Author: Virabian Jhanna

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
March 9, 2007

Catholicos of All Armenians Meets with Chief Minister of West Bengal

Reception Held in Honor of His Holiness Karekin II

On the afternoon of February 28, as part of his continuing Pontifical Visit
to India, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, met with the Chief Minister of the State of West Bengal, the
Honorable Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.  The Chief Minister welcomed His Holiness
to West Bengal, and reflected on the great role the Armenian community of
India has had in the social, cultural and economic development of Kolkata. 
He spoke of the high esteem and admiration with which the Armenians of India
are regarded and expressed hope that the once large population, which has
diminished in recent years, would once again grow and flourish.

The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the Chief
Minister for his kind words and spoke of the centuries-old relationship
between Armenia and India.  The Armenian Pontiff also highly evaluated the
friendship between the two peoples and expressed his pleasure at the number
of Indian students currently studying in Yerevan.  His Holiness thanked the
Chief Minister and all state authorities of India for the careful attention
that is accorded to all religious and ethnic minorities, among them the
Armenians, allowing them to prosper and create, thereby becoming worthy
citizens of the Indian Republic, and contributing members of the societal,
national and cultural life of India.

Also discussed during the meeting were the spheres of cooperation between
the Republics of Armenia and India and the current status of the Armenian
College and Philanthropic Academy and the Armenian churches, cemeteries and
monuments in the State of West Bengal.

Accompanying His Holiness during the visit with the Chief Minister were His
Eminence Abp. Aghan Baliozian, His Excellency Ambassador Ashot Kocharian,
Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian, and local Armenian
Church Committee members Haik Sookias, Jr., Susan Reuben and Sunil Sobti.

* * *

That same evening, a reception was hosted in honor of His Holiness by the
Church Committee.  Among the invitees were members of the Armenian
community, as well as representatives of Indian society who are associated
with the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy and the Armenian
churches and community of India.

During the program, Church Committee Chairman Haik Sookias, Jr. welcomed His
Holiness to Calcutta and thanked the Catholicos of All Armenians for
blessing the Armenians of India with his historic visit, noting that they
have greatly yearned for the visit of the Armenian Pontiff for more than 40
years, since Catholicos Vasken I came to India in 1963.

Ambassador Kocharian also addressed the guests and spoke of the growing ties
and developing relationship between the Republics of Armenia and India, and
mentioned the increasing levels of collaboration between the two countries
in economic and educational spheres.  The ambassador also noted the great
honor he has enjoyed in accompanying the worldwide head of the Armenian
Church throughout the course of his visit to this remarkable Armenian
community.

Following the ambassador’s remarks, in his introduction of the Catholicos of
All Armenian, Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian spoke of the current activities of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin since independence and specifically during
the pontificate of His Holiness Karekin II.  He stressed the importance
placed by His Holiness on the spheres of Christian education and ministry,
social services, the preparation of a new generation of clergy, and cultural
and youth programs.

The Catholicos of All Armenians extended his pontifical blessings and love
to all of the gathered guests and thanked them for their devotion to the
faith of their forefathers and their fidelity to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.  His Holiness exhorted those present to keep the Armenian
College and Philanthropic Academy as a priority in their community life,
stressing that the only future for the Armenians of India are the children
currently enrolled and studying a the Academy.  He also expressed his
appreciation to the organizers of this working pontifical visit and his
thanks to the Indian people for their warm hospitality and welcoming nature
which has allowed Armenians to live their creative and worthy lives in India
for more than 500 years.

The evening concluded with His Holiness offering a prayer of praise and
thanksgiving for the friendship and brotherhood between the Armenian and
Indian peoples, and asking Almighty God to grant peace to the entire world,
reconciliation to all nations and love and charity to all of His children.

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:

March 9, 2007

ACNIS Hosts Policy Forum on Armenian Parliamentary Elections

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
today convened the latest in its international visitors’ series entitled
"Elections and Democratic Consolidation," an off-the-record presentation and
panel discussion on Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

The discussion brought together scholars, policy specialists, diplomats,
commentators, political leaders, and other public figures. After ACNIS
founder Raffi K. Hovannisian’s opening remarks, the visiting experts
presented their views on Armenia’s political scene. Dr. Valerie J. Bunce,
Chair of the Government Department at Cornell University, spoke on elections
and democratic consolidation. Dr. Sharon L. Wolchik, Professor of Political
Science and International Affairs at George Washington University, made the
case for women’s participation in elections. The discussion was moderated by
ACNIS director of research Stepan Safarian.

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

OYP DEPRIVED OF OFFICE ONCE AGAIN BY COURT DECISION

Noyan Tapan
Mar 08 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, NOYAN TAPAN. "As a result of the illegal decision
made by the RA Economic Court, the "Orinats Yerkir" Party has been
deprived of an office once again," the OYP press release reads. "Under
pressure of the authorities’ minion Valery Mezhlumian, ingnoring
all legal petitions and demands presented by OYP, the economic court
decided to abolish the party’s right to rent its office at 14 Koryun
Street which is valid until 2010," is said in the press release. It is
noted that before the court procedure, representatives of V. Mezhlumian
said that they have "permission" of the authorities and the outcome of
court examination is predetermined. The OYP political board condemns
these infringements, in which the judicial system also participates,"
the document says.

OWNER OF MICROSOFT BILL GEITS DIDN’T SIGHT THE LETTER ADDRESSED TO U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

Arminfo
2007-03-06 14:53:00

Owner of Microsoft Bill Geits didn’t sight the letter addressed to
U.S. President George W. Bush. Over 100 of American entrepreneurs
composed the letter calling for pressure over the U.S. Congress to
prevent recognition of Armenian Genocide.

Grigor Barsegyan, Head of Microsoft Company in Armenia, told ArmInfo
correspondent that the corporation and its Head Mr. Geits were not
aware about the letter and so can’t comment on it and the people who
signed it.

Reminder: Turkish Daily News on Feb. 19, published an article per
which 100 U.S. leading entrepreneurs, including Bill Geits and
Warren Buffett, sent a letter to President George W. Bush calling
for non-recognition of Armenian Genocide. The letter said that
recognition of Armenian Genocide would become a disaster for the
United States. Recognition of Armenian Genocide would spoil trade
relations between Turkey and USA. Besides that, authors of the letter
are assured that recognition of the Genocide will be an obstacle in
settlement of Turkish-Armenian relations.

HAYPOST OFFERS DIRECT MAIL SERVICE

arminfo
2007-03-06 12:49:00

Haypost company offers Direct Mail service.

The company’s press service reports that the service allows to post
booklets, catalogues, price lists and other promotional materials
directly to potential clients. The service is relatively cheap and
allows to send big volume of information.

To remind, Nov 30 2006 the shares of Haypost were committed to trust
of Haypost Trust Management, a company belonging to Postfinance
(the Netherlands).

FIRST EXHIBITION OF REGIONAL MEDIA TO WORK FROM ARPIL 26 TO MAY 1 IN IRAN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. First exhibition of media with
participation of regional public press and media will work from April
26 to May 1 in Tehran. According to the report provided to Noyan
Tapan from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, at
the conference regional countries should present their printed press
and information agencies, the materials of which contain publications
relating to cultural, social, economic, political spheres, as well as
publications regarding affairs of children, women and youth in Persian,
Arab, English and French languages. The exhibition’s goal is to promote
cultural, social, economic relations among regional media, to mutually
get acquainted with abilities of media, to familiarize visitors
with information system of regional countries. The participants of
exhibition will be given an opportunity to meet with political and
cultural high-ranking officials of Iran and to visit cultural and
historic places.

VARDAN OSKANIAN AND DERMOT AHERN DISCUSSED THE ISSUES OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND AND NAGORNO-KARABAGH

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 1 2007

February 28 RA FM Vardan Oskanian, who is in Dublin on an official
visit, met with Ireland’s Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MFA Press Service,
in the course of the meeting Ireland’s FM underscored RA FM’s first
visit to Ireland enabled to discuss the bilateral cooperation’s
outlooks in detail.

The interlocutors presented the priorities of their countries’ foreign
policy and the stances on various international issues. The parties
discussed the possibilities of the cooperation, in part, within
the frames of the EU New Neighborhood Policy. The two countries’
FMs discussed the issues of the conflicts’ settlement.

Dermot Ahern presented the course of the settlement of the Northern
Ireland’s issue. In his turn, Vardan Oskanian presented current stage
of the Karabakh conflict’s solution.

In the course of the meeting the parties also considered the
possibilities of the bilateral cooperation within the international
organizations’ frames.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION PARTY SAYS IT WILL NOT RUN FOR PARLIAMENT

Arminfo
28 Feb 07

Yerevan, 28 February: The National Democratic Union [NDU] led by Vazgen
Manukyan will not participate in the 12 May parliamentary election,
according to a decision made at the party’s council meeting on 28
February.

"The National Democratic Union will not participate in the
parliamentary election under the first-past-the-post and proportional
systems. The party’s leader, Vazgen Manukyan, will not be included in
a list of any other party," NDU press secretary Gohar Veziryan has
said. She said the party will hold a news conference at the party’s
headquarters in the coming days to announce the NDU statement and
explain the motives.

HEYDAR BABAYEV: "EVEN AFTER ACCESSION TO WTO, NO COMMERCIAL TIES WITH ARMENIA"

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 28 2007

Azerbaijan Economic Development Ministry has submitted to the
Government the draft document on the country’s accession to the World
Trade Organization, said Minister Heydar Babayev.

As APA reports, public presentation of the proposals will be given
after approved by the Cabinet.

"Our government bodies don’t have unanimous and complete opinion
of the advantage Azerbaijan will get from the accession. Our main
objective is to get developing status in agriculture," he noted.

Heydar Babayev stated that even after accession to the WTO, any
commercial ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan are out of question
until Nagorno Karabakh is free of Armenian occupation.

URL:

ARMENIAN STOCK EXCHANGE STARTED TENDER BY FIRST CORPORATE BONDS OF NON-FINANCIAL SECTOR – ‘SHEN-CONCERN’ CJSC

arminfo
2007-02-27 08:16:00

Tender by first corporate bonds of a non-financial sector, a leader
for production of building materials, "Shen-Concern" CJSC, has
started today on the floor of the Armenian Stock Exchange (ArmEx),
Aleksan Sahakyan, Director General of "E-capital Asset Management",
which is an underwriter and a market-maker of bonds, told ArmInfo.

Along with it, according to the Head of Exchange, Armen Melikyan, the
bonds had successfully passed an exchange listing in category "B" in
a specially created scale for the bonds. He emphasized the importance
of availability of a market-maker in the person of "E-capital Asset
Management" that will assure permanent bilateral quotations of bonds
and their full liquidity.

To remind, the "Shen-Concern" CJSC has issued nominal, non-documentary
discount bonds in December. The total par value of bonds will
make up 160 mln drams to be placed by four equal transfers of 40
mln drams each till June 1. Each transfer envisaged to issue 4,000
bonds at face-value of 10, 000 drams per bond. The annual earnings
yield of securities is fixed at a level of 9% per year. According to
the preliminary estimation, the gain from realization of the first
transfer will make up 36 697 248 drams to be aimed at refinancing of
the Company’s debt. The term of bonds circulation is 365 days since
the last placement day.

The "Shen-Concern" CJSC is presently engaged in the production of
building materials, paints, putty, binding materials, concrete
blocks. It also deals with construction and trade of building
materials. In future, the Company schedules to continue the production
of pints and dry mixtures, as well as to organize new kinds of
production.

As of September 30, 2006, the Company’s gain from realization made
up 1 462 058 thsd drams, in 2005 – 1 243 292 thsd drams against 1
073 103 thsd drams in 2004. The net profit as of Sep 30, 2006, made
up 272 321 thsd drams against 36 139 thsd drams in 2005 and 201 926
thsd drams in 2004. According to the Company’s specialists, if the
production realization volumes within 9 months, 2006 grew by 17,6%,
the net profit for the same period has increased by 653,5%. Such
high rates of profit growth are explained by the reduction of the
production first cost.

To remind, the owner of 36% of shares of "Shen-Concern" CJSC is the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). These are
the first investments of the European Bank in the private industrial
enterprise of Armenia. The rest part of shares belongs to the
Company’s top-managers. To note, the Central Bank of Armenia has
conferred a high "B" rating on "Shen-Concern" CJSC. The estimation
of the Company’s financial activity by CB specialists made up 3.86,
the estimation of activities quality – 4.5, the average estimation –
4.18. In view of this, the CB is ready to accept the bonds, issued
by the Company, as a guarantee during signing of REPO-Contracts
with commercial banks. In the opinion of analysts, this circumstance
contributes greatly to the bonds liquidity level increase and enables
the investors to enter the market of alternative financial tools.