Author: Nalbandian Eduard

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 1 2008

Azerbaijan’s 2008 State Budget Will Enable to Resolve All Facing
Tasks: President
01.01.08 15:19

Azerbaijan, Baku /Trend/ Azerbaijan has been holding the leadership
in the world for the economic growth for already three years. This
figure made up 25% in 2007, said the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham
Aliyev, in his New Year congratulation to the Azeri people.

According to him, the budget expenses are increasing each year and
they rose by ten times compared to 2003. ` Azerbaijan’s 2008 Public
budget will total AZN 12bln which will enable to resolve all facing
tasks,’ Aliyev said.

According to the President, some 600,000 new workplaces, with 460,000
permanent, have been opened in Azerbaijan within the State Regional
Development Program in Azerbaijan.

Aliyev said that the Country’s dependence on oil and gas industry is
decreasing, as well as the social direction of the budget investments
is being maintained.

In 2007 the minimal wages and pensions were increased, and from 1
January 2008 the minimal wages will amount to AZN 60. This growth
dynamic is not satisfactory and will continue in the future as well,
Aliyev said.

According to Ilham Aliyev, the allocation of the social investments
will be continuing in 2008 as well. He said that over the past four
years, some 1200 new schools have been constructed and thousands of
educational institutions have been repaired in the Country.

Highlighting the largest successes, the President said that in 2007
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan began working practically with its full capacity,
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline commenced functioning and the
construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway started.

Ilham Aliyev regretfully stated that the talks in 2007 on peaceful
settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict did
not yield successful results due to the unconstructive position of
Armenia. `We will never go to compromise breaking Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and will never agree with the independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh. All Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia
should be released and the Azerbaijani refugees and internally
displaced persons should return to their Native Lands,’ the State
Head said. According to him, the second Armenian state will never be
allowed to be established in Azerbaijan’s territory.

In addition, Azerbaijan is increasing its military potential.
According to Aliyev, the military expenses in 2007 Public budget
totaled nearly AZN 1bln and in 2008 this figure makes up AZN 1.2bln.
`We should always stand ready to release occupied Azerbaijani lands,’
Aliyev said.

Moreover, the President expressed his congratulation on Solidarity
Day of the World Azerbaijanis and voiced his confidence that in 2008
works will be continuing on establishment of a strong independent
State.

Tacy, Israel
Dec 30 2007

ARMENIAN CUTTERS TO RECEIVE US$30M WORTH OF DIAMOND FROM ALROSA IN
2008

30 December 2007

Four Armenian cutting companies will be supplied with approximately
US$30 million worth of rough diamonds in 2008 by Russian mining
monopoly, Alrosa.

Alrosa has signed contracts with diamond cutters Daimotek, Arevakn,
Armenian Diamond Processing Co., and Yukos and has stated its
intention of reviewing and possibly expanding its partnership base
and supply to other Armenian companies in 2008, according to an
Interfax article.

Alrosa sent the first shipment to Armenia on December 21 which was
valued at US$1 million.

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 28 2007

DYNAMIC IN APPEARANCE WITHOUT QUALITATIVE CHANGE

It is customary to sum up the passing year at the end of every year.
In this sense, the year 2007 was full, and there seems to be a lot to
sum up. In 2007 the army became 15, the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was
opened which is considered as a guarantee of energy security of
Armenia, Armenia held a parliamentary election, a new coalition and
government was shaped, the presidential election process set out, the
first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan returned to politics,
unexpectedly for many people. There were also tragic events in the
political life. The prime minister of Armenia and the leader of the
Republican Party Andranik Margaryan passed away.

These are the main events, there were also minor and medium events,
yet thought as great by many people. For instance, the Armenian
wrestlers participated in the world championship of wrestling in Baku
and earned one bronze and waved the Armenian flag in Baku, which was
an ultimate goal for many Armenians, although many think our
wrestlers failed. The match between Kramnik and Aronyan was held, a
friendly one, yet electoral as many think, held on the eve of the
parliamentary election to advertize Serge Sargsyan who led the
Republican ticket. Another major sports event or rather a
civilization event was the judo tournament in Armenia, which was
organized by Gagik Tsarukyan, and was held at the National Opera.

The sale of VivaCell to the Russian MTS company was considered as a
major economic event. The start of operation of the mines in Teghut
was described as a major economic event and an environmental disaster
at the same time, for several thousand hectares of forests will be
logged, the riverbeds will be changed and many species of animals and
plants will become extinct. Instead, the prime minister said, the
problem of unemployment in the region will be solved. A number of
jobs were created in construction in the streets of Yerevan, which
was highly stressful for the people of Yerevan because of impassable
streets and endless traffic jams. Northern Avenue was opened, which
is considered as the major urban project. But only the facade of the
avenue was opened, and construction inside the buildings is not over
yet.

Perhaps this is symbolic, and describes the year and the state of
Armenia in general. The appearance of life changes dynamically,
whereas there is no change in deep, no change in quality, social
relations, political processes, fair economic opportunities. In
addition, the year 2007 was marked with hidden greed of the oligarchs
who gave out charity with one hand, and raised the prices with
another hand, false generosity of the government which said to raise
pensions and salaries but first raised the prices, unpunished
speculations on the financial and consumer markets, when importers
raised prices, and instead of protecting the citizens the government
justified importers, explaining inflation by tendencies on the
international market.

Summing up the year 2007, we may say that the biggest achievement of
the year was elephant Masha who will put an end to the solitude of
the elephant Grant.

HAKOB BADALYAN

Another award to Arevik

armradio.am
28.12.2007 16:02

`Inecobank’ has awarded the eight members of `Arevik’ ensemble with 100
thousand AMD each for the successful performance at the Junior
Eurovision Song Contest 2007, handing international `MasterCard’
payment cards.

Head of the Customer Service Department Grigor Hovhannisyan noted that
the cards will be paid free of charge, and the children will be able to
receive the deposits after they come of age. The sum will increase with
8% annually.

PanARMENIAN.Net

No alternative to Armenia’s complementary policy
26.12.2007 15:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Proceeding from its interests in
the region, Armenia should demonstrate tactfulness
towards Russia, U.S., EU and our neighbors,’ Armenian
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said.

`Tactfulness does not mean submission,’ he
underscored.

`Each hasty move can boomerang. The situation in the
region is very complicated and those who don’t possess
enough information can easily engage in demagogy,’ he
said.

According to the Minister, Armenia should work for
efficient implementation of complementary policy,
which is conditioned by the republic’s geopolitical
situation.

`The future President or Foreign Minister will
understand that limitations are too great and will
have to pursue a similar policy anyway. Armenia
borders with four states. We experience problems with
Turkey and Azerbaijan. There are no problems with
Georgia and Iran, which, however, have serious
problems with Russia and U.S. respectively. Under
circumstances, I see no alternative to complementary
policy,’ the Minister said in an interview with Shant
TV Channel.

Panorama.am

18:04 27/12/2007

SOME SAY LEVON GULYAN TOOK PART IN BEATING UP

The investigation on the case of Levon Gulyan,
director of Pandok restaurant, who died in Yerevan in
May of the running year, has given no results, Avetik
Ishkhanyan, chairman of Helsinki committee, told
reporters today. In his words, in early December the
investigation was shifted to a special investigation
group, however, there are no accused so far.

In the words of Avetik Ishkhanyan, Levon Gulyan is
said to have taken part in a beating up argument that
took part a few days earlier of his death in the yard
of his restaurant. The law protector says that the
investigation may take to the desired realm.

According to the police statement, Levon Gulyan ”fell
down of the window of chief investigation department
of the Armenian police and died at the place.”

Source: Panorama.am

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 27 2007

BROADMINDED PARLIAMENT OF ARMENIA

In case the leader of the NDU Vazgen Manukyan is elected president,
he has his own approaches toward cooperation with the Republican
majority. These approaches do not include disbanding the parliament.
`If a candidate says his first step after election will be disbanding
the National Assembly, no matter how bad the parliament is, the first
move of the president elect is unconstitutional. If one takes
unconstitutional steps, even out of good intentions, that country is
doomed,’ Vazgen Manukyan says.

He says it is necessary to be able to work with the majority.
`However, majority is a variable notion. Persons are the same, their
stances change very fast. I have once said in joke that this is not
France where one remains a socialist if they are a socialist or a
rightist remains there. We move broadmindedly from one place to
another. And if a president is elected in an election, it is such a
strong power that changes in the majority are inevitable. It will
help shape another government working with them in accordance with
the Constitution, which will be more effective, more simple, more
transparent for people. From time to time, the president whom people
elected may address people directly, through television, put pressure
on the government or the National Assembly,’ Vazgen Manukyan says.

He also thinks that the new parliamentary election should take place
after the adoption of the Constitution because the Constitutions of
1995 and 2005 are not exactly what Armenia needs. Consequently,
besides the economic and manpower policy the new president should
first of all present a new Constitution to the society in two or
three years, and at the time of adoption of the new Constitution
there will be a point in transitional provisions that new elections
will be held to the president, the parliament and the local
governments. `It seems the most civilized way to me,’ Vazgen Manukyan
says.

ARMENPRESS

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN AWARDED FOR HIS INPUT TO PROMOTION
AND ADVERTISING OF SPORTS

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s
athletic community commended yesterday president
Robert Kocharian for his input to promotion and active
advertisement of sports and healthy life style.
Kocharian was awarded a special Olympic Solidarity
prize during a December 28 meeting with prominent
sportsmen and sportswomen of the country. The prize
was handed to him by Gagik Tsarukian, president of the
country’s National Olympic Committee.
Kocharian said the outgoing year proved successful
for Armenian athletes who won overall 104 medals of
different international tournaments. He said the
nation expects Armenian athletes to perform well at
Beijing Olympic Games.
Prime minister Serzh Sarkisian also attended the
meeting.

Panorama.am

19:44 25/12/2007

SEVAN ROSE FOR 0.56 METERS

Today Aram Harutunyan, the minister of Nature
Protection held a conference, and announced that the
main elements disturbing the balance of ecosystem was
found, as well as the processes of economic activities
and the development of ecosystem was defined and
examined.

According to him they paid much attention on the
development of national parks and other cultural
heritages. He mentioned that a project was developed
to manage the national parks’ development in
2007-2011. He said that exact works are done on
Dilidjan and Sevan national parks `the surface of the
national parks is clarified: `Dilidjan’ national park
forms 33765 hectares and `Sevan’ forms 147 343
hectares together with the lake and 22 585 hectares
without it’.

The minister talked about water recourses and said
that the level of Sevan Lake rose for 0.56 meters
compared with the same period in 2006 and it’s
1898.79meters deep.

Source: Panorama.am

INDEPENDENT KOSOVO NOT AUTOMATIC SOLUTION FOR ALL STATES

RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 24 2007

MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti) – A Russian diplomat said on Monday
that Kosovo’s independence would not make it an automatic solution
for other breakaway regions and warned that new tensions were looming.

Throughout long-lasting talks aimed at finding a solution to the
status of Serbia’s breakaway province, Russia has backed Belgrade in
opposing Kosovo’s sovereignty, warning it would have a knock on effect
for other secessionist areas, such as Transdnestr in Moldova, South
Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia and Nagorny Karabakh in Azerbaijan,
so called frozen conflicts since the 1990s.

"We note the precedent in possible recognition of Kosovo’s
independence, but we abide by international laws and concrete
positions of parties to any given conflict. Anyway, we do not expect
any automatic reaction," Andrei Denisov, first deputy foreign minister,
told a news conference.

But the official added that a decision on Kosovo would be taken
into account when dealing with unrecognized republics in former
Soviet states.

"Another area of tension is building in international relations,
which Russia has always opposed," the diplomat said, adding that
measures to promote tolerance and cooperation were the best methods
of settling conflicts.

The UN Security Council failed on Wednesday to bridge divisions over
the future of Kosovo. Most Western countries are seeking independence
for the volatile area, which has been a UN protectorate since NATO
bombings of the former Yugoslavia ended a bloody war between dominating
Albanians and Serb forces in 1999.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said last week Russia would undoubtedly
apply its veto right in the UN Security Council if a decision on
unilaterally proclaiming Kosovo independence was made.

Some other Security Council members, including Cyprus and Greece,
have also voiced opposition to a unilateral declaration of sovereignty
by Kosovo, fearing this could set a precedent for separatist regions
on their territories.