Author: Navasardian Karapet

WB GIVES POSITIVE ASSESSMENT TO RA GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-CRISIS POLICY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
17.12.2009 17:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ World Bank gives positive assessment to RA
government’s anti-crisis policy, yet we don’t see Armenia’s future
in construction, but rather in economy diversification, head of World
Bank Yerevan Office Aristomene Varoudakis said.

"Though, in itself a correct policy line, 2009’s policy of construction
development did not just justify itself in Armenia," he told the news
conference in Yerevan.

In this context, the head of World Bank Yerevan Office noted that donor
organizations’ short-term credit programs implemented in Armenia were
aimed at creation of jobs, social conditions improvement and country’s
competitiveness increase. He reminded that USD 108 million of Russia’s
credit were directed towards mitigation of crisis consequences and
USD 50 million allocated by WB to assist small and medium business.

Also, part of the means (USD 10 million) were allocated as state
guarantees to construction works in Gyumri, "which has a major social
importance; many people who lost homes in the earthquake will be
provided with apartments."

AZERBAIJAN PRODUCES WEAPONS

NEWS.am
18:57 / 12/16/2009

This year Azerbaijan completed the development of a number of weapons
and launched their serial manufacturing, Azerbaijani APA news agency
quotes Minister of Defense Industry Yaver Jamalov.

According to him, automatic weapon, "Zafer", "Zafer-K" and "Inam"
guns, sniper rifles, practice mines and military hardware jointly
manufactured with South African Paramount Group Company are among
the samples.

Jamalov informed that Ministry fulfilled 106.6% of forecasted plan that
exceeds last year’s indicator by 32.3 %. Defense Ministry executed 100%
of governmental orders, the minister stated.

N. BORDYUZHA, "DECISION OF ARMENIA ON SENDING PEACEKEEPING FORCES TO AFGHANISTAN DOES NOT HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE ALLIED RELATIONS OF THE COUNTRY WITH CSTO"

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 15, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Decision of Armenia on sending
peacekeeping forces to Afghanistan does not have any impact on the
allied relations of the country with Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO), CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said
today during a space-bridge entitled "CSTO: Activity Results of the
Second Half of 2009 and Prospects for 2010" organized in the press
center of "Novosti".

"If Armenia makes a decision on the sending troops to Afghanistan,
it has reasons for that. That decision does not influence the
allied relations of Armenia with CSTO", the secretary general of the
institution pointed out. The staff of the peacekeepers of the Armenian
Armed Forces comprised of 40 people will implement their mission from
February of 2010 within German armed forces.

N. Bordyuzha does not consider right the establishment of such a
system inside the institution, where each of the members does not have
freedom. "The basic principle of CSTO is that it may cooperate with
all, including in military sphere, as well as may adopt any decision ,
which will not contradict or harm the allied commitments", N.

Bordyuzha said.

According to him, from the very beginning of the activities in
Afghanistan, CSTO declared the possibility of cooperation with
NATO forces implementing a mission there. The development of events
there showed once more that it is only through joint efforts that
they can give solution to such complicated problems, as ensuring of
stability and its consolidation in Afghanistan, the illegal drug
turnover, the establishment of firm system of armed forces, force
institutions and law-enforcement bodies, as well as the support to
the their consolidation.

CSTO secretary general pointed out also the urgent issues on cadre
preparation, solution of economic problems, on cooperation with
bordering countries, as well as the issue on transferring military and
non-military cargo through the territory of CSTO member-states. "We
can cooperate within the frameworks of these issues, it stems from
the benefits both of CSTO member-states and NATO", N. Bordyuzha said.

ARARATBANK REPORTS 30 PERCENT INDICES GROWTH

ARKA
December 15, 2009
Yerevan

YEREVAN, December 15, /ARKA/. Araratbank said its indices have grown
by 30 % this year, including assets and credit investments. A deputy
executive director of the bank, David Harutyunian, said the bank’s
assets stand now at 40 billion Drams, its credit portfolio at 15.5
billion Drams and incomes at 350 million Drams.

Speaking at a news conference Monday at Novosti international press
center, he attributed the growth to ‘good management.’

Araratbank (previously Armsvyazbank) was established in 1991; 25%
of its shares are owned by the European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) and the rest by Barsegh Beglarian, the biggest oil
products trader in Armenia. Araratbank joined NASDAQ OMX Armenia stock
exchange in 2009 January. The Bank has 27 branches in Armenia. ($1 –
383.63 Drams).

DASHNAKS PLAN MORE PROTESTS AGAINST TURKISH-ARMENIAN DEAL ARMENIA — VAHAN HOVANNISIAN, A LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ARMENIAN REVOLUTIONARY FEDERATION, HOLDS A NEWS CONFERENCE ON
Ruzanna Stepanian

rticle/1903739.html
December 14, 2009.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) will launch
early next month a new campaign of street protests aimed at scuttling
the implementation of the recently signed Turkish-Armenian agreements,
a leader of the opposition party said on Monday.

Vahan Hovannisian said the campaign will get underway ahead of the
January 12 start of Constitutional Court hearings on the agreements’
conformity with Armenia’s constitution. "Our public will voice its
views, its indignation during those days," he told a news conference.

"We have received many applications and proposals to hold serious
actions of protest on the eve of the announcement of the Constitutional
Court decision," he said. "Naturally, we were going to do that
regardless of anyone and anything. But now, seeing that a popular
wave is again rising, we can state for certain that there will be no
calm in Armenia during those days."

Dashnaktsutyun, which was part of President Serzh Sarkisian’s governing
coalition until April, already held a series of demonstrations
in Yerevan this fall in protest against the Turkish-Armenian
protocols which it considers a sellout. The nationalist party is
particularly unhappy with Yerevan’s formal recognition of the existing
Turkish-Armenian border and its acceptance of a Turkish proposal to
set up a joint commission of historians.

Hovannisian reiterated Dashnaktsutyun’s view that the protocols
do not envisage an unconditional normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations despite statements to the contrary made by the Sarkisian
administration. He also said most Armenians are firmly against
the deal.

Hovannisian could not say whether Dashnaktsutyun will be demanding
Sarkisian’s resignation at the upcoming protests. Dashnaktsutyun
leaders have said previously that they will campaign for leadership
change in Armenia only if the controversial protocols are ratified
by the Armenian parliament and come into effect.

FREEDOM HOUSE NOT FEATURE KARABAKH AS A PART OF AZERBAIJAN ON ITS MAP

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.12.2009 20:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to Freedom House’s annual report Freedom in
the World 2009 Armenia is a "partly free" country. The report covers
political and civil liberties in 193 countries worldwide. On the
world map all countries are roughly divided on the basis of political
and civil liberties in the three groups – "free", "partly free",
"not free".

Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia and Turkey are called "partly free"
countries, while Azerbaijan and Iran classified as " not free".

Nagorno Karabakh is listed in the section "Disputed Territories",
a circumstance that led to a regular tantrums in Baku. Azeri lobby
organizations sent letters of protest to U.S. officials, including
senators requiring to amend the map of Freedom House.

ARMENIA TO BECOME REGIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE: T. SARGSYAN

News from Armenia – NEWS.am
18:33 / 12/14/2009

Armenia is obviously in advantageous position in banking sector
compared to other CIS countries, RA Premier Tigran Sargsyan stated,
December 14, outlining this factor should be taken into account in
overcoming a global economic crisis in the country.

According to Sargsyan, even under the crisis he does not give up hope,
that Armenia will become a regional financial center. Such ambitious
plans are based on tangible ground.

To substantiate his words, Sargsyan pointed out the fact that RA
Government and Central Bank of Armenia did not provide any financial
assistance to commercial banks unlike all CIS countries. Moreover,
Armenia has never had problems with investors. "Our citizens could
freely enjoy their rights, to make and get deposits, convert to
foreign currency. Armenia was an exception among other CIS states,"
Sargsyan noted.

OMBUDSMAN STOPS EXAMINATION OF APPLICATION-COMPLAINT ON ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN’S CITIZENSHIP RIGHT

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 14, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The examination of the
application-complaint of Zhirayr Sefilian’s citizenship right
protection committee was stopped under RA Ombudsman Armen
Haroutiunian’s December 1 decision N 1-0433. The Ombudsman had
accepted it for examination as early as in 2009 June. Committee
Coordinator Aghavni Sahakian reported it at a December 14 press
conference. The committee application mentioned that in 2004, 2006
and 2008 RA President without motivation dismissed Z. Sefilian’s
applications on being granted RA citizenship, and RA Police Passport
and Visa Department, in its turn, refused to provide a status of one
year’s residence to Z. Sefilian.

A. Sahakian said that the Ombudsman stopped application’s examination
taking as a basis the answer of the National Security Service,
according to which Z. Sefilian, on December 10 2006, voiced "appeals
of overthrowing the RA state order by force."

According to lawyer Mushegh Shushanian, with such a formulation the
National Security Service disregarded the judgement of the court that
came into force, according to which, Z. Sefilian was found not guilty
of making appeals of overthrowing the RA state order by force. "The
answer of the National Security Service to the Ombudsman is absurdity,
incompetence. This structure stays loyal to its style being guided
by political motives," M. Shushanian said.

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art (AFFMA)
2919 Maxwell Street
Los Angeles, California 90027
US

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 18
DECEMBER 2009=09

NEWS 2009 FILM FESTIVAL

And the winners are…

Congratulations to all of our filmmakers

whose films were part of

The 2009 Arpa Film Festival Official Selection!

Director Haik Gazarian’s mother accepts award for "VENEZZIA" on his behalf.

On Sunday, October 25th’s closing night award ceremony, the judge’s
selection for winners in each of the following competitive categories
were announced.

Every one of these distinguished films speak to Arpa Internaional Film
Festival’s misson of showcasing films which further global compassion
and understanding.

Please join us in celebrating and recognizing the talented filmmakers
and supporting their work by making a donation!

BEST Documentary: Return to Mexico City

BEST Short Film: The Tangent (La Tangente)

BEST Animation:Dress Story

BEST Director: Sonbahar

BEST Screenplay: Venezzia
Picture: Venezzia

Plus,

"Arpa Breakthrough Award 2009=80³ : Greg Lalazarian for "Chasing Tchaikovsky"

Arpa/AT&T Award for

Environmental Conservation and Stewardship was presented to Battle for
the Xingu.

Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) received the Arpa Foundation
Award for the film, "Because Education Matters", and for contributing
to the legacy of academic scholarship to schools around the world.

Lucy Martens and Marjorie Wright were honored with The Armin T. Wegner
Humanitarian Award for "Voices from Inside – Israelis Speak."

One of the highlights during Arpa International Film Festival’s
Closing Night Awards Gala was a serenade by Venezuelan-born musician
Ernesto Ferro. Ferro performed selections from the soundtrack of
"VENEZZIA" dedicated to the film’s director, Venezuelan-Armenian Haik
Gazarian.

Ferro, a world-renowned musician, began playing the guitar at the edge
of eleven. During his long career in the world of music, he has had
the honor of sharing the stage with such musicians as Al Di Meola, Joe
Perry (Aerosmith), Eddie Van Halen, Les Paul, Brian May, Eros
Ramazzotti, George Benson, Ricky Martin, Soda Stereo, Paul Rodgers,
Styx and many others. For more information about Ernesto Ferro and to
hear selections of his music, please visit and

www.affma .org

____________________________________________ __________________________
Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art (AFFMA) sent this email free
of charge using VerticalResponse for Non-Profits. Non-Profits email
free. You email affordably.

OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1334 G Street N.W., Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: (202) 223-4332
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

PRESS RELEASE
December 10, 2009

US CONGRESS ALLOCATES $8 MILLION TO ARTSAKH
Omits Restrictions for Activity in Nagorno Karabakh

Washington, DC ` House and Senate approved a Consolidated
Appropriations Bill for 2010 fiscal year providing $8 million for
assistance to Artsakh. The Conference Committee, comprised of House
and Senate appropriators for reconciling the two versions of the 2010
foreign aid bill determined that `up to $8,000,000 be made available
for programs and activities in Nagorno – Karabakh’. Also, the
Committee has removed the traditional description of the provided aid
as humanitarian, thus eliminating any restrictions for the
implementation of different programs in the NKR.

"The people and authorities of Artsakh are grateful for the steadfast
support of the U.S. Congress, the whole American nation to the
post-war restoration of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’, said NKR
Representative to USA Robert Avetisyan. `We would like to thank all
our friends, including our supporters on the Hill, for their objective
and impartial vision of the Nagorno Karabakh problem. We hope that a
continued and enhanced U.S. assistance will promote a sooner recovery
of my nation from the devastating results of the 1991-1994 aggression
by Azerbaijan’.

In view of Azerbaijan’s escalating warmongering, the Conference Report
also calls upon "all parties to the conflict to refrain from threats
of violence and the use of inflammatory rhetoric". `We share the
U.S. legislators’ approach that irresponsible and aggressive
statements are destructive and damaging for the regional stability’,
Avetisyan said.

* * *

The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the
U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional
information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington,
D.C.