ARMENIA IS NOT TOLD, ARMENIA DOES NOT TELL

Lragir.am
15 June 06

Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan stated June 14 that Russia decides
how to handle the companies given to Russia in return for debt. The
point is that press ran information several days ago that the Russian
government, which became the owner of four big companies in Armenia,
is going to sell them. "It is Russia’s property, the property of the
government, and they decide to privatize them or hand over management
to another company or country," said Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
with regard to the rumored step of the Russian government.

Everything is not as bad as it might seem, however. We learned that
not only Armenia is not asked or told, or informed about matters that
concern our country, but also Armenia does not inform other countries
about all the processes concerning us. Namely, a senior official of
the Iranian Embassy to Armenia stated June 13 that he had not learned
about the intention of the Armenian government to transfer part of
the shares of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to the Russians. "Is
it obligatory that we tell our neighbors everything that happens in
Armenia in writing?" counters Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.

The problem is, however, that Iran states the arrangement on the gas
pipeline was made by Armenia and Iran and any changes or introduction
of another participant must be approved by both countries. In other
words, Iran must give its agreement to transfer shares to Russia.