The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform The day news 2008-03-24 12:09:00 Newly elected president of Armenia meets V. Putin, D. Medvedev and V. Zubkov in Moscow ArmInfo-RBC. Official part of the working visit of the newly elected president of Armenia, incumbent Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, got underway, Monday. S. Sargsyan is expected to meet with incumbent president Vladimir Putin, the newly elected president Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov. A broad spectrum of issues of mutual interest will be discussed. Politics 2008-03-25 11:35:00 Viktor Zubkov: All promises of Russia to be kept in full unfailingly ArmInfo. All the agreements and promises of the Russian party, reached within the frames of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission, will be fulfilled unfailingly, RF Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said at yesterday's Moscow meeting with RA incumbent PM and newly elected President Serzh Sargsyan. As the Armenian governmental message reports, V. Zubkov congratulated S. Sargsyan on victory at the presidential election in Armenia. "Undoubtedly, we sincerely wish development to our friendly Armenia, which may always count on Russia's support", he said. V. Zubkov highly appreciated S. Sargsyan's activity on the post of a cochairman of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission. 2008-03-24 20:38:00 Serzh Sargsyan hopes for continuation of policy of strategic partnership with Russia ArmInfo. Today newly elected president, prime minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Sargsyan thanked Putin for his invitation to visit Moscow. He congratulated Putin on the successful presidential election in Russia and expresed hope that Armenian-Russian relations will continue to develop in the form of strategic partnership especially as they are underpined by a firm basis created by presidents Putin and Kocharyan and guaranteed by centuries-old cooperation beetween Russia and Armenia. The interlocutors discussed the post-election situation in Armenia. Sargsyan presented the situation, noting that the Armenian authorities are decisive and will do their best to stabilize it. This is necessary for consolidating the society's solidarity and tolerance. The meeting also covered issues of military and economic cooperation. They touched upon the Karabakh peace process as well. At the same time, Putin pointed out that the peace process should continue within the OSCE MG frames. The Russian president expressed confidence that under the guidance of the newly-elected president of Armenia, all the domestic problems of the republic will be settled soon. 2008-03-24 20:33:00 Mayor of Moscow: Armenian-Russian relations develop in the spirit of strategic partnership ArmInfo. Armenian Prime Minister, newly-elected President Serzh Sargsyan met Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov during his visit to Moscow, Monday. The Armenian governmental press-service told ArmInfo that this meeting was held within the frames of a meeting with Deputy Chairman of Russian Government Dmitry Medvedev. According to the source, Luzhkov expressed content with the fact that a delegation headed by Serzh Sargsyan is a guest of the Russian capital. Luzhkov congratulated Sargsyan on his victory at the presidential election in Armenia. The Mayor of Moscow stressed that the Armenian-Russian relations are developing in the spirit of strategic partnership, and Moscow plays an important role in these relations. For his part, Sargsyan thanked Luzhkov for warm reception and presented the domestic political situation of Armenia. The parties pointed to the dynamic development of Armenian-Russian trade-economic relations. Luzhkov pointed out that in the last years the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia has substantially grown and the House of Moscow in Yerevan has a big contribution to this growth. Luzhkov told Sargsyan about the present economic state of Moscow and its development programs. He pointed out the importance of the opening of a big Armenian wholesale trade in Moscow and the regular conduct of Golden Pomegranate fair in Yerevan. The parties agreed to set up in Moscow an Armenia companys for processing and sale of agricultural products. The parties also discussed their cultural relations. Luzhkov pointed out the importance of early completion of the construction of Armenian Church Complex in Moscow. Sargsyan said that he had visited the site and expressed hope that the project would be finished in the near future. 2008-03-24 20:32:00 Aram Sargsyan: Period of Robert Kocharyan's ruling is completed finally ArmInfo. The time for creative work for the welfare of Armenian people has come for the newly-elected president of Armenia, Leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsyan told ArmInfo correspondent. According to him, the period of Robert Kocharyan's ruling may be considered as finally completed. "It is impossible to continue working by the second president's methods, as this will raise a wave of new discontent of people", the politician noted. "If the government is formed mechanically, as it was in the past, the society will by all means express its discontent. The new president should form his team from people he trusts and can work with - this is the correct principle of formation of government", the DPA leader stressed. He added that the coalition formed several days ago, which consists of the Republican Party, Prosperous Armenia, Orinats Yerkir and ARF Dashnaksutyun is not natural. "Formation of this coalition was dictated by the situation, as these parties have different ideologies and approaches. Time will show whether they are able to form a long-term government", Sargsyan said. 2008-03-24 20:27:00 Leader of Democratic Party of Armenia: In 1996 Levon Ter-Petrossyan behaved the same way as the present authorities behaved towards him ArmInfo. The Mar 1 events in Armenia were very much like the events of 1996 when the first president Levon Ter-Petrossyan used water cannons and tanks against the opposition. Then, Ter-Petrossyan behaved the same way as the present authorities behaved to him, says the leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsyan. "I perfectly knew the leaders of the opposition. After each rally Ter-Petrossyan summoned us to the prosecutor's office in order to institute criminal proceedings. The present authorities must prove that our political system has improved since those times. Only then the people who voted for Ter-Petrossyan will understand that the promises of the authorities are not a lie. Otherwise, they will not calm down," says Sargsyan. As regards the questions why he was not with the people during the events, Sargsyan says that he was with the people simply he was not withy the people who tried to make advantage of the situation. Sargsyan is sure that Ter-Petrossyan would not have appeared in Armenia after 10 years of absence had he had no external support. 2008-03-24 20:25:00 Leader of Democratic Party of Armenia: Armenian authorities should conduct correct anti-propaganda to prevent repetition of March 1 mass disorders ArmInfo. "Being an oppositional party, the Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA) held rallies, and we also came out against the authorities, however, we have never chosen the dangerous path which would cause human victims", DPA Leader Aram Sargsyan said to ArmInfo correspondent. According to him, on April 12, 2004, the protesters were really peaceful, without any arms or metallic rods. "At that time we didn't let it come to bloodshed", he stressed. Sargsyan noted that in such situations people's safety is the most important thing. "How to fight against the authorities is a matter of future. The organizers of the March 1 mass disorders should be responsible first and foremost for the people's safety", he said. As Sargsyan stressed, "the Armenian authorities proved that they use the same methods as over the past 10 years. "The authorities should conduct correct anti-propaganda to prevent the repetition of such events", the DPA leader said. 2008-03-24 20:24:00 ARFD objects to any discussions in Armenia concerning possible cession of territories controlled by Karabakh army ArmInfo. ARF Dashnaktsutyun objects to any discussions in Armenia concerning possible cession of any of the territories controlled by the Defense Army of Karabakh, the head of the Central Office for Hay Dat and Political Affairs of ARFD Kiro Manoyan said during a conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement. Armenia has no right to cede the territories of Karabakh. Such a decision must be approved by a referendum. "Unfortunately, some politicians in Armenia do not think so and this is undermining the our positions. We must take certain steps to prevent Azerbaijan from claiming any territories," Manoyan said. One possible way is settlement of the liberated territories. "We must organize repatriation of Armenians to their homes and must do it on a state level," Manoyan said. 2008-03-24 16:40:00 Souren Sourenyants embarks on hunger strike ArmInfo. Souren Sourenyants, a member of the Political Council of the "Republic" party and the party's press-secretary, who has been arrested within the frames of the criminal case on March 1 mass disorders, embarks on hunger strike. As Press-secretary of Armenian Justice Minister Lana Mshetsyan told ArmInfo correspondent, Sourenyants made this statement at Nubarashen penitentiary Monday morning. Sourenyants demands a meeting with the investigator, his lawyer and the ombudsman. However, according to the source, Sourenyants met his lawyer Monday morning. To note, Sourenyants' lawyer is Hovik Arsenyan. 2008-03-24 16:33:00 Dmitry Medvedev: Armenia and Russia will continue consolidating bilateral relations ArmInfo. Under newly-elected Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's guidance, the Armenian-Russian relations will continue consolidating and both states will be able to cooperate in different spheres for the welfare of Armenia and Russia. Medvedev and Sargsyan congratulated each other on the victory at the presidential election. For his part, Sargsyan expressed confidence that the newly-elected Russian president will contribute to continuation of strategic partnership between the two countries. Medvedev noted that Armenia will be one of the first countries he will pay a visit to after assuming the presidential office. The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation. They pointed out the dynamics of development of the Armenian- Russian relations and the fact that Russia is the first trade partner of Armenia. The sides also touched upon the post-election domestic political situation in Armenia. Sargsyan thanked the Russian authorities for support and understanding in hour of need. Sargsyan and Medvedev also discussed the Karabakh peace process. Sargsyan assured his counterpart that as the newly-elected president of Armenia, he is ready to continue negotiating with Azerbaijan within the OSCE MG frames. 2008-03-24 16:28:00 Deputy from the opposition Heritage party: I am against adoption even of the best laws without their wide discussion in the society ArmInfo. 'I am against adoption even of the best laws without their wide discussion in the society. Nevertheless amendments to the law "On holding rallies, processions and mass events", which the deputies had seen just at the beginning of extraordinary sitting of the parliament, were adopted', - a deputy from the opposition Heritage party Larisa Alaverdyan said over the debates in Hayeli club, Monday. She also added that reference of the authors of the law on experience of some European states, in particular, Finland and Latvia, are untimely, as in our country there is big difference between the laws and practice of their application. She said that all the necessary preventative measures that make it possible to avoid worsening of the situation were foreseen before adoption of the last amendments to the law. 'If according to the official information, the 1 March events were planned by Levon Ter-Petrosyan, we have to clarify why the authorities were so eager to help the first president to fulfill his plan', Alaverdyan said. 2008-03-24 16:25:00 Armenian political expert: Kosovo is a precedent for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement from legal position ArmInfo. Kosovo may be a precedent for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement only as an example of violation of the right to territorial integrity, Armenian political expert Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan told journalists. "So, the Kosovo precedent should be considered at the legal level. From the moral point of view, I can't agree with it, as Serbs suffered the way Armenians suffered in the issue of Nakhijevan", the political expert said. 2008-03-24 16:05:00 Representative of guiding party: Holding of rallies in Armenia is possible after finishing of investigation on the 1 March events ArmInfo. 'It is mentioned in the amendments to the law "On the order of holding rallies, processions and mass events" that employees of law-enforcement agencies are responsible in case of unjustified use of weapon', - one of the author's of the amendments, deputy of the National Assembly from the ruling RPA Rafik Petrosyan said at the press-conference in Hayeli club today when replying to ArmInfo correspondent's question if the amendments are of the unilateral nature. Touching on limitation on holding mass events, he said that the rallies maybe restored after finishing of investigation of the 1 March events. The deputy is sure that temporary ban on rallies holding is necessary. 'It is better to forbid rallies than to have victims', - Petrosyan said. 2008-03-24 13:56:00 New format on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement should involve NKR and Iran: Armenian political expert ArmInfo. 'The new format on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement should be as follows: 3+3+1 and mean participation of three OSCE MG co-chairs, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Iran', Armenian political expert Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan told journalists. Motivating the reason of attracting Iran to the process, he said that Iran has a relevant experience in this process. 'Moreover, the country is bounded with the region with the historical past, and the fact that Iran, being of the same confession as Azerbaijan, is a good-neighbourly state for Armenia, is a positive factor in formation of a possible new format', the political expert said. He added that involvement of Iran in the process may be acceptable both for Armenia and Azerbaijan. 'In case if OSCE MG format is changed, the new staff of mediators and participants in the process should be formed just in such a format', Melik- Shahnazaryan said. In response to ArmInfo's question, he said that Iran has multiply expres sed a desire to take part in the process. 'In any case, Iran will not refuse of such a proposal', the political expert resumed. 2008-03-24 12:44:00 Adoption of Azerbaijan's resolution on Karabakh by UN General Assembly deficiency of Armenian foreign policy: Armenian political expert ArmInfo. Adoption of Azerbaijan's resolution 'Situation on Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan' by UN General Assembly was deficiency of Armenian foreign policy, Armenian political expert Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan told journalists. 'In conditions when USA, Russia and France were against the given resolution, it was really easy to work. Nevertheless, no serious work has been carried out to suspend the voting', he said. 2008-03-24 12:43:00 Armenia must be first to recognize independence of Nagorny Karabakh: ARFD representative ArmInfo. Armenia must recognize the independence of Nagorny Karabakh in response to Azerbaijan's aspiration for changing the format of the negotiations for peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict with mediation of OSCE Minsk Group. ARFD Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan told journalists. 'If Azerbaijan keeps waging such politics, evidently, Armenia, that has no large spectrum of measures, will have to resort to the key measure i.e. to recognize the independence of Karabakh. Moreover, Armenia must start settling the process-related practical tasks to achieve relevant recognition by other states', K. Manoyan said. He also added that the world community has already assessed the given approach. 'The decision to recognize NK independence must be adopted given the general sentiments of the negotiation process and not for reckoning. Karabakh is fulfilling all the conditions to be recognized an independent state. Karabakh has all the attributes of a ull-fledged country and Armenia must be the first country to recognize its independence', K. Manoyan said. 2008-03-24 12:37:00 Change of OSCE MG format is equal to beginning of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process from the ground up ArmInfo. Change of OSCE MG format, which Azerbaijan strives for, is equal to beginning of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process from the ground up, Head of the "Hay-Dat" Central Office and for political affairs of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Kiro Manoyan told journalists. He expressed uncertainty that in this case, when the process will have to start from the ground up, change of the format of negotiations will entail Armenia's compulsory participation in it. "Most likely, creation of a new format in the negotiation process will attract the Karabakh party to the process, that will postpone the conflict settlement", K. Manoyan said. 2008-03-24 11:37:00 New President of Armenia, incumbent Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan condoles with death of academician Varazdat Haroutunyan ArmInfo. New President of Armenia, incumbent Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan condoled with death of academician Varazdat Haroutunyan on March 22. The governmental press-service reports the condoling message in particular says that V. Haroutunyan devoted his life ad activity to scientific research of Armenian architecture, and protection of historical and cultural monuments. 2008-03-24 11:36:00 Azerbaijani foreign minister: If the OSCE MG co-chairs want to disclose all the details of the negotiating process, let them do it to the end ArmInfo. If the OSCE MG co-chairs want to disclose all the details of the negotiating process, let them do it to the end, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in an interview with Day.az. He also added that 'the resolution adopted by UN recognizes the necessity of provision of normal, safe and equal life conditions for the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in Nagornyy Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, which will make it possible to create an effective democratic system of self-management in this region within the frames of Azerbaijani Republic'. 'We do not go out of these frames in the Prague process', - the minister said. Mammadyarov also said that 'the resolution has become a signal of the world community of Armenia about lack of prospects of their present policy and the necessity of immediate leaving Azerbaijani territories'. 'Armenia cannot ignore this position of UN, but if nevertheless it tries to do it, it will show to the whole world once again how it "respects" international law and what values it propagandizes. On the other hand, Armenia saw the ability of the Azerbaijani diplomacy. Despite the aggressive pressure upon Azerbaijan at the beginning to refuse the resolution, and later upon the countries to vote against it, the document was put forward and adopted with 5:1 score. This is a reminder to those who is always trying to use tactical tricks at the diplomatic level. Now they realize that we are the international level players', - Mammadyarov said. To recall, 39 states voted for adoption of the resolution. Economy 2008-03-19 19:56:00 IAEA doesn't mind building a new NPP in Armenia ArmInfo. Russia, the USA and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not only approve the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia, but are also working out a strategy of preferential deliveries of nuclear fuel to the country, which will help develop Armenia's nuclear power engineering more actively, Deputy Energy Minister of Armenia Areg Galstyan told journalists. According to him, the feasibility study of the new NPP in Armenia will be ready by September-October 2008. "Economic estimations show that there is no alternative settlement of energy problems to the nuclear power engineering in Armenia. Estimations on creation of alternative generation sources have been made over the past 8 years. For this purpose, well-known foreign firms were involved in the process, however, their estimations showed that the most optimal variant is development of the nuclear power engineering", Galstyan said. Today, Metsamor NPP generates 45% of total electricity in Armenia. Armenia and Russia have already set up a joint venture for prospecting of uranium in Armenian territory. Earlier Armenia ratified an agreement on active participation in the work of the international uranium enrichment center in Angarsk. The participation in this project will help Armenia not only to supply its NPP with fuel but also to export uranium (provided that the present prospecting expedition finds sufficient uranium resources). Armenia's total uranium resources are estimated at 60,000 tons. Experts say that the construction of a new 1,000 MW NPP will cost $1.5bln. The resource of the existing plant will end in 2016. Finance and banks 2008-03-25 11:39:00 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, 476drams for 1 EUR and 12,7 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 309 drams for 1 dollar, 478 drams for 1 EUR and 13 drams for 1 Russian ruble. 2008-03-24 20:19:00 ARARATBANK to start serving the ArmInfo. ARARATBANK will shortly start serving a "Family linked card" package. ARARATBANK's press-service told ArmInfo that the package may contain two or more linked cards. For instance, the package includes a family man card, a family woman card, a family junior card - for youth, and a family teenager for 7-15 year old children. The family man card has an opportunity of unrestricted use of funds from a single account at the rates of ArCa Classic cards. The family man card holder has an opportunity to check the account of the cards linked to it. According to the source, the family woman, family junior and family teenager cards are linked to the main family man card. The cards for women, youth and children have a monthly limit of using the single account. At the same time, each of these cards can have an extract only on their own transactions. The holders of all types of cards of the "Family linked card" package can also receive bonuses. For instance, if during a month the volume of non-cash transactions by family man cards exceeds 150 thsd AMD, and the number of transactions exceeds 15 and more, 8% bonus of the total volume of the transactions is transferred to the card account. At the same time, if the family woman card holders carry out 5 or more non-cash transactions worth 50 thsd AMD, they receive 5% bonus of the transactions. If the family junior card holders secure 4 or more transactions worth 40 thsd AMD, they receive 4% bonus of the total volume of the transactions carried out by the card. If the family teenager card holders carry out 3 or more non-cash transactions worth 30 thsd AMD within a month, they receive 3% of the transactions. According to the source, these card holders receive 50% discount at various points of trade and service. Furthermore, the card holders have the right to make use of ARARATBANK's internet-bank service free of charge. 2008-03-24 16:34:00 On March 21 the volume of currency transactions in Interbank Market made up $1.100 mln and 20 thsd EUR ArmInfo. On March 21, the volume of transactions in the Interbank currency market made up 20 thsd EUR (9.540 mln AMD) at the average exchange rate of 477 AMD/1EUR and $1.100 mln (339.680 mln AMD) at the average exchange rate of $308,80 AMD/$1. The total volume of transactions was 3.7 times as high as during the previous trading day on March 20 (93.213 mln AMD). According to the data given to ArmInfo by the commercial banks, during this period the USD average exchange rate fell by 0,1%, and the EUR exchange rate - by 1.3%. On March 20, the currency transactions on the floor made up $3,860 mln (1,191 bln AMD), which was 3.4 times as low as the same index of the Interbank market. The USD average weighted rate in the exchange market made up 308,65 AMD/$1. Social 2008-03-24 16:23:00 ArmenTel changes free subscriber service number ArmInfo. ArmenTel Company changed the free subscriber service number for post-paid subscribers 2121 into 0674. ArmenTel is the branch of VimpelCom OJSC and provides fixed line and mobile communication services throughout Armenia. Culture 2008-03-24 16:06:00 Chinese Bronze exposition to open at History Museum of Armenia on March 25 ArmInfo. Chinese Bronze exposition will open at History Museum of Armenia on March 25, Director of History Museum Anelka Grigoryan said at a press conference, Monday. Forty-six copies of masterpieces of Chinese bronze will be exhibited. The originals of the exhibits were widely used during festivities, offering sacrifices etc. Historian and art specialists take interest in some of the exhibits for the notes engraved on them, for instance, the rules of dressage or the list of key events under 8 Chinese emperors. A. Grigoryan said the bronze art in China started in the 21st century B.C. Over 10,000 masterpieces have been created. Deputy Minister of Culture Gagik Gurjyan said it is the first exhibition of Chinese Bronze in Armenia. To boost such exposition, the Armenian Culture Ministry envisages definite financing for museums, he said. 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