Author: Nanijanian Alex

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS WILL NOT AFFECT ARMENIAN ECONOMY CONSIDERABLY, VARDAN BOSTANJIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 23, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The international financial crisis
has not yet affected the Armenian economy but there will be some
impact, member of the parliamentary "Prosperous Armenia Party" (PAP)
faction Vardan Bostanjian said at the October 23 press conference. In
his words, the impact of the crisis on the country’s economy will not
be considerable because insurance, capital and venture fund markets
has not formed yet in Armenia.

In his opinion, there will be a decline in the amount of foreign
remittances that amount to about 3 billion dollars a year, as a result
of which less money will enter the consumer market which in its turn
will affect the activity of Armenia’s economy.

The deputy said that one of the ways of overcoming the financial
crisis is that in conducting its economic policy, the state should
become a partner of economic entities, whereas now the state policy
impedes domestic producers.

DEMOGRAPHY- THE STRATEGIC PROBLEM

Azat Artsakh Daily
22 Oct 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

On October 16th in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic unprecedented wedding for
the republic took place solemnly , at confluence of thousand people,
700 young couples were married. This event was really grandiose,
scale, we will not hide, with show elements that gave it special
beauty and solemnity. For the sake of so important action this day
even had been declared by non-working in the republic. However at
all staginess of a wedding celebration we admit, that it was not the
main thing nevertheless. Value of the action, certainly, first of
all should be considered from the point of view of improvement of
a demographic situation of NKR and widely its national safety – as
providing of growth of the population is an element of national safety.

It is excessive to say, that in conditions of non regulation of the
Karabakh conflict the decision of a demographic question finds a
special urgency.

It is known, that the demographic problem in Nagorno-Karabakh has
always stood . During the Soviet period number of the Armenian
population practically did not grow owing to discrimination of the
Azerbaijan authorities. The unleashed war of Azerbaijan against
NKR has even more aggravated the problem, as it has led to death
of a certain part of the man’s population, mainly – reproductive
age. Besides, even after war the astable military-political situation
in the Karabakh conflict zone for some years became the reason of
demographic stagnation. Today, when people have a confidence of
tomorrow, the systemic approach to the decision of a demographic
problem is necessary. Threat to national safety- are not mere
words. Demographic crisis – in case of its further continuation – in
perspective is fraught with all that significant loss that managed
to achieve as in days of war, and post-war building, including
also independent statehood of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. As the
initiator and the main sponsor of a big marriage Levon Hayrapetyan
has absolutely fairly noticed, the demographic situation for the
nation is more important than tanks, planes and rockets. Certainly,
the NKR management has always had the understanding of this true,
however the problem is that not always it has been supported with
an effective state policy. Moreover, sometimes even declarative,
frankly speaking, populist statements without acceptance of real and
effective measures sounded. Yes, programs of stimulation of birth
rate and a possession of many children were accepted, however they
have not given essential results. The reason, is that the decision of
a demographic problem assumes first of all the decision of a complex
of questions connected with increase of a standard of living of the
population, creation of a corresponding social infrastructure. After
all the quantity of children in a family directly depends on well-being
of the given family, presence of qualitative flats and a permanent
job. Today’s management of the republic really pays the most steadfast
attention to the given problem, showing the conceptual approach to
its decision. For the purpose of stimulation of birth rate and a
possession of many children serious grants are paid to families and
a newly-married couples, kindergardens open, schools and flats are
under construction. And it is very important, that for realization
of this really scale project of the political importance not only
resources of the state, but also means of philanthropists should be
involved. Thus the problem is truly national, from decision of which,
we will repeat, the future of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic depends. The
first results, it is necessary to tell, inspire optimism. Dynamics
of growth of demographic indexes testifies, that effective, real
measures give also visible results. For 8 months of this year the
natural population increase in the republic in comparison with the
same period of 2007 has grown on 111 persons, a mechanical increase –
on 543 persons. If to take statistics of last month, in September,
2008 in NKR 242 children were born against 205 children for the same
month of the past year were born. Having many children has been always
in traditions of Artsakh families. And the demographic problem in NKR
needs to be solved – for the sake of the future of the same children.

STEPAN GRIGORYAN: RUSSIA CAN CEDE A PART OF ITS TERRITORY TO AZERBAIJAN, WITHOUT USING NKR AS TOKEN COIN

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.10.2008 16:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The events that followed Kosovo’s proclamation of
independence and deployment of EU peacekeepers in Georgia will affect
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process, an Armenian expert said.

"The latest hearing in the NKR parliament revealed the whole range
of opinions on the conflict. I don’t think that such an event would
be possible in the Armenian or Azeri parliament, due to the lack of
pluralism of opinions," Stepan Grigoryan, head of analytical center
of globalization studies, said during a round-table discussion today.

The OSCE MNG format is jeopardized due to global processes, relating
to the U.S. and Russia, according to him.

"Russia attempts to speed up the Karabakh process artificially, what
is to some extent conditioned by the impending presidential election
I the United States. As to unwillingness to spoil relations with
Azerbaijan, Russia could cede some 5 thousand km2 to this country,
without using NKR as a token coin," Grigoryan said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT UPBEAT ON TIES WITH RUSSIA

Public Television of Armenia
Oct 21 2008

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has expressed his country’s
commitment to friendship with Russia, in remarks broadcast by Armenian
Public TV.

At a ceremony to open Russia Square in Yerevan on 21 October, as
part of Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev’s two-day official visit,
Sargsyan said: "Let this square become not only the favourite place for
the residents of Yerevan and our guests to stroll, but also another
symbol of loyalty to our friendship for the benefit of our countries
and peoples."

"The national flags of Armenia and Russia, which are flying above this
square, are not only a symbol of our relations as allies but also an
embodiment of our cultural-historical commonality," Sargsyan said.

MIJARES AND DARCHINYAN SPEAK
Ramon Aranda

411mania.com
10.21.2008
TX

Both fighters showing extreme confidence going into their unification
bout on Nov. 1.

On Saturday, November 1, WBC/WBA super flyweight champ Cristian Mijares
(35-3-2, 13 KO) will meet IBF titlist Vic Darchinyan (30-1-1, 24 KOs)
in a unification bout at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. The
fight which will be televised by Showtime, promises to be an action
packed fight between two of the sports’ best little men. As the days
before their showdown tick away, tensions are starting to rise and
both fighters have been quite vocal about it.

VIC DARCHINYAN

"No one will remember him after I finish him. After I finish him
November 1st. No one’s going to remember him. He’s not going to be
champion. He’s history."

"On November 1st, I’m going to beat him, and I’m going to prove
it. And all Armenians know it’s going to be me in Los Angeles. They
know I’m fighting there, and you’re going to see. You’re going to see
the excitement. You’re going to see they can see what I’m saying. I
become the undisputed world champion. And after that, I’m going to
fight him out, and I’m going to prove I’m the best. I’m going to
deliver it that night."

"He’s talking about how strong I am, I’m going to prove it in the
fight. Also he’s talking about he’s very smart fighter. I’m not going
to let him even touch, do any combination in the fight. I want to
just thank God, and wish for his corner in the first of this fight,
I’m going to show what I’m going to do with him. I’m going to destroy
him badly."

CRISTIAN MIJARES

"I want to showcase my talent on November 1st. It’s obviously going to
be a wonderful feeling for me. It’s going to make me very happy. I’m
going to feel at home, not only for the Mexican fans that will be
able to see me over there, but all the Hispanics."

"I have no bad blood toward Darchinyan. He’s doing all the talking
here. He’s not my enemy. He’s my opponent. He’s my rival. I have
no bad blood towards him. I think the one that actually will enjoy
the fight will be the Mexicans and Armenians in the crowd. There’s
no animosity that I have towards him. He likes to talk too much,
but other than that, I don’t feel anything bad towards him. "

"No fight is the same. Every fight is different. I know though that
Darchinyan is very motivated and he’s a very strong fighter. He’s
going to try to move forward from the beginning.

I’m not going to change anything in my style. I’m still learning. I’m
still learning to be a better boxer, and that’s what I’m going to
do. I’m going to box him, and that’s what I should do for a guy like
Darchinyan. "

The historic unification bout is being co-promoted by DiBella
Entertainment, KO Entertainment and Gary Shaw Productions and will
air live on Showtime Championship Boxing beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT
(delayed on the West Coast).

In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight standout and ShoBox
alum Andre Dirrell (16-0, 11 KOs), of Flint, Mich., will meet the
power-punching Victor Oganov (28-1, 28 KOs) of Russia.

PUPPET THEATRE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
22 Oct 2008
Armenia

"When there was no instruction and funding from abroad, the opposition
in Azerbaijan didn’t do anything. Whereas in Armenia, there was that
funding, as well as the instruction to dismantle the political arena
and the inter-societal relations, and bring about the loss of human
beings. And this was what happened.

I just don’t understand our law enforcement agencies which haven’t
so far invited and interrogated L. Ter-Petrosyan, the chief culprit
in the March 1 incidents. This is an inconceivable and inexplicable
behavior by the authorities. Perhaps, there are some internal
agreements, considering that LTP has turned his rallies into a puppet
theatre?" HAYK BABOUKHANYAN asks.

UN WELCOMES ARMENIA’S RESOLUTENESS TO DEVELOP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMUNICATION

armradio.am
22.10.2008 17:48

President Serzh Sargsyan today received Cheick Sidi Diarra,
Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed
Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing
States.

The president appreciated the assistance the UN structures provide
to Armenia. Noting that ever since joining the UN Armenia has been
actively participating in the organization’s activity, Serzh Sargsyan
said without the direct assistance of corresponding UN bodies it would
be extremely difficult to work out and implement effective programs
in a number of spheres.

"Our objective is to create a stably developing society," the leader of
the country said, noting that the Government has declared information
technologies as a priority direction. On the way of creation of an
information society, the state especially encourages the activeness
and involvement of youth.

Welcoming Armenia’s resoluteness to develop information technologies
and telecommunication, the high UN official said it will allow
investing the knowledge in the potential of the country’s development,
which is especially important for landlocked countries like Armenia.

The parties agreed that the economy based on knowledge provides an
opportunity to the country to be much more competitive.

The interlocutors spoke about the alte rnative routes of communication
and emphasized their necessity.

According to President Sargsyan, the growth of communication
opportunities can considerably facilitate the development of
information technologies.

PRIME MINISTER ABOUT SELLING GOLD RESERVES

Panorama.am
18:22 22/10/2008

Struggle against international financial crisis supposes meeting
4 problems, and the first one is it should not be talked about so
much, announced Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan in National
Assembly session. The second one is increasing capitalization level
of financial system; in this regard Armenia has no problems as our
capitalization level is high enough.

According to the Prime Minister the third point is how solvent
financial organizations are.

Regarding the question that in 2004 Central Bank sold gold reserves,
the Prime Minister said "Central Bank bought the gold by 280 dollars
and sold it by 400. The revenues have been sent to State Budget to
implement social expenses."

SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN FOUND

A1+
[04:04 pm] 20 October, 2008

The sitting of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission
on Issues of Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia
and the Russian Federation has kicked off at the "Metropol" Hotel
today. Before the sitting, the Co-Chairs of the Commission – Prime
Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan and Minister of Transport
of Russia Igor Levitin – had a tete-a-tete meeting. Later, the
Co-Chairs participated in the opening of the 10th plenary sitting
of the Intergovernmental Commission. In his speech Co-Chair of the
Commission, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said, in part:

"The first sitting of the Commission that took place in Yerevan on
July 1st, 1997, marked a new stage of economic cooperation between
our countries. The following years showed that we have an opportunity
to both solve the existing problems and issues, and determine the
perspectives of our long-term cooperation and discover new directions.

Today we can state with satisfaction that stable traditions of
activity of the Intergovernmental Commission have been shaped. The
Co-Chairs hold periodic meetings, which is important for coordinating
the activity of the Commission between the sittings.

I’m sure that today’s sitting will become the logical continuation of
the way passed over the past ten years and will provide an opportunity
to solve issues of reciprocal interest.

The current 10th sitting of the Commission is important also because
it takes place on the eve of the visit of the President of Russia
Dmirtry Medvedev to Armenia, and I hope that the results of our work
will be positively assessed by the leaders of our countries."

Co-Chairs of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental commission, Russian
Transport Minister Igor Levitin first thanked for warm welcome and
noted: "The economic cooperation between our countries continues
developing and it’s natural to hope that the bilateral commodity
turnover may reach $1 billion this year. It’s not the upper limit,
we have more ambitious programs in the long-term perspective, and I’d
like to say that the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission
fairly plays a great role in the cooperation of our economic and
business sectors.

I would like to thank experts of both Russian and Armenian sides for
the productive activity of our Commission, as well as representatives
of businesses, who help develop relations between our countries."

The participants of the sitting discussed and adopted decisions on
the process of accomplishment of the protocol of the 9th sitting
of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Issues of
Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian
Federation held on September 14, 2007, the trade-economic relations
between the two countries, the current state and perspectives of the
contractual-legal basis, cooperation in the fields of fuel and energy
system, transport and ecology.

At the end of the sitting Tigran Sargsyan and Igor Levitin signed
the Protocol of the 10th sitting of the Intergovernmental Commission,
following which the Co-Chairs gave a joint press conference.

Diamonds.net, NY

ALROSA to Resume Rough Diamond Supply to Armenia

By Avi Krawitz Posted: 10/19/08 05:17

RAPAPORT… ALROSA will resume its supply of rough diamonds to Armenia
after a three year break, Itar-Tass reported.

The diamond mining giant signed a contract with Diamond Company of
Armenia (DCA) to resume the regular delivery of rough diamonds for
cutting, Itar-Tass said citing DCA president Gagik Abramyan.

`Russian diamonds will be brought to us for cutting for the first time
in three years, and this has become possible thanks to efforts of the
intergovernmental commission on Russian-Armenian economic cooperation
and the policy of the ALROSA firm,’ Abramyan said.

The deal follows an agreement signed in August 2007 between ALROSA and
the Armenian government to cooperate in the jewelry industry.

Itar-Tass said ALROSA plans to deliver diamonds worth 28-30 million
U.S. dollars to four Armenian companies, the largest of which is DCA.

Armenia’s diamond polishing industry has been on a steady decline in
recent years as rough supplies from Russia dwindled.

The country’s polished diamond production fell 20.6 percent to 52,316
carats in the first of 2008.