Author: Nadirian Emma

FM JUNIOR MEMBERS JOINED POPULAR MOVEMENT

A1+
24 February, 2008

On February 24, Levon Ter-Petrossian declared that some high-ranking
officials of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry had joined their popular
movement. Here they are, Vladimir Karapetian, Head of Press and
Information Department, Varsenik Baghdasarian, head of UN Division
at RA FM, Karine Afrikian, Head of USA and Canada Division, Marta
Aivazian, Head of NATO Division, Arakel Semerjian, Advisor to European
Department and Helen Peteyan, Secretary of South American Department.

"Ten FM employees publicized their political decision in broad
daylight. We are proud of them. They are national heroes."

MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY ISSUE A JOINT STATEMENT

armradio.am
24.02.2008 15:18

Members of the Republican Party of Armenia and the Prosperous Armenia
Party made a statement on the presidential elections of February 19.

Press Service of the Republican Party informed that according to
the preliminary data of RA Central Electoral Commission, leader of
the Republican Party of Armenia, RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan
has been elected President of Armenia. The international observers
from PACE, OSCE PA, European Parliament, CIS PA, OSCE/ODIHR fixed a
considerable progress as compared with the past election and assessed
the presidential election as the ones meeting the international
standards. The law enforcement agencies quickly responded to the
violations fixed during the election, however, these violations do not
cast a shadow on the election results as deficiencies occur during
any election and in any country. We are sure that the authors of
these violations will be revealed for sure regardless of what party
they represent.

The parliamentarians also emphasized that refusal of a number of
persons to recognize their defeat is unacceptable for them. As a
result, they try to seed hatred in the society and address indecent
expressions to those who do not obey and do not support them. In
particular, both ordinary citizens and Catholicos of All Armenians
have become the object of their assaults. "We are sure that the law
enforcement agencies will respond to disorders and the violence", the
deputies emphasized. They thanked the compatriots for an unprecedented
activeness in the election and congratulated the people on holding
of the best election in the history of the independent Armenian
state. The MPs assured that they will do their best for the new stage
in the country’s history to become a period of love, fairness and
all-national solidarity.

The statement was signed by all the parliamentarians of the
above-indicated factions.

RALLY PARTICIPANTS DEMAND THAT ARMENIAN TELEVISION COVER RALLIES AND
NOT DISTORT TRUTH

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The women participating in the
February 23 rally in Freedom Square organized a procession along
central streets of Yerevan, demanding that the Armenian television
should cover the rallies and not distort the truth.

The procession participants presented their demand to the chairman of
the National Television and Radio Committee and the Armenian
authorities. The procession was led by the spokeswoman for People’s
Party of Armenia Ruzan Khachatrian.

Russia slams as cynical U.S. position on Kosovo

15:23 | 24/ 02/ 2008

MOSCOW, February 24 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday
slammed as cynical the U.S. position on Kosovo, which unilaterally
declared its independence from Serbia.

The ministry’s statement followed remarks by U.S. Under Secretary of
State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, who earlier called as
irresponsible Russia’s stance on Kosovo.

"The support of one Kosovo Albanian side, negligence of law in favor of
the so-called political expediency, indifference to the fates of one
hundred thousand Serbs who are actually being driven into the ghetto in
the 21st century are nothing else but open cynicism," the ministry said
in a statement.

The Kosovo parliament unilaterally adopted on February 17 a declaration
on the breakaway republic’s independence from Serbia. Belgrade has
called the decision illegal and is demanding to cancel it. The United
States and some other Western countries have recognized Kosovo’s
independence.

ARMENIAN POPULATION’S DEBT MAKES 49.67% OF BANKS’ CREDIT PORTFOLIO

ARKA
Feb 22 2008

YEREVAN, February 22. /ARKA/. Armenian population’s debt has grown 5.73
percentage points over 2007 and made 49.67% of banks’ credit portfolio.

Banks’ fiscal reports for 4th quarter of 2007 say that Armenian
banking system’s credit portfolio, including provided loans and placed
deposits) totaled AMD 419.2billion and population crediting AMD 208.2
billion by late December 2007 against 250.1 billion and 109.9 billion
by the previous year’s late December.

ARKA News Agency’s analysis showed that ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank
was the biggest population creditor by late 2007. The bank-provided
loans made 20.96% of Armenian banking system’s credit portfolio.

According to the analysis, loans provided to the population total
AMD 43.6 billion or make 78.11% of ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank’s credit
portfolio (AMD 23 billion as of December 31, 2006).

ARKA News Agency also singles out HSBC Bank Armenia with its AMD 24.9
billion and Ardshininvestbank with 24.8 billion as leaders.

The loans the mentioned banks provided to individuals in 2007 make
48.33% and 41.75% of their credit portfolios.

It means these three banks’ quota makes 44.85% of all credits given
to individual residents in Armenia.

22 banks function in Armenia. ($1 = AMD 308.95).

RA DEPUTY PROSECUTOR GENERAL GAGIK JHANGIRYAN DISMISSED

armradio.am
22.02.2008 18:03

RA Law on Prosecutor’s Office prohibits the prosecutors from getting
engaged into politics. Article 7 of the law states: "The Prosecutor
cannot be member of any political party or get engaged into political
activity otherwise. Under any circumstances the Prosecutor is obliged
to show political restraint and neutrality."

Gagik Jhangiryan cruelly violated the requirement of law, and the
Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia applied to the President
to dismiss him from the position occupied and remove him from the
system of prosecution, Press Service of RA Prosecutor General’s
Office informs.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ENCOURAGED BY THE PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVATION MISSION ON THE ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA

Mediamax
February 21, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
stated today that "I was encouraged by the initial findings of the
International Election Observation Mission, which noted some signs
of progress".

As Mediamax was told in the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the
Secretary General of the Alliance urged in his statement to address
the registered shortcomings.

"NATO looks forward to continue working with Armenia in the framework
of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) to lend support, where
we can, to the strengthening of Armenia’s democratic institutions",
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stated.

PRESIDENT LUKASHENKO OF BELARUS CONGRATULATES SERGE SARGSYAN

armradio.am
22.02.2008 12:32

The President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko issued
a congratulatory message to RA Prime minister Serge Sargsyan on
the occasion of his convincing victory in the Armenian presidential
elections.

"I’m sure that on this highest political post your experience and
high professionalism will contribute to your successful activity
targeted at the stable socio-economic development of Armenia, and
reinforcement of the county’s international reputation.

With great pleasure I emphasize the high level of mutual understanding
and trust between our states, the active bilateral cooperation, which
will continue developing and reinforcing in the spirit of constructive,
mutually beneficial partnership.

I sincerely wish sound health, happiness and success to you, and
peace and prosperity to te friendly people of Armenia."

DATA ON RECOUNT OF VOTES IN 34 POLLING STATIONS: FALSIFICATIONS ARE REVEALED ONLY IN ONE POLLING STATION; HEAD OF COMMISSION ARRESTED

Mediamax
February 22, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Staff of Armenian presidential candidate Serzh
Sarkisian provided data on recount of votes in 34 polling stations.

Mediamax reports that, according to the given data, in the overwhelming
majority of cases, the results of recount remained unchanged, or
there were only minor changes.

An exception was the polling station 9/31 in Yerevan "Kentron"
community, where the recount revealed falsifications in favor of
Serzh Sarkisian. According to the results of recount, it turned out
that 396 electors voted for Serzh Sarkisian, and not 709, as it was
stated in the protocol.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of the General Prosecutor’s
Office of Armenia, a criminal case is initiated on the fact
of falsification of elections results against the members of the
electoral commission of 9/31. Chairman of the commission Eduard
Aghajanian is arrested.

The investigation on the case is carried out by the Special
Investigatory Service of Armenia.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN ADDRESSES PEOPLE ON THE OCCASION OF FEBRUARY 19 ELECTIONS

ARMENPRESS
Feb 20, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Robert Kocharian
addressed to the people on the occasion of February 19 presidential
elections.

Press service said that the message particularly said, "Dear
compatriots, on February 19 elections of the president of the
Republic of Armenia were conducted. The elections passed free and
fair, in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia
and in line with the country’s international commitments. I express
gratitude to all the members of electoral commissions, representatives,
observers but first of all the voters for conducting the elections
on a correct level. It was an important trial for a state which is
consolidating democracy.

Elections may bring to the increase of tension, separation of the
public. But accepting the defeat in political fight with dignity
is also one of the important elements of democratic culture. It is
important that each citizen realizes that in the period following
after the elections the President of the Republic of Armenia cannot
divide the public to the "close ones" and "strangers". I am sure that
Serzh Sargsian, elected in the office of President of the Republic
of Armenia, will be able to unite the society, form atmosphere of
mutual understanding and tolerance.

Though we have serious achievements, Armenia still faces serious
challenges. Our people still have unused potential. The Republic of
Armenia must become one of the most quickly developing and competitive
country in the world. For that it is necessary to unite and carry
out continuative work."