Author: Khoyetsian Rose

RUSSIA, UKRAINE AND IRAN ALREADY CONFIRMED THEIR PARTICIPATION IN "KAMURJ 2009" TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 20-23

Noyan Tapan

Nov 11, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The 6th international economic
forum "Kamurj 2009" ("Bridge 2009") will be held in Tsakhkadzor on
February 20-23, 2009. The delegations of Russia, Ukraine and Iran
have already confirmed their decision to participate in the forum,
the event’s organizers – the director of "Master" international
integration assistance center Norayr Nazinian and the chairman of
the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) Arsen
Ghazarian announced.

According to A. Ghazarian, the fact that "Kamurj" forums have taken
place for the sixth consecutive year bears evidence of the efficiency
of holding this event called "Armenian Davos". In particular, thanks to
the programs envisaged by the agreement signed between UMBA and Union
of Production Cooperatives of Czechia and Moravia during "Kamurj 2008",
a number of Armenian companies have managed to import conveyers and
equipment from the Czech Republic on beneficial terms, while several
others plan to implement investment programs in that country.

In the opinion of A. Ghazarian, the number of countries and
organizations to take part in "Kamurj 2009" will be more by 20-30%
than in 2008. More than 300 participants representing companies and
state government bodies of 7 countries took part in the previous
economic forum.

He announced that "Kamurj 2009" will have the slogan "The Prospects
of International Economic Cooperation. The Problems and Solutions",
and the choice of this slogan was conditioned by the fact that UMBA
attaches importance to raising Armenia’s organizing role in the economy
of the region and to promoting the country’s exports. "We paid more
attention to the subjects of the round tables to be conducted in order
to highlight the problems we see in the current economic situation,
especially under conditions of the crisis that affected international
financial markets," the UMBA chairman said. He added that special
importance has been attached to those sectors and branches of the
economy, which are considered as subject to development and investment
making and in which it is possible to maintain the development rates
of the past 6-7 years.

A. Ghazarian stated the the organizers of "Kamurj 2009" aim to increase
once again the work opportunities in markets of neighboring countries
and to start a new phase of investments in Armenia.

In his words, efforts will be made to ensure the participation of
delegations of Georgia and Turkey in "Kamurj 2009". He underlined the
importance of the participation of a Georgian delegation in terms of
an exchange of experience in the construction sector. He announced
that an invitation to take part in the forum was sent to the Union
of Manufacturers of Turkey, adding that the delegation of UMBA has
repeatedly attended the regional economic forums held in Turkey.

Speaking about the issues to be discussed during the round table on
construction, A. Ghazarian said that this year the construction in
Armenia, as well as imports of building materials into the country,
domestic production and consumption did not decline, although some
experts forecast such a decline as a result of the international
financial crisis. Sales of living and office spaces declined to
some extent.

"Kamurj 2009" will be held with the official assistance of the RA
ministry of economy, the RA ministry of foreign affairs, and the
Central Bank of Armenia.

ARDSHININVESTBANK, CONVERSEBANK, VTB BANK (ARMENIA) LEADERS OF ARKA PRESS RATING IN Q3

ARKA
Nov 11, 2008

YEREVAN, November 11. /ARKA/. The ARKA News Agency has released a
press rating of Armenian banks for the 3rd quarter of 2008. During
the period under review, only three banks – Ardshininvestbank,
Conversebank and VTB Bank (Armenia) – proved to be leaders against
four in July-September 2007.

An analysis of press reports showed that banks were much more active
in the 3rd quarter, with more information contained in their reports.

In the 3rd quarter of 2008, the number of press reports increased by
54.3% as compared with the corresponding period last year. The share
of negative reports was 5.2% against 1.3%.

In general information on the banks, the share of the heading
"General" increased from 25.3% up to 57.1%. As regards the other
headings the situation is as follows: "Bank Development Policy"
(37.8% down to 20%), "Banking Activities in Figures" (17.4% down to
10.2%), "Bank’s economic forecasts and opinions" (9.5% down to 3%),
"Clients and services" (9.9% down to 9.6%).

According to the ARKA press rating, Conversebank recorded the highest
indices in the headings "General" and "Bank Development Policy"
– 84.54 and 151.22 respectively. The VTB Bank (Armenia) recorded
the highest indices in the headings "Clients and services" (40.96),
"Banking activities in figures" (99.97) and "Bank’s economic forecasts
and opinions" (15.3).

The ARKA press rating is based not on financial and economic
indicators, but on the reports on banking activities provided by
means of mass media. As a result, the better is the awareness
of a bank’s activities the more effective is its communication
policy. Advertisements were not studied or analyzed for the press
rating.

For more details see Press Rating of Banks #04 (39) for the 3rd
quarter 2008.

ARMENIAN, GREEK MONKS ROW AT CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2008 12:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Israeli police have had to restore order at one
of Christianity’s holiest sites after a mass brawl broke out between
monks in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Fighting erupted between Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks at the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of Christ’s
crucifixion.

Two monks from each side were detained as dozens of worshippers traded
kicks and punches at the shrine, said police.

Trouble flared as Armenians prepared to mark the annual Feast of
the Cross.

The Greeks blamed the Armenians for not recognizing their rights inside
the holy site, while the Armenians said the Greeks had violated one
of their traditional ceremonies.

An Armenian clergyman said the Greek clergy had tried to place one
of their monks inside the Edicule, an ancient structure which is said
to encase the tomb of Jesus.

"What is happening here is a violation of status quo. The Greeks have
tried so many times to put their monk inside the tomb but they don’t
have the right to when the Armenians are celebrating the feast,"
he said, BBC reports

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Surp Harutyun) is a Christian church
within the walled Old City of Jerusalem. The site is venerated by
most Christians as Golgotha, (the Hill of Calvary), where the New
Testament says that Jesus was crucified, and is said to also contain
the place where Jesus was buried (the sepulcher). The church has been
an important pilgrimage destination since at least the 4th century,
as the purported site of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

Monks brawl at Christian holy site in Jerusalem

9 Nov 08

JERUSALEM (AP) ‘ Rival monks brawled at one of Christianity’s holiest
sites, and police have detained two clergymen for questioning.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says fighting erupted Sunday between
Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
in Jerusalem. The church marks the traditional site of Jesus’
crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

Police detained one monk from each side.

Rosenfeld says fighting flared over preparations for the annual
ceremony held by the Armenians to commemorate the 4th century discovery
of the cross believed to have been used to crucify Jesus.

Six Christian sects control the ancient church. They regularly fight
over turf and influence, and Israeli police must occasionally
intervene.

US Department of State seeking clarification from the Government of
Azerbaijan on plans to discontinue local radio broadcasts of
international media

07 November 2008 [16:38] – Today.Az

The United States is deeply concerned by reports that Azerbaijanʼs
National Television and Radio Council may discontinue local radio
broadcasts of international media, including Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty (RFE/RL), the Voice of America (VOA) and the BBC, according to
the statement, posted on the official website of the US Department of
State.

The Chairman of Azerbaijan’s National Television and Radio Council
(NTRC) said on October 31, that foreign broadcasts on frequencies
controlled by the government of Azerbaijan may cease in 2009. The
statement says there was no advance communication with the affected
broadcasters, nor with the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which
provides oversight for all U.S. international broadcasting.

"The United States believes that international broadcasters such as
Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the BBC have
enriched public debate in Azerbaijan and contribute to Azerbaijanʼs
democratic development. Discontinuing such broadcasts would send a
disturbing message. We are seeking clarification from the Government of
Azerbaijan". reads the statement

CHURCH HONOUR CONFERRRED ON ARMENIAN PATRIARCH

UNI (United News of India)
November 6, 2008 Thursday 2:15 PM EST

Kottayam, Nov 6 (UNI) The Order of St Thomas, the highest honour of
the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, was conferred on the visiting
Patriarch Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians by Catholicos and
Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Marthoma Didymus I at a function
here today. The function began with lighting the traditional lamp by
the Patiarch, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Didymus and Catholicos-
designate Paulose Mar Milithios. Dr Zacharias Mar Theophilus
Suffragan Metropolitan of the Marthoma Church, Kottayam Archbishop
Mathew Moolakkattu, Church of South India (CSI) Bishop Thomas Samuel,
legislators V N Vasavan, K C Joseph and Joseph M Puthusserry, Malankara
Association Secreary George Joseph were among those who felicitated
the Patriarch. He also launched an endowment scholarship instituted
as part of the ‘Sapthati’ celebrations of Thomas Mar Athanasius
Metropolitan of the Chengannur diocese. The Metropolitan had set
up several schools in Gujarat. A Student representative from that
State felicitated the septuagenarian prelate on the occasion. Mr M
G George Muthoot, Orthodox Church trustee representing the laity,
and Rev Yohannan Ramban also addressed the meeting.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT: "WE WILL ASSIST TO THE RESOLUTION OF THE TRANS-DNIESTRIAN AND NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICTS"

Today.Az
/politics/48791.html
Nov 6 2008
Azerbaijan

President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev sent an appeal to the Federal
Assembly Wednesday.

"The Caucasus crisis showed again that application of force by one
of the conflict parties can not ensure effective solution.

In this connection we will further assist to elimination of instability
centers in the bordering regions on the basis of norms of international
law and we will assist to solution of the Trans-Dniestrian and Karabakh
conflicts based on the respect to existing formats.

We will also cooperate with all concerned parties and reach mutually
profitable agreements", says the document.

ACCORDING TO ALEXANDER ISKANDARIAN, THERE ARE NO TOO IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS IN NOVEMBER 2 DECLARATION

Noyan Tapan

Nov 5, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. There is no negative point,
nor there is too important agreement in the Declaration signed by
the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia on November 2
in Moscow. Political scientist Alexander Iskandarian, the Director
of the Caucasian Media Institute, expressed such an opinion at the
November 5 press conference. According to him, Georgia ceased to exist
as a partner for Russia after the Russian-Georgian armed conflict,
and Russia has decided to "attend to" Armenia and Azerbaijan. And
when dealing with these two countries, according to A. Iskandarian,
Russia cannot leave out the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

The political scientist added that after the armed conflict with
Georgia Russia lost its rating in the eyes of the international
community. And now, according to his observation, keeping the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict in the sphere of peaceful settlement,
the Russians try to prove to the world that they are for peaceful
settlement of problems and use force (as they did in Georgia) only
by way of exception.

A. Iskandarian said that a wave of panic rises in Armenian press after
each little event or statement of a secondary figure or rumors are
spread that allegedly they "sell" Karabakh. And, as the political
scientist concluded, it comes that the events are not so important
as the fuss kicked up around them.

NOVRUZ MAMMADOV: "MOSCOW DECLARATION CONTAINS BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Azeri Press Agency
Nov 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. "Moscow Declaration contains basic
principles for solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict", Chief of the
International Relations Department of the President’s Office Novruz
Mammadov told APA.

The Department Chief said that US Co-chair Matthew Bryza also confirmed
the coinciding of the Declaration with the basic principles. "It is
very important document and beginning of the new phase of 14-year
long, complicated and difficult process of negotiations. The Moscow
Declaration made clear the negotiations held until now and determined
further duties of the sides".

Mammadov thinks that impact of the document on acceleration of the
process is possible. "I think the process should be accelerated because
of Russia’s active involvement in the process and the document signed
directly by the presidents. There is such point in the document that
the Minsk Group co-chairs will intensify their mediating mission
further. I think the processes have to lead to that".

CHURCHMEN ABROAD

Panorama.am
17:07 03/11/2008

>From October 30 to November 2, the Conference of European Churches
and the Union of Protestant Churches of Europe have conducted fourth
meeting on "Christening in Life of Our Churches". Mesrop Archbishop
Grigoryan the Patriarchal delegate of Central Europe took part in the
meeting. The speakers of the meeting prepared papers on the problems
of christening in the Orthodox and Protestant Churches reported the
press center of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

According to the same source, on 28-29 October preparadeness meeting
of Leaders of World and Traditional religous third congress took
place in Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan). The leader of Gegharquniq diosece
T. Markos bishop Hovhannisyan took part in the congress.