Author: Tigranian Ani

ABOUT 300 TONS OF EXPIRED MEDICINES IN ARMENIA, EXPERT SAYS

ARKA
Nov 12, 2008

YEREVAN, November 12. /ARKA/. Around 300 tons of expired medicines
are to be taken back in Armenia, Emil Gabrielyan, head of the Agency
for Medicines and Medical Technologies, said today during a forum
on pharmaceutics.

As a result of a weak distribution policy, unwanted medicines
stockpile in local markets becoming a major source of ecological
danger, according to the expert.

"Trade in medicines needs serious improvements in Armenia, as
pharmaceutics demands particular attention," Gabrielyan said,
adding many medicines are being imported to Armenia without any
expert evaluation.

He urged local pharmaceutical companies to cooperate both with local
and foreign partners. "Scientific approach is necessary in distribution
of medicines to collect and destroy unwanted and expired medicines,"
Gabrielyan concluded.

Seventeen licensed pharmaceutical companies and 170 importers of
medicines are currently working in Armenia.

MINISTER: ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DISPOSES OF RESOURCES TO COUNTERACT FINANCIAL CRISIS BUT NO NEED TO PUT THEM INTO USE

ARKA
Nov 12, 2008

YEREVAN, November 12. /ARKA/. The RA Government disposes of enough
resources and programs to react to possible challenges and dangers of
the world financial crisis, said the RA Minister of Finance Tigran
Davtyan.

"However currently there is no necessity for that, especially in
financial and banking sectors as the banking, finance and budget
sectors are in a normal condition and operate normally," he told
reporters on Wednesday.

Minister Davtyan assured the financial crisis did not affect Armenia.

However he believes the next year will not be easy for world economy
and the Armenian Government knows what to do in case of necessity
and how to assist the country’s financial institutes.

Davtyan stressed the 2009 will not be "a year of luxury for the world
economy". According to him Armenia will manage to keep a continual
economic growth in the future, though not as fast.

"Not many countries are able to ensure a stable economic growth in
current conditions. We have to take every measure to ensure a growth
and go through the difficult stage next year," the Minister noted.-0–

PATRIARCH SAYS ARMENIANS TO BLAME FOR SUNDAY’S VIOLENCE

Kathimerini
Nov 11 2008
Greece

The head of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem, Theophilos
III, on Monday blamed Armenian monks for the widely publicized fist
fight with Greek clergy in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher a day
earlier. "The Armenians are constantly provoking us," he told NET
TV. "They claim additional rights and seek to equate their privileges
with ours, which date back centuries." Two monks, one from each side,
were arrested when Israeli riot police moved in to break up the fight.

A TOTAL OF 8TH LICENSED COPIES OF WINDOWS VISTA TO BE DELIVERED TO ARMENIA AND DISTRIBUTED IN SCHOOLS

ArmInfo
2008-11-10 15:42:00

ArmInfo. A total of 8 thsd licensed copies of Windows Vista will be
delivered to Armenia and distributed in schools, Director of the
state non-commercial organization "National Center of Educational
Technologies" Areg Grigoryan told ArmInfo correspondent. He said that
within the next 10 days a relevant tender will be announced, and all
parties concerned may participate in it. The company or individual that
files the lowest price application, will win the tender. Afterwards,
in late January mid February 2009 the Windows will be delivered to
Armenia and distributed in the republic’s schools before May 2009. The
mechanism of distribution will be worked out later, Grigoryan noted.

To note, the Center has already announced a tender on serving the
school internet network of Armenia from January 1 till December 30,
2009. At the moment, the network numbers about 330 schools in Yerevan
and in the regions.

EBRD TO INVEST IN ARARATBANK

RIA OREANDA
Nov 5 2008
Russia

Yerevan . OREANDA-NEWS . November 01, 2008. The EBRD is acquiring a
25% plus one stake in Araratbank, a privately-owned Armenian bank,
to support its plans for further expansion, reported the press-centre
of EBRD.

The EBRDs investment will support the development of Araratbanks
retail, medium, small and microfinance lending programmes. Growth
will be achieved by attracting new customers through diversification
of its product range, increasing regional branch network and further
improving its service culture.

The Bank will also be strengthening the Araratbanks internal policies
and procedures, corporate governance and existing management structure
and will be represented on its board.

The EBRD and Araratbank have been partners since November 2007, when
the Armenian bank received a US5 million credit-line for lending to
micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) and a US 1 million
credit-line for trade financing.

Araratbank, previously called Haykap Bank, was founded in 1991 and
provides a full range of banking services to corporate, MSME and
retail customers. The bank has established a reputation as a small
but reliable and dynamically growing financial institution.

Ashot Osipyan, CEO of Araratbank said: I am delighted to work with
the EBRD and proud to see that the hard work of the past two years
has paid off. Araratbank is one of the leading banks in Armenia with
a strong name and a loyal customer base. I feel assured that with the
EBRDs expertise we can further improve our operations to benefit our
shareholders, clients, employees and the economy of the country.

Mike Davey, EBRD Director for Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus added:
We believe our support will further enhance Araratbanks competitive
position and increase the banks attractiveness.

The EBRD is one of the largest investors in Armenia and to-date has
committed more than 200 million in more than 50 projects.

PRESIDENT REMINDS CLOSE TIES BETWEEN TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN

Nov 6 2008
Turkey

Turkish President Abdullah Gul hosted a dinner in honor of Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev in Ankara on Wednesday.

Speaking at the dinner, Gul said that Azerbaijan, after it gained its
independence, earned respect from the whole world with the coherent
and careful policies it pursued.

Gul said that the political, economic and cultural relations between
Turkey and Azerbaijan were perfect.

Regarding the recent developments in Caucasus, Gul said that after
the recent developments in the region, Turkey and Azerbaijan were
exerting great efforts to restore peace and stability. He added that
Azerbaijan extended the greatest support to Turkey’s proposal of
Caucasus Stability & Cooperation Platform.

Gul said that Upper Karabakh problem should be solved peacefully and
on basis of UN principles in order to restore peace and stability
in Caucasus.

Gul reminded that Turkey and Azerbaijan fulfilled big projects in
economic area. He said that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline were working successfully,
and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project would be completed soon.

Aliyev, who also spoke at the dinner, congratulated Turkey which was
elected non-permanent member to UN Security Council. Aliyev appreciated
Turkey’s role for stability of Caucasus.

CAUCASUS PEACE TO BE ACHIEVED WITH TURKEY’S INITIATIVIES- AZERI PRES

Hurriyet
Nov 6 2008
Turkey

Peace in the Caucasus will be established with Turkey’s initiatives
and the good will of regional countries, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham
Aliyev said Thursday.

"Problems in the region will be resolved with the good will of the
respective countries," said Aliyev, paying his first visit abroad to
Turkey after his re-election, in an address to the Turkish parliament.

A Turkish-Azerbaijani union is an important factor in the region,
Aliyey added.

"What is taking place in the Caucasus is of interest to all of
us. Turkey conducts very active policy in regard to the problems in
the Caucasus. Turkey will intervene more seriously to the regional
problems in the future. Such intervention will have positive
results. We applaud such initiatives," Aliyev said.

"The greatest problem, vis a vis peace and security in the region,
is the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia," Aliyev was quoted
as saying by Anatolian Agency.

Aliyev said Azerbaijani territory has been under the occupation of
Armenia for almost two decades.

"One million Azerbaijanis have become refugees as a result of
Armenia’s occupation. Armenia is not complying with U.N. directives
which are calling on Armenia to withdraw from Azerbaijani territory,"
Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijan’s president said his country is hopeful that all
Azerbaijani territory would unite and be free of any occupation.

Despite the difficult years following the independence of Azerbaijan,
domestic political turmoil, and the occupation of Azerbaijani territory
by Armenia, Azerbaijanis look at the future with great optimism,
Aliyev said.

Aliyev’s visit to Turkey took place immediately after his meeting
with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev in Russia.

Medvedev, Aliyev and Sargsyan met near Moscow Sunday and signed a joint
declaration asserting their desire to find a political settlement to
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

There is no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey due
to Armenia’s aggression over Azerbaijan. The conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 on Armenian territorial claims
over Azerbaijan.

Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20 percent of
Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven
surrounding districts, displacing 10 percent of the Azeri population
in the series of bloody clashes both between and within the two
neighboring countries.

In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group are currently holding peaceful negotiations. Nearly 30,000 were
killed in the 1990s war over the enclave and soldiers on both sides
continue to exchange sporadic fire, claiming lives.

CLOSE TIES Aliyev said relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are
like no other relationship among the countries of the world.

"Relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, which are based on friendship
and brotherhood, will continue to grow and bring peace and welfare
to our peoples," the Azeri president said.

He said Turkey and Azerbaijan have historical bonds, adding relations
and political dialogue between the two countries take place at the
highest level possible.

"We have made great progress in the energy field. We are realizing
important energy activities in the region. We have achieved the Shah
Sea Project together with Turkey. Azerbaijan now exports natural gas,"
Aliyev added.

The Kars-Tbilisi Railway Project carries historical, economic and
political importance, Aliyev also said.

Turkish Premier Tayyip Erdogan, chairman of the main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal and chairman of the
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli were among the Turkish
dignitaries who listened to Aliyev’s parliamentary address.

Aliyev’s speech at the Turkish Parliament was applauded by the
deputies.

BARACK OBAMA 44TH U.S. PRESIDENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.11.2008 12:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Democrat Barack Obama captured the White House
on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-year election campaign,
defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black
U.S. president, Reuters reports

Obama will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. president on January 20,
2009 and will face a crush of immediate challenges, from tackling an
economic crisis to ending the war in Iraq and trying to overhaul the
U.S. health care system.

McCain’s hopes for a surprise victory evaporated with losses in
a string of key battleground states led by the big prizes of Ohio
and Florida, the states that sent Democrats to defeat in the last
two elections.

The win by Obama, son of a black father from Kenya and white mother
from Kansas, marked a milestone in U.S. history. It came 45 years after
the height of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King.

"It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did
on this day, at this defining moment, change has come to America,"
Obama, 47, told 125,000 ecstatic supporters gathered in Chicago’s
Grant Park to celebrate.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not
get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never
been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there," he said.

Obama won at least 338 Electoral College votes, far more than the 270
needed. With results in from more than two-thirds of U.S. precincts,
he led McCain by 51 percent to 48 percent in the popular vote.

Obama promised to ease the country’s sharp political divisions and
work for those voters who did not support him.

A first-term Illinois senator, Obama led sweeping Democratic victories
that expanded the party’s majorities in both chambers of Congress
and marked an emphatic rejection of President George W. Bush’s eight
years of leadership.

McCain, a 72-year-old Arizona senator and former Vietnam War prisoner,
called Obama to congratulate him and praised his rival’s inspirational
and precedent-shattering campaign.

"We have come to the end of a long journey," McCain told supporters. "I
urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just
congratulating him but offering our next president our goodwill."

November 3, 2008

Armenian Rights Council of America
Western Region
1901 N. Allen Avenue
Altadena, CA 91101
Contact: Carl Bardakian
Tel: 626-345-9705
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

Argentinian-Armenian Parliamentarian Sergio Nahabetian to Visit Southern
and Central California in November

ALTADENA, CA – Upon the invitation of California State Senator
representing the 21st District, the Honorable Jack Scott, and in
coordination with the Armenian Rights Council of America (ARCA), Western
Region, the Honorable Sergio Nahabetian, member of the Parliament (known
as the `Camara’) of Argentina and Representative of the Province of
Buenos Aires, and his gracious wife Susanna will visit Southern and
Central California between November 21-29, 2008.

Upon his election to the Argentinian Camara on October 23, 2005,
Parliamentarian Nahabetian has proposed and passed progressive and
innovative initiatives in Parliament for the betterment of the
Argentinian people. In addition, he has worked diligently throughout the
years to improve the life of the 100,000 strong Argentinian-Armenian
community. One of the highest-ranking elected officials of Armenian
descent worldwide, in April 2006 Parliamentarian Nahabetian successfully
introduced, and, along with a majority of colleagues, passed legislation
to officially commemorate the Armenian Genocide in the Camara of the
Province of Buenos Aires. This milestone was later successfully
repeated, with Armenian Genocide legislation enacted in the Municipality
of Buenos Aires, in the Province of Cordoba, and in the Argentine
National Congress.

During Parliamentarian Nahabetian’s visit to Southern and Central
California, ARCA is organizing a press conference at TCA Beshgeturian
Hall in Altadena on Friday evening, November 21st (at 7:00 pm), a solemn
observance involving Armenian clergy and lay leaders, and elected public
officials, on Saturday, November 22nd (at 1:00 pm) at the Armenian
Martyrs’ Monument at Bicknell Park in Montebello. On Sunday morning,
November 23rd (at 10:00 am), Mr. Nahabetian will attend the Divine
Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena, and
will participate in the Armenia Fund’s annual fund-raising dinner that
evening in Century City. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27th,
Parliamentarian Nahabetian will appear live at the annual Armenia Fund
Telethon, and will meet with Artsakh President Bako Sahakian,
newly-appointed Republic of Armenia Minister of Diaspora, Mrs. Hranush
Hakobian, and the leadership of the Armenia Fund. On Friday, November
28th, Mr. Nahabetian will visit Central California and meet with the
Fresno Armenian community, as well as elected public officials from the
San Joaquin Valley. During his stay in Southern California, Mr.
Nahabetian will visit a number of Armenian day schools, and meet with
Armenian clergy and lay leaders, as well as elected public officials.

The Armenian Rights Council of America looks forward to welcoming its
honored guests, the Honorable Sergio and Mrs. Susanna Nahabetian to
Southern and Central California.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY: MOSCOW DECLARATION DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE PRINCIPLES WE HAVE UNDERLINED REPEATEDLY

Azeri Press Agency
Nov 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. "Moscow Declaration signed by Azerbaijani
and Armenian Presidents is a productive document and envisages factors
and essence of negotiations conducted by now", Khazar Ibrahim,
Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told journalists, APA
reports.

Asked what reason made them sign the document, Ibrahim noted that
the document ensured the new level on negotiations process for the
settlement of the conflict.

"There should be written document after oral statements made by now",
he said.

Asked whether the document will deprive Azerbaijan of rights on
military solution to the conflict, the diplomat stated that the
document aimed to demonstrate political solution to the conflict.

"Of course, political settlement of the conflict should be based
on proper principles. The declaration does not envisage any article
against the principles we have underlined repeatedly," he said.

Asked which principle was taken into consideration basing on norms and
principles of the international law in the document, the Spokesman
noted that territorial integrity was the main principle of the
declaration.

"Helsinki final act also covers people’s right to self-determination,
but this right can also be ensured within the framework of territorial
integrity. We do not deny any principle of the international law and
could not do it. But in the international documents and international
law the principle of territorial integrity has a privilege over the
right to self-determination," he said.

Taking a stance on the reports that the release of five regions around
Nagorno Karabakh and deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in the
territory had been discussed during the negotiations, Khazar Ibrahim
said those themes were not the basic content of the negotiations.

"International guarantees should be given by stages. These stages
should consist of the withdrawal of troops and return of IDPs to
their native lands," he said.

Touching on the reports that referendum would be held to determine
Nagorno Karabakh’s status, the diplomat said Azerbaijani community
should first of all return to Nagorno Karabakh, the issue on the status
could be solved later within the framework of Azerbaijani borders. As
regards the point of the declaration on establishing confidence between
the parties, Khazar Ibrahim considers that in order to establish
mutual confidence, internally displaced persons should return home.

"Confidence can only be between the communities. If there is no
communication between them, any other mechanisms are in vain," the
spokesman said.

Touching on the urgency of Turkey’s regional initiative after signing
Moscow Declaration, the spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
said Turkey’s initiative should not be confused with this document.

"Turkey’s initiative is about security and stability in the South
Caucasus. The declaration is connected with only Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict," the spokesman said.