PRESIDENT’S PRESS SECRETARY DISPROVES PUBLICATION OF “KOMERSANT” NEWSPAPER ABOUT COMPENSATING RISE IN GAS PRICE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 25 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Victor Soghomonian,
the RA President’s Press Secretary disproved the information of the
“Komersant” newspaper, according to what Russia agreed to compensate
the rise in the gas price by selling armament to Armenia at low
prices. “I must say that I have read today’s publication of the Russian
“Komersant” newspaper with surprise,” Mrs. Soghomonian mentioned
in the interview to the Noyan Tapan correspondent. “I cann’t reason
why the authors of the publication made such imaginary insistences
and then made conclusions going far away. But, however, I consider
necessary to probably say that this article in today’s publication of
the “Komersant” newspaper where it is said that as a compensation for
raising the tariffs for the Russian gas, Armenia will buy armament
from Russia at low prices, has no connection with the reality,”
the RA President’s Press Secretary emphasized.

RA PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES THEATER FIGURES AND THEATER-LOVERS ON OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL THEATER DAY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On March 27, RA
President Robert Kocharian addressed a congratulatory message on the
occasion of the International Theater Day. The message provided to
Noyan Tapan by RA President’s Press Service, read: “I congratulate
the Armenian theater figures and theater-lovers on the occasion of the
International Theater Day. The spiritual-cultural, as well as social
development of our people would be impossible without the Armenian
theater. Today also the continuation of its traditions and giving a
new modern meaning to the theater are important for the progress of
our people and society. The spectator appreciates the great devotion
of our actors, producers, all theater figures to their work and
professional skills.
Congratulating on the occasion of the holiday, I wish the
representatives of our theater art creative success, crowded halls
and loud cheers”.

GROUP OF THEATER ARTISTS CONFERED RA HONORARY TITLES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. By RA President
Robert Kocharian’s March 25 decree, RA Honorary Titles were given
to a group of workers of the theatrical art for the considerable
contribution in the sphere of the theatrical art and on the occasion
of the International Day of Theater. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the President’s Press Office, the People’s Artist’s title was
given to opera singer Barsegh Toumanian, honorary artist’s title was
given to Hovhannes Babakhanian, an artist of the Yerevan Hrachia
Ghaplanian Dramatic Theater, Hrant Tokhatian, an artist of the
Yerevan Chamber State Theater, Derenik Martirosian, an artist of
the Hovhannes Toumanian Puppet State Theater, Lala Mnatsakanian, an
acrtress of the “Mher Mkrtchian” Artistic Theater and Karen Sargsian,
the editor-in-chief of the Alexander Spendiarian’s Opera and Ballet
National Academic Theater. Theatrical critic Varsenik Grigorian,
Hakob Ghazanchian, the Artictic Head-Director of the Yerevan Young
Spectators’ Theater got titles of Honoured Art Figure. and Grisha
Sahakian, the main painter of the Yerevan Young Spectators’ Theater
got title of the Honoured Culture Figure. By another decree of the
President, Kamo Arzumanian, the Director of the Kapan Alexander
Shirvanzade State Dramatic Theater was awarded Movses Khorenatsi medal.

GOLDBERG’S “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE” FILM TO BE SHOWN FREE PASS AT LOS ANGELES CINEMA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006
LOS ANGELES, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Andrew Goldberg’s
“Armenian Genocide” documentary film will be shown free pass on April
17 at one of Los Angeles cinemas. The 650 thousand dollars film was
completely financed by American Armenian organizations. As Radio
Liberty informs, the author of the film who gave the most part of the
10 thousand dollars necessary for renting the cinema, said: “We’ll
show the film day and night as long as we’ll feel its necessity.” On
the same day the “Armenian Genocide” film will be broadcast by the
Public Broadcasting Service – PBS but after that a dispute on the
genocide will be broadcast in which besides two representatives of the
Armenian community, two historians disproving the genocide will also
participate. The American Armenians consider inadmissible the dispute
of the Armenian Genocide as well, emphasizing that the Genocide is
a fact that may not be disproved.
The PBS refused the show Goldberg’s film without a dispute after what
Goldberg decided to rent a cinema of Los Angeles populated with many
Armenians and to show his film free of charge.

SIX ARMENIANS ELECTED TO CITY PARLIAMENT OF KISLOVODSK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006
KISLOVODSK, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. At the invitation
of the new administration of the city of Kislovodsk, of the Stavropol
region, Ararat Gomtsian, the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia
to the Southern Federal Region of the Russian Federation participated
on March 24 in the solemn ceremony of Kislovodsk Mayor Biryukov’s
undertaking the post, elections of who took place on March 12,
2006. According to the “Yerkramas” (country) newspaper of Armenians
of Russia, congratulating the new city head in the solemn situation,
Ararat Gomtsian wished prosperity to the world-known city-health resort
as well as development of friendly relations between Kislovodsk and
Armenia, particularly, with the city sworn brother of Kislovodsk –
Vanadzor. The Consul General of Armenia also congratulated the newly
elected deputies of the city parliament, among who there are six
citizens of Kislovodsk of the Armenian origin. He wished for the
people’s elects devotes their experience and knowledge to prosperity
of the health resort and improving citizens’ well-being.

INTERNATIONAL BANKING CONFERENCE ON TRADE FINANCING TO START ON MARCH 28 IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Representatives of about 80 Armenian
and foreign organizations will participate in the 3-day international
banking conference on trade financing to open in Yerevan on March
28. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and
Armeconombank are the event’s organizers. NT correspondent was informed
at Armeconombank that the following reports will be made during the
conference: “The Role and Problems of the Armenian Banks in Connection
with Trade Promotion”, “The Peculiarities of Trade Financing in Armenia
(Currency Regulation and Control, Customs and Tax Legislation)”, “The
RA Payment Balance, the Structure and Problems of Import and Export”,
“The Exporters and Cooperation of Banks with Respect to Import and
Export Activities”, “The Financial Audit as An Instrument to Strengthen
the Confidence of the Banking System”. A seminar on issues of trade
promotion and financing will be held for bank representatives and
businessmen within the framework of the conference.

REGULAR MEETING OF USATF TO TAKE PLACE IN YEREVAN IN MAY
Noyan Tapan
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. A regular meeting of the US-Armenia
Task Force (USATF) will take place in Yerevan in May. NT correspondent
was informed at the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy that the
programs envisaged within the framework of cooperation will discussed
at the meeting. Particularly, the programs to be implemented in the
trade and energy sectors, as well as issues related to the improvement
of investment and business climate will be addressed at the meeting.

SITTING OF ARMENIAN-GREEK INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN IN APRIL
Noyan Tapan
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to the trade and
economic cooperation between Armenia and Greece in agriculture,
agricultural processing and other spheres will be discussed at a
sitting of the Armenian-Greek intergovernmental commission on economic
cooperation to be held in April. Mushegh Sargsian, Deputy Director
of Export and Enterprise Development at the Armenian Development
Agency (ADA), told NT correspondent about it. According to him,
the Greek government pledged to provide some assisitance for the
development of Armenia’s agricultural complex. He noted that the
agency has established contacts with a number of Greek distributor
companies which take interest in exporting a number of Armenian
goods to Greece. In the words of M. Sargsian, ecologically clean
products are in great demand on the Greek market, while Armenia is
considered in Greece as a possible supplier of ecologically clean
foodstuffs. He said that in order to use this opportunity, a fbody
to certify the ecological purity of foodstuffs need to be set up in
Armenia. M. Sargsian underlined that Armenia will continue to implement
Armenian businessmen’s training programs jointly with Greece. He noted
that some Armenian wine makers have already undergone training in
Greece last year. It is envisaged that under a program prepared by the
ADA, the managers and marketing experts of 18-20 Armenian enterprises
in leather, footwear, leather clothing and article production will
undergo training in Greece this year.

GRAPES, FRIUT AND VEGETABLE PROCESSING CAPACITIES INCREASE IN ARMAVIR MARZ
Noyan Tapan
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The area covered by grapevines and
fruit gardens has increased by about 2,000 ha in Armavir marz in the
last three years.
Parandzem Karapetian, Head of the Armavir regional government stuff,
told NT correspondent about it. In her words, the capacities of
processing grapes, fruit and vegetables have grown in the marz,
mainly thanks to the establishment of small and medium enterprises by
businessmen of Echmiadzin and Armavir, whereas three-four years ago the
Sardarapat company (former Octemberian canning factory) was the only
fruit and vegetable processing enterprise in the marz. Representatives
of the private sector are also taking steps aimed at creation of
fruit and vegetable processing capacities in Baghramian region. P.
Karapetian said that some enterprises engaged in wine and
cognac production in Armavir marz have started planting their own
vineyards. It was noted that the process of setting up the refrigerator
facilities by businessmen is gathering full speed in the marz. A big
regrigerating faciity is operating in the city of Armavir, their
number is large in the Arevik region famous for its production of
grapes. P.Karapetian underlined that all the 94 village communities
of the marz are involved in the Armenia’s Millennium Challenges
Program. It is envisaged that within the framework of this program,
large land plots in Armavir marz will be irrigated by the dripping
way instead of the pumping one.
Besides, the irrigation network of the marz will be reconstructed:
concrete channels will be build instead of the current channels with
a soil course.
Reclamation of swampy lands, construction of artesian wells and land
imrovement will also be done under the Millennium Challenges Program.

NATIONAL UNITY PARTY TO CONTINUE PUBLISHING FACTS OF LARGE-SCALE CORRUPTION
Noyan Tapan
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The National Unity Party will soon
publish many facts of large-scale corruption and bribery. Alexan
Karapetian, Vice Chairman of the National Unity (NU) Party, Secretary
of the NA NU faction, stated this during a meeting held at the Pakagits
Club. According to A. Karapetian, he already mentioned three such
cases in the parliament. As a result of one – nonfulfilment by the
Mika Limited company of its obligations stipulated in the contract on
supply of aviation fuel to Zvartniots Airport, the state suffered a
loss of 2.9 mln USD. The vice chairman of NU referred to the act of
a check-up of financial liabilities, which was conducted in February
2002 at Zvartnots Airport by the Main Financial Department of the
RA Ministry of Finance and Economy. According to the document, the
airport signed a contract on aviation fuel supply with Mika Limited in
September 1999. Mika Limited was obliged to supply 10 thousand tons of
aviation fuel at the price of 208 USD for a ton until December of the
same year. The transportation to the Ayrum railway station was to be
done by the supplier. However, Mika Limited broke this agreement. In
order to avoid the fines envisaged by a contract signed with Armenian
Airways, the airport imported the fuel itself, as a result of which
a ton of fuel cost Zvartnots Airport 320 USD. Mika Limited did not
pay the fine for breaking the contract. The fine made 2.9 mln USD as
of January 1, 2002, and by the current exchange rate of the Armeian
dram against the US dollar – 3.8 mln USD. However, in the words
of A. Karapetian, after compiling the above mentioned act, in 2002
Zvartnot’s director informed the ministry in writing that two years
before – in 2000, the 1999 contract was cancelled by mutual consent
by Zvartnots Airport and Mika Limited. The document confirming this
consent, which at the time was at Aviation Fuel Filling CJSC, was
not presented during the check-up. Thus, according to A. Karapetian,
the management of the state enterprise and M. Baghdasarov came to an
agreement on the sum to be paid to the state. The vice chairman of the
National Unity Party noted that in recent years the authorities have
spoken a great deal about the necessity to fight against corruption,
whereas some persons close to the authorities are themselves engaged
in corruption and bribery.