CUSTOMS SERVICE HEAD PROTECTS HIS DEPUTY

Panorama.am
17:22 16/10/06

The chairman of customs state committee, Armen Avetisyan, responded
to the recent statement made by business tycoon Khachatur Sukiasyan
who said deputy chairman of customs service, Gagik Khachatryan,
has several businesses and may pose serious impediments to those who
would like to engage in similar business.

Avetisyan said, "I was appointed in this post in the year 2001 and
since that time Khachatur Sukiasyan’s businesses are only growing."

Moreover, he said that the employees of Khachatur Sukiasyan have
failed to perform some tasks and presented the deputy chairman of
customs service as guilty. Avetisyan said he personally talked to
the Sukiasyan but he presented no facts. "Wouldn’t you like such
impediments which will grow your business?" he poses a rhetoric
question.

Avetisyan said checks have shown there are no problems with Galaxi
supermarket which belongs to Gagik Khachatryan as Khachatur Sukiasian
said. Avetisyan said that supermarket belongs to the relative of
Gagik Khachatryan. "If he is my deputy it does not mean he cannot have
relatives or that his relatives must be librarians. People after all
work and live," Avetisyan said.

Avetisyan also that that his employees are fired if they are found in
corruption. In the course of 9 months, 121 employees were dismissed,
37 were reproached and 86 did not pass attestation, he said.

"If you mentioned any customs service where there are no cases of
corruption I will be surprised," Avetisyan confesses. However, he
said every possible is done to curb corruption in customs sphere.