Author: Toneyan Mark

ArmInfo
21.05.2007

Global Gold Corporation grants its Armenian employees 53,250 ordinary
nominal shares

Yerevan. As a bonus for good work in 2006, Global Gold Corporation
(GGC) granted its 72 employees in Armenia 53,250 ordinary nominal
shares. This is the first case in Armenia when a private company
grants shares to its employees. Most of the shares were granted to 48
employees working at the Tukhmanuk gold deposit in Aragatsotn region
in northern Armenia.

A few days ago Regional Director of GGC Ashot Pogossyan officially
presented the shares to the employees – each received from 250 to 500
shares depending on length of service and position.

The administrative workers of the Armenian office of GGC received up
to 2,000 and more shares. "The company values the loyalty and
diligence of its employees and honors its social and ecological
commitments. But the key point is that we want our employees and their
families to become the owners of their work and to have a share in
their achievements," Pogossyan said. He said that the company conducts
such actions not only in Armenia but also in Canada and Chile, where
it has mining projects. "We want out employees to feel themselves part
of one big family, the owners of their own company. Our key goal is
to cultivate the corporate spirit among them," Pogossyan said. He
noted that GGC is an open public company and its shares are circulated
on OTC (US).

The villagers of Tukhmanuk were glad to know that they had become the
owners of GGC and could now earn on the appreciation of its shares.
Most of them are going to keep their shares as their price is
growing. Pogossyan told them that their children would be able to
follow the quotations of their shares by means of a special computer
laboratory that would be built in the village or through internet.
Ashot Khlkhasyan, the head of the Melik village community located at
the foot of the Tukhmanuk deposit, said that GGC’s action was very
interesting. He confessed that he had never before heard any company
in Armenia share its property with its employees.

He highly appreciated the community’s cooperation with GGC. A total of
50 new well-paid jobs have been created in the village. GGC implements
a number of social projects: the company has financed the construction
of a water conduit and the gas supply of the village. "The company
helps us to solve whatever problems we face," Khlkhasyan said.

A total of 50 people work at the Tukhmanuk deposit. They receive an
average of 100,000 AMD ($283) a month.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
May 22, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

RE: Rep. Pallone Commends Armenia on Free and Fair Elections

Washington, DC – Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives
yesterday, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Co-Chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, commended Armenia for holding
free and fair Parliamentary elections on May 12.

"This is the first positive assessment of an election in the former
Soviet Republic since it gained independence in 1991," Pallone said.
"This encouraging outcome will most certainly enhance and deepen
U.S.-Armenia relations, while also elevating Armenia’s reputation
regionally and internationally."

Pallone noted that Armenia’s achievements address concerns raised by
the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and urged the MCC to fully fund
its five-year $235 million Compact with Armenia.

He also renewed his call for $75 million in economic assistance to
Armenia in Fiscal Year 2008. "This assistance demonstrates our
commitment to Armenia, which is a friend and a supporter of
U.S. policies for peace and security in that part of the world," he
said.

Pallone also entered into the congressional record a letter he sent
with Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) to President Robert
Kocharian and Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, marking Armenia’s
achievement.

The full text of Rep. Pallone’s statement on Armenia’s elections is
attached below.

ARMENIA PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
(House of Representatives – May 21, 2007)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the people of Armenia on the May
12 Parliamentary elections. This is the first positive assessment of
an election in the former Soviet Republic since it gained independence
in 1991. This encouraging outcome will most certainly enhance and
deepen U.S./Armenia relations, while also elevating Armenia’s
reputation regionally and internationally.

Over the past few months, U.S. administration officials in Washington
and Yerevan have stressed the importance of these elections and
explained that substantial improvement must be made. Based on public
preliminary reports, Armenia has fulfilled the test set forth by the
administration and received a free and fair stamp of approval.

The International Election Observation Mission issued a statement
which read, in part, and I quote, “The election is assessed in line
with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, other international
standards for democratic elections and national legislation.”

I’m especially pleased that the U.S. Embassy in Armenia joined the
chorus of praise with its own assessment which reads, and again I
quote, “We share the satisfaction of international observers that the
election infrastructure, both legal and technical, has been greatly
improved.”

Mr. Speaker, I join in sharing the pride of our embassy and the
contributions we have helped make in advancing the course of democracy
and the rule of law in Armenia . These results are the best evidence
to date that our assistance to this fledgling Republic is indeed
serving its intended purpose. Our shared values and the strong bonds
between the United States and Armenia will no doubt continue to
expand. In doing so, we will continue to foster democracy in Armenia
and work towards stability in the South Caucus region.

Earlier this year, dozens of my colleagues joined me in sending a
letter to the chairman of the House State, Foreign Operations
Appropriations Subcommittee calling for $75 million in assistance for
Armenia in fiscal year 2008. As the appropriation process continues,
I’d like to remind my colleagues of this request and renew it again
today. This assistance demonstrates our commitment to Armenia , which
is a friend and a supporter of U.S. policies for peace and security in
that part of the world.

Armenia’s achievement also addresses concerns expressed by the
Millennium Challenge Corporation with respect to these
elections. Armenia has met the necessary threshold, and I’m confident
that the people and the Government of Armenia will only continue to
improve upon their accomplishments in achieving the standards and
norms of a democratic society. And accordingly, I urge the MCC to
fully fund its compact with Armenia in an expeditious manner.

These elections are an historic step towards a fully democratic
Armenia, a goal to which the nation has demonstrated its commitment
and leadership in the region through democratic reform. I congratulate
the people of Armenia for this remarkable accomplishment.

####

The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2007-063

GAMES OF 5th TOUR OF ARMENIAN FOOTBALL HIGHEST LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TAKE PLACE

Noyan Tapan
May 21 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Games of 5th tour of Armenian Football
Highest League Championship took place on May 19-20. The following
results were registered: Kilikia – Pyunik 0 to 5, Gandzasar – Banants
0 to 1, Ararat – Mika 2 to 0, Ulis – Shirak 0 to 2.

The games of 6th tour are fixed for May 23.

ADA GENERAL DIRECTOR HIGHLY ESTIMATES PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIA’S DELEGATION IN ANNUAL EBRD MEETING IN KAZAN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
May 21 2007

YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. General Director of the Armenian Development
Agency (ADA) Vahagn Movsisyan highly estimated the participation of the
Armenian delegation in the annual EBRD meeting held in Kazan on May 20.

The ADA press service reported that Movsisyan introduced the investment
field in Armenia, priority spheres of developing economy, tempos of
economic growth, prerequisites and potential for enlarging cooperation
with the EBRD.

After the presentation of the economic situation in Armenia, the
Armenian brandy-tasting took place.

Besides, the representatives of the Armenian banking system signed
corresponding memorandum on mutual understanding.

Head of EBRD Yerevan Office Michael Weinstein said that he is satisfied
with the EBRD activities and success in Armenia and expressed hope
that in 2007 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
will enlarge the frames of cooperation and volumes of programs in
the country.

"Within the frames of the event useful exchange of experience, business
and economic information with the representatives of the other CIS
states took place, which will contribute to the strengthening of the
cooperation," the statement said.

The Armenian delegation included General Director of the Armenian
Development Agency Vahagn Movsisyan and representatives of the
country’s financial and banking sphere.

NATO will continue the support to Armenia

ArmRadio.am
21.05.2007 13:48

Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the South
Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons stated in an exclusive
interview to Mediamax that `with a newly elected Parliament we also
need to focus on improving the capabilities of the legislature to
exercise strong and effective oversight of the defense and security
sectors.’

Robert Simmons noted that `the Individual Partnership Action Plan
(IPAP) is a comprehensive programme that covers many areas, with a
strong focus on the defense and security sectors.’

`We are now at a stage where the next steps will need to be taken
towards a Strategic Defense Review, including the formulation of a
Military Doctrine. Defense Planning and Budgeting are key issues, as
is the introduction of more civilians into the Ministry of
Defense. And, of course, the further improvement of interoperability
to increase the opportunities for Armenian forces to make
contributions to NATO-led peace support operations is a key
priority. We also need to continue to improve the way in which various
government agencies work together, in particular in such areas as
crisis management and the fight against terrorism,’ the Special
Representative of the NATO Secretary General stated.

`With a newly elected Parliament we also need to focus on improving
the capabilities of the legislature to exercise strong and effective
oversight of the defense and security sectors. In short, there is
still much on our plate and defense reform, democratic institution
building and strengthening of the rule of law need to continue. We
will continue our support to Armenia on these and many other issues,
as set out in the IPAP,’ Robert Simmons noted.

TURKEY ASSIGNS PERSONS WITH KNOWLEDGE OF ARMENIAN IN DIPLOMATIC POSTS FOR STRUGGLE AGAINST RECOGNIZING GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.05.2007 18:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Foreign Ministry is going to send diplomats
with knowledge of the Armenian language to countries with strong
Armenian communities. This step is aimed at displaying the high
professionalism in the struggle against recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. According to a source in the Turkish MFA, together with
Suleyman Gokca three more Turkish diplomats who know the Armenian
language will be sent to the country’s consulate in the United Stated,
where exists a strong Armenian community. The Turkish MFA will continue
preparation of diplomats who know Armenian, APA reports.

WHERE THE RIDICULOUS BEATS THE SUBLIME EVERY TIME: EUROVISION
By Dr George Welton

The Messenger, Georgia
May 18 2007

Watching the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest was a confusing experience.

As a heterosexual British man I am not really supposed to like it,
and I am certainly not allowed to get emotionally involved. Of course
it is kitsch, and camper than a Welsh caravan site, but it is also
a multi-cultural, European, hippy love-in, where every nation has an
equal voice. Taking it seriously is usually not an option. But this
year was different. I live in Georgia. Sopho was fantastic. And we
were robbed.

The fact that the best song of the year did not win is not, perhaps,
surprising. Historically most of the music is not very good and
fortune rarely favours the talented. Started in 1956 as a French
post-war Europe-building effort and based upon an already existing
Italian Musical Festival, Eurovision was born with strong crooning
credentials. As a result few stars have emerged from its ranks,
particularly over the last few years, in spite of offering a massive
international audience to those who take part.

For this reason it is usually a prerequisite to view the whole
endeavour ironically. British fans will trot out that tired post-modern
epithet ‘it’s so bad, its good’ as though the quantity of one’s
ineptitude produces some opposite quality. Even the less cynical
observer will rarely spend too much time in weighty musical reflection,
accepting the frothy pop-music spirit of it all and looking forward
to a damn good show.

The drama and nonsense of Eurovision has been heartily embraced by
participants and organizers alike. Previous competitions have featured
the Wombles (park dwelling, anthropomorphic, animated rodent-like
creatures who were hugely popular at the time) and the first outing
of the heel-kicking Riverdance (for which they should never be
forgiven). Against a back-drop like that, this year’s tin foil clad
transvestites and operatic vampires are hardly even a surprise.

It was surprising then that the Serbian and impressively voiced winner
Marija Serifovic, consciously avoided showmanship. As she said, ‘I
listen to music, I don’t want to watch it’. This may be good advice
given her personal aesthetic limitations but it is just not Eurovision.

Sopho, on the other hand, seemed to embody all of the best of
Eurovision tradition. Her performance started out as a ballad but
quickly moved into a display of modern operatic-house music that would
have done Bjork proud. Combined with a dress and make-up job out of
phantom of the Opera and Georgian backing dancers spinning and grinning
at the cameras it was an immense spectacle. Like diamante encrusted
ABBA or skirt ripping Bucks Fizz it was flamboyant, stylish and fun.

But alas it was not to be. There are a number of possible reasons for
this historic injustice. Serious Eurovision fans (yes, these people
do exist) often complain that countries tend to vote from political,
rather than musical conviction, supporting strong political allies
and the adversaries with whom they want to make amends.

This explanation seems a little implausible, as though the voters
somehow see Eurovision as a catch-all political consolation
(or conciliation) prize. It is as if the Turkish population
collectively says, ‘Armenia, we won’t acknowledge genocide but here
are twelve points’. Or as though Serbians shout with a single voice,
‘Bosnia-Herzogovina, we can’t renegotiate the terms of Dayton but
you can have our top score ‘.

Certainly, in East-Europe and the former Soviet Union, countries do
tend to vote with their neighbours. Serbia gained the maximum twelve
points from five of the eight countries on its border, and the Baltic
states heavily favour one another. But the most obvious explanation
is that geography and cultural similarity go hand-in-hand. So our
neighbours usually offer the music that is most familiar to us. And we,
of course, vote for whatever toe-tapping nonsense we were raised on.

Whatever the reason, this ‘neighbourly’ behaviour makes life difficult
for periphery states (since they have few neighbours) and favours
the recently fragmented since cultural ties remain strong.

Perhaps this offers the strongest case against Kosovo independence
yet: yet another Balkan country will essentially prevent any country
not once ruled by Josip Broz Tito from ever winning the contest again.

This may be overly cynical. Viewed from a particular angle both
of Saturday’s front-runners are entirely consistent with Eurovision
kitsch. Marija Serifovic’s religio-romantic power ballad combined with
her slow-motion lesbian dance routine certainly made for spectacle even
if she did not recognise the fact herself. And melodrama on that scale
has to be taken seriously. Equally, Ukraine’s Vera Serduchka is a comic
creation and caricature of an Ukranian peasant-woman. Reborn as a drag
singer, this home-grown Borat (who consistently and conscientiously
offends Ukranian nationalists) was always destined to do well because
of her existing fan base in the former Soviet Union and her natural
Eurovision transgender appeal-indeed, without the Balkan conspiracy
she was destined to win by a mile.

So, in the final analysis, maybe it is simplest to accept
that Georgia’s poor showing reflected its increasing cultural
westernisation. Though the skewered golden dragon in freedom square
and pink and blue street lighting might suggest that post-Soviet
kitsch is alive and well in Tbilisi Municipal Authority, Sopho’s
offering was not overly-melodramatic. It was simply beautifully sung
and flamboyantly performed in a competition where the ridiculous was
destined to win the day.

SECOND ECHELON WITH MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEAVES GEORGIA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 17 2007

One more echelon loaded with military equipment from Russia’s
military base in Batumi, Georgia set off for Russia to pass through
Azerbaijan at 09.00 (Baku time). 17 wagons were loaded with 38
military equipment. The echelon is to enter Azerbaijan in the evening
hours. Russian servicemen and Internal Troops "Shahin" Task Forces
will secure the trains. This year Georgia is to convey 10 echelons via
Azerbaijan to Russia. Four echelons will be replaced in Gumru’s 12th
military base in Armenia. According to the agreement between Russia and
Georgia, 62nd military base in Akhalkalaki’s and 12th base in Batumi
will be liquidated by the end of 2007 and in 2008 correspondingly.

Azerbaijan territory served in the conveyance of 25 echelons from
Georgia in May-July and December in 2006. The first echelon passed
to Russia through Yalama yesterday.

ISRAEL HAKOBKOKHYAN WENT ON HUNGER-STRIKE

A1+
[06:34 pm] 16 May, 2007

Today Israel Hakobkokhyan, the World Champion of boxing, went on
hunger strike in front of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). The
boxer demands to the officialdom to restore justice and rule of law
in the country.

To remind; Israel Hakobkokhyan was running for parliament at Precinct
11. His opponents were Heghine Bisharyan, the deputy leader of the
Orinats Yerkir Party and Grigor Margaryan, the owner of the "Belagio"
restaurant. Grigor Margaryan got 16 598 and was elected to the RoA
Parliament. Heghine Bisharyan and Israel Hakobkokhyan got 8406 and
5543 votes respectively.

The boxer claims Margaryan was elected through unfair methods. "In the
ring two fight against each other, whereas in the electoral district
I was opposed by 10-11 armed people," Hakobkokhyan says.

The elections were not just and fair, therefore, they should be
annulled. "People were openly given money from cars. Voters must
not participate in the elections forcibly under a threat of a
revolver. After the election people came to me to apologise and
said that they had reasons for obeying; either they worked for that
candidate, or their children went to their school," he says. When we
tried to find out whether he can prove his words, Israel Hakobkokhyan,
showed his eyes as evidence.

The Town Hall had permitted Hakobkokhyan to go on hunger strike. "I
haven’t applied to the Central Electoral Commission. I just sit here
awaiting for them to appear."

Israel Hakobkokhyan is determined to stay there until the CEC meets
his requests.

I have lost confidence in everything. I am ready to sacrifice my life
to help people to recover from this disgusting state. The authorities
are to realise that our citizens are not prisoners of vagabonds.

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region

104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200

Glendale, California 91206

Phone: 818.500.1918

Fax: 818.246.7353

E-mail: [email protected]

Web:

PRESS RELEASE

May 17, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Congratulates Felipe Fuentes on Joining California State Assembly

Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) and its local chapters have congratulated Felipe Fuentes on
becoming the newest member of the California State Assembly. Fuentes was
elected to represent the 39th State Assembly District in a Special Election
which took place on May 15, 2007.

Fuentes had spent more than a decade as a Deputy Mayor in the Hahn
administration and had served as Chief of Staff to former city council
president and now State Senator Alex Padilla.

The Special Election was held on May 15, 2007 to fill the vacant seat left
by former Assemblymember Richard Alarcón, who is now a member of the Los
Angeles City Council.

"The ANCA-WR congratulates Assemblymember Fuentes and looks forward to
working with him on issues of concern to our community," commented Andrew
Kzirian, Executive Director of the ANCA-WR.

The grandson of Mexican immigrants, Fuentes grew up in the Northeast San
Fernando Valley attending local public schools before going on to the
University of California at Los Angeles, where he earned his B.A, and
Graziadio School of Business at Pepperdine University, where he earned an
MBA. Soon after graduating Fuentes began his career promoting immigrant and
children’s rights through the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional
Law. In 1999, Fuentes began serving the 7th council district as a field
deputy, working with the grassroots leadership of the district. In 2001,
Fuentes was appointed Deputy Mayor of the San Fernando Valley. Fuentes then
went on to serve the 7th council district as Council President Padilla’s
Chief of Staff. In that post, Fuentes has been an integral part of the
construction and revitalization of the Northeast Valley’s police and fire
stations, libraries, and infrastructure improvements.

Fuentes enjoyed the support and backing of many prominent politicians
including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congressman Howard Berman, Congressman
Brad Sherman, Senator Alex Padilla, Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, and
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.