The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform Politics 2008-02-15 15:54:00 Inter-state Aviation Committee [IAC] investigates the reasons of Yerevan-Minsk flight accident ArmInfo. Commission of the IAC is investigating the reasons of Yerevan-Minsk flight accident of Belavia company in Yerevan, press-secretary of Civil Aviation General Department Gayane Davtyan told ArmInfo correspondent. She also added that the Commission consists of two IAC representatives, ten representatives of Belavia and ten of the Armenian government. Representatives of the Canadian company which produced RJ-100-M airplane will arrive in Yerevan in the evening. To recall, flight accident of Yerevan-Minsk airplane happened at Zvartnots airport of Yerevan at 4:19 AM local time, on 14 February. A total of 18 passengers and 3 members of the crew survived, but some of them are still in the hospital. 2008-02-15 15:46:00 Eduard Sharmazanov: Sasun Mikaelyan's conduct is inadmissible for RPA ArmInfo. Sasun Mikaelyan's conduct is inadmissible for the Republican Party of Armenia, RA NA Deputy from RPA faction, RPA Press Secretary Eduard Sharmazanov said in his talk with ArmInfo correspondent. To recall, during February 9 meeting in Yerevan, already ex-member of RPA Board Sasun Mikelyan officially claimed of his support of RA presidential contender Levon Ter-Petrosyan. On February 12, a decision was made at the session of RPA Executive body to expel S. Mikaelyan from the party. According to E. Sharmazanov, in pre-election period such cases happen in any country, however, the Republicans don't admit this fact, as this is against the party's Statutes. As for RPA faction members, non-partisan Hakop Hakopyan (nickname- Lady) and Myasnik Malkhasyan, who also claimed of their support of Ter- Petrosyan's candidacy, Eduard Sharmazanov said that RPA executive body condemned political behavior of these deputies. Asked how he would comment the fact that a day after Hakop Hakopyan's statement, law-enforcement agencies of Armenia found out a house of ill repute, to which Hakopyan is related, Sharmazanov said that this issue is not political. "Thanks to the activity of Armenian authorities, the times are left behind, when political persecution took place in the country", he said. To note, law enforcement agencies stated that a certain Galstyan, who headed the institution, is in friendly relations with RA NA Deputy Hakop Hakopyan. Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan emphasized during the recent press conference that the premises where the bordello is located, belonged to Hakopyan, who passed it to Galstyan for timeless use and without compensation. 2008-02-15 15:43:00 RPA deputy of the parliament thinks Levon Ter-Petrosyan's personal ambitions are above interests of the state and people ArmInfo. Levon Ter-Petrosyan's personal ambitions are above interests of the state and people, deputy of the National Assembly from the RPA faction, its press-secretary Eduard Sharmazanov told ArmInfo correspondent. He also added that Ter-Petrosyan expressed readiness to withdraw his candidacy in case if Serzh Sarkisyan does the same. 'This is evidence of the fact that Ter-Petrosyan fights against Serzh Sarkisyan's personality. He thinks that statements of Ter-Petrosyan's supporters reach absurd. 'They should understand that they must not organize meetings where sound accusations of the personal nature', - he said. When commenting on critical statements of the candidate for president Vahan Hovannisyan regarding the present authorities Sharmazanov said: 'Maybe representatives of the ARF Dashnaktiutyun think that taking the oppositionist image they will gain more votes. That is their problem. I should say that ARFD is a part of the power and if the power made mistakes the Dashnaks are also blamed for that'. 2008-02-15 15:35:00 Front line of RA armed forces to be in state of advanced readiness on presidential election day in Armenia ArmInfo. On the presidential election day in Armenia the front line of the Armenian Armed Forces will be in a state advanced readiness, Armenian Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan told journalists, Friday, replying to the question whether any provocation from Azerbaijan is possible on the election day. "Everything is possible. Why not? Why shouldn't they make use of this moment in case of relevant developments in the country?" the minister said. He also added that he doesn't qualify the current situation in the country as tense. "The on-going processes are normal. I am sure that people will not tense the situation". 2008-02-15 15:35:00 Armenian Defense Minister: No one will remain unpunished if violates our borders ArmInfo. The information on violation of Armenia's airspace by Azerbaijani plane does not correspond to reality, Defense Minister Mikael Haroutunyan told journalists, Friday. 'We have such system of anti-aircraft defense that will not allow any country to violate our airspace', the minister said. He said that last week the flights of Azerbaijani planes near the airspace of Armenia were really frequent. 'But I am sure that there is no goal to violate our airspace. These were just training flights', the minister said. 'Moreover, the Azerbaijani party is well aware that Armenian anti-aircraft system is the best in the region. Let no one think he can violate our borders and remain unpunished, the minister said. Be sure they will not resort to such steps. We have nothing to worry about unlike them', M. Haroutunyan said. 2008-02-15 15:32:00 Representatives of ARFD Bureau harshly criticizes first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan ArmInfo. Representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party Bureau Hrant Margaryan has harshly criticized the first president of Armenia, presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Thus, H. Margaryan said at a press conference that ARFD representatives met with Levon Ter-Petrosyan before the launch of the presidential campaign despite the repression ARFD was subjected to under Ter- Petrosyan. 'He welcomed our decision to nominate own candidate for president. We decided not to remember the past. However, the campaign started and he showed that he has not changed for over the last 10 years. He started accusing and insulting us again. What does he need? Why does he blackmail people saying that if they do not join him it will mean that they have sold their votes to the authorities? Why does he welcome Orinats Yerkir Leader Artur Baghdasaryan in Vayots Dzor and calls him betrayer when arriving in Meghri and hearing that the latter refused to join him? Our voters will never vote for him. It is very good that he runs for president. Serzh Sagrsyan and he will seize votes from each other', he said. 2008-02-15 15:18:00 Present realities show that second round of presidential election in Armenia is probably inevitable: representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Bureau ArmInfo. The present realities show that the second round of the presidential election in Armenia is probably inevitable, representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Bureau Hrant Margaryan said at today's press-conference. To recall, ARFD party Bureau member, RA Parliament vice speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan takes part in the presidential election. As H. Margaryan said, the party is getting ready for the second round. The present election programme of V. Hovhannisyan is continuation of the election programme, with which ARFD participated in the parliamentary election in the country in May, 2007. The party said even before the parliamentary election that it will take part in the presidential election with its own candidate. The authorities did their best to gain ARFD over and not allow it to participate in the election independently. For this purpose, they invited the party to join the coalition, however, ARFD remained loyal to its principles and takes an independent part in the election, H. Margaryan said. He also said that, unfortunately, the election campaign, which comes to an end, stepped over the bounds of a strictly political struggle and, very often, the candidates do not talk about the programmes and ideologies but blame each other. The only way out of the developed situation is holding of free and legitimate election , and ARFD does its best for the election to be held in line with the democratic principles. H. Margaryan added that the present election system as regards formation of election commissions is unsatisfactory. "Fighting against falsifications, we often turned out alone when our representative in the election commission was one against another eight members of the commission. Nevertheless, we do our best to avoid falsifications and let the people choose the best programme and ideology", H. Margaryan emphasized. 2008-02-15 12:37:00 Azerbaijani and French Foreign Ministers discuss Karabakh conflict settlement process ArmInfo. Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and France, Elmar Mammadyarov and Bernard Kouchner discussed Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process. Their meeting was held in Paris. As Head of the French FM's press-service told APA, a briefing was held after the meeting, during which the ministers discussed the issues of bilateral and regional cooperation, development of economic and political relations, opportunities of increasing investments in the economy, etc. The foreign ministers also touched upon the issue of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. B. Kouchner said that France, as OSCE MG co-chair, will continue its activity in this direction . The French minister also emphasized that his country recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. 2008-02-15 12:35:00 Benita Ferrero-Waldner: Cooperation of EU and countries of Black Sea region may boost settlement of frozen conflicts ArmInfo. Cooperation of European Union and the countries of the Black Sea region may boost settlement of frozen conflicts in the region, EU European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said at the meeting of EU and Black Sea region Foreign Ministers in Kyev, Trend reports. She called the meeting a good opportunity to create favorable environment for the countries having frozen conflicts in the Black Sea region and settle them. B. Ferrero-Waldner also added that EU is ready to cooperate with the countries in the Black Sea region, particularly, in the sphere of collective security, water resources and anti-terrorist measures. 2008-02-14 14:43:00 'New Times' opposition party to support candidature of Levon Ter-Petrosyan in presidential election in Armenia ArmInfo. "New Times" opposition party will support candidature of the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the coming presidential election in Armenia, the statement of the party's board says, which was presented at Armenia-Marriott hotel Thursday, by member of "New Times" Party Board Hrachya Sarkisyan. According to the statement, democratic transformations in Armenia by way of election are impossible. They are only possible by wave of national movement, which is headed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Citizens worried in the country's future mustn't vote for the authority's representatives and the candidates who serve them in the election. "We support the movement which has an aim to free the country from the present authority, that is, the all-national movement in Armenia. The movement was started by the participation of "New Times", "Alternative" movement, and "Republic" party on the eve of the parliamentary election in 2007", the statement of "New Times" says. To recall, Aram Karapetyan, who got more than 40 000 votes (over 3%) in the presidential election in 2003 and an honorable place for an election debutant-the fourth place, was not allowed to participate in the 2008 election by the decision of the Visa and Passport Department of RA Police. The latter refused Aram Karapetyan a certificate of permanent residence on the territory of Armenia in the last 10 years. The Court of 1st instance of Kentron-Nork Marash community in Yerevan and, later, the Court of Appeal defeated A. Karapetyan's claims. To recall, on February 12 "Heritage" party, headed by Raffi Hovannisian, officially declared about its support to Levon Ter-Petrosyan's candidature. 2008-02-14 14:41:00 Almost all broadcast media present Serzh Sargsyan in more favourable terms than other candidates ArmInfo. Almost all broadcast media presented Serzh Sargsyan in more favourable terms than the other candidates, Interim Report 2 (27 January - 9 February 2008) of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission deployed to monitor the Feb 19 presidential election in Armenia says. The report says that private and public media generally covered Serzh Sargsyan in his capacity as a presidential candidate. The news programmes of almost all broadcast media, except Radio Liberty, have almost entirely omitted to air Levon Ter-Petrossian's critical remarks regarding Serzh Sargsyan, the candidate from the Republican Party of Armenia, and Robert Kocharyan, the incumbent president. "Mr. Ter-Petrossian has however on occasions criticised the incumbent president and Serzh Sargsyan during the free airtime", the document says. 2008-02-14 14:35:00 Campaigning by foreign citizens and organizations violation of Election Code: CEC representative ArmInfo. Campaigning by foreign citizens and organizations is violation of Election Code of Armenia, Head of Juridical Expertise Department of Juridical and Program Department of Armenian CEC Sevak Hohannissyan said at a Roundtable 'Effective Protection Methods by Election Code of Armenia' in Yerevan, Thursday. He said the applications informing of campaigning by foreign citizens or organizations must be confirmed by a video record in order the CEC submits the case to the court. Asked by ArmInfo if there are objective mechanisms of determining the violations of the Election Code, Hovhannissyan explained that if the National Commission for Television and Radio believes that there was a violation, it applies to the court. In this case, CEC just expresses its point of view. 2008-02-14 14:34:00 Armenian human rights defender: Mechanisms of falsification in Armenia are more improved ArmInfo. There was no case in the history of independent Armenia when the authorities changed via election, Chairman of the 'Helsinki Committee of Armenia' public organization Avetik Ishkhanyan said at today's Round Table titled Means of Effective Protection According RA Election Code'. "Thus, one may suppose that the people are pleased with the authorities if they do not change them? However, by the official data, if the incumbent president received over 50% of votes at the presidential election, 1996, why his "supporters" did not clamour against the president resignation in 1998", he said. Having presented some similar examples more, A. Ishkhanyan said that the mechanisms of falsifications in Armenia are being improved more and more. "However, I do not think that the number of such falsifications grow. Every time, the force at power admits such a number of falsifications which allow it to hold down the power", A. Ishkhanyan said. Every time after the election, the winning force confirms the fact of violations available, promises to eliminate them and improve the election code. If the promises were fulfilled, a super- improved EC would exist in Armenia, Ishkhanyan added. Touching upon the present situation in the republic, A. Ishkhanyan expressed opinion that it somewhat differs from the previous ones. He said that a force at power is mainly engaged in falsifications as it has more opportunities. However, presently, both the authorities and the forces claiming to be at power have enough experience, and everyone will try to falsify in his own way, A. Ishkhanyan said. 2008-02-14 14:31:00 Artur Bagdasaryan pretends to become front-runner at the first round of the presidential election, the head of his electoral headquarters says ArmInfo. 'Judging from the meetings with voters, the mood of the electorate and real public opinion polls, our leader Artur Bagdasaryan pretends even not to the second place but to leadership in the first round of the presidential election', - deputy chairwoman of Orinats Yerkir party, leader of Artur Bagdasaryan's electoral headquarters Hegine Bisharyan told journalists at Pastarq club today. She also added that in such conditions if there are the opposition forces striving to consolidation they should join candidate for president Artur Bagdasaryan. 'Over the political talks with Levon Ter-Petrosyan there was not a problem of obligatory supporting of his candidacy by Orinats Yerkir party. They also discussed the problem of consolidation not only before the first but also the second round of the election. We declared about our participation even before the parliamentary election. As for unification, it is possible but not as a result of blackmail used by some people from Ter-Petrosyan's surrounding', - Bisharyan said. Later she went against her earlier statement that Serzh Sarkisyan does not have chances to win at the first round, for this reason Artur Bagdasaryan will occupy at least the second place. 'If Ter-Petrosyan supports Artur Bagdasaryan, the latter will gain a victory at the first round of the election', - Hegine Bisharyan is sure. 2008-02-14 14:27:00 Orinats Yerkir party representative blames Levon Ter-Petrosyan for confederacy with the power candidate for president ArmInfo. 'When reading the newspapers close to Levon Ter-Petrosyan I came to the conclusion that there is confederacy between him and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan in the matter of split in the opposition field of Armenia', - deputy chairwoman of Oritants Yerkir party, leader of the candidate for president Artur Bagdasaryan's electoral headquarter Hegine Bisharyan told journalists at Pastarq club today. She also added that she thinks so because if Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Artur Bagdasaryan negotiate in the evening, information discrediting the latter appears at Haykakan Zhamanak daily in the morning. Asked to comment on yesterday's statement of the first president at the electoral meeting in Goris, according to which the Oritants Yerkir will find itself outside of the political processes if Artur Bagdasaryan does not join him, Bisharyan said: 'I don't understand what it means to out from the political processes. Orinats Yerkir has its own faction in the parliament and a stable electorate. When 9 candidates run for president, naturally 8 of them will not become the president. This has nothing in common with dropping out from the political life'. 2008-02-14 14:22:00 A member of European Parliament demands bringing 'forces' behind the killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink before justice ArmInfo. A European lawmaker said Monday that "forces" behind the killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink should be brought before justice. "The important thing is that those who masterminded this incident should also be tried in this court," Joost Lagendijk, a member of the European parliament and co-chairman of an inter-parliamentary committee between Turkey and the European Union, told reporters outside an Istanbul court house where 19 suspects of the case were heard. Lagendijk also said the disclosure of the forces who are believed to stand behind the Dink murder was an important development for Turkey as a rule of law. "Turkeys credibility as a rule of law might be seriously harmed at the international level unless the reality was brought to the daylight," Lagendijk said. Dink was shot dead outside the offices of his Agos newspaper in January 2007. 2008-02-14 14:20:00 The NKR Foreign Ministry information and analytical department's commentary on the 'Kurd subject' ArmInfo. The NKR Foreign Ministry information and analytical department commented on the "Kurd subject" in the context of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict manipulated by the Azerbaijani party. According to Azerbaijani mass media, Kurds have started actively inhabiting the former Armenian villages of northern Karabakh over the last years. When commenting on the reasons of such disinformation disseminating information and analytical department of the NKR FM says that this time as well Azerbaijan used its beloved propagandist tactics "to trace" foreign policy problems which are still topical today in the context of the Karabakh conflict. Depending on international political conjecture different by form but similar by core ways of the Karabakh conflict settlement were discussed in Azerbaijan. They used to say of the necessity of holding of the wide-scale "checking of passport regime", of making operations of Azerbaijani Special Police Force more active; of holding anti-terrorist operations in Karabakh; of holding humanitarian intervention "to save Armenians of Karabakh from terrorists"; of holding military and police operations "to restore law and order in Karabakh", etc. Thus, an Azerbaijani tradition to come forward as a victim of "the local display of international evil" is not a new one. It fully goes into the tactics of the Karabakh conflict settlement using others, which has been actively used by Azerbaijan in the context of its European, American and Russian policy. But if earlier such statements were sounded on the official level, today understanding their absurdness official Baku puts forward Nizami Bahramov for boosting such topics. It causes regret that Azerbaijani leadership uses Nizami Bahramov in their provocative actions, which are in contradiction not only to the letter and intent of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement process but also to sober logic", - the NKR FM comments. 2008-02-14 14:13:00 Byelorussian delegation on the way to Yerevan to get first hand view of Belavia CRJ-100LR crash ArmInfo. Byelorussian delegation is on the way to Yerevan to investigate the reasons of the crash of passenger jet belonging to Belavia company at Yerevan Zvartnots airport, Thursday. Referring to the press-service of Byelorussian Ministry of Transport and Communication BelaPAN agency reports the delegation comprises Director of Aviation Department of the Ministry Vadim Melnik and the leadership of the National Airline Belavia. The delegation will participate in the work of the commission set up in accordance with international rules by the relevant structures of Armenia. Specialists of Interstate Aviation Committee have been invited as well. The jet wrecked at 4:15 AM when leaving Zvartnots airport for Minsk in conformity with B201834 Yerevan-Minsk flight of Belavia airline. The jet partially burnt off. There were 18 passengers and 3 crewmembers on board of Belavia Company's airplane SRJ-100LR. The passengers were the citizens of Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Ukraine. There were no victims. The injured have been hospitalized; others have been placed at hotels or delivered to relatives in Armenia. The CRJ-100LR made by Canadian Bombardier Concern in 1999. Belavia has been exploiting it since February 22 2007. Deputy Director General of Belavia airline Igor Cherginets did not comment on the reasons of the crash. He said the investigation that may last about 2 weeks is to reveal it, BelaPAN reports. 2008-02-14 14:12:00 Version that Yerevan Zvartnots airport is the reason of the flight accident is officially disproved ArmInfo. A version that Yerevan Zvartnots international airport has become the reason of the flight accident of the Belarus airplane is officially disproved, the head of Armenian Civil Aviation General Board Artem Movsesyan said at today's press-conference. He also added that they managed to save all 18 passengers and three members of the crew, six of which are still in the hospital. One of the passengers is a citizen of Belarus, one - of Russia, five - of Georgia, one - of Ukraine, all the rest - of Armenia, Artem Movsesyan said. He also said that beginning from 11:00 AM local time Zvartnots airport works in its ordinary regime. 2008-02-14 14:10:00 RA President held urgent meeting in view of Belavia' Company's airplane crash ArmInfo. Today, RA President Robert Kocharyan held an urgent meeting in view of the Belarusian "Belavia" Company's airplane crash. As the presidential press-service told ArmInfo, head of the presidential administration, prosecutor general, heads of the Police and National Security Service, head of the Chief Administration of Civil Aviation of Armenia and deputy foreign minister took part in the meeting. Head of the Chief Administration of Civil Aviation of Armenia introduced the details of the air crash to RA president, having informed that the accident happened at 4:15 AM by Yerevan time. The airplane SRJ-100 of the Belarusian "Belavia" company, flying from Yerevan to Minsk, fell on the left wing and hit the air strip, after which fire started on board. Due to efficient actions of the Aviation Security Service employees and the firemen, all 18 passengers and 3 crew members were quickly evacuated. Upon receipt of the first medical aid in the airport, they were carried to the hospital. Six passengers got minor injuries and their lives are under no threat. RA president charged RA Minister of Health to engage in rendering of medical aid to those injured. The law-enforcement agencies have been commissioned to carry out investigation jointly with the aviation services. The message also reports that investigation of the air crash will be also conducted by the International Aviation Committee with participation of experts from Belarus and Canada. 2008-02-14 09:23:00 Yerevan airport closed ArmInfo. In view of the crash of Belavia Company' airplane flying from Yerevan to Minsk, "Zvartnots" Yerevan airport has been closed as of 10:00 AM by Yerevan time. As spokeswoman of the Chief Administration of RA Civil Aviation Gayane Davtyan told ArmInfo, the airport will be closed for some time for investigations of the country's Prosecutor General Office. All the airplanes, carrying out incoming flights to Armenia, head for "Shirak" airport in Gyumri. According to the source, five passengers of the airplane: Yeremyan Souren, Yeremyan Yepraksia, Yeritsyan Stepan, Vardapetyan Spartak and Manukyan Sanasar are citizens of Georgia. The rest are citizens of Armenia. They are Vladimir Akopov, Mamyan Andranik, Tevanyan Sasun, Khachaturyan Liana, Makaryan Ara, Avagyan Ashot, Badalyan Diana, Hovhannisyan Eduard, Hovhannisyan Rima, Babayan Erik, Kirakosyan Albert, Zakaryan Vahe and Hambartsumyan Salbi. Six passengers were carried to the capital "Malatia" hospital and "Armenia" Republican clinic. Mamyan Andranik, Hambartsumyan Salbi and Tevanyan Sasun were rendered medical aid in the clinic and, in the absence of serious traumas, they were discharged. The passengers and the crew of the exploded airplane are alive. To recall, the crash of the passenger airplane SRJ-100M of Belavia Company, flying from Yerevan to Minsk, happened at 4:15 AM by Yerevan time. There were total of 18 passengers and 3 crew members on board. By preliminary data of Head of the Chief Administration of RA Civil Aviation Artyom Movsisyan, during flying-off, the airplane run off the air strip, dapped by wing, flipped over several times, followed by an explosion and fire. The airplane split into two parts. As A. Movsisyan said, "the airport rescue service, firemen and medical service responded immediately. Due to their efficient actions, all the passengers on board were saved". Economy 2008-02-13 15:32:00 Agreement on transfer of Armenian Railway CJSC to concession of Russian Railways OJSC signed ArmInfo. Minister of Transport and Communication of Armenia Andranik Manukyan and President of Russian Railways OJSC Vladimir Yakunin signed the agreement of transfer of the Armenian Railway state CJSC to concession of South-Caucasian Railway CJSC belonging to the Russian Railways OJSC Wednesday. Minister Transport and Communication of Armenia Andranik Manukyan said relevant working group had worked on the agreement for 6 months. The signing of the agreement initiated the rehabilitation of the Armenian railway that is in rather poor state. CJSC Armenian Railroad is transferred to concession for 30 years with a 20-year renewable period. The investment plan says the Russian Railways pledge to invest in development of the infrastructure $570 million within 30 years, including $230 million within the first 5 years in the modernization of the railroad, repair and acquisition of equipment, on the whole. In addition, the investor will come out as a guarantor of the investments. The concessionaire is to make a $5 million initial contribution. Annual payments to the state budget will total 2% of incomes (except proceeds from passenger ransportation). The minister said some procedural issues connected with transfer of property still need solution. The concessionaire will launch its activity in the second half of 2008. For his part, Vladimir Yakunin said at a press conference that the Board of Director of South-Caucasian Railway CJSC will meet shortly to draw a detailed investment business-plan for every year and management system. He mentioned that the concessionaire plans to acquire 3-4 electric locomotives to boost suburban transportation. He also added that the infrastructure development will allow increasing the cargo traffic through Kavkaz-Poti port. V. Yakunin said the concessionaire is well aware of the great responsibility for fulfillment of the agreement and guarantees investments. Moreover, it pledges to keep the existing 4,300 jobs at the company within the first 3 years. Government of Armenia approved the draft agreement on February 7 2008. Rusisan Raiwlays OJSC was declared the winner of the tender for concession of the Armenian Railway on January 16 2008. Finance and banks 2008-02-15 15:11:00 ArmRusgasprom CJSC plans additional issue of $310 million shares in 2008 ArmInfo. Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia made a decision to allow ArmRusgasprom CJSC to make additional closed issue of shares worth a total of 95,503,500,000 drams (about $310 million) in favor of Gasprom OJSC in 2008. Head of the PSRC Tariff Policy Department Armen Arshakyan said at the meeting that ArmRusgasprom plans to issue 19 million ordinary nominative shares worth 5,026.5 drams each. He also said that the authorized capital of the company is 182.5 billion drams ($590 million). In case of successful additional issue of shares, it will rise to 278.04 billion drams. Commission allowed Gasprom OJSC to buy the additional issue of shares. Due to the increase of the authorized capital, Gasprom's share in ArmRusgasprom CJSC will increase from the present 57.59% to 72.16%. For his part, the share of the Armenian Government will decrease from 34.7% to 22.78%. The share of ITERA will decrease from 7.71% to 5.06%, he said. A. Arshakyan said in 2006 to raise its authorized capital, CJSC ArmRusgasprom issued 11.180 thousand ordinary nominative shares worth 5,026.5 drams each in favor of Gasprom. As a result, the authorized capital of the company totaled 196.94 billion drams. However, 2,865,008 shares were redeemed and transferred back to the company. As a result, the authorized capital of ArmRusgasprom fell to 182.5 billion drams. For his part, Advisor of ArmRusgasprom CJSC Director General David Melkonyan said Gasprom is ready to invest hard cash and buy the second additional issue to implement energy projects in Armenia. To recall, ArmRusgasprom CJSC was founded in December 1997. It is the exclusive importer of natural gas to Armenia. 2008-02-15 12:33:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 310 drams for 1 dollar, 452 drams for 1 EUR and 12,36 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 312,5 drams for 1 dollar, 456 drams for 1 EUR and 12,6 drams for 1 Russian ruble. Hi-Tech 2008-02-15 15:29:00 The term on making contracts with mobile communication prepayment system subscribers extended till 1 June 2008 ArmInfo. Today Armenian Public Services Regulatory Commission extended the term on making contracts with mobile communication prepayment system subscribers till 1 June 2008. Such a decision was conditioned by the fact that cellar communication operators - VivaCell and CJSC ArmenTel have managed to make contracts only with 55-65% prepayment system subscribers. Chairman of the Commission Robert Nazaryan said that both companies did not take enough efforts to serve their clients. And ArmenTel was criticized most of all. He also added that the Commission is not going to extend the term of making contracts any more and mobile operators risk to lose their subscribers. One should say that Nazaryan warns for the second time, nevertheless the Commission extended the term twice. Representatives of the Commission think that the contract system is stemming from the national security demands, but representatives of public organizations think it breaks interests of subscribers themselves. 2008-02-15 12:40:00 International exhibition 'Interprint: Polygraphy, Advertising, Design, Packing EXPO 2008' opens in Yerevan on February 15-17 ArmInfo. Official opening of the third International specialized exhibition "Interprint: Polygraphy, Advertising, Design, Packing EXPO 2008" was held today in the Yerevan House of Moscow with participation of Chairman of the Union if Writers of Armenia Levon Ananyan and Chairman of RA Association of Publishers Vahan Khachatryan. The exhibition consists of five topics, in particular, typographic activity, publishing activity, packing industry, advertising technologies and PR, as well as design. The primary goals of the exhibition are search of new sales markets, attraction of foreign investments in Armenia's economy, demonstration of RA economic potential. As deputy Director of LOGOS EXPOM Center Ara Stepanyan said, this is the next active step in creation of a professional exhibition for stimulation of this area development in Armenia. Special concept of the exhibition is in attraction of high-grade producers and specialists, promotion of innovative ideas, efficient use of information technologies in polygraphy, advertising, design, improvement of design qualities of editions, strengthening of relations among producers design-studios. The leading producers, typographies, advertising-news agencies, editions, design- studios and others, including a decorative typography Mineh, Orange Company, a paper production Company "Arbumprom", a manufacturer of equipment for typography "Heidelberg" take part in the exhibition. The exhibition is officially sponsored by RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, RA FM, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (Employers) of Armenia , the National Association of Book Publishers and the Union of Writers of Armenia. To note, LOGOS Expo Center, functioning since 1999, has already managed to organize over 75 specialized international exhibitions. Crimes and emergency situations 2008-02-14 14:46:00 Fire breaks out at Justice Ministry building again ArmInfo. Armenian Rescue Service reports that fire liquidation at the building of the Armenian Justice Ministry have been completed Wednesday in the evening. However, the RSA received an alarm later the same day that the fire at the building broke out again. The fire was liquidated at about 10:10pm. To recall, the first fire broke out at the building on February 9 early in the morning for short-circuit. 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