Author: Nalchajian Markos

BTA INVESTBANK, ARMIMPEXBANK, PROCREDIT BANK LEADERS OF ARKA PRESS RATING FOR 1ST QUARTER 2008

ARKA
June 19
YEREVAN

The ARKA News Agency has published a press rating of Armenia’s banks
for the 1st quarter of 2008. Three banks are among the leaders:
BTA Investbank, Armimpexbank and Procreditbank.

An analysis of press reports for the period under review showed that
the banks were less active in providing information to the press,
with a less information content recorded in their reports. The
number of press signals by the banks showed a 26% decrease in the
1st quarter of 2008 as compared with the corresponding period last
year (fig.1). Their total index, the amount of specific information,
decreased by 28.3% and reached 2,217.

In the structure of general information on banks for the 1st quarter of
2008 (fig. 3), the information for the heading "General" increased from
37.3% to 47.1%, with a decrease recorded in the amount of press signals
for all the other headings. The share of information on the following
headings increased: "Bank’s economic forecasts and opinions" (3.5% to
4.2%) and Bank’s development policy (32.3% to 32.4%). The shares of the
subheadings "Clients and service" and "Banking activities in figures"
decreased from 4.6% to 1.2% and from 22.3% to 15% respectively.

Both the number and the share of negative press signals increased in
the structure of information on "General" for the 1st quarter of 2008.

The share of negative information increased from 2% in the 1st quarter
of 2007 to 4.2% in the 1st quarter of 2008. The number of signals
increased from four to eight.

In the 1st quarter of 2008, the BTA Investbank reported the most
information on "General" (81.92), "Bank Development policy" (369.03)
and "Clients and Service" (10.24).

The Ardshininvestbank reported the most information on "Banking
activities in figures" (99.97). The Armimpexbank and ProCredit Bank
reported the most information on "Bank’s economic forecasts and
opinions" (12.8 each).

The press-rating is based not on financial and economic indices, but on
the facts of banking activities, which are reported by mass media. The
higher is the level pf public awareness of the bank’s activities the
more effective is the bank’s communication policy. Advertisements
were not studied or analyzed in the preparation of the press rating.

Fore more information see Press Rating of Banks #02 (37) for the 1st
quarter of 2008.

U.S. DENIES REPORTS ON KYRGYZ BASE EXPANSION

RIA Novosti
June 19

The United States does not plan to expand its airbase near Kyrgyzstan’s
capital, a senior U.S. diplomat visiting the Central Asian state said
on Thursday.

Kyrgyz media reported on Wednesday, citing a Kyrgyz government source,
that the expansion of the U.S. base in Manas would top the agenda of
the June 19-22 visit to the former Soviet republic by George Krol,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia and Public Diplomacy.

Media reports said Washington had asked Kyrgyz authorities to allot
additional 300 hectares to build new military facilities near the base.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan quoted Krol as saying those reports
were totally untrue and that Washington did not plan to expand the
Manas base.

The U.S. airbase at Manas airport, located 30 kilometers (17 miles)
east of Bishkek, accommodates 1,000 U.S. troops along with nine
refueling and cargo planes supporting antiterrorism operations in
Afghanistan.

The embassy said in a statement that in Bishkek Krol would meet with
high-level Kyrgyz officials to discuss bilateral issues, including
cooperation in regional security and economic partnership.

Russia, which also has a military base in Kyrgyzstan, said earlier
this month it would send more aircraft to Kant, about 20 miles west
of Bishkek.

The Kant base, which currently deploys some 400 troops and several
Su-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft and Su-27 Flanker fighters, combat
transport helicopters and combat trainers, will soon receive four more
combat trainers, a transport plane and several new Su-27 aircraft,
Air Force officials said earlier.

ARMENIA WILL NOT HAVE PROBLEM OF EMIGRATION IF IT BECOMES COUNTRY OF LAW, RESIDENTS OF YEREVAN THINK

NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 19

The subject of Noyan Tapan’s June 19 blitz survey was Problems of
Emigration in Armenia. The survey was conducted in Yerevan. Below
are the respondents’ answers completely and without editing:

IN YOUR ESTIMATION, DOES EMIGRATION FROM ARMENIA CONTINUE, HAS IT
STOPPED, OR ARMENIANS GRADUALLY START RETURNING TO ARMENIA?

– Though slowly, nevertheless emigration still continues.

– It continues and will continue.

– In my opinion, it still continues: personally I have emigrated from
this country for already 10 years and I am in Armenia for a short time.

– Unless bribery and other illegal things are prevented in this
country, I think emigration from our country will grow for even more.

– Until Armenia becomes a country convenient for living, no return
of our compatriots to this country can be spoken about, and under
such conditions, clever people, certainly, leave if they have such
a possibility, and do a right thing.

CURRENTLY WHAT IS THE REASON OF LEAVING THE HOMELAND?

– I think the main reason is social conditions.

– The main reason is lack of jobs.

– People have started to realize that in other countries human rights
are protected, money for daily bread is earned comparatively easily,
etc., therefore, they leave this country.

– I think leaving the country people don’t have much pleasure, they
just go to where it is more favorable for living and surviving.

– They leave Armenia, as this country is not a place to live: whatever
you initiate, they fail it, human rights are violated at every step,
and there is no hope that it will be well in the near future.

WHY DO OUR COMPATRIOTS RATHER PREFER LIVING ABROAD MISSING ARMENIA
AND FEELING ALIEN THAN RETURNING TO ARMENIA?

– I think any Armenian living abroad will return with pleasure if
the social conditions are even if satisfactory here.

– I think in difference to Armenia, law operates abroad, and living
in a law-abiding country, naturally, is easier: therefore, they do
not return.

– For a very simple reason: in our country we do not have the
conditions foreign countries have.

– Maybe it is a genetic tradition: neighbor’s bread has always been
tasty for us, therefore Armenians have always emigrated and never
wished to return.

– As they see that they can create a future for their children abroad,
why should they come to Armenia then?

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN FOR ARMENIANS TO RETURN TO ARMENIA?

– They will return when there are jobs and high salary in Armenia.

– They will return in case they are convinced that their children
will have a future in this country.

– Laws need to operate in Armenia, and people should feel completely
protected in this country.

– Bribery need to be liquidated in Armenia.

– They will return when taxes are not high and people are able to
quietly do business or other activity here.

AND WHEN IS IT POSSIBLE?

– We are just a 17-year-old independent country and I think that it
will take us nearly two 17 years to record some positive steps.

– I am an optimist, I think Armenia will have these positive features
in the near future.

– When we have a normal power and country.

– I do not have a hope that our country will have disinterested
leaders.

AND WON’T ALL ARMENIANS LIVE THE COUNTRY BEFORE THAT?

– Whatever happens, in my opinion, our country will not be faced by
that danger.

– I am convinced that there will always be people, who will not
leave their country whatever happens, and all Armenians will not
leave Armenia.

– If of course the emigration rates continue like this and it is not
prevented, in a few years some of us will have to close Armenia’s
doors.

– I do not think that today we are faced by a danger that all Armenians
can leave the country.

– Irrespective of anything, for instance, I will not leave my country,
I think many people think like me in Armenia, therefore, I do not
think there is such a danger in Armenia.

US CONGRESS HOLDS HEARINGS "THE CAUCASUS: FROZEN CONFLICTS AND CLOSED BORDERS"

Azeri Press Agency
June 19 2008
Azerbaijan

WASHINGTON. HUSNIYYA HASANOVA-APA. HEARINGS "THE CAUCASUS: FROZEN
CONFLICTS AND CLOSED BORDERS" WERE HELD IN THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE.

APA’s US bureau reports that Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, pro-Armenian Congressman from California Howard Berman said
that Turkey’s keeping the borders with Armenia closed contradicted
the interests of the US. He said that closed borders between the
two countries contradicted the terms of Gars treaty signed in 1922
and accelerated Yerevan’s staying under the influence of Iran. The
Committee Chairman said it was wrong to link closed borders between the
two countries to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Howard Berman has close
links with influential Armenian lobby in California. His name was
mentioned in one of the conflicts concerning Armenians. The Chairman
of the Committee was criticized by the local communities for meeting
with former chief of Armenian National Committee Murad Topalian,
who was arrested on charges of swindle and terrorism and sentenced
to 37-month imprisonment.

Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried
addressing the event "We have welcomed our progress with Azerbaijan
in recent years on issues of security cooperation and diversification
of energy supplies and pipelines, and have good, productive relations
with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. We value Azerbaijan’s troop
contributions – 150 soldiers in Iraq and 45 in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan
has chosen to develop its relations with NATO at a slower pace, and
we respect its choice. Azerbaijan has had the world’s fastest growing
economy for three consecutive years. In the area of energy, Azerbaijan
is emerging as one of Europe’s critical, near-term alternative sources
of natural gas," he said.

Daniel Fried also touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"An important step forward was taken by President Aliyev and Armenian
President Sargsian when they met for the first time in St. Petersburg
on June 6 to discuss the resolution of the conflict", he said.

Daniel Fried once more stated that the US supported Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Following this, Daniel Fried answered the
questions of the Committee members. Pro-Armenian congressmen Adam
Schiff (author of the bill on the so-called Armenian genocide and
bill demanding opening of Turkey-Armenia borders, Co-chair of the
Working Group on Armenia, New Jersey), Frank Pallone (Co-chair of
the Working Group on Armenia, New Jersey), Brad Sherman (Co-author of
the bills condemning the murder of journalist Hrant Dink and demanding
recognition of so-called "Armenian genocide", California), Diana Watson
(California) and others also addressed the hearings.

Pro-Armenian congressmen expressed their concern over Turkey-Armenia
border, so-called "Armenian genocide" and military challenges
of Azerbaijani leadership. Daniel Fried said that White House
administration did not recognize so-called "Armenian genocide"
and severe statements of Azerbaijani leadership caused their
concern. Co-chair of the Working Group on Turkey Robert Wexler (author
of the bill condemning attack of Kurdish terrorists on Turkey and
Turkish citizens), Jef Flake from Arizona and Dan Barton from Indiana
brought to the notice of the participants that Turkey and Azerbaijan
were strategic allies of the US and mentioned large transnational
projects implemented in the region.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AND WHEN THE LTTE IS VANQUISHED?
by Anton J.N. Selvadurai

TamilWeek
atures/archives/1264
June 18 2008
MD

This is the question that is in the minds of almost every one these
days — especially the thousands of displaced Tamils from their homes
in the northeast, whose homes have been occupied by the Sri Lanka
Army for over 10 years.

Autonomy for the Tamils has been promised, but like a thousand broken
promises one wonders whether any will be granted. The reasonable use
of Tamil promised decades go is still to be officially implemented.

Will the Tamils be allowed to have all they need to fulfill their
aspirations like in the various states of the US and India? Will they
be allowed to live quite happily in the single unitary state of Sri
Lanka with a sense of belonging?

Will the national cricket team include at least three to four Tamils
selected purely on merit? I ask this question because it has not been
happening all these years. Even in some schools ethnicity plays a
part in the selection of teams.

The idea that Sri Lanka was more or less gifted to the Sinhala
Buddhists by Lord Buddha seems to die hard and makes life quite
difficult for the Tamil Hindus. The only hope is that there would be
a change of thinking like in Turkey where they have decided to spend
large amounts of money on the development of the infrastructure in
Kurdish areas to reduce poverty, which feeds violence.

The Turks have been historically a very aggressive and violent people
and have also been accused of a genocidal war against Armenia where
millions of Armenians have been killed. The feudal war against the
Kurds could have been avoided if they had been shown some sympathy
and understanding and Kurdish areas had been developed instead of
making them life-long enemies.

In Sri Lanka too, the Sinhala Buddhist majority allowed themselves
to be overtaken by jealousy of the better-educated Tamils instead
of acknowledging that their dry zone environment forced them into
education for the sake of survival.

Using the glorious Buddhist principles of metta, karuna, muditha and
upekka they should have developed the Tamil areas so that the Tamils
would have remained in their home areas instead of coming down south
and taking up job opportunities available to the Sinhalese.

However, this rational and intelligent thinking was overcome by
jealousy — a very strong emotion — thanks to the ‘frogs in the well’
sangha and the political ambitions of Bandaranaike, Jayewardene and
the rest.

All that is needed now is a small group of right thinking, honest
statesmen to resolve this intractable problem or continue to live
like fools when peace and prosperity is just a whisker away.

AZERBAIJAN-TURKEY HISTORICAL RESEARCH FUND FORMED FULLY

Azerbaijan Business Center
June 17 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees of
the Azerbaijan-Turkey Historical Research Fund (ATAF), the founder
of which is the Azerbaijan-Turkey Entrepreneurs Association (ATIB),
was held in Ankara on June 14.

ATIB reports that at the session due to accepting of new
members the ATF Board of Trustees ranks expanded from 46 up to 52
representatives. The ninth ex-president of Turkey, Suleyman Demirel,
has become the chairman of the Board. The Board of Trustees was also
included deputy chairman Ihsan Dogramachi, Samed Seyidov (Azeri MP
and vice president of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly),
ATIB chairman of board Ahmad Erentok.

In the course of the session ATAF also discussed strategy, organization
structure, staff schedule, and budget for 2008.

As a result, organization period in Fund’s activity completed.

ATAF sets goal to unite in the Fund representatives of scientific
world for study of the Armenian problem.

The ATAF foundation decision was made on May 15, 2006 in the course
of a conference conducted in Baku on the theme "Armenian Question in
the History of Azerbaijan and Turkey" with involvement of Historical
Organization of Turkey, Historical Institute of National Academy of
Sciences of Azerbaijan, Baku Sate University and ATIB itself on the
basis of quadripartite protocol of co-operation.

ATAF will operate within Azerbaijan-Turkey single strategy for solution
of the Armenian matter.

PRISON FOR TURKEY BOOK ‘INSULT’

BBC NEWS
7459729.stm
2008/06/17 17:37:32 GMT

A Turkish publisher has been sentenced to five months in prison
for publishing a book by a British author about the mass killing of
Armenians in 1915.

Ragip Zarakolu was found guilty of "insulting the institutions of
the Turkish republic" under Article 301 of Turkey’s penal code.

The controversial law was recently reformed under pressure from the
EU to ensure freedom of speech in Turkey.

This is the first high-profile verdict to be handed down since then.

Mr Zarakolu’s sentence seems to confirm campaigners’ fears that
changes to the law were merely cosmetic, says the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford
in Istanbul.

In April it became a crime to insult the Turkish nation, rather than
Turkishness. But insulting the Turkish nation can still be punished
by up to two years in jail.

Sensitive issue

Mr Zarakolu was brought to trial for publishing a book by British
author George Jerjian on the mass killings of Armenians under the
Ottoman Empire in 1915.

I do not accept myself as convicted. This is a conviction for official
history and for denialism Ragip Zarakolu

Turkey denies the killings were genocide and the issue remains highly
sensitive.

Passing sentence, the judge told Mr Zarakolu he had insulted the
Turkish republic and its founders. His own defence – that he had the
right to criticise – was rejected.

Mr Zarakolu’s case was not referred to the Turkish ministry of justice,
as required under the reforms, and he has said he will appeal against
the verdict, our correspondent reports.

His sentence will not be imposed until that appeal process is complete.

Outside the court, Mr Zarakolu said that such rulings had silenced
many writers in Turkey but that he would continue to challenge the
restrictions.

"I was partly waiting for this result. But it is a struggle for the
truth and it will go on. I do not accept myself as convicted. This
is a conviction for official history and for denialism," he said.

The justice ministry recently revealed that 1,700 people were tried
under Article 301 in 2006 alone.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTED NA’S DRAFT STATEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PACE RESOLUTION 1609

ArmInfo
2008-06-17 14:35:00

The Armenian parliament has adopted the National Assembly’s draft
statement on implementation of PACE Resolution 1609 by Armenia,
Tuesday.

MP Hranush Hakobyan, one of the statement’s authors, said that
the Armenian public has been discussing PACE Resolution 1609 for
two months. Different assessments are given to the Resolution at
different levels, and parallels with other documents are drawn. In
this connection, the representatives of the ruling coalition in
parliament came out with an initiative to prepare a draft statement on
implementation of the Resolution 1609 by the republic. In particular,
the statement covers the events during both pre-election and
post-election periods.

Thus, the PACE Resolution notes that the presidential election in
Armenia was held in line with international standards. Furthermore,
the Resolution calls on all Armenian political forces to obey the
Constitutional Court’s decision. The document also points out the
mistakes and shortcomings registered during the election, as well
as proposals to eliminate them. For instance, PACE recommends the
Armenian authorities to reform the Election Code. In connection with
this speaker of the Armenian parliament formed the working group
on resolving of the given problem. The group is headed by headed
by chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on the state
and legal issues David Harutyunyan. Experts of different political
forces , public organizations and mass media were involved in the
group. PACE Resolution also suggests to ensure independence and
transparency in Armenian Public TV activity, which should implement
the idea of pluralism of views. Moreover, the resolution suggests to
ensure independence of the commission on television and radio. The
main problem is that members of the commission should be selected on
the basis of competition. In this context suggestion of the Heritage
party was accepted and the detailed parliamentary hearing were held
on the draft laws which regulate the given sphere. Practically all
the parliamentary forces, public organizations and mass media took
part in the hearing. The package of the draft laws was drawn out
and directed to expertise of the Venice Commission of the Council
of Europe. Within the frames of Armenia’s commitments extraordinary
report of Armenian Ombudsman on the 1-2 March events was presented. The
draft law "On regulations of the National Assembly" was adopted in the
first reading. This draft law gives wider authorities to the Armenian
opposition. Alteration and amendments were made to the "Law on the
order of holding rallies, demonstrations and processions", which
meets all the international standards at present. Armenian president
charged to set up the working group, headed by justice minister Gevorg
Danielyan, on drawing out legislative and normative acts directed to
ensuring independence of the court system. As for the arrested people
for participation in the 1-2 March events, a total of 115 people were
detained and arrested. At present 72 people out of them were released,
14 recognized they are guilty and 3 were justified. Thus at present
criminal persecution continues only regarding 24 people. Certain
work was implemented for the dialogue between the opposition and
authorities. It is supposed to start the dialogue within the frames
of Public Council as well as in the National Assembly. Temporary
parliamentary commission to investigate the 1-2 March events is being
formed at present. And the post of deputy chairman of the commission
will be given to representative of the opposition.

DOUBLE STANDARD IN DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
By Rueben Navarrette | Columnist

Chicago Daily Herald, IL
June 16 2008

Let me say a few words in defense of deporting illegal immigrants. I
wouldn’t have thought such a defense would be necessary, since being
in the United States without proper documents is a crime and the
penalty is deportation. But try telling that to the folks in Central
California who are experiencing warm and fuzzy feelings for 17-year-old
Arthur Mkoyan.

The high school valedictorian in my hometown of Fresno, Calif., studied
hard to earn a perfect grade-point average. And, for his hard work,
he was admitted to the University of California at Davis.

And yet, Arthur will probably never make it to freshman
orientation. That’s because, on June 20, the extension of his
deportation order will expire and federal immigration authorities
will likely apprehend the young man and his mother and send them to
Armenia. His father is being held in a detention facility until he
can be deported.

According to The Fresno Bee, Arthur’s father came to the United
States from the former Soviet Union in December 1991, and sought
political asylum. Arthur and his mother joined him a few years
later. No one came with the proper documents. And so, when their
asylum application was rejected, and appeals were denied, they were
targeted for deportation. That is as it should be. The law is the
law. Fortunately for this family, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein
introduced a last-minute bill on behalf on Arthur and his parents. Such
bills rarely pass.

Still, it’s a heartbreaking story. Say, maybe we can work out a
trade. Armenia lets us keep Arthur, and we send a dozen of our lazier
U.S.-born teenagers who think themselves entitled to the good life
but don’t want to do the work to make it happen.

Arthur, and his parents, will probably be deported. And they should be.

I said the same thing six years ago when a similar story surfaced. In
August 2002, The Denver Post ran a front-page story about Jesus
Apodaca, a recent high school graduate with a 3.93 grade-point average
who wanted to go to the University of Colorado but couldn’t afford
the tuition — because he was an illegal immigrant. In Colorado, the
undocumented have to pay higher out-of-state tuition rates. A member of
Congress involved himself in that case as well, albeit in a different
capacity. Anti-illegal immigration crusader Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.,
called what was then the Immigration and Naturalization Service and
asked them what they were planning to do about Apodaca. The young
man and his family were apprehended and, last we heard, were slated
for deportation. That won applause from immigration hard-liners.

But here’s the part that bothers me: I wonder why more of them —
including Tancredo — aren’t making a fuss over Arthur Mkoyan. Apodaca
didn’t get nearly the amount of public sympathy Mkoyan has received. I
believe it’s because, while Mkoyan may not have a leg to stand on
legally, he at least has the benefit of not being Mexican. Much of the
immigration debate is fueled by a fear of a changing culture, competing
languages, an altered landscape. Arthur Mkoyan isn’t considered a party
to any of that. For some people, that makes all the difference. And,
in some respects, that’s the saddest thing about this story.

ABC30.com, CA
June 13 2008

Fresno Valedictorian’s Father Comes Home

Friday, June 13, 2008 | 9:24 AM

Fresno, CA (KFSN) — The father of a Bullard High School Graduate
facing deportation is headed home to the valley.

Arthur Mkoyan graduated from Bullard High School this week. He and his
parents came here from Armenia, in 1993, seeking political asylum.

All three of them faced deportation this summer. Arthur’s father was
already in a detention in Arizona. Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced
a bill that puts the deportation process on hold, and would allow the
family to stay in the country.

n=news/local&id=6202238