Author: Navasardian Karapet

CHAIRMAN OF RAMKAVAR-AZATAKAN PARTY OF ARMENIA: DEVALUATION OF ARMENIAN DRAM RESULT OF ACTIVITY OF BANKRUPT-PREMIER

ArmInfo
2009-03-04 13:53:00

ArmInfo. Devaluation of Armenian dram is the result of the activity of
the bankrupt- premier Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of Ramkavar-Azatakan
Party of Armenia Haroutiun Arakelyan said at a press conference
Wednesday. He said the drams should not have been so sharply devaluated
against foreign exchange.

‘Central Bank should have been waging floating rate policy long ago.

Devaluation of dram should have been gradual and not so sharp. As a
result, we faced 30-40 percent rise of prices’, Arakelyan said. He
said the government failed to bring big companies having surplus
profits to the tax field. ‘Government actions were aimed against the
small and medium-sized entrepreneurships. The government proved ot
brave enough to tax big companies’, Arakelyan said.

CHANGES TO ARMENIAN MEDIA LAW LACK IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS

Aravot
Feb 27 2009
Armenia

Representatives of the Armenian opposition believe that recent changes
to Armenia’s law on "Radio and TV" will not help the A1plus independent
TV channel to renew broadcasting whereas representatives of the ruling
party reject criticism regarding the law.

MP Ahanit Bakhshyan of the opposition Heritage faction believes
that the changes "do not provide an opportunity to solve the issue
of A1plus issue" whereas MP Armen Ashotyan of the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia said the law does not contradict resolution of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which warned the
Armenian government against "delaying an open, fair and transparent
tender" for broadcasting licenses, the paper reported.

The A1plus TV (which now is published as a website) went off the air
in 2002 after losing its broadcasting license and reported biased
attitude from the government. The European Court of Human Rights
(ECHU) issued a verdict in 2008 advising the Armenian government to
provide the A1plus with an opportunity to broadcast.

However, the parliament adopted a law in September 2008, according
to which the first tender for distribution of new TV frequencies
can be held no earlier than in 2010 due to introduction of digital
broadcasting in the country.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) commented
on the law in its 1643 resolution saying that "technical requirements
for introduction of digital broadcasting" in Armenia should not be
a reason for delaying "an open, fair and transparent tender" for
broadcasting licenses, the paper said.

According to changes in the "Procedures of the National TV and Radio
Commission [NTRC]", the NTRC has to take into account "feasibility"
of the TV business plan, "diversity" and "pluralism" of its programs,
the paper said. However, the paper believes that the NTRC does not
carry out its control over compliance of TVs’ operations with their
license proposals and that restrictions envisaged in the law yet need
to be carried out in practice.

"ALROSA" GIVES CREDIT TO ARMENIA

Panorama.am
13:30 04/03/2009

The Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan received the President
of Russian Company specialized in diamond industry "ALROSA" Sergey
Vibornov and the delegation chaired by him, reports the information
and public relations department of the Government.

The President of "ALROSA" expressed the Company’s preparedness
to provide diamond raw material to Armenia, which gives the local
power opportunity to provide Armenian enterprises with material for
few years.

The parties made arrangements to discuss the details of the provided
loan more carefully later.

ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN INDIVIDUAL SPEEDWAY EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.03.2009 14:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the 10th European Individual Chess Championship
due on March 6-18, 2009, Budva, Montenegro, Armenia will be
represented by 7 chess players, including 2008 Olympic champions
Vladimir Hakobyan, Tigran Petrosyan, Artashes Minasyan, Armenia’s
champion Arman Pashikyan, grand masters Tigran Kotangyan, Zaven
Andreasyan and the international master Arthur Chibukhchyan.

So far, the Armenian chess players showed no outstanding results in
this tournament. Only Levon Aronian won the 3rd place in 2004 and
2005, and Sergaey Movsisyan, the Armenian Chess player, representing
Slovakia, won a silver medal last year.

The European Championship is open to all players representing the Chess
Federations which comprise the European Chess Union regardless of their
title or rating. There is also no limit of participants per federation.

This year European Individual Chess Championship will host 310 chess
players. The opening ceremony will be held on March 5.

The championship will be 11 rounds, played in the Swiss system in
accordance with the ECU Tournament Rules and FIDE Laws of Chess.

The playing time will be 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes
for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move,
starting from move one.

The first tour kicks off on March 6, with tournaments days from March
6-17 and a day off on Mar. 18.

The prize fund is euro 120 000:1st prize – euro 15 000, 2nd prize –
euro 12 000, 3rd prize – euro 10 000.

The Individual European Championship 2009 is qualification event for
the next World Cup. According to FIDE regulations and the decision
of the ECU Board, 22 players will qualify.

The first unofficial European Championship was held in Munich from
Sep. 14-26, 1942 and organized by the president of German Chess Union
Edhardt Post.

Under wartime conditions, Jewish chess players, as well Germany’s
adversaries were not included in the list of participants.

The 1st official Individual European Chess Championships took place
in Saint Vincent Jul. 3-14, 2000.

During 2000-2008 the Individual Championship was held in Macedonia,
Georgia, Turkey (in 2003, 2004, 2006), Poland, Germany and Bulgaria.

Armenian Second TV Channel.
This day 21 years ago Sumgait Armenians massacres started
28 – February / 2009 : 19:00

This day 21 years ago became a final break for Armenia and Azerbaijan
due to the tragic events. From the very first day of the Movement both
in Artsakh and Armenia hundreds of thousands of people were going out
for peaceful demonstrations while February 28, 1988 Azerbaijan showed
practically the road it had chosen ` Armenians of industrial
town Sumgait were among the creators of the town’s biography. For
three days continuously the town was turned into a hell for Armenians
living there, the criminal gangs were penetrating every house and yard
where an Armenian lived to murder, to break and ruin. Meanwhile,
Moscow was keeping silent. Only three days later the Soviet army
entered Sumgait probably to intervene in the distribution of rich
trophies left from Armenians. Later it would be revealed that in
Azerbaijan all those events were organized by the initiation of the
state machine and those who were going to ”hunt” for Armenians had
been provided by the list and addresses of Armenians. The Sumgait
tragedy was not duly assessed by the Soviet government and it hasn’t
been assessed by the international community up to nowadays. The
single fictive judiciary processes were instituted only based on the
criminal acts by the hooligans. More than hundred people perished,
many thousands of Armenians lost their property. Sumgait was a
crossroad and a start for new developments. Encouraged by the impunity
Azerbaijan continued the massacres in Baku, Gandzak, Khanlar and other
places where many Armenians lived thus deporting half a million
people. it was after Sumgait that self-defense in Armenia and Artsakh
became an imperative and then a token of victory in the compelled war.

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Feb 25 2009

Turkish minister wants to boost economic relations with USA

Istanbul, 25 February: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said [on]
Wednesday [25 February], "The prevention of future financial crisis
may not be possible without a global approach".

Speaking at a luncheon hosted in Istanbul by the Turkish-American
Business Council, Babacan said that Turkey pays high importance to the
meetings of the G20 countries.

"I believe that the impact of the economic crisis can not be minimized
by the mere efforts of individual countries," Babacan said.

Without a global approach, it would be impossible to avoid future
financial crisis, Babacan said.

Turkey-US relations

"Turkey is the sixth biggest economy in Europe and among the world’s
top 20 economies. Turkey is likely to become one of the top 10
economies in the world by the year 2023, when Turkey will celebrate
the 100th anniversary of the foundation of its republic. There is no
other country developing as rapidly as Turkey," Babacan said.

"Turkish-US economic relations are not satisfactory. The trade volume
between Turkey and the US was 16bn US dollars last year and this
amount may seem good compared to previous years. Nonetheless, there
should be more mutual investments between Turkey and the USA," Babacan
said.

"We have positive expectations on Turkish-US (economic) relations,"
Babacan said.

"Among the topics on the agenda of the new US administration are
Afghanistan and Pakistan. Turkey possesses close, friendly relations
with both of these countries. We worked hard to eradicate problems
between Afghanistan and Pakistan. If correct steps are taken, the
problems in Afghanistan could be solved. US foreign policy will shift
its attention from Iraq to Afghanistan. We believe that regional
security and stability will contribute to global stability and
security," Babacan said.

Touching on Turkey’s foreign policy, Babacan said that a process of
dialogue began with Armenia.

"This is a good process. The process aims to normalize relations with
Armenia. We are moving in the right direction," Babacan said.

"We have decided to open 15 new embassies in Africa," Babacan said.

"We are pursuing projects for development," Babacan said.

"We have opened a new page in relations with India," Babacan said.

"Turkey was elected to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent
member last October. This was possible by winning the hearts of many
countries. We received 151 votes from a total of 192," Babacan said.

"Our efforts received appreciation in all corners of the
world. Turkey’s stance, principles it put forward and values that it
defends have received (positive) response from the global community,"
Babacan also said.

MATTHEW BRYZA: "THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Today.Az
politics/50806.html
Feb 27 2009
Azerbaijan

The co-chairs offered the Azerbaijani side their ideas about how to
overcome differences between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the resolution
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and these were no formal proposals,
said US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza, according to
Trend News.

"We discussed the approach to be used to overcome main differences
between the parties", noted Bryza.

He said the talks in Baku were very constructive, the co-chairs
heard the approach of the Azerbaijani side to ways of the conflict
resolution.

"We have already discussed the statement of the co-chairs
constructively made on February 13", added Bryza.

The OSCE MG co-chairs made a joint statement on February 13 in which
they consider non-application of force to be one of the main elements
of the fair and stable resolution of the Karabakh conflict. The
co-chairs noted that they do not see the military solution to the
Karabakh conflict, said in the statement of the mediators, posted on
the OSCE website.

The co-chairs, according to Bryza, noted that it is very important
to preserve constructive spirit between Presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan.

"We noted that there is only a peaceful solution to the conflict and
there is no armed resolution", said Bryza.

He noted that only after the co-chairs present their ideas and
proposals to President Sargsyan in Yerevan on March 2, it will be
possible to speak of the next meeting of the presidents.

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE 2008 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT: KARABAKH

ArmInfo
2009-02-27 17:51:00

ArmInfo. US Department of State has published 2008 Human Rights Report
touching upon Karabakh conflict alongside with other issues. The
report contains some, to put it mildly, unclear term and definitions.

Thus it says: ‘Ethnic Armenian separatists, with Armenia’s support,
continued to control most of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan
and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. Landmines placed along
the 540 mile border with Azerbaijan and along the line of contact in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continued to cause bodily harm.

During the first 11 months of the year government sources reported
that two military personnel were killed and 19 military personnel
injured by landmine explosions. There were no reports of civilian
deaths or injuries caused by landmines.

During the year shootings along the militarized line of contact
separating the sides as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict again
resulted in numerous casualties on both sides. According to official
information, three military personnel and two civilians were killed,
and 21 military and two civilians were injured, along the line of
contact. On June 17 and 18, two civilians who were residents of the
village of Chinari in the Tavush region were shot by snipers while
working in their fields; they died on June 18’.

It is noteworthy that by official data of Armenian Armed Forces
General Staff, the violation of ceasefire by Azerbaijani Armed
Forces resulted in killing 7 people – among them were two civilians
(village of Chinari, Tavush region) and 5 servicemen. Another 26 people
(including three civilians) were wounded.

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN WILL BE OFF TO RF CAPITAL MOSCOW ON A SINGLE-DAY WORKING VISIT

Thursd ay, 26 February 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan will be off to RF capital Moscow on
a single-day working visit. The Prime Minister-led delegation will
composed of RA Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan, RA Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan, RA Minister of Transport
and Communication Gurgen Sargsyan, RA Deputy Minister for Foreign
Affairs Shavarsh Kocharyan, Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan,
a representative of the Central Bank of Armenia, other officials from
the Government Staff and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is scheduled to meet with Head of
RF Government Vladimir Putin, co-chair of the intergovernmental
commission on economic cooperation (ICEC), RF Minister of Transport
Igor Levitin, RF Central Bank Chairman Sergey Ignatev, as well as with
the representatives of Russian business circles. The Prime Minister
will also call at the Armenian Embassy in Moscow.

The agenda of the planned meetings features discussion of the status of
those arrangements and decisions passed at last October’s 10th jubilee
session of ICEC, a set of questions regarding the strengthening of
ties and the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation in a number
of spheres, as well as other issues of topical interest.

VIGEN HAKOBYAN: PAT IN THE UKRAINE- CIVIL WAR OF INSTITUTIONS AHEAD

Regnum

F eb 23 2009
Russia

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko revoked from Verkhovna
Rada the proposal on appointment Valentin Nalivaychenko as a
chairman of Security Service of Ukraine. Ostensible purpose was the
"redundant politicization" of this issue. Meantime, it is obvious,
that the personality of Security Service leader can not be deprived
of political components. Especially in the Ukraine and especially
during the pre-election time.

The main intrigue of current situation is the extension of influence
on Ukrainian government institutes. "Politicum" is maneuvering as
it is very much aware the outcome of the presidential elections will
depend on who will be able to build the most influential units of the
"control system". That is the very SBU, the Office of the Prosecutor,
the Central Executive Committee, the Judicial system, the Interior
Ministry and at last the Army. Electoral landscape itself ceased
to be of fundamental importance for presidential candidates. People
suffered disappointments many times and do not believe anybody.

Triangle Yushchenko-Timoshenko-Yanukovych weakened all three sides
of the triangle due to cut-throat competition of recent five years
and could not manage to come to the crunch. Strengthening of one of
the poles immediately led to consolidation efforts of two others. The
activity of one side leads to counteraction of two others. This axiom
allowed this trinity to remain atop of the triangle, but exhausted
them to the limit. Any integration or association of sides would
result the head -on crash with the third participant. The value of
the matter was too high that is why sides preferred to be included
in ad hoc collusions, causing damage to their electoral reputation,
ideological priorities and political image. As a result, today there
is not an "orange" pro-western camp in Ukraine, as well as there is
not "white-blue" pro-Russian front. In fact it is a political pat.

Lack of possibilities to exercise the political activity causes
an extra nervosity to the sides. Relations between Yushchenko and
Timoshenko are already far away from political and they look like
a kitchen broil.On the other hand, Yanukovych, who had destroyed
its political basis to keep the balance into a triangle, is unable
today to present "peoples" ultimatum, although he is permanently
threatening. Yanukovych is verging towards destruction of its
political camp -the Regions Party. It would seem, there is wonderful
opportunity for fourth party to appear, in other words for new
political figure. However, this possibility is excluded in nowadays
Ukraine due to objective reasons. A new independent pole will be
extirpated by consolidated actions of the indicated trinity. Only
clones are acceptable for this triangle, which were developed for
its feeding, such as Lutsenko, Yatsenyuk, Konovalyuk, Volga, Baloga’s
"United center" and others.

Pat at the highest level resulted complete disorganization of
masses. The electoral base of potential participants of presidency is
washed out. Yushchenko is deprived of such electoral base at all. By
the start of presidential campaign Tomoshenko will face the lack of
10% of her rating due to socio-economic collapse. Today Yanukovych’s
perspectives are more depending not on the level of populations’
credibility, but on the outcome of influence redistribution in the
Regions Party.

An impact on state administration bodies and institutes becomes a key
determinant. The outcome of confrontation between institutions will
depend not so much on how successful political parties would overmaster
them, but on the fact how effective these politicians would be able
to run their decisions and actions in critical moment. Even more,
this outcome will depend on how independent would act numerous state
institutions, remaining without political control under the conditions
of pat.

Central Executive Committee will be a spearhead. Here the position is
held by the president Yushchenko, at the level of committee’s head
Vladimir Shapovala. However the committee’s decisions on the whole
will depend on operative contractual possibilities of sides. Julia
Timoshenko, who had extended her influence over Interior Ministry
(Yuri Lutsenko) and judicial system (Vasiliy Onopenko, the chairman
of the Ukrainian Supreme Court, is considered as one of devoted the
prime minister), can get an affront from SBU and the Office of the
Prosecutor. The last two structures are divided between the president
and representatives of the Regions Party. Constitutional Court Chairman
Andrey Strizhak is from Trascarpathia and, according to observers he
is close to Victor Baloga, the Head of the Secretary of the President
of Ukraine. However his influence could be neutralized by efforts of
lobbyists of Timoshenko, close to Medvedchuk’s command.

The described competition between the tops of political triangle
caused the discredit of parties of the second echelon, in particular,
left-wing parties such as Communist and Socialist parties of
Ukraine. Communists and socialists picked up from one another the
initiative in lobbying the interests of one or another clan, being not
unable to compete with powerful oligarchic pyramids, ranged behind each
participant of triangle. Communists have managed to draw dividends by
maneuvering between Timoshenko and Yanukovych. Today they are deprived
of this possibility, because the weaker these two poles became, the
more open support they demanded from the satellites. This days Petr
Simonenko’s party is closely bound to the camp of Timoshenko. Elections
of 2010 will become the last fight for communists, after which
they will face complete exposure and deactualisation. Socialists
fell victim to clear choice in behalf of money and today are not a
real political force. The pole of Mayor of Kiev Leonid Chernovecky
is rising against the populist front, but however as it was said
earlier his nomination to the presidential post, only would lead to
consolidated rejection of main competitors. He will have to support
one of them. From this point of view, Cherepovecky’s support could
be an important contribution to every participant of presidency.

To conclude, Ukrainian elections of 2010 years will become civil
war of governmental institutions. It will be the main test for the
Ukrainian statehood in the course of increasing economic crisis. The
resignation of Valery Khoroshkovsky, the head of State Customs Service,
has clearly revealed a deep political interference into personnel
management affairs in the Ukraine. Timoshenko’s government sacked
Chief Customs Officer straight upon his refusal to release gas from
UGS (underground gas storages), formerly owned by RosUkrEnergo, but
recently assigned to Naftogaz. The final distribution of institutions
on political priorities did not take place yet. Main fight is ahead,
where all possible methods will be used, up to forcible takeover of
important posts, which we have already observed on the example of some
financial departments as National Property Fund, National Bank and etc.

How will Ukrainian statehood overcome this war of institutions and
whether it will remain sovereign statehood is rather theoretical
question. Irresponsibility of Ukrainian politicians has already
almost destroyed their neutral state sense and finally took away all
restrictions towards transformation of institutions and government
authorities into anarchistic-feudal duplications of Zaporozhian Sich
(camp of Cossacks). Maybe, this is the main tradition of the Ukrainian
statehood.