Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

GAYANE AFRIKIAN APPOINTED PROJECT MANAGER OF NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL

Noyan Tapan
Dec 19, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. By the decision of the Armenian
prime minister Serge Sargsian, Gayane Afrikian has been appointed the
project manager (executive director) of the National Competitiveness
Council established by the government of the RA, NT was informed by
the RA Government Information and PR Department.

G. Afrikian was born in Yerevan on November 4, 1967. In 1991, she
graduated from the Armenian philology department of Yerevan State
University, in 1996 – from London School of Economics and Political
Science (LSE), receiving a degree of Master in economy and politics
of the post-Communist transitional countries. In 2005 she graduated
from Harvard University with a degree of Master of state governance
and management. In 1989-1991, G. Afrikian worked in Estonia where
she participated in activities on organization and management of the
Armenian Cultural Society and the Sunday Armenian school.

In 1991-1995, she was a special correspondent of France Press in
Armenia, while in 1996-1998 she worked as a reporter in the "The
Independent" and "The Economist Intelligence Unit" magazines in
London. In 1998-2000, she headed the newly-opened the Council of
Europe Information Office in Yerevan.

In 2000-2002, G. Afrikian served as a UN official in Kosovo, being in
charge of the regional economic and poliical development strategy’s
implementation.

In 2002-2004, she was a UN official in Afghanistan. In 2005-2006,
she was an expert of Harvard’s Center for International Affairs,
conducting studies on Armenia’s national competitiveness and regional
cooperation. In 2006-2007, she was the chief advisor to the chairman
of the Kazakh government’s Sustainable Economic Development Fund.

EP PRESIDENT: I AM HOPEFUL TURKEY WILL RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ONE DAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2007 17:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering
said he is hopeful that Turkey will recognize the Armenian Genocide
one day. "I am hopeful the day will come and Turkey will come to
recognize the Armenian Genocide. "Turkey should acknowledge the
atrocities committed against the Armenian people," he added, Armenia
Today reports.

Venice Commission to discuss freedom of assembly in Azerbaijan

15 December 2007 [12:27] – Today.Az

73rd plenary session of the Venice Commission started in Italy
yesterday.

Mr Jan Erik Helgesen representing Norway in the commission since 1990
was elected the new, second president of the commission on the first
day of the meeting.

The meeting participants discussed freedom of religion in Albania,
article 301 of the criminal code of Armenia, Constitutions of Bulgaria,
Kyrgyzstan and Moldova.

The freedom of assembly in Azerbaijan, Constitution of Montenegria,
situation in Kosovo and Serbia, as well as other issues will be
discussed at today’s meeting of the Venice Commission.

Our country is represented by Fuad Alesgerov, chief of the legal
department of Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, and Chingiz
Askerov, Azerbaijani representative to the European Court of Human
Rights.

GYUMRI MAYOR AGREES TO RECEIVE MEMBERS OF HEADQUARTERS ON PROTECTION OF
"GALA" TELEVISION COMPANY

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The journalistic community on
December 13 proposed that the mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasian should
withdraw the mayor office’s lawsuit to free the television tower used
by "Gala" TV company and that the problem of this television company
should be solved fairly. The chairman of the journalistic club
"Asparez" Levon Barseghian told NT correspondent that the mayor of
Gyumri promised to discuss L. Barseghian’s proposal to sign a
tripartite agreement among the club chairman, the mayor’s office and
Chap company (the owner of "Gala" TV company) and give his answer by
Monday. During a meeting with the mayor Vardan Ghukasian, L. Barseghian
offered to repay "Gala" TV company’s 2.5-month debt to the mayor’s
office (in case of a reasonale amount of the debt), while "Gala" in its
turn is ready to pay for further lease.

Representatives of 8 mass media outlets went from Yerevan to Gyumri to
cover the December 13 sitting of the RA Economic Court in the Gyumri
court. A picket was organized by the headquarters on protection of
speech freedom and "Gala" television company. The protesters went to
the mayor’s office to inform about their decision to hold a rally in
Gyumri on December 19, at 4 p.m. The mayor suggested receiving a group
of 10-15 protesters, except for the reporter and cameraman of "Gala" TV
company, and answering their questions.

STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN: LEVON TER-PETROSYAN’S VICTORY AT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL HAVE NO NEGATIVE EFFECT ON ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

arminfo
2007-12-14 14:49:00

ArmInfo. "Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s victory at the presidential election
will have no negative effect on the Armenian-Russian relations",
Leader of the oppositional People’s Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan
Demirchyan told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to him, the PPA’s position is distinct – the strategic
partnership with Russia is very important for Armenia, and not
a single serious politician in the country can come out against
it. "Levon Ter-Petrosyan made no anti-Russian statements. Moreover,
the relations with Russia were at a quite high level during his term
in office", said Demirchyan.

Speaking of the external factor’s impact on the pre-electoral
campaign in Armenia, the oppositionist stressed that this factor
should never been overestimated. "All problems are solved inside the
country. Nothing doing if there is no public support in the country",
Demirchyan said in conclusion.

CANDIDATES OF PRESIDENCY ISSUED THEIR INCOME AND ASSET DECLARATIONS
Translated by L.H

AZG Armenian Daily #231
14/12/2007

Local politics

According to "Azatutyun" radio station, all the candidates of
presidency issued their income and asset declarations to Central
Election Commission.

Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsian declared a co-ownership of an
apartment of 96 m2 in Stepanakert, antiques of 18th -20th centuries,
32 paintings of modern artists, i.e. paintings of Armenian artists
Bashinjaghian, Minas, Sarian, Gyurjian, etc.

Armenian first president Levon Ter-Petrosian declared 813,5 m2 of
ownership on Tsitsernakaberd Highway, also 10.000 m2 of land in the
same place, 311 m2 of office space on Koryun street.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian has a co-ownership
of about 120 m2 apartments on Koryun and Khachatrian streets, 3300
m2 of land in the village Arinj of Kotayk province.

Chairman of "Orinats Erkir" Arthur Baghdasarian and NKR President’s
former advisor Arman Melikian didn’t declare any real estate.

Leader of National Agreement Party Aram Harutyunian declare 50 m2 of
ownership on Lvov Avenue.

Chairman of "National Unity" Artashes Geghamian has 106 m2 of ownership
on Mashtots Avenue.

Chairman of National Democratic Party Vazgen Manukian declared his
dwelling house of 360 m2, a garret of 175 m2 and a land of 178 m2 on
Baghramian Street.

Chairman of ALM Holding Tigran Karapetian declared 290 m2 of
co-ownership in Aygedzor, 43,5 m2 of a dwelling on Griboyedov Street,
2003 m2 of industrial area on Komitas and Mamikoniants Streets.

What about movable property of the candidates, the leader here is
Tigran Karapetian. He has 5 cars, including "Mercedes-Bents 600" of
1995. Levon Ter-Petrosian has "Lincoln Town car" of 1997. The Prime
Minister declared a "Mitsubishi" of 1992. Vazgen Manukian declared two
"VAZ -21" cars. Aram Harutyunian has a "GAZ-31".

Arman Melikian and Arthur Baghdasarian do not have any movable
properties.

The candidates also declared their personal bank savings and financial
means.

Aram Harutyunian and Vazgen Manukian besides their annual salaries
don’t have other incomes.

Levon Ter-Petrosian receives the pension of former president and
rentals of his two office spaces on Vardanants.

Tigran Karapetian doesn’t have personal bank savings, besides annual
salary and some rentals.

Vahan Hovhannisian declared 4 mln drams, 8 thousand dollars and 170
thousand Euros, Serge Sarkisian – 58 mln drams, Arthur Baghdasarian
– about 8 mln drams, 190 thousand dollars, Artashes Geghamian –
39 thousand dollars, Arman Melikian – about 3,5 mln drams.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

December 13, 2007

ACNIS Continues Its Youth Debate Series

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
today convened a policy discussion to explore the ways toward resolving the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict and to analyze whether this dispute should be
settled by means of one-package or multi-phase solution alternatives. The
meeting brought together students from the leading institutions of higher
learning, young political activists, and policy specialists.

Welcoming the audience with opening remarks, Hrair Manukian of the Armenian
State University of Economics (ASUE) emphasized the necessity for civic
participation by the students in order to elucidate the subject matter of
the day. "The Mountainous Karabagh conflict is an actual topic, and the
political discussions over the one-package and multi-phase alternatives
toward its solution have become active once again," Manukian stated.

In his intervention, Sevada Gevorgian of ASUE spoke in favor of the
multi-phase alternative and brought attention to the effectiveness of this
option. He also made note of the possible outcomes should this alternative
be used for the Karabagh resolution. "In the case of applying the
multi-phase alternative, Artsakh’s independence will be guaranteed further
and its prospects for continuous stability and international recognition
will increase more steadily," Gevorgian noted.

Next speaker, Suren Parsian of ASUE, made a retrospect and examined the
changing attitude of the international community with respect to the
Mountainous Karabagh question. He also pointed to the fact that the Armenian
settlement proposals are more in tune with the international law. "The
concessions must be evenly balanced and therefore rather than handing over
occupied regions to attain autonomy, the occupied regions must be swapped
instead," Parsian maintained.

The policy roundtable concluded with an exchange of opinions and policy
recommendations among university students, civil activists, and policy
specialists. Reflecting on the views expressed by the students, political
scientist Edward Antinian likewise offered his professional analyses. In her
turn, Armenia’s first Ombudswoman and MP Larisa Alaverdian underscored the
necessity for such discussions among the youth circle and urged the students
to make maximum use of any discourse with their Azerbaijani counterparts.
"Respect your adversary, meet and make contact with one another and only
then shape your own views," Alaverdian said.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2007, the Center focuses
primarily on civic education, democratic development, conflict resolution,
and applied research on critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the
state and the nation.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit

LET’S MEET NEW YEAR IN WITHOUT EXPLOSIVE FIREWORK

Azat Artsakh Tert, Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Dec 12 2007

By the decision of the mayor of Stepanakert V. Mikaelyan the sale
of explosive toys prohibited in the town and the breakers will
brought to administr. penalty. The people with high mood come to the
central square for meeting New Year in but choking smoke and so called
fireworks spoil their mood and they leave the square being nervous. I
don’t know may be it’s not the break of public order but what’s true,
the phenomenon must be prevented. It’s known that in previous years
such decisions were taken but it did not give any affirmative results.

ALL SERVICES RELATED TO CUSTOMS REGISTRATION OF CARS PROVIDED IN ONE BUILDING

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Henceforth the RA State Customs
Committee’s specialized custom house on customs registration of
transport means will function in a new building where all services
related to customs registration of cars will be provided. The chairman
of the State Customs Committee Armen Avetisian told reporters on
December 12 that all favorable conditions have been created for
importers – both in terms of ensuring a high level of services
and carrying out the customs registration process as quickly as
possible. Besides, the centralization of all services in the same
place allows to make the customs registration process most controllable
and prevent possible violations.

He said that in the period of 2001 to November, 2007, the number
of imported cars grew by about 550%. In the first eleven months of
2007, 30,677 cars were imported, including 5,868 cars of Russian
production. Imports of cars worth up to 5 thousand dollars have
declined as compared with last year, whereas imports of cars worth
10-30 thousand dollars have increased.

According to A. Avetisian, in the first nine months of this
year, 19,299 imported cars were checked, as a result of which 15
internationally searched cars were found.

NO ALTERNATIVE TO KARABAKH CONFLICT PEACEFUL RESOLUTION

Yerkir
11.12.2007 17:22

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – December 10, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh
Sargsyan met with European Union Council Secretary General and High
Representative for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier
Solana. The parties discussed regional issues, including the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

PM Sargsyan reiterated Armenia’s adherence to a peaceful resolution
of this conflict. According to him, while warlike statements have
grown in frequency on the part of Azerbaijan, yet there remain good
possibilities for a negotiated settlement as there is no alternative
thereto.

Javier Solana agreed that the armed resolution of the conflict is
inadmissible and that the European Union is determined to prevent the
developments from aggravating to such an extent. The Prime Minister
of Armenia said that, supported by the European Union, Armenia-Turkey
relationship, too, could be settled and that our country suggested
establishing diplomatic ties without preconditions.

For his part, Mr Solana emphasized that the forthcoming elections
should preclude any regression in the development of the country and
in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the RA government’s
press office reported.