Author: Varosian Antranik

ANY CSTO COUNTRY HAS THE RIGHT TO COOPERATE WITH ANY ALLIANCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.12.2008 12:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Collective Security Treaty Organization doesn’t
have an agreement on cooperation with NATO yet. Nevertheless, any CSTO
member country has the right to cooperate with any alliance, CSTO
Deputy Secretary-General Toksatyn Buzubayev told a news conference
today.

"Russia, like Armenia, has a partnership plan with NATO. So, Armenia
can launch joint programs with the Alliance if it doesn’t conflict
with the CSTO Charter," he said.

A member of the CSTO, Armenia cooperates with NATO in the framework
of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).

ARMENIA MARKED 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPITAK EARTHQUAKE

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.12.2008 13:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On December 7, Armenia marked the 20th anniversary
of the devastating 1988 earthquake that leveled the towns of Spitak
and Gyumri and left 25 000 people dead, 100 000 wounded and 500
000 homeless.

President Serzh Sargsyan, former President Robert Kocharian, member
of Russia’s Federation Council and co-chair of the Armenia-Russian
committee on interparliamentary cooperation Nikolay Ryzhkov unveiled
a monument to the victims in the northern town of Gyumri.

"Today, we are unveiling a memorial to innocent victims. This monument
is symbolizing the best human features: philanthropy and the ability
to extend a helping hand. The Armenian people will never forget
it. This monument shows vulnerability of people on the one hand,
and the capability to resist the disaster, on the other hand. It
combines pain and belief," President Sargsyan said during the ceremony.

A liturgy in commemoration of the innocent victims was also chanted
in Gyumri.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA PARDONED THREE PARTICIPANTS IN MASS DISORDERS IN YEREVAN

ArmInfo
2008-12-08 12:39:00

ArmInfo. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan decreed to pardon
three citizens condemned for participation in March 1 mass disorders
in Yerevan.

As the president’s spokesman Samvel Farmanyan told newspaper,
S.Sargsyan signed a decree on December 3 to pardon Edward Ashughyan,
Arman Margaryan and Artur Nazanyan sentenced to 3-3,5 years of
imprisonment. According to S.

Farmanyan, the decision on pardon was made based on the petition for
pardon submitted by the afore-indicated condemned persons in the name
of the Armenian President, as well as in view of the fact that these
citizens have no records of conviction. Moreover, the details of the
criminal case and the family circumstances were taken into account
as well. , S.Farmanyan said.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

December 5, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

Assembly meets with NGOs and visits mayor of yeghegnadzor

Yerevan, Armenia – On November 20, Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) Country Director Arpi Vartanian traveled to Yeghegnadzor to
meet with 12 NGO representatives participating in the NGO Coalition
Building project. The participants, representing six NGOs from the
Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions have been studying advocacy, leadership
and coalition-building skills.

As part of their training exercises and to better help the participants
understand how to form, maintain, and work within coalitions, the NGOs,
representing diverse sectors, were required to unite around one issue
and form a coalition, as they developed their skills. Motivated by
rampant pollution in their communities, negative environmental impact,
low levels of both ecological awareness and social partnerships in the
Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions, these NGOs formed the Clean Community
Coalition.

In the morning, Vartanian joined the NGO representatives as they met
with newly reelected Mayor Sirekan Babayan and Deputy Mayor Vartkess
Haroutiunian to discuss the coalition. Vartanian spoke of the work of
the Assembly in general, and in particular, outlined the idea behind the
NGO Coalition Building project. Varditer Khachatrian, from Fund Against
Violation of Law, Yeghegnadzor Branch, presented the Coalition, and its
vision, mission, goals, and concerns. Other Coalition members also
joined the conversation. Mayor Babayan, completely aware of the problem,
and receptive to the Coalition’s ideas, extended his support. During the
very warm and open meeting, the Mayor noted that he believed education,
to change society’s attitude toward littering, was one important area on
which to focus, especially working with children and their parents. The
Mayor appointed Deputy Mayor Haroutiunian as the primary point of
contact for the Coalition, as it carried out its work in Yeghegnadzor.

In the afternoon, Vartanian spoke with the NGOs about advocacy and
working with the media. To further illustrate her points, she shared
real-life experiences, "do’s and don’ts," suggestions and specific
examples and documents to help the Coalition members as they planned
their strategies. A lively discussion followed. Vartanian was impressed
with the research and work the participants had done to date, including
outlining on maps the status of garbage and pollution in their
communities. Ranging from clean "green zones" to the most polluted "red
zones," the maps the NGOs prepared showed the problems their communities
face. Sharing the photographs they had taken, the problems faced were
even more clearly illustrated. Vartanian urged them to use these maps
and pictures during their press conference and other meetings. After
all, as she told them, "one picture is worth a thousand words."

One NGO representative told Vartanian, "Your presentation has motivated
me. The practical knowledge and experiences you shared have given me
more confidence, especially in anticipation of our upcoming press
conference."

Vartanian’s visit was timely as it came just one week before the
Coalition’s first press conference held on November 26, in Yerevan. For
some of the participants, it would be the first time they would be
participating in a press conference.

This program is made possible through the collective efforts of the
League of Women Voters (LWV), the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) and the NGO Center Civil Society Development NGO (NGOC).
Funding for this project has been provided in the form of a grant to the
League of Women Voters by private donors and Assembly Trustees Charles
Talanian and Peter Vosbikian.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

Editor’s Note –

To view a photo of NGO’s visit with Mayor of Yeghegnadzor, please follow
the link below:
ges/PR_-_2008/November/Assemb
ly_NGOs_Meet_with_Ma yor_of_Yeghegnadzor.JPG

Photo Caption: NGO Representatives, Assembly and LWV in group with
Yeghegnadzor’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor – (Seated, L-R) Deputy Mayor
Vartkess Harutiunian, Assembly Country Director Arpi Vartanian, Mayor
Sirekan Babayan and LWV Trainer Barbara Bartoletti

To read the Clean Community Coalition Press Release, please follow the
link below:
2008_recent/LWV_-_Nov_2608_PR
_eng.pdf

To read the NGO Coalition Building Project Summer 2008 Newsletter,
please follow the link below:
2008_recent/NGO_Coalition_New
sletter_11-08.pdf
__ _________________________

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SYNOPSYS COMPLETES SUCCESSFULLY 2008 FINANCIAL YEAR

Noyan Tapan

Dec 5, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Synopsys Company, a world leader in
Electronic Design Automation software for semiconductor design, one of
whose biggest subsidiaries – Synopsys Armenia is located in Armenia,
has announced that in the 4th quarter of 2008 financial year (in the
U.S, a financial year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30)
it had revenues of 352.8 mln USD, which exceeds by 11.9% the index
of 4th quarter of 2007 financial year (315.2 mln USD). The revenues
for the whole 2008 financial year made 1 bln 337 mln USD, exceeding
by 10.3% the revenues of 1 bln 212 mln USD in 2007 financial year.

According to data calculated by the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP), the net profit of Synopsys made 46.4 mln USD in 4th
quarter of 2008 financial year – against 41 mln USD in 4th quarter of
2007 financial year. The net profit in the whole 2008 financial year
amounted to 190 mln USD – against 130.5 mln USD in 2007 financial year.

NALBANDIAN, BABACAN AGREE TO CONTINUE TALKS FOR NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2008 13:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in Helsinki for participation in the
OSCE Ministerial Council summit, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandianmet Thursday with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan,
the RA MFA press office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

The Ministers agreed to continue talks for normalization of bilateral
relations.

EBRD TO EXPAND INVOLVEMENT IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
04.12.2008 14:38

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the delegation of the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The President highly appreciated the activity of the European Bank
in Armenia, noting that the cooperation started immediately after
the country gained independence, and the Bank’s role is great in the
success registered over all these years.

Among the main challenges Armenia faces today, the President pointed
to the consistent work in the direction of economic development and
resisting the world financial and economic crisis by minimizing its
negative influence. In this context the President prioritized the
implementation of additional measures, raise of the efficiency of
governance. He noted, at the same time, that the Government intends
to implement both short-term and long-term programs.

Assessing the cooperation with Armenia as effective, representatives
of the European Bank said it provides new opportunities for expanding
the field of partnership. Notwithstanding the complex period, they
expect that the Armenian economy will continue moving along the path
of development.

Members of the EBRD Board of Directors informed that they recently took
the decision to increase the volume of involvement in the countries,
where they launch activity. According to them, the business programs
connected with Armenia are rather ambitious, and with this regard the
strategic approaches of the Bank and the Armenian Government coincide.

The President also stated he would like the Bank to get deeper
involved in Armenia and have its participation in different spheres
of Armenian economy.

According to Serzh Sargsyan, the Bank brings a new culture of
management, which is extremely important.

FAZIL GAZANFAROGHLU: "IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA IS FAVORABLE FOR AZERBAIJAN"

Today.Az
s/politics/49363.html
Dec 2 2008
Azerbaijan

"The resolution of the Karabakh problem is not successful. This
conflict remains unsettled for many years, therefore, consolidation of
relations between Turkey and Armenia is favorable only for Azerbaijan",
said chairman of the Great Creation party Fazil Gazanfaroghlu.

He noted that it is inexpedient to look for a negative in the relations
between the two countries.

"Unlie France, Russia and the United States, Turkey is closer to
us. This country has common interests with Azerbaijan, therefore,
there is a hope that the Karabakh conflict will be settled in the
interests of our country.

I consider that the cooperation between Turkey and Armenia will be
favorable for Azerbaijan", noted Gazanfaroghlu.

BE CAREFULE NOT TO BE ENTRAPPED INTO TRAFFICKING

Panorama.am
16:14 02/12/2008

"Armenia considers to be a trafficking born country. Girls and women
are taken to Turkey and Arabic United Emirates where they are entrapped
into prostitution," said Marina Solakhyan, the coordinator of Struggle
against Trafficking UNDP project. According to Solakhyan, there
exists another type of trafficking among us – working trafficking,
which main direction is in Russia.

One of the reasons of the trafficking is that in transitional countries
and in countries which lack stable economy people are looking for
ways to find good jobs, she said. According to her people don’t verify
the information they receive from their friends, neighbors, etc.

In order to escape from such situation, M. Solakhyan said that a
job found abroad should be well verified, a written contract or at
least written agreement should be made, and the legislation of certain
country should be studied. It is important to make copies of documents
and to leave one example with relatives, as when abroad in case of
trafficking people are taken off their documents just from the airport.

EU CALLS FOR DEEPER TIES WITH EX-SOVIET STATES
By Robert Wielaard

AP
11-30-08

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — The EU must significantly boost relations
with Ukraine and five other ex-Soviet republics and make easing
Moscow’s sway over them a priority, a European Commission report says.

The report proposes to triple EU aid to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to euro1.5 billion by 2020. It says the
EU must offer the nations free trade and economic integration because
the EU has a vital interest in stability on its borders in the light
of Russia’s August war with Georgia.

The European Commission wants the EU to sign association agreements
providing for economic aid and security and defense consultations. It
is silent on future EU membership, something Ukraine desires.

The report says stepping up relations is only possible once there is
"sufficient" progress toward democracy, the rule of law and human
rights. This is particularly relevant for Belarus, whose authoritarian
regime is shunned by the EU but has good relations with Moscow.

The report, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press,
is to be made public Wednesday

Russia wants to influence countries with large Russian-speaking
populations.The EU worries about Moscow’s commitment to democracy
and wants to pull Russian neighbors closer to Western Europe with
promises of trade and growth hoping to secure affordable supplies of
energy in the future.

The report says the EU must seek "diversification of energy routes
by enabling the ex-Soviet nations to build new and better connected
pipelines and oil and gas storage facilities.

The EU wants to see a gas pipeline from the Caucasus fully skirting
Russia. Russia is pushing for deals under which Turkmenistan and
Kazakhstan will ship their Caspian Sea gas through Russia.

The EU report warns this would make energy supplies more vulnerable.

European Commission officials hope the EU leaders will endorse the
plan at a spring summit.