Author: Virabian Jhanna

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE PHILLIP GORDON

President.Am
June 10 2009
Armenia

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan received the Assistant Secretary of
State Phillip Gordon, who has arrived to our country on a working
visit.

The President of Armenia congratulated the newly appointed member of
the US Administration and noted that his visit presented an excellent
opportunity to discuss the current stage of the Armenian-American
relations and prospects of their development. According to President
Sargsyan, Armenia attaches great importance to the deepening of
our relations with the United States and highly praises the efforts
of the US Government aimed at the economic development of Armenia,
strengthening of democracy, and stability in the region.

The Assistance Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Phillip Gordon said it’s been two weeks since he assumed the office and
he his first trip oversees is one to Armenia. He also said that the
US attaches importance to the expansion of cooperation with Armenia,
and follows carefully all the developments in the region.

President Sargsyan and Assistant Secretary Gordon thoroughly discussed
the process of normalization of the Armenia -Turkey relations. Noting,
that this a historic opportunity and that the normalization stems
from the interests of Armenia, Turkey and the entire region, Phillip
Gordon reiterated that the United States unequivocally supports steps
taken in that direction.

The two sides exchanged also views on the NK peace process. President
Sargsyan presented in brief the history of the conflict and official
Yerevan’s position. The President of Armenia stressed once again that
our country is committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict
and is ready to continue negotiations based on the Madrid principles.

The parties spoke also about issues related to the Millennium
Challenge program.

AZERBAIJAN FOREIGN MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE TO RAISE ISSUE OF VISIT OF FRENCH DEPUTY TO OCCUPIED LANDS IN FRANCE

Today.Az
/53007.html
June 10 2009
Azerbaijan

The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
will raise the issue of the visit of French deputy Francois
Roschebloine to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, said spokesman
for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elkhan Poluhov.

"The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan has already given instructions
on this issue to chief of department of the Foreign Ministry of
Azerbaijan Rahman Mustafayev, who is currently in France to hold
consultations between the Foreign Ministry and to raise this issue
during consultations and check the reliability of the information
about the visit of the French deputy to the Azerbaijani lands,
occupied by Armenians", said Poluhov.

According to him, if this is true, the Azerbaijani side will bring
to the attention of the French part that this kind of actions of
officials of the French party is illegal.

The spokesman also noted that the consultations between the Foreign
Ministries are held on the level of the new departments of the two
Foreign Ministries.

"The event is planned, but as it coincided with the emergence of
such information, it was decided to give a parallel instruction to
the official of the Foreign Ministry", concluded E. Poluhov.

Earlier, Armenian media reported that a member of the National Assembly
of France, Chairman of the Group of French-Armenian friendship Francois
Rochebloine visited the occupied Azerbaijani territories and made a
number of statements there.

ECONOMIST ABEL AGHANBEGIAN PRESENTS HIS BOOK "CRISIS: A MISFORTUNE AND CHANCE FOR RUSSIA"

NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 8, 2009
YEREVAN

By preliminary forecasts of Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development,
in case of the pessimistic scenario of development of events, Russia
will reach the 2008 level of its GDP growth in 2013, with 2011 being
the first year of growth. By the optimistic scenario of forecasts,
3.5 years instead of 5 years will be required to restore the GDP
growth rate. Academician of the RF Academy of Sciences, economist
Abel Aghanbegian stated this during the June 8 presenation of his book
"Crisis: A Misfortune and Chance for Russia" at the National Academy
of Sciences of Armenia.

In his words, "the main intrigue of the Russian crisis is how high the
second – debt wave of the crisis will be". He explained that Russian
enterprises have debts not only to foreign investors, but also debts
of a total of 13.8 trillion rubles (over 449.5 billion USD) to local
banks. The population has a debt of 6 trillion rubles to Russian
banks. In the opinion of A. Aghanbegian, the Russian enterprises have
no money to pay these debts, while the possibility of these debts’
restructuring by the banks is limited by the fact that the debts
subject to restructuring cannot be taken from the banks’ capital. The
capital/unpaid credits ratio of Russian commercial banks makes 17%. The
academician added that by information of the head of the RF Deposit
Insurance Agency Alexander Turbanov, this index may increase up to 20%
in the future, whereas foreign experts give an interval of 30-37%.

A. Aghanbegian said that the maximim amount of non-repayment of
credits may be observed in the autumn of 2009, so the Central Bank
of Russia has reserved 500 billion rubles to deal with this problem
of commercial banks, and provision of money to banks at non-security
auctions has now begun.

He added that in order to withstand the impact of the global financial
and economic crisis, both Russia and Armenia have an opportunity to
get financing from foreign sources. He said he is going to publish
a re-edited version of his book in September 2009.

OUTSOURCING CLAIMS MORE OF OTTAWA’S HIGH-TECH JOBS

CBC.ca
June 8 2009

Dell’s French-language work goes to Morocco

The City of Ottawa has been considered one of the areas least
affected by the recession, but with 3,000 job losses last month and
an increasing amount of high-tech outsourcing, economists say the
city is feeling the pinch.

Last week, Dell’s remaining Ottawa employees were told their
French-language jobs would be outsourced to workers in Morocco.

Many English-language high-tech jobs have already been outsourced
to India, and according to industry officials there is still more
outsourcing to come.

Frederic Boulanger, the president of Macadamian Technologies, an
Ottawa-based company that develops software for larger companies,
said his company will still do work in Ottawa, but will collaborate
with labs it owns in Armenia.

He said the quality of the workforce high-tech companies can find in
the former Soviet republic is extremely attractive right now.

"Under the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, all of the computer
science stuff was done in Armenia," he said.

"We have the opportunity to find some very deep talent there in
computer science, and in engineering."

India and the Philippines are still the top outsourcing prospects,
but a job that vanishes from Ottawa could easily reappear in Ghana,
Ukraine or Tunisia.

Johan Gott, who compiles a list of the top outsourcing locations for
the Virginia-based consulting firm A.T. Kearney, said an increasing
number of countries are being added to the list.

"I think what we’re seeing is a sort of diversification of options,
where places like Bulgaria, Egypt, Jordan or Morocco become more
important," he said.

Analysts say that as educational standards rise around the world, more
countries have begun to pitch their workforce to Western companies.

"It’s not price alone, it’s also the availability of talent,"
said Gott.

Al-Bawaba
June 6 2009

Guy Manoukian’s masterpiece

Posted: 06-06-2009 , 03:56 GMT

EMI Music Arabia is proud to announce the astounding release of Guy
Manoukian’s brand new studio album "Assouman". A Manoukian journey
which articulates a fresh collection of his new two-type talent. The
first half of Assouman orchestrates classical Guy Manoukian Oriental
tracks, while the second part of the album introduces you to a new
taste of Guy’s International experiences.

Guy Manoukian is the one and only charismatic Lebanese/Armenian
Musician, Composer and incredibly talented Pianist. He is the
Superstar also known as the undisputed Showman King and master of
Oriental Instrumental Music.

Guy has many accolades including winning the Best Dance Album awards
at both the Arabian/ Armenian Music Awards, in addition to being a
Multi Platinum selling EMI Artist (REG Project/Solo career). Guy is
the first artist from Arabia to be endorsed by Yamaha and has
performed around the world WOWING massive audiences from Sydney to
Beirut. If that isn’t enough to convince you of his all round fusion
talent and worldwide success, he has also collaborated with
International Superstars like Wyclef Jean, 50 Cent, Raul Di Blasio and
French Rapper Diams and is currently producing a song for Shakira.

Guy is raising the bar with this 3rd studio album in which he has been
working across the globe for the past two years to produce it and will
be released by EMI Music internationally.

`The album is by far my best work ever’¦ Guy Manoukian

The Album "Assouman’ consists of 13 amazing WORLDCLASS tracks all
potential hits and is presented uniquely in two facets. One facet
Oriental flavored and the other facet world class International music
depicting the multi talents of this Artist.

The (Oriental flavored) is an extension line of what was the ground
breaking sound of `Harem’ that Guy created approximately 10 years
ago. `Harem’ was a track picked up by Buddha Bar’s legendary Claude
Challe on the album New Oriental and till date is a classic musical
masterpiece.

The (International) consists of Guy’s new style which is based on
collaborations with International artists and directed towards a
broader International audience.

Key tracks within the first facet (Oriental flavored) of the album
include the album title track "Assouman" which in Persian means the
`clear sky’. This is an upbeat oriental/ethnic house tune which is
based on a fusion of suka, house and oriental beats with a modern
oriental melody twist fused with a blend of Arabic, Armenian, Assyrian
and Chaldean influence.

`Noritz’ featuring Miguel Luiz and Shahzade are fantastic tracks that
represent a new trend of fusion music Oriental Regatton, "Ralanass"
another potential HIT has an Andalucian flavor emphasized with the
amazing guitar solo from Jef Harutsi.

"To my Son" is a piece of musical art that was written the day he knew
he was going to become a father…. it’s by far Guy’s favorite
piece… the music is considered pure Lebanese. In addition Guy
represents his deep roots to his Armenian Side…. in `Sonzey" and
"Diaspora"

The second part (International) starts with "Doe A Deer" a whopping
dance track written by World renowned Tabia Parker who has written
Shakira’s "Hips Don’t lie" and features Jamaican sensation
Brukup. This is simply HOT!

"Shooting Star" is a cracking radio Pop Dance track featuring the
rising star Leyla and American Rapper `Dash’. A catchy first single
stands firm to be a radio hit across the region with a stunning and
raunchy video to support.

"Work Baby Work" featuring Nicole and "Vibes" featuring Lucina will be
Radio/Club favorites for this summer taking into consideration their
simple melodies and state of the art arrangements and beats…

With a great mix of world class tracks, a World Tour scheduled
throughout 2009 as well as a massive promotional campaign scheduled
for the release of the album with all Virgin Megastores in the region
and EMI’s international marketing presence globally.

`Assouman" has the perfect ingredients for a phenomenal success
regionally and internationally in 2009.

TRACK LIST:

Assouman
Noritz feat. Miguel Luis
Ralanass
To My Son
Diaspora
My Land
Shahzade
Sonzey
Doe A Deer feat. Tabia Parker & Brukup
Shooting Star feat. Leyla Dash & Boogie Breeze
Vibes feat. Lucina
Work Baby Work feat. Nicole & Dash
L’Expression D’Erostisme feat. Leyla

7443

SERZH SARGSIAN PARTICIPATED IN ST. PETERSBURG FORUM

AZG Armenian Daily
06/06/2009

International

According to the President’s office, Serzh Sargsian had a private
conversation with Dmitry Medvedev on June 4.

The Russian President qualified the recent frequent meetings as useful
from the aspect of Armenian-Russian cooperation and development of
personal relations, mentioning that they help to settle the matters
concretely.

The Armenian President thanked his Russian counterpart for providing
a USD 500 mln stabilization loan.

The Presidents touched upon the process of Karabakh conflict
settlement. They also discussed further expansion of Armenian-Russian
economic cooperation and implementation of anticipated programs,
transport issues, as well as military-political cooperation within
the framework of Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Later, on Dmitry Medvedev’s initiative, Armenian, Russian and
Azerbaijani Presidents had supper. The sides discussed the peaceful
resolution of Karabakh conflict.

Yesterday, early in the morning, Serzh Sargsian participated in the
opening ceremony of the 13th economic forum in St. Petersburg

CITIZENS WILL NOT VOTE ANEW

A1+
05:53 pm | June 05, 2009

Politics

June 5 was the last day to submit applications for the recount
of votes.

The recount started on June 2. All applications at territorial election
commissions have been considered, says Tatev Ohanyan, a spokeswoman
for the Central Election Commission.

Remind that on June 4 the CEC requested the Prosecutor’s Office to
annul the results of the election at polling stations 7/7, 7/9 and
8/15 and submitted the corresponding material.

"No voting will be conducted in the disputed polling stations where
the election results were found invalid," says Tatev Ohanyan.

If the election results are considered invalid in a polling station,
the voters at the polling station are included in the number of
inaccuracies which are later taken into account during the final
summarization of election results.

WORLD BANK GOING TO STUDY $60 MILLION STAND-BY ARRANGEMENT FOR ARMENIA FOR 2009-2010

ArmInfo
2009-06-05 15:05:00

ArmInfo.The World Bank Board of Directors is going to study a $60
million stand-by arrangement for Armenia for 2009-2010 on June 2,
Director of WB Office in Yerevan Aristomene Varoudakis told ArmInfo
on Friday.

He said discussion on this project with the Government of Armenia
have been over. A. Varoudakis said the credit will back budgetary
expenditure and support the poor sections of the population. In
particular, the credit will make it possible for the government to pay
social allowances and finance health care and educational services. A.

Varodakis said that the stand-by arrangement is part of the WB
strategy of assistance to Armenia for 2009-2012. The total volume of
the strategy of assistance was $525 million. However, the WB adopted a
decision a few months ago to increase the assistance to $545 million,
he said. Since 1992, the WB has provided over $1.1 million credits
to Armenia.

SYRIAN FM: KARABAKH CONFLICT’S RESOLUTION REQUIRES CONTINUOUS DIRECT DIALOGUE AND POLITICAL WILL

ArmInfo
2009-06-02 13:03:00

Syria is for just resolution of the Karabakh conflict meeting
the interests of both parties, said Syrian Foreign Minister Walid
Al-Mouallim in Yerevan, Tuesday. He came out for continuation of direct
dialogue and display of political will to find just resolution and
settle the relations of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Attempts to find any
other settlement to the conflict contradict the interests of the two
people and may aggravate regional problems and protract the desirable
resolution, the Syrian minister said.

PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES YEREVAN CITIZENS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 17:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated Yerevan
citizens on first elections to Elders’ Council. Declaring such
elections as the start of a new government system, the President
considered them a big advance towards enhancing democratic
mechanisms. Mr. Sargsyan also congratulated "Prosperous Armenia"
and Armenian National Congress (ANC), noting the latter’s progress
during pre-election campaign.

"May 31 elections and the whole electoral campaign came to prove that
we were capable of overcoming all difficulties we encountered in the
past," he said.

Touching upon electoral incidents, the President noted, "Unfortunately,
wrongdoings were observed in some polling stations. But my position
is firm: individual interests cannot prevail over state interests,"
Mr. Sargsyan stressed.