Author: Torgomian Varazdat

GOVERNMENT FIXES LIFE PENSION FOR SECOND PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARYAN

armradio.am
22.05.2008 15:31

In compliance with RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s decree of April 9,
the Armenian Government today took the decision to fix a life pension
for the second President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharyan
equal to 80% of the President’s salary.

Head of the State Property Management Department adjunct to RA
Government Karine Kirakosyan noted at the Government sitting that it
is necessary to allocate means for the construction of a house for
the second President with further property rights.

The Government also instructed the Yerevan City Hall to provide area
for the Office of the second President and allocate necessary means
for its reconstruction.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS WITH AMBASSADORS

armradio.am
22.05.2008 11:17

President Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting with the Heads of Mission of
the EU member states accredited in Yerevan, and the representative
of the delegation of the European Commission, President’s Press
Office reported.

President Sargsyan said that these meetings are a proper format for
discussing issues on the Armenia-European Union agenda.

According to the President of Armenia, further deepening of the
relations with the EU will undeniably expedite Armenia’s democratic
as well as economic development.

Viewing the implementation of the Action Plan in the framework of the
European Neighborhood Policy as a priority for Armenia, the President
stressed that the Plan is in full agreement with the program of the
Government of Armenia and the logic of the planned large-scale reforms.

Serzh Sargsyan also mentioned that experience of the European
Commission is very important for Armenia. The President of Armenia
said that he is satisfied with the results of the first year of the
Plan’s implementation as well as with the assessment presented at
the EC’s Progress Report. He noted that the assessment is overall
balanced and fair.

Serzh Sargsyan also said that Armenia is striving to join the EU’s
General System of Preferences (GSP) trade regime, to receive from
the EU the status of the country with market economy, and to sign
a free trade agreement with the European Union. In this regard,
the priority directions in the coming years will be the improvement
of the investment climate in the country, improvement of business
environment, and fundamental changes in the customs administration.

Speaking about political developments, Serzh Sargsyan said that
regardless of the post-election developments, the implementation of
democratic reforms remains a necessity, and that we will continue to
work in that direction.

Mr. Sargsyan said that right after the presidential elections he
offered cooperation to all political forces and received a positive
response from the majority of them, which made possible the creation
of the political coalition. He mentioned with pain the impossibility
of preventing the events of March 1. Regardless of the fact that one
of the candidates was speaking about the events months before they
actually took place, President Sargsyan stressed that the authorities
are responsible for all the processes going on in the country and that
they see the elimination of their consequences in the unequivocal
implementation of the recommendations of the corresponding PACE
resolution. In addition, they entirely correspond to the principles
laid out in the President’s pre-election platform and to the principles
of cooperation of the Political Coalition. "The recommendations of the
working group have been approved by the members of the Coalition, and
we are determined to fully implement them," the President underscored.

President Sargsyan spoke also about the simplifying the procedures
for obtaining the entry visas to the EU member states and the EU
regional center for cultural issues to be established in Yerevan.

The President of Armenia also presented his views on the
Nagorno Karabakh peace process, reiterating that official Yerevan
advocates the peaceful resolution of the conflict on the basis of
comprises. Meanwhile, the opposite side very often comes up with
belligerent statements. However, the President thinks that there is
still hope for a peaceful resolution – as long as the negotiations
are continued on the basis of fundamental principles.

Regarding the Armenian-Turkish relations the President of Armenia
said that our country is ready to establish normal relations with
Turkey without preconditions and to discuss all contentious issues
on the basis of intergovernmental relations and negotiations.

On behalf of the diplomats the Ambassador of France, Serzh Smessov
expressed satisfaction that the tradition of conducting these meetings
continues and noted that they are very useful for them.

The Ambassadors welcomed the determination of the Armenian authorities
to fully implement all recommendations of the PACE resolution.

During the meeting the President of Armenia also provided
clarifications on other issues raised by the diplomats.

FOUR EXPERT GROUPS TO EXAMINE GOVERNMENT DECISIONS IN ARMENIA

ARKA
May 22, 2008

YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. Four groups will be formed in Armenian
Government to examine all government decisions, Armenian Premier
Tigran Sargsian said.

"Ministers will be involved in the commissions on financial and
economic, social, state and legal, territorial administration and
environmental issues. Before being submitted for discussion at the
government, all issues will undergo a mandatory preliminary discussion
in the commissions," Sargsian said at the government sitting Thursday.

Conceptual targets of the ministries will also be discussed at the
commissions.

For working as a real team, problems existing in one of the ministries
should be discussed jointly, he said adding that success can be
achieved only through combined efforts.

TURKISH AMBASSADOR CALLS ON ARMENIANS: WE SHOULD NOT RAISE OUR CHILDREN WITH ANIMOSITY

Turkish Press
May 21 2008

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Turkish Ambassador in Washington D.C. has called
on Armenians not to raise children with animosity.

Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Potomac Institute for Policy
Studies on "the Future of Turkey-U.S. Strategic Partnership", Nabi
Sensoy said, "the draft resolution submitted to the U.S. Congress on
the incidents of 1915 brought Turkey-U.S. relations to ‘brink of a
disaster’. We are pleased with leaving those days behind as a result
of resolute attitude of U.S. administration and congressmen."

Sensoy reminded that Prime Minister Erdogan had called on Armenians
to form a joint committee of historians to unveil the truth.

"Turkey has opened its archives long ago. Armenians should do the
same thing. We expect politicians in the United States and in other
countries to let historians to deal with past events," he said.

"We should not raise our children with animosity. I grew up together
with many Turkish citizens of Armenian descent. It was one of
our Armenian neighbors who cried and mourned most when I lost my
father. Enmity does not lead us to anywhere," he said.

Denying accusations that Turkey imposed economic embargo on Armenia,
Sensoy said that Turkey was the fifth biggest economic partner of
Armenia and number of weekly flights between Turkey and Armenia
reached four.

"Everyone in Turkey condemned killing of journalist Hrant
Dink. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest his
assassination. It is not correct to claim that the Armenian issue was
not discussed in Turkey. On the contrary, any opposition to state’s
views regarding the incidents of 1915 was banned in Armenia with an
amendment to the penal code in October 2006." he said.

Sensoy also criticized that the Armenian diaspora thwarted Armenian
Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan’s speech during his visit to Washington D.C.

Referring to the other developments in the region, Sensoy said, "Like
the international community, Turkey does not want to see Iran armed
with nuclear weapons. However, we think that Iran should not be fully
isolated by the international community. Instead, we should improve our
relations with them and try to persuade them to change their policies."

GOVERNMENT TO WORK OUT COMPLEX PROGRAM ON TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Traffic problems in Yerevan make citizens
nervous and cause serious economic damage to the state, the prime
minister Tigran Sargsian said when responding to questions in the
parliament on May 21. According to him, the situation is worrying
and requires urgent solutions.

With this aim all the responsible departments were given instructions
to develop proposals, based on which a complex program will be worked
out. The government will receive the World Bank’s technical assistance
for traffic organization. As regards problems with organization
of police work, the prime minister said that the use of modern
technologies will allow to make traffic in Yerevan more transparent
and controllable.

In the words of T. Sargsian, one of the government’s priorities
is proportional territorial development. Despite the fact that one
third of the country’s population lives in Yerevan, 90% of the trade
turnover and two thirds of economic activity are concentrated in the
capital city. This excessive concentration has created problems both
for Armenia and Yerevan.

Numerous functions have been centralized in Yerevan, and part of
these functions should be transferred to marzes (provinces).

The prime minister said that the government will implement programs
in this direction as well. In particular, outgoing sessions of
the government will be held, during which measures on development
of marzes and "unloading" of Yerevan will be discussed with local
authorities. Adoption of a law on Yerevan and a legislative package
on improving the activities of local government bodies will also help
with solution of the indicated problems.

ARRESTED MPS DON’T RECEIVE THEIR SALARIES AS THEY DON’T GO TO WORK, A REPRESENTATIVE OF RPA FACTION THINKS

arminfo
2008-05-21 09:56:00

ArmInfo. Galoust Sahakyan, a representative of the parliamentary
faction of the Republican Party of Armenia, thinks that the
arrested MPs, particularly, Sasoun Mikayelyan, Myasnik Malkhasyan
and Hakob Hakobyan don’t receive their salaries as they don’t go to
work. Sahakyan expressed his opinion in a conversation with ArmInfo
correspondent.

"The one who led these people should have thought about this issue
as well.

Today Levon Ter-Petrosyan lives perfectly and could have solved this
problem", he stressed. At the same time, the MP noted that if the
authorities are asked to help in this matter, they are willing to
"display a relevant approach". To recall, the specified MPs were
arrested after the March 1 mass disorders in Yerevan.

DOCTOR LYNN JONES TO GIVE ILLUSTRATED TALK ON MEDIEVAL ARMENIAN KINGSHIP

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 16, 2008

BELMONT, MAY 16, AREMNIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Dr. Lynn Jones of
Florida State University will give an illustrated lecture entitled
"Between Islam and Byzantium: Aghtamar and the Visual Construction of
Medieval Armenian Kingship," on May 22 at the National Association
for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center in Belmont. This
lecture is the second talk given in memory of Arshag Merguerian,
an architect and an active member and friend of NAASR.

CHAIRMAN OF GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT’S COMMISSION: "ARMENIA VOTED AGAINST THE RESOLUTION IN THE UN, AS IT IS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH RUSSIA"

Azeri Press Agency
May 16 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva-APA. "I do not think that Armenia’s
voting against the resolution in the UN General Assembly will have
serious influence on our bilateral relations", Chairman of Georgian
Parliament’s Commission on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Gabashvili told
APA. He said that Russia had worked much for the voting to fail.

"You know that these countries are closely connected with each
other. That’s why Armenia voted against the resolution. Of course,
we regret this, but the main thing is that the document has been
adopted", he said.

Touching upon GUAM member state Moldova’s abstaining from the voting,
Konstantin Gabashvili said they understood this.

"Moldova also has special relations with Russia. Pressure was exerted
on this country’s ambassador", he said.

Konstantin Gabashvili expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for
supporting Georgia.

"I am grateful to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry and all Azerbaijani
People for supporting us in this hard work", he said.

SECOND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREER FAIR HELD

Y EREVAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The Second Annual IT Career Fair with the
participation of 30 information and communication technology (ICT)
companies of Armenia took place at the American University of Armenia
(AUA) on May 16. The fair was organized by the USAID-financed
Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Project. The higher
educational institutions implementing IT educational programs – Yerevan
State University, State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA),
Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, as well as the Union of IT
Enterprises of Armenia (UITE) were also invloved in the event’s
organization.

According to the CAPS director Hayley Alexander, the holding of an IT
career fair in 2007 allowed more than 20 students and graduates to find
jobs. Such fairs also pursue the goal of bringing together IT companies
and young specialists with great potential for development, which
allows to address the problem of supply and demand for qualified
employees.

The RA minister of labor and social affairs Artyom Asatrian said that
such events contribute to the strengthening of links between the
economy and the educational system, and the state also plays a
considerable role in this process.

Among companies – participants in the Second Career Fair were ArmenTel,
K-Telecom, Synopsys, Virage Logic, National Instruments, Epygy
Technologies, and Synergy.

VARDAN ADZEMIAN SIGNS CONTRACT WITH GALAXY FOOTBALL TEAM

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 15, 2008

GLENDALE, MAY 15, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Glendale Ararat
Chapter`s star soccer player, Vardan Adzemian just signed a one-year
contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy team. Adzemian also traveled
to Armenia last summer as part of the Pan Armenia games representing
the City of Glendale. Adzemian is currently on loan for a few months
to play for Oregon’s professional team, Portland Timbers. Adzemian
will be back in Los Angeles to play along world class soccer players,
David Beckham and Landon Donovan. Adzemian’s name is already listed
on the Los Angeles Galaxy roster.