The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform Politics 2008-02-07 21:00:00 OSCE long-term observation mission is going to conduct own investigation in Artashat ArmInfo. The OSCE long-term observation mission is going to conduct own investigation of the incident that took place in Artashat, Ararat region, on Feb 6, the head of the mission Gert Arens said in an interview to Radio Liberty. To remind, a fight took place during the Feb 6 meeting of supporters of the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossyan in Artashat. The police have instituted legal proceedings and have started investigation. When asked to comment on the present electoral campaign in Armenia Arens said that he had seen more shameful campaigns. Arens said that the mission was going to formulate its remarks in the second interim report. 2008-02-07 20:43:00 Another candidate for Armenian presidential states about threats against him ArmInfo. On February 7, Leader of the National Accord Party, presidential candidate Aram Harutyunyan said that he was threatened with punishment. In his pre-electoral b-roll on the Public TV of Armenia Aram Harutyunyan noted that when we was getting ready to come out with his b-roll at about 4:40 pm, someone called him over the mobile phone, introduced himself as a correspondent from "Hayk" newspaper, and threatened him with punishment. To note, "Hayk" newspaper is one of local media, which supports the candidature of the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan. To note, earlier Leader of Orinats Yerkir Party of Armenia Artur Baghdasaryan had stated about threats in his address, when making a speech on February 3, at the meeting of thousands of people in the center of Yerevan. To recall, at the previous presidential election in Armenia in 2003, Aram Harutyunyan had collected less than 1% of votes. 2008-02-07 20:40:00 Cemal Usak: The horrible events of 1915 were a tragedy for Armenians and result of nationalism ArmInfo. The horrible events of 1915 were a tragedy for Armenians and the result of nationalism. It was a tragedy not only for Armenians but also for Muslim Turks as the former had lost their homeland while the latter - good hard-working neighbors, the general secretary of the Inter-Cultural Dialogue Platform, the vice president of the Journalists and Writers Foundation of Istanbul Cemal Usak said during the international scientific conference "States of the Caucasus and the Middle East as Possible Partners in the Process of Formation of Regional Security System" which is being held in Armenia Marriott Hotel Feb 7-8. Usak said that conflicts and hostility are often based on religion. "Why can't we pave the way to peace and friendship by finding universal features in religion," he said. Usak believes that Armenians and Turks should focus on the things they have in common and solve political problems by means of inter-cultural dialogue. 2008-02-07 20:37:00 Four supporters of presidential candidate of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan are called to police department in Artashat ArmInfo. "Four of our supporters were illegally called to police department connected with the criminal case on the events in Artashat on February 6. But they were released a bit later", Press Secretary of the presidential candidate, first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan's campaign headquarters Arman Musinyan told ArmInfo correspondent. At the same time, he confirmed the publication in press, according to which the measure of restraint for Tigran Bagdasaryan was changed. The latter was arrested a few days before for the incident in Talin and was sentenced to two months of confinement. The measure of restraint for him was changed on bail of Chairman of "Yerkrapah" Union of Volunteers, Deputy Defense Minister Manvel Grigoryan. Asked if any incidents took place during Levon Ter-Petrosyan's trip to Lory region on February 7, A. Musinyan said, so far, they had got no information on serious incidents. 2008-02-07 17:15:00 Chairman of National-Democratic Party admits low probability of shrinkage of Armenian presidential candidates' number ArmInfo. "I think the probability of shrinkage of the Armenian presidential candidates' number is low, though one shouldn't rule it out at all", Chairman of the National-Democratic Party (NDP) Shavarsh Kocharyan told journalists at Pastark club, Thursday. He said that there are two days left before the deadline for submission of applications for withdrawal of nominees to the Central Electoral Commission, and the list of contenders for the highest state position is unlikely to undergo any changes. Asked to comment upon probable consolidation of presidential candidates Arthur Baghdasaryan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Kocharyan said: "If they imagine such kind of consolidation, let them consolidate". At the same time, he confirmed that the supporters of presidential candidate Vazgen Manukyan encouraged by the NDP and those of ARF Dashnaksutyun Party are still holding political negotiations. We have much in common, however, our positions are not so much alike to let us consolidate. Forces with national-democratic ideology have gathered around Vazgen Manukyan, and ARF Dashnaksutyun is a socialist party. But one thing is clear: our cooperation with ARFD will become deeper regardless of the results of the forthcoming presidential election", Kocharyan said. Thus, the attempt to get a unambiguous answer to the question whether the negotiations with ARFD may finish with the withdrawal of Vazgen Manukyan's candidacy in Vahan Hovhannisyan's favor has failed. 2008-02-07 15:22:00 Armenian Parliamentary Speaker: there is no reason to doubt in Russia's aspiration to combat xenophobia ArmInfo. The opinion that the Russian authorities intentionally provoke xenophobic murders is wrong, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran Torosyan told ArmInfo commenting on the acquittal verdict made by Moscow Regional Court in the case of Armneian Artur Sardaryan's murder for nationality. He said the lawyer of 19-year-old Sardaryan's family Simon Tsaturyan pledges to appeal against the verdict. 'Not only Armenians are murdered in Russia. However, one can not close eyes on the fact that murders and pressure on the basis of national intolerance has become so large-scale. We understant, indeed, that Russia like any other country can punish the guilty only through judicial instances, However, if the guilt is not proved, there are no guilty. As a result., the real murderers are free. Nevertheless, there is no reason to doubt that the Russian authorities combact xenophobia,' Tigran Torosyan said. 2008-02-07 15:17:00 Karabakh conflict highlighted during presidential race because of participation of former authorities in it: Shavarsh Kocharyan ArmInfo. Karabakh conflict has always had an important part in the domestic political life of Armenia. However, during the present presidential campaign the interest in this problem has increased due to the participation of the former authorities in the presidential race, Chairman of the National Democratic party Shavarsh Kocharyan said at Pastark Club, Thursday. He explained that defeatist sentiments in Karabakh conflict settlement have always been characteristic to the former authorities. Before Levon Ter-Petrosyan's participation in the election, a definite consensus had been achieved on Karabakh issue, which has been now broken. That is why the Karabakh conflict has been highlighted during the presidential race, Shavarsh Kocharyan said. 2008-02-07 15:13:00 Over 70 calls have been received by free hot telephone line 'Legal Initiative: Election 2008' since January 15 ArmInfo. Over 70 calls have been received by the free hot telephone line "Legal Initiative: Election 2008" since January 15. As the Initiative's lawyer Karen Andreasyan said at today's press-conference in "Urbat" club, this number exceeds today the number of calls received during and after the parliamentary election 2007. Presently, most of the calls concern the issue of participation in the election in case if the factual residence place does not meet the registration place (33) or under absence of passport or availability of a document of Soviet example (6). K. Andreasyan recalled that free legal consultation and assistance to RA population is rendered by telephone number 080-080-804. He also said that letters were sent to all the presidential contenders telling about readiness of the "Legal Initiative: Election 2008" to render them legal assistance, if necessary. Free consultation was provided so far to Arman Melikyan, who earlier appealed to the Constitutional Court to cancel February 26, 2007, alterations and amendments to RA Electoral Code, "which hinder the rights of RA citizens living abroad to vote" (to recall, RA CC refused to consider the suit). Moreover, member of the "Republic" party's political council Artak Zeynalyan, as well as coordinator of the group on monitoring of violations of the election legislation of Levon Ter-Petrosyan's central campaign headquarters Ruben Torosyan also addressed for a free legal consultation. As K. Andreasyan said, they were interested, first of all, in steps which may be taken in case of revelation of violations during the election. To note, the hot line will function till March 15, 2008. 2008-02-07 15:11:00 Supporters of presidential candidate Vazgen Manukyan intend to unite in a single party shortly ArmInfo. 'Six political forces: National Democratic Union, National dDemocratic Party, Bloc of National Democrats party, National State party, Union Constitutional Right and National Agreement Vow parties intend to unite in a singe party on equal terms. We believe it necessary to precisely define the national democratic movement>, Chairman of National Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharyan told journalists at Pastark Club, Thursday. He said the goal of the unification is not connected with the upcoming presidential election. The parties have to pass a long way to unification making relevant decisions at their congresses and at the final united congress. Now, they just declare the idea. The politician is sure that after the presidential election, much more people will join the idea. To recall, the National Democratic Party of Shavarsh Kocharyan and Bloc of National Democrats of Arshak Sadoyan were in the National Democratic Union of Vazgen Manukyan up to 2001. However, 7 years ago Kocharyan and Sadoyan had disagreements with Manukyan and left the Union. On the eve of the upcoming presidential election, they again support Vazgen Manukyan's candidature. 2008-02-07 10:12:00 Criminal case instituted upon incident in Artashat ArmInfo. A criminal case has been instituted upon an incident happened during February 6 meeting of RA presidential. contender Levon Ter- Petrosyan in the town of Artashat of Armenia's Ararat region. The statement of RA Police, received by ArmInfo, reports that during the afore- mentioned meeting, its participants put affronts to the address of some officials. Three participants of the meeting demanded to let up affronts, in response to which a group of 4-5 people stroke one of those, who admonished, down to the ground and start beating. However, due to the timely interference of the law machinery, the situation was stabilized. The incident participants have been identified and delivered to the police department for explanations. A criminal case per part 2, Article 258 of RA Criminal Code has been instituted upon the incident. Investigation is underway. 2008-02-07 10:07:00 Serzh Sargsyan proposes NA Deputy Davit Harutyunyan to conduct legal literacy campaign with an opposition deputy ArmInfo. Presidential candidate and Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan proposed ex-justice minister and present RA NA Deputy from the Republican faction Davit Harutyunyan to conduct a legal literacy campaign together with the deputy of opposition "Heritage" faction Zaruhi Postanjyan. In answer to the question of Z. Postanjyan if the fact that Serzh Sargsyan is actively involved election campaign at the same time being the prime minister, is in line with law, Serzh Sargsyan said "I thank you for providing me with the opportunity to conduct election campaign from the NA tribune". According to the premier, any mid class lawyer knows that the clauses of the relevant law don't refer to people holding a political post, and if someone doubts this, he/she may turn to the country's Constitutional court. 2008-02-07 10:03:00 Serzh Sargsyan: I have not betrayed my conditions about Karabakh conflict settlement for 13 years ArmInfo. "I haven't betrayed my conditions about the Karabakh conflict settlement for 13 years", Armenian Prime Minister, Leader of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Serzh Sargsyan said in parliament, Wednesday, replying to the question of Manvel Badeyan, an MP from the RPA faction. The prime minister said that the conditions are as follows: Azerbaijan should accept Karabakh people's right to self-determination, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic should have a land border with the Republic of Armenia and present distinct guarantees that there will be no new war. 2008-02-07 09:58:00 Armenian President Robert Kocharyan expresses his content with development of relations with European Union ArmInfo. At a meeting with the EU Troika representatives, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan expressed his content with the relations with the European Union, the Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo. During the meeting the sides exchanged opinions on developing Armenia-EU relations and discussed the Action Plan within the frames of the European Neighborhood Policy. The president noted that due to implementation of the Action Plan the relations between Armenia and the EU have become more coordinated. Kocharyan welcomed the opening of new premises of European Commission's Delegation to Armenia, which will contribute to expansion of cooperation. Touching upon the forthcoming presidential election, Kocharyan said that this is a very responsible period for Armenia. "We are interested in holding of really good election in compliance with international standards and we did our best to organize them well", he said. He presented the recent developments of the Karabakh peace process, as well as the republic's approaches to energy security and regional cooperation. 2008-02-07 09:52:00 Member of International Union of Lawyers: Moscow doesn't punish murderer- neofascists purposefully ArmInfo. Both Russian justice and Russian authority itself are to blame for impunity of murders on the ground of xenophobia. The authority confirms multiple cases of acquittals on accusations of murder on grounds of national dislike, member of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia and International Union of Lawyers Nazeli Vartanian expressed such an opinion in her talk with ArmInfo correspondent when commenting on the acquittal delivered on February 4, by the Moscow regional court on the case of murder of the Armenian Artur Sardaryan on national motive. To note, in this way, by the judge's verdict the young man, who was accused of killing Russian citizen, native of Armenia is found not guilty once again. The advocate of the family of the killed, Simon Tsaturyan's thinks this verdict is illegal and unfounded and intends to lodge a complaint at the court of cassation. At the same time, according to Vartanyan, impunity in Russia and inactivity of Armenian authority gives birth to new manifestations of xenophobia. "Wishing to be "goody- goody" to their strategic partner Russia, Armenian authorities make a grave mistake. Any crime must be convicted, and the country's authority must defend interests of its nation, the citizens of which are oppressed, and what is worse, are killed", the advocate said. She thinks that acquittals of the Russian court to the killers of the Tadjik girl Khursheda Sultanova, Armenian Vigen Abramyan, killed in the metro of Moscow or the 20-year old Vladimir Karamjyan recently killed by the skinheads are counter proof that the Russian authority conceals the neofascists' actions. More than 50 such killings take place in Russia annually. The advocate is sure that all the murders can be fully disclosed, and the guilt can be proved, but it remains doubtful whether it is advantageous to Moscow or not. Economy 2008-02-07 20:54:00 Armenia is switching to electronic ticket system ArmInfo. Armavia air company is preparing to introduce an electronic ticket system, the owner of the company, the president of MIKA Armenia Trading Mikhail Bagdassarov has told an ArmInfo correspondent. Armavia has already made all necessary preparations and is waiting for the Russian airports. In Europe e-ticket is widely accepted practice. Baghdassarov mentioned March-April, 2008 as the final date, when it will be possible to buy tickets from any part of the world. He emphasized that the system of electronic tickets has been prepared over two years, already. Increase of passenger channel of "Armavia" company is predicted with the introduction of the mentioned system. Irrespective of this process, according to Baghdasarov, it is also planned to increase the frequency of the flights. 2008-02-07 20:35:00 Armavia is keeping down air ticket prices ArmInfo. The national air carrier of Armenia, Armavia, is going to curb the growth in air ticket prices, the owner of the company, the president of MIKA Armenia Trading Mikhail Bagdassarov has told ArmInfo. In order to avoid losses the company is reducing its costs and has staretd to apply the three-stage price policy of European company: air ticket bought a month before flight is $150 cheaper than ticket bought a few days before. As regards the high prices for flights to Russia, Bagdassarov said that they were equivalent to the tariffs of Russian companies. The prices of flights on planes like Airbus are the same as in Europe: 2,800 EUR for business class and 500 EUR for economy class. Even though the fuel prices are growing, Bagdassarov is not going to raise ticket prices. At the same time, some other air companies are insisting on raising prices as the cost of air tickets keeps growing and they are sustaining losses. "Everything is getting expensive: fuel, metal and, consequently, planes," Bagdassarov said. 2008-02-07 20:31:00 National air carrier of Armenia- 'Armavia' company is ready for flights to USA ArmInfo. National air carrier of Armenia-"Armavia" company considers two directions of air transportation to the USA. As owner of "Armavia" Air Company, President of MIKA Armenia Trading Michael Bagdasarov told ArmInfo correspondent, the variants of Yerevan-Armsterdam - Los-Angeles and Yerevan-New York-Los Angeles flights are under consideration. According to him, all the preparation works for implementing the first flights to the USA are already accomplished with the exception of some documents, which Armenian and American Departments of Civil Aviation must sign. To recall, for implementing of the flights to the USA, Armenia and the USA must sign the "Open Sky" agreement. At the moment, the document is almost ready for signing. Bagdasarov said that the air company has already rented a wide-body aircraft Boeing-767 in Great Britain, which is meant for medium and long distance flights. The airborne vehicle was put into operation in 2000. At first the flights to the United States will be carried out twice a week, afterwards - thrice a week. According to Bagdasarov, the ticket price will not exceed the tariffs offered for flights through Moscow or Paris. He added that European and American auditing companies have worked out a business plan on flights to the USA. 2008-02-07 17:17:00 Russian company 'EuroSibEnergo-engineering' to fulfill 'Heat to every house' programme in Armenia ArmInfo-RBK. Russian company "EuroSibEnergo-engineering" is going to fulfill "Heat to every house" programme in Armenia over the next two years and deliver heating and hot water to 217 apartment houses of Yerevan. The work will be implemented by CJSC "ArmRosKoGeneration" - Armenian-Russian joint stock company. As Director General of "EuroSubEnergo" Vladimir Kiryukhin said, at first stage more than 35 thsd Yerevan residents will supplied with heat and hot water. Later the programme will be also developed other towns of Armenia. 2008-02-07 15:20:00 Armenia held the 6th position among CIS countries by investing in the country's basic capital ArmInfo. According to the results of 2007, Armenia held the 6th position among CIS countries by investing in the basic capital of the country, securing 19,7% annual growth (667 bln AMD at constant prices). The Interstate Statistical Committee of the CIS says that the first position was held by Tajikistan, whose investment in the basic capital doubled to 2272 mln TJS in 2007. The 2nd position was held by Uzbekistan - 31,3% (3967 bln UZS), the 3rd position - by Ukraine - 28,5% (102 bln UAH), 4th place - by Russia - 21,1% (6419 bln RUR), 5th place - by Moldova - 19,9% (14.9 bln MDL). The index of investment in the basic capital of Azerbaijan in 2007 increased by 17,8% (6.8 bln AZM), Belarus - by 15,1% (25.3 trillion BYR), Kazakhstan - by 8,2% (3234 bln KZT), Kyrgyzstan - by 3,7% (24.4 bln KGS). At the average, the volume of investments in the basic capital in the CIS countries increased by 20% as compared with 2006 (in 2006 - by 15%). 2008-02-06 13:16:00 V.Zubkov: Russia and Armenia to reach commodity circulation volume up to 1 bln dollars over the next years ArmInfo-RBK. Russia and Armenia to reach commodity circulation volume up to 1 bln dollars over the next years, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said in Yerevan today when meeting Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan. He also added that "1 bln dollars is the minimum programme". Russian premier mentioned positive dynamics of development of the trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Armenia and expressed hope the relations will develop better in this direction. For his part, Serzh Sarkisyan said that the two states have a good potential for the bilateral relations development. He recalled that commodity circulation between the two states grew by 65% in 2007. Finance and banks 2008-02-07 14:48:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 308 drams for 1 dollar, 450 drams for 1 EUR and 12,4 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 310 drams for 1 dollar, 454 drams for 1 EUR and 12,6 drams for 1 Russian ruble. Social 2008-02-07 15:08:00 Parliament of Kazakhstan approves bill on ratification of agreement with Armenia on mutual trips of citizens ArmInfo. At its Plenary Session on Thursday, the lower house of Kazakh Parliament approved a bill on ratification of inter-governmental agreement with Armenia on mutual trips of citizens. The agreement was signed in Astana on November 6 2006. The agreement says that the citizens of one country have a right to arrive and stay in another country for up to 90 days without visa on the basis of relevant documents, as well as to make transit trips to another country. The document has been submitted for consideration of the Senate of Kazakh Parliament. To recall, Armenian Parliament studied the document on February 6 but failed to ratify it for lack of quorum. No information from Site can be used without prior permission of ARMINFO http://www.arminfo.am -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=media.arminfo&email=e@mail http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com