The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform Politics 2007-10-12 14:30:00 There is no real threat to physical existence of the Armenian community of Turkey, Russian political expert thinks ArmInfo. There is no real threat to physical existence of the Armenian community of Turkey, chief expert of Committee on CIS affairs of Russian State Duma, known Russian political expert Andranik Migranyan told ArmInfo correspondent when commenting on possible threat to the Armenian community of Turkey, if US Congress recognizes the Armenian genocide. He also added that separate cases may happen, but they used to happen before adoption of this initiative as well. , the political expert said. Migranyan said that being in Turkey within the frames of the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation commission, he assured that several generation of the Turkish society grew up knowing nothing about the events of the years when the genocide happened. , - A.Migranyan concluded. 2007-10-12 10:51:00 Correspondent of 'Aravot' newspaper has been beaten ArmInfo. Correspondent of the "Aravot" newspaper Ruzanna Minasyan underwent an attack: a group of unknown people rushed in the newspaper editorial office and started to beat the journalist and overthrow her working cabinet. As the "Aravot" newspaper reports, the attackers (among whom both men and women) tried to settle accounts with R. Minasyan for her publication in the newspaper the day before. The attackers were relatives of the killed on July 24, 2002. They said that the "Aravot" had not to publish the letter of the person convicted for these murders, in which he insisted on his innocence. As the trashers kept on beating reviling R. Minasyan, the newspaper's employees addressed the Central Police Department. A criminal case has been instituted per Article 164 of RA CC "impeding the journalist's work by a group of persons with threats of a bodily harm" . R. Minasyan has been sent to the medicolegist, the "Aravot" reports. 2007-10-11 22:27:00 Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe doesn't really know whether the Armenian Genocide initiative passed in US House Foreign Affairs Committee may have a positive effect on human rights protection ArmInfo. Asked by ArmInfo corespondent to comment upon Res.106 on the Armenian Genocide passed in the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, said that he doesn't really know whether the yesterday's initiative of the House Foreign Affairs Committee may have a positive effect on human rights protection. The Commissioner said that he is not aware of the document's formulation and he only knows that the US president announced an intention to prevent its passage, as the document hinders improvement of relations. Nevertheless, he noted that it is extremely important not to forget history. The new generation should know the events of history, he said, as it develops and improves relations between people. T.Hammarberg stressed that he condemns any violence against humanity and thinks that it can't be forgotten. 2007-10-11 22:25:00 EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Javier Solana: The process of reconciliation with the past is necessary for establishment of confident relations in the future ArmInfo. Commenting upon the Oct 10 decision on the Armenian Genocide taken by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Javier Solana said that the process of reconciliation with the past is necessary for establishment of confident relations in the future. According to foreign mass media, he made this statement in Brussels where Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is discussing the prospects of Armenia-EU relations and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with European officials. 2007-10-11 22:16:00 Turkish government tries to hinder passage of House Res. 106 in every possible way ArmInfo. The Turkish government expressed pity over the passage of Res.106 in the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Turkish mass media report that in the Turkish government's statement disseminated by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the passage of Res.106 is considered as "irresponsible position" in "this tense period" towards a strategic partner and friend. At the same time, hope is expressed in the statement that "the members of the House of Representatives will show sanity and suppress the further discussion of the resolution". "In this situation the responsibility of all the members and the head of the House of Representatives to history is obvious," the statement says. The Turkish government also advocates exerting every type of effort to hinder the passage Res.106 in the US House of Representatives. 2007-10-11 22:15:00 Vahan Hovhannisyan: Bush will not exercise veto on Resolution 106 ArmInfo. George Bush's presidential term is expiring, and he will not have time to exercise veto on Resolution 106, which calls to ensure that the fact of Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turkey is reflected in the US foreign policy, the Vice-Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Vahan Hovhannisyan said in answer to ArmInfo correspondent's question. "I don't think that Bush will desire to create extra impediments to the passage of the resolution by the US Congress", he said. He recalled, that the US president didn't exercise veto and withdrew Richard Holding's nomination, who didn't recognize the fact of Genocide for the post of US Ambassador to Armenia, agreeing with the objections of Democrats. According to V. Hovhannisyan, Armenia's policy in the Genocide recognition issue may become victorious only when it is not considered in the context of other conflicts, including the war in Iraq, or the oil interests in Azerbaijan. Touching upon the attitude of the strong Jewish community in the USA to the passage process of Resolution 106, Hovhannisyan said that, recently, the attitude of the Jews to this issue has changed structurally. "Everything that happens in this world has its reason. Being guided by that wisdom, it is necessary to understand, that in the course of time, the Jews will also positively regard the recognition of Armenian Genocide", the vice speaker said. 2007-10-11 14:22:00 Head of AAA's regional office: today is happy day for all Armenians! ArmInfo. "Today is a happy day for Armenians of the whole world, we have got a big diplomatic victory", head of the regional office of the Armenian Assembly of America in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Arpi Vardanyan said in "Urbat" club today commenting on yesterday's adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the US Congress's House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. To recall, the US Congress's House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee made a decision, with 27 votes "for" and 21 "against", in favor of discussion of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the House of Representatives. As A. Vardanyan said, this victory is important taking into account the pressing and threats to the American parliamentarians by Turkey. Possibly, such pressure have had an adverse effect as it is not ruled out that the Commission members, who voted in favor of the Resolution, did it as a protest against Turkey's pressure on them, A. Vardanyan said. She emphasized that although the Resolution N106 has no power of the law but only a moral sense, it may become a basis for future documents of the American administration having a power of the law. The work in the House of Representatives and in the Congress's Senate should be continued, as the American congressmen of both Houses change their opinion on one or another issue very unwillingly. So the major work is still to be done, A. Vardanyan emphasized. Commenting on, by ArmInfo's request, Turkey's impassioned response to yesterday's decision of the US Congress's House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, A. Vardanyan emphasized that despite the fact that Resolution has no power of the law, Turkey understands that in case of adoption of the Resolution, many countries will take a similar step and it will have to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Just this fact frightens and disquiets Turkey, A. Vardanyan said. As for the issue how yesterday's events in Washington will affect Turkey's Armenian community, A. Vardanyan said that it depends on Turkey and the Turks. "The world and Turkey did not forget the murder of Hrant Dink in January, 2007. The whole world attentively follow all the events related to recognition of the Armenian Genocide, including what happens in Turkey. So, we hope that everything will be all right", Arpi Vardanyan said. 2007-10-11 14:20:00 Council of Europe refused to sign under 'National Report of Armenian Youth' because of reference to fact of Armenian Genocide ArmInfo. Because of reference to the fact of the Armenian Genocide, the Council of Europe refused to sign under the "National Report of the Armenian Youth", RA deputy Minister for Sports and Youth Artur Poghosyan said during the Report presentation. He also said that CE representatives came out with proposal to withdraw the reference to the Armenian Genocide from the Report. He added that the negotiations on this issue lasted long, however, the parties did not come to terms. "It was resolved to leave the reference to the fact of the Armenian Genocide in the Report. For its part, the Council of Europe has not signed the Report, the work over which was performed with participation of CE specialists", he said. To recall, on June 18, 1987, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. 2007-10-11 14:16:00 Turkish President called senseless American Congressmen which voted for adoption of the resolution on Armenian genocide ArmInfo. Turkish President Abdullah Gul is denouncing a resolution passed by a U.S. congressional panel declaring the early 20th century massacre of Armenians under the Turkish Ottoman Empire a genocide, Voice of America radio station says. It recalls that the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee passed the measure Wednesday by a vote of 27 to 21. It now goes to the House for a full vote. President Gul said the bill is unacceptable, and has no validity among the Turkish people. 'House members who voted in favor of it ignored what he calls common sense in favor of petty politics',- he said. The source recalled that before the vote, President Bush warned that the bill's passage would greatly harm U.S. ties to Turkey, the key ally in NATO. 2007-10-11 14:10:00 Azerbaijani parliamentarian wants to visit Armenia ArmInfo. Azerbaijani parliamentarian wants to visit Armenia. Trend reports that writer Ekrem Eylisli stated in Baku Tuesday that he welcomes the visit of Azerbaijani intellectuals to Armenia. "I will not refuse if I am included in the list of intellectuals who are visiting Armenia shortly," he said. To recall, this summer after 17-years interval, Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals together visited Nagorny Karabakh, Yerevan and Baku. The writer said that sooner or later peace will be restored between Azerbaijan and Armenia. 'Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples have to live as neighbors. Once these two countries had friendly relations and friendship should not be lost,' he said. The writer is sure that Karabakh conflict must be settled through a compromise as the prospect of war will bring nothing good. 2007-10-11 14:09:00 Armenian Parliament welcomes adoption of Resolution on Armenian Genocide (H. Res.106) by US Congress Foreign Affairs Committee ArmInfo. Armenian parliamentarians welcomed the approval of Resolution on Armenian Genocide (H. Res.106) by US Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee with great ovation. 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. In his speech Parliamentary Speaker Tigran Torossyan thanked the House Committee for unbiased decision. For his part, Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannissyan said the decision is a serious basis for final approval of the resolution. 'Hereby, Armenia will prove that Armenians are a tangible factor in the international policy. After all, historical justice is approved. This will contribute to future development of Armenian- Turkish relations,' he said. The vice speaker reiterated the stand of official Yerevan: recognition of Armenian Genocide by Turkey may become a chain reaction on de-blockading of the Armenian-Turkish border and will enhance the bilateral relations in the transport and economic sphere. This will initiate a process of restoration of Armenians' historical rights. All this will allow preventing a number of political projects, including the project of Kars-Akhalkalaki railway, which is nonsense from the economic point of view. 2007-10-11 13:54:00 US Congress cannot but recognize Armenian Genocide: SDP Hnchakyan leader ArmInfo. US Congress cannot but recognize the Genocide of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey sooner or later. Yesterday's adoption of the Resolution on Armenian Genocide (H.Res.106).by Congressional Committee for Foreign Affairs was the first victory in this direction, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party Hnchakyan Ludmila Sargsyan told ArmInfo. She explains the negative stand of George Bush Administration on the draft Resolution on Armenian Genocide with the good-neighbored relations with Turkey, economic interests and military presence in the regions, as well as with more serious problems like Turkish-Iranian and Turkish-Iraqi relations. Asked what the party's foreign structures do in this direction, L. Sargsyan said that the party actively works with congressmen. 'It is a national issue and Hay Dat offices in foreign countries comprise Hnchakyans, Ramkavars and Dashnaks. Although the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun tries to take all the credit to itself, but SDP Hnchakyan is also actively involved in the process, ' she said. L. Sargsyan does not think tragic if the US Congress rejects the Resolution. The work in this direction must be continued irrespective of specific successes and failures, she said. 2007-10-10 17:14:00 Ombudsman of Armenia officially applies to CE Venice Commission to study the items of Article 301 of Armenian Criminal Code as soon as possible ArmInfo. Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan officially applied to the CE Venice Commission to study the items of Article 301 of the Armenian Criminal Code (calls of overthrow of power) as soon as possible. The press-service of the Armenian ombudsman told ArmInfo that A.Harutyunyan will visit Strasbourg on October 16-19. Within the frames of his visit, the ombudsman will meet representatives of the Venice Commission. According to the source, on September 27, Zaruhi Postanjyan, an MP from Heritage Party, applied to the Armenian Human Rights Defender's Office to study the compliance of Article 301 of the Armenian Criminal Code with Article 27 of the Armenian Constitution, as well as to express an opinion about the draft law "On amending the Criminal Code of Armenia" submitted to parliament. To note, the draft law stipulates withdrawal of Article 301 from the Criminal Code of Armenia. By A.Harutyunyan's instruction, a sub-commission was set up to study the European legislation and relevant international agreements from the viewpoint of this article, as well as to get knowledge of the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. To recall, the draft law "On amending the Criminal Code of Armenia" was submitted to the Armenian parliament by Zaruhi Postanjyan in September. 2007-10-10 17:13:00 Tomas de Vaal: the information in ArmInfo was not distorted: ArmInfo. The information in ArmInfo was not distorted, the British writer, author of the book on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict "Black Garden" said in his interview with ArmInfo correspondent, commenting on the relevant statement disseminated by Azerbaijani media. To note, the Azerbaijani media disseminated T.de Vaal's statement in which he expressed a wish "to make more precise what he had said for several times during the book's presentation and in various speeches in Armenia and to correct what was publicized in ArmInfo". ArmInfo correspondent asked T. de Vaal to comment on the situation. It turned out that the author's pretension arose because of the paragraph, in which, as it seemed to the author, a statement was ascribed to him about Nagoro-Karabakh's possible gaining sovereignty, the statement being formulated in the following sentence of ArmInfo information: "He emphasized that ceding of territories, acquisition of sovereignty status of NK state, Armenia's keeping the Lachin corridor-these are issues which the communities of the parties must thoroughly discuss". However, after a number of clarifications, Tomas de Vaal agreed that the information publicized in ArmInfo was a "very good one". But the mentioned sentence, after all, seems dubious to the author. "I didn't mean that Nagorno-Karabakh must be independent, and the Lachin corridor must be under Armenia's control. I know that it is not advantageous for Azerbaijan presently or may be always. I prefer to keep agnostic's position in these issues. The best solution, I think, is the security guarantee and a kind of interim status", T. de Vaal said. However, this sentence was preceded by T. de Vaal's following statement, which was made at a press conference in Yerevan and which even more distinctly shows the author's real position: "If Robert Kocharian and Vardan Oskanyan declare publicly what they have already agreed among themselves, namely, that they are ready to cede the occupied territories if Azerbaijan guarantees security and sovereignty of Nagorno-Krabakh, the atmosphere in the peaceful negotiations and in Azerbaijan itself will fundamentally change". Moreover, the author said in another sentence that the matter concerns to the ceding of territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, with the exception of Lachin corridor. 2007-10-10 17:12:00 Heritage parliamentary faction learns about Oct 10 extraordinary session of Armenian parliament from media ArmInfo. "We learned about today's extraordinary session of parliament from media only yesterday evening," Stepan Safaryan, the secretary of the Heritage parliamentary faction, said in parliament, Wednesday. According to the members of the oppositional faction, these methods can't make them boycott the parliament's sessions. S.Safaryan said that the package of draft laws submitted for consideration at the Oct 10 extraordinary session was presented to the faction only on Oct 9, at 6 pm, which is an abnormal phenomenon. "If some of our colleagues think that there are unwanted deputies which shouldn't be kept informed of what is going on, it is another question. We don't consider ourselves unwanted, and despite the ongoing processes, we'll continue our activity in parliament," the MP stressed. 2007-10-10 17:11:00 Armenian Foreign Minister calls European Union to bring pressure on Turkey ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan called European Union to bring pressure on Turkey for the latter to open the border to Armenia. As Radio Liberty says, Oskanyan voiced his challenge yesterday when making a speech at the session of Foreign Relations Commission of the European Parliament. The minister recalled that Yerevan does not put forward any conditions for normalizing the relations with Turkey. Speaking about a number of unsettled problems in the relations of the two states, at the same time Oskanyan emphasized that it is inadmissible to hinder the dialogue. He called the commission of the European Parliament to bring pressure on Turkey for the latter to start dialogue with Armenia. Oskanyan emphasized that Armenia which is in blockade, is especially concerned about opening of the border. 'Borders opening is important not only for Armenia but the European Union as well, since Turkey is a natural bridge between the Caucasus and Europe. Without the balanced and impartial policy of Turkey regarding our region our relations will not be as effective as they could be in case of normal relations between Armenia and Turkey,- Oskanyan said. He slagged off of EU in this matter. And added that such position is clear but irrelevant. Oskanyan disproved fair of official Ankara that Armenia has territorial claims, saying that the border between the two states is specific and in line with an agreement between Turkey and USSR dated 1922. He also emphasized that Turkey was not involved in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict on Nagornyy Karabakh and the official Ankara should not watch it in the context of bilateral relations. Oskanyan thinks that observing of the Karabakh conflict in UN is absolutely irrelevant. The OSCE Minsk Group is the only appropriate for that format, which the frames of which serious prospects of settlement are noticed. 2007-10-10 17:06:00 Shavarsh Kocharyan: NATO should not be considered as an anteroom to Europe ArmInfo. The way to Europe through NATO gates is not profitable for Armenia, leader of the National Democratic party of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan said during the Round Table "Russia and Armenia: Influence of the Internal Policy on Two Countries' Interrelations in the Context of Regional Changes" held in the Yerevan "House of Moscow" today. Having compared Armenia and Russia, S. Kocharyan said that Russia, being a big country with great economic potential, is an all-sufficient country. Armenia, on the contrary, ha no such potential and cannot choose a way independently. However, S. Kocharyan said, a definite problem exists in relations among RF and some countries of the near abroad. The problem is that it is profitable for the Russian authorities to have an authoritarian power at a handlebar in these countries. Contradiction appears here between necessity of the countries' democratization on the way of eurointegration and the strive to maintain normal relations with Russia. As for the eurointegration, S. Kocharyan believes that the way to Europe through the NATO gates is not profitable for Armenia. At the same time, S. Kocharyan spoke for continuation of cooperation with NATO, that will promote upgrading and reformation of the Armenian Army. 2007-10-10 17:04:00 First Premier of independent Armenia Vazgen Manukyan does not see ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan as single candidate from opposition at election ArmInfo. "I do not see the first President of Armenia Levon Ter- Petrosyan as a single candidate from opposition at the forthcoming presidential election", leader of the National-Democratic Union, first Prime Minister of independent Armenia Vazgen Manukyan told journalists in "Urbat" club. He said that human relations have been restored during the last Monday meeting of two politicians after a long break, however, they should not affect the initial political positions. "We have assumed no liabilities to each other, no agreements have been reached either", V. Manukyan said. He added that it is not yet the time to talk about personalities as regards consolidation of oppositional forces on the threshold of the presidential election. "A breakthrough in the public movement happens in such countries as ours for a short period of time prior to elections, as a result of which the final alignment of forces is determined. If one of the main oppositional candidates, and not me, breaks forth during the election campaign, I shall have to support him based on a similarity of the programme provisions or stand aside and not interfere. In any case, a power candidate and not that from the opposition will be my opponent at the forthcoming election", V. Manukyan said. To note, October 8 evening several team-mates on the Karabakh movement met in the apartment of the former member of Karabakh committee Samson Kazaryan. The meeting lasted from 18:00 PM till midnight. To recall, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Vazgen Manukyan are opponents. The were the main rivals at the presidential election 1996. 2007-10-10 15:23:00 Director of representation of Roszarubezhtsentr in Armenia: Young generation looses knowledge of Russian language ArmInfo. "The Russian party is interested in further development of the Russian-Armenian relations and I think the progress in this direction is doubtless", Adviser of RF Embassy in Armenia, Director of representation of the Russian Center of International Scientific and Cultural Cooperation in Armenia Anatoly Nikolayev told journalists. The Russian diplomat thinks that the recent events confirm this. "The meeting of the two countries' prime ministers in Kremlin, a great number of events, we carry out for development of Russia-Armenia interrelations in the humanitarian sphere, give their results", A. Nikolayev said. Asked about influence of the European integration of Armenia on the relations with Russia, he replied that any development of relations with foreign countries is useful, for Armenia, first of all. Moreover, the Russian party support these relations, as it also develops the relations with the EU, USA and other countries. This does not impede us to maintain the relations with any countries at a due level, A. Nikolayev said. However, he said, the young generation looses knowledge of the Russian language. "We welcome knowledge on any language, however, the Russian language cannot be called foreign. It is something dearer for the Armenians", A. Nikolayev said. He told about the recent First republican festival of children's performances, held by the Yerevan representation of Roszarubezhtsentr, where school theatre groups from Yerevan, Echmiadzin, Vanadzor and Gyumri acted. "The children's Russian was excellent, and we are grateful to teachers", Nikolayev said. "We have recently issued a book "From Heart to Heart". It is dedicated to the Russian-Armenian cultural relations on XIX-XX centuries. The book's author is a Doctor of Philological Sciences Yuri Avanesyan. We have some projects more of such kind in our "portfolio", A. Nikolayev said. 2007-10-10 15:21:00 Russian political expert about the relations with Armenia: one must not drive a wedge between our peoples ArmInfo. Common century long history unites Armenia and Russia. For this reason those, who try to drive a wedge between the relations of our peoples, did not succeed, the head of TransCaucasus department of Roszarubezhcenter Sergey Lobachev told journalists, Wednesday. The Russian political expert also said the relations between the Armenian and Russian peoples are developing progressively. Asked if the relations between Armenia and Russia are worse today than they used to be over the Soviet time, Lobachev replied: 'I can only say - recall the 90s. The relations are developing positively and better year by year. I hope that in future the relations between our states will be as they were at the time of the Soviet Union'. 2007-10-10 10:14:00 Peace action to support passage of Armenian Genocide Resolution to be held in front of US Embassy in Tbilisi ArmInfo. Today, a peace action to support passage of Armenian Genocide Resolution N106 will be held in front of US Embassy in Tbilisi, the Armenian Cooperation Centre of Georgia told ArmInfo. The source recalled that today the Resolution N106 on the Armenian Genocide recognition will be discussed in the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee. Discussion and adoption of this Resolution in this Committee will become a subsequent stage for application of a similar measure by the whole Lower Chamber of the Congress. The document was presented in the Lower Chamber of the Congress by Adam Schiff and George Radanovich on January 30, 2007. The Resolution contains a call to the country's president to guarantee the provisions, in the country's foreign policy, which truly reflect the understanding and delicacy of the issues related to the human rights, ethnic cleansing and the Armenian Genocide - the facts which are documented in the USA state archives. According to the source, the Resolution is supported by 226 Congress members from 39 American states. "We believe in justice and we can say with confidence that the progressive mankind supports restoration of justice", the message for press reports. Economy 2007-10-12 14:18:00 Preschedule stoppage of Armenian NPP did not lead to change of plant's nuclear safety level and PPM schedule ArmInfo. Yesterday's short circuit in the line, connecting the Armenian NPP with the republic's power system, did not cause change of the plant's nuclear safety level and the schedule of the planned preventive maintenance and refueling, Director General of ANPP Gagik Markosyan told ArmInfo. He said that these works, as scheduled, will the carried out within 45 days, despite the fact that the plant was stopped on October 10 in view of a short circuit and not on October 12, as it was scheduled earlier. G. Markosyan also said that the new batch of nuclear fuel has been already delivered to the plant in a required quantity. The reactor safety system actuated during a short circuit and the operating second unit was stopped. At present, the reactor is ready for refueling, G. Markosyan said. Over the recent two years, the Armenian NPP buys the fuel on account of its own earnings and does not receive credits. The ANPP works off 90-100 fuels assemblies and buys so much. Half of the electric energy, generated in the republic, falls on the share pf ANPP. To note, the Armenian NPP was transferred to the financial control of "Iter RAO UES" CJSC, being a subsidiary of RAO "UES of Russia", in September, 2003. Two power units of Russian sample WWER-440 with total capacity of 815 MW have been installed at ANPP. The first unit was commissioned in 1976, the second one - in 1980. In the beginning, 1989, the plant was removed from service for political reasons, and in the beginning, 1995, the NPP's second unit with capacity of 404 MW was restarted. 2007-10-11 22:23:00 The coming stiffening of the tax system of Armenia makes President of the Association of Russian Banks bewildered ArmInfo. Budgetary problems cannot be solved by means of tax system stiffening. On the contrary, tax pressing may have a boomerang effect, leading to undesired consequences, such as concealment of incomes, the President of the Association of Russian Banks Garegin Tosunyan said during the IV Open International Banking Conference "Monetary transfers. Retail bank services". He compared Armenia with Liechtenstein, which is much smaller than Armenia and recalled that the latter is a member of all the important international organizations and enjoys great repute thanks to, if not being offshore, but the openness of the market. The President of the Association of Russian Banks thinks that Armenia, taking into consideration the practice of countries of the size and without large natural resources, needs to improve the banking sphere, the market of intellectual production, which would stimulate capital influx and growth of internal resources. "Countries such as Austria, Switzerland-which are almost the size of Armenia- also faced the choice of ways for development once, but today they have achieved a high level of financial well-being, deciding in the direction of relevantly mild tax system. As the practice shows, tax stiffening doesn't have a positive effect. These measures aren't justified even when budgetary problems are taken into consideration, the volume of the inflow into which is not always proportional to the taxation rate. Has Armenia really reached such level of development, as to stiffen tax rates?", G. Tosunyan said with surprise. 2007-10-09 21:47:00 VivaCell offers its subscribers new payment services ArmInfo. VivaCell-the mobile operator in Armenia- today announces that VivaCell postpaid subscribers (Classic and corporate package lines) are provided an opportunity to settle their invoices or make advanced payments through TelCell terminals. TelCell terminals provide access to a fast, reliable and twenty-four-hour service. Terminals are located in different parts of Yerevan and in the regions. TelCell terminals will provide VivaCell postpaid subscribers with availability and convenience to make payments at any time day and night, using a simple-to-use menu, by paying any amount, of cash starting from AMD 1,000, through three-lingual support, for any other postpaid line. TelCell will automatically charge 2% commission to the paying subscriber when operation is done through its terminals. Interview 2007-10-09 22:01:00 Armenians have a right to live in Baku More than 500.000 Armenian refugees were forced to leave Azerbaijan at the beginning of 1990 as a result of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Settlement of the conflict extended for many years. Till today the problems connected with restitution of the property lost by Armenians and realization of their rights, fixed in international agreements, still remain unsettled. According to the information from Azerbaijani sources, Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, said over his recent visit to Baku that he thinks legal wishing of Azerbaijani refugees and displaced people to return to their native lands. This statement has become the reason of ArmInfo correspondents interview with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human rights Thomas Hammarberg, who shared his views on the problem of Armenian refugees rights, which suffered as a result of the conflict in Nagorny Karabakh. [ArmInfo] While estimating the reality and the existing atmosphere of dislike, do you think the return of the Armenian refugees to Azerbaijan is possible and necessary? [Hammarberg] Refugees should have the option of returning that is the human rights position. Whether that, in this case, is possible on the near future or not will depend on decisions by those in power. It is not my task to make guesses about such matters. [Arminfo] In your mind, should the return of refugees be upon the final agreement on the conflict settlement or it should be in due course? [Hammarberg] Human rights problems are always urgent and if they can be resolved before a peace agreement that is of course preferable. However, that is not always possible. When the political crisis involves human rights matters, peace efforts become even more urgent. A peace agreement is desirable also because it would facilitate the return of refugees. [ArmInfo] Do you think the return of refugees and IDPs of both nations should be voluntary or forced? [Hammarberg] Return should always be voluntary. Those who opt for the alternative to stay should have the possibility to apply for that and to live in dignity and security. [ArmInfo] While the problem of refugees exists for more than 18 years, how should the issue of restitution of the Armenian refugees property be resolved so that to be complied with the adopted European standards on human rights? [Hammarberg] Refugees should enjoy the same rights as any other citizen and the authorities should respect owners property rights. Land and property issues deeply affect the economic prospects of refugees and IDPs and strongly influence their decision to return. It is essential to safeguard the right to property and prepare the ground for effective restitution or compensation. In this context, governments should respect the UN principles on housing and property restitution for refugees and displaced persons which lay down the minimum standards in this field. By Oksana Musaelyan, ArmInfo, September 5, 2007 Finance and banks 2007-10-12 10:54:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 332 drams for 1 dollar, 468 drams for 1 EUR and 13,13 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 334 drams for 1 dollar, 475 drams for 1 EUR and 13,35 drams for 1 Russian ruble. 2007-10-10 23:16:00 Central Bank keeps confidentiality of talks with Swiss OMX stock operator ArmInfo. Because of confidentiality Armenian Central Bank does not want to divulge the details of the of talks with Swiss OMX stock operator, as a result of which the latter will become the owner of Central Depository and ArmEx, chairman of Armenian Central Bank Tigran Sarkisyan told journalists and added that they will inform about the final results of the talks. To note, according to the signed Memorandum, ArmEx and Central Depository should come forward as a commerce organization but not self-regulated organizations. The new status will make attracting of foreign investments possible. For this reason there is a necessity of changing of the acting legislation of Armenia with an accent of its transmission to the European model of funds market regulation, in particular experience of Estonia and Slovenia was used. As a result several points appeared in the law according to which regulation of funds market will be more effective and flexible, which will make it possible to integrate Armenian finance market with the stocks of European states. In particular, OMX will give to Armenian company-emitters access to international capital without the listing process out of the country 2007-10-10 23:14:00 Central Bank of Armenia targets 4% inflation for the next 3 years ArmInfo. The Central Bank of Armenia is targeting 4% inflation for the next 3 years, Chairman of the CBA Tigran Sargsyan replied to ArmInfo correspondent's question about targeted inflation. According to him, the CB forecast will vary within 1% range. Prices of products of prime necessity (grain, bread, butter, vegetable oil, dairy) will consistently continue. This forecast is real, all the more so, as Armenia imports 60% of grain crops and wheat, and their price growth in Russia and other countries made up about 80%. This phenomenon creates serious problems for the CBA, as it intensifies the inflationary load and, as a result, leads to a rise in the consumer price index. In this case, the CBA should correctly assess the inflationary pressure and take measures to restrain the general price growth in the country. According to T.Sargsyan, the CBA's research of world tendencies and domestic demand is not encouraging, and the maintenance of the inflation rate within the frames of program consumer price indices is becoming problematic. At the same time, the CBA chairman recalled that earlier inflation was forecast at 3% per year, with possible 1.5% range. Social 2007-10-12 14:22:00 4500 swine - victims of African fever in Armenia ArmInfo. According to the latest data, 4500 swine became the victims of African fever in Armenia, the head of State Security Inspection of food products and veterinary, Grisha Bagyan, told ArmInfo correspondent. , - he said. He also added that in these regions all the large swine farms passed to the closed working regime. But there are still several private farms in these regions where open laylands and woods are used to feed swine. To recall, 7 nidus of infection were disclosed in Tavush and Lori regions. 2007-10-12 14:21:00 Samples of African swine fever infected pigs to be submitted to referent-laboratory in London within 10 days ArmInfo. Samples of African swine fever infected pigs will be submitted to the referent-laboratory in London within the coming 10 days, Head of State Food Safety and Veterinary Inspection of Armenia Grisha Baghian told ArmInfo. Specialists of UN FAO will visit Armenia October 14-20. Under a relevant agreement, they are to submit the samples to London laboratory. G. Baghian mentioned that under international norms, the African swine fever will be officially confirmed or rejected only after the final resolution of the above laboratory. With the support of UN FAO and European Union, disinfectants, disinfecting devices and special wears have been delivered to Armenia. Moreover, DIE organization provided the country with fever detection tests. 2007-10-11 22:18:00 VivaCell continues its social contribution ArmInfo. VivaCell, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, financed the construction of the Armenian-American Wellness Center's Patomorphology Study Center through VivaCell's social contribution. VivaCell Press-secretary Vahe Isahakyan told ArmInfo correspondent that 100 mln AMD funds were provided for the construction and refurbishment of the Center. In this newly-opened Center with state-of-the-art equipment, health care providers will receive comprehensive clinical training on early diagnosis and preventive care techniques. "It is our strong believe in a better and healthy future of Armenia that guides VivaCell, a purely commercial organization, in making social investments", noted Ralph Yirikian, the General Manager of VivaCell. To note, within the scope of its social contribution, VivaCell provided 40 mln AMD for mass measles- rubella vaccination of 6 to 27-year old residents of Armenia. In addition, VivaCell and UNICEF are implementing a joint project on integration of children into primary school. VivaCell directed about 37 mln AMD to this project. The company's social contribution includes providing 10 poor families with houses with modern conveniences, as well as 54 ha forest planting in Lori, Tavush and Kotayk regions. Ecology 2007-10-06 15:53:00 'Symphony of stones' to be destroyed again ArmInfo. The unique quadras known as "Symphony of stones" are again being destroyed Garni. As it became clear to ArmInfo correspondent, it is already two days that destruction of unique and picturesque monument of the nature is taking place not far from the pagan temple of the I century Garni, in the Azat river gorge. Two years ago ArmInfo managed to signal in time about a similar fact and to prevent destruction of the unique quadras. That time Ecology Minister Vardan Ayvazyan promised to involve the stones zone in the administrative territory of Khosrof park, but local authorities prevented that stemming from their own ideas and benefit. Today several local residents supported by the village administration continue doing vandalism, "cutting" beautiful basalt quadras created by the nature and being a subject of vital interest of numerous tourists, and use them like construction material. The head of Garni village administration is responsible for this, but he did not want to have contacts with the press. It is not clear if the government will meddle in this matter or not. The village "businessmen" need these quadras, which are perfect by form and processed by the nature over hundreds of years, for sale. The quadras are so perfect that they may be used in construction of cottages without processing. According to the unspecified information, the head of Garni village administration himself "legally" allowed cutting of the stones. But the latter does not simply answer telephone calls of journalists. Culture 2007-10-10 09:44:00 Head of Eparchy of Roman Catholic Church of Boston and Council of Churches of Massachusetts claim of Armenian Genocide recognition ArmInfo. Head of Eparchy of the Roman Catholic Church of Boston, Cardinal Shean O'Melli and the Council of Churches of Massachusetts claim of recognition of the Armenian Genocide. AS the press-service of the administrative office of Echmiadzin reports, this statement was made at the meeting of the cardinal and representatives of the Council of Churches of Massachusetts with Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second, who continues his Patriarchal visit to the USA. According to the message, during the meeting, Head of the Council of Churches of Massachusetts, the reverend Jack Johnson read off the relevant resolution, adopted by the Council, on recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 in Ottoman Turkey and condemnation of this Genocide as a crime against the humanity. The issue of strengthening of friendly contacts between the Armenian Apostolic and the Roman Catholic Churches was also touched on at the meeting. 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