CREDITS OF 361.3 MLN USD PROVIDED BY ARMENIAN BANKS AS OF MAY 31

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. As of May 31, 2005, the total amount of
the credits provided by the Armenian commercial banks made 159 bln 227
mln drams (about 361.3 mln USD), with credit investments making up
96.22%, deferred loans – 2.86% and overdue loans – 0.92% of this
amount. According to the RA National Statistical Service, the balance
of citizens’ deposits with the banks grew by 4.2% compared with late
May of 2004 and made 76 bln 328 mln drams. In January-May, 2005, the
expenditures related to foreign currency sales and purchases in the RA
banking system exceeded the revenues by 48.3 bln drams, with these
indices making 101.1 bln drams and 52.7 bln drams respectively. As of
March 31, 16 out the 21 Armenian banks were operating at a profit,
with the total profit amounting to 3,046 mln drams.

Emirates News Agency
July 5, 2005 Tuesday 3:22 PM EST

FM Under Secretary receives US Ambassador

Abu Dhabi

Foreign Ministry Under Secretary, Abdullah Rashid Al Nu’aimi,
received here Tuesday at his office US Ambassador, Michele Sison..

During the meeting, they reviewed the latest developments in the
region and bilateral ties between the UAE and the US..

The director of the Ministry’s Department of Asian and African
Affairs, Ahmed Abdullah Al Musalli, also received the deputy director
of the Department of Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia at
the Singaporean foreign ministry, Desmond Wee.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of mutual
interest to the two countries..

The director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Organisations
and Conferences, Yakoub Yusuf Al Hossani, received Armenian
Ambassador, Dr. Arshak Poladian and discussed with him a number of
issues dealing with international organisations..

GASOLINE PRICE GROWS BY 0.2% IN ARMENIA IN JUNE

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. A 0.2% price drop in nonfood commodity
prices in Armenia in June on May was conditioned by a price fall of
fuel (3.1%), constriction materials (0.9%) and clothes and fabrics
(0.4%). According to the RA National Statistical Service, in the same
period, the price of gasoline grew by 0.2%, whereas that of diesel
fuel fell by 0.6%. The fall in gasoline and diesel fuel prices in June
compared with December of 2004 made 2.5% and 3.8% respectively.

OSCE mission monitors Karabakh contact line

Arminfo
5 Jul 05

YEREVAN

On 5 July an OSCE mission held a regular monitoring along the contact
line between the Nagornyy Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces in the
village of Karmiravan in Mardakert [Agdara] District of the Nagornyy
Karabakh Republic [NKR].

The field assistants to the personal representative of the OSCE
chairman-in-office, Miroslav Vymetal (Czech Republic) and Peter Kay
(Britain), carried out the monitoring from the positions of the NKR
Defence Army, the press service of the NKR Foreign Ministry reported.

The Azerbaijani side, unlike the Karabakh side, did not take the
monitoring mission to its front-line positions. No truce violations
were recorded during the monitoring.

Representatives of the NKR Defence Ministry and Foreign Ministry also
accompanied the mission.

Winnipeg Sun (Manitoba)
July 5, 2005 Tuesday
FINAL EDITION

DOWNTOWN COLUMN

SYSTEM OF A DOWN SLATED TO PLAY WINNIPEG SEPT. 22

System of a Down are planning to mesmerize Winnipeggers.

The Armenian-American avant-metal band will play the MTS Centre Sept.
22 in support of their new album, Mezmerize, House of Blues Canada
announced yesterday.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. for $39.50, $47.50 and $55.50 at
Ticketmaster.

System of a Down will be joined by The Mars Volta, featuring ex At
the Drive-In members Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala,
and Bad Acid Trip.

BACKSTREET BOYS TICKETS GO ON SALE

The boys are coming back to town.

As previously reported, the reformed Backstreet Boys will perform at
the MTS Centre on Sept. 7.

Yesterday ticket prices were released, with ducats going on sale
Monday at 10 a.m. for $37.50, $55.50 and $75.50.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONSUMER PRICES INCREASE BY 1.4% IN ARMENIA IN FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2005

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. A 1.4% increase in consumer prices was
registered in Armenia in June on the previous month. At the same time,
prices of food commodities, including alcoholic drinks and tobacco,
fell by 2.1%, those of nonfood commodities – by 0.1%, whereas the
tatiffs of services rose by 0.4%. According to the RA National
Statistical Service, consumer prices increased by 1.4% in Armenia in
June on December of last year, including a 2% increase in food
commodity prices and a 1% increase in service tariffs and a 0.6%
decline in nonfood commodity prices. The index of commodity prices
made 99% in June, 2005, compared with the same month of last year,
those of food commodity prices (including alcoholic drinks and
tobacco), nonfood commodity prices and service tariffs – 98.8%, 98.9%
and 100.1% respectively. These indices for the period of January-June,
2005, on the same period of last year made 102.3%, 103.4%, 99.7% and
99.8% respectively.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
July 5, 2005 Tuesday 12:51 PM Eastern Time

Extremist youth grouping gets on trial in Petersburg court

By Julia Andreyeva

St PETERSBURG, July 5 – A trial over members of a youth grouping
bearing an English name of the Mad Crowd has begun in the City court
of St Petersburg.

The Mad Crowd guys are accused of attacks on foreigners out of the
motives of ethnic intolerance.

The court is hearing the case of six youngsters aged from 17 to 20
years old. Investigation has proved their involvement in five attacks
that victimized seven people, including citizens of China, Armenia
and Azerbaijan.

Law enforcers are charging the six activists of the Mad Crowd with
offenses falling under Article 217 of the Russian Criminal Code that
stipulates punishment for acts of ethnic strife.

One of the youngsters is also accused of planning a murder, and he is
kept in custody while five others are free on written recognizance
not to leave the city.

The Mad Crowd’s leader, a 20 year-old man, and his closest assistant
have been placed on an international wanted list.

“The grouping was set up in 2002, initially as a group of football
fans aiming to organize riots,” a law enforcement source said in an
interview with Itar-Tass.

“It was later joined by youngsters from an outlawed nationalistic
youth grouping called Schultz’88, some members of which had already
stood court trials, and the Mad Crowd got totally different
objectives then,” the source said.

All the attacks on foreigners were carefully planned, and the
extremists would sometimes invite spectators – the teenagers whom
they later planned to invite to the Mad Crowd.

Last October, the Prosecutor’s Office merged several criminal cases
into one and investigated them as crimes committed by an organized
grouping.

Investigators confiscated printed literature during searches, but
they did not manage to establish the printing houses where it
originated from or the people who might have financed the printing.

ARMENIAN DRAM EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST US DOLLAR GROWS BY 17.5% IN JUNE
COMPARED WITH SAME MONTH OF 2004

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The average settlement exchange rate of
the Armenian drams against the US dollar grew by 17.5% in June of 2005
compared with the same month of last year and made 448.80 drams.
According to the RA National Statistical Service, a 0.1% increase in
the settlement exchange of the Armenian drams against the dollar in
June on the previous month was accompanied by a 1.4% fall in consumer
prices.

NKR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 4th CONVOCATION

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
05 July 05

ASHOT VLADIMIRI GHULIAN, SPEAKER OF NKR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, was born in
the village of Khndzristan, Askeran region, in 1965. In 1990 graduated
from the department of history of Stepanakert Teacher Training
Institute, with the specialty of historian-jurist. In December 1992 was
appointed senior consultant to the Committee on foreign Affairs of the
Supreme Council of NKR, in September 1993 ` assistant to the speaker of
the Supreme Council. In January 1995 was put in charge of the department
of Diaspora and bilateral relationships of the NKR Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, in January 1998 was appointed head the political department. On
December 13, 1998 was named vice minister of foreign affairs. In June
2001 left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, being elected co-chairman of
Artsakh Democratic Union. In October 2002 was appointed minister of
foreign affairs of NKR. In December 2004 was named minister of
education, culture and sport of NKR. In January 2005 was elected
chairman of the Democratic Party of Artsakh. Has a diplomatic status of
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. Is married, has three
children. Was elected member of the National Assembly on the Artsakh
Democratic Party ticket. RUDIK LEVONI HYUSNUNTS, VICE SPEAKER OF NKR
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, was born in the town of Martakert in 1963. Finished
school No. 1 of Martakert. In 1980-1986 studied at the Stepanakert music
college after Sayat-Nova. Served in the Soviet Army in 1983-1985. In
1989-1993 studied at Yerevan State Teacher Training University,
department of cultural and educational activities and methods. In
1992-1993 was the Deputy Commander in charge of the political department
of the NKR Defence Army. In 1994 was elected deputy of the Supreme
Council of NKR from the electoral district No. 7 of Stepanakert. Since
1988 has been in charge of the Artsakh Union of Armenian Church Devouts.
Member of the political party Azat Hayrenik. Is married, has five
children. Was elected to the parliament from the electoral district No.
13. VAHRAM SERGEYI ATANESSIAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON
FOREIGN RELATIONS, was born in the village of Arachadzor, Martakert
region, on December 7, 1959. In 1977 finished the secondary school of
Arachadzor. In the same year entered the department of philology of
Stepanakert Teacher Training Institute and graduated in 1981. In
1981-1988 taught Armenian language and literature and was the vice
director of the school of Arachadzor. In 1989 was the correspondent of
the newspaper Soviet Karabakh in Martakert region. In the meeting of the
deputies of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region in 1989 was elected
member of the National Council of Artsakh and on December 1, 1989
participated in the session of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet
Socialist Republic of Armenia and the National Council of Artsakh. In
1990 was elected deputy to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Socialist
Republic of Armenia, member of the standing committee. In 1992-1994 was
in charge of one of the departments of the official newspaper Artsakh;
then headed the NKR Department of Information and Press. In January 1995
was appointed editor-in-chief of the NKR Defence Army newspaper Martik.
>From December 1996 to March 1997 served in the Defence Army of NKR as
Deputy Commander of the company, then the training battalion. Since
March 26, 1997 is a reserve first lieutenant. In 1997-1998 worked for
the official newspaper NK Republic as editor. From September 1998 to
June 2000 was the correspondent of Liberty in NKR. In 2000 was elected
to the National Assembly of NKR, was the chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Relations. Is married, has two children. Was elected to the
National Assembly from the electoral district No. 20. BENIK HOVHANNESI
BAKHSHIYAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRODUCTION AND
INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, was born in the village of Dahrav, Askeran
region, on January 10, 1955. Finished school No. 2 of Stepanakert in
1973. Served in the soviet army in 1974-1976. In 1976-1981 studied at
Yerevan Institute of Agriculture. In 1981-1985 did a post-graduate
course and got the degree of Candidate of Sciences in biology. In
1985-88 worked at the Institute of Biology of the Academy of Sciences of
Armenia as researcher. In March 1988, on the eve of the Karabakh
movement moved to Nagorno Karabakh. Worked for the collective farm of
the village of Astghashen as senior agronomist. Founded and managed a
private food processing factory till 2001. In 2001 was appointed NKR
minister of agriculture, in December 2004 ` adviser to the NKR prime
minister. Member of the Democratic Party of Artsakh. Is married, has 3
children. Was elected to the National Assembly from the electoral
district No. 10. ARAYIK VLADIMIRY HARUTYUNIAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT, was born in
Stepanakert, on December 14, 1973. In 1990 finished Stepanakert School
of Physics and Mathematics. In the same year entered Yerevan Institute
of Economy. Later shifted to the department of economy of NKR State
University and graduated in 1990. In 1992 was conscripted into the
defence forces of NKR, fought in Artsakh war. In 1996-1998 took the
post-graduate course in economics at Artsakh State University. In
1995-1997 worked at the NKR Ministry of Economy and Finance as assistant
to the minister. In 1997-1999 was the manager of the Askeran branch of
Hayagrobank. In 1999-2004 was manager of the Stepanakert branch of
Hayagrobank. Currently owns Karabakh Gold CJSC. Is married, has 1 child.
Was elected to the National Assembly from the electoral district No. 4.
ARPAT SANJANI AVANESSIAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL
AFFAIRS, was born in the village of Chartar, Martuni region, in 1944.
Finished the local secondary school in 1960. In 1966 graduated from the
department of radiophysics and electronics of Yerevan State University,
majoring in radiophysics. In 1965-1968 worked at the Institute of
Radiophysics and Electronics of the Academy of Sciences of Armenia as
junior researcher, senior engineer. In 1968 started working at the chair
of nuclear physics of Yerevan Polytechnic Institute as assistant
professor. In 1972-1981 took a post-graduate course and got the title of
Candidate of Sciences. In 1983 received the title of docent. In January
1990 was appointed director of the Stepanakert department of extension
courses of Yerevan Polytechnic Institute. In 1991 was appointed director
of the Stepanakert branch of Yerevan Polytechnic Institute. The first
rector of Nagorno Karabakh State University (founded in 1992, now
Artsakh State University). Since July 1994 docent of the chair of
physics of NKSU. In 2000 was declared `Person of the Year’ by the
American Biographic Institute. Head of the chair of physics of Artsakh
State University since October 2004. Member of the Academy of Pedagogy
and Psychology since March 2005. Member of the political party Azat
Hayrenik. Is married, has 3 children. Was elected to the National
Assembly by the party ticket of Azat Hayrenik Party.

AA.
05-07-2005

US EMBASSY IN ARMENIA ORGANIZES RECEPTION DEDICATED TO 229TH
ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF AMERICA

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 1, the US
Embassy organized a reception dedicated to the 229th anniversary of
the Independence Day of the United States of America. U.S. Ambassador
John Evans welcame guests to the celebration. United States
Independence Day honors the day in 1776 when the Declaration of
Independence was signed by the Founding Fathers. According to the
information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the Public Relations
Department of the US Embassy in Armenia, the principles found in this
document have brought change to countries around the world and have
continued to be influential through the centuries to our own day.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress