Politics

2007-11-01 09:30:00 Russian language as stumbling block between Public Television of Armenia and ArmInfo

ArmInfo. The issue of efficiency of the state propaganda among the non- Armenian and foreign audience has become the reason for break of a multiyear cooperation between the Public Television of Armenia and ArmInfo News Agency.

The subject of necessity to return the Russian language to air, financed from the state budget of the Public Television of Armenia (APT), as well as assurance of news broadcasting in foreign languages for propaganda among the country's wide non-Armenian population and the foreign TV-audience was touched on by ArmInfo correspondent at September 10, 2007, press-conference of Executive Director of APT Alexander Arzoumanyan. Asked what measures does the APT intend to take for active satellite broadcasting of InterAz
TV channel and possible broadcasting of Aztv Azerbaijani state TV channel in a number of RF cities as well, including 7 hours per day in Russian language, APT Director emphasized: 'I do not think that
the Russians will watch the Azerbaijani TV all day long and tugged heartstrings. Our goal, to the greater extent, is not a propaganda but preservation of the Armenian language among the Diaspora. Therefore, our TV channel is transmitted free of charge in many Russian cities by cable networks'. As for the interests of Armenia's Russian-speaking citizens, A. Arzoumanyan said: 'There will be no return to the Russian language on TV air. I am against broadcasting of programmes in various languages, including the
information programmes. The Public TV has not yet done much to accustom the TV audience to watching TV films in Armenian. There are few people in the country, who do not understand Armenian. If they do not
understand this language, let hem receive information from other TV channels'.

Evidently, ArmInfo correspondent's question concerning the prospects of strengthening of Azerbaijani propaganda first of all on the soil of Armenia's key strategic ally Russia and in the West as well as the
interests of the Russian language population in the country became the reason of deep insult of the leadership of the Armenian Public Television and personally its Director Armen Arzoumanyan on the agency's stand.

Anyhow, we dare to remind the head of the most important TV channel in Armenia that the Public Television has special functions i.e. a heavy burden to carry, like the power representatives have repeatedly stated. It is first of all the propaganda of state policy in abroad, including to the foreign audience and foreign investors working in Armenia and after all the protection of the interests of all the sections of the population. Moreover, the poor knowledge of a foreign language by APT leadership and partial
attitude to it must not
determine the language policy on air.

Anyway, it is instructive to recall that the full refusal from Russian language by the Public Television of Russia directly contradicts the real picture of broadcasting in the country. Thus, from the logic of strengthening and developing the Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation and by a political decision of the Armenian leadership, Russian TV channels 'Perviy Kanal' ('First Channel') , 'RTR- Planeta' ('RTR-Planet') and 'Kultura' ('Culture' ) are on the local frequencies almost 24 hour. Another frequency is
provided to the Russian language Interstate TV and Radio Company 'Mir'.

All this did not hold the head of the Armenian Public Television from being resentful at ArmInfo News Agency. Shortly after the press conference, A. Arzoumanyan decided to refuse from subscription for
e-news of the agency calling the correspondent's question 'a provocation.' It is noteworthy that ArmInfo did not want to butt into "little nothings of life" and had not raised the issue of direct negligence of contractual rights by the Public Television for long years i.e. APT was constantly transferring ArmInfo's news items to the Armenian Public Radio, which has no relevant contract with ArmInfo, without any additional payment. Nevertheless, the 15-year-long cooperation broke today. In this respect, it remains
for ArmInfo to express satisfaction that it proved useful also for the large local and foreign radio audience for such long period of time.


2007-10-31 18:43:00 Board Chairman of Public TV and Radio: The investigation agency declared me not guilty in the case of October 27, 1999

ArmInfo. "The investigation agency declared me not guilty in the case of the terrorist act in RA National Assembly on October 27, 1999", Board Chairman of Public TV and Radio Alexan Harutyunian said in the Armenian National Assembly, Wednesday.

According to him, a charge can be brought against anyone in Armenia. "I think that it is wrong to give political evaluations to the events of October 27. Moreover, one mustn't accuse people in something unreal to take a revenge", he emphasized. To note, Board Chairman of Public TV and Radio Alexan Harutyunian, who was the head of Armenian president's machinery, was arrested in December 1999 on the charge of complicity in the terrorist act in the Armenian National Assembly on October 27, 1999. In April 2000 he
was set free, and the criminal case against him was soon discontinued.


2007-10-31 18:36:00 Public Television of Armenia not instructed to stop covering press conferences, Chairman of Public TV and Radio Council says

ArmInfo. Chairman of Public TV and Radio Council Aleksan Haroutunyan said at the Armenian Parliament, Wednesday.

He said the Public Television has not always covered the events at press clubs. < news program takes just 30 minutes and naturally the opportunity to cover all the press conferences is limited. It is important to us who gives a press conference. If the given politician is interesting to us we cover the event without problems. We have no intention to boycott press clubs,> he said.


2007-10-31 13:48:00 RA president does not share optimism of OSCE MG cochairmen

ArmInfo. RA President Robert Kocharyan does not share the optimism of OSCE MG cochairmen on Karabakh conflict settlement, RA president told journalists today.

"Though I must admit that there is a definite progress in the negotiation process, however, I am not such an optimist to assume that specific results may be achieved before the presidential election", Robert Kocharyan said. He also said that the process goes on if it contains both positive and negative moments. "Looking at the project under discussion, it seems that some way has been passed. However, the Azerbaijani militaristic statements and approaches create an impression that these two processes are not
related to each other. Therefore, the grounds for optimism are not great today. There are threats and they should be taken into
account in our policy", R. Kocharyan said.


2007-10-31 13:47:00 Incumbent President of Armenia about ex-president

Incumbent President of Armenia about ex-presidentArmInfo. 'It is piteous that Levon Ter-Petrosyan tries to return to politics full of anger,' Armenian President Robert Kocharyan told journalists, Wednesday when commenting on statements and the intention of the ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan to run for president. .

, the president said. , he stressed.
But I think the people remember their living conditions in that period of time, > Robert Kocharyan said. He mentioned that APNM came to power in the august of 1990. Then Armenia was one of the most developed industrial republics in the USSR and had rather developed agriculture. 'In 3-4 years Armenia became one of the poorest countries in the world. Of course, the collapse of the USSR would lead to definite loss. I estimate it 15-20% for the first 2-3 years at best. Then the loss must have been recovered through
programs and investments like it happened in Baltic states, in Belarus, and partially in the Ukraine. Meanwhile, the industry in Armenia was simply ruined in a few years,' the president said. 'Thus, APNM
received the country in a normal state and in 1998 transferred to me a country with destroyed economy that the international organizations considered among the poorest in the world,' Robert Kocharyan said.
'Now we must compare the situation in 1997 and now when the budget is equal to the GDP of those years and even a little exceeds it. I think only a person aware of economy must speak of it,' the president said.


2007-10-31 04:22:00 Investigation team of police of Kentron and Nork-Marash communities in Yerevan bring a charge against 5 participants in the march of oppositionists

ArmInfo. Investigation team of police of Kentron and Nork- Marash communities in Yerevan brought a charge against 5 participants in the demonstration of oppositionists, which took place on October 23. The charge is brought against Editor-in-chief of "The Haykakan Jamanak" Nikol Pashinyan, member of "The Alternative" initiative Petros Makeyan and his two sons, as well as against Editor-in-chief of "The Fourth Ishkhanutyun" Shogher Matevosyan, Radio Liberty reports.






Economy

2007-10-31 04:18:00 Yerevan Brandy Factory resumes production of 'Old Yerevan' wine

ArmInfo. Yerevan Brandy Factory (YBF) resumed production of red dry "Old Yerevan" wine, Director General of YBF Cedric Retailleau said during the product's presentation. Tuesday.

According to him, the wine's production was stopped several years ago, as at that time YBF's leadership didn't consider the wines' output its priority tasks. Today, the priorities have changed and the director general thinks that "Old Yerevan" will be in great demand. After his degustation, there already came purchase orders from the Ukraine and Russia. 17 000 bottles have been manufactured to be sold in Armenian market and will come into the market this week. Retail price per a bottle makes up 3 500AMD. The
director general also added that "Old Yerevan" is produced jointly with Armenian "Vedi Alko" factory, where it is bottled.


2007-10-30 16:54:00 Armenian Molybdenum Production company increased ferromolybdenum production by 34,8% over nine months of 2007

ArmInfo. Armenian Molybdenum Production [AMP] company produced 2157 tons of ferromolybdenum over nine months of 2007 which is by 34,8% more than at the same period of 2006,
director of AMP Karen Karapetyan told ArmInfo correspondent.

He also added that the volume of ferromolybdenum production increased by 31,4% in terms of money up to 26,012 bln drams. The difference between the rates of growth in real and money terms the director explained by devaluation of America dollar. As Karapetyan predicted, the company will produce about 2800 tons of ferromolybdenum till the end of 2007. He also said that the company produced 112 kg ammonium perrhenate over nine months of the current year and its volumes may grow up to 150 kg till the end of the
year. All the production of the company is sold in abroad. Karapetyan said that over the reported period the company bought and processed 2780 tons of molybdenum concentrate from
Zangezur and Agarak cooper-molybdenum plants and 338 tons from foreign suppliers.

As a result of its nine months activity the company paid 537,8 mln drams to the state budget of Armenia. A total of 76,3 mln drams were paid for social insurance.

To recall, Armenian Molybdenum Production was created in 2003. It started functioning in a stable way since 2004. Production capacities of the company amount to 5thsd tons of ferromolybdenum per year.


2007-10-30 16:51:00 Armenian Titanium Production company completed construction of new workshop on production of aluminum powder

ArmInfo. The Armenian Titanium Production (ATP) Company has completed construction of a new workshop on production of an aluminum powder with output to 200 tons per month, the ATP told ArmInfo.

According to the source data, the aluminum powder, being obtained at the plant, will be used for production of ferromolybdenum and ferrotitanium. The latter's production has been temporarily suspended in view of the economic inexpediency. This is connected with devaluation of the American dollar in relation to the Armenian dram. The Company's calculations were made by the rate of 500
AMD/$1 USD. The Company added that it is scheduled to set up a pilot production of ferrovanadium.

To note, the Armenian Titanium Production Company was created on the basis of the "EnergyComplex" Ltd in 2006 by the production extension, reorganization and renaming of the enterprise. The ATP's owners are private persons, RA residents.


Finance and banks

2007-10-31 04:12:00 Foreign exchange transactions in inter-bank market for October 29

ArmInfo. The transactions in the inter-bank foreign exchange market for October 29 made up $200,000 (93.730 million drams), which is twice as much as the previous trading day (October 26 - 439.169 million drams). According to the data of commercial banks, the average exchange rate of USD rose by 1.1 percentage points. The data of the Armenian stock exchange (ArmEx) say the foreign exchange transactions on the floor made up $9.060 million (2.945 billion drams), which is higher than the similar indicator of the
inter-bank market almost 31 times. The average weighted rate at the exchange made up 325 AMD/$1 USD.


2007-10-30 20:49:00 'Ingo-Armenia' insurance company marks its 10th anniversary

'Ingo-Armenia' insurance company marks its 10th anniversary ArmInfo. One of the leading insurance companies in Armenia- "Ingo-Armenia" marked its 10th anniversary. As Director of the company Levon Harutyunyan said at the press conference devoted to the day, "Ingo- Armenia occupies 34% of Armenian insurance market". According to him, it is possible to estimate this fact even with that today only 11 insurers operate in the market. According to the results of the 3rd quarter, "Ingo-Armenia" has confirmed the first
place in liability car insurance, property insurance, freight and freight traffic insurance, second place-in health insurance, casualty insurance and insurance against construction and assembly risks.

By the quality of awards the company has accumulated, "Ingo-Armenia" outstrips its closest rival by 40%, however, as L. Harutyunyan said, this is not a reason for relaxing. The company places its insurance reserves in banking deposits, government securities, invests in the bonds of the Araratbank and the ArmRusgazprom company. A small volume of reserves is placed in international financial markets. At the moment, the company reinsures up to 90% of the risks assumed, transferring only up to 65% of the premiums
to the reinsurers. The Russian partner of the company, "Ingosstrakh", which has been highly rated by an international ranking agency, will also start reinsuring the company's risks in 2007.

To note, the "Ingo-Armenia" company was established by Levon Altunyan under the name "Efes" in 1997. In 2003, 75% of the company's shares were purchased by the Russian "Ingosstrakh" company. In 2004, the company was renamed "Ingo-Armenia". According to the data as of the end of the third quarter of 2007, the company's insurance premiums totalled 1.1 bln AMD, insurance indemnity - 197 mln AMD, insurance reserves - 343 mln AMD, assets - 1.7 bln AMD, equity capital - 759.5 mln AMD, authorized capital - 596.6 mln
AMD.


Social

2007-10-31 13:42:00 Armenia left out of The 2007 e-readiness ranking by Economist Intelligence Unit

ArmInfo. Armenia was left out of The 2007 e-readiness ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The ranking model evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of 69 countries-including this year's newest addition, Malta-and their cumulative impact on their respective information economies. E-readiness is the "state of play" of a country's information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and the ability of its consumers, businesses and governments to use ICT to their benefit.

The countries where government commitment is not strong-for example, Indonesia (67th), Brazil (43rd) or Russia (57th)-saw their places in the rankings slide, although their absolute scores did not.

The world's overall e-readiness is improving perceptibly, however: a global average score of 6.02 in 2006 rose to 6.24 this year. And the e-readiness gap is decreasing: the distance between the most eready country and the least (Azerbaijan in 2006, Iran in 2007) dropped from 6.08 points to 5.80 points this year. The score differentials between the top, middle and lower tiers also continue to decline year on year.

The e-readiness rankings are a weighted collection of nearly 100 quantitative and qualitative criteria, organised into six distinct categories measuring the various components of a country's social, political, economic and of course technological development. The underlying principle behind the rankings is that digital business is at its heart business, and that for digital transactions to be widely adopted and efficient they have to thrive in a holistically supportive environment. E-readiness derives from more
than just the number of computers, broadband connections and mobile phones in the country; also critical are citizens' ability to utilise technology skilfully, the transparency of the business and legal systems, and
the extent to which governments encourage the use of digital technologies.

The world's incumbent e-readiness leaders- Denmark and the US-retain their respective number one and two spots (with Sweden also tied for 2nd place), and nine of last year's top ten remain in that bracket. The US and Hong Kong are the leaders in this category of e-readiness in 2007. In the sheer scale of individual and business Internet use, the US certainly dwarfs all other countries. Several OECD countries, on the other hand, have suffered a decline in e-readiness performance as a result of the changes. Our
sharpened focus on the policy environment and e-government, as well as the use of new data to assess educational levels and innovation have resulted in drops in both scores and ranks for Switzerland (5th), Finland (10th), Germany (19th) and Ireland (21st) as well as Canada. Even Denmark and the US experienced a reduction in scores. Further down in the rankings, the role of the government as a promoter and adopter of ICT was a key determinant in whether countries moved up or Economist Intelligence Unit e-readiness
rankings, 2007

To recall, World Economic Forum has recently published The Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007 wherein Armenia occupies the 96th position by ICT development yielding by 3 positions to Georgia and by 25 positions to Azerbaijan. Armenia shares the position with Kenya. Then goes Ecuador, Gana and Burkina Faso, Chad proved the last 122nd.


2007-10-31 10:56:00 Institute for Human Rights and Democracy urges Armenia's authorities to raise poverty line

ArmInfo. Today, the Institute for Human Rights and Democracy (IHRD) public organization appealed to RA president, the Parliament and the government urging to rise the official poverty line.

The message of IHRD, received by ArmInfo today, states that according to the official data, 58% of the consumer goods basket consists of bread, potato and pasta. "It turns out that those who eat only bread, potato and pasta every day, are not poor and can be healthy, happy and full of proper pride, while , in fact, the consumer goods basket, besides foodstuffs, should include the expenses for payment of electric energy, gas, water and telephone. We offer those, who made such a decision, to live with this market
basket even one week", the message says. The document authors require from the Armenian authorities to enlarge sizes of the consumer goods basket and be "honest and fair and respect the assumed liabilities" in overcoming poverty in the country.