Author: Nanijanian Alex

PanARMENIAN.Net

Sergei Lavrov: Moscow doesn’t hold separate talks on Karabakh
12.03.2009 21:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Moscow does not conduct parallel negotiations for
Karabakh,’ RF Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference in
Baku. Many countries, including NKR adjoining states are interested
in the quick settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict .

`We’re discussing the issue with Turkish partners, but the
negotiations do not contradict MG OSCE rules,’ Trend Azeri news agency
cited Lavrov as saying.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Yerevan Park inauguration was held in Paris
12.03.2009 21:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Mar.12 RA FM Edward Nalbandian, Mayor of Paris
Bertrand Delanoë and the world famous chansonnier Charles
Aznavour participated in the opening of Yerevan Park in Paris. The
inauguration was attended by Civil Service Minister Andre Santini,
French senators and MPs, politicians, public figures and diplomats.

`Opening of Yerevan Park in the center of Paris is another testimony
of friendship between Armenia and France and a unique gift to Yerevan,
the twin city of Paris,’ Delanoë stated.

`The Park testifies about warm relations between the two countries,’
RA Foreign Minister emphasized.

The idea to open the Yerevan Park had been suggested by Edvard
Nalbandian while he was RA Ambassador to France.

Armenian premier: To mellow social tension in Armenia we have to
fulfill obligations on timely payment of salaries, pensions and
allowances

2009-03-13 19:08:00

ArmInfo. To mellow social tension in Armenia we have to fulfill
obligations on timely payment of salaries, pensions and allowances,
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan told journalists when replying
to ArmInfo correspondent’s question about mellowing of tension
especially after 1 April 2009 when electric power, gas and water
tariffs will grow.

‘Taking into account the fact that pension rose by 14% in 2009, one can
expect this will also lead to reduction of social tension’, – he said
and added that the government is directing all its efforts to
fulfill the programmes directed to creation of new job places. The
operative headquarters under the Armenian government has already
approved 10 such programmes which will be financed from the state
budget. The second direction, which is considered the best, is
supporting small and medium-sized business, which will lead to creation
of new job places and make it possible for people to stand challenges.
Moreover, public work programme is also being implemented. Additional
funds from the state budget were allocated to fulfill the programme
directed to providing temporarily jobless with public work.

Courrier Laval, Quebec
March 13 2009

Serge Bedrossian: singing to the beat of the world

par John Fasciano

Serge Bedrossian, crooner, balladeer, composer and consummate stage
performer brings his Chansons aux rythme du monde – Songs of the
Rhythm of the World concert to Laval for the first time, this coming
April 3.
Accompanied by his orchestra, Bedrossian, a veteran of many years of
success in the music industry will sing of love and life in several
languages: French, English, Armenian, Arabic, and Spanish. He will
also launch his new CD You Are Leaving. The concert will feature many
new songs, and of course, quite a few in tribute to Bedrossian’s
fellow Armenian and great source of inspiration, the inimitable
Charles Aznavour.

"It will be a concert full of colour and a celebration of love won,
love lost, love regained, in the international language of love
– music and song. Join us, bring the love of your life, you’ll
have a great time," sums up the Laval resident who has performed on
many stages world-wide, including Montreal’s Place Des Arts.

According to ANC, Ombudsman in essence has assumed role of Serzh
Sargsyan’s administration’s lawyer

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Ombudsman’s annual report disregards
the political situation formed in Armenia in consequence of which
violation of basic human freedoms and rights was committed in the
systematized way during the whole 2008. The Armenian National Congress
(ANC) March 11 statement read this.

According to ANC, Ombudsman’s report instead of a factual material has
many philosophical outpourings and inappropriate social-political
analyses having nothing in common with Ombudsman’s mission. In
particular, it was mentioned that against the promises the Ombudsman
had given publicly, no estimation was given to the political trials.

"The dissipated facts on power’s repressive nature are ascribed to the
system inherited since old times, the factor of current
administration’s political will and responsibility was absolutely
excluded. Thus, the Ombudsman in essence has assumed the role of Serzh
Sargsyan’s administration’s lawyer. Adopting such a position, the
Ombudsman in fact has become an institution serving the represssive
political system, which has a goal to create democratic processes’
imitation with the image of an "unbiassed" valuer," the ANC statement
read.

According to ANC, with such a position the Ombudsman assumes
responsibility for the illegal actions done by the regime and thus
delivers a strong blow to the authority and mission of Ombudsman’s
institution.

Belarus President arriving in Armenia

armradio.am
11.03.2009 14:01

The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko will arrive in Armenia
today for a working visit at the invitation of the President of
Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan.

Within the framework of the working visit Serzh Sargsyan and Alexander
Lukashenko will discuss issues related to the deepening of interstate
relations between the two countries, further expansion of
trade-economic ties, cooperation within international organizations and
structures, ways of resisting the challenges to economy because of the
global financial crisis.

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko will meet with
representatives of business circles of Armenia.

Floating exchange rate remains in the focus of attention of economists
09.03.2009 13:00

Hasmik Dilanyan
`Radiolur’

`The policy of floating exchange rate remains in the focus of attention
of government officials, economists and common citizens.
Representatives of the legislative and executive bodies and an
independent economist today spoke about the devaluation of the dram,
the appreciation of the foreign currency and the rise of prices.

According to Deputy Minister of Finance Vardan Aramyan, the Government
has always respected the decision of the Central Bank. The return to
the floating exchange rate was the decision of the Central Bank.
According to the representative of the executive body, the decision was
objective: `It was necessary to let the exchange rate adjust to
economic fundamentals, otherwise it would bring about greater problems
for economy.’

MP Artsvik Minasyan never thought dram would depreciate. Moreover,
during the discussion of the State Budget for FY 2009 ARF
Dashnaktsutyun faction had suggested shifting to the floating exchange
rate policy, but gradually, not immediately. However, until now the
Government has not calculated whether the gradual shift to the floating
exchange rate requires greater expenses or not.

Economist Tatul Manaseryan expressed the opinion that the government
has spared great sums to maintain the dram rate. `It was inadmissible
to spare those sums to maintain the rate of the Armenian dram. I stand
for gradual shift to the floating exchange rate,’ he said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Some forces use the Discharge of Javakhk Armenian Activists to jeer at
Georgian authorities
09.03.2009 21:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tbilisi’s unexpected decision to free Javakhk
Armenian activists Sergey Hakobjanyan and Grigor Minasyan is used by
various groups as a means to jeer at Georgian authorities. Others tend
to treat it as `secret agreements,’ reports PanARMENIAN.Net as per
Vahe Sarkisyan’s, comments, an expert at `Mitk’ analytical
centre. `The aim of these groups is to harm Minasyan and Hakobjanyan’s
reputation by presenting them in the eyes of the public as suspicious
personalities in collusion with Georgian authorities, noted Vahe
Sarkisyan. It is funny when the fact of Armenian activists’ discharge
is interpreted by such `dirty means’; when the real circumstances
under which they were discharged are not clear yet. So far this event
has not been commented by Grigor Minasyan himself or by Sergey
Hakobjanyan. Correspondingly, any comments containing suspicious
facts, are provocative and they are aimed at involving both Armenians
into the ‘dirty game’ at the least,’ Vahe Sarkisyan noted.’ In short
this program is aimed at getting rid of Minasyan and Hakobjanyan,’ the
expert thinks. As Vahe Sarkisyan mentions, Sergey Hakobjanyan and
Grigor Minasyan have always had a high reputation in Javakhk and the
Armeniains of the region will always treat them accordingly.

Sergey Hakobjanyan and Grigor Minasyan set free
09.03.2009 17:13

Gita Elibekyan
`Radiolur’

Director of the `Charles Aznavour’ Benevolent Fund of Akhaltskha Sergey
Hakobjanyan and Director of the Youth Center Grigor Minasyan have been
released. The Armenian public figures had been arrested by Georgian
law-enforcement bodies in January on charges of spying and creating an
illegal armed grouping.

Today Grigor Minasyan gave an exclusive interview to `Radiolur,’
expressing gratitude to Armenian media for actively following the
development of events in this period and asked reporters not to bother
them, since he has promised the law-enforcement bodies of Georgia not
to give interviews and reveal the details of the case.

Accompanied by Georgian policemen, Sergey Hakobjanyan and Grigor
Minasyan came to Akhaltskha the night of March 6. Sunday Grigor
Minasyan visited the only functioning Armenian Church in Akhaltskha,
St. Gregory the Illuminator, where Armenians welcomed him with tears in
their eyes.

Today Sergey Hakobjanyan and Grigor Minasyan celebrate their freedom
with friends. Asked how he fees now, Grigor Minasyan said: `I feel
normal. I enjoy the delight of freedom.’

As it was mentioned above, the two Armenians are accused of creating an
illegal grouping and spying (Articles 223 and 314 of the Georgian
Criminal Code). On March 6 they were condemned to one year of suspended
sentence and were set free on a 2000 lari bail.

Grigor Minasyan said in a phone talk with `Radiolur: `I can only say
that I accept the charges against me. I did it unconsciously, without
any intention of doing harm to Georgia and Armenia. I had no intention
to consciously harm my Motherland, Georgia.’

He added that he is not hostile towards Georgia. `Armenia and Georgia
are two parts of my heart and my activity was not consciously targeted
against their interests, but investigation has shown that I have
committed a crime,’ Minasyan said, adding that he could make no more
comments, since he pledged not to give any interviews or reveal any
details of the case.

`I wish to express gratitude to all those in Armenia, who sincerely
want to help us,’ he said.

Armenian deputy finance minister: No sharp exchange rate to happen any
more

2009-03-09 17:00:00

ArmInfo. No sharp exchange rate will happen any more, Armenian Deputy
Finance Minister, Vardan Aramyan, told journalists today when
commenting on the decision to return to the floating rate of the
Armenian dram. He also added stabilizing of the situation depends on
how the population will act.

‘As soon as tense behavior of the population disappeared the dram rate
stabilized’, – deputy minister said and added that along with falling
of tension equity of the currency buy/sale has also fallen.
It was about 20 drams over the first 2-3 days after passing to the
floating exchange rate, but at present it is 5-6 drams. ‘The risk of
the currency speculations will grow in case of the negative
expectations and feeling of instability. Warning about cutting of the
dram rate could play such a role. For this reason we did not do that’,
– deputy minister explained.