Author: Vardanian Garo

TAXI OPERATIONS LEGALIZATION BRINGS AMD 20 MILLION TO ARMENIA’S 2009 STATE BUDGET

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
21.12.2009 15:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Ministry of Transport and Communication
reached certain success in the sphere of taxi operations licensing
and road traffic order improvement, Transport and Communication Gurgen
Sargsyan stated.

"In 2009, around 2 735 operating taxis were licensed, bringing AMD
20 million to Armenia’s 2009 state budget, against AMD 12 million in
2008," he told a news conference in Yerevan.

"The process will become more consistent in nature; we envisage making
further amendments in the sphere," he concluded.

DAVID NALBANDIAN: I FEEL BETTER AND BETTER WITH EVERY OTHER MATCH

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
21.12.2009 15:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Former world number three, Argentinean Armenian
tennis player David Nalbandian dwelled on his primary goal for the
coming season.

Recall that a 27-year-old Nalbandian won the showcase tournament in
Argentina-2009 Cup (Copa Argentina) at Buenos Aires. In the finals
David Nalbandian defeated twice Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) with the
same score 6:4. The latter was a finalist of Australian Open-2006.

"I am satisfied, since I feel better and better with every other
match. Physically I feel myself great, nothing bothers me, no
injuries. It is important now to be at peak by the start of 2010
season," the tennis player said.

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO PROVIDE 1 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY ON IRAN-ARMENIA RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

NOYAN TAPAN
December 21, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The Asian Development Bank has
already agreed to provide a one million dollar grant for a feasibility
study on the Iran-Armenia railway construction project, RA Minister
of Transport and Communication Gurgen Sargsyan said at the December
21 press conference, adding that an international tender to choose a
consulting company will be announced in early 2010, and the feasibility
study will begin in the spring. In his words, the Iranian side also
expressed a willingness to finance the project.

As for the work done in the communication sector, G. Sargsyan said
that three companies: ArmenTel, VivaCell, and Orange Armenia (since
November 5) provide mobile services in Armenia at present. The
indicated companies were among the top ten on the list of biggest
taxpayers in the country.

It was mentioned that Television and Radio Broadcasting Network of
Armenia CJSC has modernized the television broadcasting network of
Vayots Dzor marz this year, thanks to which the quality of broadcasting
services has improved in several communities, including Getap, Chiva,
Rind, Aghavnadzor, Arpi and Elpin.

RA MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION IMPLEMENTS THREE PROJECTS ON ROAD REHABILITATION IN 2009

NOYAN TAPAN
December 21, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Transport and
Communication has implemented three projects on road rehabilitation
in 2009: the RA state budget-financed project on rehabilitation of
motorways of state importance, the Asian Development Bank-financed
Rural Road project, and the World Bank’s Lifeline Road Improvement
Project.

As Minister Gurgen Sargsyan said during the December 21 press
conference, repairs of 9.9 billion drams were carried out with state
budget allocations this year. Under the Asian Development Bank-financed
project of the total cost of 64.84 million USD (including 16.92 million
USD as co-financing of the Armenian government), 227 km of roads will
be rehabilitated in Gegharkunik, Armavir, Ararat and Kotayk marzes.

Rehabilitation of more than 140 km of road sections was completed in
2009, and the remaining 87 km will be repaired in 2010. According
to the minister, 100 km of roads of local importance in 7 marzes
were rehabilitated this year under the World Bank’s Lifeline Road
Improvement Project, thus ensuring a road network for 71 thousand
people in 39 communities. The total cost of the project is 30.4
million USD, including the Armenian government’s co-financing of 5.4
million USD.

Rehabilitation of roads of the total length of 18.5 km started in
July with money saved during construction work tenders. Besides,
additional financing of 36.6 million USD was allocated under the above
mentioned project of the World Bank, while the Armenian government
provided co-financing of 9.1 million USD. 140 km of roads will be
rehabilitated under the project: rehabilitation of 36 km began in
September, work on the remaining part is scheduled to start in 2010.

G. Sargsyan said that in 2009 German-Austrian ILF company developed a
concept on implementation of the North-South Highway projects, while
Padeco company (Japan) conducted a feasibility study on the highway
construction. The Asian Development Bank declared it will give 500
million USD for the project’s implementation, with 60 million USD to
be allocated at the first stage in 2010. By preliminary estimates,
the total cost of the project amounts to 962 million USD.

PREMIER’S CONGRATULATIONS TO NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE STAFF

Friday , 18 December 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan took part in a celebratory event
dedicated to the Day of National Security Service Staff.

Tigran Sargsyan handed over the shoulder-straps of colonel-general
to Director of National Security Service Gorik Hakobyan and those
of lieutenant-general – to NSC deputy directors Romik Harutunyan
and Felix Tsolakyan who were granted these military ranks yesterday
under a presidential decree. The Prime Minister also handed in high
State awards to a number of security service staff as decreed by the
President of the Republic of Armenia.

UKRAINE’S INTER TV CHANNEL COMMENTS ON FRAGMENT ABOUT NAGORNO KARABAKH

news.az
Dec 21 2009
Azerbaijan

Inter TV Inter channel of Ukraine commented on the fragment about
Nagorno Karabakh.

The press service of the channel told that the aim of the fragment
broadcasted on December 6 was not to cover the conflict.

"This fragment was prepared in the journalistic genre. Realizing the
situation around Nagorno Karabakh conflict Inter channel did not plan
to prepare and demonstrate the fragment about the legal, actual and
other political statuses of Nagorno Karabakh. The fragment demonstrated
on December 6 was devoted to this region and its residents, not
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The aim of the fragment was to describe
only everyday life in Nagorno Karabakh."

The press service said the assessments, emotions of the heroes of
the fragment belong to them as local residents.

"Inter channel does not share these opinions. We cover the lifestyle
of the people living in different parts of Ukraine and the world,
including Nagorno Karabakh," the press service said.

It was noted that taking into account the urgency of the problem the
channel is ready to cover it with participation of all conflicting
parties.

"We are ready to cover the positions of all conflicting parties and
would be grateful to those will cooperate with us in this."

Azerbaijan has sent a note to Ukraine. Official Kiev has not answered
the note yet.

ARMENIAN SIDE ADOPTED WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH: HURRIYET

news.am
Dec 18 2009
Armenia

Armenia-Turkey rapprochement is seemed to be reaching critical point
since Protocols’ signing, December 18 Hurriyet Daily reads.

The daily recalls that neither of the sides ratified the documents
yet, quoting Vigen Sargsyan, the Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff
as saying, "March will be the point of no return. Each morning it
will be more difficult to do this than the day before." According
to the source, he is "sending a strong signal that Yerevan might
withdraw its signatures from the protocols if Turkey does not push
them through its Parliament."

"Ankara says it will not ratify the protocols, which would open the
border between two countries in two months, until it sees progress
in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the article reads.

Presently a group of Turkish journalists is on a visit to Yerevan and
according to Hurriyet, the most frequent question they are asked is
when or whether Turkey will ratify the Protocols.

"The Armenian side has adopted a wait-and-see approach until Turkey
takes a step in that direction.

Diplomatic sources say Turkey’s approach is negatively impacting
the solution process in the frozen conflict, which is a legacy of
the Soviet Union, and if Turkey wants to make a contribution to the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, then it should stop
linking the two processes together.

This time the new deadline is April 24, 2010, which marks the 95th
anniversary of the Armenian commemoration. Sources say that the closer
this date comes, the more difficult it will be to ratify the protocols
in Yerevan with wide public support," the Hurriyet concludes.

TWO AGREEMENTS SIGNED IN FRAMES OF "MCA – ARMENIA" FUND’S PROGRAM IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.12.2009 17:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Two agreements were signed December 18in frames of
"Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia" Fund’s program in Yerevan:
"Restoration of Ararat valley’s drainage system" of USD 7.6 million
(contractor – Sahakshin CJSC) and "Restoration of third degree utility"
of USD 2,3 million (contractor is a joint consortium Yerevanshin Ltd
and Kamurjshin CJSC.

As RA Vice-Premier, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen
Gevorgyan said, signing of these agreements is of great importance,
since large investments will be made to enhance welfare of rural areas.

According to Ara Hovsepyan, Chief Executive Officer of "MCA-Armenia",
in 2009 the Fund received and placed approximately USD 52 million
and in 2010 it is planned to allocate USD 70 million, while total
programs of the fund at the end of 2011 will reach USD 180 million.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CRITICIZES VIOLATION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN AZERBAIJAN

AZG DAILY
19-12-2009

Human Rights

The European Parliament recently approved a resolution on freedom of
expression in Azerbaijan according to 122nd article of its domestic
charter.

According to the European Parliament resolution on freedom of
expression in Azerbaijan the European Parliament,

"Expresses its concerns about the detention of the two young bloggers;
encourages Azerbaijan to look into this matter and to take the
necessary measures to ensure that the next appropriate legal steps
are in full compliance with Azerbaijan’s international commitments;

Demands that Azerbaijan respects its international commitments on civil
and political rights, especially those deriving from its accession
to the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the ENP Action Plan;

Calls Member States, Commission and Council to continue to monitor
and take every opportunity to raise concerns relating to this case
and other alleged human rights violation cases in Azerbaijan;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council,
to the Commission, to the parliaments and governments of the Member
States, to the government and to the president of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, as well as to the parliamentary assemblies of OSCE and
of the Council of Europe.

Hundreds to Attend Vote on Proposed Assyrian Genocide Monument
Assyrian International News Agency.
Posted GMT 12-13-2009 22:45:15

Anticipating that hundreds of members of the Assyrian and Turkish
communities will attend tomorrow night’s Council meeting at Wakeley,
Fairfield Council is asking residents to call ahead and let the
council know they are coming.

Councillors will be voting on the controversial proposal for an
Assyrian genocide memorial in Bonnyrigg Park.

Eight hundred locals have signed a petition calling for Fairfield
council to abandon the proposal.

Fairfield Council has issued the following information for attendees:

"As Council is expecting more visitors than normal, visitors wishing
to attend the December Council Meeting should contact Council’s
Administration Services on 9725 0226 for more information.

"As there is limited seating for the public in the Council Chamber
there may not be seating available for everyone who wishes to attend.
Council appreciates the patience and cooperation of everyone who has
an interest in the Council Meeting.

Each Council Meeting is subject to a Code of Meeting Practice. As
such, visitors are reminded that appropriate behaviour for a public
meeting should be considered and directions from the Meeting Chairman
should be followed at all times."

Residents with Turkish background are concerned that the proposed
monument could be divisive for the community, and possibly trigger
racial tension between the Assyrian and Turkish communities of
Fairfield, and Greater Sydney.

One concerned resident has told local media that it’s not council’s
role to enter the genocide debate, and that without official
recognition of the genocide, which occurred in World War I, the
monument was more likely to promote debate and "disunity rather than
harmony".

A leading Assyrian community leader, Hermiz Shahen, has written to the
local newspaper, the Fairfield Champion, to state the Assyrian
community’s viewpoint:

"… we are creating a historical monument dedicated to the average
person, just like you and us, fallen as innocent victims to a
devastating mass genocide of Assyrians, Armenians and Hellenic people.

"History is to be taught, not carried forward and to be lived in. We
want understanding of our historical facts and shall continue to do so
as long as we remain Assyrians united in promoting peace, love and
harmony to the rest of the world."