Author: Nanijanian Alex

ARMENIA CAN BECOME KEY PLAYER ON SOUTH CAUCASUS ENERGY MAP

ARKA
Dec 18, 2008

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. Armenia is aware of a real opportunity
to be involved in major regional energy projects and become one of
the key players on the energy map of South Caucasus, General Director
of ArmRosgasprom company Karen Karapetyan said.

Not having own hydrocarbon resources and being a landlocked country,
Armenia is still demonstrating a vivid example of successful solution
to energy security problem against the background of complicated and
ambiguous political and economic developments in the region, Karapetyan
said at the international scientific conference on informational wars
being held in Yerevan on December 18-19.

To further raise the country’s energy security level, a new-quality
export policy should be developed at a government level to create
opportunities for more active economic exchange between Armenia and
the neighboring countries, he said.

Armenia needs to take up an extremely pro-active position in
development and consistent implementation of new regional projects with
common interest for the countries of the region, he said adding that
no alternative exists to regional cooperation, especially in energy
sector, in the conditions of global financial and economic crisis.

According to Karapetyan, with two gas pipelines and the underground gas
storage capacity, as well as with its surplus competitive generating
capacity, Armenia has all the chanc es to become a kind of liberal
energy area for the region.

This implies raising the country’s energy security through formation
of a competitive export market, state support to export-oriented
energy projects with flexible price policy and concerted efforts of
strategic partners to expand the regional cooperation in energy sector
and to involve not only immediate neighbors, but also Turkmenistan,
Iraq and other countries in it, General Director of ArmRosgasprom said.

Among most important conditions for Armenia to be transformed to an
energy "base" of the region Karapetyan mentioned further liberalization
of foreign economic exchange, broader access to innovations and
advanced technical standards and methods of state and corporate
management in economy and real transfer to a new-quality export policy.

The conference on informational wars was held on the 90th anniversary
of Armenpress news agency.

"ARMRUSGASPROM" GENERAL DIRECTOR RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN NEWS AGENCIES

ARMENPRESS
Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: General director of "Armrusgasprom"
Karen Karapetian met today with the group of representatives of
foreign news agencies who arrived in Armenia on the occasion of 90th
anniversary of "Armenpress" news agency – deputy editor-in-chief
of ITAR-TASS Aleksey Berezhkov, first deputy general director of
Belarus’ "BELTA" news agency Igor Lutski, deputy general director of
"Ukrinform" Anatoli Mikhailov, general director of "MOLDPRES" news
agency Valeru Renita as well as executive director of Armenpress news
agency Hrayr Zoryan.

Press secretary of "Armrusgasprom" Shushan Sardarian told Armenpress
that speaking about the role and importance of mass media,
K. Karapetian noted that in information field business programs
must have unbiased and specialized support, the existing information
resources must be used for spreading progressive methods and types
of energy management as well as for ensuring participation of the
public in the discussion of energy security issues.

"Armrusgasprom" is permanently cooperating with mass media and is
ready to ensure publicity of the information about the company and
transparency of its activity.

K. Karapetian presented the results of the activity of the company
and financial-economic indexes, the carried out and would-be carried
out investment programs, strategic goals, noting that the company is
always undertaking steps for increasing its financial attractiveness
and recognizability abroad.

He expressed hope that the literate usage of the existing opportunities
and competitive advantages will create unique opportunities for
"Armrusgasprom" for further dynamic development on the basis of which
the company may take a stable leading position in the energy sphere
of the region.

During the conversation the general director also answered a number
of questions of the guests.

OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS ORGANIZE MARCH DURING "CASE OF THE SEVEN" COURT SITTING BREAK

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. During the break of the December 19
trial on the case of seven oppositionists the crowd gathered in the
yard of Shengavit general jurisdiction court organized a spontaneous
march. Voicing "Freedom to Political Prisoners!," "Now!," "Free,
Independent Armenia!," "Levon President" people led by Armenian
National Congress Coordinator Levon Zurabian walked by Arshakuniats
Avenue, Grigor Lusavorich street, monument to Alexander Miasnikian,
Republic Square, then returned to the court building, where the trial
on the "case of the seven" was to continue from 17:00.

It should be mentioned that several policemen came up to L. Zurabian
near the monument A. Miasnikian and demanded stopping the action with
the motivation of its being illegal. The ANC Coordinator informed the
policemen that the march is spontaneous and does not need a permission
in advance.

STATE COMMISSION: "ARMENIANS’ REPORTS ABOUT THE CAPTURED AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER ARE NOT TRUE"

Azeri Press Agency
Dec 19 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "Armenian media spreads false information that soldier of
Azerbaijani Army Hasanov Rafig Rahman, 19, taken by Armenian servicemen
on the contact line on October 8 does not want to return home. Rafig
Hasanov, who has been held captive over two months and undergone
psychological pressures, wrote in his letter sent to his parents
through the International Committee of the Red Cross on December
9, 2008 that he wishes to return home. "I though a lot and made a
decision to return home. I hope we will meet soon. Do not worry. Be
patient. I hope I will return soon." International Committee of the
Red Cross told the Working Group of the State Commission over the
phone," says the statement of the State Commission on Prisoners of War,
Hostages and Missing Persons, APA reports. According to the statement,
it is not difficult to explain the reasons why Hasanov, who told the
international organizations and his parents that he wanted to return
home, "changed his mind" and "gave interview" to Armenian TV channels.

"It is obvious that Hasanov underwent pressure. This confirms once more
that Armenia continues violating the international humanitarian legal
norms and rules on captives’ treatment. It "makes an impression" that
attitude towards human rights and values is so perfect in Armenia that
even captured Azerbaijani soldier "admits" it. The testimonies given to
the State Commission by the Azerbaijanis released from captivity proves
that the regime in Armenia commits terrible crimes against humanity."

NATO SUPPORTS PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

AZG Armenian Daily
17/12/2008

Karabakh Conflict

NATO supports peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
the Alliance’s Deputy Secretary General said in Baku. "Resolution of
the conflict will do good to the entire region. The OSCE Minsk Group
handles its job well and NATO will endorse its efforts," Claudio
Bisogniero said, Trend Azeri news agency reports.

ARMENIAN YOUTH AGAINST RETURN OF TURK-MESKHETIS TO JAVAKHETI

Lragir.am
18:24:54 – 16/12/2008

The Mitk analytical center and a number of youth NGOs made a
statement against the return of Turk-Meskhetis to the region
of Samtskhe-Javakheti-Tsalka. The statement holds that 90,000
Turk-Meskhetis were deported from this region in 1944. In the
post-Soviet period and especially after its membership to the CoE
(1999) Georgia committed to their return. After their deportation their
number has gone up to 400-500 thousand. The young people state that
Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as Russia and its southern sovereign
republics periodically speak for the return of Turk-Meskhetis. They
call upon Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia to stop this policy
of return of Turk-Meskhetis, otherwise they will support the mass
protests of Armenians of the region, since this policy will lead
to unpredictable and undesired consequences for both the region
and Georgia.

ARMENIA’S BANKING SYSTEM SHIELDS COUNTRY AS CRISIS BITES, PREMIER SAYS

ARKA
Dec 16, 2008

YEREVAN, December 16. /ARKA/. Armenia’s stability during the global
financial crisis is thanks to the robust banking system, RA Prime
Minister told the Golos Armenii (Voice of Armenia).

The impact force of the crisis depends on a country’s international
balance of payment, as well as trade and financial flows, Sargsyan
said, pointing out 30% adequacy and high liquidity of local banks.

The banks continue their harsh and shrewd policy despite sharp
criticism of the real sector of economy, the premier added.

He emphasized the role of the Central Bank’s policy, saying it is
the only remedy from the crisis.

Twenty-two commercial banks with 367 branches are currently operating
in Armenia. As of September 30, 2008, total assets and capital of
local banks amounted to 954.1bln drams and 214.9bln drams respectively,
with their liabilities totaling 739.2bln drams.

During the same period, crediting of Armenia’s economy reached
617.5bln drams against 434.5bln drams earlier this year, with consumer
credits and mortgage loans amounting to 172.5bln drams and 81bln
drams respectively. ($1-308.55 drams).

ARMAMENT DRIVE IN CAUCASUS PREGNANT WITH UNPREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.12.2008 14:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armament drive in the Caucasus is pregnant with
unpredictable consequences, the Armenian Foreign Minister said.

"Azerbaijan keeps on increasing its defense budget and announcing plans
to resolve the Karabakh conflict by the use of force. Any incident at
the line of contact can lead to destabilization," Edward Nalbandian
said during a joint news conference with OSCE Secretary-General Marc
Perrin de Brichambaut.

At that he remarked that OSCE doesn’t give an adequate assessment of
Azerbaijan’s violations of the CFE norms.

For his part, Mr. de Brichambaut emphasized that the OSCE is the forum
for resolution of conflicts between the member countries. "Peaceful
resolution of conflicts is a common principle for all OSCE member
states," he said.

The Governing Council of Millenium Challenge Account-Armenia SNCO met
at the Office of Government, presided at by GC Chairman, RA Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

n_centre_8/official_news_en.php?&date=12288528 00

Wednesday, 10th of December, 2008

The Governing Council of Millenium Challenge Account-Armenia SNCO met
at the Office of Government, presided at by GC Chairman, RA Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

The Council discussed and approved a package consisting of the request
for a tenth disbursement and attached documents, inclusive of the
annual report, summary quarterly report, performance monitoring chart,
disbursement pre-conditions, procurement reports, procurement and
working plans. It was noted that under the mentioned request, the
MCA-Armenia expects to be allocated USD 6,811,305 next quarter
(January-March, 2009) through the general financing system. Quarterly
expenditure will rise to USD 7,109,153.

According to the MCA-Armenia SNCO Chief Executive Director, the
requested funds will cover the following program activities: Rural Road
Rehabilitation, Irrigated Agriculture, Monitoring and Evaluation,
Program Administration and Monitoring. Ara Hovsepyan also mentioned
that thanks to the funds available from the government, the cost of
building activities will rise to USD 11,669,871 (without VAT) by the
end of this quarter, with the actual and projected spending for the
month of December totaling to USD 28,081,321.

In particular, the following activities were carried out in the period
under review: under the Rural Road Rehabilitation Activity, the repairs
of a 24.5km-long road section in the western part of Armenia are
nearing completion. Work is underway under the first-package contracts,
including the rehabilitation of a 273km-long road section to a total
cost of USD 60.3 million. Under the Irrigated Agriculture Activity, 4
tertiary canals have been built in 4 rural settlements. It was noted
that by the end of this year, there will be finalized design packages
for 6 water-mains, 7 gravity systems and 18 pump-stations to be built
in all marzes of the Republic next year. Over 18.000 program
beneficiaries have so far been taught on the subject of
intra-organizational water management and high-value output under the
From Water-to-Market component of the Irrigated Agriculture Activity.
Under the same program, 128 pilot farms have been created and over 130
agricultural loans have been extended to total sum of USD 1.5 million.

Once approved by the GC Chairman, the request package will be sent off
to the MCC for consideration.
The meeting similarly discussed and endorsed the draft contract on
Rehabilitation of Six Water-Mains (Package No.1) under the
Infrastructure component of the Irrigated Agriculture Activity.

The council was briefed on the targets of the 2nd stage of the loan
component of the From Water-to-Markey Activity of the Irrigated
Agriculture Project. Then, the meeting discussed the operational
guidelines entitled "Administrative Policy and Procedures for Lending
Program."

In conclusion, the council members were presented reference notes on
the approaches and technologies used in engineering water-mains and
tertiary canals, the audits and other checks of MCA-Armenia SNCO’s
financial and program activities etc.

EuroVisionary, Denmark
Dec 13 2008

System Of A Down to Represent Armenia?

Posted 13 December, 2008 – 10:40 by Serkan Uluçay

Newspapers in Armenia have speculated that famous hard-rock group SOAD
(System of a Down) will be representing Armenia in the next Eurovision
Song Contest, which will be held in Moscow, Russia in 2009.

System of a Down is a hard-rock group who is known very well
worldwide. The group is well known for political songs and the lyrics
the group has written include lots of swear words. With these facts,
it’s also written that the group will represent Armenia with a
sarcastic and political song in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The group was founded by the lead singer Serj Tankian, and the group
released their first album in 1998 with Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Co, and the group still has an arrangement with the company. The group
has released six albums:

Hypnotise (2005)
Mezmerize (2005)
Steal This Album! (2002)
Toxicity (2001)
System of a Down (2000)
System of a Down (1998)

It would be expected that there would be an EBU – SOAD diplomacy about
the Eurovision Song Contest against a possible political based
song. The last time there was diplomacy between the EBU and a
singer/band against political lyrics was in 2007; with the Israeli
group Teapacks and their competing song Push the Button.

Armenia has competed three times in the Eurovision Song Contest ,and
the best result was achieved by Sirusho with 4th place last year.