The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform Politics 2007-10-17 13:52:00 If presidential election in Armenia held near Sunday, RA Prime Minister would win: experts of Armenian Sociological Association ArmInfo. If the presidential election in Armenia held the near Sunday, RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan would win. According to the data of the Armenian Sociological Association headed by member-correspondent of the National Academy of Sciences Gevork Poghosyan, 31,8% of participants of a social research, carried out by the Association in all the regions of Armenia, are ready to give their voices for Serzh Sargsyan. According to the data received, the second place at the election would be taken by leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" party Gagik Tsarukyan - 12%, the third place - by "Orinats Yerkir" party leader Artur Baghdasaryan - 11,2%. 3,8% of respondents are ready to vote for the first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The Republican party of Armenia headed by Serzh Sargsyan, enjoys he most confidence of the respondents, that is, 20,4% of them trust it. This list is followed by the "Prosperous Armenia" party - 15,8%, the "Orinats Yerkir" - 7,5% and the "Heritage" party, headed by Raffi Hovannisian - 7,1%. When asked about a single candidate from the opposition, 6,9% of respondents gave preferences to leader of the "National Unity" party Artashes Geghamyan, 6,4% to Artur Baghdasaryan and 5,6% to Raffi Hovannisian. 1,8% of respondents spoke out in favour of the first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan. 2007-10-17 13:31:00 RA FM: Creation of artificial tension by Turkey is incorrect and inadequate counteraction to what happens today in USA Congress ArmInfo. Creation of an artificial tension by Turkey is an incorrect and inadequate counteraction to what happens today in the USA Congress, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told the Radio "Liberty", commenting on the recent adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the House of Representatives of Foreign Affairs Committee of US Congress. As V. Oskanyan said, the Resolution opponents try to represent so as if its adoption may negatively affect the global and regional issues. We do not share this opinion. "We think that this is n artificially crested problem", the minister said. He recalled that Armenia does not directly interferes with this process, however, Yerevan has welcomed adoption of the Resolution by the Committee. "If the Resolution is adopted, we also welcome decision of the Congress". "We think that recovery of justice and confirmation of the historical fact should not entail negative consequences but, on the contrary, contribute to understanding among the peoples and solution of regional problems", RA FM said. 2007-10-17 13:25:00 Armenia shows considerable improvement of press freedom level as compared with 2006: Reporters Without Borders report says ArmInfo. Mass Media freedom in Armenia has considerable improved as compared to last year, says Reporters Without Borders report 'Worldwide press freedom index 2007'. Thus, Armenia proved the 77th in an index measuring the level of press freedom in 169 countries throughout the world that is published today by Reporters Without Borders for the sixth year running. Last year Armenia was the 101st in the list of 168 countries. In addition, Georgia is the 66th, Ukraine the 92nd, Kyrgyzstan the 110. Azerbaijan was down from 135th to 139th position. Russia (the 144th) is not progressing. The failure to punish those responsible for murdering journalists, and the still glaring lack of diversity in the media, especially the broadcast media, weighed heavily in the evaluation of press freedom in Russia. This year Iceland and Norway share the 1st position. Then go Estonia, Slovakia, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland. North Korea and Turkmenistan are second and third from last, Eritrea deserves to be at the bottom. Reporters Without Borders compiled this index by sending a questionnaire to the 15 freedom of expression organisations throughout the world that are its partners, to its network of 130 correspondents, and to journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists. It contained 50 questions about press freedom in their countries. The index covers 169 nations. Other countries were not included because of lack of data. 2007-10-16 22:10:00 Armenian prime minister to leave for USA on October 17 ArmInfo. An Armenian delegation headed by Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan will leave for the United States on October 17. The Armenian governmental press-service told ArmInfo that the Armenian minister of finance and economy, minister of trade and economic development, minister of agriculture, Armenian president's chief adviser for economic issues, chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia, and deputy foreign minister of Armenia are members of the delegation. Within the frames of the visit, the governmental delegation will take part in the session of the World Bank and the annual forum of the International Monetary Fund, as well as in the session of the Armenian-US intergovernmental commission for economic development. The Armenian prime minister will pay a visit to Pentagon and meet US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on October 18. The same day, S.Sargsyan will meet US Vice President Richard Cheney in the White House. He will also meet Head of the Millennium Challenge Corporation John Danilovich. On October 19, the Armenian delegation will go to Los Angeles where S.Sargsyan will meet the leadership of the Lincy Foundation. On October 23, the prime minister will have a face-to-face meeting with US Under Secretary Ruben Jeffery at the US Department of State. S.Sargsyan is expected to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as well. On October 23, the Armenian delegation will leave for France. 2007-10-16 21:59:00 Armenian first president visited Yerevan office of radio Liberty ArmInfo.Today Armenian First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan visited Yerevan office of radio Liberty and had a talk with its employees. As Radio Liberty reports, over the two-hour meeting they touched on the problems of domestic and foreign policy of Armenia, mass media problems and the situation in the country. As Ter-Petrosyan said, they will get answers to many questions over the meeting which will be held on 26 October. 2007-10-16 21:45:00 Armenia waiting for Turkey's reply ArmInfo. The Turkish side has not yet replied to the Armenian side's request on the detention of Armenian citizens in Turkey. As ArmInfo correspondent was informed at the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the Armenian side is waiting for official Ankara's reply. To recall, according to foreign mass media, over 100 citizens of Armenia are arrested in Turkey. The official version of the arrest is violation of the visa regime. Spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetyan has recently said that the Armenian side has applied to the Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi on this matter. 2007-10-16 14:41:00 If Armenian first president runs for president with its former team, he should not do it, the leader of the Democratic way party says ArmInfo. 'If Armenian first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan runs for president in 2008 with its former team, he should not do it at all, as there are very many revanchists there>, - the leader of the Democratic Way party Manuk Gasparyan told journalists in Urbat club today. He also added that Ter-Petrosyan could become a single-whole candidate from the opposition, if the Armenian Pan-National Movement party regularly takes part in the talks of the opposition. 'But it is known that after the first meeting of the oppositional forces APNM stopped attending such meetings', - he said. He also said that he is sure that the presidential election will have the second round. 2007-10-16 14:39:00 Manuk Gasparyan: If Serzh Sargsyan is able to liberate people from 'Karabakh clan', Democratic Way party will support his candidature ArmInfo. 'If Serzh Sargsyan is able to liberate the people from 'Karabakh clan', the party Democratic Way will support his candidature at the forthcoming presidential election. However, I am sure that he will not be able to do it,' Democratic Way party Leader Manuk Gasparyan said at Friday Club. He said if the presidential election of 2008 is transparent and a pro-governmental candidate gains victory in it, he is ready to congratulate him. 'However, I doubt that Serzh Sargysan will run for president, ' he said. The politician believes that the forthcoming election is a real chance to get rid of the 'clan' but it is possible only by means of a single-whole opposition candidate. However, the opposition in Armenia is really weak and lacks unity, M. Gasparyan said. 2007-10-16 14:05:00 First rally with participation of ex-president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan scheduled for October 26 in Freedom Square ArmInfo. The first rally with participation of the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan will take place in Freedom Square in Yerevan on October 26 after a long interval. The youth organizations supporting the ex-president announced the rally at a conference, Tuesday. Leader of the opposition party Republic Aram Sargsyan addressed those present at the conference saying that everything must be done to attract as much public to the rally as possible. 'Indeed, I will speak at the rally, but, first of all, I will attend it to listen to Ter-Petrosyan. Everyone concerned about the country's fate must do it,' A. Sargsyan said. Armenian Pan National Movement party of the ex-president, Alternative public and political movement, Republic party, the Social Democratic Party Hnchakyan and People's Party of Armenia will participate in the rally. 2007-10-16 14:01:00 Today first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan met the leader of Orinats Yerkir party Artur Bagdasaryan ArmInfo. Today, in the office of Orinats Yerkir party the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan met the leader of Orinats Yerkir party, former speaker of the parliament Artur Bagdasaryan. As press-service of Orinats Yerkir specifies, over the meeting its participants touched on the domestic political situation in Armenia and discussed wide specter of problems in the context of the forthcoming presidential election. They emphasized importance of holding free and fair election and the necessity of civilized political fight. Deputy chairman of the Orinats Yerkir party Hegine Bisharyan and the former foreign minister Aleksandr Arzumanyan were present at the meeting. 2007-10-16 13:58:00 Armenian Assembly of America is grateful to Nancy Palosi for commitment to schedule vote on Armenian genocide resolution ArmInfo. The Armenian Assembly of America today expressed gratitude to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for standing firm on her commitment to contradict to Turkish and White House pressure and to bring the Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 106) to the floor for a vote by the full House. As ArmInfo was informed from AAA, Executive Director of AAA Bryan Ardouny sent a letter to the House of Representatives, in which he, in particular, expressed gratitude to Speaker Nancy Palosi "for standing firm on her commitment to history and truth". "The opponents of this common-sense resolution - including the White House and the Turkish government and its army of lobbyists - have thrown every excuse at the resolution trying to create a political tsunami to prevent a vote. The entire Armenian-American community stands united with Speaker Pelosi and commends her for standing firm in the face of this alarmist drumbeat and outright blackmail by Turkey and its deniers". To recall, Resolution 106 about recognition of the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey was adopted by House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee of US Congress on 10 October. Voting on the resolution may take place by the end of October or at the beginning of November of the current year. 2007-10-16 13:54:00 Azerbaijani Ambassador to USA sends letter of protest to Washington Times against article < Breakaway state still struggling for recognition> ArmInfo. Azerbaijani Ambassador to the USA Yashar Aliyev sent a letter of protest to Washington Times against its September 30 article on Nagorny Karabakh entitled 'Breakaway state still struggling for recognition.' Referring to Azertag, Bakikilar.AZ reports that the above letter was published in Washington Times issue for October 12. In his letter, the Azerbaijani diplomat categorically disagrees with the author that Nagorny Karabakh Republic has the strongest democracy in the region. Repeatedly accusing the Armenian party of aggression, ethnic purges, and the well-known UN resolutions on the given problem, the Ambassador states: 'The fate of Nagorny Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is a very painful and important problem for both Azerbaijan and the region'. At the same time, he writes: 'Azerbaijan adheres its commitment to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict by peaceful methods on the basis of International Law and UN Security Council resolutions requiring restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is also for withdrawal of occupational Armenian forces from the seized territories and for residence of both Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorny Karabakh in peace and cooperation.' The diplomat drops no single word about the 'right of Azerbaijan to restore its territorial integrity by all possible methods, including the military one,' the regular replenishment of the military budget, and does not call the population of Nagorny Karabakh in his letter. Evidently, the Ambassador is well aware that such statements will not be in favor of the Azerbaijani party. 2007-10-16 13:50:00 RA FM: Recognition of Armenian Genocide by Europarliament allowed to present Armenian issue in European context ArmInfo. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the European Parliament allowed to present the Armenian issue in the European context, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said at the Second Congress of the Armenians of Europe, having opened yesterday in Brussels. The Congress is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Europarliament. As RA FM's press-service told ArmInfo, delegates from the Armenian communities of EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, RF and Near East take part in the work of a two-day Congress being held in one of the buildings of the European Parliament. Catholicos of the Kilikian House Aram the First, vice Chairman of the European Commission, Commissioner on Justice Franco Fratini, representative of the "Huy Dat" European Organization Hilda Choboyan came forwards at the Congress opening. In his speech, Vardan Oskanyan paralleled the decision of the Europarliament on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, made in 1987, and discussion of the relevant resolution in the House of Representatives of US Congress. RA FM also touched upon Turkey's threats and critics and presented Armenia's position concerning discussions in US Congress, as well as the comments in this connection. Speeches of EU Special Representative in South Caucasus Peter Semneby, OSCE MG French Co-Chairman Bernard Fassier and Director of the European Programme of International Crisis Group Sabina Frazer have been scheduled for today. Economy 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. Finance and banks 2007-10-17 14:20:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 331,5 drams for 1 dollar, 470 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. 2007-10-17 13:53:00 Georgia's National Bank may ban 'Anelik' bank to work in banking space of Georgia ArmInfo. The National Bank of Georgia is against participation of representatives of banking establishments of independent Abkhazia in the international conference "Money Transfers. Retail Banking Service" in Armenia on October 10-13 . As the National Bank told the Black Sea Press, the Management of the National Bank intends to send a letter to the General sponsor of the conference in Yerevan, the management of the "Anelik" systems of international transfers with a call to stop cooperation with the so-called Abkhazian banks. "Otherwise, the National Bank of Georgia will ban the "Anelik" to work in the banking space of Georgia", the National Bank's statement says. "The banking establishments in the territory of Abkhazia function without the relevant licenses given by the National Bank of Georgia. These subjects follow the principles established by the Georgian legislation, including such standards as measures on prevention of terrorism financing and money laundering. Thus, they are illegal structures", the statement of Georgia's National Bank says. 2007-10-16 14:04:00 Foreign exchange transactions in inter-bank market for October 15 ArmInfo. The transactions in the inter-bank foreign exchange market for October 15 made up $450,000 (149.400 million drams), which is 2.6 times lower than on the previous trading day (October 12 - 390.711 million drams). According to the data of commercial banks, the average exchange rate of USD rose by 0.2 percentage points to 332 AMD/$1 USD. The data of the Armenian stock exchange (ArmEx) say the foreign exchange transactions on the floor made up $350,000 (116.200 million drams), which is lower than the similar indicator of the inter-bank market almost 0.7 times. The average weighted rate at the exchange made up 332 AMD/$1 USD. Social 2007-10-16 22:05:00 Armenian educational system invents a 'new bicycle' ArmInfo. During the switch to 12-year education they try to combine several school subjects into one in Armenia. As Head of the General Education Department of the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science Narine Hovhanissian said in his talk with ArmInfo correspondent, the idea is that secondary school pupils studying should receive maximum knowledge on such subjects as physics, chemistry, geography and astronomy. To note, the secondary school, unlike the junior and the higher ones, is considered as the main, according to 12-year educational system. Natural science became the integrated or combined subject. In the text book of "Natural science" 5th class pupils faced the problem of misunderstanding the subject, as the majority of the paragraphs contain tasks and problems, to solve which the pupils were not prepared. At the same time, the Ministry of Education and Science decided that teachers of geography must teach this combined subject. Any objection or criticism is explained by that the switch to 12-year school requires teaching of all the main subjects in the secondary school, i.e. in classes 5- 9. Further, in higher school, which became non-compulsory but just transitional, the subjects must be distributed according to the preference for entering a higher educational institution. Touching upon the problems emerged, N. Hovhannisyan promised to pay attention to concrete criticisms on the textbook's quality and mistakes met in it. 2007-10-16 21:46:00 Rally against poverty to be held in Yerevan ArmInfo. On 17 October a rally against poverty with a slogan "Stand up and say" will be held in Yerevan within the frames of international day for poverty liquidation, the head of UN information department Valeriy Tkachuk said at the press-conference in Yerevan today. He also added that the event will start at 5:30 PM from Malatia-Sebastia district not far from Youth part. For his part, executive director of non-governmental organization "Economic development research centre", Gagik Torosyan, said that participants in the rally will hold a march with a demand to take resolute measures for reduction of the poverty scales in the country. The rally will be accompanied with a concert. Participants in the rally intend to apply with an open letter to the Armenian government with a demand to revise low-income poverty threshold. To note, Armenian national coalition "World hallenge against poverty" initiated the rally. 2007-10-15 19:48:00 Financing of Armenian natural reserves increases but problems of efficient management remain ArmInfo. The draft budget, 2008, in the line of specially guarded territories envisages to send about 542,2 mln drams instead of 519,7 mln in 2007, RA Ministry of Nature Conservancy told ArmInfo. According to the source, financing will grow mainly for maintenance of the Khosrov natural reserve. As deputy Director of the natural reserve Vorontsov Barseghyan said, the transport equipment of inspectors on poaching-fight still remains the main problem. Moreover, the salary of the natural reserve's 61 employees remains low. The gamekeepers get 40,000 drams ($110) on average per month. As Barseghyan said, no cases of hunting animals, registered in the Red Book: mouflon, bezoar goat and bear are noted in Safari territory. At the same time, he said, just the Urtsasar territory is the main habitat and migration place for these animals. Protection of the natural reserve becomes difficult because of dispersion of the guarded areas - Kakavaberd, Garni, Khosrov and Khachavan. The areas are located at a definite distance from each other, among which there are several villages. The spaces of these areas are the most vulnerable for permanently migrating animals which are subject to hunting from time to time. In order to eliminate the factors, which prevent the animals from migration, the WWF initiated creation of ecological corridors connecting the guarded territories. To note, there is also the Shikahogh natural reserve in the south of Armenia and Erebuni natural reserve located on the outskirts of Yerevan. RA draft budget, 2008, does not envisage increase of financing of these natural reserves. Moreover, it does not envisage increase of salaries of the natural reserve inspectors either. 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. Culture 2007-10-16 22:03:00 Serzh Sargsyan receives Italian artist Tonino Guerra ArmInfo. Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan received Tonino Guerra, the well-known Italian writer, script writer and artist, Tuesday. T.Guerra has come to Armenia with his wife Laura Guerra to take part in Days of Culture "Tonino Guerra and his friends". The Armenian governmental press-service told ArmInfo that Armenian Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghossyan, Mayor of Yerevan Yervand Zakharyan and Head of the Days of Culture program Armen Mazmanyan were also present at the meeting. S.Sargsyan greeted the Italian artist and thanked him for his warm attitude to the Armenian nation and art. For his part, Guerra stated that it is already 2 years he has been in love with Armenia. He thinks that Armenia and Italy are alike, as they are poor in natural resources, but are rich in their cultural heritage. Director of "Tonino Guerra" Cultural Fund Laura Guerra said that it is 2 years that Armenian office of this institution operates in Yerevan, the main goal of which is the creation of Armenian-Italian cultural center. Sports 2007-10-16 22:01:00 UEFA President Michel Platini: UEFA's decision on cancellation of Armenia-Azerbaijan matches was, probably, not quite right ArmInfo. UEFA President Michel Platini: UEFA's decision on the cancellation of Armenia-Azerbaijan matches was, probably, not quite right, but the situation was complex, UEFA President Michel Platini said at a press conference, Tuesday, at the request of ArmInfo correspondent commenting on UEFA's decision of June 2007 on the cancellation of Armenia-Azerbaijan qualifying matches in the European championship. Michel Platini said that he expected the request to comment this in Yerevan and expects it in Baku, which he is to visit after Yerevan. According to him, UEFA experts thoroughly studied the situation around Armenia-Azerbaijan matches, who recommended the UEFA Executive Committee to cancel them. "UEFA is out of politics and, besides matches, there is also the factor of human life safety", Michel Platini said. Asked by ArmInfo correspondent why in this case the Armenian and Azeri teams didn't receive one point at least, the UEFA president replied briefly: "No game, no points". In this connection, FIFA President Joseph Blatter promised that he will no more admit a situation when the national teams of countries with complicated foreign political relations find themselves in one group. "I promise you, this will happen no more, you can trust me as I have been engaged in draw procedure of qualifying matches since 1978," J.Blatter said. 2007-10-16 14:00:00 Prime Minister of Armenia receives presidents of FIFA and UEFA ArmInfo. On October 16, Tuesday, Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met Josef Blatter, FIFA president (Federation Internationale de Football Association) and Michele Platini, UEFA president (Union of European Football Associations), who are on a two-day visit in Yerevan. The Armenian government press-service told ArmInfo that FIFA Manager for Europe Eva Paskel, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Amrenia Armen Grigoryan, President of Armenian Football Federation Ruben Hayrapetyan attended the meeting. The prime minister welcomed the guests and thanked them for the attention to the Armenian football. The leaders of European and international football in their turn said that the programs implemented by FIFA and UEFA for development of football in Armenia would not be successful without the assistance of the Armenian Government. On behalf of the Armenian Government, Prime Minister Sargsyan expressed readiness to further contribute to implementation of FIFA and UEFA programs in the country and boost the Armenian football by all means possible. 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