Author: Nahapetian Samvel

LEVEL OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH STATE BUDGET’S OWN REVENUES INCREASED

DeFacto Agency
May 19 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 19.05.08. DE FACTO. In the first quarter of 2008 the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic state budget’s own revenues made over 4
milliard 51, 7 million drams, which is 22, 1 % more than the level
of the same period last year.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the NKR Ministry of
Finance, the principal part of the revenues had been ensured by tax
incomes, which had increased by 4, 2 % as compared with the analogous
period of the last year.

For current January-March the state budget’s expenses made 7 milliards
942, 6 million drams increasing by 22, 9 % as compared with the same
period last year. To note, 82, 1 % of the means were directed for
financing the current expenses, 17, 9% -the capital ones.

Non-tax incomes of the NKR state budget increased by 10, 5% as compared
with the first quarter of the last year and made 207, 2 million drams.

ARARAT OUR GAS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 17, 2008
Armenia

According to architect Narek Sargsyan: `In reality mountain Ararat is
the main pre-condition of the investments. The view of Ararat from
Armenia is the main motivation for the foreign investments. That is to
say Ararat is our gas, oil, our sea and has a big role in the tow
building.

All the investors ask whether they can view Ararat from the certain
building or the location. If they can then the main problem is solved.

Thus, at present Ararat brings lots of investors to Armenia.

ISNA, Iran
Iranian Students News Agency
May 17 2008

Iran and Armenia to boost economic ties

ISNA – Tehran

TEHRAN, May 17 (ISNA)-Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanian and
Iran’s ambassador to the country Ali Saqaiyan underlined continuing
economic and political cooperation deeply rooted in bilateral friendly
ties.

The two states are determined to lift trade exchanges reaching 200
million dollars to 500 million dollars.

Building Iran-Armenia gas pipeline providing the country with Iran’s
gas as well as establishing two power lines to deliver Iran’s
electricity are the two most important bilateral projects, Novosti
news agency reported.

The Iranian ambassador also delivered Iran’s defense minister Mustafa
Mohammad Najjar’s message to his Armenian counterpart inviting him to
visit Iran.

The two sides also called for carrying out previously-signed accords
as highlighting the necessity to resolve Karabakh dispute.

WILLIAM SAROYAN CONTEST SUMMED UP

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

LOS ANGELES, MAY 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Union of
Armenian Dramatic Art has published the names of the William Saroyan
dramatic art contest’s three prize-winners. They are Lily Tomasian’s
creation "Nadia," Christen Lazarian’s "Meat and Tenderness," and
Matthew Yaldezian’s "The Live and the Dead." The bids of performances
have been accepted from the United States, United Kingdom, and
Armenia. Non-abridged plays in English and on Armenian subject were
to be presented for participation.

S. OHANYAN: "BALANCE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN SHOULD BE KEPT"

Panorama.am
21:00 12/05/2008

Armenia should take measures to keep the balance irrespective of Azeri
increasing military budget and Armenia’s opportunities, said Seyran
Ohanyan the Minister of Defense of Armenia. "We are conscious that
the military budget of Armenia increases every year, Armenia has also
increased its expenses compared with the last year, those expenses have
been directed to implement educational and other mission," he said.

"From one side we are concerned that Azerbaijan increases its
military budget but from another hand it is the reality and we
should do everything to keep the balance by appropriate qualities,"
he said. Since 2007 the salaried of the military officials have
increased by 20%.

MONETARY BASE DECLINES BY 2.2%, BROAD MONEY GROWS BY 0.7% IN ARMENIA IN MARCH 2008

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 12, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. As of March 31, 2008, monetary base
made 380 bln 822 mln drams (about 1 bln 236.2 mln USD), declining by
8 bln 493 mln drams or 2.2% on the previous month.

According to preliminary data transferred by the Central Bank of
Armenia (CBA) to the RA National Statistical Service, as of March 31,
2008, broad money made 678 bln 658 mln drams, increasing by 4 bln
903 mln drams or 0.7% on the previous month.

The balance of the population’s deposits with banks amounted to
188 bln 632 mln drams as of March 31, 2008, growing by 16 bln 48 mln
drams or 9.3% on the previous month and by 56 bln 692 mln drams or 43%
as compared with the same day of last year.

ARMENIAN SHEPHERD INJURED BY AZERI SOLDIERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.05.2008 17:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 12, 2008, the positions of the Armenian army
were fired upon by the Azeri side.

As RA Defense Minister’s spokesman, col. Seyran Shahsuvaryan told
PanARMENIAN.Net, resident of Baghanis village, shepherd Lorik Avagyan
was wounded.

"He was taken to Ijevan hospital and was operated on," he said.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 7 2008

Elmar Mammadyarov: `Definition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s status will be
possible only after its reintegration into Azerbaijan’

[ 07 May 2008 16:45 ]

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. The 118th session of the Council of Europe
Committee of Ministers was held in Strasbourg on May 7. Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry’s Press Service told APA that Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov had addressed the session.

He said that in the contemporary world intercultural and
interreligious dialogue had become one of the most topical issues and
drawn the interest and attention of the international community.
The minister mentioned that on December, 2008 Baku will host the
Informal Conference of the European Ministers of Culture with
representatives from the Council of Europe, ISESCO, and ALECSO, which
will focus on intercultural dialogue of civilizations.
Elmar Mammadyarov said at the Warsaw Summit of the Council of Europe,
the Heads of State and Government expressed their concern over the
unresolved conflicts that still affect certain parts of the European
continent.
The minister noted that the conflicts continued to endanger human
security, sustainable development and normal relations between the
countries of the affected regions and it was crucially important to
commit ourselves on achieving lasting solutions to these disputes.
`The position of Azerbaijan with regard to the solution of the
conflict with Armenia is simple: withdrawal of Armenian armed forces
from all occupied territories, reintegration of the Nagorno-Karabakh
region into the political, economic, legal and social systems of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, rehabilitation of the conflict-affected
territories, return of the displaced population to their places of
origin, re-establishment of favorable environment for peaceful
co-existence of both Armenian and Azerbaijani communities living in
peace and harmony, side-by-side within the Nagorno-Karabakh region of
the Republic of Azerbaijan’, the minister said.
Elmar Mammadyarov said that all these could create necessary
conditions for the definition of the status of self-rule of the
Nagorno-Karabakh region within the Republic of Azerbaijan.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia lacks possibility to weaken Georgia’s anti-Armenian position
07.05.2008 19:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia could play a more important
role in the region, irrelative of the NKR issue or
blockade imposed by Turkey, chairman of Mitq
analytical center, historian Eduard Abrahamyan said in
an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

The role of our state is badly demanded over the lack
of flexibility in the foreign policy, according to
him.

`Armenia proves unable to suppress the growing
anti-Armenian moods in Georgia. But as a matter of
fact, our republic could be an unofficial guarantor of
sustainable development of Armenian-inhabited Samtskhe
Javakheti and strengthen Armenian economic and
political influence on Ajaria via promoting political
and territorial autonomization of Samtskhe Javakheti.
It would force Georgia to consider Yerevan’s opinion.
Ajaria and Samtskhe Javakheti make the outlet toward
to the Black Sea which is the solution to the problem
of blockade,’ he said.

`Let’s look how Baku pursues its policy in Kvemo
Kartli, where plants and enterprises are established
with the Azerbaijani capital. Furthermore, political
consolidation of Azeri population in Georgia has
started with formation of regional political bodies
like the Azeri national assembly and the Party of
Azerbaijanis of Georgia,’ the expert emphasized.

`To avoid a calamity, the new leadership of Armenia
should prevent Georgian assimilation and outflow of
Armenians from Samtskhe Javakheti via direct
investments in its economy and its transformation into
a political entity,’ he resumed.

All About Jazz, PA
May 5 2008

Gene Ess and Tigran Hamasyan – Recording and Dates
Posted: 2008-05-05

Guitarist Gene Ess and his quartet will be recording a new album in
June, 2008. This new work will feature the 2006 Thelonious Monk Piano
Competition 1st place winner Tigran Hamasyan on piano. Along with the
recording dates, the quartet will perform the new material on June 12
at Cachaca and on June 17 at Drom NYC.

At twenty-one, pianist Tigran Hamasyan has already done much to launch
his name into the world of emergent young lions. He has toured
throughout Europe, moving beyond his native Armenia to take prizes in
jazz competitions from Moscow to Monaco. And, after winning the
prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition in 2006, he studied
in the United States before returning to Paris, where he recorded his
first album, New Era. Tigran will be joining Gene Ess, Harvie S, and
Tyshawn Sorey for these New York dates.

Gene Ess brings his award-winning musicianship from a very diverse
background. He grew up playing the classical piano, due to his mother
being a classical pianist and a well-known piano instructor. His early
years were filled with the classical sounds of Beethoven and
Chopin. Simultaneously, Gene was receiving a mix of influences: he was
exposed to the indigenous music of Okinawa, and – growing up on a US
Air Force Base- to the pop and jazz music of the day.

Cindy McLeod of Jazz Review writes `With the release of Sandbox and
Sanctum, Gene Ess has firmly cemented his place as a major jazz artist
of the new millennium. His post-bop work is delivered with adventurous
spirit and intense ethos, offering a powerful, unique voice to the
idiom. A guitarist of virtuosic proportions, Ess plays fluid chromatic
lines sometimes reminiscent of John Abercrombie. His performance is
simply stated, yet reveals stunning technical fluency, the signature
of all true greats. There’s a delicious sense of tension/release with
his performance riding over the rhythm section, Ess is a master of the
art of creating dynamic interplay. Supple, sanguine, and superb are
the three words that kept popping into my head as I listened, this
recording knocked my socks off and will be in my CD player on a
regular basis for many years to come."

The performances are on June 12, 2008 at 7PM @ Cachaca Jazz Club. 35
West 8th Street, New York, NY 10011 and June 17, 2008 at 8PM @ Drom
NYC Club. 85 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009. Both shows are $15.00
cover. The album will be recorded on June 14 and 15 at Kaleidoscope
Sound. Performances produced by SIMProductions.