RA GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE 1-BILLION AMD STATE LOAN TO KARABAKH
PanARMENIAN.Net
08.11.2007 18:03 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian government has decided to allocate
1-billion AMD ($3.1 million) state loan to Nagorno Karabakh, the RA
government’s press office reported.
The loan should be repaid till January 1, 2010 with 0,01% interest
rate.
NKR PEOPLE INDEPENDENTLY DID WHAT THE UN DID IN EUROPE PREVENTING ETHNIC PURGES AND GENOCIDE THREAT
arminfo
2007-11-07 11:24:00
ArmInfo. Nagorny Karabakh Republic Parliamentary Commission for
Foreign Relations comments on the statements made by Council of
Europe Secretary General Terry Davis at a joint press conference
with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan in Yerevan. In
particular, T. Davis stated that Kosovo and Karabakh conflicts are
very different. Unlike NKR, there is no regime in Kosovo and the UN
controls over the region. Moreover, EU servicemen provide security
guarantees to the region, he said.
‘After the negotiations in Yerevan, CE Secretary General touched
upon the issues bearing no relation to his current mission. We
understand that Mr. Davis did it just answering to questions of
journalists. However, it is surprising that such a diplomatically
laconic official afforded himself to put stresses which we think
not worthy either of him or of the authoritative organization
he represents,’ says the statement by the NKR Parliamentary
Commission. ‘All the peoples seeking independence have to pass the way
of at particular period in their history. It is not the guilt of NKR
people that on the days of collapse of the Soviet Union the UN and CE
failed to establish external control over Nagorny Karabakh for some
unknown reason. It would add legitimacy to our present independence,’
the statement says.
‘What the UN did in Europe preventing ethnic purges and genocide
threat, NKR people did independently executing its right to
self-protection. If Mr. Davis is not informed of facts, we have to
mention that on November 24 1991 the autonomous status of Nagorny
Karabakh (NK) was liquidated on demand on Azerbaijani Supreme
Council. Moreover, the ministries of defense and internal affairs were
instructed to ‘take measures to provide security to the Azerbaijanis
in NK’ If this decision did not aim to deport and annihilate the local
population of NK, why did not it contain a single word about the civil
and human rights of the Armenian population of NK. NKR successfully
held off the armed aggression of Azerbaijan, passed a definite way
of state government and now aspires for democratic development and
has more legal bases to be recognized by the international community
than the formation which Mr. Davis indicated at,’ NKR Parliamentary
Foreign Relations Committee states.
BMI TO LAUNCH SERVICES FROM HEATHROW TO DAMMAM
bmi/article-147139.html
7 November 2007
bmi, London Heathrow’s second largest airline, is to launch flights to
Dammam in Saudi Arabia it was announced yesterday (Tuesday 6 November).
Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive, unveiled plans at a press event
in Egypt to mark the start of daily direct services from Heathrow
to Cairo.
The news comes at the end of a week when bmi introduced 17 new routes,
the largest ever expansion of its route network.
The new Dammam service, set to begin in early 2008, will operate three
times a week on a wide-bodied Airbus A330 aircraft and is expected to
build on the success of flights to bmi’s existing Saudi destinations –
Riyadh, which launched in September 2005, and Jeddah in April 2006.
"This is one of the most exciting periods in bmi’s 70 year history,"
said Nigel Turner. "We have just introduced 17 new destinations from
Heathrow at the start of the winter timetable including a daily
non-stop service to Cairo. We are also delighted to be announcing
further developments which are marking our transition into a truly
global airline. Next year bmi will be serving 41 destinations from
London Heathrow.
"Over the past two years we have established a highly successful
presence in the Saudi market and are very pleased to extend services
to include Dammam, strengthening our position in the region. Dammam
is major centre within the petroleum industry and is at the heart
of key business and economic growth. This is the first of a number
of new destinations which we are examining and we look forward to
making further announcements soon."
In the past week bmi has launched services to: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;
Aleppo, Syria; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Amman, Jordan; Ankara, Turkey; Baku,
Azerbaijan; Beirut, Lebanon; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Cairo, Egypt; Dakar,
Senegal; Damascus, Syria; Ekaterinburg, Russia; Freetown, Sierra Leone;
Khartoum, Sudan; Tbilisi, Georgia; Tehran, Iran; Yerevan, Armenia.
PROVISION TO TURKEY OF U.S. INTELLIGENCE ON PKK HIGHLIGHTS POLICY SHIFT
By Frank Hyland
e.php?articleid=2373766
November 6, 2007
The 2007 edition of the annual offensive of the Kurdistan Workers’
Party (PKK) against Turkey has displayed the group’s adaptability and
its tenacity. It has included a multi-front strategy, with both urban
terrorist-style attacks in cities such as Istanbul (Terrorism Focus,
October 10) and the more traditional small-unit guerrilla operations
in southeast Turkey. The guerrilla tactics this year, however,
encompassed an increase in the use of improvised explosive devices
that resulted in an upsurge in Turkish casualties (Terrorism Focus,
June 26). In just one battle on October 21, more than a dozen Turkish
troops were killed, 17 wounded and eight more captured and taken back
to the PKK’s Iraqi mountain redoubt (Hurriyet, October 22). After
initially limiting its response to cautioning Turkey not to invade
northern Iraq / Kurdistan, U.S. policy shifted and the United States
is now providing Turkey with intelligence data on the PKK presence.
Stung by the continuing stream of casualties in higher numbers,
Turkey engaged in a very intense public campaign on a worldwide basis,
including threats to invade Iraqi territory. Turkey also expressed
its outrage at the consideration of a U.S. Congressional Resolution
recognizing an alleged genocide campaign against Armenians by Ottoman
Turks in the early 20th Century. The combination of these factors,
according to Turkey, would severely damage U.S.-Turkish relations.
The damage, primarily to the U.S. military effort in neighboring Iraq,
could include decreased access to airfields and roads, according to
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (AP, October 10). A Pentagon press
briefing on October 26 by the senior U.S. military official in Northern
Iraq, Major General Benjamin Mixon, did little to assuage Turkish
fears. In response to a question about his plans vis-a-vis the PKK,
General Mixon said that he was planning to do "absolutely nothing" to
counter PKK activities in Northern Iraq because he had "not been given
any requirements" to do so by higher authorities (,
October 26). Simultaneously, though, Washington stated publicly
that it was willing to provide "actionable intelligence" to Turkey
in countering the PKK (Turkishpress.com, October 23). Subsequently,
in a November 2 news conference in Ankara, U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice stated that Washington was already providing
actionable intelligence to Turkey on PKK facilities. Working with
the Northern Iraqi provincial government, Secretary Rice said that
the number of Turkish-Iraqi border passes has been reduced in an
effort to provide more control over the movement of PKK commandos
(Asia Times, November 6).
The exchange of intelligence information with other nations, especially
in the field of counter-terrorism and with long-time NATO allies, comes
as no surprise. In the case of the PKK, for example, its founder and
long-time leader, Abdullah Ocalan, was captured in Nairobi, Kenya,
in 1999 as a result of intelligence provided to Turkey by a number of
other nations (, quoting CovertAction Quarterly, Fall
2002). The very public announcement of the provision of intelligence
information, however, coming as it does in the midst of an accelerated
diplomatic campaign including even the U.S. Secretary of State,
signals a shift in U.S. policy.
The signal is intended, of course, to allay the concerns of Turkey;
it also is intended to deliver a message to the PKK that it can no
longer enjoy the sanctuary of the Qandil Mountains and that its bases
are under near-constant watch. Intelligence-producing assets in the
Iraq Theater of Operations include unmanned aerial vehicles with the
capability to linger over any target, undetected, for extended periods
of time. A concentration of PKK guerrillas, for example, would then
be an easy target for Turkish aircraft and even artillery fire.
The PKK’s hit-and-run attacks have obviously been troublesome for
the Turkish army to combat this year, as shown in the higher numbers
of Turkish casualties. Turkey has responded by sending additional
troops and paramilitary units to the border area and by enhancing the
training of those deployed. The addition of more detailed intelligence
on PKK presence and movements–and its provision to Turkey in
near-real-time–will enhance Turkey’s operations. The effects may
not be noticeable until the spring of 2008 because the PKK ingress
and egress routes, as usual, will be virtually impassable until then.
SUMMARY PORTFOLIO OF HYPOTHEC CREDIT OF ARMENIA’S COMMERCIAL BANKS GREW ABOUT TWICE OVER 9 MONTHS TO 137 MLN BY OCTOBER 1, 2007
arminfo
2007-11-06 12:05:00
ArmInfo. The summary portfolio of hypothec credits of Armenia’s
commercial banks, as of September 30, 2007, made up 46 bln drams
($136.9 mln) or 12,5% of the total provision of crediting, having
increased 2,3 times per annum, and about twice over the first 9 months.
According to RA commercial bank’s Ranking data, prepared by the Agency
of Rating Marketing Information (ARMINFO), the greatest volume of
hypothec credits has been fixed with ‘HSBC Bank Armenia’ – 16.2 bln
drams ($48.2 mln), the second place is taken by Unibank (9.4 bln drams
or $28.1 mln), the third place – by ‘VTB Armenia’ (3 bln drams or $8.9
mln), the fourth place – by Armeconombank (2.3 bln drams or $6.9 mln)
and the fifth place – by INECOBANK (2.1 bln drams or $6.1 mln).
As of late September, 2007, all the commercial banks of Armenia work
in the hypothec crediting market. The Unibank assured the greatest
annual growth of this indicator – 3,5 times and the ‘Converse Bank’
assured a 9-month growth – 3,3 times.
US LEADER SAYS "EFFECTIVE MEASURES" NEEDED TO STOP TERRORISM AGAINST TURKEY
Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Nov 2 2007
Ankara, 2 November: The Turkish foreign minister and chief negotiator
for EU talks, Ali Babacan, said [on] Friday [4 November] that the
US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and he affirmed that Turkey
and the USA have similar goals on many issues.
Babacan and Rice held a tete-a-tete meeting in Ankara on Friday,
after which they held a joint press conference.
Babacan indicated that Rice and he discussed various issues, including
regional problems, Iraq and its north, terrorist organization,
Lebanon and the Middle East peace process, and a bill at the US
House of Representatives supporting Armenian allegations regarding
the incidents of 1915.
"We have seen that both Turkey and the USA share similar perspectives
on various issues. The USA is a friend and ally of Turkey. The USA is
also a strategic partner of Turkey. Within this framework, we share
the same vision regarding the settlement of problems," told Babacan.
Meanwhile, Rice said that Babacan and she agreed to take effective
measures against the terrorist organization.
Rice said that the United States considers PKK [Kurdistan Workers’
Party] as a terrorist organization and a common enemy.
"We have agreed with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan that
effective measures must be taken so that Turkey is not faced with
terror attacks in the future," told Rice a press conference in Ankara.
In a joint press conference after her tete-a-tete meeting with Ali
Babacan, Rice indicated that they discussed the problem in north of
Iraq and terrorist organization PKK.
"PKK is a threat to Iraq’s stability and security of both Turkey and
the United States," underlined Rice.
"Turkey is an important friend of the USA. We are thankful to Turkey
for organizing an international conference on Iraq in Istanbul,"
she noted.
"We discussed various issues, including Lebanon, Iran and the Middle
East peace process during our meeting. Babacan updated me on his
recent tour of the Middle East," underscored Rice.
In her speech, Rice offered her condolences to the family of former
Deputy Prime Minister Erdal Inonu, who passed away in a hospital in
the USA on Wednesday. "Inonu was a highly-important friend of the USA,"
said Rice.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that the US secretary of
state, Condoleezza Rice’s, visit to Turkey should be considered as
a start of closer cooperation between Turkey and the United States
against the terrorist organization PKK.
"What we expect from all our friends and the international community
is cooperation and solidarity on fight against terrorism," Babacan
told a joint press conference with Rice after their meeting.
"This cooperation and solidarity may have different forms or
instruments. What we need is to use these instruments in appropriate
time and in a strategic approach," Babacan said.
Babacan said today’s talks will resume in Washington on Monday, at a
meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the
US president, George W. Bush.
"We hope that the United States, which was the target of huge terrorist
actions, understands the situation that we are going through and is
aware of the rage we feel. Obviously, we saw it (that they are aware)
during these talks," Babacan added.
On the other hand US Secretary Rice said PKK terrorism is a threat
to USA interests as well.
Rice said the USA was looking at enhancing its current intelligence
and information sharing with Turkey, and that she had begun talking
with Turkish leaders about effective measures.
"The United States is committed to redoubling its efforts because we
need a comprehensive approach to this problem," she said. "No-one
should doubt the commitment of the United States. We have a common
enemy and we need a common approach."
She said this process should include Iraqi government too, noting
that she would also discuss the matter with Iraqi Prime Minister
Nuri al-Maliki.
"This is going to take persistence and it is going to take
commitment. This is a very difficult problem. Rooting out terrorism
is hard," Rice added.
YEREVAN BRANDY BUYS 4% MORE GRAPES IN 2007
Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire
October 31, 2007 Wednesday 9:49 AM MSK
The Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC), a unit of the Pernod Ricard group,
procured 28,029 tonnes of grapes this year, 3.6% more than in 2006,
general director Cedric Retailleau said at a press conference on
Tuesday.
The average purchase price was 140 dram per kg, the highest offered
by any buyer in the country, he said.
The company invested $12.3 million in grape procurements in 2007,
he said.
YBC makes seven brands of brandy that it sells in 20 countries.
The head of crop farming at the Agriculture Ministry, Garnik Petrosian
said at the press conference that Armenia harvested 144,000 tonnes
of grapes this year, up 35.8% from 106,000 tonnes in 2006.
About 30 companies buy grapes in Armenia, including five or six that
specialize in brandy production, Petrosian said.
Armenia now has about 17,000 hectares of vineyards, and this area is
expanding by 1,500 hectares annually.
The official exchange rate for October 30 was 324.92 manat/$1.
INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY URGES ARMENIA’S AUTHORITIES TO RAISE POVERTY LINE
arminfo
2007-10-31 10:56:00
ArmInfo. Today, the Institute for Human Rights and Democracy (IHRD)
public organization appealed to RA president, the Parliament and the
government urging to rise the official poverty line.
The message of IHRD, received by ArmInfo today, states that according
to the official data, 58% of the consumer goods basket consists of
bread, potato and pasta. "It turns out that those who eat only bread,
potato and pasta every day, are not poor and can be healthy, happy
and full of proper pride, while , in fact, the consumer goods basket,
besides foodstuffs, should include the expenses for payment of electric
energy, gas, water and telephone. We offer those, who made such a
decision, to live with this market basket even one week", the message
says. The document authors require from the Armenian authorities to
enlarge sizes of the consumer goods basket and be "honest and fair and
respect the assumed liabilities" in overcoming poverty in the country.
PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN US A POLITICAL ORDER
Harutyun Gevorgyan
Hayots Ashkharh Daily
Oct 31 2007
Armenia
Interview with the Chair of Republican Party Parliamentary Faction
Karen Karapetyan
"Mr. Karapetyan are there any unexpected manifestations in the
pre-election developments. What do the abrupt changes in the behavior
of the marginal powers testify to? " "Certain narrow political circles
are trying to make their demonstrations a matter of discussion. The
history of the contemporary Armenia remembers hundreds of similar
demonstration and hundreds will take place in the near future. Not
all the demonstrations should be discussed. Especially when there
hasn’t been any noteworthy political step in these demonstrations.
I believe the developments in our internal political life will be
continuous. The recent expressions of the social will, the results
of the parliamentary elections testify to the fact that our people
support stable and consistent progress. Only small political powers
that didn’t get the people’s support strive for a coup d’etat. And
these powers can’t refuse their personal affectations.
The people’s attitude, the psychology of the voter cannot take an
abrupt change in some months, in case when the government consistently
implements the social – economic program approved by the same people.
I’m more than confident, in the near future our people will estimate
the true worth of the implemented work and will confirm their positive
attitude. I believe our vote of confidence will be weightier and will
deny the partial approaches towards the activity of the authorities.
We appeal to all the political powers to chose a civilized campaign,
to abstain from splitting the society and inspiring distrust towards
the government in power."
"Can similar pre-election tactics be effective?"
"It is evident that the dissatisfaction that arose during the
2003 presidential elections, was eased only due to the four years’
consistent work of the power. To stir up hatred and hostility, at
the moment, is intolerable. They mustn’t jeopardize public interest."
"Mr. Karapetyan do you think revolutionary manifestations will be
crowned with success at present?"
"In 1988 they advanced a serious issue of changing the economic
and political system. There used to be a huge public demand. In
that transitional period a lot of problems appeared. But it is not
a secret that many of them were conditioned by subjective factors,
for example inappropriate governance. During the previous years the
government has managed to solve these problems, some – completely,
some – partially, some are in the process of solution.
It is undeniable that this government has managed to overcome many
defective phenomena. We didn’t only raise the problems of corruption
and shadow but we have also elaborated state programs to annihilate
these undesirable phenomena as much as we can. It is another question
that the results are not satisfactory at the moment.
But the revolutionary methods in this case are not only ineffectual,
but also even damaging. Whereas a person who has experience in
governing a country has chosen the path of political speculations and
is exaggerating defective phenomena that by the way we have inherited
from the years when they were in power, Revolutionary appeals cannot
be justified. Instead we propose joint, cooperative activity that
won’t hinder the country’s stability.
In my view the recent parliamentary elections also proved that populism
is unacceptable for the people. At the moment society supports the
powers with realistic programs. This is why the populist parties that
were doing their bests to attract the people are not represented in
the parliament.
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVED THE NEW DRAFT LAW ON CREDIT ORGANIZATIONS
Mediamax, Armenia
Oct 30 2007
Yerevan, October 30 /Mediamax/. The Armenian government approved the
new draft law on credit organizations.
Mediamax reports that the Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia
Tigran Sarkisian said this today, speaking at the presentation of the
new office of the Universal Credit organization "SEF International",
located at: 19/19 Yervand Kochar str.
According to Tigran Sarkisian, the draft law extenuates the
requirements for credit organizations and creates conditions for
extending the sphere of their activities. In accordance with the new
draft law, the credit organizations will be able to provide individuals
multi-type credit products, issue bonds, as well as transform into
commercial banks in case they fulfill all the necessary normative
conditions.
Tigran Sarkisian expressed content by the speeds of growth of "SEF
International" in the course of the recent 3 years, stressing that
the assets of the organization increased almost for 2,5 times.
"SEF International" Universal Credit Organization was established
by the International Christian World Vision Organization in 1998,
and was licensed by the Central Bank of Armenia in 2003.
In the course of the 10-year period of its activity, "SEF
International" has provided about 15 thousand credits at the whole
sum of 7bln drams. Following the results f 2007, the Company plans to
make the volume of its credit portfolio reach 1,7bln drams, securing
a growth of over 50%, as compared to 2006.
Besides the Head Office, there are branches of the organization,
functioning in Sisian and Kapan, as well as three representative
offices in Talin, Goris and Meghri.