Author: Vardanian Garo

TRAIN IN ARMENIA DERAILED

news.am
Feb 26 2010
Armenia

Today, at 2 P.M. local time on segment of Ani-Bagrevand railroad
stations, Shirak region a train of 10 cars derailed.

"South Caucasus Railways" CJSC Press Secretary Vahe Davtyan informed
NEWS.am, that 5 of them were millet cars, 1 — cistern and the others –
various commodities. No casualties were reported. A fact-finding group
is assigned that arrived at the scene. Quite possibly relevant works
will be carried out on the site within next two days. A task force
will study the accident causes, as well as its consequences," he said.

WHO WILL BE THE 85TH PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE?

ics-lrahos16979.html
12:50:10 – 26/02/2010

Today, Bishop Sahak Mushalyan and Turkologist Tigran Lokmagozyan
presented the situation over the election of the Constantinople
patriarch.

As pointed out by Bishop Sahak, Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan is unable
to manage the affairs of the Patriarchate because of bad health
conditions. Since because of his illness he cannot voluntarily
abandon his duties, it was decided to elect a deputy patriarch,
who, however, will not be 85th Patriarch of Constantinople until the
death of Mesrop. According to the bishop Sahak, since 1461, when the
Patriarchate of Constantinople was established, this is the first
time the institute of the deputy patriarch is used.

‘Because only the Turkish government has the right to change the
patriarch, the options can be 4. State may agree with the idea of
the deputy patriarch or to elect a new patriarch, Patriarch Mesrob
will reign until his death and the Government will take the option
approved by the community", said the bishop.

According to Tigran Lokmagozyan, the community had not intended
to elect a new patriarch. During the congregation, led by national
authorities, it was decided to establish a proactive body, which was
supposed to make a decision. This body, having exceeded its powers,
took an unexpected decision to apply to the Turkish government with the
application of electing a new patriarch. However, it is a violation
of the law, because it is stated by the law that the patriarch must
either abandon his post himself, or he should remove the government.

ARMENIA HAS ROOM TO DOUBLE ITS PLANNED ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 2010

ARKA
Feb 25, 2010

YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. Armenia can enjoy two times higher
than the economic growth planned for 2010, if uses natural and human
resources properly, Tatul Manaseryan, adviser to Armenian Parliament
Speaker, said Thursday at a press conference.

"I think that 1.2% is quite modest outlook. Armenia has greater room
for stabilizing and developing its economy," he said.

Armenia, like the entire world, has overcome the peak of the economic
crisis, though it is still early to speak about a rally.

Manaseryan finds it important to distinguish between objective
circumstances, such as the global economic crisis, and local problems
that drove the national economy 14.4% down in 2009.

"It would be wrong to think that this decline was caused only by
outside pressures."

The lawmaker thinks that to remedy the situation Armenia should
create free economic zones, ease tax burden and set border zones for
free trade.

According to National Statistical Service of Armenia, the country’s
GDP grew 2.4% in January 2010, compared with the same month a year
before, but reduced 60.5%, compared with December 2009.

Armenia recorded 14.4% economic decline in 2009.

In the 2010 state budget, GDP growth is planned at 1.2%. ($1 = AMD
382.41).

SPANISH FM TO VISIT ARMENIA

news.am
Feb 25 2010
Armenia

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos will arrive in Armenia
in early March within the framework of his regional visit, diplomatic
sources informed NEWS.am.

No precise data of the visit is reported, however according to the
obtained information, Maratinos might visit Armenia on March 1.

Starting January 1, 2010 Spain assumed the presidency of the Council
of European Union. This is the fourth presidency of Spain within 20
years of its membership.

Top priorities of Spain’s presidency in EU will be launching techniques
of Lisbon Treaty, including the formation of EU diplomatic service

MANASERIAN: IT’S TOO EARLY TO SPEAK OF STABILIZATION

Aysor
Feb 25 2010
Armenia

"Not only in Armenia, but everywhere in the world, the economical
situation is improving; however, it’s too early to speak of
stabilization," said Tatul Manaserian, Adviser to the Speaker of the
Parliament of Armenia on Economic Affairs.

"Armenian economy has opportunities to enter the phase of
stabilization. In my opinion, predictions for 2010 are moderate,
if only all the resources, including human, financial and so on,
wouldn’t be used."

According to Tatul Manaserian, 2009’s cutback of economic activity of
Armenia wasn’t only caused by the global crisis. He said that it’s
necessary to separate reasons for the crisis in Armenia and reasons
for the world financial crisis.

When asked about the pensions and reforms in this sphere, Tatul
Manaserian said: "All those reforms that can damage people must be
given to a stop. Reforms in sphere of pensions should be carried in
accordance with the age groups. We need time, as we don’t have enough
background. Most people are used to old system. So it’s necessary to
avoid shakes."

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS REP.: ARMRUSGASPROM SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THE HIGHER IS GAS TARIFF THE LOWER IS CONSUMPTION

ArmInfo
2010-02-24 17:55:00

ArmInfo. ArmRusgasprom should understand that the higher is the gas
tariff the lower will be its consumption, says Vahagn Khachatryan,
a member of the opposition Armenian National Congress.

"Endlessly rising the tariff just relying on solvency of consumers
means biting the hand that feeds you. The government explains that
gas tariff has been increased even in Belarus. Such explanations are
baseless and negligent. The government accepts any explanations for
the rise of the gas tariff with apathy. The problem is that there is
no effective institute of public opinion in out country. The National
Forum of Trade Union in Ukraine has recently stopped the rise of
gas prices. One can hardly ever imagine such thing in Armenia,"
Khachatryan said. He believes that gas tariff may be increased to
legalize the financial flows for maintenance of shady economy. The
three-year investment program of ArmRusgasprom allows such conclusion.

"Expenditure items are extended at the expense of the work which
is actually carried out by the population. There are no capital
expenses because consumers pay even for the gas pipes laid up to their
apartments. I cannot understand how can they speak of social mission
buying gas for 180 if not for 154 dollars per 1000 cu m and reselling
it to the population for 350 dollars. Let’s suppose the gas tariff was
increased, the government should at least think of subsidies to the
low-income population. However, the subsidies should not be like those
in 2005-2007 when the government paid for subsidies with the waning
share in the capital of ArmRusgasprom Company," Khachatryan said.

To recall, the price for natural gas in Armenia starting April 1,
2010, will increase from $154 to $180 per 1 cub m. According to the
application, submitted by ArmRusgazprom CJSC to the Public Services
Regulatory Commission, it is offered to increase the tariff for
subscribers, consuming less than 10,000 cub m of gas per month, from
96,000 to 136,000 per 1000 cub m, while it is offered to calculate the
tariff for subscribers, consuming over 10,000 cub m, by the formula
256 Å … drams (E – dollar rate by CB as of the 25th day of the month
preceding the assessment one). The current formula makes up E x 215.

In January, ArmRusgazprom CJSC submitted an application to PSRC for
revision of gas tariffs. "The proposed tariffs are much lower than
those required to assure the existing level of development of the gas
transmission system and compensate all the economically justified
expenses. However, even in these conditions, the tariff may become
a load for consumers. Nevertheless, the process of price formation
is an economic category, and the cost of the service being provided
cannot be lower than its actual cost a long time. In conditions of
the current tariffs, the established average tariff makes up $246,9
in dram equivalent, and in the supposed – $293,5 in equivalent, or
about 19% increase in case of 17% growth of the purchase price. So,
2% difference cannot mean ‘surplus profit’, it just aims to reimburse
the required expenses, less regard to the fact that the value added
tax is transferred to the state budget from the sale price", the
company message says.

IRAN’S BANK MELLAT WINS RULING OVER TREASURY

Daily Telegraph
3:47PM GMT 24 Feb 2010
UK

Bank Mellat, the privately owned Iranian bank accused of providing
financial services to companies engaged in the country’s nuclear and
ballistic missile programmes, has won a "human rights" legal victory
in the High Court.

The bank is fighting to overturn a Treasury order stopping all
financial companies doing business with it. The Treasury acted "to
hamper Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes" by shutting
out Bank Mellat from the financial sector.

Mr Justice Mitting, sitting in London, declared on Wednesday that,
in its legal battle with the Treasury, the bank was entitled under
the European Convention on Human Rights to be treated in the same
way as an individual terror suspect challenging a control order.

Chinese businessman accused of using New York banks to buy Iran
materials to make nuclear weaponsBank Mellat was entitled to sufficient
information about the allegations being made against it to ensure a
fair hearing.

The judge said he was giving Government lawyers permission to appeal
because of the importance of his decision.

The Treasury made the order under the 2008 Counter-Terrorism Act last
October, and the bank is seeking to have it set aside on a number
of grounds.

In a preliminary hearing, the judge was asked to decide whether Article
6(1) of the human rights convention, which protects the right to a
fair hearing, applied to the proceedings.

It is a key issue as it determines the extent to which the Treasury has
to disclose to the bank its grounds for seeking to uphold the order.

Jonathan Swift QC argued on behalf of the Treasury that Article 6(1)
did not apply because the order under challenge was directed at UK
credit or financial institutions and did not directly determine the
bank’s civil rights or obligations.

The judge said the difficulty for the Treasury was in the evidence
supporting the order.

The Treasury said it was satisfied that Bank Mellat had "provided
financial services to companies engaged in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic
missile programmes".

It also stated the purpose of the order was "to hamper Iran’s nuclear
and ballistic missile programmes by shutting out Bank Mellat from the
UK financial sector – perhaps restricting its access to the global
financial system as well".

The judge ruled: "Thus the target of the order is Bank Mellat: it
will not serve its purpose unless Bank Mellat is cut off."

He said the order directly impinged "on the bank’s civil rights and
obligations" and Article 6(1) did apply.

The judge referred to a landmark decision of the House of Lords in
June last year in the case of "AF", a terror suspect challenging a
control order that restricted his movements.

The law lords ruled AF "must be given sufficient information about
the essential allegations against him" so that he could give effective
instructions to his legal advisers and receive a fair trial.

The judge said an order he had made for disclosure "was intended
only to ensure that the bank had the opportunity of giving effective
instructions about the essential allegations against it".

The court heard Bank Mellat has branches throughout Iran and in Turkey
and South Korea, as well as subsidiaries in Malaysia, Armenia and
the UK.

It owns 60pc of the shares in Persia International Bank (PIB),
through which it conducts most of its UK business.

A substantial part of that business is issuing letters of credit,
for which PIB acts as the advising and reimbursing bank.

The gross value of letters of credit issued in this way was about
[email protected] in 2008 and ~@970m in the first half of 2009.

At the time the Treasury order was made, the bank had approximately
~@185m in call/current and time deposit accounts with PIB.

The effect of the order was to prevent all persons operating in the
financial sector, including PIB, from taking part in any transaction
with the bank.

AIRPORT CONSTRUCTED IN KARABAKH

news.am
Feb 24 2010
Armenia

February 24, President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
visited Stepanakert airport.

NKR President familiarized himself with construction of the airport
passenger complex, NKR President Office Central Information Department
informed NEWS.am. Bako Sahakyan expressed content with the quality of
works at the same time noting the importance of putting the airport
completion due to set timetable.

NKR Premier Ara Haroutyunyan, Minister of Municipal Engineering
Anahit Vardanyan and other officials accompanied the President during
his visit.

GREEK STRIKE NOT TO AFFECT ARMENIAN FLIGHTS

news.am
feb 24 2010
Armenia

Today, a 24-hour nationwide strike initiated by private and public
trade unions against governmental policy is conducted in Greece.

Institutions, banks, schools, mass media as well as air services
withheld labour. Local air controllers, that support trade unions
against governmental moves on wage freeze also joined the action.

Thousands in Athens intend to march to the Parliament building.

Earlier, Greek authorities declared of public expenditures’ cut for
stabilization of huge national debt and budget deficit. The government
offered to freeze pay raise, reduce bonuses, as well as alter the
tax policy and pension plan.

Luckily, the strike will not affect Yerevan-Athens flights, and the
closest one is due on February 26, 2010.

AZERBAIJANI POLITICAL ANALYST: ARMENIA’S CURRENT AUTHORITIES ALREADY UNDERSTAND TIES WITH NEIGHBORS ARE VITAL
Z. Ahmadov

Today
2229.html
Feb 22 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political analyst Rasim Agayev.

The Armenian armed forces launched military maneuvers in the occupied
Azerbaijani territories a few day ago. Earlier, a skirmish, which
killed three Azerbaijani soldiers, occurred on the front line. How
you bind these events?

This is nothing, but Armenia’s attempts to obstruct process of peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. If we trace publications in the
Armenian press, we can draw two conclusions:

First, it is now widely believed that Armenia’s foreign policy leads
the country to a standstill. Even some of the Armenian ruling elite has
already taken steps to change country’s policy towards their Turkic
neighbors. There are certain forces in Yerevan which want to take
the country out of the vicious circle of Armenian expansion. They
already understand futility of their policy and want to make some
corrections in the relations with neighbors.

Secondly, corrections in Armenia’s policy to mitigate relations with
its Turkic neighbors are extremely disadvantageous for some forces.

Many experts say that Armenia still has forces that are more realistic
about the situation in the country and may be more "tractable" in
dialogue with Turkic neighbors. Do you think a time will come Armenia
will act more sensibly?

Armenia’s foreign policy which has landed the country in an unenviable
position, as well as world economic crisis which has hit Armenia very
strongly makes one have a different look at the situation. There is
some changes even in Armenia’s politics towards Turkey and Azerbaijan.

It is another question whether Armenia will have enough courage to
turn these changes to real steps for the complete reformation of
relations with its neighbors.

Many opposition members were arrested in anti-government rallies in
Yerevan recently. What can happen in Armenia next in connection with
the unrest?

Serzh Sargsyan’s party does not want to compromise to Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s party in no case not only because of the fact that
the current Armenian President has obligations to his voters, but
also with the fact that he has obligations to external forces.

I do not think that periodic demonstrations against the ruling
authorities suggest that Ter-Petrossian enjoys broad support in the
country. Serzh Sargsyan regime is still ruling in Armenia, and he
holds main levers of power. The factor that plays against Levon
Ter-Petrosyan is the that during his presidency he was one step
away from the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. But, as you know,
Levon Ter-Petrosian surrendered to the military junta.

It should be noted any power comes on a wave of nationalist rhetoric in
Armenia. But, once on top, it understands that it is impossible to feed
the country only by ideology. In order to achieve social prosperity it
is vital to establish good relations with neighbors. In my opinion, the
current authorities in Yerevan have already understood this objective
reality. They will have to make concessions in the Karabakh issue,
how hard it may seem.

At the moment Armenia’s parliamentary commission is discussing the
Armenian-Turkish protocols. What is your forecast about its future
destiny?

I think Armenia will delay ratification of the Zurich protocols
and will try, as before, to have any impact on the U.S. Congress
in terms of recognition of "Armenian genocide". But Congress is
unlikely to recognize the "genocide". Strategic relationship with
Ankara are of great interest for Washington. Most likely, President
Barack Obama will come up with another term in order to not use the
word "genocide". Washington is not interested in adopting this bill,
because in this way, it would deprive itself of the lever of pressure
on Ankara.

On the other hand, the U.S. is not less than Armenia is interested
in opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. Therefore, Armenia’s slow
moves to ratify the Zurich protocols may irritate Washington.