ARMENIA AND BELARUS SHOULDN’T INTERFERE IN RUSSIA-GEORGIA AFFAIRS
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.10.2006 14:13 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Relations between Russia and Georgia are the
internal affair of these two states and I think that Armenia and
Belarus shouldn’t interfere,” RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
told a news conference October 23 after the talks with Belarusian
Premier Sergey Sidorsky. However if the Georgian or Russian side
requests mediation Yerevan and Minsk are ready to assist. But no
request of the kind was received yet, said Andranik Margaryan.

YAKUNIN NEGATIVE ABOUT RAILWAY BYPASSING ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.10.2006 14:31 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin has a
negative attitude to the idea of constructing a railway bypassing
Armenia, reports Echo of Moscow. Explaining his position Yakunin
said, “First, his destroys the unity of the network that remained
after the Soviet Union. Second, it’s is unjust to cut a country out
of communication.
Proceeding from my experience I can say that this is an attempt of
some countries to exert pressure of our friendly state.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN DUMA MEMBER: TURKEY OBLIGED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.10.2006 15:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The resolution of the Armenian Genocide problem lies
in its acknowledgement by Turkey, President of the International League
of Human Dignity and Security Protection, Russian State Duma member,
General Valentin Varennikov said Monday in Yerevan. “I fully agree
with the statement Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II made during
his visit to Turkey. Turkey is simply obliged to acknowledge the fact
of Genocide, since there cannot be any other position on the issue,”
he said, reports newsarmenia.ru. When in Istanbul June 20-27 head
of the Armenian Apostolic Church Garegin II stated that the Armenian
Genocide must be recognized by Turkey and pointed out to irrelevance
of formation of committee of historians for the investigation of the
fact of Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SIT-DOWN DEMONSTRATION PARTICIPANTS DEMAND RELEASE OF VAHAGN CHAKHALIAN
Noyan Tapan
Oct 21 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. A group of young people –
supporters of the democratic alliance “United Javakhk” on October
20 started a sit-down demonstration in protest against the actions
that the Armenian authorities and law-enforcement bodies took with
respect to the alliance, NT was informed from the press service of
United Javakhk. Sitting in front of Monument to Mikael Nalbandian,
the demonstrators “condemn the fact of not disclosing the crime
committed in Yerevan against the Javakh Armenian figures and the
arrest of Vahagn Chakhalian on an absurd charge. They demand that he
be released.” To recap, V. Chakhalian was arrested on October 10 on
a charge of crossing the Armenian border illegally.

INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT POSITION OF ARMENIA NEGATIVE BY 1 BILLION 759.38 MILLION DOLLARS AT END OF 2005
Noyan Tapan
Oct 21 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The Net International Investment
Position of the Repulic of Armenia was negative by 1 bln 759.38 mln
USD at the end of 2005 against 1 bln 118.8 mln USD at the end of
2001. According to the statistical handbook “International Investment
and External Debt Positions of the RA in 1999-2005” published by the RA
National Statistical Service, Armenia’s assets made 1 bln 130.47 mln
USD, while liabilities – 2 bln 889.85 mln USD at the end of 2005. In
late 2001, these indices made 488.89 mln USD and 1 bln 607.7 mln USD
respectively. Armenia’s direct investments abroad made 10.27 mln USD at
the end of 2005, 2.67 mln USD – at the end of 2004, 0.39 mln USD – at
the end of 2003, there were no direct investments abroad in late 1999.
Portfolio investments made 5.95 mln USD at the end of 2005, the largest
amount was as of late 2000 – 19.27 mln USD, while at the end of 1999
portfolio investments made 0.09 mln USD. Debt securities amounted
to 2.65 mln USD at the end of 2005, their largest amount was also
registered as of late 2000 – 16.18 mln USD.
Other investments made 440.41 mln USD at the end of 2005 against
185.77 mln USD at the end of 1999. The amount of trade credits at the
indicated dates made 85.08 mln USD and 20.61 mln USD, of loans – 59.13
mln USD and 20.09 mln USD. Armenia’s assets in currency and deposits
made 288.59 mln USD at the end of 2005. In the period of 1999-2005,
their minimal amount was registered in 2001 – 121.89 mln USD. In late
2005, other assets amounted to 7.61 mln USD, reserve assets – to 673.85
mln USD. In late 2001, these indices made 0.17 mln and 303 mln USD
respectively. Direct investments in Armenia made 1 bln 279.35 mln USD
at the end of 2005 and 421.36 mln USD at the end of 1999. Portfolio
investments made 4.5 mln USD at the end of 2005. Their largest amount
was registered in late 2003 – 6.37 mln USD. Armenia had no liabilities
in the form of debt securities in late 2005. Their largest amount
was at the end of 2001 – 4.38 mln USD. Other investments amounted to
1 bln 606.01 mln USD in late 2005 and 1 bln 181.89 mln USD in late
1999. Trade credits received by Armenia made 171.92 mln USD at the
end of 2005. Their largest amount was registered as of late 2001 –
269.56 mln USD. Loans amounted to 1 bln 290.18 mln USD at the end of
2005 and 863.92 mln USD at the end of 1999. At the indicated dates,
Armenia’s liabilities in currency and deposits made 109.5 mln USD and
71.72 mln USD resspectively, while other liabilities – 34.41 mln USD
and 15.83 mln USD respectively.

RA NA SPEAKER’S VISIT TO CHINA TO STIMULATE DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL RELATIONS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian
received on October 20 the delegation headed by Syu Tzsyalu, the
Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the All-China Assembly
of People’s Representatives of the People’s Republic of China,
paying an official visit to Armenia. Tzso Syuelian, the Ambassador
of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia participated in the
meeting. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by the RA NA Public
Relations Department. Touching upon the Armenian-Chinese cooperation
issue, T.Torosian mentioned that Armenia has always stood for
the united China, as a divided people, understanding well similar
problems. The generality of the two countries’ positions also proves
the mutually admissible approach that in the modern world one must
find solution of conflicts at the negotiations table. Syu Stzialu,
passing greeting of U Bango, the Parliament Speaker of his country,
to the RA NA Speaker, mentioned that relations with Armenia have always
been warm friendly. He attached importance to the cooperation among the
Armenian Parliament, Government, businessmen, public organizations,
cultural figures that will open new prospects for development for
the two countries. Syu Stzialu mentioned with satisfaction that
the NA Speaker’s visit to be paid to China soon will become a new
stimulus for development of the Armenian-Chinese relations. The Chinese
delegation also met with the Armenia-China friendship deputies’ group
headed by NA deputy Razmik Martirosian. The Chinese parliamentarians,
considering direct contact and acquaintance as the best way of exchange
of experince, proposed the Armenian parliamentarians to visit China
to have a real notion about economic and political structures of
their country.

R. KOCHARIAN: ARMENIA IS INTERESTED IN HAVING MORE DINAMIC TIES WITH CHINA
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian
received on October 21 Syu Stzialu, the Deputy Chairman of the Standing
Committee of the All-China Assembly of People’s Representatives of the
People’s Republic of China, and the delegation headed by him. S.Stzialu
passed warm greetings of the President of the People’s Republic of
China to the RA President. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
President’s Press Office, R.Kocharian mentioned with satisfaction
the high level of the Armenian-Chinese political dialogue and said:
“Armenia successively stands for strengthening relations with China and
is interested in having much more dinamic and regulated bilateral ties.
Emphasizing China’s weighty role on the international scene, Robert
Kocharian appreciated that country’s balanced position towards delicate
problems of the South Caucasian region. In S.Stzialu’s words, the
Armenian-Chinese cooperation is successfully being developed, including
new and new spheres. He considered President Robert Kocharian’s
state visit paid to China in 2004 as pivotal for widening bilateral
mutual cooperation. The interlocuters emphasized also the effective
cooperation of Armenia and China on the international scene, mentioning
that the two countries have almost similar positions in many issues.
They exchanghed opinions also concerning the state creating around
North Korea.

RA PRIME MINISTER AND AMBASSADOR OF KAZAKHSTAN ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO ENCOURAGING MUTUAL COOPERATION
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. There is still great unused
possibilities and potential in the Armenian-Kazakh relations. It
was mentioned at the meeting of RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian and Aimdos Bozdjigitov, the newly appointed Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to
Armenia. Congratulating the Ambassador on the occasaion of starting
his diplomatic mission in Armenia, A.Margarian mentioned that the
Armenian and Kazakh peoples have deep roots of friendship, and it is
being strengthened year by year by development of the two states’
cooperation. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Government’s
Information and Public Relations Department, Ambassador Bozdjigitov
expressed confidence that the RA President’s coming visit to Kazakhstan
will become a stimulus for both improvement of the judicial-legal
field and widening cooperation in different spheres, taking into
consideration that a sitting of the Armenian-Kazakh Intergovernmental
Commission will also be held within that framework. The RA Prime
Minister and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan attached importance
to encouraging economic mutual cooperation in the directions of
activization of businessmen’s contacts, stimulating investments,
increase of volumes of export and etc. They considered also the
Armenian community as an important factor in all these, it may have
an active role in the affair of widening and development of the
cooperation between the two countries. At the end of the meeting,
Andranik Margarian expressed readiness on behalf of the Government
and himself to assist Ambassador as much as possible during the whole
period of his officiating and wished him successes.

“NOR ZHAMANAKNER” CALLS TO IMMEDIATELY SET FREE VAHAGN CHAKHALIAN
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Nor Zhamanakner” (New Times)
party addresses the RA National Assembly, all the deputies and calls
to take steps to immediately set free Vahagn Chakhalian, a member of
the chairmanship of the “United Javakhk” peoples’ alliance, and then
assistance is shown to all Armenians of Javakhk from now on who will
expect support of the Republic of Armenia. It is said in the statement
spread on October 20 by the party board. To recap, V.Chakhalian was
arrested on October 10 with accusation of illegally breaking the
RA state border and was moved to the RA National Security Service
isolator. “Vahagn Chakhalian is famous for his patriotic motives as one
actively speaking loudly about problems of Armenians of Javakahk and
looking for their solutions. It is characteristic that in the issue
of elections of local self-government bodies recently taken place
in that region, full of Armenians, the “United Javakhk” alliance
expressed a unique position not tolerating mass falsifications and
violation of ethnograthical dignity by the Georgian authorities,”
the statement authors mention, adding that in the case when one,
expecting the RA authorities’ support must properly be received in
Armenia, “was, unfortunately, settled a score by the authorities,
beaten and arrested.”
“This incident again proves that the RA acting authorities became a
puppet not only in hands of superpowers but also obey implicitly to
Georgian President M.Saakashvili’s adventurous policy already reached
extremity,” is said in the statement.

DELEGATION HEADED BY PRIME MINISTER OF BELARUS ARRIVES IN ARMENIA ON OCTOBER 22
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Sergey Sidorsky, the Prime Minister
of the Republic of Belarus, and the delegation headed by him arrived in
Armenia on October 22, on a three-day official visit. According to the
information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA Government’s Information
and Public Relations Department, Valentin Sukalo, the Chairman of the
Supreme Court of Belarus; Victor Kamenkov, the Chairman of the Supreme
Economic Court; Nikolay Zaichenko, the Economy Minister; Alexander
Grigorov, the Sports and Tourism Minister; Valeri Kazakevich, the head
of the Ministers’ Council staff; Georgi Kuznetsov, the Chairman of the
State Property Committee; Sergey Gurulev, the Chief of the Armed Forces
Headquarters General of Belarus, the First Deputy Defence Minister;
Vasili Pugachev, the First Deputy Foreign Minister; Deputy Ministers
of Foreign Affairs, Industry, Deputy Chairmen of the State Customs,
State Security Committees, Valeri Tsepkalo, the Director of the “Board
of High Technologies Park” state institution; Vasili Grishchenko,
the Chairman of the Zhodino City Executive Committee are in the
delegation staff. Responsible officials of the Ministers’ Council
staff, heads of industrial companies and units, other representatives
of business circles are among those accompanying the Prime Minister
of Belarus. On October 23-24, during the days of the official visit,
Prime Minister of Belarus Sergey Sidorski will have meetings with
RA President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
and Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians. The sides’ meeting in an
enlarged staff, joint signing of documents and press conference are
also envisaged after the Prime Ministers’ private conversation at
the RA Government. The delegation of Belarus will visit the Yerevan
Brandy and Jewelry Factories, “Viasphere Technopark” company, Armenian
Development Agency will participate in the round table dedicated to
the cooperation in the high and information technologies, will lay
a wreath to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex to memory of the
Armenian Genocide victims.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress