Intrigue of the day

2008-05-22 15:12:00 Zhirayr Sefilyan asks political asylum in Nagorny Karabakh

ArmInfo. Zhirayr Sefilyan, Commander of Shushi battalion and Head of the public and patriotic organization "For Protection of Liberated Territories", who is in prison for illegal keeping of weapons, asked political asylum and citizenship from president of NKR Bako Sahakyan. Sefilyan is citizen of Lebanon.

Zhirayr Sefilyan's statement received by ArmInfo says that Sefilyan made a similar appeal to Bako Sahakyan yet in 2007. He was informed that his appeal would be studied after adoption of the Law on
Citizenship of NKR. 'I confirm by desire to get citizenship of NKR and I am ready to make another appeal in conformity with the law after relevant law on citizenship of NKR is passed', Sefilyan says in
his appeal. He also mentions that his term of imprisonment expires on June 9. 'I was imprisoned for keeping weapon awarded by NKR leadership. The verdict says that NKR leadership awarded the weapon with violation of some procedure and that I had no right to keep it', Sefilyan says. Zhirayr Sefilyan expresses concern about being exiled as soon as he is released. 'I rule out the possibility of leaving the
Motherland. That is why I ask political asylum from NKR. I hope that at least NKR will not reject me', Sefilyan says.







Politics

2008-05-26 08:27:00 Armenian authorities should have accepted the proposal of the leader of the Heritage party at least on the level of second persons

ArmInfo. The Armenian authorities should have accepted the proposal of the leader of the Heritage party at least on the level of second persons, the political expert Gerasim Barsegyan said during a press-conference today.

To remind, a two days ago the leader of Heritage Raffi Hovannisian urged the coalition and the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossyan to start a dialogue.

Even if Serzh Sargsyan and Levon Ter-Petrossyan cannot meet personally for the moment, the dialogue can be started on the level of second person, says Barsegyan. He does not agree with the opinion that Hovannisian should not have made such a proposal as during the presidential election he supported Ter-Petrossyan.

"All the political and public forces concerned for the future of the country must take active measures to overcome the post-election crisis."

"No single oppositionist have taken part in the past elections of perfects and will hardly run for seats in local self-governments. I am sure that some of them might win if they did. I don't understand why they don't do it," Barsegyan said.

Representative of Alternative public-political organization Norayr Norikyan said that people in Armenia regard opposition as a destructive force. "In fact, opposition is a force that seeks power and has full right to it," Norikyan sid.


2008-05-26 08:20:00 NKR president met participants in international conference 'The 20th anniversary of Karabakh movement: realities and prospects' held in Stepanakert

ArmInfo. On 23 May the NKR president met participants in international conference 'The 20th anniversary of Karabakh movement: realities and prospects' held in Stepanakert.

As ArmInfo was informed from Information Department of the NKR president's administration, the president mentioned importance of such a conference holding in Nagornyy Karabakh and added that
scientific research the conflict settlement may play an important part in the matter of its effective resolving.

Over the meeting they touched on the present process of the Karabakh conflict settlement and its prospects. Bako Sahakyan presented his position of settlement proving once again adherence of the Karabakh authorities to peaceful settlement of the conflict. This does not mean that the NKR cannot put down any encroachment to its independence and security, the president said and added that the
conflict cannot be resolved if official Stepanakert does not take part in the negotiating process as a competent party.

They also touched on a wide specter of issues regarding domestic political situation in the republic and the regional events.


2008-05-26 08:18:00 RA ex-FM: 'Actual independence of Nagorno Karabakh is indisputable'

ArmInfo. , ex-Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan said during the International conference in Stepanakert entitled "20th Anniversary of Karabakh Movement: Realities and Prospects", ArmInfo special correspondent in Stepanakert reports.

He said that the document currently available on the negotiating table is an achievement of the Armenian diplomacy, as the right of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determination has been fixed in it, that
allows to solve the problem in a best way. "This document will enable our diplomacy to keep on active working preserving the registered fact of self- determination of the Karabakh people", ex-FM
said. V. Oskanyan also said that he sees no alternative to this document and expressed hope that Baku will not refuse of its provisions as the document was drawn-up under active participation of the Azerbaijani party. RA ex-FM specified a number of factors influencing the Karabakh settlement process, in particular, the interests of powers, the internal political and economic state of the conflicting parties, the degree of efficiency of negotiations between the conflicting parties, etc.

To recall, political experts, scientists and representatives of power of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, Russia, the United States, Iran, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdniestria, and a number of European
countries take part in the conference. At this stage, the participants in the conference work in three directions: "Historical-legal substantiations of Nagorno Karabakh self-determination and International Law", "Peculiarities of the international perception of Nagorno Karabakh problem and the modern
geopolitical developments" and "Information challenges in Karabakh conflict settlement process". The conference will end today, on May 24.


2008-05-23 18:44:00 Oppositional 'New Times' party's press-service to no longer react to publications concerning NT leader's health

ArmInfo. "Some publications speculating on the state of New Times Party Leader Aram Karapetyan's health for obviously political reasons have recently appeared in the Armenian press", the New Times press-service's statement sent to ArmInfo, Friday, says.

According to the statement, the NT press-service no longer intends to react to the specified publications until "Aram Karapetyan fully recovers". "Aram Karapetyan himself will respond to the political processes and questions concerning him after his recovery", the statement says.

To recall, Aram Karapetyan was detained by the Armenian National Security Service's officials on February 24. A charge was filed against him under Article 333 of the RA Criminal Code ("false denunciation"). Karapetyan has been at the "Erebouni" medical center under constant care of physicians since May 16 because of abrupt health deterioration.


2008-05-23 18:42:00 Head of parliamentary group of Orinats Yerkir took part in rallies of supporters of Levon Ter-Petrossyan in order to read out the statement of her party

ArmInfo. I took part in the rallies of supporters of Levon Ter-Petrossyan in order to read out the statement of my party, the head of the parliamentary group of the Orinats Yerkir party Hegine Bisharyan said during a briefing today when asked why many other participants in the rallies were arrested and she was not.

"I just read out the statement of Orinats Yerkir. I have always pointed to the problems existing in our country and today in the parliament I continue to do it," Bisharyan said.


2008-05-23 15:52:00 Armenian defence minister: Azerbaijani party explains the delay in the returning process of four Armenian captives by holding 'the relevant work'

ArmInfo. Azerbaijani party explains the delay in the returning process of four Armenian
captives by holding "the relevant work", Armenian Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan said today over the meeting with students and teachers of Yerevan State Pedagogical Institute after Khachatur Abovyan.

To recall, civilians Vanik Zmboyan (Gavar), Artyom Zohrabyan (Noraduz), Karen Torosyan (Noraduz) and Aghasi Yenokyan (Noraduz) turned out to be on the Azerbaijani side after the incident in one of Nakhichevan near-border military units. The incident happened due to interpersonal relations. By unofficial data, a group of civilians arrived "to help" their friend, having been recently transferred to the new military unit. A conflict started among the young man and his comrade-in-arms, and the "brothers" arrived
by several cars at the unit to settle the dispute. A scuffle happened and the commander had to shot in air to stop it, unofficial data say. As a result, the stranger- young men were captivated. The Azerbaijani party tries to represent them as raiders in every way.


2008-05-23 15:50:00 Russia will have hard choice if battle actions start in Nagornyy Karabakh, Russian political expert thinks

ArmInfo. Russia will have hard choice if battle actions start in Nagornyy Karabakh, Russian political expert Sergey Markedonov told ArmInfo correspondent.

He also added that there is possibility of the battle actions restart because of an active unfreezing process of all the post-Soviet conflicts, to which the Kosovo precedent, domestic political situation and election in Azerbaijan promote


2008-05-23 15:49:00 Vahan Hovannisyan not to be appointed chairman of Public Council under the president of Armenia

ArmInfo. At today's briefing in the parliament member of ARF Dashnaktiutyun parliamentary faction, Ara Nranyan, disproved the rumours that head of the same faction Vahan Hovannisyan will be appointed chairman of Public Council under the president of Armenia.

Touching on the 1 March events in Yerevan, he said that 'despite the results of the election, the main purpose of ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan was to destabilize the situation in the country'.


2008-05-23 15:44:00 Moscow avoids Karabakh issue for tolerable relations with Azerbaijan: Russian political expert

ArmInfo. Russia has displayed a special attitude to Karabakh conflict since the moment when the ex-president Vladimir Putin declare the so-called universal approach i.e. application of Kosovo precedent in the post-Soviet area and Nagorny Karabakh proved outside it. Head of Inter-ethnic Relations Department of the Russian Institute for Political and Military Analysis Sergey Markedonov says in an interview with ArmInfo.

He stressed that Karabakh problem was not included in the March statement of State Duma 2008 either. 'The Karabakh conflict is avoided since official Moscow believes the relations with Azerbaijan
not as bad as with Georgia. So, Moscow has not washed up Moldova and Azerbaijan so far unlike Georgia', he said.


2008-05-23 15:42:00 In Russian declamation Armenia is called strategic ally but Azerbaijan - strategic partner, Russian political expert thinks

ArmInfo. In Russian declamation Armenia is called strategic ally but Azerbaijan - strategic partner, Russian political expert, head of the department of inter-ethnic relations of Russian Political and Military Analysis Institute Sergey Markedonov told ArmInfo correspondent.

, - the expert said. He also added that Russia and Azerbaijan have the connecting problems, such as: the Dagestan border, the Caspian problem. 'In general Russia is striving to apply the differentiated policy towards Armenia and Azerbaijan, though naturally Yerevan and Baku watch each other fervently regarding Moscow', - he said.


2008-05-23 15:37:00 Leaders of RAPA and People's party demand equal starting conditions from RA authorities for all political forces

ArmInfo. Leaders of Ramkavar Azatakan party of Armenia Harutyun Arakelyan and People's party, Head of "ALM" Holding Tigran Karapetyan demand from RA authorities to create equal starting conditions for all the political forces of the country.

As T. Karapetyan said in "Mirror" club today, just absence of equal starting conditions allows the authorities to falsify the election and creates the presently available tense situation in the society. "We offer to form election committees with participation of representatives of non-parliamentary parties and abolish the post of the head of the Central Election Committee. The opposition should make up 30-35% of the total number of parliamentarians like in Georgia", T. Karapetyan said.

For his part, leader of RAPA Harutyun Arakelyan offered the authorities "to grant places to non-parliamentary parties for creation of a non-parliamentary parliament, where they can gather and assess the vital events". Both participants in the discussion called RA President Serzh Sargsyan's initiative on creation of a Public Council under the country's president unserious. "I do not understand how can representatives of political and public forces fit together in one, even consultative body? This is an absolute
mess. I do not treat this proposal seriously". H. Arakelyan said that he knew about this initiative from journalists and he does not support it either. He also said that the process of unification of RAPA with "Dashink" and "National Rebirth" parties, started in 2007, is coming to the end, an the unification congress will give answers to all the organizational questions related to the party's name
and its governing body in autumn. "This congress will be a correct step with respect to the political forces which consult with us on joining", Arakelyan said.

Tigran Karapetyan also negatively spoke of the initiative of "Heritage" party leader Raffi Hovannisian, who offered himself as a mediator on organization of negotiations of the ruling coalition and the opposition headed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan. He thinks that R. Hovannisian cannot be a mediator as he openly announced about support of L. Ter- Petrosyan even in winter, which means that he is not an impartial party.


2008-05-23 15:22:00 Armenian Police: Danielyan was first to attack Urikhanyn

ArmInfo. Armenian Police published some details of the incident between the human rights defender, Head of Helsinki Association Mikael Danielyan and Head of Progressive Party Tigran Urikhanyan in the city center on May 21.

Armenia Police press-service reports that T. Urikhanyan was the first to apply to the Police approximately at 15:5 pm and declared that he was attacked. In some 10 minutes, the police received an alarm that Head of Helsinki Association M. Danielyan was fired at in the crossroad Teryan-Issahakyan. It turned out that passenger of VAZ-2107 M. Danielyan insulted Tigran Urikhanyan who was by BMW and hit him with an unknown thing. In response, Urikhanyan fired at him with Voltran 9mm Semi Automatic Blank Firing Gun.
Two blank shells were found on the spot. Circumstances are being verified.


Economy

2008-05-23 16:15:00 Stability of the South Caucasus region is provided with peace at the Turkish border, Turkish expert thinks

ArmInfo. Turkey is concerned about stability of the South Caucasus region ensured by the peace at the Turkish border, head of International Relations Department of the Turkish Economy and Technologies University Mustafa Aydin said in Yerevan today when making a speech at the international conference 'Caucasus-2007'.

He also added that the principle of the territorial integrity is a traditional priority of the Turkish policy. 'Traditionally Turkey is for preserving territorial integrity of the South Caucasus countries. Moreover, we think that weakening of the South Caucasus states may lead to strengthening of Russia's role in the region', - Aydin said and added that Turkey is trying to raise its influence in the region via strengthening of its own economy as well as at the expense of relations with the countries of the West.
'Turkey is strategic partner of Azerbaijan and Georgia. This directly affects Ankara's attitude towards the Nagornyy Karabakh and Abkhazian conflicts. Many politically active Abkhazians live in Turkey, which successfully
lobby their interests in the country and require assistance of the country in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict. Nevertheless, the Turkish government avoids such actions as it is afraid of damaging strategic relations with Georgia', - Turkish expert said.


2008-05-23 15:58:00 ArmenTel's fixed and mobile phone communication between Yerevan and RA regions to be disturbed May 27 night

ArmInfo. In connection with replacement of fiber-optic communication cable in Arshakunyats Avenue in Yerevan, the fixed and mobile communication of ArmenTel company will be disturbed between Yerevan and the following towns of Armenia: Masis, Artashat, Vedi, Ararat, Yeghegnadzor, Vayk, Sisian, Goris, Kapan, Kajaran, Meghri and Agarak from 1 am till 5 am, May 27, ArmenTel's public relations service told ArmInfo.


2008-05-23 15:46:00 'Yerevan Jur' company to increase base tariff for drinking water in capital in 2010-2011 by 8,4 drams

ArmInfo. Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia allowed "Yerevan Jur" Company to increase the base tariff for drinking water in the capital in 2010-2011 by 8,4 drams per 1 cub m. This decision was made by the Commission at today's session.

Noteworthy, the Company offered to increase the tariff by 13,14 drams. The tariff constituent includes the water supply volume, inflation, dram rate to Euro and change of the tariff for electric energy. In particular, the Company calculated that inflation growth in 2007 in Armenia led to increase of the water tariff by 3,45 drams, consolidation of the dram rate to Euro, in its part, caused reduction of the tariff by 10,1 drams, while reduction of water consumption led to increase of tariffs by 19,8 drams. Having
conducted a monitoring, specialists of the Commission revealed that the Company's data on water consumption were undervalued, therefore, a decision was made to increase water tariff by 8,4 drams, moreover, it is offered to increase it in 2010 by 3,6 drams, and by 4,8 drams in 20011. The current drinking water tariff in Armenia will remain unchanged till July 1, 2009, that is, 172,8 drams per 1 cub m.

Chairman of the Commission Robert Nazaryan said in his speech that, upon the results of audit, "Yerevan Jur" did not fulfill its contract commitments over 2 years of a lease contract on management
of water supply system in Yerevan. Moreover, over two years of management, the Company reduced the level of water consumption and increased the losses from 81% to 85%. Noteworthy, Director of
"Yerevan Jur" Serzh Popoff also expressed discontent with the Company's work.

To recall, in 2007, RA Public Services Regulatory Commission also allowed "Yerevan Jur" to increase the base tariff after July 1, 2009, by 3 drams to 132 drams. According to the lease agreement, the
base tariffs subject to revision each year. The contract has been signed at late, 2005, between the water supply system operator in the person of General des Eaux French Company, managing "Yerevan Jur" CJSC, and RA government. Under the contract, the tariff should be reduced stage-by-stage during 10 years from 172,8 drams per 1 cub m of water to 90 drams in 2015.

However, representatives of public organizations fear that, taking into account the current rates of growth, no tariff reduction should be expected.


Finance and banks

2008-05-26 08:31:00 President of Armenia: Financial system of Armenia has real potential for becoming financial center of the region

ArmInfo. The financial system of Armenia has real potential for becoming the financial center of the region, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said during the 1st financial-banking conference in Dilijan.

"I believe that this is possible and we must do out best to make this true". "We are well aware of our capacities and our problems. So, we must work to develop our capacities and to solve our problems. We must actively adopt the best international experience and form stable traditions on our financial market," Sargsyan said.

In this light, he welcomed the entry of OMX in Armenia and said that this tendency had to be continued.
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan, Vice Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Artur Javadyan and the heads of the key financial institutions of Armenia took part in the conference.

The objective of the conference is to specify the key priorities of the financial-banking system of Armenia and its role in the country's development programs.


2008-05-23 16:08:00 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, 483 drams for 1 EUR and 12,9 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 309 drams for 1 dollar, 485 drams for 1 EUR and 13,5 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


2008-05-22 01:13:00 Armenia's bankers are ambiguous in necessity of securitization of assets

ArmInfo. Armenia's bankers are ambiguous in necessity of securitization of assets, the results of voting of May 21 "English Debates" in "Marriott Armenia" Hotel, organized by an independent rating agency, member of the international Global Rating Group, certify. The debates, with participation of over 30 representatives of commercial banks, heads of credit companies, investment companies and experts, were dedicated to the topic 'Securitization as a Required Tool for Increasing Liquidity of
Banking Assets. Is that Right?'.

The event was held under support of the Union of Banks of Armenia, USAID and East West Management Institute within the frames of the Partners for Financial Stability programme.

Member of the Central Bank Board Karine Minasyan said in her speech that CB is currently working over implementation of new alternative tools for regulation of the processes of securitization
of banking assets.

The first tool is a possibility of issuing mortgage bonds by banks and credit organizations. Moreover, free issues will be carried out under tight control of a megaregulator. "We envisaged numerous
regulatory mechanisms to assure high reliability of these securities and confidence of investors", she said. The second tool will be a "pure" form of securitization, which envisages real sale of assets to a specially created legal person. "The draft laws we intend to shortly introduce, envisage a possible alternative, due to which any market participant will be able to realize different initiatives in the area of securitization", K. Minasyan said. Along with it, member of CB Board presented the advantages the
market participants will receive using the tools of securitization of assets. "In particular, this will allow the companies to extend their business, receive an additional income, manage the credit risks more efficiently and release the resources", K. Minasyan said.

For his part, co-Director of AEPLAC Tigran Jrbashyan said that securitization in Armenia is not a new phenomenon. 'In a period of privatization in Armenia in 1993-94, when the major part of the state property was transformed into a form of unclear joint- stock companies, an elementary securitization of state assets was also observed, a so called voucherization', T. Jrbashyan said and added that a postulate on non-readiness of Armenia for securitization may be ruled out. 'provide the market with a tool and, believe,
the Armenians will make a profit of it', he said part in play. In addition, he said, not only mortgage loans but consumer credits as well may be subject to securitization of assets in Armenia. Along with it, T. Jrbashyan emphasized that implementation of international standards during securitization is an important moment for attraction of funds.

T. Jrbashyan expressed confidence that a boom around the banking assets shows that there are banks in the country with enough capital for investment in securities. 'They need a relevant tool. However, a
certain liquidity problem exists in the banking system, especially in the actively working banks. Despite the fact that the Armenian market is not integrated enough in the world one, the volume of available resources reduced, and this problem will intensify', AEPLAC co-director said.

Director of the 'Capital Assets Management' Investment Company Tigran Karapetyan, holding to the opinion of international experts, said that the minimum volume for profitable and efficient
securitization should exceed $250 mln. T. Karapetyan thinks that securitization of assets in Armenia may be efficiently carried out only in case of a cumulative credit portfolio of the Armenian banks,
totaling about $1.5 billion. 'Only in this case, securitization will be profitable, however, unification of the banks in one pool is not real', he emphasized. T. Karapetyan divided the risks during securitization into two types: the market and legal risks. Talking about the first one, he said that the property is a pledge of the credit portfolio of the banks being an object of securitization. Based on this, he said, the size and quality of credit portfolios largely depend on the state of the real estate market
being in a
state of overheating. As for the legal risk, T. Karapetyan expressed an opinion that not the whole legislation covers the available legal risks today. Along with it, he shared the viewpoint that securitization will be impossible without the relevant international standards, as assessment of assets and the property is connected just with them.

T. Karapetyan thinks that not all the banks of the country need securitization today. 'The current liquidity ratio of the Armenian banks exceeds the required CB standards one and a half times. In any
case, if the bankers think about increase of liquidity of their assets, securitization will not become a task of prime importance for them. An international institutional investor is necessary for the first successful securitization in Armenia. However, under the present crisis in the international market, I do not think that its attraction in a short-term prospect is real', he said. Deputy Chairman of the Board of 'Converse Bank' Tigran Davtyan, who also marked a non-topical nature of securitization of assets
in Armenia, substantiated his position by the fact that even simple bonds in the country are presently sold with difficulty. 'Currently, the local banks experience a problem of liquidity, and a deficit of
available long-term resources is the greatest problem for them. Therefore, the market today is not ready for securitization', T. Davtyan emphasized.

To note, the independent Rating Agency AmRating, being part of the GlobalRating Rating group, which also includes RusRating (Russia) and KzRating (Kazakhstan) agencies, is the organizer of the English
debates. The Agency's main activity is conferment of credit ratings to the banks, as well as their debt instruments, compilation of analytical reviews about different signets of the financial market.