Author: Virabian Jhanna

IMF TO SPEED UP AID TO ARMENIA

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the second review of
anti-crisis stabilization program implemented by Armenia under IMF
credit support.

According to Wall Street Journal, IMF "reworked details of a loan
agreement with Armenia to speed aid to the country." Armenia will
immediately receive an additional $60 million from its $822.7 million
loan facility. The source recalls that Armenia was impacted most by
global crisis among Central European countries. The country has drawn
over U.S. $400m from the provision.

IMF deputy managing director Takatoshi Kato stated that, "The fall
in remittances and the collapse in the construction sector have
caused a more severe economic contraction and lower fiscal revenue
than anticipated."

Under IMF forecast, economic slump in Armenia in 2009 will total 15.6%.

"IMF approved a request for a waiver of nonobservance of end-September
2009 fiscal balance performance criterion, modification of the
quantitative performance criteria for end-December 2009 to reflect
the revised macroeconomic framework and rephasing of purchases to
make the amounts scheduled to become available following the second
and third review available upon completion of the second review,"
IMF official website reads.

CHALDRANYAN’S NEW FILM ‘MAESTRO’ BRINGS MARCH 1 EVENTS TO THE BIG SCREEN

Tert
Nov 2 2009
Armenia

Vigen Chaldranyan’s Maestro premiered at Yerevan’s Moscow Cinema on
October 31. The theatre was more than crowded: the amount of people in
attendance were twice as many as there were seats. The reason? Because
the premier was not limited to the screening of the film: Armenia’s
State Philharmonic Orchestra and Hover Chamber Choir, besides having
direct connection with the film, gave a concert before the screening.

Chaldranyan’s Maestro is about composer and violoncellist Armen
Tigranyan, celebrating his 60th birthday, whose story runs parallel to
the events of March 1, 2008. He sometimes comes into direct contact
with the people gathered before the Opera House and later with the
"crowd" gathered at Shahumyan Square, expressing what the film has
to say with his position on and characterizations of the events. The
maestro, played by actor Mikael Poghosyan, also personifies the "crowd"
and at the end of the film he "gets furious" because of a dog’s bite.

The maestro is the cellist of the state philharmonic orchestra. The
orchestra with its full composition and headed by Art Director Eduard
Topchyan participated in the film shooting. It is not by chance that in
November 2008, Chaldranyan and Poghosyan, together with the orchestra,
participated in tours in Japan, which was summed up in Chaldranyan’s
documentary film.

At the end of the film, they find someone to substitute the cellist in
the orchestra, who continues the maestro’s Requiem rehearsals. Vache
Sharafyan’s work is also for a choir, which is performed by Hover.

This Requiem is finally performed as an elegy to the city, ruined
after March 1 events.

For the first time after March 1 events, this painful page of
independent Armenia’s history appeared on the screen with documentary
shots that didn’t even make it on YouTube during last year’s days where
a state of emergency was declared in Yerevan. Many would agree that
there’s no better way to bring "propaganda" to the people better than
through mass art like cinema; something Soviet leaders did effectively
during the years of social realism. How it will translate in this case,
only time will tell.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES BEGIN MILITARY EXERCISES IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN AGAIN

APA
Nov 2 2009
Azerbaijan

Aghdam. Teymour Zahidoglu – APA. Armenian armed forces began new
military exercises in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

They began shooting trainings at 12.00 on Monday in the directions
of occupied Shahbulag Daghi and Uzundere areas of Aghdam region, APA
Karabakh bureau reports. The Armenian forces used armors and artillery
in the exercises conducted in the villages of Aghdam boundary with
the Agjabedi, Barda and Terter regions.

Voices of armors and military vehicles are heard in the territories
around the contact line. A relative calmness is observed on the line
of contact while exercises are going on.

ARMENIA AHEAD OF NEIGHBORS IN UN WELFARE RATINGS

AZG DAILY
28-10-2009

UN-Armenia

Armenia – Consuelo Vidal, head of the UN office in Yerevan, presents
the UN Human Development Report, 27Oct, 2009

Armenia remained ahead of three of its four neighbors in the United
Nations’ latest index of people’s well-being around the world.

The Human Development Index (HDI), based on 2007 data, rated 182
countries in terms of their Gross Domestic Product per capita, life
expectancy, access to healthcare and education standards. Armenia
occupies 84th place in the rankings topped by Norway Australia and
Iceland, a slight improvement over the UN’s previous Human Development
Report issued two years ago.

"This improvement is largely due to the increase in GDP per capita,"
Consuelo Vidal, head of the UN office in Yerevan, said, presenting
the 2009 report. "Between 1990 and 2007 Armenia’s HDI rose by 0.51
percent annually."

Vidal noted that Armenia holds the first place in the report’s "Medium
Human Development" category and is followed by Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

Iran and Georgia are in 88th and 89th places respectively. Armenia’s
fourth neighbor, Turkey, is 79th in the rankings.

Armenia’s GDP per capita more than quadrupled, in nominal dollar terms,
to roughly $4,300 between 2002 and 2008 on the back of double-digit
economic growth that significantly reduced the official poverty
rate. The International Monetary Fund expects the figure to tumble
to $3,000 this year because of the ongoing economic recession and
the resulting depreciation of the national currency, the dram.

For its part, the World Bank predicted earlier this year that the
recession will increase the proportion of Armenians living below the
official poverty line will from 22 percent to at least 26 percent by
2010, azatutyun.am reports.

ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
October 27, 2009

ATP Initiates Youth Campaign as Part of 350 International Day of Climate
Action

YEREVAN–As part of the global 350 climate change campaign, Armenia Tree
Project worked with the Young Armenian Scholars NGO and Agricultural
Development Program to plant 350 pine seedlings in northern Armenia. The
tree planting campaign was held on October 24 in the village of Jrashen in
the Lori region.

"We formed a group of 40 students from four secondary schools–all of them
are members of Eco-Clubs in their schools–along with teachers and staff of
the partnering organizations to supervise the initiative," noted ATP Yerevan
Director Mher Sadoyan. "Participants planted 350 trees on a hillside at one
of ATP’s newly established forests."

"We were proud to represent Armenia in this international 350 movement to
raise awareness of climate change. This campaign was initiated by activists
and scientists concerned about rising levels of carbon dioxide that is
causing climate change globally and even in Armenia, where we are witnessing
more weather extremes and drier weather that has implications for forests
and agriculture," explained Sadoyan.

"Activists all over the world planned actions on this day to let global
leaders know that carbon dioxide concentrations in our atmosphere need to be
lowered to 350 parts per million, or scientists predict we will face climate
changes that could lead to widespread disruptions for people and
ecosystems," added Sadoyan.

Armenia was represented by Armenia Tree Project, the Young Armenian Scholars
NGO, and the Agricultural Development Program, all of which have been active
in the environmental, educational, and agricultural spheres. The United
Nations Development Program supported the event as part of its initiative on
"Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of
Armenia," and volunteers from Birthright Armenia also planted trees with the
schoolchildren.

"We speak about climate change but unfortunately not much is being
implemented to fight against it. We are thankful to ATP for such a great
initiative. I’m happy today to see the enthusiasm of schoolchildren planting
trees," stated biology teacher Nvard Gevorgyan.

"It’s fun for schoolchildren and it has instructive significance. My pupils
are so excited to be a part of 350 and to represent our country in this
worldwide climate action," added Gevorgyan. "I hope we can participate in
other environmental initiatives."

"Trees absorb carbon dioxide that causes climate change, so we hope our
contribution to the global 350 campaign will help reduce the adverse impacts
of climate change, especially for rural populations in Armenia and other
countries that are most affected," stated ATP Environmental Education
Program Manager Alla Berberyan.

"The climate action was a positive event to raise awareness of the
importance of the number 350 to the Armenian and the international
community, and we are expecting it to have a practical educational impact
especially for the local school and teaching community," noted Berberyan.
"We are proud that Armenia joined this international movement and look
forward to learning about similar actions in other countries on the 350.org
website."

"This was the first tree I have ever planted and I feel terrific," declared
a tenth grade student after the event. "I know today is the international
day of action to fight climate change. The world has united around the same
initiative–to lower carbon dioxide levels to 350. I’m sure we will succeed
as it’s our common goal."

"Today we are planting trees in Lori on this sunny day. It is fun and a
necessity as well," noted another tenth grade student. "Trees absorb carbon
so we have to plant a lot of them. I’m glad to be a part of this initiative.
It is inspiring to know that all over the world such events are
simultaneously taking place and that we made our contribution."

Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project has planted and restored more than
3,000,000 trees at over 800 sites around the country and created hundreds of
jobs for impoverished Armenians in tree-regeneration programs. The
organization’s three tiered initiatives are tree planting, community
development to reduce poverty and promote self-sufficiency, and
environmental education to protect Armenia’s precious natural resources.

For additional information and to support ATP’s mission, visit the web site

PHOTO CAPTION: Armenia Tree Project worked with schoolchildren to plant 350
pine seedlings in the Lori region on October 24 as part of the international
350 campaign to raise awareness of climate change (visit for
more information)

"GASPROMBANK" AND "ARMRUSGASPROM" SIGNED TODAY A LONG-TERM CREDIT CONTRACT

ARMENPRESS
Oct 26, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS: Russian "Gasprombank" and
"Armrusgasprom" signed today a long-term credit contract on opening
of 40 million USD credit line.

Press service of "Armrusgasprom" told Armenpress that the credit line
will be served by "Areximbank CJSC-Gasprombank" group – the subsidiary
of "Gasprombank".

The signing of the contract is directed toward the development
of effective cooperation of the republic’s fuel-energy complex
enterprises.

"Armrusgasprom" is also continuing the implementation of programs of
strategic importance for Armenia’s economy, particularly expansion of
the gas-transportation system agreed with the operation of Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline and upgrading of the 5th unit of "Hrazdan Thermo Power
Plant".

In 2009 January-September the investments made by the company amounted
27,8 billion USD.

DELEGATION OF MOLDAVIAN REPUBLIC OF TRANSDNIESTRIA FOREIGN MINISTRY IN NKR ON OFFICIAL VISIT

NOYAN TAPAN
October 26, 2009
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. A delegation of the Foreign
Ministry of Moldavian Republic of Transdniestria led by Foreign
Minister Vladimir Yastrebchak is in Stepanakert on a three-day
official visit. According to the NKR Foreign Ministry Press Service,
the guests got acquainted with the excavations done in Tigranakert,
then visited Gandzasar medieval monastery on October 25, within the
framework of cultural programs.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
Oct 24 2009

Not the very border Armenia tries to open

24 October 2009 [12:36] – Today.Az

Yerevan’s joy in connection with Zurich protocols might be too premature.

The Turkey-Armenia protocols signed between Ahmet Davutoglu and
Edward Nalbandian in Zurich on Oct. 21 have been sent to the Turkish
parliament, of course, for ratification. The Armenian-Turkish dialogue
remains one of the most discussed themes in the region. Yerevan tries
to present `signing without resistance’ of these Zurich protocols as
their stunning diplomatic and political success. If you listen to the
Armenian political scientists close to the authorities, Turkey has
forgotten about Azerbaijan just for sake of friendship with Armenia,
Armenia has received keys to heaven at discount and twisted everyone
round its finger, whilst the world turns round the major Stella of
monument to `genocide victims’ in the Zitzernakaberd mountains.

However, most experts hurried actually with victorious communiqués in
Armenia. Not because, signing of the Zurich protocols does not mean
that they will enact ` it requires ratification at the parliament. Not
because, the president, the prime minister and the foreign minister of
Turkey have numerously stated that it will occur only after Armenia
leaves the occupied territory of Azerbaijan. What is the most
important is that opening of the Armenian-Turkish border does not mean
automatic and swift `reanimation’ of the Armenian economy. In fact,
well memorized cries of Armenian propagandists about the Turkish
`blockade’, and its colossal damage to the Armenian economy, all these
tearful words are nothing else than PR.

Existence of `functioning’ border with Georgia actually ensured an
exit for Armenia to the sea and potential European markets, including
`railway’ components. The Armenian citizens traveled and go on
traveling Turkey unimpeded, mediators in the `third countries’ supply
Turkish consumer goods to Armenians and the Turkish import, but not
local producers, even defines prices at the agricultural markets of
Armenia (overwhelming majority of those involved in agriculture field
of Armenian SSR were ethnic Azerbaijanis). No doubts, there will be a
movement, but it would beat everything to expect revolutionary effect.
IAE, the international experts guess, even in the most favorable trend
of developments, the opening of border with Turkey will provide the
Armenian economy a growth by no more than 1 percent. If to take into
account rate of its current slowdown, this `one-percent consolation’
can hardly be accepted seriously.

The situation can be changed in root by Armenia’s participation in
communication transcontinental projects: construction of main oil and
gas pipelines via its territory, Great Silk Route, highway deliveries
by the Kars-Gumri railway. Theoretically, nothing hinders the opening
of the Kars-Gumri route after the enactment of protocols.

However, what to transport by this route? That is the question. The
opening of border with Turkey can solve so less in itself for Armenia.
In order to have an access to transcontinental projects, Armenia
should achieve not only the opening of border not only with Turkey,
but first of all normalize relations with Azerbaijan – an exporter of
oil and gas and the only `window’ for participating in Great Silk
Route for Central Asian countries. Otherwise, access to the Turkish
`transit’, to be frank, loses significance. The Armenian `political
scientists’ plan’, implying to construct a gas pipeline from Iran
onward connected to Nabucco seems less real. Firstly, Iran’s
participation in Nabucco seems very much illusive. Secondly, Iran has
its own border with Turkey; so, as less transit countries as better.
Though there is too much talk worldwide that Armenia should be
`rewarded’, in reality after the second Chechen war, of which the
Baku-Grozniy oil pipeline could not save anyone, ideas of
`international pipelines’ has greatly lost its value.

Saying better, the Armenian strategy `was mistaken with border’. At
the same time, they miss a chance of getting aligned with regional
projects. So, to `reward’ Armenia no one will relay the existing
pipelines.

The opening of both Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Azerbaijani borders
will cost Armenia well-known political price, including refusal from
speculations over the `genocide’, withdrawal of troops and recognition
of borders. Because, keys to heaven are not sold at discount.

By Nurani

URL:

ARFD PRESENTS NEW POLITICAL PLATFORM

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.10.2009 16:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ AFD Dashnaktsutyun has presented its new political
platform, in which it marked out thee priorities: national issues;
social and economic tasks; public and political problems.

Special attention is paid to Karabakh conflict, Armenian-Turkish
relations, Javakhk problems and Diaspora affairs.

ARFD said they will work to build a social state based on democratic
standards and international law.

"We will not limit our program to national problems, as we wish to
become full-fledged alternative to the authorities," ARFD member
Armen Rustamyan said.

As to public and political issues, the party outlined constitutional
and legislative reforms, formation of united political system and
new electoral system.

RUSSIAN RAILWAYS TO SHOWCASE AT EXPO-RUSSIA 2009 ARMENIA

ARKA
Oct 23, 2009

YEREVAN, October 23, /ARKA/. The state-run Russian Railways Company
will be showcased extensively at the second EXPO-RUSSIA 2009 Armenia,
Svetlana Zabelina, director of annual EXPO-RUSSIA Armenia 2009
exhibitions told ARKA news agency.

The Russian Railways manages the South Caucasian Railways (formerly
Armenian Railways). She said a special round table will be organized
on the fringes of the exhibition to discuss all railways related
problems and offer solutions.

She said the round table is scheduled for October 30. Top officials of
the Armenian ministry of transport and communications will attend it.

She also said Russian and Armenian specialists may discuss the delivery
of a unique Russian-made truck measuring device that will facilitate
calculation and rehabilitation work on the Armenian railroads.

The second EXPO-RUSSIA ARMENIA will be held in Yerevan on October
29-31. The goal of the exhibition is to help boost economic, technical,
scientific and cultural cooperation between Russia and Armenia.