Intrigue of the day

2008-05-20 14:21:00 Maud de Boer-Buquicchio: Authorities and opposition of Armenia able to arrive at agreement to set up special committee to investigate 1 March incidents

ArmInfo. The authorities and the opposition of Armenia are able to arrive at an agreement to set up a special committee to investigate 1 March incidents, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio told ArmInfo when commenting on her meeting with the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan on May 19 in the evening.

She said that the role of the opposition is naturally to oppose the actions by the government. Nevertheless, the opposition should try to launch a constructive dialogue and make it possible to engage to something which eventually leads to reconciliation. , she said. Moreover, she stressed that they discussed the necessity of very clear restoration of all
the facts of 1 March incidents, the importance of a special committee equally represented by both the government and the opposition, as well as the possible contribution by international community to this
initiative through involvement of experts and civil society. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio said she discussed this question also with the power representatives and thinks a relevant agreement may be achieved. She mentioned that establishment of the committee is among the recommendations by PACE and its fulfillment is to be discussed during June Session of PACE. That is why, she thinks, the authorities must
seriously think over the fulfillment of the given initiative.

To recall, debates on the recommendations by PACE Resolution 1609 on Democratic Institutions in Armenia are expected during the Summer Session of PACE to be held 23-27 June. In particular, the resolution says that negative assessment will lead to reduction of mandates and deprivation of votes of Armenian delegates to PACE for a year.







Politics

2008-05-20 14:30:00 CE Deputy Secretary General is impatiently waiting for good information about discharge of detained persons

ArmInfo. As CE deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio told ArmInfo, she is impatiently waiting for a good information about discharge of the persons detained in view of the
post-election period and March 1 events in Yerevan. CE deputy Secretary General said that she had an opportunity to meet and talk with a wide circle of persons detained in view of March 1 events and
added that she has a relatively balanced picture about the current situation in Armenia. Maud de Boer- Buquicchio said that she has established the fact that RA authorities show readiness to take the required additional measures, that is extremely important for compliance with PACE requirements. However, she added that one should do more as regards the detained, in particular. The diplomat also said that the detained persons should be set free that is possible within the frames of the Armenian legislation.


2008-05-20 14:05:00 Whole Armenia is like one big judicial process: Leader of communists

ArmInfo. 'Today, Armenia is like one big judicial process. In every region of the republic, the arrested on the case of March 1 events are greeted in the court session halls with applauds. This picture does not enhance the country's authority', first Secretary of the Central Committee of Armenia's Communist party Rouben Tovmasyan told journalists today in "Pastarq" club.

He said that the Communist party, much earlier than PACE, formed 6 requirements to the country's authorities, the fulfillment of which might lead to relief of the internal political tension. "First of all, all the arrested during the post-election processes should be released", R. Tovmasyan said.

R. Tovmasyan treats the prospect of beginning of a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition very skeptically, referring to the absence of personal contacts among heads of conflicting parties for many years. Meanwhile, CPA leader does not agree with "privatization of the whole oppositional field by Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters" and calls the ex-president "oligarch of the opposition". "If we did not support anyone at the presidential election, it does not mean there is no other opposition in the
country", R. Tovmasyan said.


2008-05-20 13:15:00 International conference dedicated to Armenian-Turkish relations is held in Yerevan

ArmInfo. An international conference, dedicated to the problem of the Armenian-Turkish relations "Global Challenges and Threats: Whether Joint Efforts of Armenia and Turkey are Possible" is held in Yerevan in the "Congress" hotel. The conference has been organized by USAID, the "Eurasia" Partnership Fund and the "Global" International public organization.

Armenian and Turkish experts, representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, accredited in Armenia, political scientists, economists and lawyers take part in the conference. The conference is aimed at
clarifying whether the European aspirations of Armenia and Turkey are really able to mitigate the available historical and political discrepancies. The importance of the Armenian and Turkish expert
Centers in the afore- mentioned process is discussed among other issues at the conference. For this purpose, employee of the Analytical Center of Globalization and Regional Cooperation Diba
Nigar Goksel, being also an editor of the "Turkish Policy Quarterly" periodic edition, takes part in the conference.

In his opening speech, US Charge dAffaires to Armenia Joseph Pennington emphasized the significance of public organizations able to establish even a diplomatic dialogue under absence of any
official relations. Such conferences promote improvement of relations, cerate conditions for joint business, strengthen the regional cooperation, which is also assisted by the USA, officer of the USA Embassy in Armenia Steve Banks said introducing J. Pennington's opening speech, who failed to be personally present at the conference because of illness.

Head of the Armenian branch of the Analytical Center of Globalization and Regional Cooperation, a political expert Stepan Grigoryan, RA parliamentarian, member of the Republican party faction
Ashot Ashotyan and Head of the Caucasian Institute of Mass Media, a political expert Alexander Iskandaryan also made a speech at the conference.


2008-05-20 13:06:00 Parliament of Armenia passes amendments to the Law 'On the procedure of assemblies, and demonstrations' in first reading

ArmInfo. Parliament of Armenia passed the amendments to the Law 'On the order of assemblies and demonstrations' in the first reading by 92 votes 'for', 6 votes 'against' and one
'abstention' Tuesday.

In his speech, the author of the bill, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran Torosyan said the bill was drafted on the basis of notifications and recommendation of CE Venice Commission. In particular, it provides for the procedure of presenting reliable data on prepared events. The organizers of assemblies, demonstrations and processions are to inform local authorities at least 5 days beforehand. Basing on the recommendations of the responsible agencies regarding the danger of the planned events, the authorities
have a right to reject the application. In their turn, the organizers have a right to appeal against the rejection. The court is to study the appeal within 24 hours.

The bill contains a new provision on the voluntary conduct of mass rallies, demonstrations and processions. The speaker said the public has a right to express opinion on vital issues. Nevertheless,
voluntary assemblies with participation of over 100 people must not be termless. For this purpose, the term of such actions is limited - 6 hours. The speaker said the bill meets international standards and
aims to boost democracy in Armenia.


2008-05-20 10:11:00 First president of Armenia and CE deputy Secretary General meet

ArmInfo.First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan met deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, accompanied by her assistant Gianluca Esposito and Special Representative of CE Secretary General to Armenia Bojana Urumova.

As RA first president's office told ArmInfo today, the requirements made to RA authorities by PACE Resolution from April 17 and the course of their fulfillment were discussed during the meeting.


Hi-Tech

2008-05-20 14:28:00 Robert Nazaryan: 'ArmenTel' CJSC does not amnesty debts but corrects its mistakes

ArmInfo. The new e-billing system of "ArmenTel" CJSC has been implemented in Armenia using the best European experience, however, it revealed technical deficiencies at the initial stage, Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia Robert Nazaryan told journalists today.

He said that some problems related to the payment of accounts appeared in the system because of technical failures. "The Company claimed that it amnesties the debts appeared in view of this,
however, I must say that this is not an amnesty but correction of its mistakes", R. Nazaryan said.

At the recent press-conference, acting Executive Director of "ArmenTel" CJSC Gennadiy Kalgashkin also said about the amnesty of debts from the fixed to cellular network.


2008-05-20 14:19:00 PSRC approved new rules of rendering and using telephone services

ArmInfo. Today, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia approved new rules of rendering and using telephone services.

As the Commission Chairman Robert Nazaryan said, the new rules qualitatively differ from the previous ones adopted 10 years ago. The life requirements have changed since that then, the market has been
liberalized and "ArmenTel" CJSC is not a monopolist today any more, he added. The Commission chairman did not comment on which specific changes have been introduced in the new rules and what are their advantages. PSRC charged "ArmenTel" CJSC to sign new contracts with subscribers till July 1, 2009. According to the new rules, the telephone accounts should be paid till the last day of the
following month. After switching-off the telephone because of debts, the subscriber has a right to receive calls during 15 days more. In line with the Law on electron communication, the debtors, with
switched-off telephones, are enabled to carry out free calls by special numbers (01, 02 and 03). However, this is available only for subscribers of digital ATS, while the subscribers of analogue ATS are technically deprived of this opportunity.

Head of the Legal Department of "ArmenTel" CJSC David Saldukhchyan tried to discharge the Company of the standard to install telephone lines at the Company's expense if the cable length does not exceed 50 m. However, the Commission chairman insisted on fixing 200 m in the rules as it is required by the Russian regulations, "since we are not worse". D. Saldukhchyan also tried to discharge the Company of the liability to return the funds to subscribers from not completely realized prepayment cards. He said that
if a subscriber buys a card for 10,000 drams and used only half of it, and then he demands to return him the remaining 5,000 drams for any reasons, it may cause certain technical and organizational difficulties for the Company. Although, R. Nazaryan said that such difficulties are the Company's problem and one should proceed from the consumers' interests, he instructed to discuss the opportunity of applying this standard once more. Meanwhile, representatives of public or
ganizations expressed protest against this decision of the Commission and said that the new rules are not better and they are even worse than the previous ones, and that PSRC did not accept the numerous proposals for their improvement.


2008-05-20 14:16:00 Microsoft 'Developers' Days' in Armenia

ArmInfo. A two-day seminar devoted to 'Developers' Days' has got underway in Yerevan. Microsoft Armenia is organizing < Developers' Days> for the second year in succession.

Microsoft-Armenia Manager for Corporate Licensing Armen Papyan told ArmInfo the Corporation is holding this annual event almost in all the countries in the world. 'Given the high interest in Microsoft
products during last year's event, we decided to hold the seminar this year', he said. The seminar aims to present and discuss innovations and peculiarities in Microsoft programming. In particular, experts from a number of countries will present the latest MS developments: Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008, and SQL Server 2008. 'Last week we held a similar seminar jointly with USAID CAPS mostly for the directors, IT-managers of companies. Today's seminar is especially for programmers, the people who will
realize what the organizations will decide to use by means of our software>, he said. A. Papyan stressed that almost all the local IT-companies, large banks and credit companies engaged in programming for own purposes are involved in the seminar.

He also informed ArmInfo that Microsft Armenia plans to hold a series of events to make the platforms and software of the corporation popular.


Economy

2008-05-20 13:46:00 Gasprom and Armenia agree to make mid-term contract for gas supply and changeover to European gas tariffs in 2011

ArmInfo. Chairman of Gazprom OJSC Board Aleksey Miller, President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan agreed to make a new contract for gas supply. Gazprom press-service reports the parties agreed that it will be a mid-term contract with a price formula i.e. a changeover to the European price level is expected in 2011 (like in Russia). 'Gas price will be changed gradually given the high level of strategic cooperation and strengthening Gazprom's position in
Armenia due to the increase of its stake in ArmRusgasprom Company', the source reports. Before January 2009 Russian gas will be supplied to Armenia for 110 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. The parties stressed that ArmRusgasprom JV is extending its activity and preparing to launch IPO. Earlier Head of ArmRusgasprom Karen Karapetyan said that the company is working on a preliminary IPO and conducts international audit. In the spring of 2006 Gazprom and the Government of Arme
nia signed a 25- year contract to determine the strategic principles of cooperation in gas and energy projects in the territory of Armenia. The contract implies acquisition of the fifth power unit of Hrazdan TPP (Hrazdan-5) from the Government of Armenia and the country's gas
facilities. The Russian holding pledged to complete the construction of the 5th power unit within 2 years and to build a gas turbine with up to 140 MW capacity hereby increasing the general capacity to 440
MW. After the investments, Gazprom will have majority stake in ArmRusgasprom CJSC. The above gas price (110 dollars per 1.000 cubic meters before January 2009) was established in exchange for the sale of the assets to Gazprom. Starting from January 1 2009 up to 2011, the gas price for Armenia will make up 165 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. Armenia has no own natural gas resources. Gazprom resumed gas supply to Armenia in June 2003 and it is the only gas supplier to Armenia. Gasprom Export LTD (100pct subsidiary
of Gazprom) is engaged in gas supply up to the Armenian boundary. Gasprom holds 67.94pct stake in ArmRusgasprom at present.


Finance and banks

2008-05-20 14:33:00 Insurance company 'HSBC Bank Armenia' to specialize on life insurance

ArmInfo. Insurance company will mainly specialize on life insurance, chief executive director of Tim Slator said at the press-conference when replying at ArmInfo correspondent's question.

He also added that specific terms of this company entering the insurance market is defined by introduction of relevant legislative basis. 'We shall start insurance when Central Bank confirms
necessary standards including those regarding pension insurance', - he said.

Tim Slator said earlier that 'HSBC Bank Armenia' will enter Armenian insurance market in 2009.

To recall, today 10 insurance companies are functioning in Armenia, but none of them deal with life insurance.


2008-05-20 10:20:00 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, 478drams for 1 EUR and 12,7 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 309,5 drams for 1 dollar, 482 drams for 1 EUR and 13,5 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


Social

2008-05-20 16:06:00 Civil Society Network 'Refugees and International Law' dissatisfied with policy of Armenian authorities on problem of refugees

ArmInfo. Civil Society Network 'Refugees and International Law' NGO has disseminated a statement wherein it expresses dissatisfaction with the policy of Armenian authorities on the problem of refugees from Azerbaijan.

In particular, the organization says that since the independence of Armenia, the key interests and rights of the Armenians from Azerbaijan have been neglected. The authorities of Armenia did their best to persuade the international community that there is no necessity for any actions to guarantee the life and to compensate the moral and material damage caused to over 500,000 people by the Azerbaijani top leadership. The policy of the Armenian authorities does not demand that the Armenian refugees are given the
right to return to the place of their former residence or any state and territorial compensation of the damage caused to them within the administrative borders of the former Azerbaijani SSR. The Government program recently approved by the Parliament of Armenia mentions the problem of refugees by a single sentence which does not contain either political or social aspect of the problem. At least 10% of the population living in Armenia are refugees, which are the poorest a
nd unprotected part of the society. To protect social, economic and humanitarian rights of hundreds of thousands refugees ousted from Azerbaijan Council of Refugees Representatives was set up under the Civil Society Network 'Refugees and International Law'. Constitutive meeting of this structure took place on 17 May of the current year. The CSN calls up all the state structures of Armenia and international organizations to cooperate with the Council of Refugees Representatives when preparing and fulfilling
legislative acts and purposeful programmes which may promote refugees problems settlement, the statement says.