Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

ENTERING ARMENIAN TELECOMMUNICATION MARKET RUSSIAN VIMPELCOM INTENDS TO IMPROVE SUBSCRIBER NET

Moscow, June 23. ArmInfo. Entering the Armenian telecommunication
market, the Russian Vimpelcom (trade mark "Beeline") intends to
improve the quality of subscriber net, Vimpelcom Vice President for
International Investment Relations Valery Goldin told ArmInfo.

To note, yesterday OTE Greek Company announced 4 companies-participants
of the tender for 90 pct stake in ArmenTel. The first in the list
of applicant- companies is Russian Vimpelcom. Vice President of the
company did not explain if the ranking in the list testifies to the
success of an applicant. He proposed waiting for final results of
the current final stage. V. Goldin did not reveal the bid offered
by Vimpelcom before the final results either. He said in case of
winning the tender, Vimpelcom intends to invest in improvement of the
subscriber net and communication level to bring them to the Russian
quality standard. He said the investments will help improving the
technical net, extending the service zone, developing the distribution
net and the payment system. As regards possible difficulties of OTE in
the work in the Armenian market, V. Goldin said the specifics of the
work in the post-Soviet area is identical and the company got enough
experience in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. "It
seems to us there will not be any big problems in the Armenian market,"
he said with optimism.

Air Temperature in July Can Reach +40C

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.06.2006 14:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In July the air temperature in Yerevan will be
higher than middle-statistical with 1-2 degrees, the Armenian state
hydro-meteorological center told PanARMENIAN.Net. The precipitation
will be lower than the norm. It should be noted that the raising of
the middle-statistical air temperature means raising with some 10
degrees, that is to say the temperature will reach +36-40C.

MORE THAN 2000 ARTISTS TO TAKE PART IN FESTIVAL ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE

Panorama.am
18:01 22/06/06

About 2000 artists from 22 countries will take part in the second
pan-Armenian festival "One nation, one culture," Levon Abrahamyan,
Director of Producer Center Alfael told a press conference today. In
the words of the organizers, some stylistic changes have been made in
the festival. According to Armen Manukyan, art director of the fund,
in the past the festival was blamed of being too focused on dance.

This time films, circuit programs and theater performances are included
in the program. Another innovation is FestClub for reporters and guests
from diaspora which will be open from 11pm to 2 am. This will be a
place to talk and receive information on the festival.

ARKADY GHOUKASYAN CONVINCED THAT "FUTURE IS TALKS BETWEEN NKR AND AZERBAIJAN"

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 21 2006

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Last fifteen years
showed to the world that the Nagorno Karabakh people are entitled to
have the independent state of their own declared pursuant to the former
USSR’s legislation and the international law’s basic rules. This
was said in NKR President’s message to the participants of the
international conference titled "Nagorno Karabakh Republic: Yesterday,
Today, Tomorrow" that started on June 21 in Stepanakert. The message
was provided to Noyan Tapan from NKR Foreign Ministry Information
and Analytical Department.

"Although the NKR has not been recognized by the international
community yet, however, by the level of conformity to the European
society’s standards our Republic noticeably outstrips Azerbaijan,
which endeavored to dispose of the Nagorno Karabakh’s Armenian
population having enforced a war on us. However, our nation has not
only survived in an unequal sanguinary armed confrontation, but it
managed to mainly cure the war’s wounds, stage an economic recovery,
restore social sphere, inspire new life to the region’s cultural and
spiritual development," the NKR President mentioned in his message.

Arkady Ghoukasyan emphasized that an efficient army equipped with
modern weaponry, "which is the safest guarantor of the security and
prosperity of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and our nation", has been
formed in the NKR.

"At present Azerbaijan exerts efforts to reverse history, deprive our
nation of freedom and independence gained at the cost of irreplaceable
losses. It is an unpromising way. I am convinced: the future is the
talks between the NKR and Azerbaijan on the search for the ways of the
problem’s advantageous solution and the establishment of cooperation
between the two states," the NKR President’s message read.

A.Ghoukasyan expressed the hope that the conference will promote deeper
comprehension of the realities of the region, which is difficult to
imagine without the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s existence. He wished
a successful and fruitful work to the conference.

KENYA: BILLIONS AT RISK AS 18 EU MISSIONS DISCUSS SECURITY BREACH
Cyrus Kinyungu, Benson Kathuri, Joseph Murimi and Noel Wandera

The Standard, Kenya
June 20 2006

The Government was last night under intense local and international
pressure to absolve itself from blame over the security lapse at Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) almost two weeks ago.

At risk is the Sh50 billion tourism industry, the multi-billion
shilling airline industry and up to Sh29 billion in budgetary support.

In question is the integrity of Kenya’s law-enforcement institutions
and the Government’s commitment to international security standards.

Eighteen European Union (EU) heads of mission meeting in Nairobi
on Monday discussed and expressed "concern" over the incident’s
implications on the tourism and airline industry.

Although they have not collectively decided on when or how to engage
the Government over the issue, Britain, Germany and the US (which is
not an EU country) have separately asked the Government to explain
reports of the security breach.

List of witnesses

At the same time, two parliamentary watchdog committees released
names of those they would question over the Armenian saga.

They include State House officials, senior civil servants, Government
ministers and MPs, business people, an activist and Opposition
politicians.

Among them are Internal Security minister John Michuki, Kenya
Airports Authority (KAA) managing director George Muhoho, State House
Comptroller Hyslop Ipu, Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Hussein Ali,
businessman Kamlesh Pattni, Othaya Narc activist Mary Wambui and MPs
Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.

Saying the security breach at Kenya’s premier airport on Thursday,
June 8 – during which two foreigners drew guns on Customs officials
– was an indicator of a bigger problem in the country’s security,
Roland Hauser said the EU viewed it as a threat to their citizens
visiting Kenya.

"Security for all passengers and airlines is important for Kenyans,
the tourism industry and the Kenyan economy as a whole," Hauser noted,
adding: "We want tourists from our countries to come to Kenya because
it is a beautiful country. But on the other hand, we need to have
assurances that they are safe."

Incident might affect tourism

Hauser is the chairman of the EU Heads of Mission in the country.

He told The Standard: "The security lapse at the airport is of concern
to EU countries as it is to other countries. We want to be part of
the solution and not the problem. Kenya stands to lose if tourists
stop visiting the country due to security fears. It is not in our
interest for this to happen."

Germany had earlier in the day turned the heat on the Government
over the Artur brothers’ saga when its ambassador, Walter J. Lindner,
demanded an explanation over the airport incident.

Lindner said his Government was concerned about the security of German
tourists in Kenya and wondered how two foreigners could be allowed
to disrupt operations at an airport of the calibre of JKIA.

"Of course there are (other) questions such as how the (alleged
Armenians) got their security passes and how they entered high security
airport areas armed."

Lindner was speaking at the Treasury during the signing of a Sh5.6
billion agreement in which Germany will support social services,
including free primary education and water services.

House committees

Lindner, however, expressed doubt that his Government would disburse
any further funds in budgetary support: "It is possible to say we are
not going to spend the money now because the two – let me not mention
their names – have been in the country and acting (in a scary manner)."

He was referring to Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan who were
deported early this month after assaulting and threatening to shoot
Customs officials at JKIA.

Two house committees announced that they would question Immigration
minister Gedion Konchella, Pattni, suspended CID Director Joseph Kamau,
President Kibaki’s strategic adviser Stanley Murage, Ipu, Michuki,
Muhoho, Wambui and her daughter Winfred Wangui.

Also to be questioned are Raila, Kalonzo, Ali and Nairobi Provincial
Criminal Investigations Officer Isaiah Osugo.

Others are Customs officers, employees of the Runda residence of the
Arturs, Baktash Akasha, suspended KAA deputy managing director Naomi
Cidi, directors and shareholders of Kensington Holdings Ltd and Kenya
Ports Authority managing director Abdala Mwaruwa.

Western source markets

Making the announcement at County Hall, Nairobi, on Monday,
the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Local
Authorities, Mr Ramadhan Kajembe, said the team was inviting anyone
with information on the two Armenians to volunteer it. Kajembe’s
committee will work closely with the Paul Muite-led Parliamentary
Committee on the Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs.

Their sittings begin on Tuesday. Investigations by The Standard reveal
that nearly 30 per cent of Kenya’s tourism earnings are from three key
Western source markets that have expressed concern over the security
of their nationals visiting Kenya through JKIA.

Germany, Britain and US together contributed some Sh14 billion to
the tourism kitty last year. In 2005, over 230,000 out of a total
683,000 international tourists came to Kenya, helping the tourism
sector contribute Sh48.9 billion. About 42 per cent of the 75,000
Germans who visited Kenya last year came through JKIA, while the US
visitors topped 73,000.

Britain, which has traditionally been Kenya’s leading market, had their
share of arrivals up 33 per cent. Contacted, the Kenya Tourist Board
(KTB) chairman, Jake Grieves-Cook agreed that the issue of security
at the airport was paramount.

"I am sure there will be lessons learnt just like anywhere else in
the world," said Grieves-Cook.

Travel advisories

However, he did not foresee any drastic action being taken, such as
issuance of travel advisories, "as already, the people concerned have
been dealt with."

However, admitting that the EU was concerned about the security
situation, Hauser was non-committal on what action it would take.

"It is true that the issue of the security lapse at the airport
was one of the items on our agenda during today’s ordinary monthly
discussions," Hauser said soon after the heads of mission meeting at
Muthaiga country club, Nairobi.

"But we’ve not decided on how to engage the Government about it."

Among countries represented at Monday’s meeting were Britain, Germany,
Austria, Poland, France, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Greece, and Romania.

Hauser said EU and the Kenyan Government had agreed to be raising
issues of "mutual concern" to both parties directly and not through
the Press.

It is on this understanding based on the Cotonou Agreement that the
embassies will engage the Government, Hauser explained. However,
he said, issues of great concern to the public are raised in public
through the Press.

After The Standard Group raid in March, the EU countries publicly
condemned the Government’s action and demanded a commitment that such
an incident would not happen again.

ECONOMIC REGULARITIES ARE BEYOND MYSTERIES

A1+
[06:20 pm] 20 June, 2006

The vibrations of dollar-dram rates are initiated by 4 oligarchs. The
invitees of the "Mirror" club attempted either to affirm or to refute
this rumor.

Tatul Manaseryan, economist and deputy of "Justice" bloc announced that
there is no smoke without a fire but he preferred professional approach
to the matter to revealing any names. He assumes that the vibrations
of dollar-dram rates are mainly determined by 4 factors. "These are
the vibrations of currencies in the international market, dollar-euro
vibrations, the sums flowing to Armenia and the subjective factor-
artificial devaluation." According to the economist only the analysis
of these 4 factors will reveal the real economic growth.

Mr. Manaseryan also referred to the indexes of the inflows and outflows
of the country and noted, "The balance between them is negative,
the currency overflow is larger."

Secretary of Republican Party Gagik Meliqyan found Mr. Manaseryan’s
opinion professional and admissible.

Gagik Meliqyan preferred speaking of dram-dollar vibrations taking
into account the so-called subjective factor. "Separate ceremonies
held in smaller and economically undeveloped countries may have their
direct impact on the currency rate and its dynamics." He illustrated
"The Last Ring" as an example. "Dollar devaluation is evident just
after "The Last Ring" and "New Year" celebrations. Making use of
this certain banks, organizations and currency exchanges have their
subjective influence on the dram devaluation and get large income
from the vulnerable stratum of society. "

Economist Tatul Manaseryan didn’t share Gagik Meliqyan’s opinion in
all issues and noted, "By economic regularities we can hardly explain
the mysteries we counter."

GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE MORE INVESTMENTS

Lragir.am
19 June 06

Armenia needs a smarter tax and budget policy and a higher level of
state revenues. Rodrigo de Rato, IMF Managing Director, announced this
June 18 in Yerevan, visiting Yerevan to participate in the meeting of
the Dutch group of countries of the IMF and the World Bank. De Rato
said the key issue discussed in the meetings with Robert Kocharyan
and Andranik Margaryan was sustainability of economic growth, as well
as enhancement of its role in poverty reduction. ARKA reports that
Rodrigo de Rato said the government must have a possibility to invest
more funds in education, health and infrastructures in rural areas.

PREPARATIONS FOR VIENNA MEETING OF OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS UNDERWAY – RUSSIAN AMB
Author: E.Husseynov

TREND, Azerbaijan
June 19 2006

Preparations for the forthcoming meeting of the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs on the resolution of the [Armenian-Azerbaijani]
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are underway, US Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov,
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, told Trend in an exclusive interview.

The meeting will be held under the session of the Permanent Council
of the OSCE. Under the conference US Ambassador Matthew Bryza, the
newly appointed OSCE Minsk Group co-chair will be introduced. He will
replace Steven Mann, which has held this position since 2004.

Merzlyakov noted that any commentary on current state of the process
of resolution of the conflict and further steps can be given after
the meeting in Vienna.

NATO SEMINAR TO MULL GARABAGH

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Posted June 19 2006

Baku, June 16, AssA-Irada
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh will be
discussed at a Rose Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
(PA) due in the Russian resort city of Sochi on June 22-24.

Discussions on "Security issues in South Caucasus" will be held at the
event as well. An Azerbaijani parliamentarian to attend the seminar
is not known at this point.

The NATO assembly mulled security issues in the region during its
previous session held in Paris late in May.

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: LAW MACHINERY HAS TO RESPOND TO MURDERS IN RUSSIA
ON NATIONAL BASIS, ACTING RIGIDLY, NEATLY AND CLEARLY

Yerevan, June 16. ArmInfo. President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan
has met with Dmitriy Kozak, the plenipotentiary representative of RF
President in the South Federal District.

As ArmInfo was told in RA President’s press office, having noted the
importance of cooperation development between separate territorial
administrative subjects of two countries, R. Kocharyan said that it
creates a good basis for strengthening of interstate relations. The
parties touched upon the whole complex of Armenian-Russian relations.

Kocharyan emphasized that due to activation of business contacts, the
Russian business takes more place in Armenia’s economy. In the context
of bilateral trade-economic cooperation extension, the significance
of efficient transport communication establishment was noted.

D. Kozak noted that the most numerous Armenian Diaspora lives on the
South of Russia and that its representatives are involved in all the
spheres of the region life in the best way. The meeting participants
condemned the murders, recently committed in Russia on the national
basis and noted that this occasion is not in the interests of Russia
and the Russian people. According to Kocharyan, the Russia’ s law
machinery should respond rigidly to the occasion, acting quickly,
neatly and clearly.

To be noted, D. Kozak had already visited the Russian military base
dislocate in Giumri. He thanked the Armenian authorities for the
favorable service conditions created for Russian military men.