Politics

2007-11-10 13:33:00 Serzh Sargsyan elected Chairman of RPA Board

ArmInfo. Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has been elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Board, the 11th Congress of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) declared, Saturday.

The Congress heard the report on RPA activity after the 10th Congress held in July 2006. The Congress is to amend the party regulations, elect the Board, as well as nominate RPA candidate for president in 2008. Moreover, the Congress is to approve 100 members of the Board.


2007-11-10 13:30:00 Tigran Torosyan: speculating on terrorist act of October 27 1999 inadmissible

Tigran Torosyan: speculating on terrorist act of October 27 1999 inadmissible ArmInfo. It is inadmissible to speculate on the terrorist act of October 27 1999 like ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and his supporters do, Vice Chairman of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Board, Speaker of Armenian Parliament Tigran Torosyan said at the 11th Congress of RPA, Saturday.

The speaker briefed on the RPA successes and mentioned that RPA consists of 135,000 members, 61 territorial and about 1,600 primary organizations. In his speech the speaker mainly criticized the
October 26 statement by L. Ter-Petrosyan. Thus, T. Torosyan was indignant that after 9 years of silence L. Ter- Petrosyan re-launched his activity with speculations on October 27 1999 i.e. he stated that the Armenian party won the military actions in Karabakh only due to the weakness of Azerbaijan. 'I do not understand why Ter-Petrosyan calls the members of the Armenian government released from their posts in different periods of time exclusively the members of RPA and People's Party. After all Leonid Hakobyan,
Levon Barkhudaryan, Shahen Kara-Manukyan and others have never been members of RPA or PPA. Moreover, Levon Ter-Petrosyan also demonstrates an absolute illiteracy of economy. It is impossible to reverse the course of history and the public has no short memory as some people think, and it will be evident after the presidential election,' T. Torosyan said.

RPA Congress is to approve the executive body consisting of 13 people, including Serzh Sargsyan, T. Torosyan, David Haroutunyan, Karen Karapetyan, Galust Sahakyan, and Hranush Hakobyan


2007-11-10 09:48:00 National-Democratic Party not to advance a nominee at presidential election in Armenia

ArmInfo. The National-Democratic Party (NDP) led by Shavarsh Kocharyan is not going to advance a nominee at the presidential election in Armenia on February 19, 2008, the NDP Board told ArmInfo.

It is stated in the document that National-Democratic Party is ready to support that candidate for the president's post, who will be governed by the program of Armenia's establishment as a democratic country, basing on national ideology. It is also emphasized in the statement that the former authorities may not act as an alternative for the present leadership.


2007-11-10 09:46:00 First Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan says he has materials of criminal case against Karabakh Committee

ArmInfo. First Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan said he has the materials of the criminal case against Karabakh Committee

As ex-president's statement received in ArmInfo says, in 1995 or 1996, at his request, RA Prosecutor General Artavazd Gevorkyan sent the volumes of the case against Karabakh Committee to the
presidential residency. After relevant documentation it was handed over to the machinery. "This was done with the purpose to exhibit the materials in the museum opened in 1998 in connection with the 10th anniversary of Karabakh movement. After the power change the materials of the case against Karabakh Committee were moved to my personal archive and have so far been kept there safely and in good condition. None of the prosecutor generals following Artavazd Gevorkyan requested or demanded to return the materials.
And today, I think the most suitable place to keep them is the Museum of Karabakh movement, which will sooner or later be opened. However, if it is necessary, I am ready to return them immediately to the archive of the Prosecutor's Office", L. Ter-Petrosyan's statement says.

Earlier, Executive Secretary of Armenian Pan-National Movement Board Vahagn Hayotsyan had told AmrInfo correspondent: "Today's statement by Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan on the location of the criminal case against Karabakh Committee is nothing but slander".


2007-11-09 16:27:00 Ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan has the biggest consolidating potential among the oppositionists, the

Ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan has the biggest consolidating potential among the oppositionists, the ArmInfo. 'The first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan has the biggest consolidating potential among the oppositionists',- the leader of People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchayn said at Hayeli club today.

He also added that the ex-president reconsidered all his passed way, and undoubtedly he is a strong pretender to the top state post. For this reason it is obvious that the main fight will start between the power candidate and Ter-Petrosyan at the forthcoming presidential election. 'A serious man cannot
seriously treat the results of the charged sociological public opinion polls. Moreover, rating of the first
president has a tendency of growing. And the first several thousand meeting on 26 October is evidence of it. In 1998 the protesting electorate consolidated around Karen Demirchayn's candidacy, in 2003 - around me. Today we have the same tendency around the first president, the ten year silence of which
brings in certain freshness in the political life', - Demirchayn said.

Saying that consolidation should not become an end in itself for the healthy opposition forces, at the same time he did not rule out possibility of extension of the list of the political forces which are ready to support the first president.

Asked if it was necessary to make alterations to the Electoral Code on the threshold of the election, Demirchyan replied that the Code had to be reformed in another direction, but the alterations which are already made, are only directed against the first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan. In particular, the ruling majority wants to deprive ex-president of the right to be nominated by the civil initiative imposing self-nomination to him.


2007-11-09 16:21:00 Armenia has nothing to learn from Georgia, an Armenian sociologist says

ArmInfo. Armenia has nothing to learn from Georgia, Armenian sociologist Aharon Adibekyan says.

At the Nov 9 press-conference at Tesaket club, he noted that the take-over path chosen by Georgia is unacceptable for Armenia for several reasons. In particular, he pointed out Armenians' mentality and inefficiency of force measures for the settlement of political issues. A.Adibekyan stressed that according to a public opinion poll, 60% of the Armenian population are satisfied with the present situation and want no revolution, 40% are dissatisfied with the present situation, and only 20% of the citizens are
potential revolutionaries. This proves that Armenia is not the country where cardinal changes are gained by force. In addition, the sociologist said that there have never been any conflicts between generations in Armenia, which is so characteristic of the West. A.Adibekyan noted that Armenia has chosen the right path of development, when the necessary reforms are held in due course and they are the result of evolution.


2007-11-09 16:12:00 Lost criminal case against Karabakh Committee found

ArmInfo. The criminal case against Karabakh Committee was handed over to the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan told journalists, Friday.

As it was reported earlier, it has been found out recently that the multi-volume criminal case is lost. The immediate investigation exposed the present location of the criminal case. Aghvan Hovsepyan said Iravunk newspaper had requested Prosecutor General's Office to study the materials of the case against Karabakh Committee. 'Founding out that the case was lost I instructed to start an official investigation, which showed that yet on November 6 1996 then head of the investigation department handed over the
case to Levon Ter-Petrosyan on demand of the prosecutor general. Today we sent a written request to Levon Ter-Petrosyan for the criminal case,' Aghvan Hovsepyan said. He also added that the law bans handing over criminal cases to a third party. It applies even to the president. 'I think L. Ter-Petrosyan will be reasonable enough to hand the criminal case back to the prosecutor's office,' Prosecutor General said.


2007-11-09 12:50:00 The 5th presidential election in independent Armenia to be held on 19 February 2008

ArmInfo. The 5th presidential election in independent Armenia will be held on 19 February 2008, chairman of Central Electoral Commission Garegin Azaryan said today when making a speech at Armenian Public TV.

Referring to the second part of the 88th article of Armenian Electoral Code, he said that according to the 51st clause of Armenian Constitution presidential election will take place on 19 February 2008. According to the third part of the 88th article of Armenian Electoral Code, the day of the presidential election will declared a non-working day.


2007-11-09 11:10:00 RF FM: With all critical remarks to CIS, none of member-states speaks out for its dissolution

RF FM: With all critical remarks to CIS, none of member-states speaks out for its dissolution ArmInfo. Not al the goals, having been initially set to the Commonwealth of Independent States, turned out to be realistic. Nevertheless, it is difficult to overestimate the significance of the part the Commonwealth played, RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the "Soldiers of Russia" journal.

He said that this is not only assurance of a "civilized separation" of the soviet republics after the USSR collapse, assistance to the settlement and prevention of conflicts in the post-Soviet space, but also settlement of diverse relations among our countries on a new basis. "I mean, in particular, the current legal basis within CIS, mechanisms of collective cooperation in such spheres as social assurance, culture and education, migration, crime-fight, resistance to the new challenges and threats", RF FM said.
He added that with all the critical remarks to CIS, none of the member-states speaks out for its dissolution. Moreover, an intensive work is being carried out to enhance efficiency of the Commonwealth and adapt it to the date tasks.


2007-11-09 09:11:00 Armenian president meets Lithuanian foreign minister

Armenian president meets Lithuanian foreign ministerArmInfo. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan met Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas.

The Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo that during the meeting R.Kocharyan expressed content with the current level of the Armenian-Lithuanian relations and noted that Armenia's involvement in the European Neighborhood Policy opens new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. For his part, P.Vaitiekunas stressed that Armenia has definitely chosen the path of European integration and Lithuania is willing to share its experience with Armenia. The meeting also covered regional problems
and issues concerning the promotion of bilateral cooperation within the frames of international organizations.


2007-11-09 09:08:00 Armenian first president and Lithuanian foreign minister have a telephone conversation

ArmInfo. Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of Armenia, and Petras Vaitiekunas, the foreign minister of Lithuania, had a telephone conversation, Thursday.

The office of the civic initiative for Levon Ter Petrosyan's nomination for president told ArmInfo that in particular, P.Vaitiekunas expressed content with the current level of Armenian-Lithuanian relations. The Lithuanian foreign minister added that the foundation of these relations was laid by the interstate
Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Armenia and Lithuania signed by Armenian and Lithuanian Presidents Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Vytautas Landsbergis in 1991.


2007-11-09 09:07:00 Armenia had better not expect proposals from OSCE MG Co-chairs, Baku thinks

ArmInfo-Turan. Armenia had better take constructive steps, than expect "the next step" aimed at the Karabakh conflict settlement from the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. This is how Hazar Ibragim, representative of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, commented on today's statement of Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian that Yerevan is waiting for new proposals from OSCE MG
co-chairmen. "We expect the next step from OSCE MG co-chairmen after their visit to the region," said Oskanian.


2007-11-09 09:07:00 NKR FM comments on the statements of CoE Secretary General

NKR FM comments on the statements of CoE Secretary GeneralArmInfo. At journalists' request, NKR Foreign Minister Georgi Petrosyan commented on the statement made by CoE Secretary General Terry Davis in Yerevan.

Commenting on Terry Davis's thesis on incomparability of Nagorno-Karbakh and Kosovo conflicts and the regret expressed by the latter for NKR people's disadvantaged situation, particularly, in connection with the fact that they don't have the right to apply to the European Court of Human Rights, Georgi Petrosyan said that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh really differs from the situation in Kosovo in many aspects. But Kosovo's aspiration to become a party, enjoying full rights of the international law as an
independent state, is the same as that of NKR. Terry Davis apparently knows that the leadership of Kosovo's Provisional Institutions of Self-Government created by the UN temporary administration for
exercise of legislative, executive and judicial power has stated more than once that Kosovo's independence may not be debated. The absence of any external control over Nagorno-Karabakh is a positive sign for NKR, since, in essence, it is a recognition of high level self-organization of NKR people, who are able to exercise effective control, to conduct foreign policy and to ensure their own security
on their own, without any external support by elected power. As to the fact that NKR population has no right to apply to the European Court of Human Rights, this situation emerged because of Azerbaijan and with international organizations' implicit consent, the latter ones being called to ensure human rights irrespective of the status of the territory people live on. Such position of international organizations denotes that they are rather governed by political interests than by ideals of human rights protection,
NKR FM emphasized.

As to Terry Davis's statement that he may let himself not to comment different events, including, for example, the parade of sexual minorities held somewhere in Europe, Georgi Petrosyan said that such
extremely incorrect comparison is inadmissible in respect with a high-ranking official of such an authoritative organization. With his statement Terry Davis demonstrated negligence not so much to any
concrete political processes in NKR, as to the institute of election as a whole. "I would like to hope that the CoE doesn't share this attitude of Terry Davis to the ideals of democracy, which were laid in the foundation of this organization. Otherwise, this will mean that the CoE has run its course as an organization called to promote ideals and principles of pluralistic democracy and to protect human rights".


2007-11-09 08:56:00 Tigran Torosyan: It is always useful to study the practice of the Baltic countries

ArmInfo. Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Tigran Torosyan met Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas, Thursday, the latter being in Armenia. According to the Armenian Governmental press service, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Lithuania in Armenia Rimantas Sidlauskas and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia in Lithuania Ashot Galoyan participated in the meeting.

According to the source, during the meeting Tigran Torosyan said that the Baltic States achieved great success for objective causes, therefore it is always useful to study their practice. He particularly emphasized the practice of the Baltic countries in the development of regional cooperation and noted with regret that there is still no such cooperation in the South Caucasus region. The speaker of the Armenian NA touched upon the prospects of development of Armenian-Lithuanian cooperation, which has considerably
increased with account of the New European Neighborhood Program.

Lithuanian FM, for his part, assured T. Torosyan that Armenia has been and is a European country for Lithuania and Europe. He said the aim of his visit is to extend cooperation in all the spheres. At the
same time, he said the commodity turnover between the two countries is dissatisfactory with account of economic growth in Armenia and Lithuania. Petras Vaitiekunas proposed to send Armenian parliamentarians to seminars in Vilnius and Brussels. The seminars will cover issues connected with the New European Neighborhood Program as well as European Security and Defense. The Lithuanian
minister said that Lithuanian prime minister is expected to visit Armenia in 2008. Within the frames of the visit, a business forum can be organized for Armenian and Lithuanian businessmen. He proposed to organize an international tourist exhibition in Lithuania, during which they will familiarize the attendants of the exhibition with Armenian practice of tourism development. Lithuanian FM set forth one more initiative in the sphere of transport connection. He mentioned, that due to the agreement signed among
Lithuania, Belarus and the Ukraine, satellite-based trains already run on the route of Klaipeda-Ilichevsk and proposed Armenia to join the project through the port of Poti. Petras Vaitiekunas said that in October 2007 the Lithuanian Government made a decision to open a Lithuanian embassy in Armenia and mentioned the importance of opening an Armenian Embassy in Vilnius, which will surely promote the bilateral relations.

T. Torosyan emphasized the importance of concrete proposals and qualified their discussion as necessary. He particularly mentioned Armenian parliamentarians' participation in seminars in Vilnius and Brussels and opening of the Embassies. In the context of developing intergovernmental ties both sides emphasized the importance that intergovernmental groups of friendship are created and function.


2007-11-09 08:48:00 Iranian defence minister: Iran is ready to use all its potential for settlement of the regional conflicts

ArmInfo. Armenia and Iran are neighbours. And stemming from this they should have wide and extended relations, Iranian Defence Minister, Major-General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said at the press-conference in Yerevan today.

He also added that at present there are good political, economic and cultural relations between the two
states. He recalled that several projects have been already fulfilled and a part of them is underway. , - the minister said and added that he means cooperation in the rear services support. He also said the more samples of cooperation
between the countries of the region the more it will promote security, stability and peace in the region. , - Mohammad Najjar said.


2007-11-09 08:48:00 First president of Armenia and Heritage party leader agree to act within frames of political ethics

ArmInfo. First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Leader of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian agreed to observe political ethics with regard to each other when they run for president in 2008, a member of the Heritage opposition party Board, parliamentarian Vardan Khachatryan told ArmInfo. The parliamentarian was present at the meeting of the two leaders.

The sides discussed the domestic and foreign policy problems of Armenia before the presidential campaign. They particularly touched upon the continuing restrictions on opposition access to television,
V. Khachatryan said. He also added that the parties did not discuss the possibility of R. Hovannisian's support of L.Ter-Petrosyan's candidature.

To recall, L. Ter-Petrosyan was the initiator of the meeting. One of the ex-president's supporters, the former foreign minister of Armenia Alexander Arzoumanyan was present at the meeting.


2007-11-09 08:46:00 First President of Armenia cannot be alternative to incumbent authorities: Heritage party representative

First President of Armenia cannot be alternative to incumbent authorities: Heritage party representative ArmInfo. 'First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan cannot be considered an alternative to the incumbent authorities since neither him nor Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan satisfy the public need for system reforms,' Armenian parliamentarian from Heritage opposition party, first ombudsman of Armenia Larisa Alaverdyan said at National Press Club, Thursday.

She said the public expectations for consolidation of opposition forces will not be justified. Thus, at the presidential election the opposition will fight against the political forces not in power but ready to become part of it when occasion offers. 'Prosperous Armenia proved a bright example of the aforementioned at the last parliamentary election. The party tried to partially criticize the situation in the country, but it used the first chance to form the ruling coalition,' Larisa Alaverdyan.

She stressed that a number of political parties, including Armenian Pan National Movement lever harsh criticism at the authorities, but their programs are not clear. She also added that one of the
political opposition poles is Levon Ter-Petrosyan. There is no other political force claiming a similar role, Larisa Alaverdyan said.


2007-11-09 08:40:00 Lithuanian foreign minister visits Yerevan Brandy Company

ArmInfo. Foreign Minister of Lithuania Petras Vaitiekunas visited the Yerevan Brandy Company today.

The minister left a notice with good wishes to the company in the "Golden book" near the "Barrel of Peace" in YBC's ageing shopfloor. He also advocated prompt settlement of the Karabakh conflict. The
barrel was installed by initiative of OSCE MG and it should be opened the day of the conflict peaceful settlement. P. Vaitiekunas expressed desire to drink this brandy as soon as possible. He added that he prefers only the Armenian brandy. The Lithuanian minister had a photograph taken near the barrel with cognac spirit, gifted to the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkas during his visit to
Armenia on April 26, 2006. The YBC traditionally presents barrels with cognac spirit to foreign states' presidents, visiting Armenia, and the presidents left them, by tradition, in the Company's ageing shopfloor.


2007-11-09 08:38:00 Vardan Oskanyan: OSCE MG Co-chairs for settlement of Karabakh conflict are expected to make new proposals

ArmInfo. OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen for settlement of Karabakh conflict are expected to make new proposals shortly, Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan said at a joint press conference with his Lithuanian colleague Petras Vaitiekunas in Yerevan, Thursday.

'We are waiting for the next step by OSCE MG Co-chairs after their visit to the region,' the minister said. He stressed that the mediators are studying the possibilities of tete-a-tete meetings with Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers. 'After their last visit to the region, I think, the co-chairs got a definite idea of the parties' stands on the uncoordinated issues and principles.' 'After the Co-chairs are informed of the final stands of the parties, they will try to get new formulations and propose
them to Armenia and Azerbaijan,' Vardan Oskanyan said. He also added that the Armenian Foreign Ministry is waiting for information on organization of the above meeting or written proposals by the co-chairs.


2007-11-09 08:34:00 Armenian and Iranian DMs signed Memorandum of Cooperation in defense

ArmInfo. A Memorandum of Cooperation in defense between RA Defense Ministry and the Iranian Ministry of Assisting the Defense and Armed Forces was signed today in Yerevan by RA DM
Mikael Harutyunyan and Iranian Defense Minister, Major-General Mustafa Mohammad Najjar. The Memorandum was signed within the frames of the official visit of Mohammad Najjar to Yerevan.

During the press-conference, held directly after the Memorandum signing ceremony, the parties assured that they intend to start implementation of the reached agreements in the near future. In
particular, the matter concerns cooperation in the logistics support between the relevant subdivisions of the two countries' Defense Ministers.


2007-11-09 08:31:00 Vardan Oskanyan: Armenia worries about aggravation of situation in Georgia

Vardan Oskanyan: Armenia worries about aggravation of situation in Georgia ArmInfo. Armenia worries about aggravation of situation in Georgia, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said at the joint press-conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Petras Vaitekunas in Yerevan.

, - Oskanyan said. He hopes that political payoff maybe reached over a short period of time. Oskanyan emphasized that just reaching of the political payoff should be the main task of all the parties in Georgia.

To note, yesterday Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili announced the state of emergency at the whole territory of the country for 15 days.


2007-11-09 08:15:00 38% Armenian citizens to support Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan's candidacy at the presidential election 2008, the data of public opinion poll say

Arminfo. According to the public opinion poll held by ComRes organization, 38% Armenian citizens will support Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan's candidacy at the forthcoming presidential election 2008.

According to the published data, 13% of respondents will support candidacy of the Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian, 12% - the leader of Orinats Yerkir party Artur Bagdasaryan , 8% - the
leader of the National Unity party Artashes Gegamyan, 6% - the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and 5% - the head of the National-Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan. Vice-speaker of the parliament Vahan Hovannesyan, director of ALM Holding Tigran Karapetyan and the leader of Prosperous Armenia party Gagik Tsarukyan gained 4% each. 28% of respondents hope that Serzh Sarkisyan will resolve the unemployment problem, 20% - Artur Bagdasaryan, 19% - Raffi Hovannisian, 15% - Artashes Gegamyan and 6% - Levon
Ter-Petrosyan. 45% of respondents think that Serzh Sarkisyan may settle the Karabakh conflict, 11% - Raffi Hovannisian, 9% - Artur Bagdasaryan, 8% - Artashes Gegamyan and 5% - Levon Ter-Petrosyan. 34% of respondent think that Serzh Sarkisyan will help world recognition of the Armenian genocide, 20% - Raffi Hovannisian, 9% - Artur Bandasaryan, 8% - Artashes Gegamyan and 5% Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

The majority of respondents wait for improvement of the situation in the country over a year (40%). 34% do not expect any changing of the situation and only 15% are pessimistic in this matter.

Public opinion poll was held by the British ComRes company together with Armenian sociological association and PR company from 25 to 31 October in 10 regions of Armenia among 2000 people.






Economy

2007-11-10 09:09:00 Chinese product ousted Armenian geranium from the European market

ArmInfo. Armenia's attempt to find target markets for geranium oil, which is used in aviation and astronautics, failed, Head of Plant Cultivation Department, Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia Garnik Petrosyan told AmrInfo correspondent.

After the collapse of USSR they failed to keep the greenhouses and the main target markets of the ethereal oil were lost. After it the Ministry of Agriculture made several attempts to find interested parties among perfumers of Great Britain and France, as this oil is also valuable for perfumery and pharmaceutics. It turned out that the whole European market is full of cheaper geranium oil of Chinese
production. However, as G. Petrosyan assures, rose geranium grown in Armenia is more valuable for its properties, as its oil may also be used for enrichment of aromas. And, nevertheless, the specialist hopes that the worth of peculiar properties of Armenian geranium will sooner or later be valued.


2007-11-09 09:04:00 Collection garden of 650 vanishing grape species being created in Armenia

ArmInfo. The Armenian Agriculture Ministry is going to create a collection vineyard, Garnik Petrosyan, the head of the plant growing department at the Armenian Agriculture Ministry, told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to him, earlier there were 650 grape species for table and technical use in Armenia, but they have become critically endangered for some reason. In 2007, a total of 3 mln AMD will be allocated for creation of the garden, which will be in charge of the Agriculture Ministry. This amount will be increased to 5 mln AMD in 2008. On the whole, 42 mln AMD will be allocated in 4-5 years for the garden. The
collection vineyard will occupy an area of 2.5 ha. At the moment, scientists are searching for the vanishing grape species throughout Armenia. The Agriculture Ministry intends to create a similar collection garden of horticultural crops in 2009. G.Petrosyan said that only 3-4 apricot species are currently demanded, but a lot more species of this fruit were known in the republic earlier.


Finance and banks

2007-11-10 11:27:00 On November 8 the volume of currency transactions in Interbank Market made up $150 thsd

ArmInfo. On November 8, the volume of non-cash transactions in the Interbank currency market made up $150 thsd (48.263 mln AMD), at the average exchange rate of 321,75AMD/$1USD,
this index being 6.7 times as low as during the previous trading day on November 7 (324 mln AMD). According to the data given to ArmInfo by the commercial banks, during this period the USD average exchange rate fell by 0,7 percentage point. The currency transactions on the floor made up $3 mln (966.360 mln AMD), which is 20 times as much as the same index of the Interbank market. The USD average weighted rate in the exchange market made up 322,12 AMD/$1.


2007-11-09 09:20:00 Results of Currency Transactions in Interbank Market for November 7

ArmInfo. The transactions in the Interbank currency market for November 7 made up $1 mln (324 mln drams) by the average weighted rate of $324,5 AMD/$1. The total transactions grew about twice as compared with the previous trading day indicator (162.250 mln on November 6). According to the data of the commercial banks, the average exchange rate of USD fell by 0.2 point. The data of the Armenian stock exchange say the currency transactions on the floor made up $9.900 mln (3.200 bln drams), which exceeds the similar
indicator of the Interbank market 9,9 times. The average weighted rate at the exchange made up 323,24 AMD/$1 USD.


2007-11-09 09:11:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR

ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 321 drams for 1 dollar, 471 drams for 1 EUR and 12,91 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 322 drams for 1 dollar, 476 drams for 1 EUR and 13,18 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


2007-11-09 08:55:00 Western Union awards a diploma to Armeconombank for effective cooperation

ArmInfo. Armeconombank is the first in Armenia to be awarded a diploma by the Western Union agency for long-term effective cooperation, great contribution to expansion of the network of this money transfer system in Armenia, as well as for involving new sub-agents in the system.

The press-service of Armeconombank told ArmInfo that the bank became the sub-agent of the Western Union money transfer system in 1999. Later, when the volume of money transfers under this system
increased, Armeconombank received the status of Western Union's agent in Armenia in 2003. In this connection, the bank was empowered to involve sub-agents in the Western Union system. At the moment, there are 7 sub-agents of the system, 6 of them being Armenian commercial banks, and the process of involving sub-agents continues, the source says.

According to Armeconombank's data, as of September 30, 2007, the bank's assets increased by 56,6% as compared with the same period of 2006, and totalled 63.9 bln AMD, or 9,3% of the total assets of
Armenia's banking system. The advances portfolio of the bank increased by 34,2% to 26.1 bln AMD. The volume of financial investment totalled 16.6 bln AMD (2 nd position in the country's banking system), the net profit increased by 26,2% to 1.44 bln AMD (4th position).


Social

2007-11-10 09:34:00 Pensioners are victorious over Armenian State Social Insurance Fund

ArmInfo. The Cassation Court of Armenia has annulled the contract between the Armenian State Social Insurance Fund and the VTB-Armenia Bank, Meri Khachatryan, a lawyer at the Armenian Center for the Protection of Human Rights after Sakharov, told ArmInfo correspondent. To note, the contract restricted the period for receiving pensions at the branches of VTB-Armenia Bank CJSC (former ArmSavingsBank).

The Nov 9 decision of the Cassation Court of Armenia is final and without appeal, as both parties to the contract violated a number of items of the Armenian legislature. To note, according to the contract between the Fund and the bank, if a pensioner failed to receive his/her pension at the VTB-Armenia Bank CJSC's branches within a week-long period, he/she lost the chance to receive it until the 10-12th day of the next month. The terms of this contract made pensioners refuse "free" banking services and receive
their pensions through social employees. For their part, social employees had an opportunity to take "an unwritten tax" for their service from pensioners, and over the recent years this "tax" has grown from 100- 200 AMD to 500 AMD at the mean.


2007-11-10 09:09:00 VivaCell donates 22,5 mln AMD to National Library of Armenia on the latter's 175th anniversary

ArmInfo. VivaCell, the leading Armenian mobile operator, financed the repair work of the head building of the National Library of Armenia. VivaCell Press-secretary Vahe Isahakyan told ArmInfo correspondent that the company allocated about 12,5 mln AMD for these purposes.

In addition, VivaCell donated 10 mln AMD to the library on the latter's 175-th anniversary. At the moment, there are 7 mln printed units at the library and about 30 thsd readers make use of its services. The library's building needed an overhaul for a long time, however, the funds annually allocated from the state budget were not enough to overhaul the building. Today, Director General of VivaCell Ralph Yirikian was awarded a medal after first Armenian printer Hakob Meghapart and a copy of the first printed
book "Urbatagirk". Celebrities like poetess Silva Kaputikyan, actress Galya Novents and theatre representative Hakop Ghazarian were given this honor. "Each Armenian must be proud of the existence of such a National Library, which makes it possible to pass knowledge to many generations and to open a new world for oneself", Ralph Yirikian said at the medal awarding ceremony. To note, within the frames of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, VivaCell renders financial support to the disabled, socially unprivileged
families and a number of organizations.


2007-11-09 16:19:00 Academician of Armenian Academy of Science: The English were trying twice to steal my project on sun energy getting

ArmInfo. 'The English were trying twice to steal my project on sun energy getting', - Academician of Armenian Academy of Science Paris Geruni told journalists at Tesaket club today.

He explained that sun energy getting project would be of great strategic, economic and political significance for Armenia. This proved by permanent intention of the West to get the project at any price, to be more correct at 500 mln dollars suggested to the academician personally. There were even the attempts to steal that. But the academician believes in the future of the project in Armenia though the project has not been financed for ten years, where in the West as such projects are supported by the government.
Uniqueness of Geruni's project is that it does not have opponents and prevails over the rest such projects by very important parameters. He also added that 200.000 dollars are needed to finish the project and some Armenians of California are ready to assist.


2007-11-09 08:53:00 Armenian scientists work at the commercialization of science parallel to industry

ArmInfo. 30mln AMD ($ 90 000) is allotted annually from the state budget for purposeful development of new materials from local raw material with the aim of their further application in industry and science, Academician-Secretary of Division of Chemistry and Earth Science Aram Shahumyan told AmrInfo correspondent.

According to him, from the state budget target financing for commercialization of science is allotted since 2004. Since then it is the first time scientists have presented their reports. 10 scientific
institutions, 2 higher educational institutions included, and "Atom" Association are involved in the program of developing new materials from local raw material. The developments are of much importance for improvement of the country's mining metallurgy, which are almost idle after Soviet Union's collapse. As of today most part of mined ore is exported without refinement and smelting, all the more. Scientists work at three main functional properties of the new materials. These are metallurgic powders, nanopowders
and polymeric compounds, as well as extrastrong materials. Thus, Armenian scientists developed extrastrong concrete allowing builders to construct tunnels that will
require no substantial repairs for a long time even under high humidity and fluctuating temperature conditions. This development also saves funds. Due to another development, the scientists produced
fire-resistant metals, which are particularly appreciated in military industry.

Misak Travardyan, a lecturer at the State Engineering University of Armenia, said that at their university silicon carbide was produced from the local raw material, and it is highly demanded in units for polishing building and precious stones. This material is exceeded in hardness only by diamond, in addition, as a semi- conductor, it is used in production of heat regulators. He stressed that this
development may help reactivate the suspended production at the plant of heat regulators in Vanadzor (former Kirovakan). The scientists present their development not only to the country's government, but
also businessmen who are interested in them. On the whole, scientists have presented 28 projects over 4 years of implementation of the program of purposeful development.


2007-11-09 08:51:00 Viktor Bolotov: It is not ruled out that Armenian entrants will take unified examinations according to RF standards in Moscow to enter Russian higher educational institutions

ArmInfo. RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan and Head of Federal Service for Supervision of Education and Science Viktor Bolotov discussed issues of cooperation of the two countries in the sphere of education, Thursday.

"L. Mkrtchyan expressed wish that evaluation procedure of the unified state examinations (UST) be integrated to the maximum on Russian and Armenian territories in 2-3 years. I fully support him, however, I think this term is insufficient, given no political decisions. I think it is necessary to compare the national testing procedures (Russian speaking Diaspora of CIS countries has raised this question
more than once), but achieving an integrated system requires time. It is also necessary that test developers of different countries discuss a common format for the unified state examination", V. Bolotov
emphasized at the press conference in Yerevan. He recalled that, presently, a 100-point UST evaluation scale is used in Russia, whereas in Armenia they use a 20-point scale. In this respect, it is very difficult, practically impossible to recalculate the entrant's scores when he/she desires to submit his/her documents for entering a higher educational institution of another country. V. Bolotov didn't rule out that Armenian entrants will take unified state examinations according to RF standards in Moscow, and
if Russian entrants desire to study in Armenia, they will take UST according to RA standards in Yerevan. As V. Bolotov emphasized, it is necessary that this issue be explored at the level of the ministries of education and science of the two countries.

He said that his meeting with L. Mkrtchian also covered extension of cooperation between employees of RA Assessment and Testing Center and their Russian colleagues. V. Bolotov didn't rule out the possibility of holding meetings of test developers of the two countries both in Moscow and in Yerevan.


2007-11-09 08:43:00 Armenian government to harden punishment measures for the economic crimes

ArmInfo. Armenian government has decided to harden punishment measures for the economic crimes and endorsed alterations and amendments to the criminal code today.

As Armenian Deputy Justice Minister Mnatsakan Stepanyan said at the briefing today, according to the amendments the imprisonment term for the economic crime has been extended from 2-4 up to 3-5 years. When the sum of disclosed violations is more than 2mln drams, in that case the crime is the criminally punished one. He also added that the sizes of fines have been risen from 1000-fold of minimal salary up to 3000-fold. Stepanyan said that the number of the economic crimes grows in Armenia, 67 such crimes were
fixed in 2005 and 137 - in 2006.


Hi-Tech

2007-11-09 09:05:00 Hearing of case on claim of 'Bi Line' Ltd against 'ArmenTel' CJSC and 'Vimpelcom Ltd delayed

ArmInfo. The Economic court of Armenia , at November 7 session, resolved to delay hearing of the case on the claim of the "Bi Line" Armenian Ltd against "ArmenTel" CJSC and "Vimpelcom" Ltd (owner of 100% of shares of "ArmenTel" CJSC as of November 13.

At yesterday's session, the respondent presented additional substantiations to November 7 petition about delay of the case to a later term. The respondent relates it to the fact that hearing of the claim of "Vimpelcom" Ltd against the Intellectual Property Agency of RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development has been fixed fro November 22 in view of refusal to register the brand of "Bi Line" in RA territory. The claimant asked for a time for more detailed acquaintance.

Yesterday's court session was assigned at 5:30 PM, that is, half an hour before completion of the working time. The court session started with about 20-minute delay. The lawyers think that the respondent and the court try to delay the court session on the case of the "Bi Line" Ltd against "ArmenTel" CJSC and "Vimpelcom" Ltd till the hearing of another case of "Vimpelcom" against the Intellectual Property Agency, fixed for November 22, 2007.

The President of the "Bi Line" Ltd Haik Khanjyan told ArmInfo that he will insist on protection of his rights as non-observance may become a bad precedent in Armenia. "If yield, then any big foreign
company may trample the rights of any Armenian company without impunity", he said.

To recall, the "Bi Line" Ltd blamed "ArmenTel" CJSC and "Vimpelcom" Ltd for illegal use of the "Bi Line" brand, which is completely accordant with the brand and the claimant's company name, registered in Armenia in 1996. He adduced proofs of using this brand by respondents in Internet, in writing the domain name, in voice messages during advertising of roaming services, in advertising booklets and in Mass Media.


2007-11-09 08:35:00 Gennagiy Kalgashkin - director of mobile communication of ArmenTel

ArmInfo. Gennagiy Kalgashkin has been appointed the director of mobile communication of ArmenTel.

As ArmInfo was informed from press-service of ArmenTel Kalgashkin is responsible for introduction of technologies, criteria and quality of the mobile communication of the Vimpelcom company, providing of all the regions of Armenia with mobile communication of the ArmenTel. Gennadiy Kalgashkin has been working in Vimpelcom company since 2004.

To note, ArmenTel is a subsidiary company of Vimpelcom and gives fixed and mobile communication at the whole territory of Armenia.


2007-11-09 08:14:00 Armenia to take part in Imagine CUP 2008 for the first time

Armenia to take part in Imagine CUP 2008 for the first timeArmInfo. Armenia will take part in the final of the VI annual International Student IT Contest Imagine CUP 2008 in Paris for the first time, Director of the Microsoft Armenian Office Grigor Barseghyan told ArmInfo.

He said that the contest, which turns into a global technological competition, helps the students to realize their potential and embody their ideas in real projects. "Every year, the Microsoft announces a definite topic for which the young people have to find solutions and further take part in the Imagine Cup", G. Barseghyan said. He informed that the subject of the contest 2008 is "Imagine the World Where the Technologies Help to Maintain a Stable Environment". He emphasized that for participation in the final
of the international competition, the Armenian students should, first of all, undergo tests at the local level. Thus, at the first stage, the potential participants should register on the site of the Imagine Cup and create the teams of 3-4 people. "These teams must
determine the problem for themselves and then find IT-solutions which will be assessed by the jury, consisting not only of the local representatives of the Microsoft but of the authoritative persons
from different spheres of activity", G. Barseghyan said.

He also said that till January, 2008, the jury will select 10-15 IT-solutions and projects of those presented, which will pass to the second round. "The second stage envisages development of own
software within 3 months, that means fulfillment of projects by programming. Since this event is held among the Armenian students for the first time, the organizers intend to render them technical
assistance", G, Barseghyan emphasized. The third stage, being the final competition at the republican level, envisages official presentation of the ready programmes. Afterwards, the winner-team will be announced in April-May, which will take part in the Imagine Cup in Paris in June, 2008. According to G. Barseghyan, the contest's prize fund makes up $200,000. "This contest is attractive by the fact IT-solutions may become business-cases, that is, the basis for creation of new companies", G. Barseghyan said.

The Imagine Cup contest is the biggest technological competition for students which enables them to present their bravest IT ideas and developments. The projects demonstrate the software capabilities
in solution of the real problems. The final of the Imagine Cup 2007 was held in Seoul.


Crimes and emergency situations

2007-11-09 16:16:00 Quake strikes Ira-Turkey border

ArmInfo. Magnitude 4.5 earthquake was registered 23 km southwest of the town of Urmia along the Iran-Turkey boundary. The shakes in the epicenter measured 6.


2007-11-09 08:40:00 Criminal proceedings were initiated against 'Pizza de Roma' director for tax evasion

ArmInfo. Criminal proceedings were initiated against "Pizza de Roma" director Gevorg Safaryan for tax evasion, Deputy Justice Minister Mnatsakan Stepanyan told journalists today.

He also added that as a result of audit in one of the seven offices of the enterprise 15 mln drams violation was disclosed. For this criminal proceedings were initiated against the director. To note,
"Pizza de Roma" net of cafes belongs to the known businessman and deputy of the parliament Khachatur Sukiasyan. The property of the mineral water factory "Bzhni" has been recently arrested as a result of audit. The factory belongs to Sukiasyan too. The latter sees political context in these audits, as he supports the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who will run for president in February 2008.