Author: Torosian Aram

SALARIES OF JUDGES TO BE DOUBLED

ArmInfo
2008-11-27 12:58:00

ArmInfo. Today, the Armenian parliament passed the first reading of
a draft law ‘On salaries of employees of legislative, executive and
judicial power branches’. In addition, the parliamentarians discussed
amendments to the law "On Pocuracy" in the first reading’. Minister of
Labor and Social Issues Arsen Hambardzumyan said that the submitted
package stipulates determination of salary rates of general
jurisdiction judges in Armenia by the budget of the country. In
particular, a separate article concerning the amount of salaries of
general jurisdiction judges will be annually included in the Basic
Law of the country. A similar measure will be taken with respect to
prosecutors. The acting law stepped in on 1 July 2003, and since then
judges’ salaries have undergone no changes. In this connection, the
Armenian government suggests increasing their monthly salary. This
suggestion meets the government’s anti-corruption program. Moreover,
this will create an opportunity to form an independent and impartial
judicial system. In general, the matter concerns 216 judges whose
salaries will be increased to 440 thsd AMD as against the present
220 thsd AMD. For this purpose about 1 bln AMD will be allocated
from the state budget. According to the acting law, the salary of
the prosecutor general of Armenia is to make up 95% of the salary
of chairman of the cassation court, and prosecutors’ salary is to
be fixed in compliance with their positions. Now it is suggested
determining the prosecutor general’s monthly salary in a separate
item of the state budget 2009. To note, the prosecutor general’s
salary has considerably grown since 1 January 2008 while prosecutors’
salaries have undergone no changes since 2003. In this connection,
it is suggested considerably increasing the salaries of prosecutors
since 1 January 2009. Meanwhile, independent experts think that the
measures suggested by the government are not enough.

Alongside with twofold increase of judges’ salaries, it is also
necessary to introduce relevant amendments in the Criminal Code
stipulating life imprisonment without a right to amnesty for the
judges caught in bribery.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ‘LESSONS OF SPITAK EARTHQUAKE. PROBLEMS OF PUBLIC INFORMATION’ IN YEREVAN

ArmInfo
2008-11-26 16:20:00

ArmInfo. International conference ‘Lessons of Spitak
earthquake. Problems of public information’ was held in Yerevan.

‘The main lesson of the Spitak earthquake is the necessity of setting
up of the complex system of rescue service and seismic protection
service, and further setting up of Emergency Ministry’, – the leader
of press-service of Armenian Emergency ministry Nikolay Grigoryan
said at the conference.

The conference was dedicated to Spitak earthquake. The leader of
the OSCE Yerevan office Sergey Kapinos, Germany’s Ambassador to
Armenia Adrea Viktorin and representatives of different international
organizations were present at the conference.

For his part, Armenian Emergency Minister Mher Shakhgeldyan specially
emphasized importance of informing society about emergency situations
and the ways of their preventing and liquidation of consequences. ‘The
informed person is protected’ – these words have become the slogan of
Emergency Ministry. The minister also said it is very much important
to cooperate with international organizations. such cooperation is
deepening and activation year by year.

AN ARMENIAN CYPRIOT ELECTED ON REGIONAL BOARD

Gibrahayer
Nov 24, 2008

Gibrahayer – Nicosia 21 November – An Armenian Cypriot has been elected
on the Nicosia Parents Association Board of Elementary Schools. Louise
Aynedjian was elected in a General Meeting that took place on Saturday
15 November 2008 among representives from 122 elementary schools from
the district of Nicosia.

31ST PLENARY SESSION OF THE CIS INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY IN SAINT PETERSBURG

National Assembly of RA
Nov 24 2008
Armenia

The delegation of the National Assembly headed by the Vice-Speaker
of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Mr Hrayr
Karapetyan will take part at the 31st plenary session of the CIS
Inter-parliamentary Assembly, which will begin on November 24. The
delegation members are: the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on
Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs Mr Gagik Minasyan, Chairman
of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration Mr Avet Adonts,
members of the NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Mrs Hermine
Naghdalyan and Mr Ara Nranyan, member of the NA Standing Committee
on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Mr Mikayel Manukyan.

ACCORDING TO OPPOSITION, SAMVEL NIKOYAN CONFESSED THAT SNIPER WAS ATTACHED TO POLICE ON MARCH 1

Noyan Tapan

Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. During a talk with foreign
journalists, the chairman of the parliamentary ad hoc committee on
inquiry into the March 1-2 events Samvel Nikoyan said that during
the March 1 operations against demonstrators, the police were given
fire-arms and a sniper. The coordinator of the Armenian National
Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabian announced this at the November 20
press conference.

According to a recording of the interview of S. Nikoyan and his
interlocutors (the recording was presented to the reporters),
when responding to the question: "What types of weapons were
used by police on March 1?", the chairman of the parliamentary ad
hoc committee replies: "By our law, our police have the right to
use such special antiriot weapons as protective shields, batons,
water-cannons, tear gas, then various types of Cheryomukha tear gas,
and fire-arms. Fire-arms are an individual gun of a policeman and a
Kalashnikov. And a sniper. These weapons were provided to them". Then
S. Nikoyan continues: "There are attempts to accuse the police by
saying: "You could have hit him in the leg so that he would not die."

Just imagine some people standing and fighting with each other (I
will show you a filmed shot and you will see): a demonstrator threw
something once, and it was a grenade, it exploded, a soldier died,
and they were wounded.

Then another demonstrator is running to throw something. If they
allowed him to throw, it might also be a grenade, but when he fired,
it might be a stone in his hand, you couldn’t see there whether it
was a stone or a grenade. If you allow him to throw, it may be a
grenade again".

A. Zurabian reminded that out of the 10 citizens killed during
the March 10 events, 5 died from gunshot wounds in their
heads. He concluded that those shots were fired by a sniper or
snipers. L. Zurabian declined to tell when the above mentioned
interview took place, and who and when gave the recording to ANC.

Accoridng to him, the authorities are trying to organize the work
of the fact-finding group of experts in the building of the National
Assembly in order to control the group. If this situation continues,
in the words of L. Zurabian, ANC and "Heritage" party will recall
their representatives from the group.

17 BILLION DRAMS TO SMALL AND AVERAGE BUSINESS

Panorama.am
18:12 20/11/2008

During Government session the financing project of credit program
to small and average business has been confirmed. The Minister of
Finance Tigran Davtyan said that the project could contribute to meet
the possible impact of financial crisis. According to the project 17
billion AMD will be disposed to German Armenian foundation to provide
credits to small and average business.

The Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan mentioned that the current project
is an important step to meet the financial crisis. "1000 companies will
received those credits and create working places," said Prime Minister.

AZERBAIJAN TO STRUGGLE UNTIL LIBERATION OF ITS OCCUPIED TERRITORY: SENIOR STATE OFFICIAL

Trend News Agency
Nov 20 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 20 November /TrendNews corr. I.Alizade/ Baku
stated that Azerbaijan would struggle until the liberation of the
Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven regions attached to it from the
Armenian occupation. "Nagorno-Karabakh and seven regions attached
to it are the Azerbaijani territory, we will struggle and act to
liberate these occupied territories and this is the major position of
the Azerbaijani authorities," Elnur Aslanov, head of the Political
Analysis and Dataware Department of the Azerbaijani President’s
Administration, told journalists on 20 November.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in
1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost the Nagorno-Karabakh, except of Shusha and Khojali, in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian Armed Forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and
Nagorno-Karabakh’s seven surrounding regions. In 1994, Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active
hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia,
France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.

The Armenian media claims that Yerevan will return five Azerbaijani
occupied regions at the first stage, the referendum will be held
to determine status of Nagorno-Karabakh in two years and finally,
Armenia will return Kalbajar region to Azerbaijan.

Both Nagorno-Karabakh and its seven surrounding regions are the
Azerbaijani territories and will be the Azerbaijani territories in
future, as well, the official of the President’s Administration said.

Serzh Sargsyan, the Armenian President, will discuss the current
situation on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement with leader of
political parties of the country.

"Discussions on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement were held at the
Azerbaijani Parliament several years ago. At present we do not need
to hold such a discussion," Aslanov said.

WIDE DISCUSSION ON KARABAKH PROBLEM HELD ON INITIATIVE OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan

Nov 20, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of the Armenian
president Serzh Sargsyan, a discussion on the subject "The Process
of Peaceful Solution of the Nagorno Karabakh Problem" was organized
on November 20. The heads of the parties registered in Armenia were
invited to the discussion, NT was informed by the RA presidential
press service.

Noting that such meetings will have regular character, S. Sargsyan
said: "I had stated in my address to the National Assembly and the
people that I would put forward an initiative to invite regular
thematic consultations on strategic issues of vital importance to
the country, and I would invite the heads of all the parties. It is
the first consultation in this format".

He expressed a hope that such a mechanism of discussions will raise
the role of parties in the decision making process and develop the
political field.

In his words, each of the meetings will be dedicated to one concrete
subject. He did not rule out that in the future discussions will take
place outside the capital city, in a place related to the subject
of discussion.

The president said that the discussions will be closed which will
allow all the participants to engage freely in discussions and express
any approach.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN ON NOVEMBER 20

Noyan Tapan

Nov 19, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Thommas Hammarberg, the Council
of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, will be in Armenia on a
special visit on November 20-22 to estimate the condition of the
people imprisoned in consequence of the March 1-2 events and the
investigation carried out in connection with those events. As Noyan
Tapan was informed by the Commissioner’s Office, during the visit
T. Hammarberg will meet with RA President Serzh Sargsyan, NA Speaker,
Foreign Minister, Police Head, and Prosecutor General. He will also
have meetings with the RA Ombudsman, Chairman of the NA Ad-hoc
Committee on Events Occurred on 1-2 March and Their Reasons and
members of the newly created fact-finding group on investigation of
the March events, as well as with representatives of international
organizations and civil society. The Commissioner will also visit
imprisonment places.

"I have a goal to estimate the condition of the imprisoned people and
the progress recorded in the respect of disclosing those responsible
for the March events," T. Hammarberg said. In his words, it is
important that a precise and factual description be given to what
has happened indeed.

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO PROVIDE CONCESSION CREDITS OF 140 MILLION DOLLARS TO ARMENIA IN NEXT TWO YEARS

Noyan Tapan

Nov 19, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. With the foundation of the Yerevan
Office of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a new page opens in
cooperation between the ADB and Armenia. Armenia joined ADB three
years ago, after which agreements on credit assistance of the total
amount of 83 million USD in three strategic directions have been
signed with the Armenian government.

The bank is prepared to provide concession credits of 140 million
USD to Armenian government in the next two years for implementation
of a number of projects. The President of the ADB Haruhiko Kuroda
stated this at the opening ceremony of the ADB Office in Yerevan on
November 18. 67 countries are ADB members, and the bank has offices
in 27 of these countries.

In the words of H. Kuroda, in recent years the Armenian government
has conducted a sound macroeconomic policy. It has contributed to
an impressive economic growth of the country, which is a pledge of
future success in cooperation with ADB. "However, in parallel with
this progress, Armenia is facing new challenges to its development,
and we are pleased with the fact that the Armenian government expressed
a willingness to overcome these challenges and deepen the process of
reforms," H. Kuroda stated.

According to him, the concession credits to be allocated by ADB to
Armenia will be spent, in particular, on several short-term programs,
including the creation of a transport corridor through Armenia,
the improvement of governance, and the development of the banking
and non-banking sectors. "We will assist so that the economic growth
rates will not slow down," H. Kuroda underlined.

In the opinion of Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the ADB
Office in Yerevan opens just in time as the bank’s mission is help
the Armenian authorities to overcome the existing challenges and
increase the resistibility of Armenian economy. "We attach importance
not only to financial resources to be allocated for implementation of
projects in Armenia but also to the technical assistance, experience
and knowledge accumulated by ADB," the prime minister pointed out. He
added that the main programs on cooperation between the bank and
Armenia were approved, ther implementation has begun, which will
become a great stimulus for creating a favorable climate for business
development and Armenian GDP’s growth in 2009.

As regards the programs to be implemented jointly with ADB, T. Sargsyan
noted that the improvement of rural roads is of special importance in
terms of indentifying the economic potential of Armenian regions. The
implementation of such credit programs as development of the water
supply systems, as well as strategic projects on creation of an
e-government system, improvement of the business climate and formation
of free economic zones will have a considerable impact on Armenian
economy and allow the country to reduce the consequences of the
global economic crisis to a minimum. It was also considered important
to create, within the framework of ADB programs, an opportunity of
obtaining additional funds for small and medium enterprises in Armenia.

During a press conference held following the opening ceremony,
T. Sargsyan explained that the underdevelopment of infrastructures
is one of the weaknesses of the Armenian economy, while ADB has
the necessary experience and opportunities to help Armenia in this
problem. In his words, it is no accident that the first program
implemented in Armenia with ADB resources is the project on development
of rural motorways and the water supply systems of small towns. It was
mentioned that ADB carried out programs on introduction of e-government
systems in South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

The speaker attached importance to ADB’s participation in the project
of constructing the Armenia-Iran transit railway and a parallel
motorway.

During the opening ceremony of the ADB Office in Yerevan, H. Kuroda
and the RA minister of economy Nerses Yeritsian signed a new agreement
between ADB and Armenian government, by which the bank will provide
an additional loan to Armenia. According to N. Yeritsian, the loan
will amount to SDR 11 million at IMF. This money will be used for
the improvement of motorways in 5 marzes (provinces) adjacent to
Ararat Valley and the development of water supply systems in Vayots
Dzor marz. He said that the additional loan was provided to make up
for the loss of funds under the previous credit program because of
currency fluctuations.