Author: Khondkarian Raffi

SCR GENERAL DIRECTOR RULES OUT RISE IN SHIPMENT TARIFFS IN ARMENIA

ARKA
June 5, 2009

YEREVAN, June 5. /ARKA/. The South Caucasus Railway (SCR) has
no intention to raise shipment tariffs in Armenia, SCR General
Director Shevket Shaidulin was quoted as saying Thursday at Novosti
International Press Centre (Yerevan).

"We are doing our best to help local manufacturers enter the CIS and
global markets. This is the reason why we refused to raise tariffs
this year despite the hike in the electricity price," he added.

The company’s expenditures rose 500mln drams due to the recent hike
in the electricity price that affected almost all communal services
in Armenia, the SCR general director said.

However, the company will try to retain current tariffs with the help
of special technologies and expenditures management policy.

"With a new tariff classifier coming soon, our price policy will
offer a clear and transparent price policy," Shaidulin said.

The company has approved a new tariff policy, RA Minister of Transport
and Communication Gurgen Sargsyan has signed the document and it will
be published soon.

According to Shaidulin, the new tariffs will be lower than those
effective in 2008, particularly tariffs for using the universal
rolling stock to ship particular goods depending on the distance from
Ayrum station.

"We do not plan to raise tariffs, as we believe management is the only
way to earn pr ofits amid the global financial crisis," he concluded.

On 1 June 2008, SCR, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Russian Railways,
received property owned by Armenian Railways under the February 13,
2008 concession agreement the parties concluded for 30 years, with a
right of extension for another 20 years after the first 20 years of
operation.

CRAFTS CHAMBER TO OPEN IN ARMENIA’S SPITAK CITY

/ARKA/
June 4, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, June 4. /ARKA/. A chamber of crafts is to open in Spitak
city soon, Hovhannes Ekimyan, Armenian-French businessman, author of
the project, told this week RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan.

The project is an attempt to unite craftsmen around the world,
enhance vocational education and ensure social welfare.

In her turn, Hakobyan hailed the initiative and vowed staunch support
to the project implementation.

They also agreed on opening the branch of the Madrid-based St. Lazar
Center that supplies Armenia with medical equipment.

Hakobyan said the ministry stands ready to support the project.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: "THE INVESTIGATION OF RUSSIAN ARM SHIPMENT TO ARMENIA WILL BE CONTINUED"

APA
June 3 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova -APA. "Azerbaijan will continue the
investigation of Russian arm shipment to Armenia", Azerbaijan Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists, APA reports.

The foreign minister said the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) deputy chairman’s statement that "most part of Russian arm
shipment was delivered to Belarus and Armenia in 2008" would be kept
in the focus of attention. "During his visit to Baku, Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov denied media reports about the Russia’s $800
million arm shipment to Armenia, but we will continue the investigation
due to the CSTO official’s recent statement".

‘TURKISH SECULARISM IS MILITANT, OLD-FASHIONED’

Today’s Zaman
June 2 2009
Turkey

Turkey’s secularism is "militant and old-fashioned," according to
the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey.

Dutch Christian Democrat Ria Oomen-Ruijten, who has written the
last two progress reports on Turkey, has been acclaimed for her
critical but balanced approach, a precious asset that is usually
lacking in reports on Turkey prepared by members of the European
Parliament. Oomen-Ruijten, who is running in the European elections
of June 4, has been threatened by the strong Armenian lobby as she
refused to refer to the Armenian "genocide" in her two reports.

In an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman at her campaign
headquarters in Echt, the Netherlands, Oomen-Ruijten made clear that
she would seek the job of rapporteur on Turkey if she is re-elected.

Naming polarization the most urgent problem of Turkey, Oomen-Ruijten
thinks Turkey immediately needs a brand new constitution rather than
amendments to address the shortcomings of the system, in particular
secularism. The Dutch politician praised President Abdullah Gul for
his conciliatory tone.

"The problem is that your society has been so divided. Therefore,
the best way to overcome problems is a brand new constitution,
not amendments. Turkey needs a new constitution, guaranteeing
first and foremost the separation between state and religion. Now
it is not separate," she said. "In my view it [Turkish secularism]
is old-fashioned. I am a Catholic. If I want to go to church and
say something in political life, it is allowed. But in your country
religion is absolutely absent in public life. In public life I should
be allowed to confess I am a Catholic, why not? I am absolutely
against religion playing a role in politics or legislation. But it
can help cooperation in society."

Oomen-Ruijten also criticized the main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) for trying to settle political disputes with the
government in court, rather than Parliament. "It is incredible that
an opposition party immediately goes to court if it cannot defeat
a motion in Parliament. It would be unthinkable in my country,"
she said. "You need to have the debate in Parliament. But it is not
the case in Turkey. If the opposition cannot stop it in Parliament,
then you need to take it to civil society and ask for their help,
not to the courts. We will never do it in the Netherlands."

The CHP has blocked several laws passed in Parliament, getting them
annulled at the Constitutional Court after they have been enacted
on the grounds of non-compliance with the Constitution. In most
cases, the CHP moves and the subsequent court rulings have proved
to be controversial, with critics accusing the court of acting as a
political actor rather than strictly implementing the law.

Oomen-Ruijten complained that the judiciary in Turkey is not
impartial. "For a modern democracy you need an independent system of
justice. The problem in Turkey is that you really have independent
justice, but it is not impartial," she said, emphasizing that Turkey
needs judicial reform.

Sarkozy and Merkel

Although she is a Christian Democrat, Oomen-Ruijten has also criticized
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy,
who have stepped up their opposition to Turkey’s membership in their
election campaign speeches.

Oomen-Ruijten said opposition to Turkish membership now does not make
much sense because Turkish accession is not going to happen for at
least 10 years.

"We all have to accept that negotiations have started and that
the decision will be taken in 10 years or something. Sarkozy and
Merkel won’t be there anymore when the decision is taken," she said,
underlining that the accession negotiations would be halted only if
Turkey fails to meet the criteria. "It is in the hands of Turkey. It
is not in the hands of the two leaders," she said.

Asked to comment on criticism from Armenian groups in Europe against
her stance on Turkey, Oomen-Ruijten said she would maintain her
position. "The Armenian lobbies have not been successful in blocking my
candidacy, and I will hold my line on the Armenian question," she said,
noting that there are positive developments regarding Turkish-Armenia
ties. "The developments are very positive. I think I made a humble
contribution to the latest developments, and I tried hard to convince
the Armenians in the diaspora for the need to improve the conditions
of those who are living in Armenia," she said.

On Cyprus, she played down concerns that the long-running dispute
could derail the Turkish membership process but warned there would be
"serious repercussions" if there is no settlement. "Because if there
is no solution at the end of the year, that will provide ammunition to
those who are against Turkish membership," she said. Echt Today’s Zaman

KARABAKH VERIFYING POSSIBLE DESERTION OF TWO SERVICEMEN TO AZERBAIJAN

Interfax
June 1 2009
Russia

The Karabakh Defense Ministry is verifying the possible desertion of
two servicemen to Azerbaijan, ministry press secretary Senor Asratian
told Interfax on Monday.

"Two servicemen deserted from their military unit on Sunday. We are
checking out their possible desertion to Azerbaijan," he said.

The Azeri media said on Sunday that two Armenian deserters had been
captured.

, Turkey
May 31 2009

Voting under way for mayor of Armenian capital

The results are expected on Monday.

Sunday, 31 May 2009 13:39

Voting was under way on Sunday for the mayor of the Armenian capital.

The opposition Armenian National Congress hopes a victory for its
leader, former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, would challenge the
authority of his successor, Serzh Sarksyan. The city accounts for 1.1
million of Armenia’s 3.2 million people.

"I voted for Levon Ter-Petrosyan as this is just the beginning. We
will make (him) the president," Ler Grigoryan, a 35-year-old former
soldier, told Reuters.

The opposition hopes to capitalise on discontent over the economy,
which has shrunk in line with the global economic crisis and the slide
into recession of strategic ally Russia.

The landlocked country’s GDP is forecast to contract by 5.8 percent in
2009 and prices have crept up since the central bank floated the Dram
currency in March.

Sarksyan’s Republican Party is backing the incumbent, Gagik
Beglaryan. Pollsters predict a close race but say Beglaryan is
favourite to win and some early voters said they backed him.

"I voted for Gagik Beglaryan as he has shown himself to be a good
mayor who really serves Yerevan’s interests," said Susanna Minasyan, a
26-year-old student.

Ter-Petrosyan, Armenia’s first president after independence from the
Soviet Union in 1991, lost to Sarksyan in presidential elections in
February 2008. Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters cried foul, prompting
clashes in which 10 people died, including two policemen.

Some 770,000 Yerevan citizens are eligible to vote and results are
expected on Monday.

Reuters

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s Congratulatory Message on 45th
Anniversary of `Berd’ Dance Company Founding

Fri day, 29 May 2009

All civilized nations introduce themselves to the global family of
nations by means of culture, first of all. For many centuries, the art
of dancing has been the key to self-expression for our people.

In its capacity of a cultural entity, `Berd’ has covered a unique path
of development. Several generations of dancers have joined the Company
since its founding some 45 years ago by drawing upon the crystalline
source of Armenia’s dancing spirit.

Either at home or abroad, Berd has managed to represent the Armenian
dancing art with much credit and honor. `Berd’ has fascinated several
thousands of spectators worldwide to win international recognition and
respect for Armenia and Armenians.

With my heartfelt congratulations on the 45th anniversary of `Berd’
company, I wish it further success and new creative achievements to the
benefit of the Armenian culture and folk-dance.

Gem and jewelry sector to be exempt from 1% mandatory profit tax on
revenues from raw material import and export deals

YEREVAN, MAY 30, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 21 sitting, the Armenian
government approved the bill on amendments to the Law on Profit Tax and
the Law on Value Added Tax. By these amendments, henceforth no 1%
profit tax will be levied on revenues from jewelry raw material import
and export deals. By the amendment to the Law on Value Added Tax,
purchase of raw material will be completely exempt from VAT, and only
sale of finished products in Armenia will be taxed.

In the words of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, these amendments allow
to create a favorable tax field in the gem and jewelry sector. The
prime minister said that in the opinion of representatives of the
International Association of Jewelers, it will contribute to both the
sector’s development and investment attraction. He added that these
amendments can also be viewed as anti-crisis measures.

During a briefing after the sitting, the Minister of Economy Nerses
Yeritsian stated that there is a serious opportunity and prospect of
development in the gem and jewelry sector. According to him, thanks to
the amendments, the jewelry sector receives status of a free economic
zone – from the import of raw materials up to their export. He assured
those present that as a result of the amendments made to the laws, the
companies of the sector will come out of the shadow sphere and have the
opportunity to increase their turnover.

N. Yeritsian said that by the agreements reached with Diasporan
Armenian businessmen, work on ensuring competivity will be done in
Armenia’s gem and jewelry sector.

LATEST AZERBAIJANI SLANDER AND DEMARCHE

A1+
03:24 pm | May 27, 2009 | Politics

Oslo, Norway-Stepan Safarian, member of the Heritage Party’s
parliamentary faction, who recently replaced Heritage’s founder Raffi
K. Hovannisian at the Armenian National Assembly’s delegation to the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), was in the Norwegian capital
Oslo from May 23 to 26, where he participated in the spring session
of NATO PA.

On May 23, Stepan Safarian attended the session of NATO PA’s Defence
and Security Commission. Heritage’s MP offered comments and put forth
queries specifically during the discussions devoted to Afghanistan
and, subsequently, to the threats which the women and young girls face
in times of military conflicts and post-conflict situations. In her
remarks, Malahat Ibrahimkizi, the member of Azerbaijan’s associated
delegation to NATO PA, made a "smooth" transition from the issue of
violations against the women and young girls in the conflict zones
to the Karabagh conflict and made slanderous accusations against
Armenia. She argued that Armenia was the aggressor, that twenty
percent of Azerbaijan was under occupation, and that there were
one million Azerbaijani refugees. And offering his comments on the
topic of discussion, Stepan Safarian noted: "I deeply regret that
I must commence my remarks by responding to the slanders made by my
distinguished Azerbaijani colleague. I was preparing to deliver an
altogether different speech, but now I am obliged to start my words
from this issue. I understand that my Azerbaijani colleagues have
a task given to them by their highest leadership, and this task is
to make use of any and all fora and opportunity to smear Armenia in
order to distort the truth. Ladies and gentlemen, we can interpret
the historical facts and the history in different ways, yet it is
impossible to falsify the facts and write a new history. However,
I do agree with my colleague in one description, but with a certain
editing: The Mountainous Karabagh conflict is the tragic story of an
aggression and a failed attempt at occupation. More specifically,
it is the tale of Azerbaijan’s instigating aggression against and
its failed attempt to occupy Mountainous Karabagh. When Azerbaijan
decided to seize Karabagh by military means, this was prevented by
the effective Armenian defense. And today, my Azerbaijani colleague is
trying to misrepresent this fact, which resulted in tragic consequences
and in the prese!

nt-day re is impossible to reformulate history, which she is attempting
to do." Afterward, Safarian examined the matter of and the challenge
toward disarmament and the women’s engagement in different militarized
conflicts. Following the Heritage MP’s intervention, the Azerbaijani
deputy became edgy and, pretentiously obstructing the session, left
the session’s hall screaming. The same day, Safarian also participated
in the session of NATO PA’s Economy and Security Commission.

On May 24, Stepan Safarian partook in the session of the Political
Affairs Commission. During this event, Safarian offered his
observations concerning Iran and Iran-international community
relations. He underscored the need to correctly recognize and
comprehend the real motives behind Iran’s demeanor, and to use
the unused opportunities and potential for normalizing relations
and surmounting the tension between Iran and the international
community. He also offered his impressions from Iran, which reaffirmed
his assertions with respect to the presence of the aforesaid potential
and the problems which Iran, NATO, and the international community
shared in the Greater Near Eastern region.

On May 25, Stepan Safarian met with Sverre Mirli and Kiel Engebretsen,
the members of the "Friends of Armenia in Norway" network and the
present and former Norwegian MPs. Safarian expressed a hope that the
best traditions in the Armenia-Norway friendship will continue and
the bilateral cooperation will grow stronger, and he also promised
to contribute in this task.

On May 26, the Armenian delegation attended the plenary session and
the closing ceremony of NATO PA. All through and beyond the latter’s
spring session, Stepan Safarian also met with delegates from numerous
countries (Denmark, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Algeria,
Moldova, Germany, France, Jordan, etc.) and exchanged views on regional
security issues.

BAKO SAHAKYAN ADDRESSES CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE REPUBLIC DAY

ARMENMPRESS
MAY 28, 2009
STEPANAKERT

President of Nagorno Karabakh Bako Sahakyan addresses a message in
connection with the Day of Republic. NKR Presidential press office
told Armenpress that the message of the NKR president says: "Dear
compatriots, I congratulate you on the day of the First Armenian
Republic.

This is a festive day for the entire Armenian people in Armenia,
Artsakh and the Diaspora. And everybody must remember the token of
that day. It is the victory of cohesion and united will of our people.

It is also due to the heroic examples of Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan,
Karakilisa that we could gain victory in the Artsakh war and today
we life and create in a free and independent land and have day after
day flourishing and developing Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic.

We should realize the price of these victories and cherish it as
the apple of an eye. Let us preserve and build our country together,
spare no efforts to strengthen the Armenian statehood and handover
to the generations to come a powerful and thriving Motherland –
the dream of all Armenians.

Dear compatriots, I congratulate you on this invaluable and memorable
day once again and wish you new victories and success in glory of
the Armenian nations, its bright and radiant future."