CRIME EXPOSURE IN ARMENIA IN FIRST HALF OF 2004 TOTALED 83.5% AS AGAINST 83%
IN 2003
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. 5,351 crimes were registered in Armenia in
the first half of 2004 as against 5,120 in the same period of 2003,
said Military Prosecutor Gagik Jhangiryan at today’s session of the
Collegium of Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office.
In the sphere of economic crimes, 152 cases were registered. At the
same time, tax evasion totaled 34 as against 17 in 2003, the number of
exposed cases increased 113.3%. Damage on the misapproriation cases
submitted tp the court totaled 1 bln 34.4 mln drams, 140.7 mln of them
were returned in the course of the investigation, which totals 12/6%
as against 3.3% in 2003.
Crime exposure in the first half of 2004 totaled 83.5% as against 83%
in the same period of 2003. In the same period, investigatory bodies
of Armenia completed 2.298 criminal cases, 1.709 were submitted to the
court, including 31 cases against 43 people charged with premeditated
murder. In the period under review, 30 cases of murder were registered
in the country, which is by 11 cases less than in the same period of
2003. The First Instance Courts of Armenia considered and announced
verdicts on 1,610 criminal cases, including 109 against minors. The
Court of Appeal considered 314 cases, the Court of Cassation 14. 49%
of the defendants were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment as
against 38% in 2003. 95 criminal cases were initiated. Prosecutors
submitted 286 claims on protection of state interests for 1 bln 842.7
mln drams to the courts. 570.6 mln drams were returned on the
voluntary basis. Courts satisfied 199 claims for 397.5 mln drams.

1,250,000 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES ISSUED IN 679 ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN FIRST
HALF OF 2004
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. A total of 1,250,000 ownership certificates
were issued in 679 Armenian communities in the first half of
2004. 956,000 of them were issued free of charge due to budgetary
funds, Head of the RA Registry of Immovable Property, RA Government,
Manuk Vardanyan told a press conference.
He reported that in the first half of 2004 the Registry also
transferred public land-plots to Armenia’s communities. Specifically,
in 847 communities the ownership of public lands was transferred to
communities. “The RA Government has been informed of 309 communities
where the ownership of about 280,000 hectares of land was transferred
to communities,” Vardanyan said. Speaking of the goals of this work,
he pointed out that the sums accumulated from land lease will thus be
directed to communities’ budgets. Also, communities will act as full
members of the real estate market enjoying ownership right.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CB’s INTERVENTION PREVENTS INFLUENCE OF AMD STABILIZATION ON PRICES
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. The intervention of the RA Central Bank
prevented possible influence of a slump in the USD exchange rate on
prices, RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatryan told a
press conference. He pointed out that the tactics of the RA Central
Bank, which is responsible for inflation and price stability,
prevented considerable losses that could have influenced the execution
of the 2004 state budget.
He added that the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy intended to
purchase 10mln. USD, but, such operations being within the CB’s
competence, the CB prohibited this transaction considering the slump
in the USD exchange rate. Otherwise, influence on prices would have
been inevitable. The Ministry took this measure with understanding,
but it still intends to purchase foreign exchange in the future, which
will compensate for the expected loss due to profits.
According to Khachatryan, the AMD stabilization rates that have been
observed during the last few days can be accounted for by a number of
factors. These are a 7.2% increase in exports in July and a 12%
increase in the first half of 2004. Gems, precious metals and articles
exclusive, the increase amounted to 34.8%. Specifically, exports of
goods increased by 72mln. USD. Private transfers increased by
20mln. USD, and direct investments by 27mln. USD. Considerable
activity on the real estate market was observed as well. All these
factors could well increase the AMD stabilization rates.
However, Khachatryan pointed out that all this have been taking place
for six months and was supposed to be proportional, but a nearly 7%
slump in the USD exchange rate has been observed during the last two
weeks. “Yes, considerable sums have come to Armenia during the last
six months and it could have its influence, but the developments of
the last few days suggests the existence of other, more influential
factors. On the other hand, we must not forget about the volume of
shadow turnover, which, according to the Ministry, constitutes 30-35
per cent of the GDP, and the lack of information on it might well
cause that fluctuation of the exchange rate,” Khachatryan said. He
does not rule out that this slump in the USD exchange rate was caused
by speculation, as AMD seasonal stabilization was observed, but not at
such high rates.
He reminded the journalists that yesterday the RA President called a
meeting to discuss the recent situation on Armenia’s financial market
and plan stabilization measures. The meeting participants tried to
understand which particular factors caused the situation. The meeting
considered various versions, according to which, all the
aforementioned factors could be prerequisites and influence the USD
exchange rate. To ascertain the causes, the President ordered the
transactions effected by commercial banks during this period to be
examined. Khachatryan substantiated the instruction by the fact that
transactions worth up to 5mln. USD effected on the market within one
day and the launching of such a sum on the market could well cause the
slump in the USD exchange rate. The President ordered the main cause
of the slump to be ascertained on the basis of examination results and
information.
In its turn, on July 14-20, the CB was trying to stabilize the
situation through the establishment of an open corridor, offering
commercial banks Armenian drams in exchange for foreign currency by
means of SWAP-countries worth a total of 900,000 USD, the rate having
been reduced from 4.62% to 3.58%.
Of course, the latest developments will have their influence on the
state budget, Khachatryan said, He expressed a hope that the situation
will get somewhat stabilize before December, and if the indices
envisaged by the state budget fail to be received, deviations will at
least be minimized to prevent considerable losses.
He reported that the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy is already
taking measures to neutralize the influence of fluctuations of the
foreign exchange rate on the budget. Fist of all, in question are the
sums most of which are expected to be received in the fourth quarter,
in particular under international programs and from foreign
countries. Also, payments to external sources of financing are
expected in that quarter. To minimize the influence of expected flows
on the execution of the 2004 state budget, the CB discussed three
scenarios of its monetary policy. Another factor, collection of duties
from imported goods in terms of US dollars by the Customs Service, can
influence the execution of the budget as well.
“Nevertheless, with this behavior of the foreign exchange rate in
conditions of expected 10.2bln. AMD deficit, the budget was closed
with a 6bln. AMD proficit in the first half of 2004. In other words,
we have no problems with budget execution, and whatever losses may be,
the budget will be executed fully and in time,” Khachatryan said.

ARMENIA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO BE SUSPENDED FOR OVERHAUL AND REFUELING
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. July 30 the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is
to be suspended for overhaul and refueling, says the plant director
general Gagik Markossyan.
The plant was to be stopped July 15 but the date was put off because
of fuel economy. The overhaul is to last 65 days this implying
equipment updating. The second unit will be emptied so that one can
check up the state of its metalic body.

2,799 FLATS SOLD IN ARMENIA’s REGIONS IN FIRST HALF OF 2004
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. A total of 2,799 flats were sold in
Armenia’s regions in the first half of 2004, a 35.5% increase as
against the first half of 2003, and a 2.3% increase as against the
second half of 2003, the RA State Registry of Immovable Property
reported.
A 7.4% increase in prices for housing was recorded in Armenia’s
regional centers during the period under review. In the first half of
2004, the average price of 1sq. meter in Ashtarak was 63.2 USD, in
Artashat 55.5%, in Echmiadzin 86 USD, in Gavar 31.9%, in Vanadzor
62.2%, in Abovyan 86.2%, in Hrazdan 33.8 USD, in Tsakhkadzor 76.6%, in
Yeghvard 42.7 USD, in Nor Achn 55.9 USD, in Gyumri 72.2 USD, in Goris
32 USD, in Vaik 35 USD, in Jermuk 41 USD, in Ijevan 42.3 USD,
in Dilijan 36.7 USD.
A total of 2,362 purchase-and-sale deals with private houses were
recorded in the first half of 2004, a 66.3% increase as against the
corresponding period of last year. The average price of 1sq. meter of
housing in private houses increased by 31.9% from the first half of
2003 to the first half of 2004. In the first half of 2004, the average
price of 1sq. meter of housing in private houses ion Ashtarak was 83.5
USD, in Artashat 62 USD, in Echmiadzin 90 USD, in Gavar 39.9 USD, in
Vanadzor 69.4 USD, in Abovyan 92.9 USD, in Hrazdan 40.4 USD, in
Tsakhkadzor 86 USD, in Yeghvard 47.5 USD, in Nor Achn 56.7 USD, in
Gyumri 91.3 USD, in Goris 33.3 USD, in Vaik 37 USD, in Jermuk 43.4
USD, in Ijevan 42.9 USD, in Dilijan 39.4 USD.
The highest rise in the number of deals was recorded in the Kotayk
region, 10.5%. In Shirak, Ararat and Lori, 10.2%, 9.7% and 8.4%
respectively. The lowest number of deals was recorded in Vaiots Dzor,
1.5%.

219 LAND LEASE DEALS REGISTERED IN YEREVAN IN JAN-JUNE 2004
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. 219 land lease deals were registered in
Yerevan in the first half of this year which is 64.6% less than in the
first half of 2003 and 12.7% less than in the second half of 2003,
says the state real estate committee.
The source says 10,110 h were leased in Armenia during the period 99 h
in Yerevan. 9,426 h of agricultural lands, 137 h of settlements, 237 h
of industrial facilities and 11 h of forests were leased in the
regions during the period. The biggest number of land lease deals was
registered in Aragatsotn and Gegarkunik 236 and 200 respectively the
smallest one in Tavoush 21.

2,528.19 HECTARES OF LAND ALIENATED IN ARMENIA IN FIRST HALF OF 2004
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. A total of 2,528.19 hectares of lands were
alienated in Armenia in the first half of 2004, 2,073.51 hectares of
them being cultivated lands, the RA State Registry of Immovable
Property reported.
Purchase-and-sale deals with a total of 2,490.91 hectares of land were
effected, 2,047.53 hectares of them being cultivated lands. During the
period under review, a total of 32.28 hectares of alienated lands were
donated, 24 hectares of them being cultivated lands. The largest
amount of land alienated through purchase and sale was recorded in the
Ararat region, 705.51 hectares, 617.61 hectares of them being
cultivated lands.

DAYS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE TO BE HELD IN STRASBOURG SEPT 2005
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. Days of Armenian Culture will be held in
Strasbourg in Sept 2005, says the letter sent by Armenia’s permanent
representative to the CE Christian Ter-Stepanyan to the chairman of
the Strasbourg Municipality Robert Grossman after his meeting with
Armenia’s Deputy Culture and Youth Minister Karine Khodikyan.
The days will include chamber, traditional and jazz music concerts,
Armenian cinema shows, exhibitions, ancient book presentations.
Supporting the event will be the Strasbourg Municipality, the
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Odysseus Movie Theater, Archive
Department.

34.8% RISE IN HOUSING PRICES RECORDED IN YEREVAN IN FIRST HALF OF 2004
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. In the first half of 2004, the average
price of 1sq. meter of housing in Yerevan was 214.3 USD, a 34.8%
increase as against the first half of 2003, and a 14.1% increase as
against the second half of 2003.
The press service of the RA State Registry of Immovable Property
reports that in the first half of 2004, in Yerevan’s Center community
(North Avenue under construction not considered), the average price of
1sq. meter of housing was 438.8 USD. In the other communities the
situation was as follows: Arabkir, 341 USD,
Kanaker-Zeitun, 211 USD, Nor-Nork 175 USD, Avan 166.5 USD, Erebuni,
172.6 USD, Shengavit, 189.4 USD, Davidashen 211.4 USD, Achapnyak 189
USD, Malatiya-Sebastiya 197.7 USD, Nubarashen 74 USD. In the first
half of 2004, a total of 2,941 purchase-and-sale deals with private
houses were recorded, 579 of them in Yerevan. The average price of
1sq. meter of housing in private houses increased by 31.9% in the
first half of 2004 as against the first half of 2003. From the second
half of 2003 to the first half of 2004, a 13.1% increase in prices was
recorded. In the first half of 2004, 1sq. meter of housing in private
houses in Yerevan averaged 231 USD: in the Center community,
452.8 USD, in Arabkir 346.8 USD, in Kanaker-Zeitun 212.9 USD, in
Nork-Marash 326.4 USD, in Avan 168.9 USD, in Erebuni 174.7 USD, in
Shengavit 190 USD, in Davidashen 212.5 USD, in Achapnyak 168.9 USD, in
Malatiya-Sebastiya 189.2 USD, and in Nubarashen 75.4 USD.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Contact: Ardashes Kassakhian
818.500.1918
LOCAL ANC CHAPTERS PRAISE CONGRESSMAN SCHIFF FOR GENOCIDE AMENDMENT
Armenian-Americans Activists Criticize Congressional Leaders for
Capitulating to a Foreign Government
Los Angeles, CA – A powerful coalition of Armenian Americans expressed
their strong support over the weekend for Congressman Adam Schiff who
authored an Armenian Genocide Amendment that was passed by the
U.S. House of Representatives last week, announced the Armenian
National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR). The Amendment
prevents Turkey from spending U.S. foreign aid dollars against
legislation pending in Congress that recognizes the Armenian Genocide.
`Our ANC chapters stand united with Congressman Schiff in his effort
to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not used by Turkey to deny
the Armenian Genocide,’ commented ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes
Kassakhian. `Our local ANC chapters stand ready to fight the stated
intention of the Republican Leadership in Congress and the White House
to strike the Schiff Amendment language when the foreign aid bill goes
to conference,’ he added.
Kassakhian referred to the joint statement by House Speaker Dennis
Hastert (R-IL), House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and House
Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO). The Republican Leadership released a
statement that read:`We are strongly opposed to the Schiff
Amendmentâ=80¦ we will insist that conferees drop that provision in
conference. We have contacted the Bush Administration, and they have
indicated their strong oppositionâ=80¦ Turkey has been a reliable ally
of the United States for decadesâ=80¦ our mutual economic and security
relationship rests should not be disrupted by this amendment. Our
relationship with Turkey is too important to us to allow it to be in
any way damaged by a poorly crafted and ultimately meaningless
amendment. Furthermore, we have no intention of scheduling
H. Res. 193… during the remainder of this Congress.’
`Ronald Reagan was the last President to properly commemorate the
Armenian Genocide,’ explained Burbank ANC Chair Peter Musurlian. `The
late President- a hero to many Armenian American Republicans-would be
ashamed at what is taking place on Capitol Hill, with the House
leadership’s refusal to allow a vote on moral clarity.’
Glendale ANC Chair Pierre Charaghchian added, `The opposition to the
Schiff Amendment by Republican leaders in Congress is sad. Sad
because it shows how much influence the Republic of Turkey, a foreign
government, has over some Members of Congress.’
The leaders of the Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena and La Crescenta
Armenian National Committee chapters praised Schiff for successfully
securing passage of his amendment. The Schiff Amendment was adopted
by voice vote during consideration of the House Foreign Operations
Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2005 on Thursday, July 15, 2004.
The foreign aid bill was later passed bya vote of 365 to 41.
`Armenian Americans in Pasadena are proud to have Congressman Schiff
spearhead the effort to properly recognize the first Genocide of the
20th Century,’ stressed Pasadena ANC Chair Shahan Stepanian. `We are
ready to mobilize the community and ensure that the Amendment passes
through the joint House-Senate Conference Committee.’
`It is unfortunate that our Congressional leaders fail to demonstrate
moral clarity on the issue of genocide recognition and prevention.
Eventually, public policy will catch up to the truth and we will not
let a few select politicians change America’s proud response to the
Armenian Genocide,’ stated La Crescenta ANC Chair Sarkis Tchakian.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and
supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns and
interests of the Armenian American community.
For the latest news and action alerts log onto _www.anca.org_
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