Lragir, Armenia
Oct 27 2006

ROBINSON LEAVES FULL OF BELIEF THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT CHEATED HIM

I was frank, said Roger Robinson, CEO of the Yerevan office of the
World Bank in his good-bye news conference on October 27 in Yerevan
when the news reporters reminded him his statement made in spring
2006. The news reporter of the Lragir had asked Roger Robinson about
the attitude of the World Bank to the possibility of selling the
Iran-Armenia gas pipleine to Russia, because by that time the deal on
the fifth generating unit of the Thermal Power Plant had been signed,
and the Russians announced that they were likely to obtain the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline as well. At that time Roger Robinson
declined to answer, saying that as far as he knew, there are no
Russian-Armenian negotiations over the gas pipeline.

However, several days ago the Russians again stated and the
government confessed that there are negotiations. Meanwhile, now
Roger Robinson is saying that at that time his answer was sincere,
which means that the government cheated Robinson when they said they
are not negotiating the gas pipeline with Russia. And since it is
known now that there are negotiations, and Roger Robinson cannot say
that there are not, the news reporters wanted to know what he would
say now in his good-bye news conference as a World Bank official.

Roger Robinson said he cannot say who will become the owner of the
Armenian section of te Iranian pipeline. The leaving CEO of the World
Bank Yerevan office only stated that Armrusgasard will be involved in
the operation of the Armenian section of the pipeline. Robinson said
he does not think that there will be two gas-distributing companies
in Armenia, consequently it will be Armrusgasard. and he thinks that
part will be owned by Armenia and the other part will be owned by
Russia.

For Robinson, he leaves Armenia hopeful that the two-digit economic
growth will be sustained, although he believes that in the upcoming
years it will be impossible to sustain this rate. However, the
Armenian officials forecast two-digit growth, and he thinks he does
not have the right not to believe.

ROBINSON TOLD BAD FORTUNE BEFORE LEAVING

I think this government will rule long, forecast Roger Robinson, CEO
of the Yerevan office of the World Bank on October 27 before leaving
Armenia. The news reporters asked him if it is expedient to continue
borrowing foreign loans with a two-digit economic growth, increasing
the foreign debt. Roger Robinson said that 12 percent growth is not
little but it is not sufficient to settle the urgent problems. At the
same time, the CEO of the World Bank Yerevan office said that the
Armenian government does not borrow much foreign loans. He said that
in his opinion this government will rule long, therefore there is no
need to worry that the country will go on to borrow loans from the
outside, said Roger Robinson.

It is not clear on what basis and for what purpose Roger Robinson
makes such a forecast before leaving that this government will
continue to rule for a long time. On the other hand, it is possible
that the CEO of the World Bank Yerevan office prompts the public that
they had better worry that this government will remain in power long
rather than worry for foreign loans.