CUSTOM DUTY COLLECTION GROWS BY 11.2% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-October 2006, the RA
state budget’s customs duty revenues made 14.5 bln darms, exceeding
by 11.2% or 1.5 bln drams (about 3.5 mln USD) the respective index
of 2005. According to the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, in the
first ten months of 2006, fixed payments from certain types of activity
amounted to 12.3 bln drams, exceeding by 17.8% or about 1.9 bln darms
the respective index of last year. The growth is mainly conditioned by
an increase in payments for gasoline filling, transport activity and
organization of public catering and trade facilities. In the period
under review, the state budget’s simplified tax revenues made 6.2
bln drams, growing by 12.1% or 670.8 mln drams on the same period of
last year mostly due to an increase in revenues from trade. During
the first ten months of this year, the budgetary revenues from other
taxes made over 9.8 bln drams.

Particularly, nature use and environmental protection payments amounted
to 5.6 bln drams and road payments – to 2.1 bln drams. Other taxes
grew by 30% or about 2.3 bln drams on the same months of last year,
which was mainly due to an increase in nature use payments and fines
for violation of the tax legislation.

IN OPINION OF RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, NO DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESS IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT PUBLIC CONSENT

Noyan Tapan
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. "The process of joining the European
Union in many respects depends on the public and demands much efforts
from it."

Ambassador of Poland to Armenia Tomasz Knothe declared this at the
December 5 press conference dedicated to the process of Armenia’s
integration to European structures and Poland’s experience in the issue
of joining the European Union. He said that almost all political forces
of Poland and the prevailing majority of the country’s public held
the same opinion in the issue of Poland’s membership to EU and this
factor became one of the most important ones in the process of Poland’s
joining EU. In the Ambassador’s words, the process of joining EU is not
limited to negotiations between the authorities of this or that country
and Brussels: the whole public is involved into the process. "The
issue is not solved at the level of the authorities, nothing will
be achieved without the involvement of the whole public," T.Knothe
said. In this respect he drew a special attention to the process of
bringing a legislation of this or that country in correspondence with
the European one. Another participant of the press conference, RA
Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Baibourtian agreed to this opinion. "No
development of the European integration process is possible without
the public consent." The Deputy Minister said that both Armenia’s
geographical position on the crossroad on the West and the East and
its centuries-old cooperation with both Europe and Asia left a lasting
impression on the consciousness of the Armenian people. Besides,
as A.Baibourtian estimated, strong influence of European values on
the Armenian people is explained with presence of Armenian colonies
in different European countries. He said that participation in the
New European Neighborhood Policy should not be considered as a way to
the European Union: participation in this program gives no guarantees
for joining EU. Meanwhile, in his words, each country cooperates with
EU within the framework of the New European Neighborhood program and
passes a path of reforms in this context.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STATE DUTY COLLECTION GROWS BY 11.6% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-October 2006, the RA
state budget’s state duty revenues made 16.1 bln drams (about 37.9
mln USD), which ensured 85.4% of the annual program on state duty
collection. According to the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy,
the total amount of state duties grew by 11.6% or 1.7 bln drams on
the same period of 2005, which was mainly conditioned by an increase
in revenues from consulate services and state registration activity,
payments for provision of legal documents to natural persons and
payments from licensing of activities. In January-October 2006, non-tax
revenues of the state budget made 27.7 bln drams, exceeding by 51.5%
the programmed annual index, which was mostly due to the payment made
for the right to conduct negotiations as a result of privatization of
the Zanagezur Copper and Molybdenum Plant CJSC. Non-tax revenues grew
by 10.2% on the same period of last year. It is noteworthy that funds
of extrabudgetary accounts opened by the decision of the RA government
for state institutions were included in non-tax revenues. In the first
ten months of 2006, the budgetary revenues from capital operations
made about 12.4 bln drams, 11.1 bln drams of which was received from
alienation of lands representing state property and 1.3 bln drams –
from sale of fixed assets. Revenues from capital operations secured
94.2% of the programmed annual index.

RA STATE BUDGETARY EXPENDITURES INCREASE BY 18% IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-October 2006, expenditures
of over 354.4 bln drams (about 833.5 mln USD), which was 76.9% of the
annual program of expenditures, were made at the expense of the RA
state budget resources. 77.4% of the allocated funds was directed for
financing of current expenditures, 18.9% – of capital expenditures,
and 3.7% – for net crediting.

According to the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, budgetary
expenditures grew by 18% or 54.1 bln drams on the same period of
last year. This growth in expenditures was mainly conditioned by an
increase in capital expenditures, transfers and expenses on salaries
and purchase of services.

VARDAN OSKANIAN: WHETHER SOLUTION IS LONG-TERM WILL DEPEND ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEOPLE’S STATUS AND SECURITY

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 5 2006

"No one is so eager to achieve the long-lasting resolution of the
Karabakh issue as we are. The Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents’
last meeting has inspired us with hope that we may reach agreement
even on the disputable principles. If the solution will be long-term
will depend on the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s status and security",
stated RA FM Vardan Oskanian December 4, speaking at the sitting of
the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers held in Brussels.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MFA Press Service,
RA FM reminded the conflict had begun when the Nagorno-Karabakh
people’s security had been endangered. According to Vardan Oskanian,
the issues being discussed at the talks are the attempt to satisfy
the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination, at the
same time eliminating the conflict’s consequences.

Armenian Foreign Minister said a referendum on the Draft Constitution
would be held in the Nagorno-Karabakh in a few days. "For the last
15 years the political institutions have been established in the
Nagorno-Karabakh, power has been formed via elections, the legal
filed is developing. They realize the necessity of the Principal
Law and recognize that the general voting is the only way of its
adoption", noted Armenian Foreign Minister. In his words, Azerbaijan’s
allegations that the referendum’s conduct will hamper the talks are
far from reality. "The real obstacle is their intolerable reaction
to the democratic processes in Karabakh, their refusal to involve
the Nagorno-Karabakh in the talks, repeated militarist appeals and
efforts to avoid the negotiation process under the aegis of the OSCE
Minsk group", Armenia’s FM underscored.

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN ACTIVISTS LED FINAL MARCH TO US CAPITOL

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 5 2006

After walking cross-country for four months from Los Angeles
to Washington, a group of Armenian-American activists who formed
Journey for Humanity led a final march to the United States Capitol
this month. According to the information DE FACTO received at the
Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), along with Assembly Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny, the group had met with the Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI)
to discuss their 3,000 mile journey and efforts to advance the cause
of genocide prevention as well as honor the victims and survivors of
all genocidal acts.

"I commend the dedication of these six Armenian students, as well as
the Armenian Assembly for their efforts in raising public awareness
and affirmation of these crimes against humanity," said Pallone and
Knollenberg. "Awareness and education are the keys to prevention".

While in Washington, the group also participated in a panel discussion
hosted by the George Washington University Armenian Student’s
Network. The event was cosponsored by Georgetown University Armenian
Student’s Association, Students Taking Action Now for Darfur (STAND),
Progressive Student Union, Hillel and the Armenian Assembly.

In addition to Journey for Humanity, featured speakers included Lisa
Rogoff of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Jana El-Horr of the
American Islamic Congress, Julia Fitzpatrick of Citizens for Global
Solutions and Martha Heinemann-Bixby of the Save Darfur Coalition.

"I applaud the entire Journey for Humanity team for their courageous
spirit," said Ardouny. "It is heartening to see this group of
thoughtful, civic-minded individuals devote their time and energy to
raising awareness of the need to remember and learn not only about
the Armenian Genocide, but all genocides in order to prevent future
occurrences".

Journey for Humanity’s next step is to create a speakers bureau
which will travel to universities, middle schools and high schools
to discuss genocide prevention.

NKR SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED CURRENT STAGE OF KARABAKH TALKS

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 5 2006

December 4 the NKR Security Council sitting was held in Stepanakert.

The sitting was presided over by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
President Arkady Ghoukassian.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the NKR President’s
Administration, in the course of the sitting Arkady Ghoukassian
granted a hearing to the situation along the NKR and Azeri Armed
Forces’ contact line. Then the state’s head acquainted those present
with the outcomes of the meetings held during his visit to the U. S.
Arkady Ghoukassian highly estimated the Diaspora’s participation in the
TV marathon targeted at fund raising for the implementation of Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund’s program on the restoration and development of the
NKR Hadrut region. The Nagorno-Karabakh President noted, in part,
that the TV marathon’s results again testified to the Armenians’
belief in the future of Artsakh and its people.

Then the sitting’s participants discussed the issues included in the
agenda. In part, they considered the Karabakh talks and the preparatory
works on the referendum on the NKR Draft Constitution.

The interlocutors exchanged opinions on the NKR Draft State Budget
for 2007 elaborated by the government.

Familiarizing himself with the current issues and the work carried
out by the government, the NKR President gave corresponding orders.

ARRESTED WORDS: PEN ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES IMPRISONED WRITERS
By Jacquelyn Salam

Asharq Alawsat, UK
Dec 5 2006

Toronto, Asharq Al Awsat – Where do the poems and stories that
exist in the minds of imprisoned writers go when they are deprived
of reading and writing tools and are delivered into the hands of the
executioner and subjected to barbaric modern torture devices? Is the
suffering experienced by all prisoners and the stories and poems that
spring from it universally alike in the same way that the agendas
and practices of dictatorship governments are similar?

Perhaps if we were to leaf through the memoirs of any prisoner, both
men and women, on the occasion of the Day of the Imprisoned Writers
as designated by PEN to be the 15th November, where the Writers in
Prison Committee of International PEN marked the 26th Writers in
Prison Day with a campaign that centers around defending over 100
writers and journalists worldwide who are imprisoned or facing charges
for alleged libel. The occasion was celebrated in the 144 different
branches of the PEN association located in 101 different countries.

Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka was present and read excerpts
from his work. He said during an interview that in 1988, years after
his release from prison, that, "I was in solitary confinement for 22
months for a total period of more than two years. I understood the fact
that it was an attempt to break my mind. Books and all means of writing
were held from me, I persisted in trying to find human interaction."

The Syrian poet, Faraj Bayrakdar, who is the winner of the
Hellman-Hammett Award in 1998 and the American PEN Freedom-to-Write
Award in 1999, said in an interview with the Oman-based ‘Nazwa’
magazine, that "it hadn’t been long since my imprisonment that
I began to discover poetry as a flash of light in the darkness,
and justice in the face of tyranny, and love in the face of hate. I
started writing in memory, as there were no pens or paper. Years later,
they moved us to Sydnaya prison where I was able to reveal the poetry
in my memories and the memories of my friends to transcribe it onto
paper…later, I learned from my late friend, Jameel Hatmal, that he,
in collaboration with others managed to get hold of the first few
and they published them."

Other writers recognized included, Hrant Dink, the Turkish editor of
an Armenian-language newspaper who is still pending trial; Wesenseged
Gebrekidan, the imprisoned Ethiopian journalist; Lydia Cacho, the
Mexican writer who is still on trial for defamation; Yang Xiaoqing,
the internet journalist from China who is sentenced to one year in
prison, and the two Egyptians, editor and journalist respectively,
Ibrahim Issa and Sahar Zaki who are both sentenced to a year for
‘insulting’ the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.

Yet despite all forms of repression, we still hear and read about how
prisoners can ‘reinvent’ ink and paper and still manage to transcribe
their words, set them free and release them into the world. David
Cozac, the Canadian PEN representative who is also the head and
coordinator of the Writers in Exile Network in Canada, gave a speech
in which he highlighted the role and goals of the Canadian branch
of PEN and its role in organizing continuous campaigns that can help
liberate the words and opinions of imprisoned writers everywhere.

In the tradition of the PEN Association, there was a vacant seat in
the hall in honor and memory of an absent imprisoned writer. This
particular seat was dedicated to Chinese writer U Win Tin, from
Myanmar, who is 76-years-old and has already spent one-fifth of his
life in prison for his peaceful opposition to the ruling military
authorities, and his contributions to the defense of human rights and
freedom of expression. First arrested in July 1989, he is not granted
any rights in prison and does not receive proper medical attention or
visitation rights, which is why the Canadian PEN Association issued
a petition demanding his immediate release.

Additionally, women writers from around the world read passages from
their writings, books and autobiographies in what was a reflection
of their personal experiences in Canada and in their native countries.

Jacquelyn Salam read pages from her book ‘Autumn Shedding Berry Leaves’
and a text that includes a dialogue with an ex-prisoner.

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer also took the opportunity to
commemorate writers and journalists who were killed in the past year,
including the late Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya whose
death caused PEN centers worldwide to protest, hold vigils and send
appeals to the Russian authorities demanding a proper investigation,
also sending condolences to her family and colleagues. In total, 37
writers had been killed since November 15 of last year, with Iraq,
Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Russia ranking the highest
among the most dangerous countries.

ARMENIAN SPIRITUAL LEADER VISITS CITY
By Steve Linsenmayer

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN
Dec 5 2006

His church is small minority in Lebanon

Aram I (Aram the First,) the spiritual leader of the Holy See of
Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, made a visit to Fort Wayne
on Monday.

For area developer Zohrab Tazian, who hosted the visit with his wife,
Naomi, it was a moving day.

"I have been away from the mainstream Armenian community. This brings
the Armenian community back to me."

Aram I, who oversees the dioceses of Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus,
performed a blessing in the entryway of the north-side Fort Wayne
home. Among the 100 luncheon guests were Bishop John M. D’Arcy and
Rep. Mark Souder, R-3rd District.

Aram I made his Fort Wayne visit en route to events at the University
of Notre Dame and St. John’s University in Minnesota, where he will
receive the 2006 Pax Christi Award.

Home is Antelias, Lebanon, only 15 miles from Beirut. Recent troubles
there have left the Armenian Church relatively unscathed, but, says
Aram, not without responsibilities in the conflict.

"Being Christian means to have the courage to face challenges," he
said. "According to the Bible, St. Paul says that we are given the
task of reconciliation.

"The role of the church should be reconciliation, the bridge-building
role. We’re trying to be responsive to realities, to challenges.

"Of course you know we are a small minority there," he said.

"It’s not an easy way of life, but we have to do that."

He also spoke of the importance of remembering the WWI genocide
committed against 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish
government.

"My church, my people, have undergone, you see, the bitter experience
of genocide," he said. "This is part of our Armenian Christian
experience."

Photos: 16168553.htm

SINCERITY OF ARMENIAN NEGOTIATORS IS QUESTIONED BY SUCH CLEAR PROVOCATIONS AS A DECLARED INTENTION TO HOLD A SO-CALLED "CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM" – AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER
Author: A.Ismaylova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Dec 5 2006

The sincerity of Armenian negotiators is questioned by such clear
provocations as a declared intention of Armenian separatists to hold a
so-called "constitutional referendum" in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh,
the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, stated at the
14th meeting of the Council of OSCE Foreign Ministers, Trend reports.

We view the UN General Assembly resolution-sponsored OSCE-led
Environmental Assessment Mission to the fire-affected territories of
Azerbaijan as a good example of rapid and effective practical reaction
to an urgent and complex problem faced by a participating State.

"We request the Chairman-in-Office to submit the Mission’s Report
to the UN General Assembly and its Member-States, and call on the
organizations and programmes of the United Nations system to launch a
joint process of preparation for a long-term Environmental Operation
in the fire-affected lands as it is envisaged by the UNGA resolution,"
Mammadyarov said.

"To my deep regret, I still cannot extend the same level of enthusiasm
to the whole process of settlement of the conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. Despite increased activity demonstrated throughout this
year by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
and the parties involved we have not yet achieved the irreversible
solution," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said.

In addition, he stressed that there is no alternative to finding
solution in the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. At
the appropriate stage of the settlement process it will be possible
to discuss this issue by the whole population of the Nagorno-Karabakh
region of Azerbaijan. "Proceeding from the standards of democracy,
rule of law and human rights, we believe that process of definition
of a status shall take place on an equal basis, with direct and full
participation of entire population of the region, which are both
Armenian and Azerbaijani communities," he stated.

Unfortunately, the sincerity of Armenian negotiators is questioned
by such clear provocations as a declared intention of Armenian
separatists to hold a so-called "constitutional referendum" in the
occupied Nagorno-Karabakh. "This is yet another unconstructive step
taken by Armenian side in its attempt to consolidate and camouflage
the results of its illegal activities. Azerbaijan shall never accept
such illegal acts of the Armenian side, which are based on notorious
practice of fait accompli and fully contradict the ongoing efforts to
bring durable peace and stability to the region," Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister considers.