Author: nina hovnanian

HUGE MASSES FLOCK TO SAADALLAH AL-JABRI SQUARE IN ALEPPO TO VOICE SUPPORT TO SYRIA’S INDEPENDENT DECISION, REJECTING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE

SANA news agency website
Oct 19 2011
Syria

Aleppo, (SANA) – More than one and a half million Syrian citizens
on Wednesday [19 October] flocked to Sa’adallah al-Jabri Square and
its sub-streets in Aleppo to participate in a mass rally organized
by Aleppo Youths Gathering.

The participants in the rally stressed their adherence to the
independence of the national decision, and their rejection of all forms
of foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs. They also affirmed
their determination to continue the process of comprehensive reform
under the leadership of President Bashar al-Asad. The participants
stressed the public’s role in preserving national unity and defending
the homeland in the face of the conspiracy.

National flags fluttered and national banners on unity and amity
were held high in an amazing panoramic picture of the Syrians’ great
love for their homeland. Loud voices chanting slogans that warn of
misleading media and false news aimed at spreading chaos in the country
raised by the gathered people who called for preventing conspirers
from achieving their goals. The participants sent a popular letter of
thanks to Russia and China in appreciation of their historic stance
at the UN Security Council which did justice to the Syrian people and
brought hope back in restoring balance to the international equation.

The participants raised three 150-metre long and 80-metre wide flags
of Syria, Russia and China, delivered speeches and recited poems
on defending the homeland and facing the conspiracy. Head of the
Lebanese Unification Movement Wia’am Wahab said it is these crowds
who give legitimacy and constitute a spontaneous referendum that
reflect the will of the Syrian people. He added that Aleppo people
conveyed their message to the conspirators that nothing will undermine
Syria’s resistant people “who offered support to Palestine, Iraq and
Lebanon when other countries stood helpless watching them burning,”
wondering at those who still call for foreign interference after its
consequences in Iraq and Libya.

Senior Christian figures considered the mass gathering of Aleppo people
as a stress on rejecting foreign interference and that the Syrian
people are the only decision makers when it comes to their internal
affairs. Shaykh Ahmad Shlash of Bu Saraya tribe hailed the sacrifices
of the Syrian army to put an end to the armed terrorist groups’ crimes,
stressing the tribe’s support to the reform process led by President
al-Asad. Deputy Chairman of Armenian Protestant Community said “today,
the Syrian people stress their unity and loyalty to the homeland,”
adding that the Syrians gathered on protecting their country and moving
forwards in reforms. Muhammad al-Diri, head of the Youth of Aleppo
gathering, the march’s organizer, said this activity was organized
in expression of loyalty and love to the homeland and support to the
comprehensive reform programme. “To Russia and China we will say:
‘We won’t forget this honourable stance of yours,'” al-Diri added.

CIS FREE TRADE DEAL WAY “TO DAMPEN THE BLOWS OF THE CRISIS” – ARMENIAN PM

Interfax
Oct 19 2011
Russia

The free trade treaty signed by eight member countries of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on Tuesday “creates a new
economic zone that will make it possible to dampen the blows of the
crisis,” Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said on Wednesday.

The treaty creates a common market whose member countries will
be able to jointly foresee threats and take action against them,
Sargsyan said during a meeting with students at the St. Petersburg
University of Economics and Finance.

He promised that his government would follow “the logic of industrial
society,” which is seeking to shield Armenia from the global crisis.
It would try to avoid a budget deficit larger than 5% and a foreign
debt bigger than half of gross domestic product.

The signatories to the free trade accord, signed in St. Petersburg,
are Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova
and Tajikistan. Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan said they
would consider joining the treaty before the end of the year.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN ARMENIA GROWS BY 9.6% IN SEPTEMBER

Mediamax
Oct 20 2011
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. As of September 2011, the index of economic
activity in Armenia grew by 9.6% against the same month of 2010;
Mediamax was informed in the National Statistical Service of Armenia.

Volume of industrial production in September of 2011 made AMD 92bln
740.8mln having increased by 16.6% against September 2010. The trade
turnover grew by 1.7% (AMD 188bln 603.6mln) and the volume of services
– by 3.5% (AMD 79bln 012mln).

18.6% growth is registered in the agriculture (AMD 169bln 42.7mln)
as compared to the same period of 2010, decrease in 25.2% – in
construction sector (AMD 49bln 144.7mln).

As of September 2011, average monthly salary in Armenia increased
by 7.1% against the same period of 2010 having made AMD 114 463
(USD 303.6).

IRAN REJECTS STATEMENTS BY TURKISH MFA

news.am
Oct 20 2011
Armenia

TEHRAN. – Iran rejected statements by Turkish FM, according to which
Iran allegedly approved Euro PRO Radar installation in the territory
of Turkey at a distance of 540 km from Iran.

“Iran has a definite approach on the issue and we continue to discuss
it with our Turkish colleagues,” Iranian MFA spokesperson Ramin
Mehmanparsat said, IRNA reports.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized Turkish authorities
that allowed to install early warning radar system alerts of NATO.

Ahmadinejad supposed that the radar is intended for the protection
of Israel in case it is involved in military conflict with Iran.

Memorandum on installing Euro PRO radiolocation system in the
territory of Turkey was signed on October 14. The radar will be
installed in south-eastern part of Turkey at a distance of 540 km
from Iran. Agreement on installing missile defense system in Turkey
was achieved in Lisbon last year. Iran is concerned on the issue
as it believes that the early warning radar system will be directed
against Iran.

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT ACCUSES ARMENIA

news.am
Oct 20 2011
Armenia

TBILISI. – During his meeting with state employees, Georgia’s President
Mikheil Saakashvili recalled the landslide, which recently occurred
nearby the Armenian-Georgian border and which claimed five lives,
apsny.ge reported.

“As a result of the tragic incident in Armenia, our several citizens
died, which is very sad. One of the drivers, who is a citizen of
Georgia and here [in Georgia] he criticizes our government and levels
it to the ground, says in front of cameras: ‘If it were our government,
they would have cleared the area in two hours. Look, so much time
has passed and no one came to clear the road.’ I do not want to say
anything bad about Armenia, they are our friends, but [Georgia’s
State Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure] Ramaz
Nikolaishvili has found solutions for more complicated situations, in
several hours. But two weeks were needed here. This is what effective
state apparatus means,” Saakashvili stated.

IRAN’S INITIATIVE TOWARDS ACHIEVING A SUSTAINABLE PEACE CAN BE WELCOMED – ARMENIAN EXPERT

news.am
Oct 20 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Every initiative towards achieving sustainable peace and
stability in the region is welcomed no matter from who it comes,
director of the Armenian branch of the institute if CIS countries
Alexander Markarov mentioned.

Earlier Armenian News-NEWS.am informed that according to Tehran Times
Iran’s FM Ramin Mehmanparast announced that Iran is ready to offer
solutions for the Karabakh conflict if Armenia and Azerbaijan are
ready to accept them.

Mehmanparast stressed that Iran and Russia can play an important part
in keeping power balance in the region.

PRESS CONFERENCE OF RA NA DELEGATION TO NATO PA

National Assembly of RA

Oct 19 2011
Armenia

On October 19 the press conference of Karen Avagyan, Head of the
RA National Assembly delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly,
and Styopa Safaryan, member of the delegation, which referred to the
works of the NATO PA convened in Bucharest on October 7-10 and was the
peculiar summary of the activity of the NA delegation in the Assembly.

The Head of the NA delegation Karen Avagyan informed those present
that this was the last participation of the delegation in the works
of the Assembly: in the next one the delegation formed after the NA
new parliamentary elections will take part in it.

Summing up the work done during the four and a half years by the NA
delegation, Karen Avagyan and Stypoa Safaryan registered that their
participation in the NATO PA had been active and effective, they had
participated and delivered speeches in the discussions on different
problems, in particular, in the considerations on Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh, introduced their positions and proposals and could not let
any resolution contradicting the interests of Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh to be adopted, which the Azerbaijani delegation tried to do.

They said that the project presented in the last sitting of the
Assembly, unlike the previous ones, was completely neutral and
balanced, which had become a reason of anxiety and disappointment of
the Azerbaijani side.

According to the speakers, the efficiency of the NA delegation’s
activity was the result of the mutually agreed team work, where the
NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, the Foreign Minister, the officers of
the Ministry and Ambassadors had their contribution.

The NA deputies Karen Avagyan and Styopa Safaryan also answered the
journalists’ questions.

PM VLADIMIR PUTIN HOLDS A MEETING IN ST PETERSBURG WITH PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA, TIGRAN SARGSYAN

Office of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation

Oct 18 2011

Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Sargsyan, dear colleagues, I am very pleased to
see you at our extended meeting today.

To begin, I would like to say that according to our estimates, our
economic relations have been developing quite well. Bilateral trade
increased by about 18% last year and by about 15% during the first
six months of this year, meaning we have kept up the pace, and not
a bad pace at that.

I want to emphasise that Russian (cumulative) investments in the
Armenian economy have been increasing. I just had a meeting with
my counterpart from Moldova, where we have just USD 200 million
in (cumulative) investments. The equivalent figure for Armenia is
almost USD 3 billion (USD 2.8 billion). Overall, we have been working
quite well.

Currently, we are working on improving our transport infrastructure.

After Russian Railways was granted a concession of Armenian Railways,
investments in the development of Armenian railway networks have
reached about five billion roubles. I know that they have a rather
effective development programme, and this programme will be executed.

Russian Railways plans to be actively involved in that area. One of
its affiliate companies is currently active there, and will continue
working in that direction.

As you know, on March 1 this year we opened the Verkhny Lars border
crossing between Russia and Georgia. This was done, among other
reasons, at the request of Armenia in order to establish a normal
transportation link. We are aware of the plans to build a north-south
railway and of the requests you have filed to receive funding from the
Investment Fund. But first, we need to evaluate the efficiency of the
project in economic terms. We are both aware of the issue and have
also discussed it with the president. We will consider this project
and together, we will make the necessary economic calculations.

Our relations in the field of energy are quite efficient and
diversified, I would say. These include both nuclear energy and
hydrocarbons. Considering the special nature of this relationship,
Gazprom meets our Armenian partners halfway in many aspects of our
cooperation. I believe we have already provided around 1.06 billion
[cu m], and will supply an additional 1.6 billion by the end of the
year. There can be no doubt that these volumes have been contracted,
that they will be provided and that Armenia will be fully supplied
with gas. In general, our relations have been developing. I am very
pleased to see you here. Welcome!

Tigran Sagsyan: Thank you very much, Mr Putin. For my part, I would
like to add that in the last two years, the economy has been emerging
from the crisis and has been showing more robust economic growth,
which is very promising. And Russian companies feel quite comfortable
in Armenia. There are over 1,200 companies with Russian capital in
Armenia, and their growth rates are quite satisfactory.

Despite the overall economic growth of 2% last year (and the industrial
growth of 14%), agricultural production declined. This year, we expect
a 5% growth rate with an inflation rate of about 5%.

In general, economic relations between Russia and Armenia have been
growing dynamically. In fact, exports of Russian companies in Armenia
have been increasing, about which we are very pleased. Major Russian
investment projects have been showing significant rates of return
recently, which is also very important for us.

In general, I want to emphasise that all joint projects implemented
in Armenia have been successful, and there have been essentially no
failures. Of course, the implementation timelines of some projects
have had to be adjusted because of the crisis, but all of them are
still valid. I also want to thank our Russian colleagues and you
personally, Mr Putin, for the USD 500 million that you provided to
Armenia during the crisis. These funds proved to be very useful in
helping us to address the consequences of the economic downturn.

Vladimir Putin: In 2009, correct? That was the most critical moment.

Tigran Sargsyan: Yes, exactly. We set aside USD 250 million for the
reconstruction efforts in the area affected by the earthquake. This
was in essence a substantial social programme. It stimulated growth
as the funds were invested in construction projects, and at the same
time it also had a significant social aspect, as it allowed people
to move from barracks and trailers into new apartments.

The remaining USD 250 million was invested in infrastructure projects
and in financing the economy. We helped companies that experienced
temporary difficulties, and that made a huge difference for them.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Vladimir Putin: Please, let’s delve in more detail into specific areas.

CENTRAL BANK: RATIO OF ARMENIA’S FOREIGN DEBT TO GDP BELIEVED TO WORSEN BETWEEN 2011 AND 2013

/ARKA/
October 19, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 19. /ARKA/. The ratio of Armenia’s foreign debt to
GDP is though to worsen over the period between 2011 and 2013, but
it will not exceed 50%, the Central Bank of Armenia says in report
“Financial Stability for the First Half of 2011”.

Analyzing three scenarios projected by the financial regulator,
central bank experts said that the basic scenario, which forecasts
36.9%, 36.4% and 34.8% ratio of the state debt to GDP for 2011, 2012
and 2013 respectively, is grounded on a hope that GDP will grow 4.6%
this year, and 4.2%, 4.5% and 4.8% in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively
in the event of favorable developments in Armenian and world economies.

The central bank also expects recovery of world economy via a weak
but sustainable economic growth and restoration of global demand.

World prices for precious metals will be stable as the flow of
individual money transfers to Armenia will intensify.

The first alternative scenario forecasts that the share of the
country’s foreign debt in GDP will be 44.42%, 44.62% and 44.12% in
2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively as economic growth in the country
will slow down by 2%.

According to the second alternative scenario, the ratio of Armenia’s
foreign debt to GDP will be 40.76%, 44.26 and 46.13% in 2011, 2012 and
2013 respectively, and the Armenian dram will devaluate by 10%. The
U.S. dollar is believed to trade at 382 drams in 2011, 400 drams in
2012 and 420 drams in 2013. ($1 = AMD 376.19).

FIVE DEAD IN MAJOR ROAD ACCIDENT IN ARMENIA

News | 19.10.11 | 13:19

Map:

Five people are reported to have been killed and several others
sustained injuries in a major road accident that occurred in an
eastern Armenian province in the small hours of Wednesday.

Rescue service officials told media three cars collided at the
Martuni-Vardenis highway in Armenia’s Gegharkunik province under yet
unclear circumstances.

One driver and his three passengers reportedly died on the spot,
while one passenger of another car died later in hospital in the town
of Martuni.

Three other people were hospitalized with bodily injuries of different
severity, with one of them said to be in a critical condition. One
driver received only light injuries and refused to get emergency
treatment.