JIVAN GASPARIAN RECORDED FOR NEW HOLLYWOOD FILM

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Dec 04 2006

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "Two Armenians
are a p lot, three are already a revolution." Famous saxophone
player played such a trick, sitting near Jivan Gasparian,
"a wonder duduk player" (duduk is an Armenian national pipe) as
the Russian "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" (independent newspaper) called
him in the article about J.Gasparian’s evening party organized in
Moscow. "Though only music was revolutionary in that evening," the
newspaper writes. J.Gasparian stated in the interview to journalists
that he returned from London recently where he participated in the
regular recording for the Hollywood film called "Diamond." He recently
performed with the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra, and his concert with
the Russian national orchestra will take place soon. Speaking about
his programs, J.Gasparian also stated that he wants to open a music
school for parentless children in Armenia.

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADE TURNOVER $303.7MLN IN JAN-SEPT 2006

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 4 2006

YEREVAN, December 4. /ARKA/. Armenian-Russian trade turnover totaled
$303.7mln in January-September 2006 against $352.9mln in the year
2005, RA Premier Andranik Margaryan stated at his meeting with RF
Premier Mikhail Fradkov.

The sides discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The
Armenian Premier pointed out its active development in 2006.

Margaryan also pointed out increasing Russian investments in Armenia
and the modernization of the "Armenal" foil-producing plant, which
is supposed to have an essential impact on the trade turnover. The
Armenian Premier also made a high appraisal of the activities of
the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation Margaryan
said that rapid modernization and re-operation of the Armenian
enterprises transferred to Russia under the "Property against Debt"
will contribute to the expansion of economic ties and attraction of
new economic entities.

Premier Margaryan pointed out the success of Armenia-Russian
cooperation in the traditional spheres, such as energy, metallurgy
and chemical industry. Among other promising spheres are information
technologies, small and medium business, tourism. The RA Prime Minister
pointed out active bilateral cooperation in the banking sphere.

According to Margaryan, Armenian businessmen are also interested
in cooperating with producers of agricultural equipment. The sided
addressed the issue of promptly resolving the problem of supplying
Russian equipment to Armenia via Georgia.

An Armenian Premier-headed delegation went to Moscow on November 30 to
take part in the official closing of the Year of Armenia in Russia. On
December 1, 2006, the Armenian Premier held a meeting with his Russian
counterpart Mikahil Fradkov. The following day Premier Margaryan went
to Saint Petersburg to take part in the opening of the "History of
Armenia" exhibition at the Hermitage. The same day Margaryan took
part in the official closing of the Year of Armenia in Russia.

REPAIRED GAVAR-GEGHARKUNIK INTERCOMMUNITY ROAD DELIVERED FOR OPERATION

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

GAVAR, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The ceremony of delivering for
operation the repaired 12.5-km Gavar-Gegharkunik intercommunity road
took place on December 2. The asphalt laying work was started in May
and done in two stages. The total cost of the work done under the Rural
Areas Development Program of the RA Ministry of Agriculture made about
1.3 million USD, part of which was allocated by communities. According
to Mayor of Gavar Gurgen Martirosian, 10 million drams (about 26.3
thousand USD) was provided for this work from the budget of the
city of Gavar, while 7 million drams will be transferred from the
2007 budget. During the meeting with inhabitants of the Hatsarat
district, Gandzak, Sarukhan, Lanjaghyur and Gegharkunik communities,
the RA Agriculture Minister Davit Lokian answered their questions
and presented the programs to be implemented in the marz. "In 2007,
we’ll implement about 50 programs in Gegharkunik marz," the minister
said. Particularly, local pastures will be improved, as well as deep
wells will be drilled in six communities. "7 small enterprises of
importance to the marz will be set up," D. Lokian stated.

STATEMENTS IN DEFENCE OF ARA ABRAHAMIAN CONTINUE TO COME IN

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Noyan Tapan
agency continues receiving letters in defence of Ara Abrahamian,
the Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russian and of the World
Armenian Congress, "relating to quoting in mass media of Armenia
disrespectful statements of some politicians." As it was mentioned in
the statement of the AN-12 plane staff, members of which were set free
in 2005 from the New Guinea prison owing to A.Abrahamian’s activity,
"Ara Arshavirovich gave us second life. We, as people, who directly
felt on themselves Ara Arshavirovich’s huge kindness, wastefulness
and nobility of soul, felt deep indignation and perplexity with some
A.Arakelian’s shameless expressions addressed to Ara Abrahamian. We
have no goal to defend Ara Abrahamian with this letter. He did not need
any protection. With his activity aimed to show assistance to Armenian,
the Armenian people, everybody who turns to him, Ara Arshavirovich has
found long ago the acquired authority and respect towards him. And
didn’t the authorities of Russia with population of many millions,
arising of Ara Arshavirovich’s authority, address to him with a
request to show assistance in liberation of Russian sailors. And
the result is well known to all of us. And some mass media, instead
of displaying constructiveness and impartiality, just the opposite,
aroused passion, getting down to the level of gutter press. Nobody
may defame Ara Arshavirovich’s name and wipe off with some words all
those services that he has and not only for the Armenian people. It
is not accidental that his activity is highly appreciated by many
states and international organizations. And who is the author of all
those, softly called, impolite expressions. Did he do anything for the
Armenian people or taken apartly for anybody… Let’s stop and join
our vote in favour of the Armenian people’s well-being and uniting of
Armenia and Ara Abrahamian’s call to work." A letter with a similar
content was received from refugees from Baku. "… it seemed to all
of us that one must not expect assistance from anywhere. And what
our response and happiness was like when we got to know that there is
an organization, there is its head in the person of Ara Abrahamian,
a man with capital letter which is not indifferent to fate of 100
refugees and 30 families from the disaster zone. Ara Abrahamian
did not only buy with his personal money dwelling space for us, but
also showed financial aid for its privatization." It is gratifying
to mention that the humane treatment displayed by him towards us is
just one from the long list of his kind deeds."

INTRODUCTION OF GMP SYSTEM IN ARMENIA TO CONTRIBUTE TO GROWTH OF MEDICINE EXPORTS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Both import and export of medicines
grows in the recent years in Armenia. According to the data of RA
Health Ministry’s Expert Center for Medicines and Medical Technologies,
medicines amounting to 11.5 mln USD were imported in 2002, to 16 mln
USD in 2003, to 21 mln USD in 2004, while in 2005 imports made 30 mln
USD. Medicines of 1 mln 140 thousand USD were exported from Armenia
in 2003, of about 880 thousand USD in 2004 and of about 1 mln 175
thousand USD in 2005. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by
Ashot Hakobian, Chairman of Armenian Association of Manufacturers and
Importers of Medicines, medicines are imported to Armenia mainly
from European countries and are exported to CIS countries. It
was mentioned that though by RA government’s decision medicine
manufacturing in Armenia was to pass to the GMP (good manufacturing
practice) international system since 2005 January, nevertheless,
this decision was not put into practice. In his words, introduction
of GMP system will contribute to growth of medicine exports, as it
establishes international conditions and criteria of manufacturing,
thanks to which madicines manufactured in Armenia will be competitive
on the foreign market. In A.Hakobian’s words, currently, in order to
solve this problem, big native medicine manufacturers have to apply
to international audit organizations for receiving an international
certificate. It was also mentioned that currently approximately ten
organizations manufacturing medicines function in Armenia, among which
the biggest manufacturers are six companies: Likvor, Eskulap, Arpimed,
Pharmatek, Vitamax, Erkimpharm. Intravenous medicines, solutions,
ointments are mainly manufactured in Armenia.

50% OF WORKS ENVISAGED BY MODERNIZATION PROGRAM OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF ARMENIA ALREADY DONE

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Development of family medicine,
modernization of hospitals, improvement of management mechanisms
is one of important components of 25 mln U.S. dollars program
on modernization of the health care system of Armenia. As Sergey
Khachatrian, the Director of the Health Care Program Implementation
Office state institution of the RA Ministry of Health Care mentioned
when presenting the middle-term report of the program on December 1,
for implementation of the program started from December, 2004, the
World Bank allocated about 19 mln dollars credit, and the RA Government
gave 2.3 mln dollars. It was mentioned that as of today, half of that
money was used and 50% of envisaged work was done. Programs directed
to formation of the family doctor’s institute, including training of
family doctors and nurses, were implemented within the framework of the
program. More than 10 out-patient’s clinics of marzes were restored,
150 out-patient’s clinics got medical equipment, furniture and other
accessories. Restoration works are at present being done at the
Yerevan Surb Astvatsamayr (the Blessed Virgin) and Grigor Lusavorich
(Gregory the Illuminator) medical centers. Medical modern equipment
of about 3 mln dollars were bought and brought to Armenia for those
hospitals. The Director of the Health Care Program Implementation
Office state institution stated that works done in all directions will
continue in 2007. But, in his words, this time more attention will
be paid to marzes: one hospital in each of 10 marzes of the republic
is envisaged to "modernize" within the framework of the program. In
S.Khachatrian’s words, the first stage of the program will finish in
2009, after what, in the case of necessity, the RA Government will
again address to the World Bank with the expectation to get other
10-12 mln dollars.

ARMENIAN-AUSTRIAN BUSINESS MEETING TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON DECEMBER 8TH

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. With the asistance of the RA Ministry
of Trade and Economic Development, the Austrian embassy in Armenia
(residence – Moscow) will organize a meeting of representatives of
14 Austrain companies with Armenian businessmen in Yerevan. NT was
informed from the Austrian embassy that the puspose of the meeting is
to discuss opportunities of mutually beneficial cooperation. During the
meeting, the Austrian side will present sport outfit, car test-systems,
chip plastic cards, industry automation systems, water pressure
devices, idustrial waste disposal and transportation and water-supply
equipment, as well as equipment of other spheres’ companies.

LEGAL ANALYSIS OF RA LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL NORMS RELATING TO PROTECTION OF INVALIDS’ RIGHTS IMPLEMENTED

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The Bridge of Hope public
organization jointly with the Mission East international charity
organization implemented legal analysis of the RA legislation and
international norms relating to protection of invalids’ rights
and dignity. The book entitled "Armenian Agenda of Events Aimed
to Protection of Invalids’ Rights and Dignity" was published as
a result. As expert Marine Hakobian mentioned at the December
1 presentation of the book, one of the goals of the analysis is
to support security of equal possibilities for invalids in the
republic. In her words, invalids in all over the world still continue
clashing with numerous obstacles, and cases of violation of the human
rights are numerous in this sphere.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STATE BUDGET REVENUES GROW BY 19.5% IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-October 2006, the
revenues of the RA state budget made over 345.6 billion drams (about
813 million USD), while expenditures – 354.4 billion drams. The
annual program indices on revenues were implemented by 82.4%, those
on expenditures – by 76.9%. The state budget revenues grew by 19.5%
or more than 56.4 billion drams compared with the same period of last
year. Taxes and duties grew by 48.7 bln drams, non-tax revenues –
by 2.6 bln drams, revenues from capital operations – by 4 bln drams,
and official transfers – by 1.1 bln drams. Most of the state budget
revenues (82.5%) was formed at the expense of tax revenues. The state
customs made up 4.7% of the budget revenues, non-tax revenues – 8%,
capital operation revenues – 3.5% and official transfers – 1.3%.

TARIFFS FOR SERVICES GROW BY 0.6% IN NOVEMBER IN RA

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The tariffs for services rendered to
population increased by 0.6% in 2006 November as compared with October
in Armenia, which is mainly conditioned by a 2.2% growth of tariffs
for medical services. According to the data of RA National Statistical
Service, growth of tariffs in cultural sphere, consumer services in
the above mentioned period made 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. Tariffs
for transport services decreased by 0.9% (in connection with a 3.2%
decrease in air transport services), tariffs for public catering
services decreased by 0.1% and tariffs for housing, communal, co
mmunication, education sphere, rest organization, legal and banking
services have remained unchanged.