The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform Politics 2007-10-01 16:07:00 The participation of the Armenian first president in the election to lead to consolidation of opposition forces, the leader of the Liberal-Progressive Party of Armenia thinks ArmInfo. "The participation of the Armenian first president Levon- Ter-Petrosyan in the coming election, February, 2008, will lead to the consolidation of liberal opposition forces", the leader of Liberal-Progressive Party of Armenia Hovhannes Hovhanissyan said during the debates at the "Mirror" club. According to him, it is necessary to do everything possible for the fight to the president's post to proceed within the frames of rivalry of ideas and political platforms. And the ex- president's participation in the election will promote this. As a positive example, he brought that of the latest decisions of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD), which, following the classical American-European path, nominated even two pretenders for the president's post in the initial stage. Repeating once again the previously expressed thought that Levon Ter-Petrosyan's returning to politics is a historical necessity, the leader of LPPA didn't rule out the probability that the latter doesn't participate in the election. According to him, in case of such development of events, each liberal party will have to make a decision on the participation format in the election campaign independently. Commenting on Levon Ter-Petrosyan's well known speech after almost ten years' silence, H. Hovhannisyan emphasized that the "ex-president was absolutely sincere and one cannot but agree with the political assessment expressed by him". 2007-10-01 15:37:00 Representative of ARFD: An arrangement on holding election campaign within the frames of ideological fight was made at the meeting with the first Armenian president ArmInfo. 'An arrangement on holding election campaign within the frames of ideological fight was made at the meeting of our party representatives with the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan', - representative of the ARF Dashnaktiutyun Spartak Seyranyan said over the debates in Hayeli club, Monday. At the same he added that possible running of the ex-president for president will not enhance the ideological factor over the campaign. 'Everybody should understand that the political fight in every civilized state should be held within the frames of certain standards. At the same time we don't forget our ideological and political disagreements with Armenian Pan-National Movement. For instance, I could say much about the APNM and Ter-Petrosyan, but I won't do that because we arranged', - Seyranyan said. When commenting on the meeting of the ex-president with representatives of the ARFD Seyranyan added: 'By this visit Ter-Petrosyan demonstrated seriousness of his intentions, and said he is going to run for president. And we demonstrated that we are not guided with emotions in our political activity. We could meet several years ago and it would be better. At present the history of relations between Dashnaktiutyun and APNM did not become a topic of discussion at the passed consultations. In the APNM nobody suffers of forgetfulness, but at present stage there are more serious topics for discussion'. To recall, on 28 December 1994 activity of the ARF Dashnaktiutyun was stopped as it was accused of preparing terrorist actions and an attempt of assumption of power. The party was "rehabilitated" on;y in 1998 when Robert Kocharyan came to power. Representatives of APNM and ARFD used to make statements against each other over the last years. but last Saturday the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan suddenly visited the office of ARFD and held consultations there which lasted for 40 minutes. 2007-10-01 15:35:00 We don't have information on the case of RA NA Deputy, the owner of 'Great Valley' company Tigran Arzakantsyan, the leader of RPA faction says ArmInfo. "We don't have any information from the law- enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation on the case of the Armenian National Assembly Deputy, member of the Republican Party, owner of "Great Valley" company Tigran Arzakantsyan", the leader of the "Republican Party of Armenia" Faction in the RA NA Karen Karapetyan said. To note, unknown people shot at RA NA Deputy, RPA member, owner of "Great Valley" company Tigran Arzakantsyan in the entrance hall of Metropol Hotel, Moscow, September 26. A criminal case was initiated on the case. According to K. Karapetyan, as far as this is the business of legal structures, it would be reasonable to turn to the law enforcement agencies of Armenia. "Within the frames of the intergovernmental agreement on mutual help signed between Armenia and Russia, they exchange information. The information is not made public in the interests of the investigation", K. Karapetyan emphasized. Speaking about the health state of his colleague, K. Karapetyan said, that T. Arzakantsyan is, presently, in the reanimation department of Sklifasofsky Research Institute for Emergency Medical Help in Moscow. "The health state is steady, his organism is healthy, and we hope that everything will be all right", the parliamentarian said. 2007-10-01 15:11:00 Vahan Hovannisyan: If representatives of Armenian Pan-National movement want to meet us and discuss some problems, the doors of the ARF Dashnaktiutyun are open for them ArmInfo. 'If representatives of Armenian Pan-National movement want to meet us and discuss some problems, the doors of the ARF Dashnaktiutyun are open for them and in general for all citizens', - vice-speaker of the National Assembly Vahan Hovannisyan said in the parliament today when commenting on the meeting with ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan initiated by the latter. Hovannisyan also added that over the meeting the parties discussed the problems connected with the forthcoming presidential election in 2008. 'We discussed the problems of civilized political fight establishment in Armenia and there was no word about supporting each other at the presidential election', - Hovannisyan emphasized and added that Armenian Pan-National Movement and ARF Dahsnaktiutyun are not enemies but opponents. To note, on 28 December 1994 Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan clamped down activity of the ARFD and many members of the party, including Vahan Hovannisyan were arrested. 2007-10-01 14:54:00 There is nothing strange that ex-president of Armenia met representatives of ARFD, secretary of the RPA parliamentary faction thinks ArmInfo. 'There is nothing strange that ex-president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan met representatives of ARF Dashnaktiutyun', - secretary of the RPA parliamentary faction Samvel Nikoyan told Arminfo correspondent, Monday. He normally treats meetings of various political forces at the threshold of the presidential election. 'I think it promotes formation of normal atmosphere in the political field. We should not consider these two parties enemies, as they come forward as opponents before the election and that's all', - Nikoyan said. To note, the first Armenian president initiated his meeting with representatives of ARF Dashnaktiutyun in their office, on 29 September. 2007-10-01 14:53:00 Forthcoming presidential election to be more replete ideologically than parliamentary ones: representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun ArmInfo. 'The forthcoming February, 2008, presidential election will be more replete ideologically than the past parliamentary ones. At the same time, it is yet early to say that the desired level of the political fight has been reached in the country', representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Spartak Seyranyan said today in "Zerkalo" club. He said that gradual transfer of the political struggle to the ideological plain happens preferably not by the parties' will. It is a result of the public order execution, S. Seyranyan said. Talking of the role of bribing voters in the forthcoming electoral campaign, he paid special attention to availability of these phenomena in all the countries. It is quite another matter in what manner they are served. "If there are turns in front of the candidates' offices, who dispense bribery, it means that part of the population is still at such low educational level and difficult social state that prefer to take 5000 drams having sold their voice", ARFD's representative said. Commenting on the recent statement of the People's Party leader Tigran Karapetyan about mass delivery of bribe by Dashnaktsutyun itself during the recent election, S. Seyranyan emphasized that he does not intend to idealize himself and his party, however, "the whole history of ARF Dashnaktsutyun has shown that one should be careful when giving assessments to it. Many of those who comment on our activity, very often turn out to be out of politics". 2007-10-01 12:44:00 First president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan meets representatives of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party ArmInfo. Representative of the Bureau of ARF Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) Hrant Markaryan and representative of the Supreme Body of ARFD's Armenian structure Armen Rustamyan met ex-President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan and ex- FM Alexander Arzumanyan in the "Simon Vratsyan" Center, the press-service of ARFD's Supreme Body told ArmInfo today. According to the message, this initiative belongs to L. Ter-Petrosyan. "The interlocutors discussed the issues related to the internal political situation in the country and the forthcoming presidential election, having emphasized necessity for the political and ideological dialogue in this stage", the press-service reports. To recall, the first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan banned the Dashnaktsutyun's activity in 1994. Many members of the party, including H. Markaryan and A. Rustamyan, were arrested, the party newspapers were closed. The ban from the party's activity was repealed after resignation of L. Ter-Petrosyan in 1998. Economy 2007-10-01 12:54:00 Gas supply to Georgia and Armenia to be suspended for a day ArmInfo. Due to unscheduled repair of Mazdok-Tbilisi and Northern Caucasus- Transcaucasia gas mains, the supply of natural gas to Georgia and Armenia will be suspended for a day on October 2, CJSC ArmRusgasprom told ArmInfo, Monday. Abovyan underground gasholder will ensure uninterrupted gas supply to Armenian consumers. To recall, CJSC ArmRusgasprom is the exclusive supplier of natural gas to Armenia. 2007-10-01 12:52:00 'ArmenTel' CJSC lost all kinds of monopolies for telecommunications in Armenia started October 1, 2007 ArmInfo. According to the decision of RA Public Services Commission, the "ArmenTel" CJSC (subsidiary enterprise of "VympelCom" OJSC) has lost all kinds of monopolies for telecommunication services in Armenia started October 1, the Commission told ArmInfo today. According to the source data, he Commission's decision on introduction of the relevant changes to the Company's license No 60 was approved on August 24, 2007, and it takes affect from today. It means that the telecommunications market in the republic is completely liberalized from now on. The monopoly was given to the "ArmenTel" at the end, 1997, till 2013. In particular, the "ArmenTel" refuses from monopoly on the main and minor telecommunication and telephone services it possessed, including the local, intercity and international telecommunication and telephone services, services for lease of the telephone lines, the international transit and satellite services, the public mobile communication, the voice data transfer via Internet (IP-telephony), video transmission services (broadband). Director General of "ArmenTel" CJSC Oleg Blizniuk told journalists earlier that the Company refuses of the monopoly voluntarily and welcomes a healthy competition. However, he added, it is important for the market to become not only free but civilized. He said that a new era starts in Armenia in the area of telecommunications. Meanwhile, he added, started October 1, the "ArmenTel" becomes an absolutely commercial company, free of many social liabilities. So, any projects related to investments, will be considered from the viewpoint of the capital payoff, first of all. Meanwhile, the Commission added that according to the agreement between "ArmenTel" CJSC and the Armenian government, a new cell operator may appear in Armenia only beginning from January 1, 2009. To note, the "ArmenTel" CJSC , the owner of which is "VympelCom" OJSC, and the "VivaCell" Company , 80% of shares of which is outbid by the MTS Russian cell operator, are functioning in the Armenian market of cell communication at present. Finance and banks 2007-10-01 16:10:00 Devaluation of Armenian dram to US dollar accompanied consumer price growth for September in Armenia ArmInfo. The 0.7% consumer price growth in Armenia for September 2007 was accompanied by 0.5% devaluation of the Armenian dram to US dollar. National Statistical Service of Armenia told ArmInfo 0.2% consumer price decline for Jan-Sep 2007 was accompanied by appreciation of the Armenian dram to US dollar by 7.1%. In the same period of 2006 consumer prices grew by 2.3% and the Armenian dram was appreciated by 13.7% with regard to the US dollar. The average exchange rate of Armenian dram and US dollar made up 38.60 drams/$1 which was by 12.7% lower than the indicator for September 2006 (378.89 AMD/$1USD). 2007-10-01 12:58:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 334,5 drams for 1 dollar, 474 drams for 1 EUR and 13,3 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 336 drams for 1 dollar, 479 drams for 1 EUR and 13,5 drams for 1 Russian ruble. Crimes and emergency situations 2007-10-01 12:28:00 Anonym informs Court of Appeal of Armenia about bomb in court building ArmInfo. Today, on October 1, approximately at 12:30 pm local time, the Armenian Court of Appeal received an anonymous alarm about a blaster in the building. Court of Appeal representative told ArmInfo the court staff has been evacuated from the building. Specialists with help of explosives dogs are searching for the blaster. To recall, the Court of Appeal for Civil Cases and the Court of Appeal for Criminal and Military Cases are in the same building. Culture 2007-10-01 15:45:00 Armenian version of the book 'Black Garden. Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War' presented in Yerevan ArmInfo. The Armenian translation of the book "Black Garden. Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War" by British writer Thomas de Waal has been presented in Yerevan. The author wondered why the nations that used to be close once, found themselves on different sides of the barricade and the small disagreement developed into a large-scale confrontation. T.Waal said that he was disappointed in the search of universal literature on this topic and decided to collect the necessary data for the book himself. He noted that he first came to the South Caucasus in 1995-1996 for this purpose when the military actions had already been stopped, but the consequences were still obvious. He doubts that the conflicting parties' decision to initially apply to external forces for the conflict settlement was right. The Armenian and Azeri nations peacefully co-existed in the Soviet Union, he noted. But when the disagreement arose, they turned to third parties instead of settling it themselves. T.Waal thinks that it is the lack of a real dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan that makes the parties feel insecurity, and the settlement of the conflict lasts this long. 2007-10-01 12:41:00 Catholicos of All Armenians left for USA with Pastoral visit ArmInfo. Yesterday, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second left for the USA with Pastoral (Patriarchal) visit. As the press-service of the Holy See of Mother Echmiadzin's administrative Office told ArmInfo today, the Supreme Patriarch will visit the USA's Western Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church from September 30 to October 3 and will participate in a number of events timed to the 80th anniversary of the Eparchy, including opening of a Saint Altar in the Church of Snt. Gregory the Illuminator in Passadena and opening of the Armenian community's cultural Center. From October 3 to November 2, Garegin II will visit the Eastern Eparchy of the USA and several Armenian communities. A number of official and inter-confessional meetings will be held as well. According to the message, this is the second Pastoral (Patriarchal) visit of Garegin II to the USA. The first one was held in 2001. The Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church is accompanied in his trip by Head of Echmiadzin's administrative Office, Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, a responsible person of the Foreign Languages Department of the press-service of Echmiadzin's administrative Office, the priest Ktrich Devejyan and the hieromonch Hovnan Hakopyan as a bursar. No information from Site can be used without prior permission of ARMINFO http://www.arminfo.am -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=media.arminfo&email=e@mail http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com