Author: Kanayan Tamar

Ancient Armenian coins discovered in Turkey

December 26, 2012 | 14:46

The police at Turkey’s Kastamonu Province found numerous objects of
historical value.

Based on a call that was received, the law enforcement officers stopped
a vehicle that was entering Kastamonu city. Upon searching the vehicle,
the police discovered 424 pieces of historically significant objects,
jewelry, and coins plus two illegal guns, Haberler news agency of
Turkey reports.

Also, there were three pieces of ancient Armenian coins among the
objects that were discovered.

“In actual fact, at least the criminals do not deny that Armenians
have lived in these lands,” Istanbul Armenian journalist Aris Nalci
wrote in his Twitter account in this connection.

“IN THE PASSING YEAR AZERBAIJAN’S POLICY AND BEHAVIOR BECAME EVEN MORE AGGRESSIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE:” NKR PRESIDENT

arminfo
Wednesday, December 26, 15:04

On 25 December President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan attended
the meeting of the Defense Army’s Military Council convoked to sum
up the activities of the army in 2012,the NKR President’s Press
Office reports.

In his speech the President rated high the role of army building in
our state policy and touched upon the activities carried out during
the past year, the achievements and problems existing in this sphere.

The Head of the State gave concrete instructions to the defense
minister and the supreme command staff of the army for the continuous
strengthening of the army, defense potential of the country and
ensuring people’s security.

Speech of Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan delivered at a
meeting of the Defence Army’s Military Council dedicated to summing-up
the 2012 annual activities

“I value very much each meeting with the Defense Army’s staff. The army
building is one of the key priorities of our state policy. In 2012
quite extensive and targeted work was carried out in the sphere of
army building, including the army’s military and moral-psychological
training, increasing the efficiency of the management system,
enhancing military capabilities, improving mobilization readiness and
in many other directions. Special attention was paid to strengthen the
borderline, engineering constructions and other defensive systems. All
of these allowed the servicemen conducting military duties to rebuff
the enemy’s attacks in the most productive way. It should be said
that such attempts by the Azerbaijani armed forces were occurring
quite frequently.

As you know, from 1 January to 20 December of the current year the
enemy vanguards violated the ceasefire regime more than 13,000 times,
which exceeds the same data of the previous year by 2000 cases.

Azerbaijan used sniper group on an extensive basis too. In addition to
the above-mentioned, the enemy undertook seven attempts to destabilize
situation in the borderline by using diversion-intelligence groups,
which encountering resistance from our positions were forced to
retreat.

In the passing year Azerbaijan’s policy and behavior became even more
aggressive and destructive. Baku continues to make militaristic,
anti-Armenian statements, increase military spending, and violate
the ceasefire regime. Azerbaijan also released the criminal murderer
having insidiously killed with an axe the Armenian officer and made
him a national hero. This policy is nothing more than terrorism that
poses a threat to the civilized mankind.

In the meantime Baku rejects any proposal aimed at the implementation
of complex mutual trust measures along the borders. For example, it
rejects our proposals to withdraw snipers from the borderline, which
we introduced to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs about five years ago.

During the recent visit of the mediators to the region official
Stepanakert presented another proposal to avoid shooting on a number of
religious and international holidays. The proposal was rated positive
by the mediators, however, Baku did not respond to that as usual.

We cannot ignore all these, especially in the process of army
building. We will not imitate Azerbaijan’s steps. Any kind
of discrimination, including national, aggressive and inhumane
behavior is alien to the Armenian civilization. We have declared
many times that we are the proponents of peaceful settlement to the
Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict. However, this does not mean that we are
not ready to give a worthy response to the enemy’s encroachments. I
have ordered the defense minister and the army command staff to give
a strong counterattack to any aggression.”

ARMENIAN STATE COMMISSION SEEKS RETURN OF ARMENIAN CAPTIVES IN AZERBAIJAN

news.am
December 26, 2012 | 12:10

YEREVAN. – The Armenian State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages,
and Missing Persons convened its year-end session Tuesday.

Commission Chairman and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan chaired
the event.

Members of the commission discussed the activities that were carried
out in 2012 and clarified the work program for the coming year.

It was noted that the activities of this state body have given some
result over the course of the passing year. The discussants added,
however, that this work will be more effective if Azerbaijan were
to act within the framework of international norms and not create
unnecessary obstacles, MOD press service informs.

In closing, Armenia’s defense minister noted that the Commission
will further deepen the cooperation with international organizations
in 2013, so that the remaining Armenian captives in Azerbaijan can
return to Armenia.

RALPH YIRIKIAN WILL “NEVER” ENTER POLITICS

DECEMBER 25, 2012 15:41

Ralph Yirikian, the CEO of VivaCell-MTS, denied the news that he would
announce his candidacy for the 2013 presidential election during a
conversation with

According to Yirikian, “It is not my business, it is not my
profession, and I am not interested in that. I don’t want to repeat
myself, but I must stress that you can see me only in the field of
communication. However, if I am not in the field of communication
one day, it is not ruled out that you may see me in another place,
but not in politics. It is a field, where I will never enter.”

Eva HAKOBYAN

SYRIAN ARMENIANS FORCED TO SHOP AT YEREVAN CITY SUPERMARKETS – PAPER

December 27, 2012 – 13:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Haykakak Zhamanak daily, Kuwaiti
envoy to Armenia passed cheques to the amount of $100000 to a public
organization for coordination of Syrian Armenians issues.

The move enables a thousand Syrian Armenian families to get AMD 20000
cheques to purchase necessary products.

The only problem is that the cheques allow purchases solely from
Yerevan City supermarket chain, owned by an MP Samvel Aleksanyan.

According to the envoy, a Kuwaiti delegation was behind the choice
of the supermarkets.

“We’ll be glad to hear a logical explanation to the fact that people
aren’t given cash to spend as they see fit, instead being forced to
leave the sum at Yerevan City,” the daily said.

RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA IS A MASSAGE TO POWERS INTENSIFYING SITUATION

09:45, 27 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian-Russian relations
are developing in all the spheres. Military cooperation is on a very
high level. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the
Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko
answered the questions of “Armenpress”.

– Mr. Ambassador, what is Your assessment of the present level of
the Armenian-Russian technical military cooperation?

– The Republic of Armenia is a member-state of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization and is a part of the CSTO fast response forces.

Relations and ties between our countries in technical military sphere
are on a good working level. The cooperation between the corresponding
administrations of the two countries is rather active. The Minister
of Defense of the Russian Federation Mr. Serdyukov paid a visit to
Armenia this year. The agreement about stay of the Russian military
base in the Republic of Armenia for 49 years is a good signal to all
those powers, who want to intensify the situation in the region. It
is a good message to all those, who attempt to threat Armenia or
destabilize situation in Armenia.

– How and where are You going to celebrate New Year?

– I shall celebrate New Year here in Yerevan. It has become a
good tradition since my arrival in Armenia. We celebrate New Year
in the Embassy with all our staff. There are more than 100 people
working in the Embassy. We celebrate it with a Christmas tree, Santa
Claus, champagne, good dishes and till morning (laughing). (THE
FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Hakob Vardanyan

A1+ FOURTH APPLICATION TO ECTHR

Law – Tuesday, 25 December 2012, 10:29

A1+ TV has applied to the European Court of Human Rights arguing the
legality of actions of the Armenian Commission of Public Television
and Radio. A1+ lawyer Ara Ghazaryan told Pastinfo that the refusal
of the channel’s application for broadcasting license has some legal
uncertainties, namely the decision of the commission does not match
the ratings results. According to the lawyer, the Armenian commission
has violated Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights,
freedom of expression, while the courts were not consistent and
applied the aforementioned convention wrongly. This is the fourth
application of A1+ to the European Court.

AMULSAR GOLD PROJECT IS IN A WAY A BUSINESS CARD FOR THE FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA
by Arthur Yernjakyan

arminfo
Tuesday, December 25, 23:20

Below is ArmInfo’s interview with Dr. Hayk Aloyan, Managing Director
of Geoteam CJSC.

Geoteam CJSC is an Armenian mineral exploration and development
company, specializing in discovering new mineral deposits in Armenia.

Geoteam CJSC is a 100% owned subsidiary of Lydian International
Limited. Geoteam CJSC was incorporated in 2005 and after an extensive
campaign of geological exploration in Armenia discovered what is now
its flagship project; the Amulsar mountain. Amulsar is a brand new
gold discovery, the first for over 20 years in Armenia. The European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development became a shareholder of Lydian
International in 2009 and on 21 March 2012 it increased its share to
6.80%. The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World
Bank Group, owns 10.23% of the shares.

What is the present stage of Amulsar gold-bearing deposit project of
“Geoteam” CJSC? It is known that the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development was interested in financing this project. What progress
on this and other directions was achieved in 2012?

The exploration works yielded positive outcome in the past year. We
expect to be able to announce about gold resources increase in the
upcoming year. Preliminary exploration results make it conceivable
that Amulsar gold deposit resource potential may well reach 5 million
ounces, though this will need further exploration drilling to prove
this.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as well
as the International Finance Corporation (IFC, part of the World Bank
Group) are among Geoteam’s parent company- Lydian International’s
main shareholders. At this point the Environmental and Social Impact
Assessment (ESIA) of Amulsar project is being finalized. At the
request of the Government of Armenia the ESIA has still to undergo
an independent review. After this is completed, we intend to take
on to the next- development and construction phase we expect to get
funding from EBRD and other investors.

Our mining industry is recognized by the Government of Armenia as one
of the priority branches in the economy. Does the investor witness
the support of the Government and, if so how is it manifested?

Amulsar gold project is in a way a business card for the foreign
investments in Armenia. Among the many shareholders in Lydian
International, that is listed on Toronto stock exchange, are Amber
Capital, Van Eck Global, AGF bank, Franklin Templeton Investments,
and McKenzie. Most of these investors haven’t made investments in
Armenia before. Further investments in Armenia from this and a number
of other companies may also depend on the success of the project. I
believe, the Government is supportive of our efforts to make sure that
Amulsar project becomes a success story of foreign investments. The
presence of such prestigious institutional investors along with the
IFC and EBRD should give all the stakeholders in Armenia comfort that
the project will be properly conducted. The fact that such investors
are involved in the project also the fact that Lydian International
is a market-listed company is the best guarantee that the program
is fully transparent and that Geoteam will be a responsible taxpayer
and employer.

At a recent conference in the American University of Armenia the
Director of the Social Responsibility Center in the Mining of the
Australian University Queensland Mr. Sallem Ali stated that there is
no alternative to the development of the mining industry in Armenia,
however, as he stated, while exploration of any deposit a balanced
approach should be displayed and international experts involved to
assess the environmental risks. Has such an environmental assessment
expertise been conducted with regard to Amulsar deposit?

The independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) I
mentioned earlier is conducted by international firms to international
best practice standards. Reputable independent international consulting
companies such as Wardell Armstrong International and Golder Associates
are conducting the ESIA. The survey includes detailed assessment of all
the potential environmental and social risks and the best mitigation
and prevention measures in line with the best international practice.

It is a decade since the so-called international Equator principles
were agreed and they allow for stricter standards for identification,
assessment and prevention of environmental and social risks in the
parts of the mining sector that sign up to these principles. Lydian
International and thus Geoteam have agreed to adhere to these
principals. In addition most of the potential lending banks and
financial organizations of Lydian International are signatories of
Equator principles and that is the best guarantee that the project
will be financed only if the project is planned and conducted in line
with these principles.

During the same press-conference on the social Responsibility in
mining, not only the environmental, but also the other spheres of
social responsibility in mining, practiced in developed countries
was discusses. What are the social projects of Geoteam?

Although Armenian legislation does not require that mining companies
have special social programs, social responsibility is an important
part of international best practice and requirements. Our social
projects began early in our exploration program. We have invested
more than 550,000 USD during these years into the community social
projects. We have undertaken infrastructure repairs: school,
kindergarten, community center, irrigation system, natural gas
supply system, as well as different development projects: healthcare,
education, etc. 12 young people from our affected communities are now
studying at University to become geologists and engineers and we are
paying the tuition fees. In terms of employment we also prioritize
local communities. Already 140 local residents are employed by
the Company: We also have agricultural and other programs for the
communities, aimed at sustainable development.

Social Responsibility is not just the direct economic investment into
the communities, it also implies other activities, like cultural
heritage issues. Geoteam had invited the best local and foreign
specialists to carry out archeological research in the project area
during the exploration period. This and many other projects are again
implemented by us in line with the best international practice. We
will stay committed to these practices during the development of the
project as well.

How do you assess the new Mining Law?

The new law was passed in January 2012, in accordance with the
consultancy of the World Bank. In general, the law will have a positive
impact on the development of the mining industry. It will make the
industry in Armenia more attractive for the investors, because it
provides for a clearer procedure for exploration licensing.

At the same time it also pays closer attention to the taxation issues,
increasing the taxes that should benefit the country as a whole. Most
importantly, the law pays closer attention to environmental issues. It
requires, that mining companies now include environmental activities
during both the exploration and production periods. If properly
applied, the law can have a positive impact on the industry and
the environment.

It was expected that Geoteam would make $52 m into exploration and
preparation for the next phases. What are the investments made so far?

During the exploration period the Company has already invested $46 m.

mostly into exploration activities. We expect to invest over $270 m.

during the construction period. Investment post construction will
continue throughout the mine life as the deposit continues to grow
and the mine develops. We expect the total investment to be well over
$400m over the life of the mine. At peak production we expect to be
paying the budget of Armenia tens of millions of dollars annually in
taxes dependent on gold price.

The positive economic development is already visible in the affected
communities around our project. This is not only due to direct and
indirect jobs and social projects, but also due to substantial increase
in the community budgets because of the payments for the renting of
the lands we make to the communities. During these years the annual
budgets of each communities have increased from about 1-3 m AMD to 40-
70 m. Next year we expect that this number for each community will
reach approximately 200 m. AMD.

What are your expectations from 2013?

We expect to increase amount of investments and the number of jobs. We
will continue to present the Amulsar project in different investment
markets as well as Armenia- as a favorable place for investments. Most
importantly, we are sure, that during all the years to come we will
have the opportunity to demonstrate, that Amulsar project will be
an exemplary mining project, that will benefit both the investors,
the local communities and Armenia as a whole.

“ZHOGHOVURD”: RESIDENTS AVOID HERMINE NAGHDALYAN’S BUSES

2012-12-22 10:57:57

Well-informed sources of the newspaper “Zhohovurd” reported that the
buses owned by the vice-speaker of the National Assembly Hermine
Nahdalyan Yerevan-Goris so outdated that people can not use them,
they are afraid to even get on them.

A group Sisian residents along with the expression of the complaint,
said that they were forced and made groups to come to Yerevan by taxi.

And Naghdalyan, learning of this, has urged taxi services owners
to give her a certain amount for the enrichment “at the expense of
her line.”

The newspaper sought to clarify this information from Hermine
Naghdalyan, but she stubbornly refused to answer calls.

NOMINATIONS FOR ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS STARTED

10:15, 25 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: The nomination for the upcoming
February 18 Presidential Elections has begun. The documents are
necessary to be submitted to the Central Electoral Commission for the
registration of Presidential candidate started from December 25,2013
up to January 4, 2013, 18: 00 pm. The registration of the nominated
candidates is scheduled for January 4-14. Pre-election campaign will be
launched on January 21 and will end on February 16. The deadline for
self-withdrawal must be submitted until February 8. Electronic voting
is set to be started on February 9, 08: 00 am and end February 13,
20: 00 pm. The polls will start on February 18, 08: 00 am and end 20:
00 pm. The election results will be wrapped up by February 25, 2013.

Marxist Party chairman Davit Hakobyan, specialist on epos Vardan
Sedrakyan, historian- pedagogue and former ARF member Hovik Aghazaryan
have expressed desire to run for Armenian Presidential Elections.

“Prosperous Armenia” party accepted a decision neither to nominate
a candidate in February 18 elections, nor to support any candidate.