Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

FIRST TIME IN ARMENIA – PASSENGERS OF ARMAVIA FLIGHTS ARE DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE VOUCHERS FOR VIVACELL PREPAID CARDS

arminfo
2008-07-31 15:14:00

ArmInfo. VivaCell, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (NYSE: MBT),
announces that for the first time in Armenia, effective July 3 all
passengers on Armavia flights can receive VivaCell prepaid cards free
of charge, VivaCell pres-service reports. In the framework of a joint
innovative promotional action of Armenia’s leading mobile operator
VivaCell and Armavia air company, henceforth, special vouchers will
be distributed to all passengers on Armavia flights to Armenia, during
the flights. These can be redeemed against VivaCell ALO prepaid cards,
either with Menk or Barbar tariff plan, at one of VivaCell Service
Centers, at anytime.

Persons aged 18 or above can receive the card upon presenting their
passport. As for all other coming flights, passengers can get an
Alo prepaid card free of charge, from the Airport free zone arrival
VivaCell Service Center.

VivaCell (K-Telecom CJSC) is the leading Armenian mobile operator,
providing a wide range of Voice and Data services. Since its launch
on 1st July 2005, in a short period of time VivaCell has managed to
build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell
drives the development and offering of innovative mobile communications
products, services and features in the Armenian mobile communications
market. For more information, visit Mobile TeleSystems
OJSC ("MTS") is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and
the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company services over
86.94 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as well as Armenia,
Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which MTS and its
associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM services,
have a total population of more than 230 million. Since June 2000,
MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(ticker symbol MBT).

HADRUT AND NEAREST VILLAGES TO BE SUPPLIED BY GAS

Panorama.am
21:17 30/07/2008

Currently five projects being implemented by "Armenia" All Armenian
Fund are to be finished in Hadrut region. In the beginning of September
the official opening ceremony is planed to be held, reported the
Fund. According to the source a part of the projects are being
implemented in the frmes of "Artsakh Rebirth" project.

The projects are funded by TV Marathon 2006. The main projects
implemented in the region are supplying the territory with gas, water;
reconstruction of a school and hospital.

KEVORKIAN TO HOLD FIRST TOWN HALL MEETING

Livingston Daily
July 31 2008
MI

Congressional candidate Jack Kevorkian, who gained fame in the 1990s
after being convicted of second-degree murder for his role in an
assisted suicide, will hold his first town hall meeting Friday.

Kevorkian is running as an independent in the 9th Congressional
District against U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township, and
Democrat Gary Peters, a former state senator and lottery commissioner.

At the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Birmingham Community
House, 380 South Bates in Birmingham, Kevorkian will discuss his
philosophy on foreign and domestic affairs, the economy and what he
plans to do if elected.

Kevorkian, who served more than eight years in prison before his
release last June, admitted to participating in more than 130 assisted
suicides during the 1990s.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Library at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences Renovated with
AGBU’s Support

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) recently undertook the
renovation of the three floors of the RA National Academy of Sciences’
(NAS) library under the agreement of ongoing cooperation between the two
institutions. The renovated areas include the entrance, reading hall #1,
bathroom facilities and the third-floor hall. Several walls, water
removing systems, lighting system and floors were also renovated with
the funds provided. The total cost of the renovations came to $60,000.

The NAS library is a significant storehouse of books and scientific
publications and enjoys a leading role in the Armenian library network.
Many academics and students make use of this significant scientific
library, which is administered by director Dikran Zarkarian.

Established in 1906, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the
world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New
York City, AGBU (preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and
heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs,
annually serving some 400,000 Armenians across the globe. For more
information, visit

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: "NAGORNO KARABAKH ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN SETTLED BY FORCE"

Today.Az
itics/46703.html
July 29 2008
Azerbaijan

Armenian Defense Minister announced that Nagorno Karabakh issue should
be settled diplomatically.

"Campaign on bellicose rhetorics in Azerbaijan and distortion of
historical facts started in the 1980s. Azerbaijan has once used the
armed way of the conflict resolution. Nagorno Karabakh issue has
been settled by force and now it should be brought to its logical
end by diplomatic ways", noted Seyran Ohanyan at a meeting with the
audience of the summer school of Ararat Strategic Research Center,
according to Armenia’s public television.

Ohanyan also noted that one of the directions for overcoming the
problems, facing Armenia, is national solidarity. According to the
Ministry, in the moment of threats, Armenian people demonstrate unity,
but uses peace time not effectively to prepare for future threats.

"In conditions of growing threat, there is no alternative to
unity. Turkey keeps a whole army on the Armenian border. Baku voices
bellicose statements at times and distorts the historical facts",
concluded the Armenian Defense Minister.

TWO ARMENIAN JUDOKAS IN BEIJING 2008

A1+
29 July, 2008

The Judo International Federation has declared the list of its
participants in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Armenia will be
represented by 2 sportsmen – Hovhannes Davtyan (60kg) and Armen
Nazaryan (66kg).

32 judokas are to struggle for medals in the 60kg category. The
favourite of this category is considered Ruben Houkes (Netherlands),
who won gold medals in the World Judo Championship 2007. For the
past years Ruben Houkes has won a number of medals in international
championships. For the 29-year-old judoka these might be the last
Olympic Games. Another aspirant to the first standing is Nestor
Khergiani (Georgia), who won silver medals in the Olympic Games of
2004 and World Judo Championship 2007.

Four years ago Armen Nazaryan (66kg) participated in the Olympic
Games of 2004 under 60kg bodyweight category. But since according
to the Beijing 2008 Olympic rules a country can be represented with
only one judoka from each category Armen Nazaryan had to change his
weight category. He is considered a favourite, as he is included in
the list of 5 best judokas in the world.

In the World Judo Championship 2007 Armen got the fifth standing
under 66kg bodyweight category.

By the way there are 4 medals raffled in Judo – 1 gold, 1 silver and
2 bronze.

FORUM OF ARMENIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF EUROPE RESPONDS TO CALL OF RA PRESIDENT SENDING 50+50M USD TO ARMENIA

ARMENIANS TODAY
JULY 28

Ashot Grigorian, the Chairman of the Forum of Armenian Associations
of Europe (FAAE), announced that he joins the united efforts of all
Armenians directed to the development and strengthening of the state
of Armenia and responds to the recently made call of the RA President
Serzh Sargsyan, expressing his willingness to provide concrete aid
to Armenia.

"It’s time that the Armenians of the entire world could feel the
power of their unity and put it in service of the uprise of motherland
Armenia", the statement adopted by FAAE presidium read.

FAAE Chairman Ashot Grigorian has made a decision to make an investment
of m in the next two years by implementing Slovakia’s export credit
program.

Another m will be sent to Armenia from the means of member
organizations to FAAE and individuals.

"Our power is in our unity" – this formula is the pledge of the real
strengthening of our motherland, and the RA President’s initiative
of uniting the potential of all Armenians is the first step towards
the Armenia of our dreams.

14 commercial banks of Armenia entered list of country’s 300 tax payers
in first half year, 2008

2008-07-25 15:01:00

ArmInfo. Upon the results of the first half year, 2008, 14 commercial
banks of Armenia entered the list of 300 biggest tax-payers of the
country.

By the data of RA State Tax Service, Ardshininvestbank has become the
first in this list by the size of the paid taxes over the first half
year, 2008. The bank took the 19th place among the first hundred tax
payers having paid total of 1.414 bln drams, 1.355 bln drams of which
are profit tax and income tax. It is followed by ACBA-Credit Agricole
Bank: it took the 24th place among the first hundred tax payers having
paid 1.329 bln drams, 1.307 bln drams of which – profit tax and income
tax. "HSBC Bank Armenia" replenished the state budget over the first
half year by 1.196 bln drams, including 1.057 bln drams – profit tax
and income tax, so, the bank took the 27th place. This bank is followed
by Armeconombank which took the 74th place having paid 501.4 mln drams,
475.8 mln drams of which – profit tax and income tax. ‘Converse Bank’
took the 87th place having replenished the state budget by 391.7 mln
drams, 378.4 mln drams of which – profit tax and income tax.
Armbusinessbank took the 98th place, as the paid taxes in the first
half year, 2008, made up 342.6 mln drams, including 333.2 mln drams –
profit tax and income tax. ‘VTB Armenia’ Bank took the 116th place in
the list of 300 biggest tax- payers of Armenia having paid 298.3 mln
drams to the state budget, 226.1 mln drams of which fell on the profit
tax and income tax.

Unibank has occupied the 128-th place paying 278.3 mln drams to the
state budget, including 262.5 mln drams – profits tax and income tax.
INECOBANK has occupied the 146- th place in the list, having paid 249.1
mln drams to the state budget, including 233.3 mln drams – profits tax
and income tax. Bank Anelik has occupied the 193-th place having paid
178.8 mln drams, including 171 mln – profits tax and income tax.
ARARATBANK paid 138.3 mln drams to the state budget over the first
half-year of 2008, including 126.5 mln drams – profits tax and income
tax, and occupied the 246-th place in the list.
Armswissbank have occupied the 251-th place in the list, having paid
136.6 mln drams to the state budget, including 131.7 mln drams –
profits tax and income tax. Prometei bank occupied the 264 th place
having paid 130.5 drams taxes to the state budget, including 125 mln
drams – profits tax and income tax. Armenian Development Bank concludes
that list occupying the 271 st place, having paid to the state budget
125.2 mln drams taxes over the first half-year of 2008, including 108.4
mln drams – profits tax and income tax.

To note, according to the results of 2007, seven Armenian banks entered
the list of the first 100 tax payers of Armenia, including "HSBC Bank
Armenia", ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank, Ardshininvestbank, Armeconombank,
bank ‘VTB Armenia’, INECOBANK and Unibank. At present 22 commercial
banks function in Armenia.

"BAREKAMUTYUN" DANCE TROUPE CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

armradio.am
25.07.2008 16:37

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan issued a congratulatory message
on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the "Barekamutyun"
Dance Troupe.

The message states:

"I congratulate the "Barekamutyun" Dance Troupe on its 20th
anniversary.

Preserving the unique and rich traditions of the national culture, for
two decades "Barekamutyun" Dance Troup has been presenting the Armenian
dancing art in Armenia and outside its borders, permanently attracting
its fans with unrepeatable performances. The performance of the troupe
has always received high professional evaluation from renowned culture
critics, getting a warm reception among the culture-loving society.

Undoubtedly, the creative upheaval of the dance troupe enjoying
great love and respect is directly associated with the activity of
its founder and creative director, People’s Artist of Armenia Norayr
Mehrabyan. His performances created a new direction in the contemporary
dancing art of Armenia.

Once again congratulating the "Barekamutyun" Dance Troupe on the
occasion of the 20th anniversary, I wish new endeavors and upheavals,
days full of creative achievements."

ARMENTEL PLEDGES TO DIGITIZE 80 PERCENT FIXED-LINE TEL STATIONS THIS YEAR

ARKA
July 24

Eighty percent of analog stations of fixed-line
telephone network will have been digitized by the end of this year, Director
General of ArmenTel (Beeline trademark) Neicho Velichkov said at the Novosti
International Press Centre. Currently, only 58 percent stations are
digitized in Armenia.

The remaining part will be digitized via the CDMA (Code Division Multiple
Acces) system. The stationary communication will be totally digitized next
year making Armenia the first ever country in the world with 100-percent
digitized fixed-line communication, Mr. Velichkov said.

The number of the company’s subscribers has increased by 30,000 this
year to reach 650,000. Mr. Velichkov said they are expecting another
30,000-35,000 users to join the company by the end of this year. N.H.