Author: Mamian George

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TEAM OF THE FIRST ARMENIAN PRESIDENT IS NOT GOING TO DISCLOSE THE DETAILS OF THE OPPOSITION PREPARING TO FIGHT FRAUD OVER THE ELECTION

2008-01-17 15:37:00

ArmInfo. ‘I cannot disclose the details of the specific prophylactic
measures against the forthcoming fraud over the presidential election
since the replying measures will be applied by the authorities
in case of their making public’, – the leader of the opposition
Social-Democratic Hnchakyan Party Lyudmila Sarkisyan told ArmInfo
correspondent.

She also added that the team of the first Armenian president will
prepare regular surprises for the authorities in the course of fighting
doing fraud over the presidential election. The main surprise will
be the fact that the people themselves will start protecting their
votes. Sarkisyan said that 90% of voters do not doubt about the
victory of Levon Ter-Petrosyan at the presidential election, and the
problem of the rest 10% will be settled over the next month. ‘As a
result of the last trips to the regions of the republic I have got
an impression that Serzh Sarkisyan’s real rating does not exceed 5%’,
– Lyudmila Sarkisyan is sure.

ARMENIAN RAILWAYS BECOME RUSSIAN FOR 30 YEARS

Russia-InfoCenter, Russia
Source: seanews.ru
Jan 16 2008

Russia has finally obtained concession on the company Armenian
Railways. While Armenia will remain the owner of Armenian Railways,
Russia will manage the company for a period of 30 years with a right
of prolonging for 20 more years after the first 20 years of management.

According to the conditions of the concession contract, Russian
Railways will make the initial payment of US$ 5 million to the
Armenian government; the annual payment to the government will be 2%
of the profit the company brings.

According to the preliminary investment plan, within 30 years of
management Russia is obliged to invest around US$ 400 million in
Armenian Railways infrastructure development.

THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY PRESENTS RUNWAY 2008

armradio.am
11.01.2008 13:40

The Armenian Assembly’s Southeast Regional Council announces that the
Runway 2008 Fashion Show presentation will be held on February 23rd
at the Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach, FL. Proceeds from
this annual event will benefit the Assembly in its advocacy efforts
through its offices in Washington, Pasadena and Yerevan.

The presentation, chaired by longtime Assembly supporter Mary Atamian,
will feature the latest men’s and women’s fashions from the Pro Shop
of the Quail Ridge Country Club. Former fashion and photography model,
Rose Meyerowich, will once again serve as fashion coordinator and
commentator.

"It has been an honor to once again be a part of this exciting event
benefiting the Armenian Assembly," said Atamian. "We encourage everyone
to come and enjoy an afternoon of fashion, fun, and mingling with
new and old friends, all while helping to promote issues of concern
to the Armenian-American community."

In addition to Atamian, the event planning committee includes Kay
Arakelian, Rose Asserian, Seta Baldalian, Ida M. Boodakian, Mary
Der Vartanian, June Hatfield, Shirley Kezirian, Melanie Krikorian,
Lucille Manuelian, Carol Norigian, Lucy Shooshanian, Deanna Stepanian,
Diane Tashjian, Nathalie Yaghoobian, and Berjouhi Zakarian.

"We thank the planning committee for organizing this event and for
their steadfast efforts in support of the Armenian cause," said
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

NUMBER OF FIRES AND ROAD ACCIDENTS INCREASES IN YEREVAN ON PRE-HOLIDAY AND HOLIDAY DAYS

Noyan Tapan
Jan 10, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The number of alarm calls made
to Yerevan municipality’s center for management of emergencies on
pre-holiday and holiday days has declined this year compared with
2007. The deputy mayor of Yerevan Vano Vardanian said at the January
8 press conference that 22 natural emergencies and 650 social ones
were registered in Yerevan in the period from late December 2007 to
January 6, 2008.

According to him, the number of fires and road accidents increased
by 318 in the indicated period and made 1,397.

ARARATBANK ISSUES FIRST NOMINAL NON-DOCUMENTARY SHARES

ARKA News Agency
Jan 9 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, January 9. /ARKA/. For the first time, the Araratbank CJSC
has issued 76,300 nominal non-documentary shares. The principal value
of the shares is AMD 5,000, the flotation value totaling AMD 5,900,
the bank’s press service reports.

The stock flotation was scheduled for December 17, 2007 to January
21, 2008. However, by December 29, 2007 all the shares were placed
and demand exceeded offer. As a result of the bids, the Araratbank
acquired 83 new shareholders.

On December 17, 2007, the bank announced about flotation of nominal
non-documentary shares for the total of AMD 381.5mln by direct public
offer (DPO).

The Araratbank (representative of the Armsvyaz Bank) was established
on September 2, 1991 and was licensed on October 31, 1996. In August
2007, the bank was reorganized into an OJSC. The Araratbank’s absolute
shareholder is the Flash Company.

The bank’s assets totaled AMD 16.4bln, the capital amounting to AMD
4.5bln. The bank’s profit totaled AMS224.8bln in January-September
2007.

Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Sends a Telegram of Condolence upon the Death of Manouk Gasparyan, Chairman of the Democratic Path Party

National Assembly of RA
Jan 10 2008
Armenia

I received with sorrow the grave news of the untimely death of Manouk
Gasparyan, deputy of the National Assembly of the second and third
convocations, Chairman of the Democratic Path Party.

He had his unique place in the National Assembly of the two
convocations, as well as in multiparty system.

I express my condolences to the family and friends of Manouk Gasparyan,
members of the Democratic Path Party on their grievous loss.

OLEG BLIZNYUK RESIGNS FROM THE POSITION OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF "ARMENTEL"

armradio.am
09.01.2008 16:17

"VimpelCom" confirmed today the information, according to which Oleg
Bliznyuk made a decision to leave the position of the General Director
of the Armenian "ArmenTel" Telecommunications Company.

Commenting on the request of Mediamax on the information about Oleg
Bliznyuk’s resignation from the position of the General Director of
"ArmenTel," the Senior Manager of "VimpelCom" Public Relations Service
Artem Minaev stated:

"Oleg Bliznyuk really made a decision on December 29 of 2007 to leave
"ArmenTel," since he received an interesting proposal from another
company. Under Oleg’s guidance, our business in Armenia developed
quite dynamically. First of all, we are please by our financial
results. Besides, a large volume of work was carried out on renovation
and replacement of equipment and development of infrastructure,
which will allow the networks of "ArmenTel" later on corresponding
to the most modern standards.

"ArmenTel" is now searching a candidate for the position of the
General Director".

OMX FULL OWNER OF ARMEX, CENTRAL DEPOSITORY OF ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency
Jan 8 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, January 8. /ARKA/. Yesterday the Swedish OMX operator
became full owner of the Armenian Stock Exchange (ARMEX) and Central
Depository of Armenia.

ARMEX reports that a 5-member Supervisory Council is shortly to
be formed, with three Council members to represent the OMX and two
Armenia.

On December 29, 2007, the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) approved
amendments to the Rules of the Armenian Stock Exchange (ARMEX) and
RA Central Depository.

On November 21, 2007, the RA Government and the OMX operator singed
an agreement on the sale of ARMEX and the RA Central Depository to
the OMX.

ARMEX was founded in 2001 and incorporated by the RA Securities
Commission on February 13, 2001. On November 9, 2007, ARMEX was
transformed to an open corporation.

MUBARIZ AKHMEDOGLU: "INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FORCES ARMENIA TO RECOGNIZE AZERBAIJAN’S RIGHT TO WORK WITH THE POPULATION OF GARABAGH"

Today
itics/42196.html
Jan 8 2008
Azerbaijan

The talks on Nagorno Garabagh, carried out in 2007, were in favor of
Azerbaijan, which is proven by announcements of international experts
and officials of Armenia.

The due statements was made by Mubariz Akhmedoglu, chairman of
the Center for Political Innovations and Technologies, at a press
conference held on political results of 2007.

He sited the recent interview of Sabina Freizer, director of the
program of the International Crisis Group on Europe, announcements
of the Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan and others which
state that it will be possible to use Azerbaijan’s oil dollars in
Nagorno Garabagh and that Azerbaijan has time before the referendum.

"While Armenia insisted on the conduction of a referendum or public
voting in Nagorno Garabagh in five years, Azerbaijan spoke of
the possibility to do it in 15 years. Statements of S.Freizer and
V.Oskanyan prove that Azerbaijan’s position has been adopted during
the negotiations", M.Akhmedoglu said.

Touching upon the use of oil dollars in Garabagh, he noted that it
will serve Azerbaijan’s interests.

"International community forces Armenia to recognize Azerbaijan’s
right to work with the population of Garabagh. This is proven by the
interview with Sabina Freizer", he said.

At the same time, the negative in the negotiation process is that
Armenia can refuse disclaim its committments any time.

TRUST FOUNDING FATHERS ON SECOND AMENDMENT
Allan Walker Jr.

Hilton Head Island Packet, SC
Jan 8 2008

The Second Amendment to the Constitution as written by our nation’s
Founding Fathers states that "the right of the people to keep and
bear arms shall not be infringed." James Madison, the author, praised
"the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the
people of almost every other nation."

A look at the history of gun control confirms their insight. In 1911,
Turkey established gun control; 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend
themselves, were exterminated. In 1929, the Soviet Union established
gun control; more than 20 million dissidents were exterminated. In
1935, China established gun control and 20 million political dissidents
were exterminated. In 1938, Germany established gun control;

13 million Jews and others were exterminated. In 1956, Cambodia
established gun control; one million people exterminated. In 1964,
Guatemala established gun control; 100,000 Mayan Indians were
exterminated. In 1970, Uganda established gun control; 300,000
Christians were exterminated.

Violent crime has increased in Australia, Canada and Great Britain
following adoption of legislation restricting firearms. Contrast this
with the fact that gun ownership U.S. citizens is at an all-time high,
and "right-to-carry" laws have been implemented in 40 states.

And violent crimes have fallen dramatically. The most flagrant
exception to this trend is in Washington (murder capital of the U.S.)
and New York City, where you have the most restrictive "gun control"
laws in the country.

Yes, our Founding Fathers knew exactly what they were doing when they
wrote the Second Amendment.