Author: Vardanian Garo

ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK REGISTERS NEW BRANCHES OF ARMBUSINESSBANK AND ARMECONOMBANK

arminfo
2007-07-06 12:50:00

The Central Bank of Armenia (CB) has registered new branches of
Armbusinessbank (ABB) and Armeconombank, CB press-service told
ArmInfo. CB Chairman made a relevant decision on July 3 2007.

These are the new branches of ABB: Stepanakert (Stepanakert city,
st.Lusavorich 31), Vardanants (Yerevan city, st. Vardanats 6/1)
and Kajaran (town of Kajaran, st. Lernagortsi 15 ). The new branches
of Armeconombank are Noragavit (Yerevan, st.Arshakunyats 127/2). In
addition, the CB registered the new address Nor Horizon UCC branch
Vanadzor (town of Vanadzor, st. Tigran Mets 48/1).

As of January 1 2007, ABB branch network comprised 1 branch in the
capital city, and Armeconombank had 43 branches (18 in the capital
city, 24 in regions and 1 in NKR). Armeconombank occupies the third
position in the banking system of Armenia by the number of affiliated
banks.

Nor Horizon UCC, which was licensed by the CB in March 2006, had 4
branched in the towns of Ijevan, Sevan, Kapan and Vanadzor.

"NORVIK" PLANS TO INCREASE ITS AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK FOR 700MLN AMD

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2007

Yerevan, July 4 /Mediamax/. The authorized capital stock of "Norvik"
Universal Credit Organization is planned to be increased for 700mln
AMD in the nearest future.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of "Norvik", at present
the authorized capital stock of the organization makes 614mln AMD.

A year ago, on July 4 of 2006, the Board of the Central Bank of
Armenia granted a license to "Norvik" Universal Credit Organization.

The number of customers of "Norvik" made 11 thousands in the first
half of 2007. The assets of the organization make about $26mln, 98%
of which represent credit investments.

The press service of "Norvik" noted that the organization plans to
extend the format of its activities in Armenia, gaining a license
for realizing banking activities.

Mediamax recalls that "Norvik" is the subsidiary structure of the
Latvian-Icelandic ÀÎ LATEKO BANKA.

In October of 2006, the President of ÀÎ LATEKO BANKA Andrey Svirchenkov
stated that "Norvik" plans to annually increase its credit portfolio
for $20mln.

–Boundary_(ID_9s7PfU2oeBrZdFXgF0QfIA)–

LET’S GIVE ARMENIAN NAMES TO CHILDREN

KarabakhOpen
03-07-2007 11:52:06

The youth election headquarters which said to support Bako Sahakyan
continues pre-election events. The press service of the headquarters
reported to KarabakhOpen.com that the youth organizations held an
event "Let’s give Armenian names to children." The event was held at
the Republic Maternity Hospital. A list of Armenian names was made
which will be hung in all the maternity wards.

According to the message of the press service, the staff of the
maternity hospital approved this initiative. According to the head
of the Center of Mother and Child Health V. Osipov, the rate of birth
has increased in Stepanakert over the past year.

The young people gave presents to future mothers.

BORIS TADIC: RESOLUTION OF SOUTH CAUCASUS CONFLICTS MAY DEPEND ON KOSOVO DECISION

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.07.2007 15:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Resolution of the Kosovo conflict may change the
situation in the South Caucasus, Serbian President, Chairman of the
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE), Boris Tadic,
said in Strasbourg July 2.

Settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus would depend upon the
decision on Kosovo, according to him.

"Kosovo could serve as a precedent for other conflicts. I am hopeful
Kosovo will not be granted independence," he said.

The Serbian President added that irrespective of the decision on Kosovo
he will support the territorial integrity of Serbia. A rash decision
can create problems in many other areas, particularly energy, he noted.

Tadic believes that the situation in Kosovo is similar to Nagorno
Karabakh, Abkhazia, Turkey, Ukraine and Romania. All countries of
the Black Sea region have come across identical problems, he said.

Stressing the necessity of studying the conflicts accurately, Tadic
said officials do not analyze the situation well enough. "We should not
make references to history when speaking on resolution of conflicts,"
the Serbian President stated, Trend reports.

MUTUAL VISITS OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS BROUGHT NEW ELEMENTS TO PROCESS OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT: DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RULING PARTY (VIDEO)

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
s2.pl?newsId=951045&lang=EN
July 3 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend E.Huseynly / The Deputy Chairman
and Executive Secretary of ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Ali
Ahmadov, informed Trend that the mutual visits of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian intellectuals brought new elements to the process of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.

According to him, one of the arguments brought by Armenia was to
gain confidence between the sides. "Exactly from this point of
view, it is worthy to consider the essence and importance of the
action. Exactly therefore the visit of Azerbaijani intellectuals to the
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia should be accepted normally. Azerbaijan
has not changed its position," Ahmadov said. He considers that the
visits of intellectuals only enriched talks. According to him, in the
event of a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
population of Armenian nationality residing in the Nagorno-Karabakh
will be considered as citizens of Azerbaijan.

In addition, Ahmadov clarified the format of the meeting of the
intellectuals with Arkadi Kukasyan. According to him, the President
of the separatist regime in the Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkadi Kukasyan,
is recognized by neither intellectuals nor any States worldwide.

"Kukasyan is only recognized as a representative of the Armenian
community in theNagorno-Karabakh," Ahmadov said.

"If the meeting brings new elements to the process of talks, assists in
establishing confidence between people and the interests of Azerbaijan
are taken into consideration, it is worth continuing", Ahmadov said.

"The Government makes all efforts for a settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said adding that
Azerbaijan’s key task includes releasing occupied lands and returning
internally displaced persons to their native lands.

" Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that it tries to use all possible
means to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The President of
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, stated that if it is impossible to peacefully
resolve the conflict, Azerbaijan will use other means.

>>From this point of view, Azerbaijan’s position in the settlement
of the conflict is clear. Other conditions are inadmissible for us,"
Ahmadov stressed.

NAP was established in 1992 by the President of the Supreme Assembly
of the Nakchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev.

The present Chairman of the Party is the President of Azerbaijan,
Ilham Aliyev.

PanARMENIAN.Net

AXA published list of Genocide victims insured till 1915
30.06.2007 15:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ AXA French Insurance Company has published the list
of people who were insured by its Turkish branch till 1915 and who
fell victims to the Armenian Genocide. Heirs of the Genocide victims,
who find last names of their ancestors in the list, should file an
application till October 1, 2007.

Besides, those who are sure that their ancestors were insured by AXA
can also submit applications. According to an agreement concluded with
the company, AXA will assign $17 million in all. $3 million will be
allocated to Armenian benevolent organizations functioning in
France. $3 million will cover the costs and will also be spent on
notifications to the victims’ relations. $11 million will be allotted
to the fund that will start paying insurance fees.

The lists of people insured by AXA are posted on

U.S.: AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA SHOULD HAVE MORE CONTACTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.06.2007 17:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The United States appraises the exchange of visit
by Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals. We regard that there should
be more contact between these two countries," the U.S. Embassy Public
Affairs Officer Jonathan Henick said.

"We regard that such visits, relations between the journalists would
reduce the tension over the conflict. That is a good step, such visits
would help to reach a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict," the Embassy officer said.

The diplomat saying that mutual visits of Azerbaijani and Armenian
intellectuals were not held on the initiative of OSCE Minsk Group
stated that such steps should be approved in any case.

"Since the Presidents and Foreign Ministers negotiate why not
representatives of other strata of the society maintain contact?" he
concluded, APA reports.

Yesterday the Azeri delegation led by Polad Bul-Bul-ogly, Azerbaijani
Ambassador to Russia, crossed the mine-free sector of the contact
line between the Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forced, on
Mardakert-Terter (Mir Bashir) road. The delegation was accompanied to
Stepanakert by representatives of the Karabakhi side. A delegation
of Armenian intelligentsia led by Armen Smbatian, RA Ambassador to
Russia also arrived in the NKR capital.

Afterwards, the delegations made for Yerevan to meet Armenian President
Robert Kocharian.

The visit was organized by initiative of both Ambassadors.

SOCIOPOLITICAL FORCES CONDEMN VISIT OF AZERBAIJAN’S AMBASSADOR TO NAGORNO KARABAKH

arminfo
2007-06-29 11:01:00

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry decided to comment on the visit of
Polad Bulbul oglu to Nagorno Karabakh (NK). "The trip to Karabakh is
a personal initiative of the two ambassadors, two former culture
ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia," TURAN was told by the
representative of the Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibrahim.

According to Ibrahim, in Khankend a meeting with representatives
of the NK community took place. This meeting cannot be considered
as recognition of NK as a side to the conflict because it was
the ambassador’s personal initiative, Ibrahim said. However,
representatives of civil society do not agree.

"It is a shame and disgrace," this is how the leader of the Karabakh
Liberation Movement Akif Nagi assessed the visit.

"The ambassador must respond for this. This question will be in
particular discussed at our meeting on July 3. Even now it is clear
that we will bring up the question to call the ambassador back,"
he said.

Ex-advisor for foreign policy Vafa Guluzade considers that it was an
"inadmissible step" on the part of the Ambassador.

"It runs counter to appeals of the authorities not to make visits
to Armenia and NK until the conflict is settled. Though it is
absolutely clear that Polad Bulbuloglu would hardly go to NK on his
own initiative," Guluzade said. The leader of Musavat Party Isa Gamber
was surprised by this visit.

Insufficiency of information does not allow clarification of the
situation to explain to society what is taking place, said Gamber.

The leader of the Democratic Party Sardar Jalaloglu said that the
ambassador was not authorized to speak on behalf of the state. The
"dangerous" moment is to present the NK as a side to the conflict. At
the same time, he considers the citizens of NK Azerbaijan’s citizens
and "it is not reasonable" to give a political estimation to this trip,
Jalaloglu said. The leader of PPFA Ali Kerimli stated the authorities
must immediately explain why they sent Bulbuloglu to NK, at any rate
the meeting of an official with separatists is an attempt to present
it as a side to the conflict.

For many years Armenian diplomacy has tried to obtain success in this
direction, but could not manage. Now Azerbaijan has lost this only
privilege, Kerimli aid.

Human rights activist Murad Sadaddinov said that the visit to Karabakh
demonstrates the authorities’ hypocrisy. "If human rights activists do
this they throw eggs into them and insult them on TV. I wonder what
they will do now to our false patriots, if it was the ambassador’s
personal initiative to go to NK?" Sadaddinov said.

ARMENIA’S GOVERNMENT APPROVES NATIONAL PROGRAM ON COMBAT AGAINST MEASLES, RUBELLA AND MUMPS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 28 2007

YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Government approved the National
program on liquidating the local cases of such diseases as measles
and rubella, control over mumps and prevention of inborn rubella
syndrome for 2007-2010, said Head of State hygiene and antiepidemic
inspection Artavazd Vanyan.

"Despite significant success in reducing cases of measles, the disease
still remains one of the most dangerous infectious diseases causing
infant mortality," he said and added that 10% of infant mortality
fell to measles.

Vanyan pointed out that rubella being a less grave disease than measles
has more serious consequences affecting the development of a fetus.

He said that to struggle with such a dangerous disease, the WHO
adopted a strategy for combat against measles in the European region
up to 2010.

"The analysis of the epidemiological situation in Armenia shows that
at present low level of measles is recorded, despite the fact that
after seven years of slack, epidemic of measles was recorded in the
country in 2004-2005," he said.

According to Vanyan, within the national program first of all it is
intended to conduct mass injections. He said that the adoption of
the program will give a possibility to improve the epidemiological
situation in Armenia by enhancing laboratory base, raising public
awareness.

AZERBAIJANI POLITICAL EXPERTS RULE OUT OPENING OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
June 27 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend I.Alizade / Vafa Guluzade, former
Azerbaijani adviser on foreign policy and political expert, said that
Ankara is to make the decision on the opening of the Turkish-Armenian
border and Oskanian [Armenian Foreign Minister] is unaware of the issue
he is speaking of. He was commenting on a statement by the Armenian
Foreign Minister on the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.

Guluzade noted that Turkey may open its border with the neighbouring
country as a result of pressure from the US Government and the Armenian
lobby of the United States. "However, in exchange Turkey could achieve
something. Turkey will not open its border," he added.

The issue on the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border does not
depend on political forces which will come to state power. This is
Ankara’s state policy.

" Armenia still accuses Turkey of the alleged ‘Armenian genocide’
and is still occupying Azerbaijani territory. Therefore, the border
will not be opened," he stressed.

The borders will be kept closed until Armenia is Russia’s ally. The
Turkish-Armenian border is closed due to Russia’s policy.

" Russia is decisively against the opening of borders, because Turkey
is a NATO member-country and once the borders are open Armenia,
an outpost of Russia, will establish economic bonds with this country.

As a result Armenia will slowly move away from Russia and come close
to NATO. So, Moscow will not allow the opening of the border."

Guluzade stressed.

Rasim Muzabayev, a political scientist, said that no political force
in Turkey is willing to establish relations with Armenia despite
Armenia’s dreams. Oskanian’s hope in this issue is groundless.

He explained the non-opening of the borders with Armenia’s groundless
claims on Turkey.

"However, Azerbaijan occupies an important place in Turkey’s policy.

Armenia’s groundless claims on Turkey and the occupation of the
Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia greatly affect the issue," he noted.

If Armenian back down from their claims on Turkey a proposal on
opening of borders will be included in the agenda and Ankara will
certainly hold consultations with Azerbaijan on this issue.

Meanwhile, the Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan Oskanian, stated
after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul that Turkey
should open its border with Armenia. Talking to journalists Oskanian
noted the importance of commencing economic cooperation. He voiced his
hopes that after the 22 July parliamentary elections in Turkey the new
Government will consider the issue of the opening of the state border.

Turkey closed its state border with Armenia in 1993 to protest the
occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory by Armenians. Ankara
and Yerevan are in disagreement on the alleged ‘Armenian genocide’,
which Armenia says occurred in 1915.

Ankara stated that it will not open its borders with Armenia until
the latter withdraws its troops from the occupied territory of
Azerbaijan. Turkey proposed establishing a joint commission to set
up research into the events of 1915.