Caesars.

A deep dive into MGM Resorts

When MGM Resorts began constructing the CityCenter in Las Vegas, it
was an audacious plan that seemed like a sure bet with its prime
location in the center of The Strip. But Las Vegas hit a rough patch
during the Great Recession and has yet to fully recover, so MGM has
since turned its attention to a new market in Macau. This Chinese
gaming enclave now holds the key to the company’s future, and a new
resort on Cotai may relieve the company from crushing debt. For expert
analysis on whether this former high-flying stock can regain its form
on the back of a growing presence in Asia, you’re invited to check out
The Motley Fool’s new premium report on MGM Resorts.

Fool contributor Travis Hoium owns shares of Wynn Resorts, Limited.
You can follow Travis on Twitter at @FlushDrawFool, check out his
personal stock holdings or follow his CAPS picks at TMFFlushDraw. The
Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.