Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

WHO EARNS FROM KARABAKH WAR IN ARMENIA? WHY PEOPLE ARE BEING SHOT?
K. Guluzade

Today
/62079.html
Feb 19 2010
Azerbaijan

Corruption is not considered something unusual around the world. It is
some kind of eternal value, passed on from generation to generation,
and few people perceive it as something unnatural. To make it short,
it’s just part of life or even the lifestyle for some.

It has recently become known how much the Armenian elite earned from
the Karabakh war. The media has published information on the property
and business of Armenia’s top authorities. A list of possessions of
President Serzh Sargsyan, his brother Sashik, ex-President Robert
Kocharian, Parliamentary Speaker Hovik "Mouse" Abrahamian, Prime
Minister Tigran Sarkisian, oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan (Dodi Gago)
and others of that ilk were provided in detail.

The list was provided by Smbat Karakhanyan, head of the Moscow-based
Miabanutyun Armenian National Club. The fact that the " Karakhanyan
list" was published is quite appropriate. Armenia is in such a terrible
state that they need to count every penny, especially if this belongs
to people and has been misappropriated.

This testifies that Armenia lacks a truly state system able to
protect national, state and territorial interests and the interests
of ordinary citizens.

"The power in the country is composed of oligarchs, criminals and
foreign proteges who have accessed it via falsification and and
pressure. Of course, these groups serve interests of their bosses and
they do not care about the problems of majority of population. They are
engaged in betraying national interests, economic and financial fraud
and playing with the rate of dram and deception with the quality of gas
supplied to homes. Imagine that the government owns about 85 percentof
all assets and enterprises of the country, including illegal traffic,
and controls nearly 90 percent of financial flows," Karakhanyan says.

The peculiarity of oligarchic structures and corruption schemes
in Armenia entails a strong presence of crime. Oligarchs, corrupt
officials and criminals are gathered around the top of the pyramid
made up by a clan of those from Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian media notes
that, in fact, most members of the clan are not from Karabakh, but
they are forced to act by the rules dictated by the top of the pyramid.

Armenia has not yet developed serious anti-corruption legislation
unlike from other countries of the former Soviet Union. Armenian
oligarchs, top officials export capital and carry out money laundering
in different countries and offshore islands throughout the world.

According to the press publications, the U.S. intelligence services
have also noticed an attempt of money laundering by Armenia’s oligarchs
and corrupt officials and their proxies in their country.

Media in neighboring countries indicate that a number of drug
trafficking routes pass through Armenia along the southern border
up to the main railway stations and airports in Yerevan and Gyumri,
where the goods pass through Georgia by railroad onwards to Ukraine,
as well as by air to Russia’s city of Novorossiysk and Anapa (partially
settling in Russia) and finally to Europe.

Armenian media describe everything through the prism of the reign of
corruption and crime, and stress the redistribution of property after
the terrorist attack in the parliament of this country, rampant actions
of the Nagorno-Karabakh natives while it makes no single mention why
these dirty actions go unpunished. However, the answer is obvious:
they survive because of the low reckless scheme called Miatsum. Former
mechanical engineer Robert Kocharian and former member of the Komsomol
Serzh Sargsyan led Armenians to the slaughter.

Many has managed to fool people. But why this way? One needs to
possess such perverted imagination and essence to commit such a crime.

Let’s forget that the author of the article is an Azerbaijani citizen
for a moment. Let’s have a look from aside. Did Armenia’s ordinary
citizens need it? Do you think they are living better than before
the conflict? And why should the organizers of the "show" earn with
the help of "clients" by killing the "clients" themselves?

Armenians took to the streets on March 1, 2008. They were shot. And
they will shoot in the future, too. The price of the question is the
billions earned for 22 years of the Karabakh conflict.

It is up to you to make conclusions, dear neighbors!

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA RAISES RATE OF REFINANCING FROM 5.5% TO 6.0%

ArmInfo
17.02.2010

ArmInfo.The Central Bank of Armenia has raised the rate of refinancing
from 5.5% to 6.0%, reports the CB’s press service.

In Jan 2010 as compared with Dec 2009 inflation was 1.7%, as compared
with Jan 2009 – 7% (1.5% more than planned).

The key factors fostering inflation are growing international prices
of raw materials and foodstuffs and restoring demand stimulated by
the CB’s expansionary policy.

Despite the forecast that the annual inflation will exceed the
planned level, the CB expects that the peak will be followed by
certain decline in Q1 2010.

The previous change was Jan 20 2010 when the rate of refinancing was
raised from 5% to 5.5%.

UAF SHIPPED TO ARMENIA MILLION OF AID IN 2009

NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY
FEBRUARY 17, 2010
GLENDALE

GLENDALE, FEBRUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN-ARMENIANS TODAY. The United Armenian
Fund contributed to Armenia million of humanitarian assistance during
the last year 2009. According to United Armenian Fund Office it was
consisting primarily of medicines and medical supplies.

The UAF devoted less than 1% of its total revenues to administrative
expenses, allocating the remaining 99% to assisting the people of
Armenia and Artsakh. During its 20 years of operations, the UAF
delivered to Armenia a grand total of 2 million worth of relief
supplies.

The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief
Society, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and The Lincy Foundation.

IMF FORECASTS HIGH INFLATION IN ARMENIA

news.am
Feb 17 2010
Armenia

The goal of the IMF delegation, which arrived for a visit to Armenia
on February 4, 2010, is signing a U.S. $74m credit agreement with
the RA Government after the third stage of the stand-by program has
been checked.

The IMF is to allocate over U.S. $800m to Armenia. The country has
received half of the funds, with the rest to be provided by next June.

Mark Lewis, Head of the IMF’s mission, pointed out that external
factors account for the high inflation rates in Armenia last year.

Although high inflation rates are expected during the next one or two
months, inflation is expected to go down in the latter half of 2010.

Mark Lewis forecasts an inflation rate of 6% in Armenia for this year
against 7.5% last year. Despite the expected price rise in Armenia,
inflation will be falling, he said.

ARMENIA WINS BRONZE MEDAL (AGAIN) IN GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING WORLD CUP

Tert.am
10:30 ~U 15.02.10

The winning team from the recent Greco-Roman World Cup wrestling
championship was Iran. The championship, which took place February
13-14 at the Karen Demirchyan Sport and Concert Complex in Yerevan,
saw Iran beat Turkey by 4-3.

Armenia’s Greco-Roman wrestling team, beating Russia’s team (4-3),
took home a bronze medal for the second year in a row.

The teams which participated in the 2010 Greco-Roman World Cup are
listed below hierarchically beginning with the winner:

1. Iran 2. Turkey 3. Armenia 4. Russia 5. Georgia 6. Cuba 7. Hungary
8. Nordic team of Swedish and Danish wrestlers

TIGRAN TOROSYAN: ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS CANNOT BE LINKED TO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Lena Badeyan

"Radiolur"
15.02.2010 15:51

The Armenian-Turkish protocols cannot be linked to the Karabakh
settlement, and this is not anyone’s victory or loss in the
Armenian-Turkish relations, MP Tigran Torosyan told a press conference
today. According to him, everything depends on mediator countries,
but Turkey has found itself in a harder situation today.

"There are certain pressures on Turkey from the United States and
Russia. When Erdogan visited Washington and Moscow in December
and January respectively, he was clearly told that the precondition
connected with the Karabakh issue was unacceptable. In Armenia it was
presented as a blow to Turkey, but the reality is very simple. The
United States and Russia do not wish to concede any role in the
Karabakh conflict settlement to Turkey, since it’s a very important
lever and the two countries are interested in having levers in the
region," Tigran Torosyan said.

Belgovision.com
Feb 14 2010

Video . Armenia: Eva Rivas – Apricot Stone to Eurovision

Eva Rivas will represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
in Oslo. With the song Apricot Stone she won the Armenian national
final in which she defeated her eight competitors. Armenia will take
part in the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 on
Thursday 27th May.

=6264

Interfax, Russia
Feb 12 2010

Armenia forwards normalization protocols with Turkey to parliament

YEREVAN Feb 12

The protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Yerevan and Ankara and on the development of bilateral ties have been
forwarded to Armenia’s parliament, the Armenian president’s press
secretary Samvel Farmanyan told Interfax on Friday.

"The Armenian-Turkish protocols have been submitted to the parliament
of Armenia for consideration. Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will
attend parliamentary hearings on behalf of the president of Armenia,"
Farmanyan said.

Parliament has two days to form a commission that will debate the protocols.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at the Royal Institute of
International Affairs (Chatham House), London, on Wednesday that the
protocols would be forwarded to parliament for ratification in the
near future.

"As head of the party that holds a majority in parliament, I rule out
any failure by the National Assembly of Armenia to ratify the
protocols if Turkey ratifies the protocols without preconditions in
compliance with our agreements," Sargsyan said.

The protocols were signed by the Armenian and Turkish foreign
ministers in Zurich on October 10, 2009.

ARTSAKH’S INVESTMENT FUND – WITH NEW PROGRAMS AND SUGGESTIONS
Laura Grigoryan

Azat Artsakh Newspaper NKR
February 08, 2010

As we have informed, on February 1st a conference took place at
the NKR President Bako Sahakyan, devoted to the activity of 2009 of
Artsakh’s Investment fund. The Speaker of NKR National Assembly Ashot
Ghoulyan, the Premier Ara Harutyunyan, members of the government and
other officials assisted at the conference. The executive director
of the structure Karen Essayan represented thoroughly the works of the
financial year. Artsakh’s Investment Fund was set up on November 2nd,
2007. The supreme body of the governing fund is the Board of Trustees,
consisted of 5 members. The main aim of the structure’s creation is
favouring the development of the country’s socio-economic different
spheres, as well as assisting of beginner and acting managing subjects.
Investment Fund of Artsakh is a body realizing the program of state
financial assistance of improvement of flat conditions of NKR citizens
by hypothec crediting. Financing of program arrangements is realized
by means of the NKR state budget. Touching upon the package of the
programs and subprograms directed to the improvement of the NKR
citizens’ flat conditions, K. Essayan has noted, that the management
of the structure realizes the importance of the program. This program
started in 2008, suffered some changes in 2009. The fund collaborates
basically with three banks: "Artsakhbank", "Armbusienssbank" and
"Ameriabank" CJSC. In 2008-2009 419 claims were financed by the
banks with 2 milliard 334 million drams total sum. The assistance is
realized in three main directions: purchase of flats, construction
of flats and restoration of flats.

In the circle of the program a number of getting state assistance is
2.5 thousand. The world financial crisis had its influence also upon
the fund’s activity. The above-mentioned program started in 2008 sank.

>From the beginning of the year the banks were financing the
represented claims very slowly, and only in the fourth quarter it
was possible to achieve the level of the end of 2008 year. In 2008
for the purpose of realization, the fund began to construct flats in
Stepanakert. Formation of primary market has given its results. The
number of citizens, who prefer to acquire flats from new buildings by
hypothec crediting by and by increases. In 2009 this program moved
to the regions. At present two dwellings are being constructed in
Askeran, new buildings are constructed in Martakert and Hadrut,
restoration works are going in Shushi. 109 flats will put into
operation in 2010. One of the programs started in 2009 is "pilot"
program: allocation of hypothec loans to countrymen. The program
is very cheap and available. This program gave a chance to show
financial assistance to a thousand citizens in 36 communities of the
two regions. In the direction of broadening of the program there
is already a corresponding decision. From February 1st also three
regions of the republic – Martuni, Shushi and Hadrut join this program.
In the current year the Investment Fund of Artsakh has given credits
also development of small and middle commercial activities. The Fund
suggests a complex program of industrial arrangements, which will
give a chance to organize productions of confectionery, tea, dried
fruits without voluminous investments in the main capital. K. Essayan
underlined the necessity of moving forward the local production into
inner market and in this connection he represented also a program of
foreseen arrangements. Suggestions sounded during the conference,
before bringing to life, still will be discussed in corresponding
structures. And the activity of 2009 of the Fund was estimated
satisfactory. The Fund has its web-site, relations with the society
have become close and mass-medias play a great role in this work.

US LAWMAKERS VIOLATING LAW BY ATTEMPT TO PASS RESOLUTIONS ON "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

news.az
Feb 11 2010
Azerbaijan

Karahan Mete "Every year the US Congress and Senate try introducing
resolutions on the so called "armenian genocide".

I don’t think HR 252 (bill about recognition of "genocide") will pass.

Because this is a cash cow for some lawmakers and for Armenian
Diaspora" – said Karahan Mete, one of the leaders of Turkish Diaspora
in USA.

In response to those congressmen, who are preparing to discuss the HR
252 next month at US Congress, Mr. Mete mentioned that, this is not
first time US lawmaker pressing an "unethical, immoral, undemocratic
law or resolution":

"US lawmakers are passing or attempt to pass an alleged Armenian
genocide resolution are violating international law".

According to him, unfortunately, some of the Jewish organizations in
US are trying to bring the "armenian Genocide" phenomena at the same
level as the Holocaust:

"I don’t see any similarity between these two events except some
falsifications".

Mr. Mete also talked about the challenges of Turkish Diaspora in USA.

"Our problem is not with Armenians around world. Our problem is with
the Armenian Diaspora. We should distinguish Armenians that are part
of the Diaspora, from regular Armenian citizens. I am talking from my
experience. I would say that Armenian people are very nice and kind;
specially young and educated Armenians" – he added.

The member of Turkish Diaspora also complained about Turkish
Government.

"Unfortunately we are working with a handful of people to overcome
on this accusation ("Armenian Genocide"). This cannot generate the
result we desire. In order to get result that we desire, we should
educate our people. Educating Turkish citizens falls under government
jurisdiction. Unfortunately the Turkish government has no national plan
on how to deal with this issue. Past and present Turkish government
ran and keeps running to crisis after crisis like a fire truck. Our
opponents know that and keep starting fires many places to make
us overwhelmed".

As regards with Diaspora activities, Mr.Mete said that, they are not
doing enough.

"What we need to do and how we need to do it is key issue for solving
the problem. It will take hundreds of pages for me to layout this
strategy. A short explanation might cause some misunderstandings or
confusions; therefore I am reluctant elaborate".

According to him, the other question is why the US and other countries
are responding Armenian claims enthusiastically.

"Because the Turkish independence war is not over yet; Independence
war is continuing with different from. The new form of the war is
propaganda war, which we do not know how to fight. The "armenian
genocide" phenomena are a tool for some of this country to build
negative international public opinion against Turkey. When time comes
to invade and occupy and divide the Turkey they have already needed
public support to justify their action" – he answered.

He stressed that, therefore Turks need to see and analyze the Armenian
phenomena and other issues in a big context.

"We are charging individual issues like a bull charging a red cape.

Each time the bull charges the red cape he gets another spear in
his back, and eventually gets killed. Each time the bull charges
thinking that time is the time I will destroy the obstacle. That is
what the bullfighter wants him to do; he can stab him on and on until
he is dead. Unfortunately our strategy for dealing with international
problems is similar to this bull fight" -he mentioned.

In the meanwhile the meeting scheduled for today between the Secretary
of State Hillary Klinton and key figures of Armenian Diaspora was
cancelled.