Author: Karapetian Hovik

FAIR ELECTION WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN KARABAKH

Yerkir.am
Editorial
July 13, 2007

Artashes Shahbazian, the secretary of the ARFparliamentary faction,
say that conducting fair presidential election in the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic is crucial so that Karabakh speaks from stronger positions
in the settlement talks, proving that the country has a right to
independence and cannot be subjected to Azerbaijan. "It cannot be
connected to a country with a dictatorship regime," he says.

Shahbazian: It’s been 15 years that Nagorno Karabakh has declared
its independence and has been building and strengthening the statehood.

Government institutions were established in Karabakh almost
immediately, and the internal order has been maintained and the
borders protected. It took very short period for Karabakh to get
rid of militarized environment which was specific for a country in
war. Within years, it succeeded to transform into a democratic state.

We and the world have witnessed that everything is on high democratic
level.

Karabakh has proved that the country is a political unit of its own
based on democratic and European values. Karabakh is several steps
ahead of the country which still considers itself the owner of this
land. The environment in Azerbaijan is discordant with that that
exists in Karabakh. No one in Karabakh can imagine that they can
live again in the political reality that exists in Azerbaijan. For
us, it is very important now, before, as well as in the future, how
the election will be conducted in Karabakh. It is crucial that the
forthcoming presidential election in Karabakh be held in a civilized
manner and in line with democratic mechanisms.

Correspondent: As a rule, Azerbaijan tries to shadow such national
events.

Will it be the same now?

Shahbazian: As hard as Azerbaijan tries to question the legitimacy
of this election, Karabakh is proving its rights step by step under
the international law. Fair election is the way. When they try to hit
Karabakh they say that it is government by a group of people. Hence,
it is critical for the country to pass through this election and
maintain its image. And we are sure this is what is going to happen.

Correspondent: Can this work as a political factor?

Shahbazian: Yes, because if there are irregularities, Karabakh will
become vulnerable. Then, we will help others that what Armenians
present is not true, it is just a show.

Correspondent: Do you think that after the presidential election
Karabakh may participate in the negotiations process?

Shahbazian: Of course, it is a goal for all of us. And we are sure that
eventually we will come to a stage when Karabakh will be a full-fledged
party to the talks because it is hard to imagine that there can be
a solution without Karabakh’s participation and a solution will be
imposed on the Karabakh people.

ARMENIA HOPES DISCORD AMONG CFE TREATY MEMBER COUNTRIES TO BE SETTLED

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 16 2007

YEREVAN, July 16. /ARKA/. Armenia hopes that current discord among
member countries of the Treaty of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
(CFE Treaty) will be settled, Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesman
Vladimir Karapetyan said in a statement issued on Monday.

"The CFE Treaty will remain in force at least 150 days, and we hope
that the discord among member countries will be settled through
further dialogue", Armenian press office quoted Karapetyan.

According to the foreign ministry spokesman, Armenia is willing for
consultations with all CFE Treaty members.

Karapetyan said that Armenia views the treaty as mechanism ensuring
transparency and security balance in Europe for 15 years.

He said CFE Treaty is successfully curbing conventional armament
buildup in OSCE region.

On July 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree
ceasing the treaty and related international agreements because of
extraordinary circumstances threatening the country’s security.

The treaty is to be ceased in 150 days after official note reception
by member countries.

The treaty was signed in Paris in 1990, one year before Soviet Union
collapse, and amended in 1999 at OSCE summit in Istanbul.

The mended treaty opened doors for any OSCE member country.

Only four countries – Russia, Balarys, Kazakhstan and Ukraine –
ratified the amended treaty.

Georgia and Moldova refuse to ratify it demanding Russian troops
pullout.

NATO members are blocking the treaty enforcement for the same reason.

VAHRAM GHUSHCHIAN APPOINTED RA DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Noyan Tapan
Jul 17 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. By the RA Prime Minister Serge
Sargsian’s July 14 decision, Vahram Ghushchian was appointed the
RA Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development. Noyan Tapan
was informed about if by the RA Government Information and Public
Relations Department.

Vahram Ghushchian was born on May 29, 1975 in Yerevan. In 1992-97
he studies at Yerevan Institute of People’s Economy, receiving the
profession of economist. From 1999 he continued his studies at the
U.S. Colorado University, receiving he title of economy master, then
economy doctor. In 1996-97 he worked at the Land bank, in 1998-99 at
CBA, first as a specialist at the financial operations department,
then as Assistant to the CBA Chairman. In 2000-2006 he worked at
the Information Technologies Chair of Colorado University as the
Coordinator of the computer room, as Assistant to the lecturer, then
at the Center for Health Researches as a researcher. In 2006-07 he
worked at the Agricultural-Technical Center as a lecturer, from 2007
at the NGO the Armenian International Economic Researches Group as the
Director on Researches, at the World Bank as Advisor, and from May 2007
up to present he is a lecturer at the American University of Armenia.

He is married, has two sons, is non-partisan.

FIRST MEETING OF RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN WORKING GROUP FOR COOPERATION IN NUCLEAR ENERGY SPHERE IN YEREVAN

arminfo
2007-07-16 09:23:00

The first meeting of the Russian-Armenian working group on cooperation
in the nuclear energy sphere was held in Yerevan with participation of
"Atomstroyexport" CJSC.

"Energy and Industry of Russia" portal reports that reliability
growth and higher safety of the second power unit of the Armenian
NPP and the complex cooperation for installation of new power units
was the main topic of the meeting. The Armenian party reported on
the plans of energy system development and on the normative base
in the sphere of peaceful use of nuclear energy in the country. The
Russian delegates presented new projects of reactor installation for
Armenia. The parties discussed the necessary measures for preparation
of feasibility study to choose a new nuclear power unit for Armenia
and agreed on the following steps.

To recall, in the course of his recent visit to Yerevan, Head of the
Federal Nuclear Energy Agency of Russia (Rosatom) Sergey Kiriyenko
said the Russian party is ready to render technical assistance to
Armenia in the construction of the new nuclear power plant and to
take financial participation in it.

According to different estimates, construction of 1,000-megawatt
capacity nuclear power plant in Armenia will require some 2 billion
dollars.

WHETHER WE REALLY NEED `GOLDEN APRICOT’

`HAYOTS ASHKHARH’
14 July 07

The fourth international film festival `Golden Apricot’ prompts us
about the futility of the existence.
Had a similar event taken place in our reality around 20 years back
it would have definitely been a real event in our social life, while
nowadays it is an imperceptible and unremarkable event.
Those who are ex-officio obliged to fulfill their duties they did
so, the other part of the society is quite indifferent towards it.
Of course it has an external reason as well.
During the Soviet times festival movies were windows towards the
great and prohibited world. People used to attack the movie halls to
watch these movies with half an eye. Whilst the demand of the
prohibited fruit was manifested not only in cinematography but also in
the markets where the cost of one pair of jeans was equal to one-month
salary.
By the way the admiration that prevailed not only in the cultural
but also political life was also conditioned by the before mentioned
phenomenon. Foreign press was considered to be the highest instance
truth and the wise and just political structure of the countries on the
other side of the iron curtain.
In the everyday mythology of that period it was considered a
`different kingdom’ an island of dreams where golden pears grew on
poplars. Today nothing is left from the pure and bright conviction.
Not because our reality seems perfect, but because people understand
that anything can happen in the `island of the dreams’. Sometimes
astonishing justice triumphs, sometimes a gentleman talks to a
gentleman about something and reaches an agreement.
Thus we can’t say that we are horned devils and they are angels with
wings. You can’t say that life is bad in the West and you can’t also
say that it is worthy of admiration.
This is the external reason of the indifference towards `Golden
Apricot’, but there is a very important internal reason as well.
The festival proved – better overlooked then discredited. The latter
usually lies in ambush, when you don’t manage to bring your desires in
conformity with your abilities, but you want pretend that things should
be like that. The international jury, formed in a hurried manner
introduced names quite unheard of. Probably these people where also
surprised to receive invitations.
During the days of the festival there was a feeling of shame for the
extremely weak and bad competition. With the persistency typical of the
fox that complains about the quality of the fruit when it fails to
reach for it, they were trying to clarify the principle of the festival
saying that they put emphasis on the young film-producers and films
produced by the authors. Probably world-famous masters who also
expressed desire to participate in the `Golden Apricot’ were given the
same explanation.
The organization failings, old-fashioned techniques, the jury, the
empty halls, the self-admiration and pathos of the organizers, the
complaints about lack of money, all this was very shameful. By the way
most of this money belongs to us ` taxpayers. What do they spend it on?
And who benefits from the classical question of law. Most probably they
want to mislead the authorities regarding the place of the `Golden
Apricot’ on the world film-map. And this place is usually characterized
by a word that is not proper to be published in the newspaper.
We don’t appeal to radical measures ` such as `Do Away with Golden
Apricot’. But lets think about protecting the festival from shame. They
simply don’t want to bring proper movies and provide a proper level,
even in case their financial means provide this opportunity. So why do
we need to hold festivals every year, in case when neither films nor
stars want to visit us. Let’s find other ways.
Of course it is a pleasant and helpful job to be among the
organizers of International Film Festival. It brings money, foreign
tours, respect and good contacts. Should they conduct it by their own
financial means `Golden Apricot’ would have been a real treasure.

OSKANYAN SAYS ARMENIA IS REGIONAL LEADER
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

uly_12_2007/eco_1398_4.htm
Thursday, July 12, 2007, #131 (1398)

"Despite difficult socioeconomic conditions, Armenia not only survived
but has competed against and even triumphed over its neighbors," stated
Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanyan at ArmTech 2007, a
congress and exhibition of Armenian technologies held in San Francisco.

According to the news agency Regnum, Oskanyan says now that Armenia
has chosen a democratic system, it must recognize two important
new realities.

"The first reality is internal to our country. Armenia’s successful
reforms were those which were more obvious and less controversial
from economic and political standpoints," stated the foreign minister.

"The second reality is more regional. Armenia now needs to implement
deeper reforms that are more difficult to put into place," Oskanyan
said. He added that when Armenia’s neighbors were busy seeking their
own priorities, Armenia was able to compete and pull ahead of nearby
countries.

Oskanyan concluded by saying that today’s playing field is drastically
different than it was 15 years ago.

AMERICAN COMPANY METAL PRINCE PLANS TO INVEST $3 MLN IN DEVELOPMENT OF MINING INDUSTRY IN ARMENIA IN 2007-2009

arminfo
2007-07-11 09:39:00

American company Metal Prince, owner of Akhtala mining-and-processing
integrated works, is planning to invest $3 mln in development of mining
industry in Armenia in 2007-2009, president and executive director
of Metal Prince, Serob Ter-Pogosyan, told ArmInfo correspondent.

He also added that at present CJSC Metal Prince is negotiating with
several finance and investment companies for attraction of investments
in the capital. Using these sums the company will set the second
flotation line at the Akhatala mining-and-processing plant, which
will allow to raise rated capacity of copper concentrate production
from today’s 600t in a month up to 1000t.

President of the company said that today because of ore absence
only 300t of the copper concentrate are produced monthly. The copper
concentrate contains 20-25% copper. He also added that over the next
two years the company is going to start exploiting of the Akhtala
and Armanin poly-metal deposits.

Since setting of the second flotation line the company may start
processing of the poly-metal ore, which will make possible production
of zinc and plumb concentrate at the Akhatala plant. According to
the programme of 2007-2009, the company is going to gather all the
geological data, to create an electronic model of the deposits and to
hold reestimation of the stores. According to the preliminary data,
there are 10,4 mln tons of ore in Armanis.

President of Metal Prince added that $2,7 mln were invested in the
company in 2002 – 2006. They were attracted to drawing out of the
Shamlukh copper deposit being exploited today, and to upgrading
of the Akhtala processing plant. About $1 mln out of this sum were
invested in geological work when building the open-pit mining of the
Armanin deposit.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 8 2007

Goran Lennmarker: There is no need to debate report regarding Nagorno
Karabakh at present condition

[ 07 Jul 2007 14:15 ]

The delegation of Azerbaijani Parliament participating in the summer
session of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) met the president of the
organization Goran Lennmarker in Kyiv, head of Azerbaijani delegation
Eldar Ibrahimov told the APA.

He said that the representatives expressed their anxiety in the
meeting on not debating Nagorno Karabakh conflict in OSCE PA till
now.
Mr.Lennmarker said that OSCE Minsk Group deals with this issue and
efforts in the solution of the problem have increased and the
meetings are often held.
`Mr.Lennmarker stated that they see no need for debating Nagorno
Karabakh conflict in OSCE PA at present condition,’ he said. /APA/

VOLUME OF SALES OF ‘YEREVAN BRANDY COMPANY’ GREW BY 4%: RESULTS OF 2007 FINANCIAL YEAR

arminfo
2007-07-06 12:40:00

Upon results of 2007 financial year (July 1, 2006 – June 3, 2007),
the volume of sales of the "Yerevan Brandy Company" (YBC) grew by 4%
to 3,650 mln l of brandy, Director General of YBC Herve Caroff said
at a press-conference.

He said that the growth was provided mainly due to extension of such
important and traditional markets as in Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia and
Baltic states. The growth in Russia, to the share of which 70% of the
total volume of sales fall, was limited in view of introduction of new
excise stamps by Russian party. H. Caroff also said that the Company’s
management is satisfied with the fact that the volumes of sales of
brandy of the premium (by 8%) and super premium (14%) categories,
to the share of which 32% of total sales of "Ararat" falls, have
grown to the utmost in all the markets over the reporting period. The
"Ararat" brandy is successfully sold in Armenia. Upon the financial
year results, the volumes of sales in Armenia grew by 7% to 270,000
l. In addition, sales in the segments of premium and super-premium grew
by 15% and 14%, respectively. Noteworthy, the import of production of
the "Pernod Ricard" group to Armenia, the owner of YBC and the second,
by size, producer of wines and strong alcohol drinks in the world,
grew by 50% in 2006-2007. In particular, the growth was registered
by such key brands as Chivas Regal – by 70%, Beefeater – by 47%,
Jameson – by 120%, Havana Club – by 70% and Olmeca – by 100%.

H. Caroff added that the YBC has entered the American market for
the first time over the reporting period and sold 50,000 l of
brandy there. The sales in Poland, Bulgaria and Rumania, as well
as in the Asian markets, in Vietnam and Singapore, in particular,
were regulated. The sales in Germany have been consolidated. The
Company is getting ready to enter the French market in autumn,
2007, he said. Asked by journalists, at a press-conference, about
the difficulties and prospects of sales in Russia, Director General,
President of "Pernod Ricard" Eastern Europe Frank Boivin said that the
"Russian market is very complicated with its administrative problems.

However, the "Pernod Ricard" group considers Russia not as a problem
but a great opportunity. The Russian consumers are well-acquainted
with the "Ararat" brandy. He added that the Company schedules to
develop sales in the traditional markets, including Russia, as well
as enter new markets.

To note, the "Yerevan Brandy Company" was privatized in May, 1998 by
"Pernod Ricard" French group. Today, YBC produces 7 names of brandy
and sales them in 20 countries.

CHAIRMAN OF AZATUTIUN RADIO STATION EXPRESSES HOPE THAT RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WILL NOT ADOPT BILLS GIVING RISE TO CHALLENGES

Noyan Tapan
Jul 3, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Jeffrey Gedmin, the Chairman of the
Azatutiun (Liberty) radio station, criticized the bills being discussed
in the RA National Assembly, the application of which can stop the
broadcast of the Armenian service programs of the Azatution (Liberty)
radio station by Public radio. At the same time, he expressed hope that
these bills will not be finally adopted and will not become a law. This
information was provided by the Azatutiun (Liberty) radio station.

"The target of these bills, which formally prohibit the broadcast
of any foreign programs in the Armenian language on the frequencies
of the Public Radio, are, evidently, the programs of the Armenian
service of the Azatutiun (Liberty) radio station. This will serve as a
dangerous precedent for the public mass media of all the countries of
the former Soviet Union, countries, where people have been listening
to the programs of the Azatutiun (Liberty) radio station for tens
of years in order to receive such news, which is inaccessable by the
local mass media, which is controlled by the state. I hope that the
Armenian MPs will reconsider their attitude towards these incomplete
bills," Jeffrey Gedmin said in his statement.