LES JACKPOTS DE KIRK KERKORIAN
La Tribune , France
3 juillet 2006
Des debuts de l’aviation commerciale a l’explosion de Las Vegas, il
est une des legendes des affaires americaines et, a 89 ans, n’a pas
l’intention de s’arreter. Le pari que Kirk Kerkorian a tente en prenant
près de 10 % de General Motors il y a un an est le dernier d’une
longue serie qui a fait de ce fils d’immigre armenien la dix-neuvième
fortune americaine avec 10 milliards de dollars, selon Forbes Magazine.
Pilote d’avion pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Kerkorian rachète
en 1947 pour 60.000 dollars un avion avec lequel il transporte les
riches parieurs entre Los Angeles et Las Vegas. Lorsqu’il revend la
compagnie, onze ans plus tard, il empoche 107 millions de dollars.
Naît alors Kerkorian-le-raideur, faiseur de deals hors du commun.
L’an dernier, avant de partir a l’assaut de General Motors, il a
vendu MGM a Sony pour près de 5 milliards de dollars. C’etait la
troisième fois qu’il vendait le studio hollywoodien depuis sa première
acquisition, en 1970.
S’il n’a rien d’un reclus a la Howard Hughes, Kirk Kerkorian cultive
la discretion, voire le secret. Très populaire en Armenie pour y avoir
fait de très genereux dons, il ne s’y est pourtant rendu que pour
une seule et courte visite. On lui connaît un goût prononce pour le
tennis, auquel il continue de jouer. S’il mène toujours ses affaires,
il en a laisse la gestion quotidienne a des proches, comme Jerôme
York, qui le represente au board de General Motors. Cette discretion
contraste avec le goût du clinquant dans ses investissements. Outre
le cinema, cet ancien joueur repenti fait partie des visionnaires
qui ont faconne le Las Vegas moderne. Il a ete le premier a croire
aux gigantesques hôtels-casinos, qu’il n’a cesse de construire,
de vendre ou d’acheter depuis trente-cinq ans.
Son empire MGM Mirage est a la tete de 75.000 chambres sur le celèbre
strip.
La tentative de secouer GM n’est pas sa première aventure dans
l’automobile. À la fin des annees 1980, il est entre dans le capital
du constructeur americain Chrysler. Ses efforts pour en prendre le
contrôle ont echoue, mais lors de la fusion du troisième constructeur
americain automobile avec Daimler-Benz, en 1998, la valeur de son
investissement a plus que double. Cela ne l’a pas empeche de poursuivre
la firme allemande, qu’il accuse de l’avoir trompe sur les conditions
de la fusion. La justice l’a deboute en avril 2005. Preuve qu’il lui
arrive aussi de perdre des paris.
–Boundary_(ID_az95Vcsn4Y88GjJ28DuB0A)–

NO DROUGHT HAZARD CURRENTLY IN ARMENIA: AGRICULTURAL MINISTRY REP
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 3 2006
YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. There have been no occurrences of drought
hazard to irrigated lands of Armenia, and it is not expected, chief
of the department for land use and development, Armenian Ministry of
Agriculture, Mamikon Gasparyan told reporters today.
According to him, the water storage satisfied all the needs of
Armenian farmers.
“The drought in highland areas was due to the simultaneous beginning
of farmers’ land irrigation. Farmers hoped that heavy rains would
be enough for ripening of the crops, and they did not begin timely
artificial irrigation,” he said.
He pointed out that panic shortly occurred, however, it was overcame,
also due to the efforts of the Union of Water Consumers.
Heavy rains were continuing from April 20 to the mid of May in Armenia,
and high humidity rate was recorded. A high temperature rate has been
recorded in Armenia since the mid of May.

PRESENTATION OF “TRAFFICKING: CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS” MANUAL FOR CONSULS HELD IN ARMENIA
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 3 2006
YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. The presentation of “Trafficking: Contemporary
Problems” manual for consuls was held in Armenia on June 30. US
Vice-Ambassador to Armenia Anthony Godfrey pointed out that the
manual is designed for organizing the work of consuls and assistants
of consular offices to confront trafficking, find and help victims
of trafficking.
“Consular offices of Armenia abroad play an enormous role in finding
victims of trafficking. And a proper organization of their work will
encourage reduction of trafficking,” he said.
According to Godfrey, the US embassy is ready to render any assistance
in finding and helping victims of trafficking. At the same time,
he expressed gratitude and welcomed the work of the government and
relevant authorities as to the combat against trafficking.
Head of the department of international organization, Armenian Foreign
Ministry, Valery Mkrtumyan pointed out that trafficking poses threat
not only to Armenia, but also to the entire region.
“The first step on the way of combat against trafficking should be
proper awareness among the Armenian population, punishment of guilty
persons, and trafficking victims protection,” he said.
At the same time, Mkrtumyan reported that the combat against
trafficking after the publication of the manual will have a more
targeted character.
According to chief of the consular department at the Armenian foreign
ministry Tigran Seyranyan, while combating trafficking, of great
importance not only is the work of consular offices, but also their
cooperation with other authorities, including police.
“Trafficking: Contemporary Problems” manual was published by the
department of migration of the consular division at the Armenian
foreign ministry in association with the Armenian office of
international organization for migration, funded by the US Embassy
in Armenia.
The manual is designed for consular office assistants and assistants
at consular departments of diplomatic representatives.

STRUGGLE FOR JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
03 July 06
Every step, every breath in and out testify to the increasing gap in
the layer of ozone of the government. Naturally, it causes sudden
temperature changes inside the government, and sudden changes in
temperature can make everyone unpredictable. Therefore, the different
branches of power had better be careful with one another and not rely
on others, for there are serious reasons to be cautious. Recently,
especially over the past few weeks, threats have been heard inside
the government. For instance, we had not seen the Attorney General
threaten the Ministry of Justice so openly before. We saw what we
had not seen before. Celebrating the day of the procuracy on July 1,
Aghvan Hovsepyan announced that the procuracy needs reforms and does
not stick to the idea of keeping extra levers but the procuracy will
not tolerate dominance of interest groups, stated Aghvan Hovsepyan.
It was strange to hear such a categorical and threatening expression
from a humanist, who thinks about nation. But one starts thinking about
the nation as soon as one does not have to think about themselves,
but when one’s own fate is on the table, there is no time to think
about the nation and unity. And the reform in the judicial system is,
in fact, struggle for fate. The legislative package of the reform is
being worked out by the Ministry of Justice.
It provides for cutting the powers of the Procuracy, essential powers,
such as investigation. This power will be delegated to the Ministry of
Justice. In fact, Aghvan Hovsepyan definitely addressed the hint at
interest groups and threats of intolerance to Davit Harutiunyan. It
is not excluded that both used to dance in the same round dance, but
now both are worried about their prospects. Both public officials,
who do not hide their political aspirations, are likely to multiply
their levers before the election, especially that one will not let
the other grow at their expense. Moreover, the game is apparently
wider than just the Procuracy-Ministry of Justice format.
And it means that people, who think that they deal with the
presidential aspirations of Aghvan Hovsepyan and Davit Harutiunyan,
are mistaken. Several weeks ago Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
announced definitely and categorically that investigation will not
be delegated to the Ministry of Justice. Perhaps, it means that the
prime minister is not with Davit Harutiunyan, if we decline to say he
is with Aghvan Hovsepyan. However, being with one or the other is not
essential. It is essential that the redistribution of powers among
the law-enforcement agencies gives rise to serious controversies,
including involvement of top officials in the process.
It seems that the power pyramid must be more integrated with regard to
the law enforcement system because this system is the only reliable
instrument for the government, guaranteeing the reproduction of the
system. And if now a tense race between the systems of law enforcement
and justice is underway, the government forces may not be relying on
this system for reproduction. Perhaps, it is the contrary.
The danger of losing power makes everyone undertake changes inside the
judicial system to become invincible for this system, in other words,
to prevent the application of this system against them.
Consequently, there is danger that it will be applied. If they threaten
each other, they may take definite actions, considering that the
necessity, to all appearances, is gradually maturing. Someone will
be picking the harvest this fall. It is interesting to know who will
be packing their things.

DEFENSE MINISTER IS WAITING FOR G8
Lragir.am
03 July 06
We have learned from well-informed sources that the timing of the
assembly of the Republican Party was connected with the G8 Summit,
which will be held in St. Petersburg on July 17 and 18. The point is
that the settlement of the conflict over Karabakh will be discussed
during the summit, and it is possible that an important decision will
be made, which may also be unofficial and will not be published. It
is supposed to set long-term policies of the countries, which have
interests in the region or are involved directly or indirectly in
the settlement of the conflict.
Therefore the minister of defense Serge Sargsyan is said not to hurry
to announce about his affiliation with the Republican Party until
the G8 Summit. This is the reason why the assembly will take place
immediately after the summit.

THREAT AGAINST NATIONAL SECURITY
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
03 July 06
Fluctuations in the rhythm of settlement of the Karabakh conflict
cause a feeling of insecurity in the society that the war may start.
And it is not important whether the danger is real or invented. In
such a situation the society is mostly interested to what degree
the country is defended, which is quite natural. It is also natural,
when officials who are in charge of defense of the country react to
the expectations of the society.
The reaction of the minister of defense came soon, and on June 30
Serge Sargsyan delivered diplomas to the graduate officers of the
Military Institute and made several important statements about the
effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Armenia and further enhancement.
He also stated that recent activity in the settlement of the conflict
is not a reason to think that the war will start again. However, not
all the statements of Serge Sargsyan arouse a feeling of confidence
in the society that their security is guaranteed. Moreover, certain
statements of the defense minister cause worries about the country’s
security and reliability of the system of defense generally. It is
not just a matter of effectiveness of the army.
No doubt, the Armenian army is not weaker than our neighbors’, it
may even be stronger. The problem is quite different. The ministry
of defense is building a new administrative compound. Serge Sargsyan
announced that it will be ready by the fall of 2007. The compound
costs several millions of dollars, even several tens of millions. The
minister of defense announced June 30 that the compound is not funded
from the state budget. In other words, the taxpayers do not cover
the expenses. This is strangely accepted positively in Armenia. In
case of immense expenditures the government announces consciously or
subconsciously that the budget money was not spent. In other words,
the money of taxpayers was not spent. In fact, it would be quite
logical if the money of taxpayers was spent for the country, because
it is said that the one who pays orders music. Consequently, the
expenditures of the government that are not covered by taxpayers are
not for the state or will be controlled by the source, which gave the
money. If the government does something, which is not for the state,
who is it for? And if it is for the state, on what conditions does
the government borrow the money and how is the state going to repay?
This fact appears more important for such a sphere as defense. In
fact, the building of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia is not
built by our taxpayers. So it is interesting to know who builds and
if there is a guarantee that the Ministry of Defense of Armenia
will first defend the interest of the builder, then the citizens
of Armenia if necessity arises. Logically, the citizens must feed
the system of defense with the taxes they pay, including buildings,
weapon, etc., for the ministry of defense to be accountable before
the citizens. There is no other mechanism of accountability between
the government and the citizens. If a citizen refuses to sustain this
government, naturally it cannot demand accountability. Most probably,
this is the reason why our public officials make a statement that the
money of taxpayers was not spend, which is illogical on the one hand,
but quite logical on the other hand. Hence, the public officials
avoid coming up before citizens, and in this case it is unimportant
who they are responsible before. For we have already a direct threat
against our national security.

FOREIGN MINISTER: NEW OPTION IS MAINLY ACCEPTABLE FOR ARMENIA
Lragir.am
03 July 06
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan stated in a press conference on
July 3 that currently the settlement of the Karabakh conflict has
not reached a point when pressure from the international community
would matter. “It would be possible if the stances of the parties
were very close, and they needed to agree on a small issue; in this
case, the international community would be determined to give a final
settlement of the issue,” Vardan Oskanyan.
He says he does not know if the conflict parties have reached this
level. The foreign minister of Armenia thinks that a year ago the
stances and approaches of the parties were different by 180 degrees.
Currently, the foreign minister says, there are common points between
the parties.
“However, it is difficult to say if the difference is so small that
we will be able to reach the final settlement of the issue with extra
pressure from the international community one party or another,”
says Vardan Oskanyan.
He announced again that the principles on the table of negotiations,
which were definitely revealed by Mathew Bryza, “are on the whole
acceptable for Armenia, and Armenia is ready to carry on the talks
based on these principles, because these are comprehensive, quite
balanced, and a right choice of compromise was made.”

30 PERCENT OF ARMENIAN BANKS SUFFER LOSSES
Lragir.am
03 July 06
7 out of 21 banks registered in the Republic of Armenia suffered
losses of billions in 2005. Another ten companies, which contain the
word “bank” in their names and used to offer banking services, also
suffered losses in 2005. However, there is no official information
on the official website of the Central Bank, although it was last
updated on June 29. And according to the information of the State
Tax Agency, only Econominvest Bank is broke. In other words, two
major state agencies, which deal with the state money of Armenia,
do not have enough information and do not inform the society or are
definitely careless.
So, 31 banks operate or are at least registered in Armenia, and if
16 suffer losses, a simple arithmetic sum shows that 50 percent of
banks suffer losses. The Central Bank of Armenia must have done this
sum as well, so they inform that there are only 21 banks in Armenia
and 7 suffered losses. When 30 percent of the system is dying slowly
is not as bad as 50 percent.
First of all, let us list the banks the Central Bank does not know
anything about. In 2005 United Bank’s losses totaled 15.528 billion
drams. Credit Yerevan, Akunk and Credit Service follow with 10.573
billion, 1.863 billion and 1.577 billion drams respectively.
Lend Bank is the last on the list of banks, whose losses exceed one
billion. Its losses totaled 1.074 billion. The dissolving Econominvest
Bank’s losses totaled 466 million. Armagrobank’s losses totaled
158.7 million, Trust Bank’s 83.5 million, Shirakinvest 73.4 and
Russian-Armenian Bank 34.864 million drams.
Among the banks registered with the Central Bank ASHIB’s losses
are the highest – 5.2 billion drams. The losses of Ararat Bank and
Armenian Development Bank also exceed one billion, totaling 1.132
billion. BTA Invest Bank’s losses totaled 3.09 million, Cascade Bank
34.468 million and Armswissbank’s losses totaled 13.143 million drams.

KILLINGS OF ARMENIANS IS ON THE AGENDA
Lragir.am
03 July 06
Killings of Armenians in Russia is a burning issue of the Armenian and
Russian relations, confessed Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan July
3. Two days past another attack on Armenians the minister announced
in Yerevan that Armenia is continuing to raise the issue of killings
before Russia.
“You know we will keep raising this issue. It is on the agenda, you
already know. The issue is raised in different level meetings. It
equally worries Russia,” stated Vardan Oskanyan.
“This phenomenon is widely spread in Russia and continues, and the
Russian government, I think, should consider more sufficient efforts
for prevention. Otherwise, it may grow into a serious threat against
the Russian public,” said the foreign minister of Armenia.

OSKANYAN CANNOT EXPLAIN OTHERWISE
Lragir.am
03 July 06
Mathew Bryza’s statement that the Azerbaijani democracy should serve
as a model for Armenia is explained outside the context. The foreign
minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan expressed this opinion on July
3, saying that Bryza did not want to say that Azerbaijan is more
democratic than Armenia.
“Mr. Bryza did not state that Armenia is less democratic. He said
there is certain progress in Armenia, and they hope that Armenia
will also make progress. However, he did not provide a benchmark to
measure this progress, he did not say that, and I cannot conclude
from this statement that Armenia is less democratic than Azerbaijan,”
said Vardan Oskanyan.
According to him, Bryza does not give a reason for comparison. “I
repeat again that there can be the following: by its level of democracy
Azerbaijan is here, Azerbaijan is here. But they set off from this
point, and they expect that Armenia will also take additional steps
to strengthen democracy,” says Vardan Oskanyan.