Author: Vanyan Gary

GOVERNMENT OF ARMENIA PREDICTS THE ECONOMY TO START REVIVING IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2010
Lusine Vasilyan

"Radiolur"
10.07.2009 17:08

The financial means from international organizations will suffice for
execution of budget 2009, Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan told
a press conference today. According to him, Armenia will receive
an additional USD 1 billion from the International Monetary Fund,
the Asian Development Bank and the Russian Federation.

Minister of Finance stated that the government has clearly estimated
how it will maintain the state debt till year 2025, noting that the
correlation of the external debt to Armenia’s GDP in the nearest
10-11 years will be at the level of 37-38%, which is lower than the
allowed maximum level of 50%.

"Significant part of the attracted loan resources will be used to
credit economy, thus, the private sector will also represent a source
to maintain the given loans", Tigran Davtyan stated.

Upon conclusion of the first six months, 2009, certain tendencies
are apparent in the Armenian economy, Tigran Davtyan stated.

Growth of tax proceeds is registered also in the first days of
July, Tigran Davtyan stated, adding that this is conditioned by
both improvement of tax administration and tendencies for economy
stabilization.

According to the Minister of Finance, the government forecasts that
slow economy revival will start in the second hal f of next year.

VIC DARCHINYAN FIGHT WEEK WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS

EastsideBoxing.com
July 8, 2009

SUNRISE, Fla. (July 8, 2009) – Due to travel complications,
two-division world champion Vic "Raging Bull" Darchinyan was unable
to participate in Tuesday’s media workout in South Florida with his
opponent, IBF bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko. SHOWTIME
caught up with the four-time world champ at the hotel pool on
Wednesday, just three days before he faces Agbeko in his quest to
become a three-division world champion on Saturday, July 11 at the
BankAtlantic Center LIVE on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) – Darchinyan,
who proved his dominance in the 115-pound division with dominating
victories over Christian Mijares and Jorge Arce on SHOWTIME, had a
lot to say about Saturday’s fight and his boxing future. Saturday’s
world title fight will be Darchinyan’s first scrap at 118 pounds.

"He’s not too much bigger than me. This will be no difference for me
at all. All of my sparring partners were bigger than him. I’m just
looking at him as another opponent. I’m going to give him a lesson
and knock him out. It’s going to be an exciting fight. I’m going
to play with him and destroy him. I’ll start throwing bombs in the
middle rounds. I’ll knock him out before the end of the 12th.".

"Every boxer should go for the KO. I seek excitement only. I want to be
exciting. I want to be one of the best in the history of boxing. That
means I go for the knockout.

"I’m going to take it easy early and slow him down. I’m going to make
him look stupid and knock him out.

"I don’t have respect for my opponents in the ring. I might have
respect for them outside, but inside it’s a war.

"After this fight we’ll see what we do. I’d love to fight Nonito
(Donaire) again if he’s ready for me. He hasn’t done much since we
fought. If SHOWTIME isn’t interested in that I’ll move up to 122
pounds and keep moving up.

"I know he well prepared for the fight. But, so have I. I’m ready
for Saturday night. My training has been phenomenal. I’ve been in
the gym for five months."

Two of the pound-for-pound hardest hitting boxers, both main event
fighters possess eye-popping knockout percentages. Agbeko (26-1,
22 KOs) from Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, N.Y., has
knocked out over 81 percent of his opponents with Darchinyan (32-1,
26 KOs), from Sydney, Australia, by way of Armenia, right behind him
at 76 percent.

Tickets to the event, priced at $75, $40 and $25 and $10 (with
a limited number of golden circle seats available at $200), can
be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800)
745-3000, or BankAtlantic Center box office. The
event is promoted by Don King Productions in association with
BankAtlantic Center. Agbeko vs. Darchinyan and DeMarco vs. Adjaho
are co-promoted with Gary Shaw Productions.

The SHOWTIME co-feature pits two top-10 ranked 135-pound contenders
in the biggest fight of their lives when Antonio DeMarco (21-1-1,
15 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, takes on West African native Anges
"Baby Face" Adjaho (25-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Gus Johnson and Al Bernstein
will call the action with Jim Gray reporting from ringside. The
executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins Jr., with Bob
Dunphy directing.

CONFERENCE ENTITLED TURKISH WORLD, CAUCASUS AND IRAN: CROSSROAD OF MUTUAL INFLUENCE OF CIVILIZATIONS TO BE HELD IN TSAKHKADZOR

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 9, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. An international conference entitled
Turkish World, Caucasus and Iran: Crossroads of Mutual Influence of
Civilizations will take place on July 10-12 in Tsakhkadzor. Head of
Yerevan State University Chair of Iranology Garnik Asatrian stated it
at the July 9 press conference. The Iran and Caucasus international
periodical, Archeology and Ethnography Institute of the RA National
Academy of Sciences, Sociometer sociological center, ARMACAD Armenian
Association for Academic Partnership and Support, the International
Association on Studying Iranian Language Community and Partev Center
of Armenian-Turkmenian Cooperation are organizers of the conference.

In G. Asatrian’s words, the conference is specific by its theme as
mutual relations of Turkmenian countries, Caucasus and Iran have never
been scientifically discussed in the South Caucasian territory. In
this sense, as he mentioned, Armenia can become an international
academic center on study of regional problems.

Sociometer head Aharon Adibekian added in his turn, that before,
conferences were a tribune for scientists. In his words, the
Tsakhkadzor conference is unique as besides being theoretical it is
also practical. The participants will be divided into theme groups to
discuss the state of language, historic, social, cultural cooperation
in the region.

WB REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS FAMILIARIZES HIMSELF WITH IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS OF WB-FUNDED PROGRAMS IN ARAGATSOTN MARZ

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 9, 2009
ASHTARAK

ASHTARAK, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The World Bank Regional Director for
the South Caucasus Asad Alam, who is on a working visit to Yerevan,
on July 8 visited the villages of Aghdzk, Vardenut, Ara and Mulk
in Aragatsotn marz to familiarize himself with the implementation
process of WB-funded programs there. He was accompanied by the WB
Yerevan Office Head Aristomene Varudakis.

The work on installation of a gas network is being done in Aghdzk under
the WB program on development of rural enterprises and small-scale
commercial agriculture. The program’s cost is 2 million USD, 53 million
drams of which has been allocated for the gas network installation. 15%
of the sum necessary for the indicated work has been paid by the
local residents.

The WB representatives also become acquainted with the process of
repairs of 3,5-km road connecting Vardenut and Ara villages. The road
was previously in poor condition and almost impassable in the winter,
which resulted in problems for the local population.

At the end of his visit, A. Alam went to Mulk village where a pumping
unit for drinking water is being built thanks to the additional
financiang of 8 million USD allocated by the WB to the Social
Investment Fund of Armenia.

Attaching importance to the implementation of the indicated programs,
A. Alam said that they will have a positive impact on the communities
in terms of raising their standard of living. After the installation
of a gas network in Aghdzk village, about 600 families, the school and
the kindergarten will have heating, as a result of which fewer trees
will be cut down. The repairs of rural roads will result in higher
competitiveness and prosperity of the community as the village will
have a link to a republican highway and the transportation costs of
agricultural products will decline.

ADB TO PROVIDE $200 MILLION CRISIS SUPPORT FOR ARMENIA, GEORGIA, TAJIKISTAN

The FINANCIAL
08/07/2009 17:35

The FINANCIAL — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending $200
million in loans and grants to help Armenia, Georgia and Tajikistan
sustain critical social spending programs that have been imperiled
by the global economic crisis.

ADB’s Board of Directors has approved two program loans of $80 million
equivalent for Armenia; two program loans of $80 million equivalent
for Georgia; and a program grant of $40 million for Tajikistan. All
the funds will come from ADB’s Asian Development Fund, a financing
facility that offers loans at low interest rates and grants to reduce
poverty in its poorest developing member countries. The loans are
expected to be fully used by the end of this year.

"The three economies have been among the worst hit in the region
by the crisis. Armenia and Tajikistan have seen a huge influx of
returning workers who have lost their jobs in the Russian Federation
and Kazakhstan, resulting in a sharp decline in remittance income,
private domestic spending, and government revenue. In Armenia,
real gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to contract by 9.5% in
2009. Tajikistan’s real GDP growth for 2009 is expected to be zero,
down from 8% in 2008. In Georgia, a loss of investor confidence and a
slump in foreign direct investment, sparked by the conflict of August
2008, have been exacerbated by the crisis, resulting in falling growth
and a decline in employment. Real GDP growth in 2009 is forecast to
be negative 1.5%," ADB informs.

ADB’s funding support will allow the governments to deal with negative
shocks to budget revenue and maintain core spending programs for
critical social needs such as welfare payments and social services for
vulnerable groups. It will also allow them to push through with public
investments designed to preserve and create new jobs for economic
recovery. The funds complement assistance from other multilateral
agencies and bilateral sources, including the International Monetary
Fund, World Bank and European Union, and are aligned with the crisis
mitigation programs of the three countries.

"ADB’s programs, in tandem with the initiatives of other development
partners, will support essential public spending to protect the poor
and vulnerable, as well as aid in the revival of the economies of the
three countries," said Xiaoyu Zhao, Vice President of ADB’s operations
in the region.

Armenia and Georgia joined ADB in 2005 and 2007 respectively, while
Tajikistan has been a member since 1998. To date, ADB has extended
assistance amounting to a total of $83 million, $110 million and $381
million to Armenia, Georgia and Tajikistan respectively.

2009 DARCHINYAN HOPES TO EQUAL FENECH!
Ray Wheatley

fightnews.com

IBF/WBC/WBA super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan who challenges
for the IBF bantamweight title against Joseph Agbeko at Sunrise,
Florida on Saturday, will equal Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech in winning
world titles in three weight divisions if successful. He has already
equalled Kostya Tszyu as a WBC/IBF/WBA champion.

Darchinyan who was born in Vanadzor, Armenia came to Australia
representing Armenia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He decided to base
himself in Australia and turned professional under the guidance of
former world champion Jeff Fenech. Darchinyan won the IBF flyweight
title on 2004 when he stopped Irene Pacheco in eleven rounds. He
captured the IBF super flyweight title by scoring a knockout in
five rounds over Dimitry Kirilov in 2008. Darchinyan equalled Kostya
Tszyu when he defeated, by knockout in nine rounds, WBC/WBA champion
Cristian Mijares in 2008 to win all major body orgainzation tites as
a super flyweight.

Pianist Hayk Melikyan gave concert in Yerevan
04.07.2009 19:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Young pianist Hayk Melikyan gave a concert in
Yerevan on July 4.
The program featured works by Komitas, Tigran Mansuryan, Vahram
Babayan, Levon Chaushyan, Iannis Xenakis, Ada Gentile, Salvatore
Sciarrino, Alexander Mossolov and Olivier Messiaen.
Levon Chaushyan’s `Déjà vu’ prelude was performed for the first time.
`I admire the music of the 20th century, that is why I included these
works in my program,’ Melikyan told a PanRMENIAN.Net reporter. `This
music demands freedom of mind, a specific philosophy.
Hayk Melikyan is a graduate of Yerevan State Conservatoire. He is the
author of three symphonic and choral compositions

GERARD TUFENKJIAN – HEAD OF THE AGBU LEBANON OFFICE

AZG Armenian Daily
03/07/2009

Diaspora

The Central Board of Directors of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU) recently appointed Gerard Tufenkjian as the Chairman of
the AGBU District Committee in Lebanon, "Armenian Mirror Spectator"
weekly June 20 issue reports.

Tufenkjian will replace Avetis Demirjian that held the position for
many years and continues to remain one of the benefactors of the
organization. The newly appointed Chairman is a Lebanese Armenian
businessman, one of the graduates of the AGBU Hovakimian-Manoogian
School and an active member of several organizations.

The AGBU Lebanon branch was founded in 1910. It has offices in Amanos,
Antilias, Beirut, Sin El Filum, Tripoli and Zahle.

Its spheres of activities are different – education, sport, theater,
health care, etc.

Demirjian community center, three Armenian schools (Tarouhy-Hovagimian
Middle & Secondary School, Levon Nazarian Elementary School and
Boghos Garmirian Elementary School), two medical centers, the Scouts,
as well as the Vahram Papazian Theatrical Group are in the center of
the AGBU solicitude.

POLAD BULBULOGLU: NEITHER ARMENIANS NOR AZERBAIJANIS WILL FLY SPACEWARD: BOTH PEOPLES WILL HAVE TO LIVE TOGETHER

ArmInfo
2009-07-03 12:24:00

ArmInfo. President of Nagorno Karabakh Bako Sahakyan and Ambassador
of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu has met in Stepanakert. As
ArmInfo correspondent from Stepanakert reports, Head of RF Federal
Agency of Culture and Cinematography, ex-Minister of Culture of Russia
Mikhail Shvydko, as well as a number of Azerbaijani parliamentarians
and Armenia’s Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan took part in the
meeting.

After the meeting, Bulbuloglu said they do not try to replace the
political process of the Karabakh conflict settlement by such a
meeting. He emphasized that hot debates were held this time unlike
the first visit. ‘We do not interfere with the negotiations between
the two countries’ presidents and foreign ministers, we just create
an opportunity for the people to communicate with each other in a
humanitarian context, the Azerbaijani diplomat said and added that
neither Armenians nor Azerbaijanis will fly spaceward. ‘Both peoples
will have to live together, and contacts in this format should be
further created as well’, he said.

To note, the Azerbaijani delegation crossed the contact line between
the NKR and Azerbaijan near Jraberd village of Martakert region.

ARMAN MUSINYAN: JULY 1’S ATTACK ON ANC ACTIVISTS WAS PRE-PLANNED

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.07.2009 16:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ ANC activists-related incident of June 1 was
misinterpreted by the police, ANC Press Secretary Arman Musinyan
told a news conference today. According to him, police was mistaken
not only about the reason but also the time of the incident. "Police
statement specified that the incident occurred at 8.30 p.m. whereas
at 7.50 p.m. ambulance car was already taking the injured to hospital.

"Fortunately, we obtained photos and video materials from the scene
of action. The materials proved the injured have been watched,"
Musinyan said, noting that the attackers’ actions were pre-planned,
and they were only waiting for an opportune moment to strike.

On July 1, unknown individuals assaulted ANC activists in Abovyan
street, Yerevan. Some of Congress members declaring about opposition’s
July 2 meeting were armed.

Attackers started beating activists, in an attempt to seize their
leaflets and loudspeakers. As a result, Sahak Mouradyan, Herbert
Gevorgyan and Tigran Arakelyan were moved to hospital with different
degrees of bodily damages, ANC says in a press release.