Author: Tvankchian Parkev

WEEKLY DIGEST OF FOREIGN CURRENCY DEALS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
27.06.2009 12:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ USD 74.149.806 was bought at average price AMD
361.18 /USD 1 and USD 55.963.157 was sold at average price AMD 363.7/
USD 1 at the Armenian foreign currency market from June 22 to 26.

Deals amounting to USD 1.500.000 at average price AMD 362.50/USD 1
were struck at interbank market.

Deals amounting to USD 31.230.000 at average price AMD 361.30 /USD
1 were concluded at NASDAQ OMX Armenia.

AMD loans granted by banks totaled 8.7 billion. USD loans totaled
17.7 million, reported the press office of the Central Bank of Armenia.

LEADERS PLEDGE TO PRESERVE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN GEORGIA, ARMENIA

Armenian Second TV Channel
June 25 2009

[Presenter] The Georgian president [Mikheil Saakashvili] continued
and finished his official visit to our country today.

But prior to that official dinner was given in honour of the Georgian
president yesterday [24 June]. Speaking before the dinner, Mikheil
Saakashvili said that he would become the most radical Armenian,
if one tried to drive a wedge between the two peoples [Armenians
and Georgians].

[President Serzh Sargsyan, addressing Saakashvili at the dinner in
Russian with overlaid translation into Armenian] I am happy to welcome
my Georgian counterpart in our country. We should be guided by the
necessity in our relations, so that we leave the best traditions of
friendly and good-neighbourly relations and friendship to the next
generations. We have no other way. I strongly believe that our economic
ties underlie long-term and strong cooperation. We have great unused
capacity and we hope that we will increase the quality of economic
relations. We will take advantage of the [EU] Eastern Partnership
programme, using its positive impact for the well-being of our region.

[Saakashvili, speaking at the dinner with overlaid translation into
Armenian] I welcome my dear friend, President Sargsyan, and the
guests. I would like to repeat that the wording official relations is
not for us. There are no other painters but Armenians, who can paint
[Georgia’s capital Tbilisi] in the best way, and works of an Armenian
artist decorate my office. Our fates are indispensable and when I
was asked to characterize Armenia in one word, I said – a wonderful
country and marvellous people. When I was among the opposition, a
few figures tried to break Armenian-Georgian traditionally friendly
relations, I answered and I say today that I will become the most
radical Armenian if anyone tries to drive a wedge between our two
peoples. I am often asked whether I am an Armenian, I am saying –
it would be great honour for me to be an Armenian.

ARMENIA, TURKEY: TENSE HALF-TIME
By Asbed Kotchikian for ISN Security Watch

ISN
International Relations & Security Network
June 26 2009
Switzerland

The Armenian president is criticized at home for his efforts to
address relations with Turkey, but on the international stage he is
scoring points. If he wishes to retain control at home, he will have
to play the next round of Armenia-Turkey talks in October carefully,
Asbed Kotchikian comments for ISN Security Watch.

As domestic turmoil in Iran and Georgia rise, Armenia is bracing
itself for the next round of foreign policy activism with Turkey.

The first municipal elections in the Armenian capital Yerevan on 31
May yielded the expected results when the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia won over 47 percent of the votes, which along with its
coalition ally Prosperous Armenia Party’s 23 percent, cemented
President Serge Sargsyan’s hold on power. The elections came over
a year after a hotly disputed presidential election, which gave the
presidency to Sargsyan and was followed by the bloody suppression of
mass demonstrations.

The timing and importance of the municipal elections was more relevant
to the country’s foreign policy than it was to any domestic or
municipal issue. Thus, in April, over a month before the municipal
elections, Armenia and Turkey announced that the governments of
both countries had come up with a roadmap to normalize the relations
and to eventually address the reopening of their borders, and more
importantly, to study the issue of Armenian demands that Turkey
recognize as genocide the mass killings of the Armenian population
under the Ottoman Empire in early 20th century.

When Sargsyan won the disputed presidential elections in February
2008, his position was very weak domestically, and as such he tried to
score some political points on the foreign policy front by inviting
Turkish President Abdullah Gul to visit Yerevan in September 2008
to attend a soccer match between Armenia and Turkey as part of the
World Cup qualifying games. Gul’s visit and the subsequent increase
in activities on the Armenian-Turkish talks led many analysts and
circles critical of Sargsyan to dub this as "soccer diplomacy."

The April announcement by the two governments received both heavy
criticism and great praise. The criticism came mostly from the Armenian
side, opposing Sargsyan, while the praise was spearheaded mostly by
diplomatic circles in the US, which seems to have heavily invested
in the process with the aim of increasing the political capital and
prestige of US diplomacy by resolving one of the major hurdles of
peace in the region.

While Sargsyan hoped that a diplomatic success with Turkey could
translate to increased political legitimacy at home, the result has
been quite the opposite: One of the more nationalist partners in the
ruling coalition, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, decided to
leave the coalition. This could explain why the Yerevan municipal
elections were a battleground to show political might as the capital
city includes more than one-third of the country’s electoral might. In
a reversal of order, Sargsyan seems to have utilized these elections
to boost his legitimacy on the foreign policy scene.

With the second soccer match between Armenia and Turkey scheduled
in October 2009 in Ankara, and because the Armenian president has a
standing invitation to visit from the Turkish president, it seems that
Sargsyan needs all the help he can get to increase his prestige as a
politician in control in an otherwise an increasingly uncontrollable
region.

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN THE CENTRAL REPUBLICAN GATHERING STATION

p;p=0&id=887&y=2009&m=06&d=25
25.0 6.09

On 25th of June the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense,
National Security and Internal Affaires Hrayr Karapetyan, together with
the committee members, visited the central republican gathering station
in order to watch the draft process. Media and NGO representatives
also took part in the visit. The Parliament members met with the
officers and medical stuff, talked to the draftees and their parents.

In an express interview with the journalists H. Karapetyan mentioned
with satisfaction that the spring draft process fallows a natural
path. The draftees realize the necessity and importance of serving
the country and safeguarding its borders. In the end he added that
the committee intends to cooperate with different structures of the
Ministry of Defense actively, get to know their problems, as well
as to propose some legal amendments in order to make military work
more effective.

ON JUNE 20-21, THE RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN-HEADED GOVERNMENT DELEGATION WAS AWAY TO NKR CAPITAL STEPANAKERT ON A WORKING VISIT

Monday , 22 June 2009

On June 20-21, the RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan-headed government
delegation was away to NKR capital Stepanakert on a working visit. Set
to attend "Bridge-Artsakh" economic forum, the delegation comprised
Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan, Minister of Finance
Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy Nerces Yeritzyan, Minister of
Agriculture Gerasim Alaverdyan, Minister of Urban Development Vardan
Vardanyan, Minister of Transport and Communication Gurgen Sargsyan,
other officials.

First, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan had private talks with NKR
President Bako Sahakyan. Then he took part in "Bridge-Artsakh"
economic forum, hosted by the Armenian Union of Industrialists and
Businessmen and MASTER international integration support center.

Held under the motto: "State and Business: from dialogue to
cooperation," the forum was meant to provide a framework for Armenian
and foreign businessmen to commit themselves and invest into NKR
economy.

In his opening address, NKR President Bako Sahakyan expressed gratitude
to Diaspora and the Republic of Armenia for years-long humanitarian
assistance extended to Artsakh, and went on to emphasize that the
well-being of Nagorno-Karabakh’s population depends on ever-strengthe
ned and closer mutually beneficial trade and economic relations with
Armenia, first of all.

In turn, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan highlighted the large
number of businessmen among forum participants considering that this
may promote the emergence of a new business environment. Agriculture,
mining and processing industry, power engineering, tourism were cited
as the most perspective spheres of Artsakh’s economy. However, it
is important for entrepreneurs to get a business-wise glance at the
existing development opportunities. The government of Armenia should
do its utmost so that economy develops faster in the NKR than in the
Republic of Armenia. Living standards, too, should be higher in the
NKR as Armenian ethnic identity and the Armenian world are at stake
in Artsakh.

Later on, Tigran Sargsyan had private talks with his NKR counterpart
Araik Harutunyan. Then, government members on either side met in a
broader format at the Office of Government in Stepanakert. During
the meeting, the head of the Armenian government presented
Armenia’s current economic status and the anti-crisis action of his
government. The prime ministers exchanged views on the steps necessary
for overcoming the financial and economic crisis in Artsakh. In this
context, they noted that the two governments should first of all seek
to implement actions towards boosting economic growth and encouraging
SME development in the NKR.

The session summed up the outcome of those meetings and discussions
held in Artsakh and outlined the areas and cooperation programs ahead.

Following the session, led by the two prime ministers, government
delegations from the two States attended a gala concert in the Charles
Aznavur cultural center. The hospitable people of Karabakh entertained
them with traditional songs and dances.

CIS MUSLIMS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO PRIORITIZE NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM: CAUCASUS MUSLIMS CLERICAL OFFICE

Today.Az
/53296.html
June 22 2009
Azerbaijan

Resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem will be chief aim of the
CIS Muslims Advisory Council, Caucasus Muslims Clerical Board Deputy
Chairman Sabir Hasanli said.

"Resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be priority of
discussions by the future organization," he said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

Earlier last week Caucasus Muslims Clerical Office Chairman Allahshukur
Pashazade proposed to establish CIS Muslims Advisory Council at a
conference "CIS Muslims Support Inter-Confessional and International
Consent" in Moscow.

The conference was initiated by the Supreme Council of CIS Muslims
and international Islamic mission. Over 40 Muslim religious figures
from 8 CIS member states and heads of Russian traditional confessions
attended the event.

Hasanli said the council will also inform people of the truth about
Nagorno-Karabakh.

LONG JUMPER VARDAN PAHLEVANIAN TAKES FIRST PLACE AT EUROPEAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Noyan Tapan
June 22, 2009

SARAJEVO, JUNE 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The 1st European Athletics Team
Championships were held in Sarajevo (Bosnia) on June 19-20. A member
of the Armenian team, 18-year-old Vardan Pahlevanian of Yerevan took
first place by jumping 7.82 metres.

DIPLOMATIC SCANDAL ON THE EVE OF MIKAIL SAAKASHVILI’S VISIT TO ARMENIA
Lena Badeyan

"Radiolur"
22.06.2009 15:52

The visit of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to Armenia
scheduled for June 24-25 has been shadowed by a diplomatic scandal. On
the eve of the visit the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent
a note of protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia,
demanding to explain why Georgian border guards did not allow
Republican MP Shirak Torosyan to enter Georgia.

The response of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not
sufficient.

"Mikhail Saaakshvili should officially apologize to Shirak Torosyan
and thousands of Javakhk Armenians, who are humiliated every time they
cross the Armenian-Georgian border,’ says the statement released by
"Mitk" analytical center.

The Armenian delegation, comprising President of the "Hzor Hayrenik"
Party Vardan Vardapetyan, ex-Adviser to RA Prime Minister on CIS
Issues Stepan Margaryan, ex-Deputy Vahe Hovhannisyan and member of the
Republican faction Shirak Torosyan, was leaving for Georgia on June
19 at the initiative of the "Fridrich Nauman Fund" to discuss the
issues of Javakhk and the Armenian-Georgian relations with Georgian
officials, public figures and journalists.

MP Shirak Torosyan said in an interview with "Radiolur" that other
members of the Armenian delegation had no problems crossing the
border. 0D He was the only person prohibited from entering Georgia,
although there is no visa regime between Armenia and Georgia. Even
the diplomatic passport was no use. In an hour the border guards told
Shirak Torosyan that the authorities had instructed not to allow the
Deputy to enter the country. No other explanation followed. As a sign
of protest, the other members of the Armenian delegation returned to
Armenia the same night.

"I think that this is a serious problem in the Armenian-Georgian
relations. Why shouldn’t an invited Armenian Deputy be allowed to
enter Georgia? This is simply impermissible and comprises a serious
problem. I don’t view this as a personal office, this is an immediate
offence to the Republic of Armenia. I think that the issue will be
discussed during the Armenian-Georgian talks," Shirak Torosyan said.

NATIONAL SEISMIC DEFENSE SERVICE DENIES THE NEWS ABOUT EXPECTING QUAKES

ARMENPRESS
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS: The National Seismic Defense Service
of the Armenian Emergency Situations Ministry denies the news that
other quakes are expected in Armenia at 15:30.

Responsible for the media affairs of the Service Hamlet Bisharian
told Armenpress that they are baseless rumors and there is no reason
to go into panic.

The Seismic service gets numerous phone calls from the residents who
mention that they have been informed about the quakes on the TV and
in numerous establishments of the capital the workers were asked to
go out. H. Bisharian noted that no TV or other official institution
made such a statement. The Seismic service officially states that
there are no grounds for panic.

At 12:34 a 4-5 magnitude earthquake took place in Armenia the epicenter
of which was 22 km far from the Garni village.

CONGRESSMAN BILIRAKIS QUESTIONS WHY TURKEY CONTINUES TO PROSECUTE INDIVIDUALS WHO DISCUSS THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
18.06.2009 10:49

In a hearing yesterday before the Subcommittee on Europe in the House
of Representatives, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), raised strong
concerns regarding the Turkish government’s ongoing prosecution of
journalists and academics under the auspices of Article 301, which
penalizes discussion of the Armenian Genocide.

Rep. Bilirakis asked Philip Gordon, Assistant Secretary for Bureau
of European and Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State, who
was testifying about the Administration’s policies in Europe, "In
light of Turkey’s continued prosecution of intellectuals who express
themselves, what steps will you outline with the Turkish government
to ensure greater freedom of press and expression in Turkey?"

Gordon replied, "The U.S., everywhere, and the Obama Administration,
is a strong proponent of freedom of expression, freedom of the media,
freedom of the press, free societies. Turkey took some steps last year
to revise Article 301 of its penal code that made it more difficult
to have political prosecutions, that was an important step forward.

[Turkey] would do well to continue down that path and allow for
more freedom of expression. And we have a constant dialogue with the
Turkish government about these issues and we’ll continue to make that
view clear."

"The Assembly commends Congressman Bilirakis for his defense of
the truth.

Whether it is Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, highly paid
lobbyists arguing against the Armenian Genocide Resolution in Congress
or lawsuits filed in U.S. courts, such as the recent Massachusetts case
in which a federal judge upheld the Commonwealth’s decision to exclude
genocide denial materials in its curriculum, Turkey’s campaign of
denial continues," stated Assembly Executive Director, Bryan Ardouny.