Politics

2007-10-15 16:38:00 First President of Armenia may announce his participation in presidential election tomorrow by unconfirmed data

ArmInfo. First president of Armenia may make an official statement about his participation in the February presidential election by some unconfirmed information. A source close to an opposition party not supporting the ex-president told ArmInfo.

The Armenian Pan National Movement refused to comment on the information. Head of the ex-president's office Avetis Avakyan told ArmInfo he has no relevant information.

On October 16 the supporters of Levon Ter-Petrosyan are to call a conference devoted to the first presidential election in the independent Armenia in 1991, when Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected president.


2007-10-15 15:04:00 Turkey's top general warns that ties with the United States will be irreversibly damaged if Congress passes the resolution on Armenian Genocide

ArmInfo. "If this resolution on Armenian Genocide passed in the committee passes the House as well, our military ties with the U.S. will never be the same again," General Yasar Buyukanit told the daily Milliyet newspaper.

Nevertheless, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Pelosi insisted Sunday that she would bring to the full chamber a resolution condemning the killings of Armenians nearly a century ago as
genocide, even as a Turkish general warned that this could lastingly damage a military relationship crucial to American forces in Iraq.

Turkey's top general warned Sunday that ties with the United States will be irreversibly damaged if Congress passes the resolution.

Turkey has recalled its ambassador from Washington for consultations and warned of cuts in logistical support to the United States over the issue. The recall is only for a limited period of time, said a U.S. State Department official who talked to the ambassador.


2007-10-15 14:49:00 Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives intends to contribute to recognition of Armenian Genocide by full chamber

ArmInfo. The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives insisted Sunday that she would bring to the full chamber a resolution condemning the killings of Armenians nearly a century ago as genocide, even as a Turkish general warned that this could lastingly damage a military relationship crucial to American forces in Iraq. A House committee Wednesday passed a nonbinding resolution declaring the killings, which began in 1915 in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, to be genocide, and the speaker, Representative
Nancy Pelosi, said Sunday that "I've said if it passed the committee that we would bring it to the floor."

Pointing to a 20-year history of votes on the Armenian matter being deferred by war or geopolitical considerations, she said, "There's never been a good time." Pelosi made other points: President Ronald Reagan had referred to the killings as genocide; aging Armenian survivors will soon be dead; and 23 other countries have declared the killings genocide.

An ABC-TV interviewer put to Pelosi the tough question at the core of the debate: What if forcing a vote on the resolution were to endanger the security of American troops in Iraq?

"Some of the things that are harmful to our troops relate to values - Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, torture," said the California congresswoman, whose district includes thousands of Armenian-Americans. "Our troops are well-served when we declare who we are as a country and increase the respect people have for us as a nation."


2007-10-15 14:43:00 World Armenian Congress preparing legislative base for Armenia to apply to UN International Court

ArmInfo. World Armenian Congress (WAC) prepares an application to the UN International Court for recognition of Armenian Genocide in 1915 in the Ottoman Empire by Turkey.

Head of the World Armenian Congress and the Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR), well-known businessman Ara Abrahamyan said at a press conference in Yerevan that 70 WAC experts from 27 countries have prepared a 3-volume collection of Genocide-related documents that will be presented in February 2008. A. Abrahamyan is sure that it is a solid base of documents for application to the UN International Court. Ara Abrahamyan said.

e also added that WAC and UAR experts prepared another 3-volume collection of archive materials on Karabakh conflict settlement and intend to call an international conference on the topic in March
2008. WAC president said.


2007-10-14 12:52:00 Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian's visit to Washington could cause further tensions of the relations between the USA and Turkey

ArmInfo. Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian's visit to Washington could cause further tensions of the relations between the USA and Turkey, after a congressional committee roiled relations with Turkey by approving a resolution labeling as genocide the World War I-era killings of Armenians by Turks, the British International Herald Tribune says.

But the visit of the prime minister, that will take place next Wednesday, was scheduled months ago, long before the congressional committee scheduled its vote, according to the Armenian Embassy in Washington. Sarkisian is expected to discuss economic cooperation and security issues in two days of talks with senior officials including Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Sarkisian plans to be in California Oct. 19-23 for meetings with Armenian-American
groups.


2007-10-14 12:51:00 ARFD faction member: Presidential election in Armenia in 2008 will finish with a second round with ARFD representative's victory

ArmInfo. The forthcoming presidential election in Armenia in 2008 will finish with a second round with an ARF Dashnaksutyun representative's victory, ARFD faction member Ara Nranyan said at he Mirror discussion club, Saturday. To recall, ARFD has already announced that it will participate in the election independently, and either Armenian Parliament's Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan or Head of the Standing Commission on Foreign Affairs Armen Rustamyan will become a presidential candidate from ARFD.

Armen Martirosyan, a member of the Heritage faction, said that the Heritage Party will determine the format of its participation in the election during its congress in November. According to A.Martirosyan, the opposition is most likely to fail to nominate a single-whole candidate. The opposition will be represented by several candidates who'll gather around them the whole oppositional electorate.


2007-10-14 12:49:00 Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry advises US House to refrain from passing Resolution on Armenian Genocide

ArmInfo. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry made a statement on occasion of approval of the Resolution on Armenian Genocide H. Res.106 by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. Day.az reports that the statement says: "US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee passed H. Res. 106 that characterizes the events of 1915 connected with mass resettlement of Armenian that cooperated with the intruding forces in the Ottoman Empire as 'genocide'. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemns this decision as incorrect
and subjective and believes that the resolution will have a negative
impact on regional and global processes. Azerbaijan supports Turkey's call for studying archived materials on the tragedy of the World War I in this part of the world. It is necessary to study all the details before making any step."

Moreover, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry states that "Azerbaijan was also a victim of ethnic purges by Armenia and the genocide in Khojali where hundreds of women, children and old people were killed is a bright evidence of it. Azerbaijan that also suffered from numerous terrorist acts and occupation by Armenia is well-aware that the Armenian Diaspora and government conceal their own deeds and use aggressive propaganda." For conclusion, the ministry advises US House to refrain from passing H. Res.106 to show
that the US Congress is unbiased and free of pressure by ethnic lobby.


2007-10-14 12:48:00 A khachkar dedicated to memory of Armenian Genocide victims blessed in Rome

ArmInfo. A khachkar (cross-stone) dedicated to memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide 1915 in Ottoman Turkey has been blessed in Rome.

The press-service of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) Diocese in Italy told ArmInfo that Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan, the head of the AAC Diocese in Germany, carried out the blessing service. The khachkar was presented to the AAC Diocese in Italy by philanthropist Arthur Asatryan. Present at the ceremony were Vardapet (Archimandrite) Aren Shahinyan, the head of the AAC Diocese in Italy, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Armen Bayburdyan, Armenian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Italy Rouben
Shugharyan, representatives of the Italian government, and members of the Armenian Diaspora in Italy.


2007-10-12 18:22:00 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: The vote on Armenian Genocide Resolution will take place in House of Representatives before 22 November

ArmInfo. The vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution will take place in the US House of Representatives before 22 November, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

To recall, Res.106 was discussed in the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs on October 10. The document was submitted to the lower chamber of the US Congress by Congressmen Adam Schiff and George Radanovich on January 30, 2007. The resolution appeals to the US President to guarantee in the country's foreign policy the items reflecting understanding and delicacy of issues related to human
rights, ethnic cleansing and the Armenian Genocide, these facts being registered in the US state archives. The source reports that the resolution is supported by 226 Congressmen from 39 States.


2007-10-12 18:21:00 Member of Prosperous Armenia party does not rule out contacts with ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan

ArmInfo. 'Civil society has not been formed in Armenia yet. For this reason people treated meeting of the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan with representatives of ARF Dashnaktiutyun with surprise, deputy of the parliament from Prosperous Armenia party Vardan Bostanjan told ArmInfo correspondent.

He also added 'if Ter-Petrosyan intends to run for president, I normally treat his recent meetings with various representatives of the political field. I don't rule out possibility of his meeting representatives of the Prosperous Armenia party and the RPA', - the deputy said.


2007-10-12 18:20:00 Turkey recalls its ambassador from Washington for consultations

ArmInfo. Turkey recalled its ambassador from Washington for consultations.

According to Turkish sources, this decision was taken in protest against the Armenian Genocide Resolution passed in the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee on Wednesday. "We have
steps to take afterwards, however, we will not announce them today," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He added that the Turkish government would concentrate its efforts to stop the
non-binding vote passed by the Congressional committee being endorsed next month in the full House.


2007-10-12 18:12:00 Ramkavar Azatakan Party of Armenia calls on Armenian Foreign Ministry to stop negotiating with Azerbaijan

ArmInfo. Ramkavar Azatakan Party of Armenia (RAPA) calls on Armenian Foreign Ministry representatives to stop negotiations with Azerbaijan for settlement of Karabakh conflict.

RAPA Leader Haroutyun Arakelyan said at Friday Club that the Azerbaijani authorities take advantage of the pre-election situation in Armenia and use every possible methods of attack. he said. Thus, RAPA took the example of the Azerbaijani Organization for Liberation of Karabakh, which has recently made a similar call on the Azerbaijani leadership to stop negotiations with Armenia.


2007-10-12 18:11:00 Great are presidents and ex-presidents, a Russian politician says

ArmInfo. "Great are presidents and ex-presidents", the Chairman of RF Public Chamber Committee for Globalization and National Strategy for Development, an eminent Russian politician Andranik Mihranyan commented in such an evasive way, predicting present Armenian President Robert Kocharian's future political career following the 2008 presidential election.

"I haven't had an opportunity to associate with Robert Kocharian personally, and I find it difficult to predict what post he will hold after the elections. Moreover, I think no one knows it because of R.
Kocharian's closed character. It's difficult to assume that he shares his innermost thoughts with anyone", the politician said, ruling out the Russian scenario, according to which RF President Vladimir Putin will become RF Prime Minister after the election.


2007-10-12 18:11:00 Israel Worries about the Resolution on the Armenian genocide adopted by House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee of US Congress

ArmInfo. Israel Worries about the Resolution on the Armenian genocide adopted by House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee of US Congress.

As Radio Liberty says referring to Associated press, spokesman of Israeli Foreign Ministry Mark Regev said that Tel-Aviv seriously understands Turkey's anxiety, which Israel has perfect relations with. He also added that there is no change in Israeli policy regarding the Armenian genocide. Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was concerned about the fact that adoption of such a resolution may destabilize the relations with Turkey. , - Livni said expressing hope that the parties may reach open dialogue.


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 10:52:00 Catholicos of all Armenians said payer at Representatives House of US Congress

ArmInfo. Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II, who continues his visit to the USA, said payer at Representatives House of US Congress yesterday.

As press-service of the Mother See Holy Echmiadzin informed ArmInfo today, speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi presented Supreme Patriarch to the congressmen. Garegin II thanked her for respect and warm attitude of the American government towards the Armenian Diaspora of the USA. Touching on the permanent help of the USA to Armenia, he said that US assistance promoted reconstruction of Armenia much. He specially emphasized significance of US efforts directed to preserving peace and stability
in the South Caucasus region.


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.








Economy

2007-10-15 20:41:00 ArmenTel company introduces new tariff package of services

ArmInfo. On October 10, the ArmenTel telecommunication company introduced a new tariff package "Friends" for prepaid subscribers, ArmenTel's press-service told ArmInfo.

According to the source, the new tariff package gives an opportunity to make outgoing calls to ArmenTel and VivaCell mobile numbers for 39 AMD per minute (VAT inclusive). The rate of outgoing calls to ArmenTel fixed network numbers, as well as to fixed and cell phone numbers of Nagorno-Karabakh is fixed at 69 AMD per minute (VAT inclusive). According to the prepaid tariff package "Friends", all the local conversations are subject to by-the-second tariffication.

One can acquire the new prepaid tariff package "Friends" in ArmenTel shops or dealer network. The ArmenTel subscribers that already have a prepaid card can change the tariff package preserving the phone number if they want. The exchange price of the tariff plan is 150 AMD (VAT inclusive).

To recall, ArmenTel is a branch of the Russian company VimpelCom and it renders fixed and mobile communication services in Armenia.


2007-10-15 13:54:00 Armenian Nuclear Power Plant [ANPP] increased electric power yield by 0,7% over nine months of 2007

ArmInfo. Armenian Nuclear Power Plant [ANPP] increased electric power yield by 0,7% - up to 2,200 bln kWt/h over nine months of 2007 against 2,184 bln over the same period of 2006, Director General of ANPP Gagik Markosyan told ArmInfo correspondent.

He also added that over the reported period the ANPP gave 2,022 bln kWt/h electric power to the energy system of the country against 2,009 over the same period of 2006. Director general recalled that
since 10 October ANPP has been stopped for 45 days for annual prophylactic repair and refuelling with nuclear fuel.

To recall, in September 2003 ANPP was given to CJSC "Inter RAO UES" for finance management over five years.


2007-10-12 18:29:00 Australian company Iberian Resources to increase gold output in Armenia almost 30 times in 2009

ArmInfo. From October 1, 2009, the Australian company Iberian Resources is planning to increase the gold output in Armenia to 10 kg per day as against the present 10 kg per month, Manvel Bagratyan, the director of the company's Armenian representative office, told journalists during his visit to Meghri, Thursday.

According to him, the capacity will be increased due to a new plant to be built in Meghri. At the moment, the present plant is processing up to 7 thsd tons of ore per month, and the capacity of the new plant will total 2 thsd tons of ore per day. As a result, the number of employees (400 people) will double. M.Bagratyan noted that the present plant is currently extracting gold by means of gravitation method (mechanical way) and the extraction ratio totals 40%. The rest of the ore is stored in tailing dumps until
it its deeper procession by means of new methods at the new plant. The old plant will be closed, and the new one will extract gold by means of chemical method (according to international technology) with use of cyanides, which will contribute to growth of extraction ratio to 97%, M.Bagratyan said.

M.Bagratyan said that the whole project is estimated at $65 mln, $18-20 mln of them to be spent on construction of the new plant. About $5-6 mln will be spent on supplementary exploration of gold reserves. Investments will also be made in improving of infrastructures and exploitation of the deposit. The plant will be built on a waste plot of land, as the company tries to minimize the possible ecological damage, he said.

M.Bagratyan pointed out that Iberian Resources has been exploiting the Terterasar gold deposit in Meghri in the south of Armenia since 1995, as well as the polymetallic Lichkvaz-Tey deposit, which is 50 km away from the Terterasar deposit. According to preliminary data, the Lichkvaz-Tey deposit contains 3,6 mln tons of ore and 17 tons of gold with the average gold percentage being 5 g per ton. The Terterasar deposit contains 100 thsd tons of ore and 3 tons of gold with the average gold percentage being 10 g
per ton. Both deposits are polymetallic and also contain silver, lead, copper, however, the company focused its attention on gold extraction, M.Bagratyan said. He added that in 2008 supplementary exploration of gold reserves will be carried out to re-estimate them.


2007-10-12 18:27:00 Australian 'Iberian Resources' company sells the first 50k of gold recovered in Armenia

ArmInfo. The Australian "Iberian Resources" company sold the first 50k of about $1mln worth gold recovered in Armenia, the Director of the company's Armenian representation Manvel Bagratyan told journalists, Thrusday during his visit to Meghri, where the gold is recovered.

According to him, the bars of gold, 50k in total, which are Dore gold alloy with 82% gold content on average, are sold to the Australian company RGA Mattehew. This is still the first party of gold, which the company recovered in Armenia and sold. Besides gold, there is 15-16% silver content and that of other metals in the alloy. The company intends to export gold in 10-20k bars regularly, the director of the representation said. He recalled that the first experimental alloy with 15% gold content was received
in November 2006 in Aygedzor Gold Mining Plant in Meghri. After the plant was modernized the gold percentage increased. Presently, the plant functions by gravitation method and ensures 40% gold recovery from ore. The remaining ore is stored in the tailing dump for further processing.

The director said that Iberian Resources has exploited the gold-bearing deposit in Terterasar, Meghri in the South of Armenia since 1995 and, on an experiment basis, the poly-metallic deposit located 5km from it, in Lichkvaz-Tey. According to M. Bagratyan the investment volume Ibrian Resources has made into the mining sphere of Armenia since 2005 makes up $22mln. Extra investments were ensured at the expense of "Tamaya Resources" company amalgamation.


2007-10-12 18:25:00 British Golder Associates to audit Australian Iberian Resources

ArmInfo. Australian Iberian Resources that is engaged in gold recovery in Armenia requested international audit from British Golder Associates. Director of Iberian Office in Armenia Manvel Bagratyan said during his visit to Meghri on October 11.

He said Golder Associates has ISO certificate and conducted ecological expertise of such well-known companies as British Petroleum and Shell. In Armenia the auditor will study environmental, social, health and labor security issues within a month. The audit certificate is necessary for Iberian Resources to launch construction of a new processing plant in Meghri to enhance gold recovery, M. Bagratyan said. The company requested the auditor to apply the toughest standards and requirements when auditing. In case
the Armenian standards are tougher than international ones, the consultant must apply the first ones. M. Bagratyan said that Iberian Resources is a public company that is ready to discuss all the problems openly. For this purpose, the company organized in Meghri public hearings on the project of construction of a new processing plant in Armenia with participation of journalists, the auditor, local administration and public Thursday.

In their turn, public representatives say that no company has paid such attention to Meghri so far. They are mainly encouraged with the prospect of new jobs and thanked Iberian Resources for assistance to the local kindergarten and schools. For his part, Meghri Mayor Misha Hovhannissyan explained that the kindergarten has become free of charge and improved food ration and the two local schools were equipped with computers with the support of the company. Moreover, Iberian Resources proposes teaching mining art
at school.


2007-10-12 18:15:00 'Namakanish' CJSC to be dissolved

ArmInfo. "Namakanish" state CJSC must have been dissolved by 30 April, 2007 and the stamps issued by the company will be given to "HayPost" CJSC compensation-free. This issue was
discussed during the working meeting at the Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, Friday.

As the governmental press release says, the contract for exclusive rights concluded between "Namakanish" and "Elinet Enterprises" OJSC expires by that time. The Minister of Transport and Communication and the President of the Central Bank- Armenia were also present at the meeting. The meeting also covered the Government's instruction on the compensation-free transfer of the stamps and the dissolution of "Namakanish". The sides reached an agreement on this problematic issue. It was also stated that the Government,
within its power, would support the fulfillment of the contractual obligations assumed by the managing company for improvement of the quality of service to the public.

To recall, at the beginning of September "HayPost" CJSC, which has been managed by the Dutch "Haypost Trust Managemnet" CJSC since the end of November 2006, accused the Armenian Ministry of Transport and Communication of secondary infringement of "Namakanish CJSC's" illegal activity. In the result, illegal stamps worth a total of 300mln AMD ($892 000) were issued and inflicted relevant damage to "HayPost" CJSC.


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.


Finance and banks

2007-10-15 15:13:00 Foreign exchange transactions in inter-bank market for October 12

ArmInfo. The transactions in the inter-bank foreign exchange market for October 12 made up $1.175 million (390.711 million drams), which is 4 times more as the previous trading day (October 11 - 99.576 million drams). According to the data of commercial banks, the average exchange rate of USD rose by 0.2 percentage points to 332.52 AMD/$1 USD. The data of the Armenian stock exchange (ArmEx) say the foreign exchange transactions on the floor made up $1.450 million (481.832 million drams), which is higher than
the similar indicator of the inter-bank market almost 1.2 times. The average weighted rate at the exchange made up 332.3 AMD/$1 USD.


2007-10-15 14:15:00 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 13,15 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 333,5 drams for 1 dollar, 474 drams for 1 EUR and 13,4 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


2007-10-12 15:51:00 ABB starts issuing MasterCard cards by activating retail

ArmInfo. ArmBusinessBank (ABB) has joined the number of Armenian banks issuing and serving cards of international payment systems. ABB Chairman of Board Ara Kirakosyan told ArmInfo correspondent that the bank has successfully undergone certification of MasterCard International payment system and is starting issuing the first bank cards.

The bank's successful and a little aggressive policy has given its results. A.Kirakosyan said that if in September 2006 the bank's assets made up only 10 bln AMD, 2 bln of them being provision of
crediting, as of the end of September 2007 the assets grew to 26 bln AMD, the advances portfolio being 12 bln AMD. If earlier, the bank didn't offer credit products, particularly, to natural persons, now
the portfolio of mortgage, auto and other spheres of consumer crediting makes up about 2 bln AMD, over 800 mln of them being mortgage credits. Within this period, the amount of fixed deposits of natural persons has increased over 10 times and totalled 4.5 bln AMD, and legal persons - over 3 times to 1.2 bln AMD. According to A.Kirakosyan, this proves that the confidence in the bank has grown and the campaign on promotion of the new ABB brand is successful. The bank's profit grew from 70 mln AMD to 557 mln AMD,
while expenditures also grew due to fivefold increase in the bank's personnel and creation of a branch network.

The bank is actively being involved in international credit programs. An agreement on development of agriculture is signed with the IFAD office, and that on promotion of the housing market - with the German Development Bank KfW. "We have already started giving mortgage credits under the KfW program and we hope to improve the terms of mortgage credits that we give at the expense of our own resources," A.Kirakosyan noted. He added that the bank will try to shortly increase the payment period of credits to 15 years,
and decrease the interest rates.

Developing the banking retail, ABB has demonstrated serious progress in non-interest incomes. "We serve all communal payments, we joined the money transfer systems Western Union and Anelik, within the next two months we'll start rendering transfer services through the Contact system. Together with our shareholder Ukrprombank, which is the system-forming bank in Ukraine and has over 220 branches and subdivisions in the country, we also intend to organize our own payment system in the "Armenia-Ukraine" direction,"
A.Kirakosyan stressed.

To note, the main shareholders of ABB are Ukrprombank (35%), Alpha-Grant, a Ukrainian insurance company (35%), and Christie Management, a British company (30%). In June, the shareholders increased the authorized capital by 2.6 bln AMD to 5 bln AMD. A decision has been taken to continue increasing the rate of the bank's capitalization.


Social

2007-10-15 14:52:00 Arts and Crafts Center for the Disabled created through support from VivaCell

ArmInfo. VivaCell, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (NYSE: MBT), announces that Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia and Mr. Ralph Yirikian, the General Manager of VivaCell officially opened the new Arts and Crafts Center located at the premises of the Armenian Association for the Disabled "Pyunic".

VivaCell Press Secretary Vahe Isahakyan told ArmInfo that the Arts and Crafts Center is established within the framework of the Global Compact Armenia, a corporate social responsibility arm of the United
Nations. A cooperative effort between VivaCell, UNDP and Armenian Association for the Disabled "Pyunic" resulted in a brand new center in Yerevan and Gyumri where disabled people can get new and/or alternative skills in such traditional crafts as pottery, painting, embroidery, wood carving, ceramics, stone carving, etc.

Under the supervision of professional trainers disabled people will be making their own artwork and handicrafts to be sold at different events, including a distributor of the items created at the Centers
to retail souvenir shops throughout Armenia, thus creating new income generating scheme for them. VivaCell provided AMD 50 million for the implementation of the project, with the aim to create the
above-mentioned new income generation schemes for the disabled of Gyumri and Yerevan.

In addition to new income, the centers will provide an alternative way of organizing leisure of the disabled, develop their problem solving skills, discover relaxation techniques, and build self-confidence.


2007-10-14 12:44:00 Yerevan Celebrates Its 2789th Anniversary

ArmInfo. Capital of Armenia Yerevan celebrates its 2789th Anniversary. Festivities in the capital city continue from October 11 to 13.

Delegations from Armenian and Nagorny Karabakh regions, as well as guests from Russia, USA, France, Iran, Belarus, Hungary and Ukraine participate in the festive events. The festivities started on October 11 with a concert at State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after A. Spendiarov. Among the events are exhibitions, chess and other sport tournaments, festivities and games for children. On October 13 Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharyan will award distinguished workers in various spheres with medals, certificates
and orders. The great concert and firework will end the festivities at Republic Square on October 13.

Yerevan is the 13th Armenian capital city founded in the southeast of the Armenian highland in 782 before Christ by Urartu King Argishti I. The corner stone, which the date of Yerevan's foundation was engraved on, is in the Museum-Temple Erebuni. Yerevan was declared the capital of the First Republic of Armenia on May 28 1918. Yerevan Day has been celebrated every year since 1968 - the 2750th Anniversary of the city.


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.


Ecology

2007-10-15 15:02:00 WWF creates ecological corridors to connect specially guarded territories of the Caucasus

ArmInfo. WWF started creating ecological corridors to connect specially guarded territories of the Caucasus.

As press-secretary of public organization "Armenian woods" Mher Sharoyan told ArmInfo correspondent, that explanatory work with local residents will be implemented within the frames of the given programme. First, it is done to reduce risks of poaching, as wild animals are often shot at the territories close to reservations. The majority of animals find themselves in a ring, where they can save
themselves of hunters, waiting for them out of reservations. The migrating animals do not return at the territory of reservation often because they are scared to be shot. Meanwhile, the ecological corridor will make it possible to connect the specially guarded territories of nature for ensuring natural migration of animals and preserving the biological variety. This initiative will make it possible to create a corridor that will connect the migration paths of animals from Khosrof reservation to Vayots Dzor and
Syunik regions of Armenia, where another Armenian reservation "Shikahogh" is located. They are going to create several specially guarded territories between these two reservations, which will become a corridor for migrating of 15 types animals, which found themselves in the Red Book. Creation of the corridor will also organize more effective guarding of rare and disappearing types of plants, among which there is "Elderberry of Tigran" noticed only at the territory of Armenia. The two-year programme is financed
by CEPF. To note, the Caucasus is considered one of 25 "hot ecological points" of the world.


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.


Crimes and emergency situations

2007-10-15 14:22:00 Stone in area of Khor Virap monastery complex collapses

ArmInfo. A stone collapsed in the territory of Khor Virap monastery complex.

Armenian Rescue Service told ArmInfo that the alarm was received on October 13 approximately at 1:30 pm. A 25 sq m abutment on the left side of the path leading to the complex collapsed. No victims.

Khor Virap monastery complex is a Christian shrine. Evangelistic sources say that Grigor Lusavorich, (Gregory the Enlightener) Christianity preacher in Armenia, passed 13 years in a monastery hole.


2007-10-14 12:47:00 Quake on Armenian-Georgian border

ArmInfo. Magnitude 2,7 earthquake was registered 16 km northeast of Ashotsk, Shirak region, Armenia and 25 km southeast of the Georgian town of Bogdanovka at 12:43 am on October 13. The shakes in the epicenter measured 3-4, the Armenian National Seismic Protection Service (NSPS) told ArmInfo.


Sports

2007-10-15 13:50:00 FIFA and UEFA presidents arriving in Armenia

ArmInfo. "The President of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) (Switzerland) Josef Blatter and the Head of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Michel Platini (France) are visiting Armenia October 15-16 on the invitation of the President of Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) Ruben Harutyunyan".

Earlier FFA informed ArmInfo that within the frames of the visit, Armenian President Robert Kocharian will receive FIFA and UEFA Presidents at 11:00am October 16, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan- at 12:00am. At 3:00pm on October 16 Josef Blatter and Michel Platini will participate in the ceremonial laying of the foundation of the children-youth football boarding school in Acharian str. They will also visit the football school of "Banants" club. At 5:0pm on October 16 Ruben Hayrapetyan, Josef Blatter and
Michel Platini will give a joint press conference at Armenia- Marriott Hotel.