Intrigue of the day

2008-05-12 17:51:00 Pope recalls Armenian 'martyrdom,' avoiding 'genocide' term

ArmInfo. Pope Benedict XVI on Friday recalled the "martyrdom" of the Armenian Apostolic Church during a visit by its leader Karekin II, avoiding the word "genocide" pronounced several times by his predecessor John Paul II.

As AFP reports from Vatican, Karekin II, on the fourth and final day of a visit to the Vatican, had on Wednesday urged "all nations to universally denounce the Armenian genocide" in a speech to some
20,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square. On Friday, however, the pope said: "The recent history of the Armenian Apostolic Church has been written in the contrasting colours of persecution and martyrdom, darkness and hope, humiliation and spiritual rebirth. The restoration of freedom to the Church in Armenia has been a source of great joy for us all", the 81-year-old pontiff added.

The source recalls that in November 2000, a meeting at the Vatican between John Paul II and Karekin II ended with a joint statement condemning the Armenian "genocide. The following year, at Karekin
II's invitation, the Polish pope travelled to Armenia where the two religious leaders again spoke of "the extermination of one-and-a-half million Armenian Christians in what is generally called the first genocide of the 20th century.

The source reports that Karekin II invited Benedict XVI to visit Armenia both in his own name and on behalf of new President Serzh Sarkisian.







Politics

2008-05-13 14:45:00 Matthew Bryza: 'We are hopeful that the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will push the new round of active phase of the conflict settlement'

ArmInfo. "The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers on May 6 in Strasburg shows that the Minsk process is useful and moves forward", Matthew Bryza, OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair told APA.

He said he had high hopes for the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents. "We are hopeful that the meeting of leaders of both countries will push the new round of vigorous activity and the work
on the basic principles will be completed in the next few months".

To recall, the meeting of the presidents is possible in Saint Petersburg within the frames of Economic Forum.


2008-05-13 12:47:00 Acting Official Representatives of RF FM: It is not the first time when Matthew Bryza demonstrates unawareness of the real situation and developments

ArmInfo. The statements by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs in Tbilisi and Sukhumi continue the policy of the U.S. Administration aimed at protecting the counties they intensively attract to NATO from criticism. Acting Official Representative of the RF Foreign Ministry Boris Malakhov made this statement when commenting on the statements by M. Bryza, RF Embassy in Armenia reports.

'Moscow noticed a number of not so correct statements made by M. Bryza in Tbilisi and Sukhumi. We have to state that it is not the first time when Mr. Bryza demonstrates unawareness of the real situation and developments in the conflict region. As a result, his comments, to put it mildly, not so much correspond to reality. There is an impression that Mr. Bryza is either unaware of the official comments by the Russian Foreign Ministry and the reports by the US Embassy in Moscow on the content of the talks with
Russian top officials or he pretends not understanding the Russian initiatives repeatedly explained to the American partners. In addition, Mr. Bryza presents all the latest developments in favor of Tbilisi. In particular, despite the increasing Georgian armed forces on the boundary with Abkhazia and regular violation of the Abkhazian air space by Georgian surveillance drones, the American diplomat casts doubt on the reasonability of some increase in the quantity of the p
eacemaking contingent of CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the conflict zone and interprets it as 'a factor preventing stablishment of peace in Abkhazia'. He is probably unaware that on April 29 and May 3 CIS CPF Commander informed the Georgian Defense Minister on the reasons of the increase of the peacemaking contingent and the schedule of its deployment:.. We have repeatedly explained, including to the U.S. Department of State, that there has been no military component in the cancelled CIS sanctions on
Abkhazia. Just protection of the social- economic and humanitarian interests of the population in Abkhazia is in question since the Georgian Government has failed to ensure these interests for over 15 years', Malakhov said.


2008-05-13 12:44:00 Ex-vice speaker of RA parliament released under recognizance not to leave

ArmInfo. Ex-vice speaker of RA parliament, Head of RA first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan's campaign headquarters in Shengavit Yerevan community Karapet Rubinyan has been released esterday, by decision of Armenia's Special Investigation Service.

As spokeswoman of RA Prosecutor General's Office Sona Truzyan told ArmInfo, the decision of the Special Investigation Service has been stipulated for the fact that "it is unnecessary to keep Rubinyan under arrest at this stage". He has been released under recognizance not to leave. One more person under investigation on this case, Tigran Baghdasaryan, has been bailed out. According to the information, 54 people on the case of March 1 events are under arrest, a measure of restraint, not related to arrest, has
been chosen with respect to 30 persons. Forty cases on March 1 events have been submitted to the court, and 9 cases more - to the National Security Service of Armenia. There are total of 49 criminal cases in the courts with respect to 52 people, the message says.


2008-05-13 12:42:00 CJSC 'Radio Hay' argues about constitutionality of part 3 of clause 53 of the law on television and radio

ArmInfo. Today hearings on the lawsuit of CJSC "Radio Hay" about constitutionality of part 3 of clause 53 of the law on television and radio were held at Armenian Constitutional Court.

As the lawyer Hayk Alumyan said, according to the above mentioned law, the right to set tariffs for using radio frequencies was given to Armenian Transport and Communication Ministry. This is violation
of the 10th clause of European Convention on protection of main rights and freedoms of citizens. He also added it is inappropriate to refer to the 45th clause of Constitution, which says about obligatory paying of the state tax as they pay it in time. "We do not understand why we should pay to the state extra 8 400 000 drams", - he said.

For his part, representative of defendant, the head of legislation analysis department of the National Assembly Administration, Ashot Khachatryan, said that this point of the l;aw has nothing in common
with European Convention, as it says about compensation to t5he state for the given services. He also added there is no aggression of rights or violation of Constitution in this case.

Judges went to consultative room to deliver a judgement.


2008-05-13 11:31:00 Vladimir Kazimirov: Stopping the war is above any formalities

ArmInfo. 'Unlike other conflicts in the post-Soviet space, contacts between two parties have been resumed on Nagorno Karabakh. It happened after February presidential election and change of the administration in Armenia, that was accompanied by disturbances and on the threshold of October presidential election in Azerbaijan', ex-Cochairman of OSCE Minsk Group Vladimir Kazimirov writes in the article "Stopping the War is Above Any Formalities", published yesterday in 'Vremya Novostey' Moscow newspaper. V. Kazimirov
is an ambassador, in 1992-96 - Head of the mediatory mission of Russia, representative of RF president for Nagorno Karabakh, OSCE MG participant and cochairman, deputy chairman of the Association of Russian diplomats.

"OSCE MG cochairmen organized a meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Edward Nalbandyan and Elmar Mammadyarov in Strasbourg on May 6. Their first communication was fact-finding but targeted at preparation for the meeting of two Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan. Both ministers sounded out a possibility of the presidents' meeting in early June in Saint Petersburg. Baku examines how the new Armenian team will handle the matter and does not hasten the presidents' meeting, not overlooking
the internal difficulties of Armenia", V. Kazimirov notes and recalls that the
meetings resumed on the eve of a remarkable anniversary - 14 years of the agreement on Armistice in Karabakh (on May 12).

As the ex-mediator emphasizes, it succeeded to reach this unprecedented agreement under assistance of Russia, which initially saw a priority (unlike other MG participant- countries) in prompt termination of mass bloodshed. "Due to the Russian mediation, the conflict parties restricted the military operations and ceased fire seven times for some term. Tiredness from war and balance of forces added realism to all the three conflict parties (Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia). "

It seemed like the way to agreement was open. However, even a trifle could bugger up everything. The Azerbaijani authorities wished to form a cease-fire with Yerevan, while the latter did not want it without participation of Stepanakert. Hurling their representatives together meant losing of time and a chance in case of changes of the situation on the front. The only way out was to pass over the parties' caprices and sign the document in any acceptable manner. We prepared the text of the agreement in the cabinet
of ex-President of Azerbaijan Heidar Aliyev for it to be signed by AR Defense Minister and Commander of the NKR Defense Army. However, H. Aliyev asked to involve Yerevan once more. By the
way, the Russian diplomats told Yerevan far ago that Armenia is a direct participant in the conflict, however, Yerevan evaded from recognition of its role, though, finally, it agreed to sign the agreement.

They had to repeat the text in three sheets for separate signature of each party. Having confirmed identity of these texts to the conflicting parties, Russia, as a mediator, announced of the agreement's entry into force since May 12.

Nothing is more important today in Karabakh conflict settlement than strengthening of cease-fire regime and reaching the agreement that this conflict should be settled only peacefully", V. Kazimirov writes.


2008-05-12 19:06:00 Armenian defense minister: Armenian authorities should do their best to continue maintaining cease-fire

ArmInfo. "Armenia's authorities should do their best to maintain the cease-fire regime", Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said in parliament, Monday. "This issue should be settled in a peaceful way", he stressed adding that at the moment no tension on the contact line is registered.

To note, the agreement on cease-fire was signed in Bishkek in 1994. To recall, around 11 am, Monday, the Azeri armed forces made shooting attacks on the defensive pivots of the Armenian armed forces near the borderline village of Baghanis in Tavush region of Armenia.


2008-05-12 19:03:00 Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents may meet in June

ArmInfo-Turan. At the moment, measures are being worked out to hold the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists, Monday. He admitted that this meeting may take place in June within the frames of the CIS economic forum in St.Petersburg. According to the Azeri foreign minister, the
negotiations will be continued on the basis of the Prague principles of settlement.


2008-05-12 18:31:00 Seyran Ohanyan: We feel solicitude for the fact that every year Azerbaijan increases budget of its army, but we are striving to ensure balance regarding quality

ArmInfo. Armenian Defence Ministry fully fulfilled budget allowances of 2007, Armenian Defence Ministry Seyran Ohanyan said in the National Assembly, Monday.

He also added that in 2007 the expenditure programmes on military combat readiness, ensuring fighting efficiency, replenishment of military equipment and improving of social level of servicemen were
fully fulfilled. 'As of 1 January 2007 salary of servicemen grew by 20%', - the minister said. He also said that military expenditure have grown if compared with the previous year, especially in education sphere. 'We are going to demand from the government raising of military expences if possible', - Ohanyan said. 'Of course we feel solicitude for the fact that every year Azerbaijan increases budget of its army, but we are striving to ensure balance regarding quality', - the minister said.


2008-05-12 18:28:00 Armenian embassy in Lebanon receives several applications from RA citizens to support them in departure from country

ArmInfo. The Armenian embassy in Lebanon received several applications from Armenian citizens to support them in departure from the country, Tigran Balayan, the head of the Press Division at the Armenian foreign ministry, told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to him, the number of such applications doesn't exceed 10. Asked how the departure will be organized, Balayan recalled that in the past, during the Lebanese-Israeli conflict, departure was
organized via the Syrian territory. "Now we are also working on the same direction", Balayan said.


2008-05-12 18:27:00 Diplomats dismissed from Foreign Ministry intend to appeal to the court

ArmInfo. On 14 May Administrative Court will hear the case on the diplomats dismissed from the Foreign Ministry in February 2008, lawyer Levon Baghdasaryan said at Friday Club. To recall, a group of Ambassadors, including deputy foreign minister Armen Bayburdyan, on February 23 made speeches during the opposition rallies in the Liberty Square on 23 February. The next day a group of diplomats and employees of the Foreign Ministry made another statements. Both the statements were perceived as political and all
those who signed the statements were dismissed. However, a group of diplomats believes that they were dismissed illegally and intend to apply to the court for restoration of their positions.

L. Baghdasaryan said that if the Administrative Court does not satisfy their appeal, the case will be submitted to the next instance court. The lawyer said that they will appeal even to the European Court for Human Rights if need arises.

For his part, the former press-secretary of the Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetyan said that none of the points in the notorious statement contradict the stance of the official authorities. 'We are sure we did not violate the law and we intend to prove it in the court', V. Karapetyan said. He intends to speak at the court personally. Asked if it means that he disagreed with the policy of the former Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, Vladimir Karapetyan categorically refuted the supposition. He stressed that
before 24 February 2008 'the policy was right and considerably increased the authority of Armenia'.


2008-05-12 18:25:00 Vladimir Karapetyan: A serious blow was delivered on our positions on Karabakh issue

ArmInfo. After the March 1 events Armenia's foreign political opportunities decreased, first and foremost, a blow was delivered on the Armenian positions on the Karabakh issue, Vladimir Karapetyan, the former spokesperson of the Armenian foreign ministry, said at a press-conference at Urbat club, Monday. To recall, Karapetyan and some other employees dismissed from the foreign
ministry, are trying to judicially prove that the decision on their dismissal was illegal, and to be reinstated in office. The reason of the dismissal was a statement which was qualified as political.

Commenting upon the situation after the March 1 events, Vladimir Karapetyan recalled that a number of international organizations came out with critical statements "to which we have given no adequate reply yet". According to Karapetyan, in this context, both the foreign ministry and the whole country are in the stage of rehabilitation. "The consequences of these events continue having a negative effect on our foreign political opportunities from the viewpoint of opposing challenges. The fact, that though our
forecast came true but the foreign ministry continues stating that we are wrong, is amazing. As a result of application of violence, the foreign policy of our country faces more and more new problems, the representatives of our department continue looking for new resources to exclude us from the sphere of the foreign ministry. In fact, instead of opposing the external rival, the foreign ministry continues fighting with us", Karapetyan said.


2008-05-12 18:18:00 Azerbaijani Armed Forces fire at defensive bases near village of Baganis and injure shepherd

ArmInfo. Azerbaijani Armed Forces fired at defensive bases near of Armed Forces of Armenia near the village of Baghanis, Tavush region, Armenia approximately at 11:00am Monday.

Press Secretary of Armenian Defense Minister Colonel Seyran Shakhsouvaryan told ArmInfo that a resident of the village of Baganis, shepherd Lorik Avagyan (1957) was injured. It was possible to take Avagyan out of the fire line only at about 12:40pm. L. Avagyan is hospitalized. His health is in the state of moderate severity.


2008-05-12 18:10:00 Special services of Armenia prevent import of drugs from Iran

ArmInfo. National Security Service of Armenia press-center reports that a lorry 'KAMAZ' was stopped on May 8 when entering Armenia from Iran. The lorry belongs to Hovik Khalatyan, resident of Marneuli region, Georgia (1962). The operatives exposed and confiscated 2 kg and 330 g opium and 35 g hashish in the lorry. Hovik Khalatyan was detained. Investigation is underway.


2008-05-12 18:02:00 Armenian Foreign Ministry: There are no suffered people among Armenian citizens and persons of Armenian origin in the clashes in Lebanon

ArmInfo. There are no suffered people among Armenian citizens and persons of Armenian origin in the clashes in Lebanon, head of the department on relations with mass media of Armenian Foreign Ministry's press-service Tigran Balayan told ArmInfo correspondent.

At the same time he proved the information about firing of "Sevan" radio station. He also added that nobody applied to Armenian Embassy in Beirut with a request to assist him to return to Armenia.


2008-05-12 17:52:00 ANCA: Hachikian attacks White House policy as 'morally bankrupt' in letter to president

ArmInfo. Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian strongly criticized President George W. Bush's most recent April 24th statement as the final step of his betrayal of his campaign promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and a symbol of his Administration's "morally bankrupt" eight-year policy of complicity in Turkey's lies and denials.

The letter also notes that the President, during his two terms in office, has refused repeated requests by the leadership of the Armenian American community to discuss the Armenian Genocide and other issues of mutual concern. Earlier this year, on April 4th, Hachikian wrote a separate letter to the Secretary of State outlining 13 specific areas in which the Administration pursued policies at odds with the views and values of America's one and a half million citizens of Armenian heritage.


Hi-Tech

2008-05-13 14:48:00 Press-conference dedicated to June forum DigiTec Business to be held on May 14 in Yerevan

ArmInfo. A press-conference dedicated to June forum DigiTec Business will be held on May 14 in Yerevan. Implementation of information technologies in different business areas will become the
forum topic. Executive Director of the Union of Information Technologies Enterprises Karen Vardanyan, Executive Director of the Union of Banks of Armenia Seyran Sarkisyan, Director of the Republican Unity of Employers of Armenia Gagik Sahakyan will take part in the press-conference.

The forum DigiTec Business will be held on June 26-27. It is initiated by UITE. The forum will be organized under support of RA government, the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia and the Union of Banks of Armenia. About 3000 representatives of the country's business-community will expectedly take part in the forum.


2008-05-13 12:41:00 Failures in the billing system of ArmenTel CJSC create problems to some subscribers

ArmInfo. ArmenTel CJSC (Beeline trademark) delays presentation on monthly bills to some fixed-line telephony subscribers some failures in the billing system, the company reports.

Thus, the calls to the mobile network made in January, February and March were not registered in relevant accounts and were submitted to the subscribers in April. The company reports that subscribers are allowed to redeem the accounts within three months after their submission. The company urges subscribes to make contracts with the company to determine the terms of the redemption.


2008-05-12 19:58:00 ArmenTel informs internet providers that it is ready to meet them halfway

ArmInfo. ArmenTel company has informed the internet providers of Armenia that it is ready to meet them halfway and to start negotiations. The manager of one of the local provider companies has told ArmInfo that in its address to the providers ArmenTel says that it wants to improve the situation on the national telecoms market and to establish market economy conditions with a view to create an atmosphere of fair and constructive competition.

The source says that this may be response to the counter-move by some internet providers who closed access to their networks for ArmenTel clients following the latter's decision to set new unfair internet
tariffs. The providers have complained to the Committee on Regulation of Public Services. Presently, ArmenTel and the providers are negotiating.








Economy

2008-05-12 17:57:00 RA prime minister: Armenia's budget 2007 is unprecedented by growth of tax receipts

ArmInfo. Armenia's budget 2007 is unprecedented by growth of tax receipts, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan said in today's report in the parliament on budget fulfillment.

He said that it succeeded to assure factual growth by 1,6%, that is an extremely high indicator, instead of the scheduled growth of tax receipts to GDP by 0,4% in 2007. In fact, the prime minister added,
the tax receipts in 2007 grew by 33%, that twice exceeds the annual 16% growth rates over the last 5 years. The new government's goal is to assure duration of growth and solve the qualitatively new tasks. "We should preserve the high rates of tax collection per year of no less than 0,5% of GDP and improve the tax administration in order to sufficiently reduce the shadow economy and improve the business climate", the prime minister said.

As RA Finance Minister, Chief Financial Officer Atom Janjugazyan said, 2007- budget deficit made up 46,7 bln drams or 1,5% of GDP. The official transfers and fiscal revenue in 2007 made up 588 bln
drams, the expenditures - 634,7 bln drams.


Finance and banks

2008-05-13 14:31:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR

ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 306,5 drams for 1 dollar, 474drams for 1 EUR and 12,7 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 308 drams for 1 dollar, 476 drams for 1 EUR and 13,5 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


2008-05-13 14:29:00 Conference devoted to Armenian-Russian cooperation in financial-economic sphere to be held in Yerevan

ArmInfo. A business meeting-conference 'Russian-Armenian Business Club: Financial- Economic Cooperation' is expected in Yerevan on 20 June 2008. The event organizers are 'Pension Money' Publishing House and 'Asset Management' Magazine.

The event organizers told ArmInfo that invitations are sent to the ministries and departments, self- regulating organizations, financial companies, insurance companies, representatives of various business
segments and the media in Russia and Armenia. The key goal of the conference is to boost the business and economic relations of Russia and Armenia, to establish new business contracts and hold informal
meetings. The forum will help the participants achieve their business goals and will strengthen the historical good- neighbored relations of the two countries. The key topics of the conference are: Monetary and Credit Policy and Establishment of Investment Climate in Economy of Armenia, Prospects of Armenia's Becoming the Largest Financial Center in the Region, Opportunities for Cooperation of Financial Market Representatives of Armenia and Russia etc..


2008-05-12 18:04:00 USAID Actuarial mathematics education course presented in Yerevan

ArmInfo. Another actuarial mathematics education course 'Probability & Statistics' organized by USAID was presented in Yerevan, Monday.

A member of the Central Bank of Armenia Vache Gabrielyan and representatives of USAID were present at the event. Director of the USAID Economic Development for Insurance Rolf Anderson said great
attention is paid to the education programs in the sphere since they are the key factor of financial system development of Armenia.

It is the second in succession educational course on actuarial mathematics organized in 2008 on the basis of the agreement between the Armenian CB, USAID and the Union of Actuaries of Great Britain.
The program is designed for two years and consists of eight educational modules and an advanced course. The first week-long course was held on 6-13 April. Actuarial calculations estimate probable undesirable financial situations and risks and the ways to prevent them and soften the negative consequences.


2008-05-12 18:00:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR

ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 306 drams for 1 dollar, 474drams for 1 EUR and 12,7 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 308 drams for 1 dollar, 474 drams for 1 EUR and 13,3 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


Culture

2008-05-13 12:39:00 Representation of 'Golden apricot' film festival to be opened in Paris

ArmInfo. Representation of "Golden apricot" film festival will be opened in Paris, art-director of the festival Susanna Harutyunyan said at the seminar "Problems and peculiarities of modern movie critic".

She also added that opening of the representation will give wider opportunities for establishing relations between modern elite cinema industry and Armenian festival.

To note, seminar 'Problems and peculiarities of modern movie critic' was held on 9-11 May in Tsakhadzor. A total of 18 journalists took part in it.