Politics


2008-01-14 20:36:00 During forthcoming presidential election Public Television of Armenia to try to maintain the satisfactory assessment received for coverage of previous elections in Armenia
ArmInfo. During the forthcoming presidential election, the Public Television of Armenia (PTA) will try to maintain the international satisfactory assessment received for the coverage of the previous elections, Head of the Council of the Public Television and Radio Company of Armenia Alexan Harutyunyan said at a press-conference, Monday.

He said that according to the order established by the law, during the pre-electoral campaign each of the presidential candidates will be provided with 60 minutes of free and 120 minutes of paid air time
on PTA and 120 minutes of free and 180 minutes of paid air time on Public Radio. In case of the second round, televised debates will be held between the candidates. The debates are ruled out in the first
round, as it is not simple to determine who of the 9 candidates will take part in them, moreover, the past experience showed the inefficiency of televised debates. Organization of program cycles in
form of tele-interviews with all the presidential candidates is supposed to be on the airs of Armenia's Public Television and Radio. The candidates will be provided air after "Hay Lur" program release,
from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the Public TV of Armenia, and starting from 1:30pm on Public Radio of Armenia. The time is not casually selected, but according to the results of a serious research, as at
this time, exactly, the TV and Radio have the largest audience. Aleksan Harutyunyan also said it is supposed to invite international experts to conduct social surveys in Armenia. This is due to the
society's definite mistrust in the local sociologists, which I don't share.

Touching upon RA PTV's activity for 2008, he said that the traditional "Euriovision-2008" contest will take place in Belgrade, May 2008. Sirusho is going to represent Armenia in the contest. It is planned to hold a televoting in February to chose the song, which Sirusho is going to sing in Belgrade. Eurovision-2008 junior contest will take place in December on Cyprus Island. Aleskan Harutyunyan also told about shooting of new Armenian television series and two feature films, including the Armenian-French movie
"Sardarapat".



2008-01-14 20:32:00 Azerbaijan is committed to Prague Process, Azerbaijani politician is sure
ArmInfo. The negotiation process over the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict settlement has lasted more than a year, and this year already Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan expects certain breakthrough in the negotiations in 2008, irrespective of the results of presidential elections in the two countries. This means that Azerbaijan remains committed to the peaceful Prague Process. Editor-in-Chief of Azerbaijani "Third Sight", analyst Rauf Rajabov said in his talk with ArmInfo
correspondent.

The analyst thinks that Armenia should contribute to involvement of the main institutes, the UN and other international experts in the settlement of the conflict. "Let us admit that everything that took
place over the past few years haven't brought us to the settlement of the problem. Actually, we are in the place we were several years ago. The progress is that Azerbaijan expressed its willingness to provide Karabakh with the highest degree of autonomy, like Tatarstan's status. As for the self-determination offered by Armenia, it is neither a status nor a form of state", the analyst noted. To hold a referendum in Karabakh, the Azeri people should return to Karabakh and get integrated into the society where
mechanisms will be created to ensure security for all the parties, the conflict resolution
expert said.

"Different relations should be established in our region to prevent wars in Karabakh and not to let our descendants turn to this problem again and solve it", he said.



2008-01-14 20:30:00 Electoral headquarters of the candidate for president Vazgen Manukyan: Resignation of the first Armenian president Ter-Petrosyan in 1998 is direct result of the events of 1996
ArmInfo. Resignation of the first Armenian president Ter-Petrosyan in 1998 is direct result of the events of 1996 caused by falsification of the results of the presidential election, statement of the electoral headquarters of the candidate for president, the leader of the National and Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan says.

To note, Levon Ter-Petrosyan's statement made at the press-conference on 11 January caused this statement. When commenting on the events of 1996 Ter-Petrosyan said if he and his team is forced to argue on the results of the election, it will take place in line with legislation.

According to today's statement of Vazgen Manukyan's electoral headquarters, "if Ter-Petrosyan condemns the wave of people's indignation in 1996, the shaft of his critics will be directed not only against Vazgen Manukyan but also against aspiration of the people to form power via the democratic
election. If official election of 1996 were fair and Levon Ter-Petrosyan gained the amount of the votes mentioned that time, in that case his resignation would be hardly accepted by the people", - the statement says.



2008-01-14 20:27:00 Stress in policy of South Caucasus countries should be shifted from conflicts themselves to economic cooperation, Peter Semneby says
ArmInfo. The unresolved conflicts in the South Caucasus region, which arose from the USSR's collapse, hinder the establishment of stability, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said at an international conference entitled "Wider Black Sea Region: Prospects of International and Regional Security" in Yerevan.

Determining the further steps towards development of the region, Semneby noted that the countries of the region should strive for common goals, including consolidation and stability, ensuring of mechanisms to receive tangible benefits, as well as holding of institutional reforms. The diplomat said that at the moment, the dominant in the policy of the region's countries is the conflicts and not the benefit the parties may receive in case the conflicts are settled. He added that the stresses in the policy should
be shifted towards the economical vector and cooperation. Stating the economic progress in the region, Peter Semneby said that there are problems here, which don't result from economic unfavorable conditions, nevertheless, are directly connected with security issues. The EU representative added that the difficulties are also connected with the borders' blockade in the region, which prevents from using all the potential of the region and hinders extra investments. "These
problems present a real challenge for the EU, taking into consideration EU's growing interest in the South Caucasus region. The region became closer with Bulgaria's and Romania's entrance in the structure", the diplomat said. He added that the region may be viewed as one whole only when institutional reforms in the sphere of freedom
of expression or human rights are made in all the countries of the region simultaneously. Moreover, P. Semneby said that EU recently started to establish more disciplined and institutional relations
with the partners of the region. In particular, EU develops cooperation with these countries within the frames of "New European Neighborhood Policy". Relations also develop with Russia and Turkey.
"These are EU's first steps on the way of stage-by-stage development, however, inclusion of our structure in these process is perspective", he emphasized.



2008-01-14 20:25:00 OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to take part in monitoring of the contact line between the Karabakhi and Azerbaijani troops
Arminfo-TURAN. Regular OSCE monitoring at the contact line between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia will be held in Yusufjanli village of Agdam region, on 16 January. The field assistants of personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office Irme Palatinus and Antal Herdich will hold the monitoring from the Azerbaijani side. Personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk and his field assistants Haslan Nurtazin, Peter Ki and Miroslav Vimetal will hold the monitoring from
the opposite side, in which co-chairs of the OSCe MG Bernard Fassier, Matthew Bryza and Yuri Merzlyakov will also take part, TURAN was informed from press-service of Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.



2008-01-14 20:21:00 Vladimir Kazimirov: Today new war in Nagornyy Karabakh is unreal but it exists in potential
ArmInfo. Today new war in Nagornyy Karabakh is unreal but it exists in potential, the former OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Vladimir Kazimirov told ArmInfo correspondent.

He also added that every party has its own priorities. 'Thus, the Armenian party's priority is status of Nagornyy Karabakh, the Azerbaijani party's - withdrawal of troops from the occupied territories and returning of refugees and forced migrants. But these priorities are not priorities for the world community, which should be first of all concerned about prevention of a new war. New war is unreal today but it exists in potential. One should not lose the year of 2008 for the new war not to become real. One should
act in advance but not behindhand as the OSCE often does', - the Russian diplomat mentioned. He also said that in Madrid the OSCE MG co-chairs were good as they adopted a decision about immediate stopping of statements which suppose that the conflict may be settled by means of war.

Comparing the Karabakh conflict with other conflicts at the post-Soviet territory Kazimirov said that the conflicts in South Osetia, Abkhazia and Dnister region are "non-recurrent", whereas the Karabakh conflict has a tragic pre-history. "We mean not only resolution of the conflict in some way but more the necessity of putting an end to the bloody conflicts between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. This is more difficult task since there is no aspiration to the force revenge in any of the rest conflicts as in the
Karabakh one", - Kazimirov said.



2008-01-14 20:18:00 European Union expects that presidential election in Armenia will be held in line with international standards
ArmInfo. The European Union expects that the presidential election in Armenia will be held in line with the international standards, Special Representative of EU to South Caucasus Peter Semneby said responding to ArmInfo's question.

Assessing the atmosphere in the country on the threshold of the election, P. Semneby said that participation of many candidates a positive aspect of the forthcoming election, that assures a
pluralistic atmosphere as regards election of candidates and ideas. The diplomat said that this also envisages increase of interest to the political processes, that is very positive. He added that it is
also important to assure pluralism in the press when covering all the candidates and these issues will be traced by international observers. P. Semneby also said that EU will wait for reports of the OSCE-ODIHR monitoring mission, which has already arrived in the country.



2008-01-14 20:13:00 V. Kazimirov: it is necessary to think over how to use 'window of impossibility' of 2008 to settle Karabakh conflict
ArmInfo. There were talks in 2006 that a 'window of possibility' is provided. Now, it is necessary to think over how to use the 'window of impossibility' of 2008 to achieve settlement of
Karabakh conflict, former co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, Vladimir Kazimirov told ArmInfo.

He believes that one must be very brave to expect any breakthrough in 2008. 'It is connected with the election campaigns not only in Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also in Russia and USA. Moreover, there
is a problem of Kosovo. After all, there is stalemate in the negotiations because, as I know, the parties are progressing in some issues, but the backbone issues remain complicate for settlement. I will be glad if there are breakthroughs in 2008, but one should not rely on it so far', the diplomat said.



2008-01-14 20:12:00 Negotiations with OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs underway in Azerbaijan
ArmInfo-TURAN. Negotiations of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs Bernard Fassier (France), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), and Matthew Bryza (USA)
started at the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on January 14 in the morning.

The co-chairs arrived in Baku on January 13 to get the response of the Azerbaijani leadership to the package of proposals on the Basic Principles of the Karabakh conflict settlement that was submitted to
the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministries in Madrid in November 2007. After negotiations at the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the co-chairs will meet President Ilham Aliyev. Afterwards, the mediators
will arrive in Yerevan to have similar meetings.



2008-01-14 20:09:00 Specific efforts In search for settlement of conflict over Nagorny Karabakh do not take into account situation in Kosovo, European diplomat says
ArmInfo. Specific efforts made in search for settlement of Karabakh conflict do not take into account the situation in Kosovo, Special Representative of European Union for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby told ArmInfo.

P. Semneby called the Kosovo issue rather specific. He believed it natural that the conflict parties will have definite expectations or fears for the possible settlement of the situation in Kosovo. However, P. Semneby warned that conflicts have more differences than commonness and differ from each other by their specifics.



2008-01-14 20:05:00 Bernard Fassier: No party can get everything it wants
ArmInfo. Proposals on the Karabakh conflict settlement were presented in Madrid officially for the first time, OSCE MG French Cochairman Bernard Fassier told journalists in Baku airport yesterday.

He said that it has been for the first time in the history of negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh that representatives of Foreign Ministries of OSCE MG cochair-countries presented official proposals on the conflict settlement simultaneously. These proposals are of a positive nature for both parties. "No party can get everything it wants", B. Fassier said. He added that both parties have time which they should use and thoroughly assess the presented proposals. The diplomat also said that a monitoring is expected
on the contact line on January 16 in the presence of co-chairs.



2008-01-14 19:59:00 Executive Director of NKR Public TV and Radio Company left of his own application
ArmInfo. Executive Director of the "Public TV and Radio Company of Nagorno Karabakh Republic" CJSC Nikolay Davtyan left the post of his own application.

Presently, a new competition has been announced for the indicated post. Persons with higher education, 5-year work experience in this sphere and possession of the Armenian language may take part in the competition.



2008-01-14 19:57:00 Armenia to be isolated from economic projects until it sets free Azerbaijani lands
ArmInfo-TURAN. The year 2008 must become decisive for Karabakh conflict settlement, President Ilham Aliyev said yesterday at an expanded session of the Cabinet of Ministers. "In 2008 we will see, if the conflict could be solved through peaceful means, or not and after that we will make decisions," said Aliyev. He is pleased that people support the "principal position" of the government. Azerbaijan's territorial integrity has never been and will never be up for discussion at the talks. "Nagorno Karabakh's independence
or its future independence in any form has never been and will never be the subject of talks after 10, 15 or 100 years," said Aliyev. He said the Armenian government periodically makes "false" and groundless statements. "We insist on the liberation of all occupied territories, including Nagorno Karabakh, Jabrail, Gubadly, Kelbajar and Lachin regions. I specially list all these regions so the Armenian government will not make false statements intended for domestic
consumption. Occupying troops must be withdrawn from the regions."

"Azerbaijan's displaced people must come back to Nagorno Karabakh and Shusha," said President. "If we see that Armenia behaves insincerely, does not keep its promises and does not observe agreed
principles, tries to deceive international mediators, declares one thing at the bargaining table and makes another official statements, in this case there is no need in talks with such an unscrupulous adversary," said Ilham Aliyev. International law is on the side of Azerbaijan, he added. The whole world, except for Armenia, recognizes Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and that Nagorno Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's economic superiority over Armenia is so evident that it does not need any special
comments. In 2007 the volume of Azerbaijani economy totaled $30 billion, while Armenia's economy hardly reached $6-7 billion. This gap will further rapidly grow. The multi-ethnic state Armenia has banished all nations and now it is governed by a militarized and anti-democratic regime. Nagorno
Karabakh is controlled by a criminal group, which has established a military regime. There is no international monitoring there and nobody knows what is happening there, how arms are stored, which
terrorist groups are operating there and how narcotics are cultivated, said Aliyev. Azerbaijan's political superiority over Armenia is also evident.

"We use all these advantages and will further use them. We have isolated Armenia from all regional projects, though we are criticized for that. I would like to openly declare that we will continue isolating Armenia from all energy, transport and other projects. The situation will change only when they voluntarily leave our territories," said Aliyev.

As soon as Azerbaijani lands are freed, displaced people can come back to their native lands, communications with Armenia could be opened and it could use Azerbaijan's possibilities.







Economy


2008-01-14 18:00:00 OJSC Pure Iron raises ferromolybdenum output by 10.2% in 2007
ArmInfo. Armenian metallurgical company OJSC Pure Iron raised the production of ferromolybdenum by 10.2% to 2,845.4 tons in 2007 as against 2,580.5 tons in 2006, company administration told ArmInfo.

The source reports, the production of net molybdenum (100%) last year fell by 20.1% to 389 tons as against 486.7 tons in 2006. Kalium perrhenate (64% rhenium containing salt) production in 2007 totaled 85.8 kg as against 8.5 kg in 2006.

In terms of money, ferromolybdenum production was up 9.1% to 37,431.9 mln drams as against 34,291.6 mln drams in 2006. Molybdenum production was down 18.3% to 8,228.6 mln drams s against 10,061.7 mln drams in 2006. Kalium perrhenate production totaled 62.4 mln drams as against 1.440 mln drams in 2006.

The company reports that German Cronimet Mining, the owner of 51% shares of the plant, exports the production to Europe. (The remaining shares belong to resident-individuals). In 2007, ferromolybdenum
production of OJSC Pure Iron was up 7.7% to 38,338.8 mln drams as against 35,574.1 mln drams in 2006. Molybdenum export was down 21.6% to 8,334.9 mln drams. Last year 103 kg kalium perrhenate worth 125 mln drams was exported. In 2006 this type of production was not exported.

Yerevan Pure Iron Plant was founded in 70s. In 1994 it launched procession of molybdenum concentrate becoming the largest processing plant in the country.



2008-01-14 17:53:00 Only 10-20% of consumer goods in Armenia are marked in Armenian
ArmInfo. Only 10-20% of consumer goods in Armenia are marked in Armenian, Head of the "Protection of Consumers" public organization Abgar Yegoyan told ArmInfo.

To recall, according to the Law "On Protection of Consumers", adopted in 2004, all the goods are subject to compulsory marking in Armenian. However, this provision of the law functions today only
with respect to the foodstuffs. The "Protection of Consumers" organization appealed to RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of Armenia in 2007 offering not to certify the consumer goods without this marking.

To recall, such restrictions are valid during import of foodstuffs to the republic. A. Yegoyan also said that after this address, the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development instructed the Quality Inspection to punish those who actually break the Law "On Protection of Consumers". The penalty for the marking absence makes up 100,000 drams maximum, however, the non-marked goods are not
confiscated from the seller but remain for realization. In view of this, the "Protection of Consumers" organization schedules to appeal to the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development with an offer not to certify the consumer goods without marking in Armenian. "As the experience shows, it is senseless to hope for conscientiousness of importers and realizers of goods", A. Yegoyan said.


Finance and banks


2008-01-14 20:01:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR
ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 307,5 drams for 1 dollar, 454 drams for 1 EUR and 12,1 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 309 drams for 1 dollar, 457 drams for 1 EUR and 12,3 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


Social


2008-01-14 18:12:00 Low temperature in Armenia not anomaly, expert says
ArmInfo. The recent very low temperature in Armenia is not an anomaly, Deputy Head of the Center of Operative Hydrometeorology, Head of the Meteorological Forecasts Department Zara Petrosyan told ArmInfo.

The lowest temperature in the country fluctuates from minus 17 to 25 degrees by Celsius and in isolated districts (Ashotsk and Tashir) was minus 36 to 34, respectively. Z. Petrosyan stressed that the absolute minimum was registered also in January 1972 (minus 29 degrees) and in 2002 (minus 28). This year the frost in Yerevan was considerably softer and started from minus 17-19 degrees. As regards Ararat valley, the temperature here does not much differ from January 2007 frost and fell to minus 24-26 as against
-20- 24 of the previous year. The relatively high temperature was registered on January 13
in Tavush -3-5 degrees. However, this week the temperature throughout Armenia will rise by 4-6 degrees and by 2-3 degrees in Yerevan. In the second half of the next week the warming will become feelable.