The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform Politics 2007-10-03 13:41:00 Hrant Dink's murdered regrets his action ArmInfo. A teenager accused of killing ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink told a court on Monday he regretted his actions and claimed he carried out the slaying under the influence of drugs, according to a lawyer present at the hearing, Herald Tribune reports. Dink was shot dead in front of his newspaper's office in January in a brazen daylight attack that prompted international condemnation and debate within Turkey about free speech. On Saturday, Turkish media aired a recording of a telephone conversation between one of the suspects and a police officer. The dialogue, even though vague, suggests the police officer knew about a plan to kill the journalist but did nothing to protect him or hunt down the plotters. Although the tape emerged Saturday, there have been claims of police negligence since the arrest of the teenager, including allegations that one of the suspects who planned the killing was a police informant and was in close contact with police officials. A lawyer for Dink's family said that police officials "destroyed some other pieces of evidence" similar to the tape, and that lawyers asked the court to broaden the investigation to include the allegations. The lawyer requested anonymity because the trial is being held behind closed. Police have not commented publicly on the case since January, saying they did not want to interfere with the outcome of the trial, which resumes Feb. 11. Dink was hated by hardline nationalists for describing the mass killings of Armenians early in the last century as genocide, which is considered an insult by most Turks. Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, insisting those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. The trial took place behind closed doors because the alleged gunman is a minor. A total of 19 suspects are on trial for the killing. The teenager said in his testimony Monday that he regretted killing Dink, because the journalist - a father of three - had a family, said Bulent Akbay, a lawyer representing the Dink family. The defendant said he had taken Ecstasy tablets and other drugs before the killing and claimed that he had been "scared" into carrying out the slaying by two of the other suspects, Akbay said. The teen said he nearly abandoned plans to kill Dink when he came face to face with his victim in the street, Akbay said. Akbay said the teenager was smiling and laughing throughout his testimony. Defense lawyer Fuat Turgut confirmed that the teenager said he had taken drugs. He did not comment on the other remarks by Akbay. The taped recording that aired Saturday on private NTV television and other channels has added to those allegations. NTV said the conversation took place shortly after Dink was killed and suggests that authorities may have been able to prevent the killing. A lawyer who is following the case said the transcript was placed in the court files. The lawyer asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. The Interior Ministry began an investigation to try to discover who leaked the tape to journalists, state-run media said Saturday. Turkey's top politicians, including the prime minister, vowed a thorough investigation into the Dink killing. The governor and police chief of the city of Trabzon - the hometown of the suspects - were removed from office because for allegedly failing to take measures to protect Dink. Dink had sought to encourage reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia. But he was prosecuted under Article 301 of Turkey's penal code, which bans insults to Turkish identity, for his comments on the mass killings of Armenians by Turks in the early 20th century. He was convicted but was appealing the verdict when he was killed. "Hrant Dink's death is linked to 301," said Claudia Roth, a leader of the German opposition Greens, who is in Istanbul to attend the hearing. "It was 301 which killed him and that's why I am here." 2007-10-03 13:31:00 'Orinats Yerkir' party confirms its intention to run in presidential election by its candidate ArmInfo. "Orinats Yerkir" party still confirms its intention to run in the forthcoming presidential election in Armenia by its candidate, the party leader Artur Baghdasaryan, members of the "Orinats Yerkir" faction Artashes Avoyan said at today's press-conference in "Urbat" club. He recalled that the session of the party's Board, held on September 29-30 resolved to nominate A. Baghdasaryan as a candidate for the presidential election. However, the final decision on this matter will be taken at the session of "Orinats Yerkir" scheduled for early November, he said added. Asked by Arminfo correspondent whom the "Orinats Yerkir" will support in case if a second round is necessary to reveal the election winner, Artashes Avoyan replied: "I can say that we shall unambiguously support a candidate from the opposition. Supporting of the power candidate is ruled out". 2007-10-03 13:31:00 'Orinats Yerkir' party does not think contacts with ANM party compromising it ArmInfo. Orinats Yerkir (OY) party does not think that contacts with the former ruling party Armenian National Movement (ANM) headed by ex-president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan compromising it in the eyes of its constituency. A member of OY parliamentary faction Artashes Avoyan made this statement at Friday Club, Wednesday. 'Indeed, we meet with many political forces. We have been invited to a meeting with ANM representatives. At these meetings political forces specify their stands on the presidential election. I do not think it can somehow compromise us in the eyes of our voters,' he said. 2007-10-03 13:26:00 Orinats Yerkir party leader dissatisfied with media coverage of his party's activity ArmInfo. Leader of Orinats Yerkir party (OY) Artur Baghdasaryan has no intention to avoid local media. He is just dissatisfied with how they cover the activity of his party and its parliamentary faction, a member of OY faction Artashes Avoyan said at Friday Club, Wednesday. He explained the leader's unwillingness to meet media representatives and the OY faction's refusal from participation in traditional parliamentary briefings with biased media coverage of the party's opposition activity. 'But it is not a boycott. We accept invitations to press conferences and various debates with pleasure. I assure you that journalists will get an opportunity to communicate with Artur Baghdasaryan shortly, ' he said. 2007-10-03 13:21:00 RA FM meets his Turkish and Iranian counterparts ArmInfo. RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts yesterday. The meetings were held in New York within the frames of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly. As RA FM's press-service told ArmInfo, during his first meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, V. Oskanyan touched on the present level of the Armenian- Turkish relations. The interlocutors also discussed the regional issues of mutual interest. The Armenian-Iranian relations, energy issues and regional processes were discussed during the meeting of V. Oskanyan with Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki. Speech of RA FM at the UN General Assembly has been scheduled for today. 2007-10-02 14:03:00 By his speech Levon Ter-Petrosyan sent a 'message' to international structure with a hope to get support, Khosrof Harutyunyan thinks ArmInfo. 'By his speech on 21 September the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan sent a "message" to international structure with a hope to get support', - the leader of Christian and Democratic Union Khosrof Harutyunyan told journalists in Hayatsk club today. He also added that the basis of the political and public support of the ex-president is limited. Many people hoped that after ten years of silence he will first of all and directly say where he made a mistake when staying in the power. He also added that Ter-Petrosyan's speech served only to fuel and this may lead to falling of the level of political fight and its contents. Asked by ArmInfo correspondent if the culture of the political fight in Armenia was at a high level before Ter-Petrosyan's speech, Harutyunyan replied that after Ter-Petrosyan's breaking silence, the front-runners of the electoral campaign and their supporters started talking to each other in an unacceptable language. He also emphasized that to ensure stable development of the country one should do everything possible to avoid aggravation of the situation. Speaking about the prospect of another "orange" revolution at the post-Soviet territory, in Armenia Khosrof Harutyunyan foreign meddling in the situation in Armenia is dangerous. 'But I cannot connect Levon Ter-Petrosyan's returning to the active politics with a prospect of the "orange" revolution development. I cannot say so', - the leader of the Christian and Democratic Union Khosrof Harutyunyan specified. 2007-10-02 14:02:00 Statement of US former Secretary of States is aimed at protection of US interests first of all: Azerbaijani FM ArmInfo. "The statement of US former Secretaries of State is aimed at protection of the United States' interests, first of all. They are experiences politicians and, making such statements, they think about protection of the USA's interests. Their activity as Secretaries of State allows to talk of their professionalism, Head of the press-service of Azerbaijani FM Hazar Ibragim said at today's briefing, the Day.az reports. He also said that the US Congress should also come forward in this context. "Very often, the congressmen, influenced by the Armenian lobby and a number of other factors, take decisions, which are aimed against Azerbaijan", H. Ibragim said. He added that the "euphoria of the Armenian lobby remained in the past, and it cannot but trouble the Armenian authorities". "Strategic relations are observed today between Azerbaijan and the USA. If compare the USA-Armenia relations with the USA-Azerbaijan ones, it becomes clear that the latters are much ahead", H. Ibragim said. 2007-10-02 13:56:00 Armenian Ambassador: Armenian Genocide recognition unlikely to be put on agenda of Bulgarian Parliament so far ArmInfo. Armenian Genocide recognition is unlikely to be put on the agenda of the Bulgarian Parliament in the nearest future, Armenian Ambassador to Bulgaria Sergey Manasaryan said at a press conference, Tuesday. The diplomat explained that one of the influential parties in the Bulgarian Parliament "Movement of Rights and Freedoms" has ethnic Turkish roots. the Ambassador said. At the same time, he believes the issue will be put on the agenda in future. To recall, earlier the proposal to put the issue on the agenda of the Bulgarian Parliament was rejected. 2007-10-02 13:15:00 APNM and ARFD try to create opportunities for civilized fight holding, the leader of Armenian Christian-Democratic Union thinks ArmInfo. 'The last Saturday meeting between the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and the leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dahsnaktiutyun is evidence of the fact that APNM and ARFD are trying to create opportunities for civilized political fight holding>, - the leader of Armenian Christian-Democratic Union Khosrof Harutyunyan told journalists in Hayatsk club today. He also added that the above mentioned two political forces has a history of quite complicated relations. As for the contents of the bilateral consultations, one can suppose availability of underflow, which the society does not see. , - Harutyunyan said. Touching on ARFD running for president, Harutyunyan said that judging from the political biography of the party, it will go to the end although it understand very well that it will not gain a victory at the presidential election. 2007-10-02 13:08:00 Lord Russel Johnson meets Heads of Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations to PACE ArmInfo. Chairman of PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh issue Lord Russel Johnson met Heads of the Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations to PACE David Harutyunyan and Samed Seidov. During the meeting, the Head of the Armenian delegation emphasized importance of the visit to Nagorno Karabakh and expressed regret that Azerbaijan creates artificial obstacles to prevent the Subcommittee members' visit. This time, Azerbaijan has chosen a way of changing the visit's format. D. Harutyunyan recalled that visits of the international institutions, including PACE, to Nagorno Karabakh were carried out through the territory of Armenia over several years. Lord Russel Johnson expressed concern over the developed situation and told about a forced cancellation of the scheduled visit. The further development of the situation is unclear at the moment. 2007-10-02 13:06:00 The country faces such important problems that meetings are possible between representatives of our party and ARFD, the executive secretary of AAM says ArmInfo. "The country faces such important problems, that meetings are possible between the representatives of our party and ARF Dashnaktsutyun" the executive secretary of the Board of the All-national Armenian Movement Vahagn Hayotsyuan told AmrInfo correspondent. According to him, the first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan's meeting with the representatives of ARFD, which took place last Saturday is a proof that a new political culture is formulated in the country. "The consultations held find a place in the general context of the first president's activation, in respect with his return to the active politics", V. Hayotsyan said. To note, no more detailed information on the meeting is made public. To recall, the activity of ARFD was stopped on December 28, 1994 after the well-known speech of that time's president on public television. ARFD was accused of preparing terrorist acts and of an attempt of forced capture of the power. The party was only "rehabilitated" in 1998 after Robert Kacarian came to power. During all the recent years the representatives of AAM, the unpublished leader of which is Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and ARFD exchanged severe attacks. However, last Saturday, the first president unexpectedly visited the "Simon Vratsyan" center of ARFD, where he had 40minutes long consultations with the party's leaders. 2007-10-02 12:30:00 Armenian Genocide Resolution to be considered by key House Committee on October 10th ArmInfo. The House Foreign Affairs Committee is set to mark up the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) on Wednesday, October 10th, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.) Committee discussion and adoption of the resolution will set the stage for subsequent full House consideration of the key human rights measure. Introduced on January 30th by Rep. Adam Schiff along with Representative George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), the Armenian Genocide resolution calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide. The resolution is cosponsored by 226 Members of Congress from 39 states. A similar resolution in the Senate (S.Res.106), introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) currently has 31 cosponsors, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (D-NY). 2007-10-02 12:28:00 Christian-Democratic Union of Armenia not to nominate candidate for president ArmInfo. 'Our party has no intention to nominate own candidate for president unless there are sharp changes in the political sphere, ' Leader of the Christian-Democratic Union of Armenia Khosrov Haroutunyan told journalists at Hayatsk Club, Tuesday. He said the party may support of one the presidential nominees if his program will coincide with the party's approaches. Asked about the nomination of ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Haroutunyan said he had occupied high posts both under the ex-president and the incumbent authorities and the party will not support a candidate to ensure high post for its leader. As regards the domestic political situation in Armenia, Khosrov Haroutunyan said it is logical for the pre- election campaign that actually started yet at the end of 2006 alongside with preparations for the parliamentary election of May 2007. Nothing extraordinary is happening even given the nomination of L. Ter-Petrosyan. The front-runners are already emerging, he said. These are Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, Leader of National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan, if he makes a final decision to run for president. One can expect rather an interesting and keen fight of candidates, Khosrov Haroutunyan said. 2007-10-02 12:17:00 Polad Bulbul Oglu does not rule out possibility of continuing dialogue between communities of Nagorno Karabakh ArmInfo. Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbul Oglu thinks that the trip of representatives of the Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals, headed by the two countries' ambassadors to Russia, carried out to Stepanakert, Baku and Yerevan on June 28, 2007, had no political purposes. "After a great interval, an attempt was made to create an atmosphere for a dialogue between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno Karabakh. I would like to note that this trip was positively assessed by the leading political forces of the world. I think that the meetings of intellectuals with the two countries' presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan attached great importance to this trip and gave a chance to continue the meetings in this format", P. Bulbul Oglu said, commenting on the statement of RA Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan on possibility of continuing the meetings in such a format. The Ambassador added that the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement based on the standards and principles of the International Law is carried out within the frames of OSCE Minsk Group. The diplomat also said that, though no sufficient results have been achieved, the Azerbaijani party remains adherent to the peaceful negotiations and keeps making constructive efforts for prompt settlement of the conflict within the frames of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the AzerTag reports. 2007-10-02 12:17:00 Joint project of young journalists of Armenia and Azerbaijan presented in London ArmInfo. The joint project of young journalists of Armenia and Azerbaijan on creation of mini movies about Karabakh has been presented in London. As the BBC reports, the Karabakh conflict broke destiny of many thousands of Azerbaijanis and Armenians. About 30.000 people were killed over the conflict which turned from the inter-ethnic confrontation into a wide-scaled war. After signing an agreement on cease-fire regime in 1994 they did not manage to reach much progress on the way to peace. The fight to that territory of Azerbaijan, where mainly Armenians live, continues and hundreds of thousands people are waiting for the time when finally they will be able to return to their homes. It is almost for 20 years that Azerbaijanis and Armenians have no contact. At present a group of young journalists from both parties, which spent their childhood at the war, are taking part in the joint project on creation of mini movies. They tell what trace the war left in both nations, about difficulties of everyday life in the conditions when the conflict has not been settled yet. 2007-10-02 12:17:00 Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Gegham Gharibjanyan to represent Armenia at meeting of CIS Council of Foreign Ministers ArmInfo. CIS Council of Foreign Ministers will meet in Dushanbe on October 4 2007. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Garibjanyan will represent the country at the meeting, Armenian Foreign Ministry press-service told ArmInfo. Russian Foreign Ministry reports that the agenda of the meeting consists of some 20 issues of versatile cooperation within the frame of Commonwealth. Draft Concept of CIS Development and the Plan of Key Measures for the Concept's implementation will be in the focus of the foreign ministers' attention. They will discuss agreements and programs for 2008-2010 on improvement of collective acts in the sphere of migration policy, security, crime, illegal drug traffic, money laundry, misappropriation of cultural values, terrorism and other displays of extremism, as well as educational and humanitarian projects. The Council of CIS Foreign Ministers will meet before the CIS Summit. Economy 2007-10-03 13:28:00 Bread-grain prices growth in Armenia is not of a speculative nature, specialists of the Commission on economic competition protection think ArmInfo. Bread-grain prices growth in Armenia is in line with the world prices changing and is not of a speculative nature, chairman of the Commission on economic competition protection Ashot Shakhnazaryan said at its sitting over which the grain market of the republic was discussed. He also added that grain is chiefly imported to Armenia from Russia, as local producers can ensure only 40% of demands. Shakhnazaryan said that the bread-grain world prices have started growing since spring of the current year and have grown up to 75%. In Armenia growth of prices was oscillating between 8-12 drams from the world prices even in the conditions of the dram strengthening. This is not significant and cannot be considered speculation, Shakhnazaryan said. It was mentioned at the session that "Salex Group" company imports 35,06% of bread-grain, and "Manana Grain" - 35,8%. Both companies were recognized as dominating as each of them occupies more than the third of the market. The fact of speculation at the flour market has not been fixed either. A total of 139,7 thsd tons of flour was produced in the republic in 2006, 246 tons - imported and 139,2 thsd tons sold. Stemming from this, we have 100 gr of flour per capita per day. 2007-10-02 12:28:00 Gas supply to Georgia and Armenia suspended for a day-period ArmInfo. Supply of natural gas to Georgia and Armenia was suspended for a day today, on October 2, in the morning, due to unscheduled repair of Mazdok-Tbilisi and Northern Caucasus- Transcaucasia gas mains 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. 2007-10-02 12:10:00 Armenian NPP to be stopped for planned preventive maintenance and refueling on October 12 ArmInfo. The Armenian NPP will be stopped for planned preventive maintenance and refueling on October 12, 2007, Director General of ANPP Gagik Markosyan told ArmInfo today. He said that during this period, it is scheduled to implement a number of the plant's safety enhancement measures. Fresh fuel will be delivered to the NPP within the next few days for refueling, G. Markosyan said. Over the last two years, the ANPP purchases fuel at the expense of own incomes and does not receive credits. The Armenian NPP wastes 90-100 fuel assemblies per annum, and buys so much. Half of the electric power, generated in the republic, falls on its share. To note, in September, 2003, the ANPP was handed over the financial control of "Iter RAO UES" CJSC, being a subsidiary of RAO "UES of Russia", for a period of five years. Two power units of Russian model WWER-440 with total capacity of 815 MW are installed at the Armenian NPP. The first unit was commissioned in 1976, the second one in 1980. In the beginning, 1989, the NPP was removed from operation for political reasons. However, the second unit with capacity of 404 MW was restarted in 1995. Finance and banks 2007-10-03 13:45:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 333 drams for 1 dollar, 470 drams for 1 EUR and 13,2 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 334,5 drams for 1 dollar, 476 drams for 1 EUR and 13,5 drams for 1 Russian ruble. 2007-10-03 13:23:00 Eurobank to send 13,5 mln Euro for fulfillment of programme of ecological rehabilitation of Sevan lake ArmInfo. Today, RA Parliament continued discussion over the government-presented agreement between Armenia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development about financing of the programme of ecological rehabilitation of Sevan lake. As Chairman of State Committee of water economy under RA Ministry of Territorial Administration Andranik Andreasyan told parliamentarians, the accredit agreement has been signed in April, 2007. The whole programme is assessed of 12 mln Euro, 7 mln Euro of which have been allotted as a credit and the rest 5 mln Euro as a grant. The Bank will also allot 1,2 mln Euro more as a technical assistance for financing of the work on development of estimates of the forthcoming works. Thus, A. Andreasyan said, the whole programme will cost 13,5 mln Euro. The credit of 7 mln Euro has been extended for a period of 15 years with the beginning of repayment in 3 years with an interest rate of Libor=1%. The credit will be extended by two tranches - of 5 mln Euro and 2 mln Euro. The programme envisages construction of new purifying plants in Martuni and Gavar. Moreover, it is scheduled to reconstruct the water channels of Jermuk and Sevan. Thus, the problem of waste waters discharge into the lake will be solved. Within the frames of the EBRD-financed programme, one of the most important problems of the lake will be soled. The project is pilot and, in case of its success, it will be continued in other regions of the republic as well. 2007-10-03 13:21:00 Second stage financial market reforms underway in Armenia ArmInfo. The second stage of the Armenian financial market reforms is underway, Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan said at the Armenian parliament, presenting the draft law on securities market and the related package of draft laws in the first reading, Wednesday. T.Sargsyan said the reforms are aimed at transition from the the securities market regulation system to the concept of commercial system. He added that up to this moment, the American model has been used as a basis of reforming the securities market in Armenia. Now the government proposes transition to the European model. In particular, this implies several changes in the organized securities market. Firstly, the stock market should include the companies that make initial public offerings (IPO) or have quoted securities. In other words, the matter concerns the companies, which publicly collect free cash on their own initiative. Secondly, banks and credit organizations should have the right to take a direct part in the securities market without any additional license. Given that now commercial banks are the key players in the securities market, this change may have a real impact on development of the equity market. There should be a single-whole policy of control and regulation of financial institutions, and this is extremely important to small countries. T.Sargsyan thinks that this will help avoiding new risks that may expand from the securities market to the credit one, then to the insurance market and, finally, affect the whole financial market of the country. The Central Securities Depositary is to serve also as a commercial organization contributing to attraction of foreign investments. Armenia has already signed a memorandum of mutual understanding with the Swedish exchange operator OMX whereby the company became the owner of the Central Securities Depositary and the Armenian Exchange. Under the memorandum, the Swedish company is to participate in the development of the republic's financial market. This required changes in the legislation of Armenia i.e. transition to the European model of the securities market regulation. Particularly, the experience of Estonia and Slovenia was used. As a result, a number of items have been included in the law, which made the regulation of the securities market more flexible and efficient. In its turn, this will allow the Armenian financial market getting integrated into European stock exchanges. In particular, this will allow Armenian companies selling their shares in the leading European stock exchanges without additional serious funds. According to the CB research, at the moment, 20 Armenian companies, which dealt with OMX, have been allowed to this program. The draft law also solves the problem of compulsory registration of companies' issue prospectus only in case of public offerings and stock floatation. At the same time, there are more exceptions which aim to facilitate the companies' activity. In addition, more serious attention will be paid to the companies which are to make IPO. The draft law stipulates a programmed issue of shares, which is banned by the current law. This means that a joint-stock company has the right to submit one application to the regulating body for issue of shares, as well as the time and volume of the issue, and not to apply constantly to the regulator with the same request. The circle of professional participants also increases in the market due to banks and credit organizations. Thus, 5 companies have already issued their bonds. The order of internal safety of the issued securities and the responsibility for price abuse has already been established. The Central Securities Depositary serves as a joint-stock company, and its activity is subject to licensing by the regulating body. This will allow the Central Securities Depositary becoming a profit organization, which will lead to attraction of investments and development of the financial market. The parliament approved the draft law in the first reading. 2007-10-02 13:00:00 Foreign exchange transactions in inter-bank market for October 1 ArmInfo. The transactions in the inter-bank foreign exchange market for October 2 made up $500,000 (167 million drams), which is twice as much as the previous trading day (September 28 - 167.225 million drams). According to the data of commercial banks, the average exchange rate of USD rose by 0.1 percentage points to 334 AMD/$1 USD and the average exchange rate of euro was up also by 0.1 percentage points to 474.5 AMD/1 euro. The data of the Armenian stock exchange (ArmEx) say the foreign exchange transactions on the floor made up $1.1 million (367.280 million drams), which is higher than the similar indicator of the inter-bank market almost 1.1 times. The average weighted rate at the exchange made up 333.89 AMD/$1 USD. Social 2007-10-03 13:26:00 Alvina Gyulumyan reelected to the post of European Court judge on human rights ArmInfo. Alvina Gyulumyan has been reelected to the post of European Court judge on human rights, press service of Council of Europe headquarters informed ArmInfo correspondent. Gyulumyan was reelected by absolute majority of votes. She will stay at the post for six years till October 2013. 2007-10-03 13:19:00 Chief human rights defender of Armenia intends to contest constitutionality of some articles of RA Law on Pensions ArmInfo. Human rights defender, ombudsman of Armenia Armen Harutyunyan intends to contest constitutionality of some articles of RA Law on Pensions in Armenia's Constitutional Court, in view of which he filed a relevant suit yesterday to the republic's Chief Constitutional body. As RA ombudsman's press-service told ArmInfo, the matter, in particular, concerns part 2 of Article 73, part 3 of Article 42 and part 2 of Article 47 of the Law on Pensions. According to these Articles, no more than 1 year of the insurance track record may be added over 1 calendar year. According to the Law, the work at enterprises, especially detrimental heath, cannot serve a basis for exception during calculation of the track record. The ombudsman thinks that part 2 of Article 73 of the Law on Pensions does not comply with Article 42 of RA Constitution as it prejudices the rights of citizens fixed by the Constitution. The matter in Article 47 of the Law on Pensions concerns the order of filing up the labour books, according to which the work record is added in line with a reference from the archive. According to the Law, the work record, which exceeds 25 years, cannot be approved juridically, the law only allows to fill up the gaps of the work record if the gap does not exceed 10 years. This ban, the ombudsman says, is also anticonstitutional as it prejudices the rights of citizens fixed by RA Constitution. 2007-10-02 19:57:00 Sochi Olympic objects to be built by Armenian architects as well ArmInfo. Armenia will provide the Sochi Olympic objects not only with building materials but specialists-architects and doctors as well, vice Mayor of Sochi Irina Badayan, being in Yerevan with official visit, told ArmInfo. She said that a preliminary agreement on attraction of the Armenian architects to the large- scale construction of the Olympic objects for the winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 was reached between the Armenian Consul in RF South Federal district and the Mayor of Sochi. I. Badayan also said that the items of Sochi-Yerevan cooperation in this context will be specified within the next few days. To note, the prime ministers of Armenia and Russia have recently agreed on delivery of building materials, including polished up natural stones and reinforced concrete structures by Armenia for construction of the Olympic objects. 2007-10-02 12:25:00 Government of Armenia to make out list of offshore zones ArmInfo. Armenian parliamentarians passed a bill of amendments to the Law On Profit Tax in the first reading, Tuesday. Deputy Head of Armenian State Revenues Service Armen Alaverdyan presented the bill on behalf of the Armenian Government. He said the 10% profit tax imposed on the Armenian offshore companies is in question, except those which Armenia has agreements on free economic zones and treaties on avoidance of double taxation with. A. Alaverdyan said the bill proposes the Government to make out the list of offshore zones on the basis of relevant requests to the countries having offshore zones. Earlier, the Central Bank was engaged in these issues. The bill defines the concept 'offshore zone', 'business activity in offshore zones' and other issues. Culture 2007-10-03 13:47:00 X-rays to penetrate into the secret of Matenadaran's parchments ArmInfo. The Matenadaran-the Armenian Institute of Ancient Manuscripts and the American Early Manuscripts Electronic Library (EMEL) signed an agreement on the digitization of more than 100 palimpsests- parchments. What was written on them was erased or washed out in order to reuse them, Matenadaran's director Hrachia Tamrazian told ArmInfo correspondent. According to him, digitization of the manuscripts with the device provided by the American side will directly start from the mid 2008. It isn't still decided by what funds the device worth $90 000 will be bought. However, EMEL expressed readiness to make concessions, promising in advance to send its specialists to Armenia for training the personnel who are going to operate the equipment. R. Tamrazian emphasized that the digitization of the palimpsests will make it possible to disclose the parchments' new contents in the Matenadaran. In the Middle Ages because of scarcity of parchments scribe-monks resorted to the method of washing out the antique manuscripts for writing new works. Earlier, these ancient writs were restored by chemical means. Now, the digitizing device does X-ray and infrared irradiation of the parchment, simultaneously. In this way EMEL organization disclosed the commentaries written by Archimedes to Aristotle, which were hidden under a layer of paint. Tamrazian emphasized that the American side was provided all the conditions for reservation of copyright on dissemination of information on the manuscripts beyond Armenia. 2007-10-03 13:33:00 Members of the CIS Humanitarian Cooperation Council visited an exhibition 'Holy Armenia - returning home' ArmInfo. Today the members of the CIS Humanitarian Cooperation Council visited an exhibition "Holy Armenia - returning home". The head of "Roscultura" Mikhail Shvydkoy, Armenian first lady Bella Kocharyan and Culture minister Hasmik Pogosyan were among the visitors. The exhibition "Holy Armenia - returning home" is exhibited in the Armenian history museum. Earlier it was exhibited in France within the frames of the Year of Armenia. Unique showpieces from treasury of Mother See Holy Echmiadzin, ancient manuscripts museum Matenadaran, a fragment of Noah's ark, etc. 'Awe in front of the history of Armenia, its church and culture seizes from the first minutes of contact with this unique exhibition. You pained it - and it gives minutes of happiness', - Mikhail Shvydkoy wrote in the visitors' book. 2007-10-02 12:13:00 Days of Armenia's Culture to be held in Belarus ArmInfo. Days of Armenia's Culture will be held in Belarus on October 22-28, first deputy Minister of Culture of Belarus Vladimir Rylatko said at yesterday's press-conference, the Belarusian Mass Media report. The events will be organized in Minsk and Brest. The Belarusian State Philharmonic Hall will become the main area for the events. To recall, the Days of Armenia's Culture had to be held from March 26 to April 1, however, they were postponed to a later term in view of decease of Armenia's Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. It was scheduled that the Belarusian audience would have a chance to get acquainted with the musical, dancing and theatre art of Armenia. Only the exhibition of the Armenian artist Hakop Hakopyan, out of the scheduled events, was held in Minsk. 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