Author: Vanyan Gary

1.5 BILLION FOR BUILDING HOUSES

KarabakhOpen
23-08-2007 11:22:35

In 2007 the government has foreseen 1573 million dollars for building
houses. We learned from the ministry of urban planning that 400
million will be spent to build houses for the military personnel,
200 million for the families of killed soldiers.

864.5 million will be spent in Stepanakert, 63.6 million in the
region of Askeran, 70.8 million in Martakert, 59.3 million in Martuni,
38.2 million in Hadrut 46.2 million in Shushi.

FESTIVE PROCESSION ORGANIZED IN YEREVAN ON OCCASION OF 120th ANNIVERSARY OF SDHP’S FOUNDATION

Noyan Tapan
Aug 23, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, NOYAN TAPAN. A festive procession from Yerevan’s
Republic Square to Freedom Square was organized on August 23 on the
occasion of the 120th anniversary of founadtion of the Social Democrat
Hunchakian Party (SDHP) on the initiative of the SDHP’s Sargis Tkhruni
student union.

The band of nearly 80 young people of Aleppo’s Armenian Gymnastic
Union was participating in the procession.

In the words of the union chairman Narek Galstian, the choice of
this day was symbolic as the 17th anniversary of adoption of the
Declaration of Independence of the third Republic of Armenia is
celebrated today. "During the festivities, the other members of our
party visited Tsitsernakaberd and Erablur, laying a wreath at the
memorial monument to the victims of the Armenian Genocide," he said.

AFK "SISTEMA" IS NEGOTIATING ON THE PURCHASE OF "KH-TELECOM" COMPANY

Mediamax
Aug 21 2007
Armenia

Yerevan, August 21 /Mediamax/. Russian AFK "Sistema" (MTS mobile
operator) is negotiating on the purchase of "KH-Telecom" Company
(VivaCell trademark) – the largest mobile operator in Armenia.

The Russian "Vedomosti" newspaper reported this today, referring to
the President of AFK "Sistema" Aleksandr Goncharuk. He stated that
the negotiations on the purchase of "KH-Telecom" continue, and it is
not clear when the deal may be concluded.

The newspaper also states that analysts assess "KH-Telecom" Company
to a sum of $600mln.

On July 12 of 2007, the General Director of VivaCell Ralph Yirikian
refuted the statements on the possible sale of the Company. He compared
VivaCell "to an 18-year-old young lady, who has many worshippers,
who want to tie their lives with hers". However, he noted, "the young
lady does not want to get married, but she wants to realize her plans".

On August 15 of 2007, commenting in an interview to Mediamax on the
statements, according to which the representatives of MTS arrived in
Yerevan to carry out the final assessment of the cost of VivaCell,
Spokeswoman of MTS Irina Osadchaya stated that "our stance remains
unchanged – we are interested in acquisitions in Armenia and we are
examining all the possibilities on this market".

MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia as to its subscribers
and the volume of profit. It maintains 78,5mln subscribers in Russia
and other CIS states. 52,8% of its shares belong to AFK "Sistema",
about 40% is put on trade on the New York Stock Exchange in ADR.

Capitalization of MTC as of August 20 makes $23,3bln, the net profit
for 2006 – $1.08bln.

LOCAL ELECTIONS WITHOUT OPPOSITION

Lragir.am
21-08-2007 12:21:43

On October 14, 161 of 226 communities of Nagorno-Karabakh will hold
elections to heads of municipalities, 217 communities will hold
elections to councils. Stepanakert will elect a mayor. It will be
the fourth local election in Nagorno-Karabakh.

No official statements were made yet. The nomination of candidates is
expected in September. The post of the mayor of Stepanakert will be in
the focus, where almost half of the population of Karabakh lives. Now
the mayor is Edward Aghabekyan, the chair of the oppositionist
Movement 88 Party, who defeated the candidate supported by the
government. However, on the eve of the NKR presidential election on
July 19 Mayor Aghabekyan joined the political leaders who supported
Bako Sahakyan, the president elect. The mayor has not stated to run for
a second term. Nevertheless, no political struggle is expected in the
local election because all the parties of Karabakh have endorsed the
president elect, and the notion of opposition has undergone atrophy.

Some analysts think the former presidential candidate Masis Mayilyan
who got 13 percent must replace the opposition. Pro-government analysts
even advise Masis Mayilyan to set up a political party and try the
local election.

Apparently, however, the upcoming local election in Nagorno-Karabakh
will be without opposition.

CONSULTATIONS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CIS COUNTRIES WERE HELD IN RF FM CONCERNING AGENDA OF FORTHCOMING UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION

arminfo
2007-08-14 11:01:00

According to the Plan of multilevel consultations among foreign
ministries within the frames of CIS for 2007, traditional consultations
of representatives of CIS member- states were held on August 10
in RF Foreign Ministry on the threshold of the forthcoming 62nd
session of the UN General Assembly to be held on September 18,
2007. As RF FM’s press-service reports, representatives of Azerbaijan
(as observers), Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Russia,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine (as observers) and CIS Executive
Committee took part in the consultations, chaired by Director of the
Department of international organizations of RF FM A. Konuzin.

Constructive exchange of opinions confirmed coincidence or closeness
of positions of CIS member- states on priority directions of the UN,
a common interest in strengthening of the Organizations central role
‘in the world affairs. Participants of consultations were unanimous
in assessment of importance of the forthcoming session called to
consolidate the efforts of the world community in the struggle against
global challenges and threats, as well as contribute to enhancement of
efficiency of the UN collective security system. Necessity in further
deepening of practical interaction and coordination of CIS member-
states on a number of urgent issues of the forthcoming session’s
agenda for the Commonwealth was emphasized. Importance of maximum
actuation of collective mechanisms and potential of the UN for
neutralization of the regional security challenges, proceeding from
the international terrorism and extremism, as well as assistance in
economic development and CIS space was stressed. The consultations
were held in a warm and sincere atmosphere.

Israel Insider, Israel
Aug 10 2007

Security guard thwarts attack by gunman in Jerusalem’s old city

By: Israel Insider staff
Published: August 10, 2007

A 20-year-old Arab man who was planning to carry out an attack, was
killed after shooting a security guard in Jerusalem?s old city and
stealing his gun. Ten people were wounded in the ensuing gun fight ?
7 severely, and three moderately. Among them were six Jews, two
Armenians and two Muslims.

The man attacked the security guard, shooting him in the chest twice,
and took his firearm. A second security guard pursued the assailant.
The attacker died in the gun fight that followed.

"[This was] and excellent reaction by the guard. The execution and
the professional reaction was exemplary," Police Insp.-Gen. David
Cohen said, the Jerusalem Post reported. "The security system in
Jerusalem has once again proven that its deployment is fitting and on
a high professional level."

The incident occurred in the Old City’s Ateret Cohanim yeshiva in the
Christian Quarter.

The gunman was not carrying any identification, but is from the area.
Police are currently trying to locate his family.

Police raised the alert level ahead of Friday prayers in the Old City
following the incident, Haaretz reported.

Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen said that, "East Jerusalem security is
at its maximum level, and people can come visit."

WORLD BANK IMPLEMENTS 4 AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA

arminfo
2007-08-10 18:15:00

World Bank implements 4 programs in the sphere of agriculture
in Armenia, including renders technical assistance in food safety
provision in Armenia. Director of the program of assistance in state
reforms by the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia Gagik Khachatryan
made the above statement at a Roundtable on the topic "Food safety
problems and the main ways to overcome them," Friday.

Despite the implementation of a number of food safety programs in
Armenia, food safety problem is still acute for lack of necessary
laboratories, specialists and equipment, he said. Import of food
control equipment in the country is expected till 2013. "We have
studied international experience in this constantly developing sphere,
which is of great importance for Armenia."

For his part, representative of the WB Armenia Office Artavazd
Hakobyan said Armenia is still at the stage of transitional period in
market economy. Due to WB assistance, Armenia implements agricultural
programs on development of irrigation systems and small business,
prevention of avian flue etc..

ARMENIAN SOLDIER GIVING UP TO AZERBAIJANI SIDE REFUSES TO RETURN HOME COUNTRY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 9 2007

Armenian soldier Ambarsum Asaturyan, who gave himself up to Azerbaijani
side on August 4, this year, does not want to return to his home
country.

Well-informed sources told APA Asaturyan attributes this step to the
deteriorated situation in Armenian Army, assault on his family by law
enforcement bodies and fears that he will be prosecuted if he returns.

Asaturyan broke out the military unit and trespassed on Azerbaijani
territory on August 4. He attributed the case to bullying in Armenian
Army.

ARARATBANK TO MAKE FIRST REPAYMENT OF ITS BONDS

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
Aug 8 2007

Yerevan, August 8 /Mediamax/. On August 10, ARARATBANK CJSC will
make the first repayment of its coupon bonds listed at Armenian Stock
Exchange at Abond level.

The repayment will be by way of cash or cashless payment to the bond
holders, Mediamax was told in the ARARATBANK CJSC press service.

The payments will be realized on the base of the register of stock
holders fixed in Armenian Central Depository as of 18:00, August 9.

ARARATBANK dealing centre director David Harutiunian said that the
realization of payments in the period of stock circulation makes this
instrument more attractive for the investors.

ARARATBANK CJSC coupon bonds with the circulation term of 12 months
to the nominal value of 10.000 drams and annual interest rate of 8%
were placed this May 10.

SOLDIER DEATHS, COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, DESERTION, CORRUPTION CASES BURST OUT IN ARMENIAN ARMY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 8 2007

Solder deaths, communicable diseases, desertion, corruption in military
administration are widespread in Armenia’s Army. All these factors
lead to draft evading in Armenian armed forces.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry information department told APA quoting
Greta Mirzoyan, head of "Zinvori Mayr" (Solders’ Mothers) Committee.

Mirzoyan said soldiers’ suffering from hunger in a military unit was
filmed and made public.

Armenian Military Prosecutor’s Office reports that desertion made up
74% of all crimes in the army in 2006. However, Defense Ministry does
not make public these factors. Desertion cases occur in the military
units dislocated in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, near the
front line. Draftees have been taken to military registration and
enlistment offices by force from public places since the military
operations started on the front. Military officers often go to
draftees, threaten them at their homes. Those who cannot present
necessary document or cannot afford to give bribe in return of evading
draft are taken to military units.

According to independent sources, parents of draftees have to pay
$4,000 in order to avoid serving in the military units dislocated
in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Solder of a military unit
in Noyemeryan region of Armenia, Ovanes Meltonyan committed suicide
on July 7, 2007. According to official version, 19-year-old Armenian
soldier O. Meltoniyan fired at himself. His parents, however, deny
this version. They say their son, second-year student of Agriculture
Academy was murdered. The breaks, injuries, handrprints on his body
prove this version.

Greta Mirzoyan also said drunkard officers in a military unit pushed
other servicemen to a ravine. In another military unit, military
officers spread honey on a young soldier and made them die by biting
of different insects. In Kanaker regiment newly drafted soldier was
beaten to death on the very day, who died in the hospital.

Mikhael Danielyan, member of Armenian Helsinki Association for human
rights reported that nearly 800 soldiers die in Armenian armed forces
every year because of bullying.