The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform The day news 2008-03-18 11:24:00 Armenian Parliament passed draft law 'On Alterations and Amendments to Law 'On Rallies, Demonstrations and processions'' ArmInfo. Late at night March 17, at the extra session, RA Parliament passed the second and final reading of the draft law "On Alterations and Amendments to Law "On Rallies, Demonstrations and processions"" with 90 votes "for" and 6 "against". One of the authors of the amendments, MP Rafik Petrossyan says that the March 1 events in Yerevan have become a bitter lesson for everybody. 8 people were killed and lots of people wounded on that day, the state sustained big damage, the political situation in the country was destabilized. The events have shown that the existing law needs revision. It is necessary to revise some points of the law so as to exclude the possibility of anti-constitutional actions and to guarantee the safety of people in the future. The amendments are based on the principles of human rights and freedoms, particularly, the authors refer to articles 11 and 16 of European Convention n Human Rights and considered the experience of such countries as Italy, Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Finland, Romania, Moldova. Particularly, the authors are planning to amend articles 9, 10, 12 and 14 of the law. Thus, according to the amendment to Article 9 the authorities can restrict organization and holding of rallies, demonstrations and processions if in case of reliable information these activities may threaten the state security, cause violation of public order, and violation of the constitutional rights of citizens. It is extremely important that the body restricting the organization of the activities should possess absolutely reliable information. This information must be told to the Police and the National Security Service. At the same time, the organizers of the activities may dispute the decision on legal waivers. In case of disorders, occurred as a result of mass events, the authorities are entitled to refuse the organizers of mass events to hold new rallies, demonstrations and processions until completion of the criminal case. Moreover, a new provision has been introduced in the documen t, according to which it is banned to hold mass events, if all the other measures gave no result. Mass events may be held only with written permission of the authorized body. The terms of application submission for holding of rallies, demonstrations and processions have been also revised. The organizer of mass events undertakes to notify the authorized bodies about it not three days before, as it has been fixed in the current law, but five days before their holding. Politics 2008-03-19 10:31:00 Karabakh Liberation Organization demands cessation of USA, Russia and France co-chairmanship in OSCE Minsk Group ArmInfo-TURAN. Yesterday, activists of the Karabakh Liberation Organization laid yellow wreathes, banded with black tape, to the Embassies of USA, and submitted their petitions to the diplomatic missions of these countries. As the KLO's press service told Turan, the Karabakh Liberation Organization, thus, expressed protest to these countries, which voted against the Resolution "On the Situation in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan", presented by official Baku at UN General Assembly on March 14. As the petitions note, "KLO regards the position of cochair-countries as disrespect of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and support of annexationist aspirations of Armenia ". KLO thinks that "the USA, France and Russia have no moral right any more to remain co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group". KLO demands cessation of activity of the indicated countries as OSCE MG co-chairs on Karabakh conflict settlement. 2008-03-18 19:39:00 Armenian MPs condemn March 1 mass disorders in Yerevan again ArmInfo. For some politicians the presidential post is higher than such notions as people and motherland, Armen Danielyan, an Armenian MP from the faction of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), the deputy chairman of the standing parliamentary commission on human rights, said in parliament, Tuesday. According to him, these people do not care a damn for moral values, they have no idea of tolerance. Danielyan stressed that the organizers of the March 1 mass disorders in Yerevan involved young people in their "dirty" games. "This is manifestation of masochism and ignorance of some politicians", the MP said. For his part, Hovhannes Margaryan, a member of the Orinats Yerkir parliamentary faction, said that the recent domestic political events seriously affected the moral and psychological atmosphere in the country, and this threatened the state's security and stability. "The way out of such situations is to establish negotiations between the political forces, but some political forces refused to do this", Margaryan emphasized. Eduard Sharmazanov, an MP from the RPA faction, the RPA press-secretary, noted that the man, who said that people would take him to the presidential residence on their hands, used the election only to make a takeover, and official Baku took advantage of this. 2008-03-18 19:38:00 Behavior of Armenian authorities is deepening gap between government and society and this is not good for Serzh Sargsyan: opposition MP ArmInfo. On Mar 17, on the initiative of the political supporters of the prime minister, the parliament adopted a law that prevents people from expressing their displeasure by means of rallies, demonstrations and processions, the member of the parliamentary group of opposition Heritage party Anahit Bakhshyan said in the parliament today. The parliament also discussed a bill making the first president of Armenia less protected. At one and the same time, the prime minister keeps calling for dialogue and political agreement. During a rally in Republic Square on Feb 26 he said that the people rallying in Liberty Square were "our brothers and sisters" and called for cooperation and even for formation of coalition government. However, the following actions of the authorities showed that he did not mean what he said. This behavior of the authorities is deepening the gap between the government and society and this is not good for the newly elected president. 2008-03-18 19:37:00 Secretary of RPA parliamentary group: After presidential election we have got into situation with no winners or losers ArmInfo. After the presidential election we have got into a situation with no winners or losers. We all have lost, the secretary of the parliamentary group of the Republican Party of Armenia Samvel Nikoyan said in the parliament today. He said that the authorities were also to blame for the Mar 1 disorders in Yerevan as they failed to solve the urgent problems of the people and to keep the balance of forces. In its turn, the opposition is to blame for sowing hatred in society. The draft amendments to the law on rallies, demonstrators and processions adopted by the parliament on Mar 17 were an adequate response to the situation. 2008-03-18 19:30:00 No women or minors have been arrested for complicity in Mar 1 events ArmInfo. 106 people have been arrested so far on suspicion of complicity in the Mar 1 disorders in yerevan. The spokesperson of the Prosecutor General Sona Truzyan says that there are no women or minors among them. The arrested people have been charged with taking unsanctioned actions, calling for disobeying the demands of the police, attempting to usurp power, illegally keeping arms. 2008-03-18 19:14:00 Armenian FM and Russia Deputy FM discuss problems of regional and global security ArmInfo. Today Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan received Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Grigory Karasin who is paying a two-day visit to Armenia. The press service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia reports Oskanyan to thank Karasin for Russia's support in the present situation. Oskanyan and Karasin expressed satisfaction with the high level of Armenian-Russian relations. They discussed the post-election situation in Armenia and pointed out the necessity of urgent steps for overcoming the crisis. The parties also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, particularly, the early March attempt of Azerbaijan to violate the cease-fire regime. Oskanyan and Karasin also discussed problems of regional and global security, the situation following the proclamation of independence of Kosovo, the positions of Armenia and Russia on this problem. 2008-03-18 18:40:00 Commissioner Hammarberg calls on the Armenian government to lift emergency measures, ensure media freedom and initiate an impartial investigation into recent violent acts ArmInfo. "The State of Emergency should be lifted in Armenia and an independent, impartial and transparent inquiry initiated to clarify what actually happened during the confrontations in Yerevan between the police and opposition demonstrators on 1 March", said Council of Europe Commissioner on Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg after a three-day visit to Armenia. The Press Division of the Council of Europe reports that Hammarberg held discussions with the President, the Prime Minister and President-elect, the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General and the Head of Police. He also met the President of the National Assembly, representatives of political parties including those in opposition and had a separate meeting with former President and presidential candidate Ter-Petrosian. Commissioner Hammarberg visited places of detention and interviewed persons recently arrested. Furthermore, he visited hospitals and met policemen and civilians who had been injured during the violence on 1 March. He also met with the National Human Rights Defender (ombudsman), defence lawyers, representatives of the media, non-governmental organisations as well as foreign diplomats and representatives of international and regional organizations in Yerevan. "The censorship which was introduced with the state of emergency has contributed to rumours and anxiety among the population about what was happening, at a time when measures to rebuild trust should have been promoted. The fact that some pro-government media tended to demonise the opposition while opposition papers were out of circulation did not contribute to a constructive atmosphere", said Thomas Hammarberg. He suggested that all limitations on the media and freedom of expression now be lifted. "Seven civilians and one policeman were killed and many others were injured. There is a need to clarify what actually happened and what provoked the outbreak of violence. The two sides describe the events very differently and it is important, also in a human rights perspective, to establish the basic facts. This can only be done through a comprehensive inquiry which is independent, impartial and transparent and perceived as credible by the whole population." "Such an investigation should also aim at drawing lessons and giving recommendations on how similar situations should be handled in future. For instance, it seems clear that the Armenian police needs more training in acceptable riot control measures, serious mistakes were made." "The establishment of an inquiry of this kind will not be easy in the present polarised climate in Armenia. The international community has expressed its willingness to offer participation or other assistance to such a comprehensive investigation into the 1 March events in order to contribute experience, professionalism and credibility". "Demonstrators who committed violent acts should be held accountable, as should policemen who used excessive force. However, the arrests and prosecutions should not target people for having merely been present at the demonstrations or expressed anti-government opinions. The Commissioner also calls for the release of all apprehended children under 18 years in this connection. It appears that some articles of the Criminal Code are interpreted broadly by the prosecutors, banning in practice all strong criticism and agitation against the government. This is not consistent with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms." Commissioner Hammarberg also stressed the importance of preventing any improper treatment of those arrested. There were cases after 1 March when the detainees had difficulties to contact family members and to have access to a lawyer. Also, the registration of their arrest was not done in accordance with national rules in some instances. The Commissioner was also told about cases of ill-treatment during arrests and in a few cases during transport to the police station. He welcomes the decision of the Prosecutor General to investigate ex officio all acts of violence committed by police forces against demonstrators and passing civilians on 1 March. The Commissioner underlines the absolute importance of ensuring respect for agreed safeguards against torture and ill-treatment as well as the procedural rights of the accused. The Commissioner welcomed the statement by the President that the current human rights restrictions would be gradually reviewed and lifted. He stressed the importance of now bringing the state of emergency to an end. 2008-03-18 16:46:00 In 2007 Russian-Armenian partnership developed in all directions ArmInfo. In 2007 Russian-Armenian partnership developed in all directions, the Foreign Ministry of Russia says in its review of Russia's foreign affairs in 2007. The presidents of Armenia and Russia met several times during the year. The newly appointed prime minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited Russia in Sept. The parliaments continued their contacts. The foreign ministers exchanged visits. Russia and Armenia steadily developed their military and military-technical cooperation so as to ensure their security and stability in the South Caucasus. In 2007 Russia redeployed its military equipment from Georgia to the 102nd military unit in Gyumri. The countries significantly improved their trade-economic cooperation. Russia continued to be Armenia's leading foreign economic partner. In Jan-Oct 2007 Russian-Armenian trade turnover made up $623.7mln - 60% more than a year before. In 2007 Russia invested almost $800mln in Armenian companies. Armenia expressed wish to join the International Uranium Enrichment Center in Angarsk. The countries took active steps to ensure regular work of Kavkaz-Poti train ferry. Yerevan Plaza trade and recreation center was opened in Moscow, House of Moscow culture and business center in Yerevan. Russia and Armenia actively cooperated on reformation of the CIS and in the framework of Collective Security Treaty organization. Based on its complementarity principle Armenia simultaneously developed its cooperation with the EU and NATO. In this light, Armenia should take further steps to strengthen its strategic partnership with Russia. 2008-03-18 16:40:00 Russian Foreign Ministry Review: In 2007 we managed to activate close constructive cooperation of the OSCE MG in their intermediate efforts for the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict settlement ArmInfo. It also says that in 2007 foreign partners remained at the positions that there is no alternative to the Karabakh conflict settlement via the talks; it is unacceptable if the conflict is resolved by means of force and if the parties are forced to accept unilateral conditions. Regular contacts of leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry with co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group during consultations in Moscow in January and August promoted this. The intermediary activity of the co-chairs was supported in the statement of foreign ministers's of the states of "eight" made before the summit of the "Group of eight" and at OSCE Foreign Ministers' Council in Madrid, in May, where Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers were officially given a document that contained basic principles of settlement. This step was made taking into consideration the forthcoming presidential elections in both states so that to preserve the arrangements made at the talks and to move towards ending of the basic principals of settlement, the Review says. 2008-03-18 15:42:00 Independent deputy: Protest actions are possible at inauguration day of the newly elected president, but extension of the term of the state of emergency may cause bigger problems for the country ArmInfo. Protest actions are possible at inauguration day of the newly elected president Serzh Sarkisyan, but it is very much dangerous if the term of the state of emergency is extended and inauguration ceremony is held in such conditions, independent deputy of the parliament Viktor Dalakyan told ArmInfo correspondent. He also added as the inauguration day coincides with a regular four-day sitting of the parliament, it would be correct if the parliament continues its work. 'Activity of the parliament should not be crippled especially in such hard for the country conditions', - he said. 2008-03-18 14:54:00 OSCE MG co-chairs: Nagorno Karabakh conflict sides must refrain from unilateral actions either at the negotiating table or in the field ArmInfo. The United States, France and the Russian Federation, in their capacity as Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group dealing with the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict, issued the following statement on March 14, 2008 in the United Nations General Assembly regarding their decision to vote against the 'Resolution on the Situation in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan'. As press service of OSCE headquarters in Vienna told ArmInfo, the statement reads, in particular: 'The political-level representatives of France, the Russian Federation, and the United States, as Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group dealing with the Nagorno- Karabakh (NK) conflict, jointly proposed a set of basic principles for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) conflict to the sides in November 2007 on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Madrid. These basic principles are founded on the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act, including those related to refraining from the threat or use of force, the territorial integrity of the states, and the equal rights and self- determination of peoples. The proposal transmitted to the sides in Madrid comprises a balanced package of principles that are currently under negotiation. The sides have agreed that no single element is agreed until all elements are agreed by the parties. Unfortunately, this draft resolution selectively propagates only certain of these principles to the exclusion of others, without considering the Co-Chairs' proposal in its balanced entirety. Because of this selective approach, the three OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries must oppose this unilateral draft resolution. They reiterate that a peaceful, equitable, and lasting settlement of the NK conflict will require unavoidable compromises among the parties that reflect the principles of territorial integrity, non-use of force, and equal rights of peoples, as well as other principles of international law. While the three Minsk Group Co-Chair countries will vote against this unilateral draft resolution, which threatens to undermine the peace process, they reaffirm their support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and thus do not recognize the independence of NK. At a time when serious clashes have occurred along the Line of Contact with loss of life, both sides must refrain from unilateral and maximalist actions either at the negotiating table or in the field." 2008-03-18 14:54:00 Inauguration of the newly elected Armenian president to take place at Opera House on 9 April, at 14:00 PM ArmInfo. Special sitting of the National Assembly will be held at Opera House after Aleksandr Spendiaryan on 9 April, at 14:00 PM, over which inauguration of the newly elected president of the country Serzh Sarkisyan will take place. Such a decision was adopted at today's sitting of the Armenian parliament. The inauguration coincides with regular four-day sitting of the parliament. Speaker of the parliament Tigran Torosyan said they purposefully chose the inauguration hour as many guests are expected. He also added there is no problem if because of the inauguration the government does not manage to answer deputies' questions since two days later the present government will tender its resignation. 'It will be better if deputies direct their questions to the new government', - the speaker said. 2008-03-18 11:31:00 Armenia's representatives take part in first session of CSTO Coordination Council on emergency situations being held in Moscow ArmInfo. Representatives of Armenia take part in the first session of CSTO Coordination Council on emergency situations being held in Moscow. As the Rescue Service of Armenia told ArmInfo, deputy Director of RSA, Major-General Aram Tananyan and Head of the Administration for Protection of Population and Territories, Colonel Sergey Azaryan take part in the session. To note, the Council's work is aimed at creation of an efficient system of prevention and elimination of consequences of natural and anthropogenic disasters. As CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said earlier, the series of the recent emergency situations in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Russia confirm necessity of activating the work in CSTO format on joint prevention and elimination of consequences of emergency situations of natural and anthropogenic nature. 2008-03-18 11:25:00 Deputy FM of Russia and acting assistant secretary of State discussed situation in Transcaucasia ArmInfo. Yesterday, Secretary of State, deputy FM of Russia Grigory Karasin met acting Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, being in Moscow within the frames of the Russian-American negotiations in 'two plus two' format. As RF FM's press-service reports, during the meeting, the parties discussed the relations of Russia and USA with the CIS states in details. Special attention was paid to the problem of NATO extension to the East and the situation in Transcaucasia. Interview 2008-03-18 19:11:00 Only a document that be signed by Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia can resolve Nagorno Karabakh conflict Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia responds to ArmInfo questions on the UN resolution on Karabakh, as well as the domestic situation Q: The resolution presented at the UN General Assembly by Azerbaijan was passed. How do you assess what happened and how will it change things? A: The actual passage of the resolution, I assess negatively. It was unnecessary, ill-timed, mean-spirited, both as a process and a product. But Im satisfied with the number of countries that did not support it. I assess their decisions positively. This is a non-binding, or consultative pronouncement by the General Assembly, I dont think it will have an affect on the process, unless Azerbaijan is engaged not just in deception but self-deception. If they expect to use this for anything other than their domestic purposes, if they have convinced themselves that the international community truly supports the one-sided desires they had enumerated in the text of this resolution, then this will cause serious problems in the negotations. One thing must be clear for Azerbaijan that no amount of resolutions will make Nagorno Karabakh deviate from its path of self-determination. Q: Then, how do you know if they are serious about the negotiations? A: Fortunately, we will have an opportunity soon to find out. There is a possibility that Armenias President-Elect will meet with the Azerbaijani President in Bucharest, in the framework of the NATO-EAPC Summit. Weve stated our readiness to participate, I know the co-chairs will make such a proposal, and I know the Azeris have also hinted that they are ready to continue the dialogue at the highest levels. During that first meeting this issue can be clarified. President-Elect Sargsyan can ask President Aliyev point blank if you truly believe in the content of this resolution and if that will be your guideline, then theres nothing to talk about and lets not waste our time. But if youre still committed to the negotiating document on the table today, then lets get serious and go the short distance thats left. Indeed, the UN resolution text and the content of the negotiating document are incompatible; most of the international community recognized this which is why they d id not support it. Q: But still 39 countries voted in favor. A: They did not vote in favor of the content of the resolution, they voted in favor of the sponsor Azerbaijan. Those who voted yes were either members of GUAM or of the Organization of Islamic Conference. I think if UN General Assembly resolutions were actually binding, then many of those who abstained would have in fact voted against the resolution. However, I dont want to deal in conjectures. This is the time to understand that there is no other option but negotiations. Show me one example in history when a conflict has been resolved by the passage or acceptance of a document by an international organization or by third countries. There hasnt happened and its not going to happen now, certainly not in the case of Nagorno Karabakh. In 1948, the UN General Assembly resolution to partition Palestine didnt solve anything. More recently, the Security Council resolution on Kosovo also didnt manage to bring the sides together in a meaningful way. I remember in Lisbon when the OSCE Chairman-in-Office made a statement about Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijans joy knew no limits. It took years for Azerbaijan to understand that that document had no value. There is only one document that can resolve this conflict: that is the one that will be signed by Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. Let me say again that the document on the table now, given to the parties at the highest levels in Madrid and deposited at the OSCE Secretariat, should be the guiding principle for a real sustainable resolution of the conflict. Q: On the day the resolution was being voted on, you were in Europe. This was your first trip since the elections and the post-election disaster. What reactions did you receive? What was Europes message? A: This was a forum where the policy makers of the US, Europe and beyond were all present. Not only did I meet a lot of people, ironically, I was a keynote speaker in a session on Europes path to the Caucasus, where the primary focus was of course on democracy. This had been scheduled months before the election, and although I would have said the same things whether the post-election events had taken place or not, the situation was more sensitive and the stakes were higher. Indeed, Armenia has taken a beating because of the riots and the deaths. No one was interested in asking or knowing who did what. They looked at this as an Armenian mess, an Armenian tragedy, an Armenian problem and judged us all together. Its not the government thats damaged, its not the opposition thats discredited, its Armenia that is dishonored. My task there was to accept their criticism, listen to their disappointment, share their frustration and try to explain that this was not a permanent setback, but a temporary aberration from the path to which were commited. I hope Im not wrong. My judgment and their assessment will be tested by what happens in the coming weeks and months. What was clear was that despite all this, theres a lot of good will towards Armenia, a lot of hope pinned on Armenia, and a sincere desire to see us come through this in a meaninful way, not just superficially moving forward with business as usual. Q: How do we do that? Whats the way out? A: This conference was in Brussels, and most of the people I met with were from Europe, and the EU leadership. They repeated the points they had made last week that they expected the state of emergency lifted, they expected dialogue, they wanted the issue of detentions addressed, and they expected a return to unrestricted media. It was clear that there is a great deal of overlap between their requirements and the desires of the government and the statements of the opposition. What the EU wants is what the Armenian people want. In my view, all of those basic expectations can be met, they are and must be doable considering that the peoples faith and trust, the integrity of our society and the future of our city and country are at stake. We too want the state of emergency lifted, and as the President has said there have been no infractions, and the State of Emergency will be lifted as scheduled. The matter of detentions is very critical and very important. Of course we do not want to become a country of political prisoners. Those who have political association and have acted criminally must be punished. But artificial criminal charges should not be used to isolate political figures. The opposition cannot continue to act to risk everything. They did that on the afternoon and evening of March 1. If what they want are political, economic and social changes, they can use the strength of their support base to insist on those changes. We have a president-elect who has said he understands the depth of the frustration and dissatisfaction and is committed to bringing change. The political changes, the healing and the building are going to take a very very long time. They will be made more difficult by the rumors, the distrust, the fear, the readiness to believe the worst. Perhaps we can set aside the oppositions sense of entitlement and the governments self-assuredness, and actually conduct an independent, transparent investigation over what happened on March 1, even as we engage in real dialogue about whats to come. ArmInfo, 18.03.08 Economy 2008-03-18 19:27:00 VimpelCom to complete construction of convergent network in Armenia within next 2 years ArmInfo. The Armenian branch of Russian communication operator VimpelCom is planning to complete the construction of a convergent network in Armenia within the next 2 years, VimpelCom Technical Director for CIS Countries Ilya Chulyukin told ArmInfo correspondent without specifying the amount of investments in the project. According to him, at the moment convergent solutions are available to few countries. He noted that the company intends to develop this network, which combines the mobile and fixed communication, in Armenia stage by stage. "This process is rather labor-intensive, however, judging by the modern mobile telephones being used by the Armenian population, the new product will be in demand", Chulyukin stressed. He added that the demand will also be conditioned by the tariffs for this product. At the same time, he pointed out that the company is planning to introduce third generation (3G) technologies in Armenia in the near future. "GPRS systems are successfully being used in Armenia, therefore one can state that the country is already ready to use the 3G technologies, Chulyukin assured, adding that transition to the 3G technologies will help increase the speed of data transmission in networks and offer new services to the subscribers. Meanwhile, he highly estimated the quality of mobile communication in Armenia. To recall, Ericsson will supply equipment for this project. The network will be built on the base of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution. Ericsson will provide system integration of IP-platforms and supplements to render convergent services on the basis of IMS (IP telephony and multimedia services for private and corporate customers). The services on the IMS base offer a wide range of possibilities for personalized communication by means of combination of voice, text messages, images and video. In addition, the IMS conception, which is a fusion of convergent mobile and fixed networks in a single all-IP network, ensures flexible support of broadband access services. As a result, ArmenTel will be able to offer a wide range of advanced services. To note, VimpelCom (Russia) owns 100% of shares of ArmenTel telecommunication company, which is a monopolist in the fixed communication sphere in Armenia. Finance and banks 2008-03-18 15:46:00 Results of Currency Transactions in Interbank Market for March 17 ArmInfo. The transactions in the Interbank currency market for March 17 made up $1 mln (309,320 mln drams) by average weighted rate 309,32 AMD/$1, which is by 4,3 times higher of the March 14 trading day indicator (72, 066 mln drams). According to the data of the commercial banks, the average exchange rate of USD has grown by 0.1 points. The data of the Armenian stock exchange say the currency transactions on the floor made up $6,400 mln (1,979 bln drams), which exceeds the similar indicator of the Interbank market by 6,4 times. The average weighted rate at the exchange made up 309,22 AMD/$1. 2008-03-18 15:00:00 Armenian Central Bank revised titling of nine companies ArmInfo. Armenian Central Bank increased rating of the three companies - CJSC Evroterm ( from B- to B), CJSC Araratcement (from C to C+) and CJSC Mikacement (from C- to C). Another four companies preserved their rating at the same level.And rating of the two companies was reduced - "Tamara" (from (B-) to C+) and OJSC "Champagne wine factory" (from C to C-. According to ArmInfo information, in general rating of the Central Bank were promoted to 40 industrial enterprises, only 25 of which agreed their rating to be published. 2008-03-18 11:36:00 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, 487drams for 1 EUR and 12,9 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 310 drams for 1 dollar, 488 drams for 1 EUR and 13,1 drams for 1 Russian ruble. Ecology 2008-03-18 15:46:00 Scientific discussion on problems of nuclear power to be held in Armenia ArmInfo. Nuclear power development problems will be discussed in the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. As spokeswoman of RA NAS Inga Zarafyan told ArmInfo, a Round Table on this subject will be held on March 19. The discussions are held by the Foundation after Henry Bell (Germany) jointly with "Ekolur" News nongovernmental organization under assistance of RA NAS. The materials of the Candidate of Sciences, engineer Herd Rosencrans "Nuclear Power - Myths and Legends" will be touched upon during discussions. The participants are offered to express their opinion on the problems, proposed in the book, from the viewpoint of international tendencies and the strategy of nuclear power development in Armenia, as well as discuss the problems of risks and security related to the influence on environment. Participation of Director of Henry Bell's Foundation representation in South Caucasus Walter Kaufmann, RA first deputy Minister of Nature Preservation Simon Papyan and a number of scientists in discussions is envisaged. Moreover, Head of the Inspection on Nuclear Safety of RA Ministry of Nature Preservation Ashot Martirosyan will also take part in discussions. To note, Herd Rosencrans emphasizes in his book that the nuclear power is an unreliable technology not only from he viewpoint of safety but from the viewpoint of financial investments. The author notes that the nuclear industry will have no chances to survive under conditions of the market economy without state subsidies. 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